Smith’s Open dream alive

A SPOT in the Australian Open men’s singles main draw is just one win away for Townsville’s John Patrick Smith ( right) after he saw off Britain’s Cameron Norrie in straight sets.

Smith beat the world No. 112 6- 4 6- 2 at Melbourne Park yesterday with the 28- year- old reeling off 17 winners and landing 74 per cent of his first serves in the dominant display.

In other qualifying action Priscilla Hon saved her compatriots from a potential Australian whitewash, with Sara Tomic among four locals to crash out in the first round.

Hon battled through on Thursday to a three- set victory over Barbora Stefkova, breaking the Czech in the last game of the match to win 4- 6 7- 6 ( 7- 4) 6- 4.

Her countrywomen weren’t so lucky as Tomic, Naiktha Bains and Tammi Patterson were all straight- sets losers in their bid to join the main draw of their home grand slam.