Naomi Broady keeps Australian Open hopes alive

  • Naomi Broady battled past Kathinka von Deichmann in Melbourne
  • Seventh seed dropped second set in second round qualifying win
  • British No 3 will face Bibiane Schoofs with three wins needed to make main draw

Naomi Broady battled through to the second round of qualifying at the Australian Open but there were defeats for Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter.

Broady, the seventh seed, dropped the second set to Kathinka von Deichmann of Liechtenstein but recovered to win 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 in hot conditions in Melbourne.

The British No 3 will face Dutchwoman Bibiane Schoofs in the second round with three victories needed for a place in the main draw.

Naomi Broady has battled through to the second round of qualifying at the Australian Open

Norrie, the sixth seed in men’s qualifying, came through his first-round match on Wednesday and would have hoped to repeat his achievements at the US Open last summer.

In New York, the 22-year-old eased through qualifying before reaching the second round but here he was well beaten 6-4, 6-2 by Australian John-Patrick Smith.

Norrie has made rapid strides since turning professional last May and is set to make his Davis Cup debut for Britain in their first-round clash with Spain next month.

The British No 3 beat Kathinka von Deichmann 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 in hot conditions in Melbourne

The British No 3 beat Kathinka von Deichmann 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 in hot conditions in Melbourne

Norrie’s defeat leaves Kyle Edmund as the only British man in the main draw.

Johanna Konta and Heather Watson were direct entrants into the women’s draw but British No 4 Boulter will not be joining them.

She retired with a leg problem down 6-4, 6-7, 5-2 to America’s Kayla Day. 

Cameron Norrie was beaten in straight-sets by Australian John-Patrick Smith

Cameron Norrie was beaten in straight-sets by Australian John-Patrick Smith



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