The Australian Open ends frustratingly for Sebastian Ofner.Bild: www.imago-images.de
But it is also complicated! The Austrian Sebastian Ofner fails to qualify for the Australian Open after miscounting.
14.01.2026, 09:1414.01.2026, 09:14
For Sebastian Ofner, the Australian Open is over before it has begun. The Austrian was eliminated in the second round of qualifying. Ofner lost to American Nishesh Basavareddy 6:4, 4:6, 6:7.
This would normally not be worth reporting outside of Ofner’s home country. What makes the defeat special is how it happened. Because Ofner had actually already won – or so he thought.
Seven points are not enough
The 29-year-old raised his arms, showed his winning fist and tapped his temple like Stan Wawrinka once did. In the tiebreak of the third set he had just made the point 7-1.
Ofner’s premature celebration.gif: eurosport
That would have meant victory in every game on the ATP tour. But at Grand Slam tournaments, the match tiebreak is played to ten points (with a difference of at least two points).
So things continued for Ofner and Basavareddy. But the Austrian’s thread was broken. His head was already in the locker room and he couldn’t find his way back into the game. Despite the clear 7:1 lead in the tiebreak, it quickly became 9:8 for the American.
Ofner fended off the match point and subsequently had two opportunities to win the game, but ultimately the tiebreak went to Basavareddy 13:11. In the final qualifying round he will face George Loffhagen from Great Britain.
The remaining Swiss were eliminated
All Swiss who were still there in the qualification were also eliminated. Jérôme Kym lost in straight sets against the Australian Dane Sweeny on Wednesday night (Swiss time). Leandro Riedi lost to Belgian Kimmer Coppejans 6:3, 3:6, 4:6. In the women’s category, Rebeka Masarova was stuck with Maja Chwalinska from Poland.
This means that four Swiss Tennis representatives will be present in the main tournament. Among the men, Stan Wawrinka, who received a wild card, is the only Swiss at the start. Belinda Bencic is one of the extended favorites after her recent strong performances at the United Cup. Viktorija Golubic and Simona Waltert are in the main field with her. (R.A.M)
