Exciting teenager Ashleigh Barty has dug deep to qualify for the Brisbane International women’s singles main draw with a gutsy three-sets win over Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens.
The 17-year-old world No.190 saved five match points before turning the tables on Bertens to win 2-6 6-3 7-5 in the final round of qualifying.
Barty emerged as a doubles star in 2013 after making three grand slam finals with compatriot Casey Dellacqua.
But she will fly the flag in the Brisbane singles after two fellow Australians failed to survive the cut-throat qualifying event.
In the final qualifying round on Sunday, Jarmila Gajdosova – a former Brisbane quarter-finalist – bowed out to Briton Heather Watson 6-4 6-4 while Anastasia Rodionova was ousted 6-4 6-3.
In the main draw, Australian Olivia Rogowska lost in the first round 6-3 7-5 to 43-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan.
Meanwhile, former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki became the first major casualty, withdrawing with a shoulder injury.
However, the Danish world No.10 was still hopeful of contesting the upcoming Sydney International ahead of the Australian Open starting on January 13.
Sixth seed Wozniacki, 23, had been in line for a possible quarter-final showdown with 17-time grand slam champion Serena Williams.
Wozniacki had been scheduled to meet Slovakian ninth seed Dominika Cibulkova in the first round.
Wozniacki will be replaced in the main draw by a yet to be confirmed lucky loser.