2024 Australian Open: Day 3 recap
The second of 15 disciplines commenced on day three of the Australian Open, with women’s pairs action now under way, while men’s singles sectional play came to an end.
Men’s Singles – sections 239-328
The last of the men’s singles sectional play took place on Sunday, with sections 239 to 328 taking to the greens across the Gold Coast.
All 328 section winners now advance to the knockout rounds, with 144 players randomly drawn into a round of 512, and the remainder advancing to the round of 256.
The majority of the big names got through, with two-time champion Aaron Wilson progressing thanks to an undefeated day, while the two most recent runner ups in Corey Wedlock and Jacob Nelson ensured their places in the next phase without blemish.
Right at Home Pathways Jackaroos Cameron Keenan and Tyson Cromie made it through, as did Emerging Jackaroo Cohen Litfin.
Two-time Australian Open conqueror Ray Pearse enjoyed a fruitful day, making it through his group that consisted of Para Jackaroo, Tony Bonnell.
There will be no next best qualifiers in the men’s singles, with 144 players to be drawn into the round of 512 and those 72 winners to join the round of 256.
VIEW THE MEN’S SINGLES KNOCKOUT DRAW HERE
The release of the knockout draw has seen some heavyweight matchups set, with Matt Lucas set to take on Josh Walker-Davis and Rob McMullen up against Cohen Litfin.
Jimmy Reynolds and Izzat Dzulkeple will meet in a highly anticipated contest, while Kane Nelson matches up against Dale McWhinney-Shillington in the round of 512, with the winner of the latter could meet Aron Sherriff in the next round.
Women’s Pairs – sections 1-33
Women’s competition commenced for the 2024 Australian Open on Sunday, with the first 33 of 51 women’s pairs sections competing.
The biggest headline saw the Jackaroos pairing of Kylie Whitehead and Cassandra Millerick eliminated in the sectional round, finishing in third position in their group with just one win from their trio of matchups.
Kristina Krstic and Ellen Fife ensured their progression with three wins and a hefty shot differential of plus 59, while defending champions in Genevieve Delves and Natasha Van Eldik won through with the exact same margin at the conclusion of their day.
Brianna Smith and Emma Spicer progressed, as did Chloe Stewart and Katelyn Inch with a whopping differential of plus 77 from their clashes.
Emerging Jackaroos in Sophie Kurzman and Kate Argent-Bowden suffered a scare after falling in their opening matchup but rebounded nicely to progress with two wins to end the day.
New Zealand international Selina Goddard and recently crowned world champion Samantha Atkinson went undefeated as were Jessie Cottell and Tayla Bruce, while Para Jackaroo Cheryl Lindfield and her partner Rachelle Harkness were eliminated.
2022 champion Olivia Bloomfield and her teammate April Wilson finished in second in their group, needing to wait for other results to determine their fate.
The 2024 Australian Open will run from the June 8-21, 2024 on the Gold Coast in Queensland with Rinkside Live coverage from 9am AEST daily on Bowls Australia’s Facebook page & YouTube channel.
