Australian Open Highlights- Day 3
Nadal eases into the third round with a comfortable victory
Day three of the Australian Open saw some incredible comebacks and comprehensive victories as the seeded stars progressed to the third round. As ever, we have reviewed the key matches from the day’s action.
Nick Kyrgios was niggled by off-court distractions as he overcame Serbian journeyman Viktor Troicki in straight sets to reach the third round at the Australian Open. The explosive Australian 17th seed was largely in control, winning 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), but had to cope with a loud chanting fan and a helicopter hovering persistently over Hisense Arena.
After missing a match point and a couple of loose forehands, Kyrgios was broken by Troicki, who forced the final set into a tiebreak. But the Australian was devastating, rifling through it to hold five match points before winning 7/2.
Up next for Kyrgios is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who came out on top in an epic five-set battle against rising teenage star Denis Shapovalov. The Frenchman looked set for a second-round exit having found himself 5-2 down in the fifth and final set. However, the 15th seed rallied, winning the final five games and to advance to the third round 3-6, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6, (7-4) 7-5.
Top Seed Rafael Nadal booked his place in the third round with a comfortable win over Leonardo Mayer of Argentina. The Spaniard dropped just three games in the opening round and his second win was also comfortable, overcoming Mayer 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in two hours, 38 minutes on Rod Laver Arena. Nadal, a 16-time grand slam champion, was largely untroubled by his Argentine opponent until the third set which went to a tie-break. However, Nadal showed his class when it mattered, winning 7-4 to close out the win.
World number two Caroline Wozniacki emerged from the jaws of defeat to complete a stunning comeback against Jana Fett in three sets. The Danish star who is looking to capture her maiden grand slam at Melbourne Park won the final six games to seal a famous victory. Wozniacki was down 5-1 and facing two match points during the second-round clash on Rod Laver Arena before the second seed rallied to avoid a stunning upset, prevailing 3-6 6-2 7-5.
Whilst fourth seed Elina Svitolina came from a set down to overcome spirited Czech Katerina Siniakova 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The Ukrainian is now on a seven-match win streak after winning the lead-up Brisbane International.
Svitolina will now face 15-year-old sensation Marta Kostyuk who became the youngest woman to reach the third round since Martina Hingis got to the quarter-finals in 1996. Ukrainian Kostyuk, comfortably beat local wildcard Olivia Rogowska 6-3, 7-5. Her win streak at Melbourne Park is now 11 straight matches after claiming the Australian Open girls' title in 2017 and coming through qualifying this year.