Melbourne - Former world number four Jelena Dokic achieved the first step of a tennis comeback dream on Sunday, defeating teenaged Monika Wejnert 6-7 (3-7),
7-5, 6-3 to claim an Australian Open wild card spot.

The week-long effort from Dokic ended with a fighting victory, where she lost the opening set in a tiebreaker, and recovered from a break down in the second and finally clinched victory over her Queensland opponent.

"I don't have to worry about the Australian Open now," said Dokic, who will be making her third main draw showing at the major after playing in 2001 and 2006.

"I came into here wanting to play qualifying but to be in the main draw gives me two tournaments before the open to play, which is extra practise, which is good."

The one-time problem child for Tennis Australia who has come and gone over the years in her loyalties between Australia and her native Serbia, had lost to Wejnert in group play earlier in the week.

"In the first two or three matches I struggled a little bit with my timing. Winning is a huge step for me. The confidence you gain such a big part." (dpa)