James McGee is one win away from the main draw at the Australian Open, after an excellent straight-sets win in Melbourne.
The Dubliner defeated France's Vincent Millot 6-2. 6-4 on Court 22, as he looks to play in the Australian Open for the first time in his career. Millot was the #30 seed in the competition, and was ranked almost 50 places higher than McGee.
McGee is looking to become the first Irish player to reach the main draw of the year's opening grand slam, since 2010. Seven-years-ago, Louk Sorenson reached the second round of the Australian Open, before losing to John Isner.
Congratulations to @jamesmcgee01 who progresses to final round of qualifying at @AustralianOpen with 6-2 6-4 win over Vincent Milot #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ieO1O6Odfs
— Tennis Ireland (@Tennis_Ireland) January 13, 2017
McGee looked comfortable throughout the hour and 25 minute match. He conceded the opening game of the first set, but never trailed for the remainder of the match, breaking his French opponent's serve on numerous occasions.
The second-set was virtually decided in the ninth game, when McGee broke Millot's serve at 4-4. In the following game, he served out to record a famous win.
Local favourite Blake Mott awaits McGee in the final qualifying round, with the winner advancing to the main draw of the tournament. Last year, McGee fell at the final round. He has yet to reach the main draw in Australia.
This weekend, he is two sets away from joining the game's elite.
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