Liam Broady vs Roman Safiullin result to set up Nick Kyrgios clash at Australian Open 2022

Liam Broady pulled off an astounding comeback to book his place in the main draw of tennis' Australian Open and seal a dream first round tie with Aussie firebrand Nick Kyrgios.

Broady trailed by a set and 5-2 and was as much as 4000/1 to win with one bookmaker at one stage only, to storm back and seal a sensational and emotional victory.

The Stockport born left-hander, who was seeded number 10, was up against in-form Russian Roman Safiullin who had starred for his nation in their recent run to the ATP Cup semi-final.

Safiullin who had ended Broady's quest to qualify in Roland Garros eight months ago demonstrated his recent electric form by storming into an early 3-0 lead, only for Broady to peg him back as the Manchester-based Broady started to find his range in the Melbourne evening sun.

Having forced Safiullin into a forehand error to break back, Broady then looked set to take the lead when he brought up three break points in the seventh game, but Safiullin showed all his mettle to hold on and the 24-year-old Russian drew first blood in the tenth game when out of nowhere he found two blistering returns which Hawkeye showed had clipped the baseline to bring up a set point.

The under-pressure Broady sadly chose the worst possible moment to deliver a double fault on set point to allow Safiullin to clinch the opener 6-4.

Broady brought up a break point in the third game of the second set but again he was unable to convert and when Safiullin broke and then held for a 5-2 lead it appeared that Broady's brave attempt to qualify would fall short.

However, the changeover brought about a remarkable transformation as Broady refused to leave the tournament without a fight, holding to love, and then breaking to love as the