St Helens teenager Jessica Fowler is just one step away from reaching a historic first ITF event on Sunday at the Launceston International.
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In only her third match on the WTA tour, she advanced to the second and final round of qualifiers on Monday.
Fowler, who has relocated to Hobart to help bolster her promising career, hung on late to beat New Zealander Monique Barry 6-1 7-6 all amid the relative anonymity of court 5 at the Launceston Regional Tennis Centre.
Only Japan's Himari Sato now stands in the way of the 19-year-old rookie going on to enter the main draw.
Fowler had been seeded eight spots behind her third-seed opponent for the tournament's qualifying rounds.
The world No.1228 had first been awarded a breakthrough wildcard last month for the Hobart International.
But Fowler bowed out 6-0 6-2 in a nervous start to her professional career.
Tasmania's other hope to join Fowler in the main draw of the Launceston International had been outclassed by Sato's countrywoman.
Catherine Krueger, from Hobart, was eliminated 6-2 6-2 to Chisa Hosonuma.
Australians were represented in a series of qualifiers against their countrywomen.
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Twelve spots are still up for grabs in the women's draw.
But at least six additional Australian players are in the mix to reach the final 64.
Ellen Shanahan advanced just 6-4 against an injured Taylah Lawless, who had been forced to retire.
Chiara Di Tommaso won a thriller 3-6 6-4 10-8 against Rebecca Jones. But later on Di Tommaso lost her chance to continue on a 4-6 4-6 loss to Annerly Poulos.
Isabella Bozicevic had won comfortably enough against Natalie Barbir 6-4 6-3.
But Olivia Symons had a tougher fight in a 6-2 7-6 win over Sasha Nelson.
Zara Brankovic looked on target for an easy victory but had to battle hard following a 6-0 5-7 10-8 triumph Nakisa Djamshidi in the end.
The men's opening round begins on Monday.
Ex-Launceston champion Marc Polmans enters the tournament as the top seed ahead of countryman Alex Bolt, Japan's Tatsuma Ito and Italian Lorenzo Giustino.
Harry Bourchier carries hopes for the home state to face Canadian Filip Peliwo.
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