No luck today for New Zealand's most senior tennis player Mark Nielsen, when the qualifying draw for the Australian Open was finalised.
The year's first Grand Slam has thrown up a very tricky opening assignment for the New Zealander, just days after his first round elimination from Auckland's Heineken Open at the hands of Croatian 5th seed Mario Ancic.
Nielsen has drawn the experienced German Lars Burgsmuller in the first round of qualifying at Melbourne Park today.
The 29-year-old Burgsmuller is a well-respected journeyman on the men's ATP tour circuit, with a career-high singles ranking of 65.
He is playing in his 9th Australian Open.
By contrast, Nielsen is currently ranked 309th on the singles ranking list - and has never previously gained a place in the Australian Open main draw.
Players in qualifying have to win three matches in a row, between now and Sunday night, in order to secure a place in the main draw for the tournament which starts on Monday.
Mark Nielsen is the sole New Zealander involved in the men's singles across the Tasman.
Tennis: Nielsen has hands full in Melbourne
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