Sara Errani, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova and Tsvetana Pironkova reached the final qualifying round for the Australian Open in Dubai.
The 32 qualified players will fight for the 16 spots in the main draw of the Australian Open.
Former Wimbledon semifinalist Tsvetana Pironkova overcame Han-Na lae 6-0 3-6 6-1 in 2 hours and 10 minutes. The Bulgarian player reached the quarter finals at the 2020 US Open in her first tournament in over three years.
Pironkova won the first set by a bagel in just 28 minutes. Han fought back to win the second set forcing the match to the decider. Pironkova won 60 % of Han’s first service points to claim the third set. Pironkova gave birth to her first child Alexander in April 2018.
Pironkova set up a match against former top 50 Margarita Gasparyan, who edged Mariam Bokvadze 6-3 7-6 (6-3).
Hungary’s Timea Babos battled past Tessah Andrianjafitrimo 6-3 2-6 6-2 setting up a third qualifying round match against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, who Japan’s Chihiro Muramatsu 6-4 6-3.
Former Roland Garros finalist Sara Errani came back from one set down in her 3-6 6-3 6-2 win over Georgina Garcia Perez.
“It was a really tough match. I knew it would be before, because the courts are very fast, so it’s not easy for me. I started the first set a bit too nervous, and I could not play my best game. The third set was tough, and it was good for me. I want to go to Australia, so it’s a big match. I will try to be at my best”, said Errani.
Errani will take on former top 20 player Ana Konjuh from Croatia, who beat Cagla Buyukakcay 6-4 6-2.
Number 1 seed Kaja Juvan from Slovenia knocked out Anhelina Kalinina 6-2 6-4 to secure a spot in the third qualifying round, where she will face Slovakia’s Rebecca Stramkova.
Belgium’s Greet Minnen saw off Cepede Royg from Paraguay 7-5 6-3 to qualify for the third round, where she will face US Varvara Lepchenko.
China’s Yuan Yue beat former Australian Open semifinalist and Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard 6-2 6-4.
Michaela Buzarnescu from Romania fought past Claire Liu 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 6-4.
Clara Burel edged Anna Kalinskaya 6-3 3-6 6-4. India’s Ankita Raina overcame Katarina Zavatska 6-2 2-6 6-3. France’s Harmony Tan stunned Caty McNally 6-1 6-4. Mayar Sherif from Egypt saw off US Grace Min 6-3 2-6 6-1 setting up a match against Aleksandra Krunic.
