Scott Jones has qualified for the Australian Open.
Camera IconScott Jones has qualified for the Australian Open. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Tennis: Canning Vale’s Jones qualifies for Australian Open

Jaime ShurmerCanning Gazette

CANNING Vale tennis player Scott Jones secured a place in the 2017 Australian Open Qualifying Draw after winning a national championship at Melbourne Park.

Wildcard Scott Jones claimed his first national title by beating fourth seed Kody Pearson 6-2 4-6 6-4 to become the Australian under-18 boys’ champion.

He recently moved to the United States and flew back from his first semester at the University of Tennessee to play in Melbourne.

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“It’s going to be a bit of a dilemma,” Jones said of the prospect of delaying his return to the United States to compete for a place at the Australian Open.

“I might miss the first couple of weeks of classes, but it’s going to be an awesome experience.”

He credited his time in Tennessee for pushing him to a new level.

Jones raced out to a 5-0 lead before Pearson found a foothold in the match.

Pearson turned his ankle in the final set, requiring a 10-minute delay for treatment and Jones later sealed a victory in two and a half hours.