Cardwell & Turnbull Carry Home Hopes Into Australian Open L16

Sarah Cardwell and Jessica Turnbull made sure of home interest in the second round of the City Tattersalls Group Australian Open after impressive opening day victories over compatriots in the PSA World Tour Bronze event in Sydney.

In her first win over higher-ranked Haydon in three years, Cardwell triumphed in five games. Cardwell's 14-12 win in the opener was cancelled out by Haydon winning the second 11-6 before Cardwell regained her lead again in the third.

Haydon roared back once again and had three match balls in the fifth, but all three were saved by Cardwell. Another match ball chance for Haydon was squandered, as Cardwell converted her opportunity to advance.

The world No.83 from Melbourne will now face France's No.6 seed Marie Stéphan for a place in the quarter-finals. (FRA)

In another all-Australian battle in the women's event, Turnbull prevailed after downing tournament wildcard Madison Lyon in straight games. The world No.60 takes on Egypt's fifth seed Sana Ibrahim in round two.

Akanksha Salunkhe and Cheng Nga Ching both produced stunning comebacks in their round one matches at the University of Sydney.

India's Salunkhe overturned a 2/0 deficit against Jacqueline Peychär to win 8-11, 12-14, 13-11, 11-3, 11-9 in 55 minutes and deny the Austrian an appearance in the second round of a PSA World Tour event for the first time.

Meanwhile Cheng, from Hong Kong, secured her place in the next round by fighting back from 2/1 down against Yasshmita Jadish Kumar in one of the opening matches of the day, claiming a 16-14, 5-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7 victory.

"I'm very happy to get through to the second round," said Cheng. "This is my second Bronze event - the first one was in Hong Kong. It was a really tough match for me in the first round because we played up to 14-12 in the first game. It was a really important game for me as she came back as she changed the pace. But I managed to get back in the fourth and the fifth.

"I tried to move her around the court and I think she was a little bit tired, so I tried to move her as much as possible, dominate the 'T' and play some good shots."

Home hopes in the men's draw were ended in round one, with Australian trio Joseph White and tournament wildcards Rhys Dowling and Dylan Molinaro exiting.