There are two slots available for the main draw and Sanam now needs to win two matches to join compatriots Yuki Bhambri and Vishnu Vardhan.
The qualifying tournament began today here at the Nanjing Sports Institute here.
Prerna Bhambri, the new national hard court champion, is India's lone entry in the women's singles main draw.
The winners of the inaugural play-off tournament will get a wild card entry into the 2013 Australian Open, season's first Grand Slam.
