Update 6:30 pm. Joy was short-lived for Australia’s Peter Luczak after he was bounced out of the Brisbane International just hours after receiving a last minute entry.
But qualifier Matthew Ebden was all smiles on Tuesday after becoming the only Aussie through to the men’s second round – albeit at the expense of compatriot John Millman.
Davis Cup player Luczak was counting his blessings after slotting into the main draw as a lucky loser following the withdrawal of good friend Marcel Granollers of Spain on Tuesday.
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World No.42 Granollers pulled out just before his first-round clash with South African Kevin Anderson with an ankle injury.
But Luczak’s mood quickly changed as he was bundled out 6-4 6-4 in 71 minutes by world No.61 Anderson – a player ranked 76 places higher than the Australian.
However, world No.196 Ebden had no complaints after his 4-6 6-2 6-4 win over wildcard Millman at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
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WA’s Ebden – a Delhi Commonwealth Games singles bronze medallist – bounced back against his countryman in a match lasting almost two hours.
Luczak looked to have turned around his luck after being gifted a second Brisbane International appearance.
The journeyman who had taken his world ranking to a career high 64 in 2009 had also recently received an Australian Open wildcard.
But the veteran had no answer for Anderson who blasted 18 aces to Luczak’s four, ensuring he became the fourth Aussie male to fall at the first hurdle in Brisbane.
“I found out at about 10:00 am that I was back in there,” Luczak said.
“Yesterday I had an inkling [of a last minute call-up].
“I saw I would be the No.1 lucky loser so I asked around the office if there was anyone who could pull out and they told me Marcel had an iffy ankle.
“We are good friends, playing in the same team in German club tennis – I don’t know if he was doing me a favour or not but he didn’t want to push it [the ankle injury].”
Once he finally got the word, Luczak tried to swat up on Anderson – but all to no avail.
“I thought I did the right things but he just played too good,” he said.
“All I could do was stand there and think, ‘Wow, that’s a good serve’.”
Luczak received a call-up as a lucky loser after a gut-wrenching loss in the final round of qualifying on Monday.
He was downed 6-3 5-7 6-2 by Lithuania’s Richard Berankis.
Despite the first round set-back, Luczak backed himself ahead of the Australian Open.
“I felt I struggled in the last three or four months of last year but … I am looking forward to the Aussie Open because the body feels healthy and fit and that is all you can ask for really,” he said.
Luczak said he would attempt to lift his world ranking by contesting four tour events in South America on clay after the Australian Open.
Tickets are still available for Brisbane International 2011 from Ticketek.