Playing with “no regrets” Stephens on cusp of AO main draw

“We’re trying to develop new things in my game and I’m very happy with the process.”

“I’ve been working on my serve a lot and I’m trying to add some variety to my game [and] it’s good to see some small improvements in matches and in practise.”

Currently ranked 112 after reaching a career best of No.69 in October, Sonmez is eager to return to double digits.

“I want to get back into the top 100 [but] I don’t want to think about the results so much, I just want to enjoy being on the court and playing tennis.”

In the third and final round of qualifying, she’ll face Anastasia Gasanova, who earned a 6-7(4) 6-2 6-0 comeback victory over Justina Mikulskyte.

Elsewhere, 20th seed Linda Fruhvirtova took one step closer to the main draw by defeating Fiona Ferro 6-4 3-6 6-4 in two hours and 26 minutes.

The Czech 20-year-old, ranked as high as No.49 after reaching the fourth round of AO 2023, enjoys making the journey down under.

“It’s one of my favourite stops of the season, I always love coming back, I had my best Grand Slam result so far here and the matches have a great atmosphere.”

“I love playing in front of the Melbourne crowd, so I’m excited I get to play another match.”

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In the final round of qualifying, she’ll battle American Carol Young Suh Lee, who swept past Elena Micic 6-2 6-2.

Before that showdown, the Prague resident will contest the 1 Point Slam on Wednesday night after securing her place through qualifying for that event.

“It was a good warm-up — I have four qualifying matches in the 1 Point Slam behind me and two in the Aussie Open qualifying.”

“It’s been fun, it’s exciting… why not enter while I’m already here?”