Sebastian Ofner ‘chokes’ in Australian Open qualifying after premature celebration against Nishesh Basavareddy

A former top-40 tennis star has been knocked out in the second round of Australian Open qualifying after ‘choking’ in the wake of a wild premature celebration.

Sebastian Ofner, now ranked No.131 in the world, went the distance against Nishesh Basavareddy on Wednesday and thought he’d claimed a comfortable victory in the third-set tiebreak. But the Austrian was totally unaware it was a 10-point tiebreak — meaning he was actually still three points away.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Rival rubs salt in wounds with pointed ‘choke’ celebration.

Ofner celebrated heavily when he went up 7-1, pumping his fist and even pointing to his head, praising either his tennis brain or mental toughness, as he walked well into the court before realising his mistake.

And, somehow, the six-point buffer wasn’t enough.

After play resumed Basavareddy bounced back to win the next three points and eight of the next nine to secure the first match point opportunity.

Ofner kept the match alive but then missed two of his own chances to finally secure victory, with Basavareddy getting it done on the 24th point of the tiebreak for a 4-6 6-4 7-6 (13-11) triumph.

Basavareddy rubbed salt into Ofner’s wounds with a choke celebration.

The American will face Briton George Loffhagen on Friday for a spot in the main draw.

Basavareddy famously caught Novak Djokovic off guard in the first round of last year’s Australian Open, taking the first set before falling 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2.