Australian Open 2026: Sebastian Ofner Falls to Nishesh Basavareddy in Qualifying
In a surprising turn of events during the 2026 Australian Open qualifying rounds, Sebastian Ofner suffered an early elimination. The Austrian player mistakenly celebrated what he thought was a victory against Nishesh Basavareddy, only to later realize that he had not yet secured the win.
Match Highlights
During the decisive third-set tie-break, Ofner believed he was poised to win at a score of 7-1. He raised his arms in celebration, heading towards the net as if he had won. Unbeknownst to him, final-set tie-breaks in the Australian Open are played to 10 points, and he still needed three more points to clinch the match.
Turning Point
Ofner’s premature celebration came to a halt when the umpire informed him of the actual game rules. Following this moment, Basavareddy took control of the match, winning eight out of the next nine points. The American player triumphed with a final score of 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11).
Player Reactions
- Basavareddy, age 20, expressed his excitement after the match, stating, “In a super tie-break, you always have a chance, so I kept believing.”
- He acknowledged Ofner’s tension during the match, attributing the intense rallies to the condition of the balls used.
Next Steps
With this victory, Nishesh Basavareddy advanced to the final round of qualifying at Melbourne Park. He is set to face Britain’s George Loffhagen for a coveted spot in the main draw of the Australian Open.
