Inglis leads Aussie charge in Wimbledon qualifying

MADDISON Inglis overcame the disappointment of barely missing out on direct entry to Wimbledon to be one of seven Australian women to move into second-round qualifying.

The 24-year-old West Australian, who made the third round at this year’s Australian Open in a careerbest performance, joined Astra Sharma, Priscilla Hon, Storm Sanders, Lizette Cabrera, Jaimee Fourlis and

Zoe Hives in winning. But 27th seed Olivia Gadecki, Kaylah Mcphee, Seone Mendez and Ellen Perez lost their first-round qualifying matches.

Inglis, the fifth seed in qualifying, outlasted Dutchwoman Indy de Vroome in a tense opening set before completing a 7-6 (10-8) 6-1 victory.

The world No.129 has won only five of her 17 matches, including qualifying, since her Melbourne Park heroics, but will meet Luxembourg’s Mandy Minella for a spot in finalround qualifying. Hives’ 6-2 6-4 dismissal of Romanian 20th seed Gabriela Lee was a significant step in her comeback after a blood circulation disorder called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome ruined her past two years.

Another challenge awaits against American former world No.73 Sachia Vickery, with the victor facing off with either Hon or top seed Katie Volynets for a main-draw spot.

Hon warmed up for her difficult contest with a fighting 2-6 6-4 7-5 triumph over Valentini Grammatikopoulou, after the Greek player served for the match in the final set.

In-form Fourlis also had to rally from a set down to advance 5-7 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 at Dea Herdzelas’ expense and next faces 2020 French Open semi-finalist Nadia Podoroska.

Sharma saw off Swiss rival Joanne Zuger 7-6 (8-6) 6-4, while Sanders won 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 over local hope Anna Brogan.