Tennis-Thiem into Australian Open main draw

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - ATP Masters 1000 - Paris Masters - AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France - November 1, 2023 Austria's Dominic Thiem reacts during his round of 32 match against Denmark's Holger Rune REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo

(Reuters) - Dominic Thiem, U.S. Open winner in 2020, has secured a place in the main draw of the Australian Open after the withdrawal of Reilly Opelka, the tournament organisers confirmed on Friday.

Thiem, who lost to Rafal Nadal 7-5 6-1 in the first round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday, will now enter the first round of the Australian Open which begins on Jan. 14 and avoids the qualifiers.