Jang passes first two rounds of Australian Open qualifiers

Jang Su-jeong [YONHAP]

Jang Su-jeong has one more Australian Open qualifier to win before qualifying for her first-ever Grand Slam event.

To qualify for the Australian Open through the qualifiers, rather than by seed or a wildcard pick, players must win three rounds of qualifying matches. Jang will play her third match against Rebeka Masarova of Spain on Thursday after winning her first two to qualify for her first Grand Slam.

Jang defeated Sara Errani of Italy in straight sets on Tuesday and Taylah Preston of Australia in straight sets on Wednesday.

Errani is a veteran player who finished runner-up in the 2012 French Open and reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open the same year. The following year, the Italian reached her highest-ever rank, at No. 5. Last year at the Australian Open, she reached the round of 32.

Jang, who is 26-year-old, is ranked at No. 212 in the world but was still able to defeat the veteran in straight sets, both 6-4, after putting up a fight for an hour and 44 minutes on Tuesday.

Wednesday’s match against wildcard Preston was more one-sided, as Jang did not concede a single game to the Australian, winning both sets 6-0 after just 48 minutes.

Jang’s next opponent, Masarova of Spain, is ranked at No. 163 in the world and has reached the second round of the U.S Open last year.

The Australian Open will start on Jan. 17 and run through Jan. 30.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]