Tennis player and Niçois Elliot Benchetrit

Tennis player and Niçois Elliot Benchetrit - After Roland Garros and the US Open, Elliot Benchetrit will discover a third Grand Slam today along with nine other French participants, the 21-year-old Niçois , begins qualifying in Melbourne.

The Niçois will face in the first round the Belgian Steve Darcis. Speaking to media on Monday Elliot said "It’s a big challenge, against a very good player, he’s also someone I know well, because he’s my teammate at Primrose, (their club in Bordeaux)”.

As in Paris and New York, Benchetrit hopes to join the final line up. Heavy fires that have plagued Australia for many weeks have threatened the tournament, including qualifications.