Australian Open: Gastan Elias advances in qualifying, Federico Silva out

Portugal’s Gastán Elias, ranked 234th in the world tennis rankings, advanced to the second round of qualifying for the Australian Open this Monday, while Frederico Silva, ranked 202nd in the pecking order, was eliminated.

Elias became Portugal’s first representative at the first Grand Slam of the season.taking a first round win over Japan’s Kaichi Uchida, 197th on the track, 6–7 (5–7), 7–6 (7–3) and 6–1 in two hours and eight minutes.

The Lourinhian tennis player recovered 3-5 in the second “set” and saved two “match points” to complete the turnaround and advance to the second of three “qualifying” rounds, a stage in which he will face North American Brandon Holt, 216th in the world.

Along the way was Frederico Silva, who was beaten in the first round by North American Bradley Klan, ranked 872, 6-3 and 7-6 (7-5) in one hour and 33 minutes.

Joao Souza and Nuno Borges entered directly into the main frame in the men’s singles tournament for the first Grand Slam of the season, as well as Francisco Cabral in the doubles tournament, in which he will compete with Souza.