Jelena Dokic won a wildcard into the main draw of next month's Australian Open after beating Monika Wejnert 6-7(3) 7-5 6-3 in the Wildcard Play-off women’s final.

Jelena, who lost to Wejnert earlier in the week, said she felt nervous before the match and was relieved to come away with the win.

“She came in today with absolutely no pressure, she's played well all week and she's beaten everybody so the pressure was on me to beat her today,” Dokic said.

“I lost to her in the group so I really felt nervous going out there and the conditions were really, really difficult the first two sets so I'm happy to have come through but it was not an easy match, it was not a pretty match but I did what I had to do.”



“I think the nerves set the whole match for me today and straight away from the beginning they were there and kind of didn't let go until the third set.”

“I played a good game there at 3-2 and just never looked back from there, just played three really, really good games,” Dokic said.

“I don't have to worry about the Australian Open now, I came into here wanting to play qualifying but to be in the main draw gives me two tournaments before the Open to play, which is extra practice which is good.”

Wejnert said she was disappointed to fall short in the third set but pleased with her effort in the tournament.

“Definitely it's a bit of a disappointment obviously but I played really well and I felt my game's improving so I really got out what I came for,” Wejnert said.

Jelena said she will try to qualify for lead-up tournaments in Brisbane and Hobart over the coming weeks before taking her place in the field for the January 19-February 1 Australian Open.


(via Tennis Australia, photo/Luis Enrique Ascui)

Jelena Dokic wins Aussie Open wildcard!