Open shot benefit to Smith’s ranking
J OHN- PATRICK S mit h ’ s former coach believes qualifying for the US Open could be the shot in the arm the Townsville product’s career needs after he was handed a dream draw at the Grand Slam.
After navigating his way through qualifying, the 28year- old will face unheralded Italian world No. 81 Thomas Fabbiano at Flushing Meadows tomorrow morning ( AEST).
After enduring a lean period, Smith has enjoyed a recent purple patch. He won through to the main draw of the recent ATP 1000 series event in Cincinnati before losing in the first round to Richard Gasquet.
Smith is guaranteed $ 63,000 in prizemoney even with a first- round loss, which his former coach Wayne Hannah says will ease the financial pressure on his shoulders for the rest of the year.
If he wins, he will set up a second- round match- up against the winner of countryman Jordan Thompson and American Jack Sock.
World No. 202 Smith fell just short of qualifying for this year’s Australian Open in January after he lost the playoff final to Omar Jasika.
Like Smith, Fabbiano has never won a Grand Slam main draw match in his career.
“It’s critical because he needs to get his ranking up and probably earn a bit more money to be honest,” Hannah said.
“For him it’s a dream draw and you’re guaranteed ranking points, this could be the result that kickstarts his career.
“It will make his life much easier for the rest of the year.”
His prizemoney for the first eight months of the year is $ US82,065 ($ 103,000), emphasising the rewards for players in Grand Slam tournaments.
Meanwhile, Australia No. 1 Daria Gavrilova will go to the US Open as the newest member of the women’s top 20 after breaking through for her first WTA title yesterday.
Gavrilova beat two of the top- dozen players in as many days to claim the Connecticut Open title and ensure she will rise six places to No. 20 in the rankings list published today.
The Melbourne- based 23year- old outslugged second seed Dominika Cibulkova, a former Australian Open runner- up, 4- 6, 6- 3, 6- 4 in the final in New Haven.
A day earlier, Gavrilova saw off world No. 10 Agnieszka Radwanska to take her win- loss record against top- 10 players to a commendable 9- 18.
Gavrilova’s next task is make the short trip to New York City and get organised for her US Open first- round match against American qualifier Allie Kiick on Wednesday morning ( AEST).
“It’s so worth it, winning your first title – of course I gave my all,” Gavrilova said of her long week in the countdown to a major tournament when most top players devote time to rest.
Bernard Tomic is a $ 3.90 underdog when he meets 19th seed Gilles Muller in his first match in seven weeks and in- form Ash Barty is a $ 1.52 favourite to beat the higher ranked Ana Konjuh, Croatia’s 21st seed.
It’s the third time Smith, who made his way in tennis through the American collegiate competitions, has qualified for a US Open or Wimbledon main draw.