Castleknock's James McGee has made it through to the second qualifying round of the Australian Open tennis championships after beating number 12 seed (qualifiers draw) Norbert Gombos from Slovakia 1-6 6-3 6-2 overnight in Melbourne.

It is the second time that the pair faced each other in a qualifying event for a Slam as the Irishman prevailed in that previous encounter at the French Open. McGee, Ireland's number one, will now face Australia's Dane Propoggia in the second round of qualifying, on Thursday. He needs to win three matches to make it through to the main draw proper.

There was disappointment for Ireland's other representative, Louk Sorensen, who lost in straight sets, 6-1 6-0, to French player Vincent Millot.