South looks set to break into the women's top 100

British number two Melanie South will compete in the Australian Open after reigning champion Maria Sharapova withdrew because of a shoulder injury.

The 22-year-old Londoner, who played at Wimbledon in each of the last three years as a wildcard, enters a Grand Slam by right for the first time.

South, ranked 110 in the world, joins Anne Keothavong in Friday's main draw.

It is the first time two British women have gained direct entry into a Grand Slam since the 1993 US Open.

That year Jo Durie and Clare Wood competed at Flushing Meadows.

South beat Meng Yuan of China to qualify for this week's Sydney International and reached the second round on Monday when former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli retired with a left calf strain with the match tied at 1-1.

"This is really great for both Mel and British women's tennis, she deserves it so much," South's coach, Simon Walsh, told the LTA website, www.lta.org.uk.

"This is her reward on the back of all the hard work and having made such significant improvements and gains in 2008."

606: DEBATE South should be in top 100 next week, Anne won last night as well - things looking rosy for gb woman luckythebrave

Keothavong's run to the quarter-finals of the ASB Classic in Auckland last week has seen her rise to a career-high ranking of number 53 in the world.

The 25-year-old British number one beat world number 25 Agnes Szavay on Monday to reach the second round in Hobart.

The qualifying draw for the Australian Open takes place this week with Britain's Alex Bogdanovic, Josh Goodall, James Ward and Alex Slabinsky bidding to join Andy Murray in the men's draw, with Elena Baltacha, Kate O'Brien and Georgie Stoop on the women's side.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version