The Austalian Open’s three-day first spherical lastly ended within the early hours of Wednesday morning and it had been one other strong day for the native contingent.
Thanasi Kokkinakis and Max Purcell superior on the lads’s facet, whereas returning Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic thrilled the house followers with a shocking comeback victory late on John Cain Arena.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
After Australia’s massive hope Alex de Minaur booked his place within the second spherical on Monday night time, a few of his compatriots matched his achievement 24 hours later.
You can atone for all of the day three motion proper right here.
Midnight – Staggering comeback by a returning Aussie
Ajla Tomljanovic has accomplished a sensational comeback to win her first spherical conflict on John Cain Arena.
Straight after Thanasi Kokkinakis’ combating victory on the identical courtroom, Tomljanovic battled again from an virtually hopeless place to succeed in the second spherical.
After taking the primary set in a tiebreak, the 30-year-old was then down 6-4 4-1 to Croatian Petra Martic.
“I really was out at one point,” Tomljanovic conceded afterwards. “I felt like she was toying with me.
“I couldn’t hit a serve, but you guys never gave up. I thought if you’re here, I should give it my best.”
Coming from two breaks down within the deciding set, Tomljanovic turned the match on its head, profitable 5 straight video games to stun Martic.
“She really keeps you on your toes,” Tomljanovic mentioned. “I never got settled, I couldn’t read her serve all the time. I really had to hang in there.
“There’s a bit of luck involved in tonight and I’ll take it.”
The win comes 12 months after a knee damage compelled Tomljanovic to overlook the 2023 Australian Open and he or she’ll face Jelena Ostapenko subsequent up in spherical two.
10.30pm – Tomljanovic wins opening set in her conflict
Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, who’s on the comeback path after a wretched run with damage, is concerned in a battle with Croatian veteran Petra Martic.
In an especially tight opening set, the Aussie held her nerve to take the tiebreak 7-3.
Martic, a former world No. 14, has secured a break within the second set in a match that appears prefer it may go proper right down to the wire.
Having reached a career-high rating of thirty second in April 2023, Tomljanovic has slid all the way in which right down to No. 271.
9pm – Kokkinakis’ excessive aid after first-round win
He’s performed it.
Thanasi Kokkinakis has battled again from two units to 1 right down to seal an intense five-set victory over Austrian Sebastian Ofner.
The tall Aussie battled to a 7-6 (7-1) 2-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 7-6 (10-8) triumph on John Cain Arena.
He was requested afterwards concerning the depth of his matches.
“I wish I could do it easier but I can’t,” he mentioned. “I’ve got the mental focus of a three-year-old.”
Twelve months in the past, Kokkinakis suffered a heartbreaking second-round loss to Brit Andy Murray, having gained the opening two units.
Quizzed concerning the previous yr for the 27-year-old, he gave a brutally sincere reply.
“You don’t want to know, battling some serious demons that’s for sure,” he mentioned.
“It’s an incredible court. Sometimes I struggle for motivation during the year but January at the Aussie Open definitely isn’t one of those times.
“I had a tough end to last year, tough start to this year. I know it’s the first round but this one meant a lot.
“Obviously last year, that one hurt. I had a couple of junkies come up to me at Crown Casino ripping me for that loss against Murray. Didn’t enjoy that too much.
“But glad I could make amends and win a five-setter here, I can’t thank you enough. It’s ridiculous in here, so thank you.”
7.40pm – Kokkinakis again from the useless
Thanasi Kokkinakis dropped the third set in a tense tiebreak in opposition to Sebastian Ofner however discovered a second wind within the fourth, getting a double break on the Austrian and operating away with it 6-1.
The match has entered the fifth set as each gamers sweat buckets within the thick Melbourne warmth.
7pm – Zverev enters the world
It’s an all-German affair at Margaret Court Arena tonight with World No. 6 Alex Zverev taking over countryman Dominik Koepfer. Standing a hair beneath two metres, Zverev has a major peak benefit on this match and can look to get his work performed early to remain contemporary for spherical two.
The 26-year-old has reached the semi-finals at Melbourne Park as soon as earlier than and can look to go deep on this yr’s event with a number of massive names out of the image.
6.15pm – Ofner fights again
We have a sport on our fingers right here.
Sebastian Ofner discovered his rhythm within the second set after Thanasi Kokkinakis dominated the tiebreak to take the primary. The Austrian received an early break and ran away with the second 6-2.
Ofner has hit way more winners than Kokkinakis come the third set (41-19) however the Aussie has been out-serving the Austrian, touchdown extra first serves and hitting 13 aces thus far.
5.33pm – Kokkinakis takes the primary set
Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis has taking a decent first set in opposition to Sebastian Ofner. The pair have been neck and neck till the tiebreak, however Thanasi made fast work of the Austrian and gave up only one level earlier than taking it 6-1.
