Australia’s Jason Kubler grits out tough win to move within reach of qualifying for his first French Open

At least one Australian will feature in final-round qualifying at the French Open but several compatriots bowed out of contention.

Australia’s Jason Kubler is into final-round qualifying at the French Open. Picture: AAP

Jason Kubler is one win from qualifying for his first French Open after rallying from the verge of defeat against Moldovan Radu Albot on Wednesday night.

The former world junior No.1 needed three hours and 15 minutes to outlast Albot 3-6 7-6(7-5) 7-6(10-4) after both players failed to serve out the match.

Kubler’s chance came at 5-4 in the final set, after 112th-ranked Albot seemed set for a routine victory when he led by a set and 6-5 in the second set.

The 28-year-old hit seven aces and saved 11 of the 16 break points he faced in a gritty performance.

Kubler is the only Australian so far to advance to final-round qualifying, with Jaimee Fourlis, Arina Rodionova and Aleks Vukic losing their second-round contests.

Australia’s Jason Kubler and Jaimee Fourlis experienced different fortunes at the French Open on Tuesday night. Picture: AFP

He played exclusively on the red dirt at one stage in his career because of persistent knee problems, so it is an oddity that the French Open is the sole grand slam he is yet to reach the main draw at.

But Kubler, once ranked 91 in the world and now at 161, has enjoyed plenty of clay-court success and will need to overcome Portugal’s Pedro Sousa to qualify.

Sousa beat Australia’s Max Purcell in a third-set tiebreak in first-round qualifying.

Priscilla Hon, Lizette Cabrera and Seone Mendez will try to join Kubler later on Tuesday night.

Kubler made the Australian Open mixed doubles final in January with Fourlis.

Daria Saville and Chris O’Connell received main draw wildcards into Roland Garros, swelling the number of Australians already in the main draw to 10.