South Australia’s Alex Bolt is keen to repeat the eye-catching run at the season-opening Australian Open that propelled him to a career-high ranking this year.
Bolt took a step closer to the main draw of January’s grand slam when he defeated fellow South Australian Luke Saville 6-4 2-6 6-3 6-4 in Wednesday’s quarter-final of the Australian Open wildcard play-off at Melbourne Park.
The left-hander claimed two big scalps as a wildcard entrant at his home slam this year, with upset wins over former world top 10 players Jack Sock (USA) and Gilles Simon (France).
The encouraging performance launched him into a campaign that saw him reach a career-high world ranking of No.125 and the 26-year-old is keen to break into the top 100 in 2020.
“I feel like I’m playing at the same level, if not better, at the moment,” Bolt told AAP.
“I’m confident that I can crack the top 100 at some point next year.
“I just need to get my level to a place where I can consistently play big game tennis day in and day out and I think the results will come.”
Bolt received treatment for a sore glute in the second set, but is confident the issue won’t hinder him when he faces No.3 seed Max Purcell in a semi-final on Friday.
Purcell defeated Tasmanian Harry Bourchier in straight sets 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 6-1 to advance.
On the other side of the draw, Queensland’s John-Patrick Smith was the first player through to the semis on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old defeated Aleksandar Vukic 6-3 6-7 (13-15) 6-3 6-1 in just over three hours in a quarter-final played in cool, gusty conditions on court 8.
“They were tricky conditions with a bit of cloud and swirling wind out there, but I stayed pretty focused and took care of business, which is great,” Smith told AAP.
“I was a little unlucky in the second set, but I just found my groove a bit there in the third and fourth and it worked out well.
“I don’t want to think too far ahead, I just want to relax and have a bit of fun … I’m getting old now so I want to treasure every match I play.”
Smith will play No.8 seed Maverick Banes, who came from two sets to one down to defeat wildcard Tristan Schoolkate 4-6 6-0 4-6 7-5 7-5.