Ofner loses in Melbourne after celebrating early
Sebastian Ofner suffered a brutal and embarrassing exit from Australian Open qualifying on Wednesday after celebrating victory prematurely—only to lose the match moments later.
The Austrian player believed he had defeated American Nishesh Basavareddy when he led 7-1 in a final-set tie-break, raising his arms in triumph and heading to the net to shake hands. However, he had forgotten a critical rule: final-set tie-breaks at the Australian Open are played to 10 points, not 7.
Realizing his error after a brief word from the umpire, Ofner unraveled dramatically. Basavareddy seized the mental edge, winning eight of the next nine points to complete a stunning 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11) comeback.
"I saw him tense up a little bit," Basavareddy said afterward. "In a super tie-break, you always have a chance, so I kept believing."
Basavareddy will now face Britain's George Loffhagen—who advanced when eighth seed Yoshihito Nishioka retired injured—for a spot in the main draw.
Other British Highlights in Qualifying
Arthur Fery defeated former top-20 player Bernard Tomic 6-4, 6-2 and will meet Croatia’s Dino Prizmic next.
Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley have already secured main-draw spots.
In the women's draw, Emma Raducanu, Francesca Jones, Sonay Kartal, and Katie Boulter are set to compete.
The Australian Open main draw begins Sunday, January 18.
