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<\/p>\nBernard Tomic’s dream to make it back into the main draw of a Grand Slam has ended swiftly after he lost in the second round of qualifying to Arthur Fery in 68 minutes.<\/p>\n
It was the first time the pair had faced off and Fery took out the match 6-4, 6-2.<\/p>\n
It appeared to look like trademark Tomic at 1573 Arena \u2014 he pushed his opponent into uncomfortable positions with awkward slices that disrupted rhythm, executed drop shots and flatly struck winners.<\/p>\n
The opening games in the first set saw the pair level at 1-1 apiece before Fery broke the Australian 40-0 to lead 2-1.<\/p>\n
Tomic fought hard to keep his hopes alive in the 10th game, saving three set points.<\/p>\n
But an unforced forehand error handed the first set to the Englishman, much to the dismay of the crowd cheering Tomic on.<\/p>\n
The second set started in the same vein and Tomic had to fight hard from 30-0 down to risk being broken in his second service game.<\/p>\n
An unforced error from Fery and a sorely needed ace from the Australian got him squared up at 30-30, although the encouraging signs were not enough to get ahead.<\/p>\n
While Tomic was able to redeem himself and level the score at 2-2, Fery established his dominance on court, leaving the Australian with few options.<\/p>\n
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The defeat marks the fifth straight year Tomic has not made the Australian Open main draw. (AAP: Joel Carrett)<\/p>\n
Fery broke Tomic’s serve twice to win the match 6-4, 6-2 and progress to the third round of qualifying.<\/p>\n
If the statistics tell you anything, it is that Tomic was never really in the match to begin with.<\/p>\n
He had nine winners to Fery’s 25 and 21 unforced errors (mostly his slice going into the net) to 16.<\/p>\n
He also won less than 50 per cent of his second-serve points.<\/p>\n
It marks a fifth straight year that Tomic has not featured in the main draw at his home grand slam, with his last appearance coming in a second-round exit in 2021.<\/p>\n
Tomic has climbed to world number 184 with a renewed desire to compete at the highest level, but it just was not meant to be at his home slam.<\/p>\n
Stephens fights back against Gadecki<\/p>\n
Olivia Gadecki has been knocked out of the Australian Open qualifying in the second round by American Sloane Stephens.<\/p>\n
The Australian came out strong early and went a set up, but Stephens overcame early frustrations to win the next two sets, and the match.<\/p>\n
After a long two hours and 12 minutes, the former US Open champion and Australian Open semifinalist Stephens won 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.<\/p>\n
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Olivia Gadecki started strong but ultimately was undone by some power hitting from Sloane Stephens. (AAP: Joel Carrett)<\/p>\n
It was the fourth time the pair had faced off and it was the first time a match between the two went to a deciding set.<\/p>\n
Back in 2024, Stephens knocked Gadecki out of the Australian Open in straight sets.<\/p>\n
The Australian started the strongest on Wednesday and was running Stephens around the court.<\/p>\n
Gadecki broke Stephens on the first time of asking to take early momentum and there was clear frustration from Stephens.<\/p>\n
The American was approaching her coach after every point asking for advice and complaining that something was not working.<\/p>\n
After one point, her coach, Kamau Murray, told her to “just breathe, try get on your front foot more”.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Sloane Stephens fought back from a set down to win. (AAP: Joel Carrett)<\/p>\n
The advice could not stop Gadecki on her way to winning the first set 6-3.<\/p>\n
In the second set, Stephens looked improved and was beginning to shift some momentum back her way. She was still seeking advice from her coach throughout.<\/p>\n
The former world number three managed to break Gadecki’s serve halfway through the set and managed to carry that on to win the set.<\/p>\n
Gadecki rallied hard but was unable to convert five break points of her own in the second set, leaving the door open for Stephens to level things up.<\/p>\n