British No.2 Melanie South will play in her first grand slam outside Great Britain after she was handed a place in the main draw of the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old, from Surrey, is currently through to the second round of the Sydney International after Marion Bartoli withdrew with an injury two games into their match.
And it is another injury which has handed the world No.110 her chance Down Under - with South replacing defending champion Maria Sharapova.
"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.
"This is her reward on the back of all the hard work and having made such significant improvements and gains in 2008." |
