Dokic, Kimmich win wildcards into Aus Open

Jelena Dokic and Marc Kimmich have guaranteed a main draw appearance at the 2006 Australian Open by taking out the Australian Open wildcard play-off at Melbourne Park.

The 349th ranked Australian won the Australian Open wildcard with her finals victory over the 355th ranked Monique Adamczak 4-6 6-3 6-2.

The 22-year-old Dokic acknowledged that there was still much room for improvement and that her main goal was to build up her fitness and confidence for a much-improved 2006 season.

“I’m still pulling up sore after matches but this is normal. It’s good that’s happening now before the actual tournaments start,” said Dokic.

Adamczak, also 22, led Dokic for the first set and a half before Dokic was able to fight and feel her way back into the match.

“I was very nervous the beginning of the match and that showed in the first set. But it was good to come out of that.”

“I just need to go for it and not be as nervous. I have a little bit more confidence now and I will just work my way in, which is good.”

In her semi-final on Sunday, Dokic easily disposed of 28-year-old Trudi Musgrave 6-1 6-3, a player from Newcastle who has had much greater success in doubles.

In returning to Australia, Jelena Dokic had a couple of personal goals – to play at the Australian Open and win back the support of the Australian tennis community. If she continues on her recent ways, it is very likely that she will realise both.

In the men’s competition, Queensland’s Marc Kimmich won his second consecutive Australian Open wildcard play-off against Victorian teenager Coehlo, a player who made a big impression en rout to the final.

Unaccustomed to playing best-of-five set matches, Kimmich came back from losing the third set after winning the first two sets to eventually come out on top, 6-3 6-3 3-6 6-3.

Currently number 306 in the world, Kimmich was out with a hand injury for six months this year making this year’s all-Australian shootout victory even sweeter.

“To get back to where I was last year is big for me. I’ve got the belief that I can win at that level,” Kimmich said.

Kimmich made his Grand-Slam debut at last year’s Australian Open, suffering a first round defeat to Argentina’s Mariano Zabaleta.

Both Dokic and Kimmich will enter January’s Australian Open without having to worry about defending any ranking points and knowing that any win will only improve their tour ranking.

Related Article:

Dokic within reach of Australian Open main draw (Sun Dec 18)

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