Two players test positive at AO qualifiers

Two players have withdrawn from Australian Open qualifying tournament in Qatar and placed in hotel quarantine after returning positive tests for COVID-19.

American Denis Kudla, seeded No. 4 in the event, withdrew after a 6-4, 6-3 first-round win over Elliot Benchetrit of Morocco on Monday.

Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 6-2, 6-4 before he too pulled out.

Tennis Australia confirmed there had been two positive tests at the event and both men had been transferred to a hotel, where quarantine procedures were in place.

“Local health authorities, the tournament physician and medical team are monitoring each individual. Contact tracing is currently underway to notify close contacts,” TA said.

Australian wildcard entry Dane Sweeny and Mario Vilella Martinez of Spain have been given walkovers into the third round of qualifying.