Nishesh Basavareddy has authored one of the Australian Open's standout early stories, reaching the second round of the men's singles after a dramatic qualifying run defined by belief, composure and an opponent's costly lapse.
The 20-year-old American was staring at elimination in the third round of qualifying against Austria's Sebastian Ofner. With Ofner leading 7-1 in the deciding tiebreak, the Austrian raised his fist and headed towards the net, assuming the match was over. Under qualifying rules, however, the third-set tiebreak is played to 10 points.
That brief moment of confusion proved decisive. Given a reprieve, Basavareddy seized the opening, stringing together point after point to complete a remarkable turnaround, winning 4-6, 6-4, 7-6
(13-11) to reach the final qualifying round.
From Qualifying Drama to Australian Open Grand Slam Breakthrough
The momentum carried forward. In the final round of qualifying, Basavareddy overturned another one-set deficit, this time against Britain's George Loffhagen, to secure a place in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time.
His breakthrough continued in Melbourne with a first-round victory over Australian Chris O'Connell. In a five-set battle that again tested his resolve, Basavareddy prevailed 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-3 to book his spot in round two.
The reward is a meeting with 15th seed Karen Khachanov, who also needed five sets to progress.
'I Always Believed'
Looking back on the pivotal moment against Ofner, Basavareddy pointed to belief as the difference when the match seemed to be slipping away.
"I knew there was still some time," he said on the Australian Open website. "In a super tiebreak, you always have a chance, so I kept believing. "
He added that the physical grind played its part late in the contest. "The balls were quite old, so every rally became a battle. My focus was just to keep putting balls in play. "
Basavareddy also drew attention after that comeback with a 'choke' gesture towards Ofner, a celebration that sparked debate. Ultimately, though, it was his tennis that made the louder statement, backing up the moment with wins when it mattered most.
Now into the second round, Basavareddy finds himself on the biggest stage of his young career, carrying confidence earned the hard way at Melbourne Park.
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