Tomic one win from Australian Open return

Aussie bad boy Bernard Tomic is one win away from a return to the Australian Open after beating compatriot Tristan Schoolkate 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (10-3) in Doha.

Tomic said he thought he was “done” when Schoolkate broke in the ninth game of the third set and had match point at 40-30.

“He’s a very good player and he took it to me,” Tomic said . “The level he was playing, it was easy top 100, top 50 level.”

Tomic, who once ranked No. 17 in the world and currently sits at No.228, didn’t lay in the 2020 event.

He will face another Australian, John-Patrick Smith in the final game. Smith is attempting to qualify for the Open after defeating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

One other Aussie is left in the draw, wildcard Dane Sweeny.

The last time two Australian men faced-off in the final round of Australian Open qualifying was in 1992, when 19-year-old Patrick Rafter defeated Mahyar Goodarz to earn his Grand Slam debut.