Hunter storms into US Open draw with qualifying win

Darren Walton |

Storm Hunter has qualified at the US Open for the first time to make another main draw.
Storm Hunter has qualified at the US Open for the first time to make another main draw.

Storm Hunter has achieved an admirable career-first to boost Australia’s US Open contingent to 14, but injury has cruelled Chris O’Connell’s chances.

Hunter swept past fourth-seeded Latvian Darja Semenistaja 6-4 6-1 in the final round of qualifying to make the main draw at Flushing Meadows for only the third time.

The late-blooming 32-year-old will pocket at least $US140,000 ($A195,000) for joining compatriots Maya Joint, Daria Kasatkina, Kim Birrell, Talia Gibson and Taylah Preston in the women’s singles at the season’s final grand slam starting on Sunday.

Her foray through three sudden-death matches marks the first time Hunter has successfully qualified in New York.

O'Connell
Chris O’Connell has had no luck, having to retire from his final qualifier with injury. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

But while there was elation for the Rockhampton stalwart, Sydney’s O’Connell made an agonising exit, forced to retire before the deciding third set.

The 32-year-old was on the brink of making the main draw, leading 7-5 5-4 before rolling his ankle the point before trying to serve for the match in the second set against Hungarian Zsombor Piros.

O’Connell knew his hopes all but evaporated when he landed awkwardly after putting away an overhead, immediately looking to his box in anguish before bravely battling on but having to retire after losing the second-set tiebreaker 7-3. 

Tristan Schoolkate is playing his final-round qualifying match later on Friday (Saturday AEST) against Canadian Liam Draxl.

Sixth seed Alex de Minaur leads an already eight-strong Australian men’s challenge also including Alexei Popyrin, Adam Walton, Rinky Hijikata, Aleksandar Vukic, James Duckworth, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Dane Sweeny.

WHO THE AUSTRALIANS WILL FACE IN THE US OPEN FIRST ROUND (prefix denotes seeding):

Men’s singles

6-Alex de Minaur v qualifier

Alexei Popyrin v qualifier

Adam Walton v Yibing Wu (CHN)

Rinky Hijikata v 3-Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)

Aleksandar Vukic v qualifier

James Duckworth v 30-Matteo Arnaldi (ITA)

Thanasi Kokkinakis v 12-Rafael Jodar (ESP)

Dane Sweeny v Corentin Moutet (FRA)

Women’s singles

Maya Joint v Liudmila Samsonova (RUS)

Daria Kasatkina v Paula Badosa

Kim Birrell v Petra Marcinko (CRO)

Talia Gibson v Donna Vekic (CRO)

Taylah Preston v Alycia Parks (USA)

Storm Hunter v TBD

AAP