The solo rider of the world No. 1, the Spanish train on time, the new demonstration of his young compatriot Alcaraz qualified for the 3rd round of the Australian Open, a look back at the highlights of the night in Melbourne.
The number : 3
Games lost in 2 matches by Ashleigh Barty Express. The world No. 1 (8 aces; 81% of points scored on her 1is service) eliminated 6-1, 6-1 in 52 minutes the Italian Lucia Bronzetti (resulting from the qualifications). At 1is round, she had dominated 6-0, 6-1 the Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko (119e worldwide) in 54 minutes. In two rounds, the Australian lost only 3 games… In 3e turn, she will meet the Italian Camila Giorgi (seeded n°30).
Sentences : «The only reason I would be happy for Roger to retire soon is if he joined my team »
Signed Matteo Berrettini (seed n°7) in the Corriere della Serra. Asked about seeing a prestigious player one day come to complete his staff, the Italian confided: “Me and Vincenzo Santopadre, my coach, are open to new things and humble enough to know that, depending on how we both grow, such a scenario can happen. The dream is Roger Federer, my idol when I was a child. The only reason I would be happy for him to retire soon is if he joined my team.The Italian was, this Wednesday, opposed to the American Stefan Kozlov (169e, guest). After pocketing the 1is set 6-1, he lost the 2e 6-4.
«A year ago I was locked in a room »
Signed Paola Badosa who, after her 6-0, 6-3 win over Italy’s Martina Trevisan, said playing at the Rod Laver Arena after 2021 was a special feeling. Last year, the first Spanish player to test positive for Covid-19 in Melbourne spent 21 days in quarantine, before collapsing in the first round against a player from qualifying: “I’m really proud of myself…a year ago, I was locked in a room. Being here and playing on center court, thanks to me, not because now I’m the top seed, I’m happy.» The Spaniard (seeded n°8) has an appointment at 3e tower (stage reached for the first time in Melbourne) with the Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.
In the blue corner
Harmony Tan (24; 107e world), the protege of Nathalie Tauziat and Sam Sumyk, bravely played her luck against the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (n°15), Madame Monfils. After losing 1is set, 6-3, the French offered the second 7-5 (after dismissing a match point). Before being forced to retire, due to a left calf injury. Unable to serve other than with a spoon, she resolved, on the advice of the referee, to abandon after a double fault, before going out in a wheelchair. At 3e round, Svitolina will meet Belarusian Victoria Azarenka. At 7 a.m., Corentin Moutet and the American Sebastian Korda entered the 5th set.
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Point
Registered by the Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta (seeded n°19) against the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor. After a failed smash from the Dutchman, the trajectory of the ball, after taking a surprisingly rounded trajectory, ended its course just behind the net. The Spaniard who had followed well accompanied the ball and concluded the point victoriously at 4-3 in the 3e set, before celebrating it in the camp of his rival. The Spaniard finally winning 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4 to end the Dutchman’s streak which had compiled 29 consecutive victories. His last defeat was on 2e US Open round against Novak Djokovic.
The maid
Rafael Nadal without shining a, against the German Yannick Hanfmann (126e, from qualifying), scored 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 (on his 5e match point) his ticket for the 3e round of the Australian Open. The Spaniard has sometimes lacked length, rhythm and power, but as he likes to recall, he is in the recovery phase after a foot operation which cut short his 2021 season. At 3e turn, Rafael Nadal will play against the Russian Karen Khachanov or the Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.
The phenomenon
After a 1is head and (large) shoulders dominated round against the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo (135e world) 6-2, 6-2, 6-3, the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz copiously dominated the Serbian Dusan Lajovic (39e world) 6-2, 6-1, 7-5. The seeded No. 31 could become embedded, in Melbourne, and quickly elsewhere as a very serious candidate.
The first one
The Spaniard Nuria Parrizas Diaz (66e) took advantage of the package of the Belgian Maryna Zanevska (hit in a calf) to sneak into 3e round of the Australian Open, his best Grand Slam result. At 3e turn, she will meet the American Jessica Pegula (seeded n°21).
Unexpected
Le Serbe Miomir Kecmanovic (77e world) was to face Novak Djokovic at 1is turn… He finally inherited the lucky loser Salvatore Caruso. Winner of the Italian, he continued this Wednesday by playing 7-6 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (8) from the American Tommy Paul (41e worldwide). He will live the rest of his adventure against the Italian Lorenzo Sonego (seeded n°25).
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Osaka, Zverev and Monfils to follow
The night session will notably see the 2e Gaël Monfils tower. On the Rod Laver Arena, from 9 a.m.: Madison Brengle (EU)-Naomi Osaka (Jap, 13); Alexander Zverev (Ger, 3) – John Millman (Aust). Margaret Court Arena: Qinwen Zheng (Chn)-Maria Sakkari (Greek, 5); Gael Monfils (Fra, 17) – Alexander Bublik (Kaz).
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