Back to the Tennis Newsfeed

Evans & Ward win opening qualifiers

Britain's Dan Evans and James Ward both won their opening Australian Open qualifiers to move within two victories of the main draw.

Evans lost his serve just once as he beat Italian top seed Luca Vanni 7-6 (7-5) 6-4, and he will face Israel's Amir Weintraub in the second round.

Ward sent down 16 aces in a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 win over Canada's Peter Polansky.

Elsewhere, Nick Kyrgios suffered a pre-Open scare when he pulled out of his opening match at the Kooyong Classic.

The 20-year-old Australian handed Belgian David Goffin victory as he retired with a foot injury.