Jelena Dokic wins wildcard into Australian Open

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MELBOURNE, Dec 22 (AFP): Australia's former world No.4 Jelena Dokic won a wildcard into the main draw of next month's Australian Open here Sunday.
The former Wimbledon semi-finalist, 25, outlasted fellow Australian junior Monika Wejnert, 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 6-3 in just over two hours in the final of a playoff tournament for wildcard entry into the year's first grand slam.
Dokic said she will try to qualify for lead-up tournaments in Brisbane and Hobart over the coming weeks before taking her place in the field for the January 19-February 1 Australian Open.
Dokic, who has improved her ranking to 179, said that next year would be her final attempt at a comeback to the WTA world tour after admitting last year that she was on the verge of quitting the game.
Australia's Colin Ebelthite gained a wildcard into the main draw of the Australian Open with a 1-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-4 win over the Australian Sport Institute's Sam Groth in the men's playoff final.