Three Chinese players make Australian Open main draw from qualifying

Three players from the Chinese mainland, Wu Yibing, Yuan Yue and Bai Zhuoxuan, booked their spots in the Australian Open main draw after taking their third wins in the qualifying event on Thursday.

Wu beat Tristan Boyer of the U.S. in straight sets in men's singles to qualify for this year's first Grand Slam tournament. The world No. 168 overcame an early break by the opponent to take the first set 6-3. Then he scored two breaks in the third and seventh games of the second set, sealing the deal 6-2.

Wu will face Luca Nardi of Italy in the first round.

On the women's side, No. 25 seed Yuan beat Tamara Zidansek 6-3, 6-1 to qualify for the Australian Open for the fourth straight year. She will battle second-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland in the opener.

World No. 697 Bai Zhuoxuan made it back to the Australian Open main draw after coming back to knock out Darja Vidmanova of the Czech Republic 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Bai suffered four breaks in the first set, but converted a clutch break point in the 10th game in the second set to tie the match 1-1. She was in absolute control in the decider and ended the competition with two breaks.

Bai will challenge Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round.

As for the other five players qualified for the main draw, Zhang Zhizhen will face Argentine No. 18 seed Francisco Cerundolo in the men's event. Shang Juncheng will play Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain. Buyunchaokete will battle 21st seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada.

In the women's openers, Zhang Shuai will meet home wild-card Taylah Preston. Wang Xinyu will play Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina.