Israelis through to Aus Open second round qualifiers

Pe’er, who is seeded 9 in qualifiers and taking the long way to the main event for the first time since 2005, had her hands full with Canadian teenager Francoise Abanda early on. After losing the first set, Pe’er found herself down 5-3 in the second set to the powerful 18-years-old Abanda.

True to the grit that has defined her career, Pe’er fought back and snatched four straight games, win the set and hold all the momentum heading into the deciding frame.

Pe’er made quick use of Abanda in the final set, completing the comeback with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 score line for a relieving victory.

Meanwhile, over on Melbourne Park’s Court 11 Glushko also trailed early in her match, down 5-2 to Romanian Patricia Tig before mounting a spirited comeback to secure the first set 7-6. Despite struggling on service games, the 25-year-old held a break all the way through the second set, which finished 7-5 to Glushko’s advantage, earning her a hard-fought straight sets victory.

In the opening day of the men’s qualifiers yesterday, American Wayne Odesnik beat compatriot Ryan harrison 6-3, 7-6 to secure a place in the second round.