Istomin gets the Asian WC for Australian Open

no surprise here

If Istomin gets in directly, H-T Lee would be the next highest ranked Asian player not yet in the main draw...

Australian Open wildcards have also been awarded to the two highest ranked Asian players not yet in the main draw, Denis Istomin from Uzbekistan and Yuan Meng from China.

This is Istomin’s second appearance at the Australian Open. In 2008 he was also awarded a wildcard and won an epic four set match against Lukas Lacko. He went on to push Lleyton Hewitt to four sets before losing in the second round. Currently ranked 109, Istomin improved his ranking by more than 100 points in 2008 with wins at two Challenger events in Uzbekistan, and reached the finals in the Ukraine and Russia.

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2009-01-08/200901071231295149172.html

This is Istomin’s second appearance at the Australian Open. In 2008 he was also awarded a wildcard and won an epic four set match against Lukas Lacko.

Of course he has never played against Federer on Rod Laver Arena :rolleyes:
Deserved WC.

This is Istomin’s second appearance at the Australian Open.

it's actually his fourth ?_? third in the main draw

Denis is a good chance of getting in directly.

Denis isn't a waste here; finally living up to expectations by moving himself to a higher level. Hopefully he'll get some easy draw now lol.

no surprise here

If Istomin gets in directly, H-T Lee would be the next highest ranked Asian player not yet in the main draw...



http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2009-01-08/200901071231295149172.html

Soeda is currently ranked ahead of Lee, but at the time the entry list was made Lee was ranked higher. I wonder which ranking they'd go by to determine the wildcard.

Well he managed 4 games against Cilic so I guess he's a ready as he'll ever be.

Why does Tennis Australia bother giving a wildcard to the Asian Tennis Federation when al they get in return is the Asian Tennis Federation attempting to hatch a plan to steal the grand slam away from them.

Lets Go ISTOMIN !!!

Why does Tennis Australia bother giving a wildcard to the Asian Tennis Federation when al they get in return is the Asian Tennis Federation attempting to hatch a plan to steal the grand slam away from them.

It's because the Australian Open is known/marketed as the Grand Slam of the Grand Slam of Asia and the Pacific. I am sure there are some financial incentives here.

Anyways, I was hoping Soeda would get it, but Istomin is a logical and not undeserved choice.

The AO should be giving more WCs to Asian players. If they really want to brand themselves as the slam of Asia/Pacific.

Good luck with the draw, Istomin!