Thanasi Kokkinakis has steadied to seal passage into the final stage of Australian Open qualifying, surviving a wobble against second-round opponent Sebastian Ofner.

The South Australian defeated the Austrian world No.180, 6-4 7-6 (7-4), losing composure in the second set before rallying in the tiebreak.

His reward is a third-round playoff on Friday against Canadian Peter Polansky, with a place in the main draw on the line.

Kokkinakis is the sole Australian winner to date in Thursday’s qualifying, with Isabelle Wallace, Lizette Cabrera and Kaylah McPhee crashing out.

Wildcard entrant Wallace claimed the biggest scalp of her career earlier in the week by beating Wimbledon finalist, German Sabine Lisicki, but fell 6-3 6-2 to Dutchwoman Richel Hogenkamp in the second round.

Cabrera, the world No.234, lost 6-4 6-3 shortly after against Belgian Ysaline Bonaventure.

McPhee lost control of her clash and was crestfallen after losing match point to Japanese 22nd seed Misaki Doi 2-6 7-6 (7-0) 6-3.

Three Australian women are still in action bidding to join Kokkinakis, the world No.145, in Friday’s third round.

Kokkinakis, controversially overlooked for an Open wildcard, came out on a mission by winning his first four service games to love.

Despite rolling his ankle twice, he eased to a first set and looked to be heading towards a routine win.

But, he dropped his head, losing six points in a row to be broken for the first time, giving up the chance at a trouble-free passage.

Kokkinakis was able to come from behind in the tiebreak and spare himself a third set, winning in one hour and 38 minutes.

He said he felt edgy and flat, suggesting it might be the stress of qualifying.

“I didn’t feel great on court. I wasn’t playing good and I wasn’t sharp,” he said.

“Wanting to qualify really bad, I think that’s what it is. Wanting to win matches and earn my way in the draw.

“(When I won, my feeling was) relief. I didn’t even celebrate when I won.”

Kokkinakis should be confident for the match-up with Polansky after beating the 30-year-old a fortnight ago in qualifying for the Brisbane International.

“I’m pretty good mates with Pete. He’s a good guy … it’s going to be a tough match,” Kokkinakis said.