Frances Tiafoe qualifies for main draw
Megan Moulton-Levy returns after two-year absence due to injury
World #22 Treat Huey goes for doubles glory in Melbourne
Frances Tiafoe claimed his place in the 2017 Australian Open with a 3-6, 6-0, 7-5 win over fellow American Tim Smyczek in the final round of qualifying on Saturday. The ATP world-ranked #107 will compete for the first time in the main draw in Melbourne having previously played in the main draws at the 2015 and 2016 US Open and the 2015 French Open. The recent JTCC alumnus will face world #97 Mikhail Kukuskin of Kazakhstan in the opening round on Tuesday. The match will be live streamed on ESPN3 CourtCast service.
“Frances had a fantastic year in 2016 breaking into the top 100,” said Frank Salazar, JTCC Senior Director of High Performance, who coached Tiafoe during his junior career. “He is currently the highest ranked 18-year-old in the world behind Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz and is well prepared to win his first main draw match at a Grand Slam.”
Frances Tiafoe in Australian Open Qualifying action (Getty Images)
JTCC Senior Coach Megan Moulton-Levy will partner American compatriot Lauren Davis in the women’s doubles at Melbourne Park participating in her first event since a major injury sidelined her two years ago at the 2015 Australian Open. Moulton-Levy joined the JTCC coaching staff in January 2016 during her rehabilitation. She will use her WTA protected ranking of #61 to return to the tour to compete in a number of events during 2017 alongside continuing to coach at JTCC. Moulton-Levy starts her comeback alongside Davis against the all-Australian team of Alicia Smith and Destanee Aiava.
“I feel that I have unfinished business on tour and want to finish my career on my terms,” explained Moulton-Levy of her return to the tour. “I’ve always enjoyed competing in Melbourne and feel lucky to have another chance to play here.”
Megan Moulton-Levy returns to the tour after a two year absence (Jimmie48 Photography)
Doubles specialist Treat Huey and Belarusian veteran Max Miryni are the #10 seeds at the Australian Open. The talented duo, in their second season in tandem, begin their campaign against the experienced pairing of Indian Leander Paes and Brazilian Andre Sa. Huey, will be looking to build on an outstanding 2016, which saw him climb into the top 20 in the ATP world doubles rankings by reaching the Wimbledon semifinals and qualifying for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals with Miryni. Huey, a two-time doubles quarterfinalist in 2014 and 2016, will be making his sixth appearance at the Australian Open.
Treat Huey (L) & Max Miryni (R) combine at 2016 ATP World Tour Finals (Clive Brunskill)
