Multiple Australian Open qualifying hopefuls test positive to COVID-19 By 2021-01-12T10:36+11:00 Two players attempting to qualify for next month’s Australian Open have tested positive to COVID-19 overnight. Argentine Francisco Cerundolo and American Denis Kudla both returned positive readings following their respective first-round wins in Qatar, where the men’s qualifying tournament is currently being held. Players were required to return a negative test prior to competing in the qualifying events, with the men’s event being held in Doha and women’s event hosted concurrently in Dubai. Kudla, who defeated 221st-ranked Elliot Benchetrit in straight sets, reportedly returned a positive test during the second set of their encounter, with both players only informed after the American had won 6-4, 6-3.