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Former world No.8 Alicia Molik and big improver Matt Ebden have been awarded wildcards into next month’s Australian Open.
Top-seeded Molik won all her pool matches in the recent Open play-off tournament, losing to the in-form Jelena Dokic in the semi-finals.
Dokic lost the final to Olivia Rogowska but has been awarded a wildcard.
Molik said she intended to make the most of her opportunity as she gears up for a breakaway start to the 2011 season.
“I’m hoping for a hot summer, conditions I like and which suit my game,” Molik said.
Ebden, from Western Australia, slashed his ATP ranking from 285 at the beginning of 2010 to a career high of 162 in August, finishing the year ranked No.196.
He started the year by qualifying for the Brisbane International and beating then world No.28 Jurgen Melzer to reach the second round.
Ebden also battled his way through qualifying for his first main draw appearance at the Australian Open, going down in a tough opening round clash to French star Gael Monfils.
He also represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal.
“To be in the starting line up and coming out fresh and ready to go in the main draw will be a great opportunity to set up for a big tournament,” Ebden said.
“It means a lot that the selectors believe in me and my game and it is nice to get an added bonus and reward after a year of hard work, and after qualifying last year.
“Australians out there don’t just want to see us [Australian players] in the first round, they want to see us winning tournaments.
“In my off season training this has been the focus, so from the start of our Aussie summer in Brisbane and Sydney, I will be working hard to put my best out there on the court,” he said.
Marinko Matosevic beat Peter Luczak in the final of the men’s Open wildcard play-off to gain entry into the main draw, but Luczak was later given a discretionary wildcard.
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