The dwelling crowd is properly and really behind the 27-year-old and gave an infinite cheer as he sealed the primary.
But spectators seen the world was nonetheless half empty halfway via the primary set. One spectator mentioned it was disappointing to see, given the very fact a Nick Kyrgios match used to draw crowds that have been compelled to clamour for a seat.
Roughly 46,000 folks have descended on Melbourne Park for day three, with that quantity set to soar as we get to the sharp finish of the event.
4.24pm – Purcell triumphs
Aussie crowd favorite Max Purcell kicked himself again into gear after dropping the primary set to Máté Valkusz to take the following three units to advance to the second spherical.
The remaining rating was 3-6 7-6 6-4 7-5. He will now face eleventh seed Casper Ruud for a shot at making his first ever third spherical look at a significant.
But it wasn’t all easy crusing for Purcell. During the fourth set, a ballkid moved throughout some extent and copped a sprig on nationwide TV.
“He’s literally in the serve, I’m watching the ball, kid’s just started walking off the court,” Purcell mentioned.
“You see the ball girl? It’s your point (Valkusz), it’s fine. She’s picked up a drink bottle and started walking off the court. She’s walked over and around.”
“I’m sure the ball-kid there maybe thought the game was over, or just got confused over what stage of the point it was. He had a point but the umpire didn’t see it,” commentators defined.
Meanwhile, fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis has simply arrived on courtroom to face Austria’s Sebastian Ofner.
4.07pm – Dimitrov finishes it off
Grigor Dimitrov overcame his early jitters to take the second and third units off Marton Fucsovics because the Melbourne warmth started to take its toll.
Fucsovics hit some completely insane winners this afternoon, together with a Federer-esque backhand drop shot that left the group and commentators speechless. But Dimitrov pushed on and fully schooled the Hungarian within the third set tiebreak 6-1.
Dimitrov confirmed his class within the fourth set and received the early break and closed out the match 6-2 within the remaining set.
He advances to the second spherical to face the winner of this afternoon’s conflict between Sebastian Ofner and Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.
4pm – Casper Ruud is profitable over Australia
Casper Ruud had the group laughing greater than as soon as after his commanding straight units victory in opposition to Albert Ramos-Vinolas (6-1 6-3 6-1).
When requested if he was going to spend the remainder of the day taking part in golf, the Norwegian mentioned he had different, extra urgent plans involving his new home.
“I don’t think there’s time to golf today. I actually have a zoom call with an interior architect tonight,” he mentioned.
“I’m gonna have to prepare for that and think about other things. Fabric, colour, mixing, blah blah blah. It’s a bit different than tennis.”
Before exiting the world, he did the compulsory sign-off on the digital camera lens, which additionally received fun from tennis followers.
3.50pm – Collins sends former World No. 1 packing
US star Danielle Collins has defeated former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber 6-2 3-6 6-1, establishing a second-round showdown with present No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
2.08pm – Umpire shocker prices Aussie dearly
20-year-old Aussie James McCabe has been despatched packing within the first spherical, taking place in 4 units 6-7 6-3 1-6 2-6 in opposition to 19-year-old Alex Michelsen from the US.
McCabe did properly to steal the second set and hit 13 aces for the match, however misplaced steam as his teen opponent discovered his rhythm.
McCabe was left rubbing his eyes in disbelief at significantly irritating second from the umpire when she referred to as “game Michelsen” after he hit a low return.
The umpire believed the ball had bounced twice, however replays confirmed he had made the shot with the ball inches from the bottom.
Michelsen hit slightly below 80 per cent of his first serves in comparison with McCabe’s 69 per cent and transformed extra essential break factors all through the match.
He will play World No. 32 Jiri Lehecka within the second spherical.
1.30pm – Dmitrov on the again foot
Grigor Dmitrov, former World No. 3 and 2017 semi-finalist, has dropped the primary set to Márton Fucsovics 4-6.
The 32-year-old Bulgarian was removed from his finest, profitable simply one in all 10 factors off second serves as Fucsovics took management.
Fucsovics’ finest end result at a significant got here in 2021 when he made the Wimbledon quarterfinals. He has a profession excessive ranking of 31 and has reached the Australian Open fourth spherical on two events.
Meanwhile, Aussie Max Purcell has simply begun his match in opposition to Máté Valkusz on the Show Court Arena.
1.26pm – Swiatek roars again
Polish sensation and world no 1 Iga Swiatek took an early punch from American Sofia Kenin this morning on Rod Laver Arena earlier than hitting again.
Kenin, 25, who’s ranked 38 on this planet, took it to her extra fancied opponent and broke serve within the opening sport of the match.
