In this file photo, Hady Habib of Lebanon, right, walks by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. (AP)

MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan 9, (AP): Hady Habib isn't likely to find anything too daunting at the Australian Open now that he's become the first Lebanese player in the Open era to reach Grand Slam men’s singles draw.

He advanced through three rounds of the qualifying at Melbourne Park, winning his third match in a tiebreaker 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8) over Clement Chidekh of France on Thursday to secure a place in the main draw of the tournament that starts Sunday.

It continued a rapid rise for Habib, who made his Olympic debut last year in Paris, running into eventual silver medalist Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time major winner, in the first round. It was two sets he'll long remember.

Late last year, he made history at Temuco, Chile by becoming the first ATP Challenger Tour champion from Lebanon.

The 26-year-old Habib was born in Houston, Texas, and moved to Lebanon as a young child, learning how to play there. He returned to the U.S. to pursue a pro career and feels now like he's representing the spirit of the Lebanese people.

"I know it’s just a sport, but I feel like representing Lebanon and sacrificing all the things I had to do to get here, it kind of resembles how our nation has fought back,” Habib told Australia's SBS News this week.