Bernard Tomic survives in tense Australian Open qualifier

BERNARD Tomic’s hopes of earning an eleventh-hour Australian Open berth remains alive after he scraped through his second-round match of the men’s singles qualifiers this afternoon.

Bernard Tomic is locked in a tight contest at Melbourne Park. Picture: Getty Images

AN exhausted Bernard Tomic has scrambled into the final round of Australian Open qualifying, barely surviving a dramatic comeback from American Tommy Paul.

On the cusp of reaching the main draw after being overlooked by Tennis Australia for a discretionary wildcard after rejecting an offer to attend a training camp, Tomic’s Open hopes are intact.

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His rollercoaster 6-0 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-4) success contained reminders of his best and worst — sublime skill and questionable fitness.

The Queenslander, who slumped from No.17 to No.140, claimed 11 of the first 13 games to have the match at his mercy.

But, serving for the contest at 5-3, he blundered as Paul preyed on the Gold Coaster’s suspect condition.

Ultimately, Tomic’s steadiness was decisive — he hit fewer winners (30-35) but also had fewer unforced errors (37-49).

Bernard Tomic scraped through to the final round of qualifying. Picture: AAP

When the match was over, Tomic signed a cross before trudging out of Margaret Court Arena, wincing with every step.

The former Davis Cup stalwart called for a trainer late in the third set for an unspecified problem.

He will play Italy’s world No 218 Lorenzo Sonego in the final round.

James Duckworth’s quest to reach the main draw was terminated 6-4 6-4 by German Matthias Bachinger.

Queenslander John-Patrick Smith and South Australian Bradley Mousley remain in contention to reach the main draw.

Patricia Hon. will contest final-round qualifying against American 15th seed Irina Falconi.