The American served for the primary set however was damaged by Swiatek, who went on to win the primary set in a tie-break.
Swiatek, 22, is trying to win her fifth grand slam and first down beneath.
1.15pm – Bizarre hold-up
Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov was compelled to attend to start his event over a weird hold-up.
There was a quick delay at John Cain Arena as Hungarian veteran Marton Fucsovics was ordered to alter his shirt earlier than the first-round match may start.
The difficulty seemed to be the variety of logos seen on Fucsovics’ prime – gamers usually are not restricted with regards to the promoting of accepted tennis clothes producers on their package, however can solely show as much as two industrial logos of a sure measurement.
Fucsovics was allowed to proceed the warm-up within the illicit shirt as his workforce retrieved one other for him to put on within the match.
The intervention from the official did the 31-year-old no hurt as he claimed an early break over Dimitrov, the thirteenth seed.
– with NCA Newswire
12.35pm – Tennis nice slams Osaka’s health
Tennis nice Martina Navratilova has criticised Naomi Osaka after she was smashed in straight units by Caroline Garcia yesterday. Navratilova, who gained 18 main singles titles in her day, mentioned Osaka must “put in the yards” to get her health again in verify to win main tournaments once more.
“Tennis-wise, it was maybe a B-plus performance. But overall a C, because she couldn’t get to the ball. She’s not in shape,” she mentioned in an interview with the Tennis Channel.
“I’m surprised she played this tournament without clearly being in the tip top shape she needs to be in.
“She was stretched out way too much and she didn’t have a break point. That tells you all you need to know about that match.”
Osaka opened up after the defeat and admitted to being disillusioned on the end result, pointing the finger at not feeling like herself as her return to the sport builds up.
“The competitor in me is not happy that I’m not winning these matches (but) I think I just need to work hard and play a lot more matches and then hopefully my dreams will come true,” Osaka mentioned.
“I thought it was a really good match for me and I felt like I did the best that I could possibly do.
“I mean, I still feel like a bit disappointed – I don’t know if I’m disappointed in myself – I don’t think that’s possible because I really feel like I couldn’t have done more with the circumstances.
“I thought I kept doing better as the match went on.”
12.20pm – Stephens defeats Aussie wildcard
Aussie wildcard Olivia Gadecki began properly in opposition to former world quantity 3 Sloane Stephens on John Cain Arena, breaking the American’s serve within the first sport earlier than taking a 2-0 lead.
But it was all down hill from there for the Aussie who misplaced the next 5 video games to drop the primary set, 6-3.
She went down in straight units in 56 minutes, dropping 6-3, 6-1 regardless of a raucous dwelling crowd within the “people’s court”.
The win breaks a hoodoo of types for Sloane who has didn’t get out of the primary spherical of the Australian Open in seven of her previous eight appearances.
– Rohan Smith at Melbourne Park
11.30am – Ugly curse hanging over American star
American tennis star Sloane Stephens has kicked off her 2024 Australian Open marketing campaign, however has a weird curse hovering over her head.
The 30-year-old former world quantity three has endured a torrid run of kind Down Under.
Having gained the US Open in 2017 and reaching the ultimate of the French Open in 2018, Stephens’ file on the Australian Open makes for bleak studying.
In seven of her previous eight appearances at Melbourne Park, the American has been knocked out within the opening spherical.
The final time she superior additional got here in 2019 when she reached the fourth spherical.
10.30am – Demon can pull off deep AO run
Alex de Minaur is completely different this yr, based on one of many individuals who is aware of him finest.
The tenth seed at this yr’s Australian Open, who moved via to the second spherical on Monday night time after Milos Raonic retired with an damage within the third set, is displaying a special facet of himself.
“I would say in the locker room and from talking to him he seems more calm than I’ve seen him coming into an Australian Open,” John Millman advised SEN on Tuesday morning.
“I think that calmness is confidence. It’s confidence in his game and confidence in his ability and confidence (that he belongs) in the top 10.”
Asked concerning the strain of being the highest ranked Australian after his match ended with him in entrance 6-7, 6-3, 2-0, de Minaur mentioned he hasn’t modified in any respect.
“Probably the only thing that has changed is now that I am at the ranking that I am there’s probably a little more hype around me,” he mentioned.
“But saying that, I haven’t changed the slightest. For me, I still enjoy every moment I’m here. It’s a blessing starting the year in Australia, playing in front of home fans.
“I don’t really associate playing in Australia as nerve-wrecking or more pressure. In fact, I associate it with just excitement.”
9.30am – WAGs set pulses racing at Australian Open
While all eyes are on the motion unfolding, the beautiful wives and girlfriends of the celebrities are stealing the limelight away from the courts.
