WA young gun Astra Sharma dreams of a Friday night date with Ashleigh Barty after continuing her breakout Australian Open at Melbourne Park.
Sharma, along with Aussie wildcards Kimberly Birrell and Zoe Hives, are hoping to roll on when they return on Wednesday for surprise second-round appearances at their home grand slam.
The trio, who are close friends, were still on cloud nine on Tuesday after guaranteeing themselves at least a $105,000 pay day and another opportunity to play in front of friends, family and adoring fans.
“We’re incredibly lucky to have a grand slam in our country and the support has been overwhelming,” Birrell said.
“It’s really a dream come true to play here in Melbourne.”
The 20-year-old, who lives on the Gold Coast, said she couldn’t wait to get back on the court to play 29th-seeded Donna Vekic and “do everybody proud”
Sharma, who defeated her friend and another fellow Aussie Priscilla Hon on Monday, said she was taking the tournament “one match at a time”.
“At the end of the day its another match and I want to keep things pretty low key and the same,” she said ahead of her meeting with Greece’s world No.45 Maria Sakkari.
“I know it’s a really big tournament but again its a game and just want to keep it really consistent.”
Victory for the 23-year-old Sharma, who also powered through three qualifying matches to make the main draw for the first time, would set up a showstopper with Barty, if the Australian No.1 also beats China’s Yafan Wang on Wednesday.
“It would be a dream come true to play Ash on such a big arena in front of a home crowd,” Sharma said.
“Obviously (I have) a lot of respect for Ash and she’s been doing so well, just to even get on the same court as her would be such an opportunity.”
Ballarat-born Hives isn’t looking as far ahead, saying she’s happy to have made it to her round-two clash against 19th-seeded Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia.
“Tomorrow the pressure is all off,” 22-year-old Hives said.
“It’s just a great experience and whatever happens, happens … (I’m) hoping to learn a lot from it.”