The winning return of the Biterrois, the match in two stages of the Polish, the quiet entry of the Russian, the elimination of Leylah Fernandez, return to the highlights this Tuesday in Melbourne.
Gasquet, the unexpected of the blue corner
In a 100% French clash never easy to master, Richard Gasquet (35) upheld the birthright and let his variety of shots do the talking to win 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3 against Ugo Humbert (seeded n°29). A winning comeback for Gasquet, who is making his comeback in Melbourne this year. He hadn’t played at the Australian Open since 2018. Hugo Gaston lost 7-6(4), 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 to Australian Christopher O’ Connell (173e global, guest). Like Caroline Garcia, out 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 by American Hailey Baptiste (20; 168e world, resulting from the qualifications). The Lyonnaise will turn to the double, with Kristina Mladenovic. Alizé Cornet dominated Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova 6-3, 6-3 (119e world, resulting from the qualifications) to enter its 60e consecutive Grand Slam tournament. The Niçoise, who is only two units away from the record of the Japanese Ai Sugiyama, will meet at 2e round the Spaniard Garbine Muguruza (n°3) who dismissed Clara Burel 6-3, 6-4. Océane Dodin led 6-2, 5-3, obtained 3 match points, before being eliminated 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 by the Romanian Irina Camelia-Begu.
The walks
Seeded n°5, Rublev easily eliminated 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 the Italian Gianluca Mager (63e worldwide). Quarter-finalist in Melbourne last year, the Russian (21), winner of the Davis Cup in December, was impressive (13 aces and 31 winning shots). After being broken at the start, Daniil Medvedev who then had no break point to erase dominated 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (3) the Swiss Henri Laaksonen (92e worldwide).
The surprise
Australian Maddison Inglis (139e world) eliminated the Canadian Leylah Fernandez (seeded n°23), unfortunate finalist of the last US Open. Inglis (24) records her first Grand Slam victory and the first victory of her career against a Top 50 player.
The performance
The Romanian Sorana Cirstea (38e world) was played 6-2, 6-2 to the Czech Petra Kvitova (seeded n ° 20), finalist of the Australian Open in 2019. Last year, Cirstea had already dominated the finalist Kvitova at the Australian Open, at 2e round (in 3 sets). Cirstea’s 38th victory in the Top 20 supports its return to the fore. The 31-year-old Romanian has moved up almost 50 places in the standings since the end of 2020 and won her first title in 13 years in Istanbul last season. “ Sorana loves my game. She jumps in and feels comfortable. She appreciates my pace. It’s more difficult for her when she faces defensive players“, summed up the Czech.
The number : 11
Surprise and led 3-1 in the 1is set by Britain’s Harriet Dart (125e world, resulting from the qualifications), Iga Swiatek (n°7) serenely found the balance by taking the direction of the exchanges by gradually extinguishing the success of her rival. The Pole pocketed the following 11 games (3 unforced errors only in the 2e set) to win 6-3, 6-0.
The crush
Samantha Stosur. The Australian (37; winner of the US Open in 2011) is playing the last Grand Slam of her career in singles. Invited, she dismissed 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 the American Robin Anderson (172e world, also invited). The tears she announced will be for later. Stosur, a single winning match in 2020, as in 2021, remains in the running.
Fright
Diego Schwartzman had a match point at 5-3 in the 3e set against the Serbian Filip Krajinovic before being physically reduced. Deprived of spring, visibly suffering from the right thigh, the Argentinian lost his service, called on the trainer, before managing to get out of it 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.
The info
Nick Kyrgios (114e world), the whimsical Australian has, in an interview with The Age indicated that he will not take part in the clay court season. “ At this point in my career, I’m not going to struggle with 30-shot rallies against Diego Schwartzman.The Australian takes on Britain’s Liam Broady (127e world, from qualifying), this Tuesday, from 9 a.m., on the John Cain Arena.
The phrase : «Djokovic is not a role model for young players».
Signée Palmieri, the director of the Rome tournament, interviewed by Radio Anch’io Sport, in comments reported by Rai, said about the Djokovic affair: “ Novak Djokovic is a controversial figure who takes positions and puts himself in danger. The fact that he is not an example for young people who approach this sport is absolutely true, he has not reached Federer and Nadal in this area. I have a long-standing relationship with Novak. He has a very strong personality, I would have advised him not to look at the immediate but at his future. He will also overcome this obstacle. His participation in the Rome tournament (May 8-15) depends on him, if he registers, we will respect the rules. If the player arrives in order, we will have no problem and no reason not to accept him.»
The package
That of Casper Ruud (seeded n° 8): “I tried everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately I’m not 100% ready. I couldn’t play 100% as I should… “, regretted the Norwegian who sprained his ankle two days ago. He was replaced in the draw by Russian Roman Safiullin who will play against Slovakian Alex Molcan.
To be continued : Tsitsipas and Raducanu
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Emma Raducanu will enter the tournament on Tuesday. To be continued (from 9 a.m.). Rod Laver Arena: Storm Sanders (Aus)-Aryna Sabalenka (Bel, 2); Mikael Ymer (Sue)-Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre, 4). Margareth Court Arena: Lorenzo Musetti (Ita)-Alex de Minaur (Aus, 32); Sloane Stephens (US)-Emma Raducanu (GB, 17).
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