MINSK, 12 January (BelTA) – Three Belarusian players have progressed to the second round of the Australian Open qualifying tournament.
Vera Lapko, the winner of the Junior Australian Open 2016 and World No.327, saw off Bulgaria's World No.139 Elica Kostova 6-1, 5-7, 8-6. Alexandra Sasnovich (116) proved stronger against Riko Sawayanagi of Japan (205), 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. Arina Sobolenko (146) cruised past Turkey's Ipek Soylu (159) 6-2, 6-1. Olga Govortsova (173) fell 5-7, 7-5, 2-6 to Romania's Mihaela Buzarnescu (671).
Vladimir Ignatik of Belarus (ranked 191st in the world) got off to a good start in the Men's Qualifying Singles of the Australian Open in Melbourne defeating World No.133 Vasek Pospisil of Canada 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The Belarusian will next face Japan's Hiroki Moriya (World No.173), who dismissed Australia's Harry Bourchier, ranked 869th, 6-2, 6-3. Belarus' World No.176 Ilya Ivashko lost his opener 4-6, 4-6 to Rajeev Ram (129) of the United States.
Players have to come through three qualifying rounds in order to book a place in the Australian Open main draw, which is scheduled for 16-29 January.
