Congratulations to Jamie Baker the British number 2 who has secured a place in the main draw of the Australian Open with a great win over Donald Young of America 6-4 1-6 6-3 in the final round of qualifying. Young in the previous round had beaten fellow American former world number 4 James Blake. James Ward sadly missed out, losing 6-3 7-5 to Julian Reister from Germany.

James Ward and Jamie Baker are both one win away from securing a place in the main draw of the Australian Open. They both had to come back from a set down. Ward beating Mischa Zverev 6-7 (7-1) 6-4 6-4 and Baker defeating Matteo Viola 3-6 6-2 6-4.

The world number 3 will start his bid for a second Grand Slam title next week against Robin Hasse from Holland at the Australian Open. Hasse is currently ranked world number 54. There is a 1-1 head to head record between the players. Murray could line up against Juan Martin del Potro in the last eight and Roger Federer in the last four.

Ann Keothavong has been knocked out of the Australian Open in the first round of the qualifying by American Grace Min 7-5 7-5. There was better news for the British number 4 female ranked player Johanna Konta, who made it 3 out of 4 Brits through to the second round of qualifying with a epic two hours and 41 minutes victory over Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-3 6-7 (10-8) 6-4.

Congratulations to British players Jamie Baker and James Ward who have had a great start to the first Grand Slam of 2013, winning their first round matches in the qualifying at the Australian Open. Baker won 6-3 7-5 against Julio Cesar Campozano of Ecuador and Ward had a victory over Boris Pashanski of Serbia.

5 Star Tennis Holidays are delighted to announce they have secured the services of the last 3 years UK National U18 tennis champions as pro hitters over the Easter period this year. Jersey born Scott Clayton who won the national title last year, Toby Martin from Buckinghamshire victorious in 2011 and Richard Gabb from Somerset won the title in 2010. All 3 players have played at the junior Wimbledon Championships and have ATP senior world rankings.

For the first time in 25 years the United Kingdom have 2 women ranked in the top 50 in the world at the same time. Heather Watson is 47th and Laura Robson 50th in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings. Congratulations!

Andy Murray has retained his Brisbane International title with a 7-6 (7-0) 6-4 victory over Grigor Dimitrov from Bulgaria. The Bulgarian had a great start to the match winning 11 out of the first 12 points, taking a 3-0 lead. Murray fought back and saved a set point before winning the first set on a one-sided tie-break. In the second set Murray also had to come from a break down before winning the match.

The veteran Nikolay Davydenko defeated top seed and world number 5 David Ferrer 6-2 6-3 to reach the Qatar Open Final. His opponent in the final tomorrow will be world number 10 Richard Gasquet.

Serbia will play Spain in tomorrow’s Hopman Cup final after defeating Germany 3-0 in Perth. The world number 1 Novak Djokovic won against Tommy Hass 6-2 6-0 and Ana Ivanovic had a 6-0 6-1 victory against Tatjana Malek. The Serbian duo then teamed up to win the doubles.