Overview
- Michael Zheng beat Cruz Hewitt 6-3, 6-3 in the first qualifying round at Melbourne Park’s ANZ Arena.
- The American, ranked No. 174, progressed to the next round on his first visit to Melbourne Park.
- Hewitt, 17, finished with 37 unforced errors and six double faults after an early back twinge was noted.
- This marks a second straight first-round qualifying exit for Hewitt, who remains yet to reach an ATP or Grand Slam main draw.
- Wildcard Storm Hunter returned from an Achilles injury with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Ekaterine Gorgodze to open her qualifying campaign.