Melbourne, Australia: Casey Dellacqua defeated Arina Rodionova 5-7, 6-1, 6-0 Sunday to win a wildcard tournament to qualify for January's Australian Open.
Dellacqua, the Australian No. 2 behind Samantha Stosur, will be making her 11th Australian Open appearance. Her best showing came in 2008 when she reached the last 16 at Melbourne Park.
In the men's final of the Australian-only tournament, Jordan Thompson overcame a comeback attempt by Ben Mitchell to beat the former Wimbledon junior finalist 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1. The 19-year-old Thompson qualified for his first Australian Open.
Last month, China's top male player, Wu Di, qualified for his second straight Australian Open by winning a wildcard tournament in the Chinese city of Shenzhen only open to players from the Asia-Pacific region (outside Australia). The women's wildcard spot went to 19-year-old Tang Haochen of China.
The Australian Open begins Jan. 13 at Melbourne Park.
