Arina Rodionova and John-Patrick Smith have secured their place in the main draw of the 2020 Australian Open after winning the AO Play-Off Finals.
The two Aussies have triumphed after a gruelling wick of elimination tennis against some of the best players across Australia.
Rodionova, ranked 205 in the world, defeated Western Australia's Storm Sanders in the play-off final, 6-4 7-5.
Later in the day, Smith secured his place after defeating NSW's Max Purcell in straight-sets, 6-3 6-4 6-1.
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For Rodionova, it was a day of celebration with the win a great way to mark her 30th birthday.
It was also the first time she had won the Australian Open Play-Off event.
She had reached three finals previously, losing to Casey Dellacqua in 2013, Daria Gavrilova in 2014 and Maddison Inglis in 2015.
“I couldn’t dream of a present like this. It’s something amazing. I really was afraid to even think this might happen,” Rodionova said after the match.
“I just didn’t want to get myself too excited, and now I can just finally relax and enjoy the moment.
“I think this was a really high-quality final. I think we both deserve to play main draw Australian Open, but unfortunately, there’s only one spot.
But I’m sure Storm [Sanders] will make it, because she’s playing great tennis right now."
As for Smith, the world number 311 also broke his duck in the Play-Off tournament.
He had been runner-up twice previously but made sure he confirmed his place in the 2020 Australian Open main draw for just the second time.
“Everyone was saying, third time's a charm. And obviously I try and ignore it," Smith said post-match.
"But it worked pretty well today -- third time is a charm in this case.
"The ultimate goal would be to play a couple of rounds here, which would be great.
"This [Play-off] is really going to be the best preparation for it, obviously getting used to the courts, getting out here, getting into the environment, getting the whole atmosphere under my belt's been really good."
The Australian Open will take place in Melbourne from January 20 - February 2 2020.
