James Duckworth of Australia gave his home fans something to cheer as he notched up a first round win at the Australian Open 2012.
Duckworth, 19, joined Tomic in the second round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets defeat of Estonian qualifier Jurgen Zopp.
Ranked a career-high 250, the teenager was contesting his first Grand Slam main draw match.
He made light work of Zopp, a 23-year-old ranked No.148, winning 6-3 6-4 6-4 in 99 minutes on Show Court 3.
“This is the biggest moment in my career,” Duckworth said.
“I've always dreamt about playing the Australian Open in front of my home fans and my family and friends.
“It's an unbelievable feeling.”
Duckworth showed no signs of nerves early, racing to a 4-1 lead in the opening set.
He showed poise, mixing his game up and showing a willingness to finish points off at the net.
“I was pretty nervous walking out. There were lots of people out there,” Duckworth said.
“I managed to hide my feelings quite well and, you know, I'm really happy with the win.”
Duckworth played aggressively, attacking Zopp’s second serve when he could.
With Aussie fans ‘quacking’ in the stands to show their support for Duckworth, the teen wrapped up the first set 6-3 in 25 minutes.
Duckworth, a wildcard entrant, started the second set with more attacking play and went up an early break.
Zopp fought back, breaking in the sixth game to level the second set at 3-all.
Duckworth didn’t drop his head, breaking back immediately.
Serving for the second set, Duckworth opened with an ace and earned three set points.
Zopp saved them all, forcing the game to deuce but Duckworth held his nerve, closing out the set 6-4.
Duckworth continued to play positive tennis, breaking Zopp to open the third set and streaking ahead to a 2-0 advantage.
Zopp was struggling to find answers.
Unforced errors were flowing off his racquet and he was not getting a look-in on the Duckworth serve.
Games continued on serve in the third set, with Duckworth leading 5-3.
After 90 minutes of play, Zopp found himself serving to stay in the match.
Zopp held, forcing the young Aussie to serve for the match.
Duckworth opened the game with a nervous unforced forehand error, but regained his composure to take the set 6-4, sealing the win with two unreturnable serves.
He admitted he was nervous serving it out.
“I was basically just thinking, you know, please make a first serve,” he said.
“Luckily I made a few.”
Duckworth’s grandmother Beryl Penrose won the Australian Open singles and doubles titles in 1955.
He hopes to emulate her success, but for now his focus is on improving his game and ranking.
“I feel like I can match it with these guys at tour-event level,” he said.
“It will take a little bit more time, but I think I'm going about it the right way.”
Duckworth now faces Serbian No.9 seed Janko Tipsarevic in round two.
The news wasn’t so good for fellow Australian wildcard, Isabella Holland.
Holland was eliminated by Shahar Peer of Israel 6-2 6-0 in the women’s singles earlier in the day.