On Monday night time a number of of the massive identify companions in attendance on the Australian Open received collectively for a Bondi Sands occasion at QT Rooftop.
Paige Lorenze, associate of Tommy Paul; Ayan Broomfield, associate of Frances Tiafoe; Morgan Riddle, associate of Taylor Fritz; Costeen Hatzi, associate of Nick Kyrgios and Hannah Dal Sasso, associate of Thanasi Kokkinakis got here collectively within the all white costume code.
Riddle has develop into the most important social media star on the circuit as she shares behind the scenes footage of her journey alongside Fritz.
“I love it here, it’s the best time of year in Australia and everyone is off work and enjoying Summer,’’ Riddle said.
“There’s such good energy and I love how much people love the sport here.”
9am – Aussie’s defence over ‘woke’ outburst
Australian star Jordan Thompson has defended his mid-match outburst that noticed him label the Australian Open as “the wokest tournament ever”.
Thompson misplaced his cool throughout his opening spherical match in opposition to fellow countrymen Aleksandar Vukic over a brand new rule that was launched forward of the 2024 grand slam.
Fans at Melbourne Park are given extra freedom to return and go as they please beneath the brand new guidelines which permit them to maneuver into seats between video games.
Previously followers have been solely allowed to enter or depart their seats throughout a change of ends.
His frustration boiled over throughout the second set as his rhythm was disrupted as he ready to serve whereas up 3-1 with followers persevering with to stroll into Court 3.
“You’re kidding me, really? Oh my god,” he mentioned. “This is the wokest tournament ever.”
Following his five-set victory, Thompson moved to make clear his outburst throughout his submit match press convention.
“Heat of the battle. Probably shouldn’t have said it,” Thompson mentioned of the “woke” remark.
“Yeah, there is a few things that concerned me, but we won’t go into that.
He continued: “How many years which have we been playing tennis, and then all of a sudden they spring on us that they can come in between not even a sitdown. So it just disrupts everyone’s rhythm.
“I mean, if someone is walking at the back and you are throwing the ball toss up, it’s impossible to see it because you have a moving person behind it.
“Yeah, it’s, in my opinion, it’s not good. I’m choosing my words carefully.
“I just don’t understand why we would do that. We are out there working, that’s our job, we’re tennis players. We don’t come in and storm into an office while someone is in a meeting.
“Like someone is just barging through the door, making a nuisance. Even though it doesn’t seem that way, but it is. It’s very off-putting. That’s one thing you can compare it to.”
World primary Novak Djokovic voiced his displeasure to the adjustments as he vented throughout his first spherical contest in opposition to Dino Prizmic.
“Look, I mean, I understand the motive behind it is to enhance and improve the experience for fans, right?” Djokovic mentioned.
“We do play for fans. We want fans to have a great, thrilling experience of being out on the court.
“It’s hard, I must say. I understand that and I support it to some extent, but at the same time all my career, all my life I’ve been used to some kind of atmosphere. When that changes, it kind of messes up (and) distracts you a bit.”
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley responded to the criticism surrounding the rule change.
“What we’ve said is we want fans to sit in their seats when play is on – that’s the expectation coming into the stadium and that’s always been the case. And that hasn’t changed this year either,” Tiley advised Channel 9.
“What we have done is try to get their fans into their seats quicker – the worst situation you can have as a fan is waiting outside the stadium for three games, for five games, you could be waiting for up to 20-30 minutes before you get in.
“We don’t want that for the fans either.
“There’s been no rule change other than trying to get the fans into the stadium as quickly as possible.
“The fans know, that come and watch tennis, when you’re in your seat the idea is not to disrupt play.”
Australian Open Day 3 schedule and outcomes
Rod Laver Arena from 12pm (AEDT)
Iga Swiatek (POL) [1] vs Sofia Kenin (USA)
Holger Rune (DAN) [8] vs Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN)
From 7pm
Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [3] vs Karolina Pliskova (CZE)
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [2] vs Richard Gasquet (FRA)
Margaret Court Arena from 12pm
Casper Ruud (NOR) [11] vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)
Victoria Azarenka (RUS) [18] vs Camila Giorgi (ITA)
From 7pm
Alexander Zverev (GER) [6] vs Dominik Koepfer (GER)
Jessica Pegula (USA) [5] vs Rebecca Marino (CAN)
John Cain Arena from 11am
Sloane Stephens (USA) vs Olivia Gadecki (AUS)
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [13] vs Martin Fucsovics (HUN)
From 4pm
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) vs Sebastian Ofner (AUT)
Alja Tomljanovic (AUS) vs Petra Martic (CRO)
Other Australians in motion
Max Purcell vs Mate Valkusz (HUN)
James McCabe vs Alex Michelsen (USA)
Kim Birrell vs Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) [11]
Source: www.news.com.au
