MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Hady Habib’s historic journey at the Australian Open continues as he secured a significant victory on Sunday, becoming the first man to represent Lebanon in a Grand Slam singles tournament during the Open era. The 26-year-old Habib advanced to the second round after defeating China’s Bu Yunchaokete with a scoreline of 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6) in a hard-fought match at Melbourne Park.
Habib’s path to this milestone victory was paved with determination, having won three matches in the qualifying rounds to earn a spot among the 128 players in the main draw. His impressive performance on the court, marked by 61 winners, outshone his opponent by a margin of 36.
Ranked beyond the top 200, Habib, a native of Houston, Texas, proudly carries his Lebanese heritage, a connection he shares with his father. His academic pursuits led him to Texas A&M University before embarking on his professional tennis career. Notably, Habib represented Lebanon at the Paris Olympics last year, where he faced off against the seasoned four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the opening round.
Habib’s triumph represents a significant moment for Lebanese tennis and underscores his rising stature in the sport. As he advances to the next stage of the tournament, Habib’s journey is capturing the attention of tennis enthusiasts worldwide, marking a compelling chapter in his burgeoning career.
For more tennis updates and coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/tennis.
