The stunning victories of the French and the American qualified for the round of 16 of the Australian Open, the serene progression of the Romanian, a look back at the highlights this Saturday in Melbourne.
The comeback
The mad pursuit of Alizé Cornet. Led 6-4, 4-1, Alizé Cornet chained 7 games which allowed the Frenchwoman to revive and overthrow the Slovenian Tamara Zidansek (seeded n°29). The French (61e world) suffered afterwards but found the resources and the lucidity to pocket 11 of the last 13 games, finishing in her characteristic style 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, following the scoring victory against the Spaniard Garbine Muguruza ( seeded No. 3) and treat himself, on his 32nd birthday, to an 8e final in Melbourne. The second after the one experienced in 2009 (she had been eliminated by the Russian Dinara Safina after having had 2 match points). “ It was survival. I didn’t miss the Melbourne heat. I couldn’t find a solution in the 1st set, but I kept fighting and it’s magic to have won. Thirteen years after my first round of 16 at the Australian Open, I’m back. I can’t believe it, I gave it my all “, she summarized. The French will meet in the round of 16 of the Australian Open, the Romanian Simona Halep (seeded n°14) whom she beat three times in four matches. Also trailing 6-4, 4-2, American Danielle Collins (n°27), Australian Opn semi-finalist in 2019, finally won against Denmark’s Clara Tauson. She has an appointment with the Belgian Elise Mertens (n°19) for a place in the quarter-finals.
Polemic
Lit by Mate Pavic reassembled against the virulence of the Australian spectators. The Croatian, eliminated 7-6 (10/8), 6-3 in the 2nd round of the doubles (with his compatriot Nikola Mektic, they were seeded n ° 1) by the pair Nick Kyrgios-Thanasi Kokkinakis criticized the supporters after the supercharged atmosphere that accompanied the meeting: “ They are quite noisy. It is obvious that they encourage the Australians. It wouldn’t hurt them to show some respect to all opponents, other players. We saw with Medvedev (after his victory against Kyrgios) how it was. That’s how they are here. We are used to this. But it wouldn’t hurt to show a little respect. On Twitter, Nick Kyrgios Kyrgios said that a “ coach and a trainer of the Croatian doubles pair threatened to fight. Tennis is a soft sport. »
The number : 3
The Lost Games by Simona Halep. The Romanian dismissed Montenegrin Danka Kovinic 6-2, 6-1 to invite themselves to the round of 16 of the Australian Open. Without making any noise. But with efficiency. She successively has the Polish Magdalena Frech (6-4, 6-3) at 1is round, then the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia (6-2, 6-0). Australian Open finalist in 2018, Simona Halep advances with authority in the tournament (only 12 games lost). “ I have more and more confidence after a difficult year “Summarizes the one who last year chained injuries. Next step, Alizé Cornet.
The phrase : « This is the reason why I had two difficult years playing tennis »
Signed Amanda Anissimova who eliminated Naomi Osaka. The American (20 years old, 60e world) is, in the New York Times, returned to the death of his father and trainer in 2019: “ I think that’s why I had two difficult years playing tennis. I think when I resumed a few months after what happened, I just tried to ignore and push back and tell everyone that everything was fine. And I think it wasn’t really, and I didn’t take enough time for myself to try to recover from that until I was ready to go out there. The young American will challenge Australian Ashleigh Barty (seeded n°1) for a place in the quarter-finals.
The first one
Estonian Kaia Kanepi, 36, a former quarter-finalist at the other three Grand Slams (twice in each event), beat Australian Maddison Inglis 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 to reach the round of 16 Australian Open for the first time in his career. Facing her in the next round, Aryna Sabalenka (seeded n°2). “ I’m happy, I only have 10 double faults “, had fun the Belarusian (she had committed 12 during the 1is tower ; 5 during the 2e) who eliminated Czech Marketa Vondrousova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
In the blue corner
Benoît Paire who had created the surprise against the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (n°26) faces Stefanos Tsitsipas. After a 1is one-sided set, the Frenchman gradually entered the game, held his own in the 2e set before giving in. At 7:30 a.m., the Frenchman was trailing 6-3, 7-5.
The rally
34 shots for an intense exchange from 1is game between Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp and Daniil Medvedev. At 7:30 a.m., the Russian (seed No. 2) was leading 6-3, 3-2.
To be continued : of Minaur, Swiatek, Rublev
From 9 am, on the Rod Laver Arena: Alex de Minaur (Aus 32) -Pablo Andujar (Esp); Sorana Cirstea (Rou) – Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus, 10). Margareth court Arena: Iga Swiatek (Pol, 7) – Daria Kasatkina (Rus, 25); Andrey Rublev (Rus, 5) -Marin Cilic (Cro, 27).
