Istomin met February as the 57^th racket of the world, that is climbed three more steps up. This is despite the fact that extremely unfavorable draw on Melbourne courts did not allow Dennis to gain rating points. But at least he did not lose them as did Robin Haas (NED) and Gilles Muller (LUX) and Lukos Kubot (POL) forced them to descend below Istomin.

Second racket of Uzbekistan Farrukh Dustov went ten steps up as he won the first qualification round of the Australian Open over John-Patrick Smith (AUS) and earned eight rating points. Now Dustov takes 251^st place.

Both players, having even sheathed their rackets, are yet staying in the Green Continent as on February 10-12 the Uzbek team plays against New Zealand in the first round of the Davis Cup in the first group of Asia and Oceania, and in terms of acclimatization is the most favorable option. In addition they got an opportunity to play in a challenger in Burnie, Tasmania. Moreover, Istomin was seeded first at this challenger and even got a chance to play against one of the possible future opponents Jose Statham, third racket in the national team of New Zealand. Denis showed a good ‘warming up’, leaving his opponent no chance 6/4, 6/3. Dustov wasте that lucky as he lost in three sets to the Jimmy Van (CHN) 3/6, 6/0, 4/6.

But they had no opportunity to practice a couple as in doubles Istomin played together duet with Denis Molchanov (UKR) while Dustov teamed up with Ti Chen (TPE). But it’s not for sure that Uzbekistan's captain Pyotr Lebed, who along with Murad Inoyatov and Sarvar Ikramov already left for Tauranga, New Zealand, will put Istomin and Dustov together. Besides, Inoyatov plays quite good in doubles so there is still plenty of time to decide.

Remembering the last year's match in Namangan, where Istomin and Dustov secured victory after three matches, and assessing the current strength of the home team, we can surely say that the Uzbek team are favorites in this opposition. After all, even Dustov is above by more than a hundred steps in the ranking of the first racket of New Zealand Michael Venus (360). Artem Sitak is 425^th, Statham is 554^th and Daniel Marcus is 728^th. However, hosts had the right to select a court cover, and the fact that they chose acrylic court gives them some advantage. And it is the athletes’ mood that makes much more sense in the Davis Cup rather than their rating. So the Uzbeks have to be tuned very seriously for the matches.

A few words must be said of the most distinguished Uzbek in Melbourne, 17-year-old Sabina Sharipova. Having reached the quarterfinals in the tournament among girls under 18, she entered the top 25 juniors of the world and rose to the 16^th place.