Melbourne, Australia, 10 January 2023 | Darren Parkin

Astra Sharma has progressed to the second round of Australian Open 2023 qualifying after scoring a hard-fought win over Germany’s Katharina Hobgarski.

Sharma served for the match at 5-3 in the second set, but needed nearly two-and-a-half hours to close out a 6-3 5-7 6-1 victory.

“I’ve actually been working on closing out, ironically,” said the 27-year-old Australian wildcard.

“At the end of the day I’ve been working on treating every single point the same. If you don’t close out this set, just look for the next opportunity. Treat 5-3 as if it’s 2-all. Every point is the same and try not to make a big deal of one in particular, even if it has match point attached to it.”

World No.224 Sharma spoke about the need to adjust mid-match to the tempo and was proud of her ability to get back on top.

“She hits a tricky ball. I kept expecting them to drift out but they’d always land in. I had to adjust to the flatter balls she was hitting, and I used the change over before the third set to fire back up again,” she said.

Sharma is eyeing off a fifth straight Australian Open main-draw appearance and feels as if she is in a good place.

“I’ve had a really good pre-season. I played the first lead-up tournament really well I thought, but just didn’t have much luck,” she said.

“I’m keen to build through qualifying and hopefully land in the draw next week.”

In the other evening result, Alexandra Bozovic put up a gallant showing against No.1 seed Alycia Parks of America. The 23-year-old Australian went down in a pair of tiebreaks.

Earlier today, Priscilla Hon and Ellen Perez both scored first-round wins in the AO 2023 women’s qualifying singles competition.

> READ: Hon enjoys a winning start in Australian Open qualifying

Tickets to attend Australian Open 2023 qualifying are just $5 for kids and $10 for adults. Fans will also be able to see some of the world’s top-ranked players compete in practice matches at Melbourne Park.

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AUSSIES IN ACTION – Australian Open

TODAY’S RESULTS
Women’s qualifying singles, first round
Priscilla Hon (AUS) d Katrina Scott (USA) 6-3 6-7(2) 6-1
[WC] Ellen Perez (AUS) d [WC] Petra Hule (AUS) 6-0 6-2
[WC] Astra Sharma (AUS) d Katharina Hobgarski (GER) 6-3 5-7 6-1
[1] Alycia Parks (USA) d [WC] Alexandra Bozovic (AUS) 7-6(4) 7-6(2)
[26] Jodie Burrage (GBR) d [WC] Elysia Bolton (AUS) 6-2 6-4
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) d Maddison Inglis (AUS) 6-3 4-6 6-3

> READ: Li Tu leads Aussie winners in AO 2023 men’s qualifying competition

COMING UP
Women’s qualifying singles, second round
Priscilla Hon (AUS) v Katherine Sebov (CAN)
Zoe Hives (AUS) v Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva (AND)
[WC] Astra Sharma (AUS) v [20] Simona Waltert (SUI)
[WC] Ellen Perez (AUS) v Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (ESP)
[WC] Destanee Aiava (AUS) v Arianne Hartono (NED)

> VIEW: Full Australian Open 2023 women’s qualifying singles draw

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