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Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka and China’s Han Xinyun will line up in the main draw of Australian Open 2016 after winning the men’s and women’s Asia-Pacific Wildcard Play-off finals in Shenzhen on Sunday.

They won in vastly different circumstance – Han trounced top-seeded compatriot Wang Yafan 6-1 6-0, while Nishioka recovered to beat Taiwan’s Jason Jung 3-6 6-2 6-3.

Wang was unable to hold her serve at any stage in the match, and watched as Han’s winners flew by her with regularity. Han, the tournament’s No.2 seed, swept the last eight games in a row to seal victory in one hour.

“I feel like I get a second wind in my career,” the 25-year-old said.

“I’m more matured as a person now, and more calm and clear-headed on the court especially when playing at crucial moments.

“I will now take two or three days off, and then travel to Beijing to train with Carlos Rodriguez in his tennis academy there. We’ll only have three weeks before the new season starts, which I don’t think is enough. I learned a lot from him in previous training session, he’s a really good coach, and I want to learn more.

“I always respect (former Australian Open champion) Li Na a lot, right now I’m seeing her as my idol and my goal to work hard for. Hopefully I can become a better player in next year and have a good performance in the Australian Open.”

Nishioka was on the back foot against Jung in the opening set of the men’s final, with Jung serving solidly and breaking serve in the sixth game to gain the advantage.

But with the first set in hand, he couldn’t hold off the No.1 seed. Nishioka’s defence was excellent, forcing Jung to go for too much and commit errors.

In the third set, Nishioka was superior, running all over a tiring Jung and capping victory with a winning lob.

“I’m so excited that I can play main draw in the Australian Open, it will be the first time for me,” said the left-hander.

“Entering the top 100 was actually my goal for this year, but I didn’t make it. Hopefully in next year I’m able to be in top 70. And I already won a first round match in the US Open this year, so next time I hope I can win a second round at a Grand Slam.

“I don’t feel pressure (because) the attention from the Japanese media is all on Kei (Nishikori). He is someone all the other Japanese players look up to. It gives me motivations to try to play as good as he does.”

The boys’ and girls’ winners were also determined, with 15-year-old Mu Tao and 14-year-old Wang Xiyu securing a spot in the junior Australian Open singles events.

2016 Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wildcard Play-off winners
Men’s Singles – Yoshihito NISHIOKA (JPN)
Women’s Singles – HAN Xinyun (CHN)
Men’s Doubles – HSIEH Cheng Peng (TPE) and Tsung-Hua YANG (TPE)
Women’s Doubles – Shuko AOYAMA (JPN) and Makoto NINOMIYA (JPN)
Boys’ Singles – MU Tao (CHN)
Girls’ Singles – WANG Xiyu (CHN)

- See more at: http://www.ausopen.com/news#nishioka-ha ... cards-1802

Australian, Japanese win wild card playoffs
James Duckworth will make a fifth consecutive main draw appearance at the Australian Open after winning the Australian Wildcard Playoff on Sunday. The top seed was the last player standing in the 16-man draw after Benjamin Mitchell withdrew ahead of the final to be with his girlfriend for the birth of their first child.
“It would have been nice to win properly but that’s the way it goes,” Duckworth said. "I managed to get through a couple of tough matches [this week], especially the semifinal against Marinko [Matosevic]. I’d never beaten him before. I didn’t play so well the last four months of the year so to come here and win a few matches, especially some tight ones, some tight tie-breaks, really helps the confidence a lot. Hopefully I can use it as a bit of a springboard and start the year off well and have a good year.”
World No. 120 Duckworth reached the second round at Melbourne Park in 2012, '13 & '15, claiming a pair of five-set victories. He cracked the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time earlier this year, peaking at No. 82, following his first match win at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level in Indian Wells.
In the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff, top seed Yoshihito Nishioka rallied past Chinese Taipei's Jason Jung 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the final. The Japanese will make his Australian Open debut, contesting his fourth Grand Slam main draw. One of 10 players under the age of 22 in the Top 150, Nishioka reached his first ATP World Tour quarter-final earlier this year in Delray Beach. The 20 year old also captured his second ATP Challenger Tour title last month in Toyota.
“I’m so excited that I can play main draw in the Australian Open, it will be the first time for me,” said Nishioka. “Entering the Top 100 was actually my goal for this year, but I didn’t make it. Hopefully next year I’m able to be in the Top 70. And I already won a first round match at the US Open this year, so next time I hope I can win a second round at a Grand Slam."
Duckworth and Nishioka join former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, American teen Noah Rubin and France's Quentin Halys among wild card recipients.