AGENCIES
LONDON
Kyle Edmund has secured a place in the main draw of the Australian Open following Richard Gasquet's withdrawal.
When the entry lists were released earlier this month, British No 3 Edmund was three spots outside automatic qualification. But world No 9 Gasquet, who is suffering with a back injury, has joined Juan Monaco and Australian youngster Thanasi Kokkinakis in pulling out of the year's first grand slam, which begins on January 18.
At 102 in the rankings, Edmund thought he had done enough anyway but initially missed out owing to five players using protected rankings. The 20-year-old came through qualifying in Melbourne last year before losing in the first round to American Steve Johnson, but gaining direct entry is a major bonus.
Gasquet had already pulled out of next week's season-opening Qatar Open, where he won the 2013 title, after aggravating his long-standing back problem at the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) exhibition event.
