MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Casey Dellacqua defeated Arina Rodionova 5-7, 6-1, 6-0 on Sunday to win a wild-card tournament and qualify for next month’s Australian Open.
Dellacqua, ranked No. 2 in Australia behind Samantha Stosur, will make her 11th Australian Open appearance. Her best finish came in 2008 when she reached the round of 16 at Melbourne Park.
In the men’s final of the Australian-only tournament, Jordan Thompson overcame a comeback attempt by Ben Mitchell to beat the former Wimbledon junior finalist 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1. The 19-year-old Thompson qualified for his first Australian Open.
The Australian Open begins Jan. 13 at Melbourne Park.
