Raven Klaasen in action during the South African National Tennis team training session at the Irene Country Club on January 28, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. Picture: Gallo Images
The veteran South African and American partner Rajeev Ram lost to Marcus Daniell of New Zealand and Marcelo Demoliner of Brazil, who picked up a 6-1 7-6 (4) win to progress at Melbourne Park.
Klaasen’s hopes remained alive at the Grand Slam tournament, however, as he was set to turn out with Dutch player Michaella Krajicek, a former Wimbledon singles quarter-finalist, in the mixed doubles competition.
They were scheduled to meet Andreja Klepac of Slovenia and Treat Huey of the Philippines in the first round.