Bernard Tomic refuses to speak after scraping through to last round of Australian Open qualifying

BERNARD Tomic is maintaining his silence after scrambling into the final round of Australian Open qualifying, heeding the advice recently given to him to prove actions speak louder than words.

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

BERNARD Tomic is maintaining his silence after moving to the cusp of Australian Open qualifying, taking former tournament director Paul McNamee’s advice to prove actions speak louder than words.

As McNamee said Tomic trained covertly in Turkey to prepare for 2018, the Queenslander declined requests for post-match interviews for the second round in a row.

He scrambled into the final round of Melbourne Park qualifying, barely surviving a dramatic comeback from American Tommy Paul, 6-0 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-4).

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The former world No 17 will next face Italy’s world No.218 Lorenzo Sonego for a main draw berth.

Tomic, who plummeted to 142 in the world, told McNamee he needed to “check out” after a woeful 2017 season.

McNamee said Tomic “basically didn’t pick up a racquet between Wimbledon and the US Open”.

“He told me … I’ve done it, I’ve had my partying, and I’m happy to play qualifying,” McNamee said.

“He was happy to play qualifying.”

Bernard Tomic survived a tense Australian Open qualifier. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Tomic was overlooked by Tennis Australia for a wildcard after rejecting an offer to ­attend a training camp.

McNamee has refused to rule out Tomic getting back into the top flight with hard work and patience.

“Talk is cheap. The jury is out for Bernie, including for me,” McNamee said.

“He’s still got time. Most people don’t make it until they’re 25 in tennis — it’s becoming an old man’s sport.

“No one is breaking in before 25 unless you’re a (Nick) Kyrgios, (Grigor) Dimitrov or (Alexander) Zverev — you’ve got to be that good.

“It’s going to be walking the walk, not talking about it.”

Tomic called for a trainer late in the match against Paul for an unspecified problem, but survived without treatment.

It contained reminders of his best and worst — sublime skill and questionable fitness.

The Queenslander claimed 11 of the first 13 games to have the match at his mercy.

But, serving for the contest at 5-3, he blundered.

Tomic defeated world No.151 Tommy Paul in a third-set tiebreaker. Picture: Tim Carrafa

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

When the match was over, Tomic walked 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.

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 Irina Falconi.