By DPA,
Melbourne : Injury-plagued Casey Dellacqua Sunday proved that she is back to being fit as she defeated Olivia Rogowska 1-6, 7-6(9), 6-3 in just under two hours Sunday to collect a wild card entry into the Australian Open.
Joining her from the men’s side will be Nick Lindahl, whose title performance at the week-long playoff at Melbourne Park was consolidated over Bernard Tomic’s 6-7(6), 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 defeat in the final.
Lindahl saved five match points in the fourth set to earn his place in the first Grand Slam of 2010 which starts January 18.
“I’m really happy. I’m tired and sore everywhere but I’m excited,” said the winner. “Yesterday (in the semi-finals), I was two points from defeat.
“Today I was one point from defeat, so I’m really proud of myself for hanging in there.”
Tomic, playing for the first time since winning the US Open juniors in September, was unable to follow through on his opportunities and will have to hope for mercy from the Open when the last of the three wild cards are dispensed next month.
“I had a few match points, but I’m gonna get over it tonight, so hopefully I can get it out of my mind by tomorrow,” said the 17-year-old.
“I should’ve changed something up but, then again, tennis is tennis – you make a few mistakes like that and it can cost you and it did today. But Nick played good tennis and there are no excuses, he just played the good shots at the right time.”
Dellacqua was playing her first event in ten months after going down to shoulder surgery and a long rehab period.