Tennis: Kiwis fail to qualify

Michael Venus went down in straight sets.

Three New Zealand players have failed to reach the main draw of the Heineken Open after losing in qualifying matches today.

Michael Venus was no match for world number 90 Lukas Lacko on centre court as the Slovakian eased to a 6-2, 6-2 victory in under an hour.

Russian-born New Zealander Artem Sitak went down 1-6, 6-3, 1-6 to American and world number 96 Donald Young while 21-year-old Sebastian Lavie lost in straight sets 2-6, 2-6 to Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver earlier in the day.

New Zealand No 1 Rubin Statham has a wildcard and will play a qualifier in the first round tomorrow, leaving him as the only Kiwi in the main singles draw.