D7 in Melbourne. Tournament favorite Alexander Zverev was slapped by Denis Shapvalov, Rafael Nadal got the better of Adrian Mannarino and Barbora Krejcikova continues to impress.
Sensation
In a big day, Canadian Denis Shapovalov brought down Alexander Zverev, world number 3 and one of the main favorites of the tournament. A deserved success for the seeded 14 who won 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 against the German, very passive and absent subscribers. Shapovalov, 22, had never passed the second round in Melbourne. He will face the Spaniard Rafael Nadal (5th) for a place in the semis.
The number
28
The number of minutes of the first set tie-break between Rafael Nadal and Adrian Mannarino. After saving four set points, the winner of the 2009 edition got the better of the resistance of the Frenchman to win the decisive game 16–14, quite simply the longest tie‐break of his career. The French left-hander will not physically recover from this legendary tie-break and a first round, which lasted one hour and 22 minutes! Mannarino, hit in the adductor following a false movement, was then outclassed by the 5e world player in the next two sets (6–2, 6–2).
The celebration
Rafael Nadal’s joy after winning the incredible tiebreaker against Mannarino. The longest of his career. The relief being at the height of the event. The sequel was simpler to have the right to play a 14e quarter-final in Australia. Only Roger Federer did better (15).
The phrase
«The first set was very nerve-wracking. I was a bit lucky because I had chances, but so was he. I am very happy to have survived this first set, without a doubt!“. The relief of Nadal, at the mention of his anthology tie-break, after his victory against Mannarino.
The confirmation
Barbora Krejcikova had never exceeded 2e tour in Melbourne. From ancient history. The winner of Roland-Garros walked last night in the round of 16 against the former world number 1 Azarenka, double winner in Melbourne (2012 and 2013), and diminished by neck pain. At 26, Krejcikova has now reached or exceeded the 8th of each of the last four Majors (title at Roland-Garros, 8th at Wimbledon, quarters at the US Open and therefore at least quarters in Melbourne).
The fit player
We can’t stop Madison Keys anymore. The American, who has fallen out of the top 50 and former world number 7, is back to her best level at the start of the season. Winner in Adelaide, before the Australian Open, she crushed the Spaniard Paula Badosa (6th) 6-3, 6-1 in 1h09 this night. The 2017 US Open finalist, who has not played in a Grand Slam quarter-final since Roland-Garros 2019, is a choice outsider. Barbora Krejcikova, her future opponent, has been warned.
The surprise
The seeded 5 Maria Sakkari gave up against the American Jessica Pegula (7-6, 6-3). The Greek suffered a terrible 7-0 in the first set tiebreak. Already a quarter-finalist in Melbourne last season, Pegula, 26, confirms the good health of American women’s tennis.
On track and to come
To be continued, in particular, from 8:30 a.m., Gaël Monfils, the last tricolor representative for the men, opposed to the Serb Miomir Kecmanovic. On the Rod Laver Arena, Pablo Carreno Busta challenges Matteo Berrettini. In the women’s draw, Ashleigh Barty finds the young American Amanda Anisimova, who fell for Naomi Osaka.
