The demonstration of the Belarusian, the insurance of the Frenchman after a fall and the confirmation of the Spaniard marked the 3e round of the Australian Open this Friday.
The image
Gaël Monfils had a spectacular fall in the 1is set against the Chilean Christian Garin. The French n°1 who led 3-2 after making the break, suffering from the right ankle was able to resume the course of the match. Led 4-1 in the tie-break, the French pocketed a set that weighed heavily (the Chilean piling up 45 unforced errors). Gaël Monfils (seeded n°17), impressive in the application and concentration deployed (as in his previous match against Kazakh Alexander Bublik) has an appointment with the surprise Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic for a place in the quarter-finals .
The beautiful story
Le Serbe Miomir Kecmanovic (22 ans; 77e world) was to face his compatriot Novak Djokovic in the 1st round of the Australian Open. Since he wantswin for him.The former junior world No. 1 is continuing his journey. He qualified for his first 8e of the Grand Slam final after beating Italian Lorenzo Sonego (seeded n°25) 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-5.
The number : 8
The minutes of the (long) locker room break taken by the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (n°4) after the 2e set against the Latvian Jelena Ostapenko (n°26) in the battle of the surprise winners of Roland-Garros (2017 for Ostapenko, 2021 for Krejcikova). The Czech received a warning. Ostapenko, faithful to his risky game, made the winning points (40) and the fouls (35), before being overwhelmed in the 3e set by the Czech 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 who summarized: “It was very difficult mentally, I’m happy to have gotten out of it and to have shown that I was capable of reversing the situation. Ostapenko is able to play and outplay, I knew I had to hang on.“ Next opponent for the Olympic champion in doubles (with her compatriot Katerina Siniakova) who settles with regularity in the Grand Slam, Victoria Azarenka for a place in the quarter-finals.
Le tweet
That of Victora Azarenka (n°24) who curtly eliminated 6-0, 6-2 (in 1h7) Elina Svitolina (seeded n°15). The Ukrainian conceded 8 consecutive games before being able to stop the bleeding. The most disputed game of a one-way game was the last, the wife of Gaël Monfils (26 unforced errors) obtained 3 break points, dismissed 5 match points, before losing. Azarenka, double winner of the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013, reached the round of 16 for the first time since 2016. What to share a moment of complicity with her son Leo.
The info
While Nick Kyrgios hasn’t spoken on rumors he could be playing his final year on the tour, the volcanic Australian who put on a show on Thursday against Daniil Medvedev before losing has confirmed he will play next month in Dallas. “I would like to see him achieve his potential or come close to it. He has a very good game. I would say that, from a tennis point of view, he is the most talented player I have seen in the last ten years. But you also have to bring what it takes to be competitive day after day.», has on Eurosport assured John McEnroe about the whimsical Aussie.
The confirmation
Spaniard Paula Badosa (seeded n°8), who established herself as a contender for a first Grand Slam title after winning the Sydney Tennis Classic (against Czech Barbora Krejcikova) last week, has, at the end of an intense match, defeated Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 5-7 6-4 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time. The two players who appreciate each other and shared a long hug at the net gave everything for 2h19 (25 winning points for Badosa, 30 for Kostyuk). Dressed in the same outfit, they shared the same desire. A remarkable game.
Point
Signed Carlos Alcaraz. At 18, the Spaniard impresses with his power, his technique, his composure. Its room for improvement is still considerable, but it is progressing at lightning speed. In strength or finesse, he is able to pull incredible shots from his quiver. Like this masterful lob that surprised Matteo Berrettini. At 6:45 a.m., the Spaniard was trailing 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).
To be continued, Nadal, Osaka and Mannarino
After Ashleigh Barty-Camila Giorgi (from 9 a.m.), Rafael Nadal will take to the track against Karen Khachanov at the Rod Laver Arena. On the Margareth Court Arena, Amanda Anisimova will challenge Naomi Osaka, then Adrian Mannarino will play against Aslan Karatsev.
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