Casey Dellacqua defeated Olivia Rogowska 1-6 7-6(9) 6-3 at the Australian Open Play-off and earned her spot in the main draw of Australian Open 2010.

Dellacqua trailed 2-5 in the second set and even saved three match points en route to winning the wildcard.

Remember, Australia's Dellacqua was the story of her home Grand Slam in 2008, when she reached the fourth round defeating Patty Schnyder and Amelie Mauresmo along the way?

The 24-year-old missed practically whole 2009 season because of a shoulder surgery she had in February and tendonitis in her foot. (photo via Sony Ericsson WTA Tour)

Some women’s tennis players have united to raise funds and morale of those affected by bushfires in Victoria, Australia.

Dinara Safina, Casey Dellacqua, Daniela Hantuchova, Ana Ivanovic, Samantha Stosur, Rennae Stubbs, Ai Sugiyama and Serena Williams have donated personal items of value, which will be auctioned off to raise money for the Tennis Bushfire Relief Appeal.

"What has happened in Australia is shocking and so sad, and I would like to send my deepest sympathies to everyone who has been affected by this tragedy," said 2008 Australian Open runner-up Ana Ivanovic.  "I have family in Melbourne and was very concerned for the safety and welfare of their friends in Victoria.  Australians have a great spirit, and my thoughts are with them."

"My prayers go out to everyone involved. It's such a sad and unfortunate event to happen and the loss of life has been tragic," said 2009 Australian Open champion Serena Williams.  "I admire the heroism of those who risked their lives to help others." (source: Tennis Australia, photos: Ralf Reinecke)

I was interested in the outcomes of the first-round matches home favorites Jelena Dokic and Casey Dellacqua were playing on day one of the 2009 Australian Open.

Dokic, who had earned a wildcard into the main draw, registered her first win at Melbourne Park in a decade by beating Austria's Tamira Paszek 6-2 3-6 6-4.

"I went through hell and back," said Dokic, her voice cracking as tears welled in her eyes.

"I pretty much lost my family. I had no-one there. I was really struggling.

"I battled severe depression for about two years. I didn't play for months at a time. I was really seriously thinking about not playing. It was a tough time in my life."

I’m really happy for Dokic, I would like this Wimbledon semifinalist and former world number four to revive her shattered career. She has just made an excellent step forward.

Dokic's next opponent will be 17th seed Anna Chakvetadze, who went past British No.1 Anne Keothavong.

Last year’s Australian sensation, Casey Dellacqua, was defeated in the first round 7-6(11) 6-4 by Slovakian No.9 seed Daniela Hantuchova. In 2008 Dellacqua reached the fourth round, having beaten two Top 20 players en route.

Let’s just mention which seeds fell on the first day. Hungarian hope Agnes Szavay, seeded 23rd at the Australian Open, continued her slide with a loss to world No.95 Galina Voskoboeva 6-3 3-6 6-4. Gorgeous Stella McCartney designs again didn’t get enough exposure, as No.27 seed Maria Kirilenko couldn't make it past round one, losing to Sara Errani 6-0 6-4. No.24 seed Sybille Bammer was beaten by Lucie Safarova 6-3 6-1. (photos: Getty Images)

Ninth-seed Marion Bartoli exited her home Grand Slam in the first round as Australian Casey Dellacqua defeated her 6-7 6-3 6-2.

Wimbledon finalist Bartoli, who last year reached the fourth round at Roland Garros, was 6-5 up when rain ended play on Tuesday but she could not find her pace on Wednesday, losing after two hours and two minutes.

In the second round, world No.51 Dellacqua will face another Frenchwoman, Nathalie Dechy, ranked 88th. (source: Reuters, photo: Getty Images)

Today at the Pacific Life Open, Australian world No.56 Casey Dellacqua moved into the fourth round of a WTA event for only the second time in her career as Austrian teenager Tamira Paszek retired with illness trailing 6-1 4-0.

Casey Dellacqua made the headlines in January, as she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open. Then she scored her first two Top 20 wins defeating No.15 seed Patty Schnyder and No.18 seed Amelie Mauresmo. Dellacqua left the Australian Open falling to Jelena Jankovic.

At the Pacific Life Open, Dellacqua will next play twelfth-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia. (source: The Age, photo: Getty Images)