2024 Australian Open: Day 5 recap
On a sensational day on the Gold Coast, women’s singles action kicked off with some sensational results across the field, while the men’s pairs sections concluded to set up an enticing knockout draw.
Men’s Pairs – sections 104 – 128
The final sections of the men’s pairs concluded on Tuesday with some strong teams moving forward through to the round of 128, including 2018 champion Barrie Lester, who earned his place with teammate Ben Hubber.
2022 junior boys singles finalists in Joseph Clarke and Jack McShane made it through, as did former Jackaroo Nathan Rice with his partner Flynn O’Shaugnessy.
Ryan Burnett and Ryan Bester ensured their place in the post sectional rounds, with the likes of Bill Cornehls and Ian Brimblecombe also ensuring their place in the pointy end.
Please note a section winner withdrew for personal reasons before the knockout draw was released, granting the top next best qualifiers (Jake Bourke & Phillip Sharp) a place in the round of 128.
The knockout draw has seen some sensational matchups, with Lester and Hubber to take on Aaron Teys and Aron Sherriff, while Aaron Wilson and Ben Twist will meet Adam McEown and Sam Barkley.
McKeown defeated Wilson in the men’s pairs final at the World Bowls Championships in 2023 in what will be an anticipated rematch.
VIEW THE MEN’S PAIRS KNOCKOUT DRAW
Women’s Singles – sections 1-94
The big names all ensured their progression through to the round of 128 in the women’s singles with a plethora of stars in action across the Gold Coast.
Two-time champion Natasha Van Eldik progressed through to the knockout stages after only dropping 29 shots for the day, while defending champion Cassandra Millerick managed to overcome a loss in her second round to emerge on top of her group by ten shots.
World Champion Dawn Hayman was in fine touch after a day where she would only conceding 14 shots for the afternoon, as was Kristina Krstic, with both making it through to the next phase thanks to some sensational bowls.
Their fellow Jackaroos in Jamie-Lee Worsnop, Chloe Stewart, Kylie Whitehead and Brianna Smith also enjoyed unblemished days, while 2015 and 2017 conqueror Ellen Fife encountered no troubles on her way through.
Ten-time Australian Open champion Lynsey Clarke made it through safely, as did former World Champions in Ellen Falkner MBE and Tayla Bruce.
New Zealand internationals in Katelyn Inch and Selina Goddard were in fine touch, as was Kelly McKerihen, who negotiated a tough section that consisted of Malaysia’s Aleena Nawawi.
Two-time tournament winner Gen Delves earned her way into the round of 128, while Para Jackaroo Serena Bonnell went unblemished, as well as Emerging Jackaroos Kira Bourke and Sophie Kurzman.
The biggest upsets of the day saw 2007 champion and three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Siti Zalina Ahmad eliminated, as well as Emerging Jackaroo Kate Argent Bowden.
There are nine next best qualifiers in the women’s singles with the final 25 sections to play tomorrow.
The 2024 Australian Open will run from the June 8-21, 2024 on the Gold Coast in Queensland with Rinkside Live coverage from 9am AEST daily on Bowls Australia’s Facebook page & YouTube channel.
