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Australian Open Day Two at Melbourne Park

AS Ashleigh Barty dropped her first set, her opponent’s “totally unacceptable” antics were scolded by furious fans and stars.

Alex BlairAlex Blair
@alexblair_1
13 min read
January 17, 2018 - 10:21AM
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts after missing a point in her first round match against Ashleigh Barty of Australia on day two of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts after missing a point in her first round match against Ashleigh Barty of Australia on day two of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Live: Australian Open Day Two

A bumper day of tennis has completed with Aussie Ash Barty making her way through to the round of 64 in a thrilling clash at Rod Laver Arena.

AN action-packed day two of the Australian Open saw Aussie teenager Alex De Minaur eliminated in his first round clash with Tomas Berdych. The 18-year-old star stoled a set off the 19th seed but succumbed to the 32-year-old’s experience and power before being downed 6-3 3-6 6-0 6-1.

Ashleigh Barty progressed into the second round after a nailbiting three set clash against Aryna Sabalenka

The 19-year-old Belarusian copped the heat of the Australian Open crowd for shrieking after each shot. The crowd began mocking her exasperated grunts midway through the clash before she eventually went down to the Aussie 6-7 6-4 6-4.

Thanasi Kokkinakis joined De Minaur in the casualty ward after going down in an epic four-setter against Daniil Medvedev. The Aussie laboured through two tiebreaks — including a time-out to see to a shoulder niggle — before going down 2-6 7-6 6-7 4-6 to the Russian.

ROD LAVER ARENA

11am

(4) Karolina Pliskova (CZE) defeated Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) 6-3 6-4

(4) Alexander Zverev (GER) defeated Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 6-1 7-6 7-5

(1) Simona Halep (ROU) defeated Destanee Aiava (AUS) 7-6 6-1

7pm

(2) Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Aljaz Bedene 6-3 6-4 6-3

(18) Ashleigh Barty (AUS) defeated Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 6-7 6-4 6-4

MARGARET COURT ARENA

11am

(8) Caroline Garcia (FRA) defeated Carina Witthoeft (GER) 7-5 6-3

Maria Sharapova (RUS) defeated Tatjana Maria (GER) 6-1 6-4

(14) Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Donald Young (USA) 6-1 6-2 6-4

7pm

(3) Garbine Muguruza (ESP) defeated Jessika Ponchet (FRA) 6-4 6-3

Frances Tiafoe (USA) defeated (12) Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 6-3 6-4 6-3

HISENSE ARENA

11am

(9) Johanna Konta (GBR) defeated Madison Brengle (USA) 6-3 6-1

(21) Angelique Kerber (GER) defeated Anna-Lena Friedsman (GER) 6-0 6-4

(9) Stan Wawrinka (SUI) defeated Ricardas Berankis (LTU) 6-3 6-4 6-2 7-6

6.45pm

(19) Tomas Berdych (CZE) defeated Alex De Minaur (AUS) 6-3 3-6 6-0 6-1

11:22pm

Barty pulls off the win

Ash Barty is through to the 64.
Ash Barty is through to the 64.

Ashleigh Barty bounced back from a disappointing first set to send Aryna Sabalenka packing in a thrilling finish to the night.

The Aussie star broke the Belarusian’s serve midway through the third set, and it was all downhill from there for her opponent. Barty took a veiled swipe at the teen for her loud grunts in her post-match interview with Renae Stubbs. “I knew it was coming but it was a bit louder than I thought,” she said.

“There were times in the match where I wasn’t going to have much say; she was going to take that strike on the first ball, but once I was able to get my slice backhand in and dink around a few I was able to get into more points.

“I probably should have closed out that first set, but I knew if I could hang around long enough I’d give myself an opportuntiy.

“I’m very happy to be through and have another chance on Thursday.”

10:10pm

Barty drops first set to ‘moaning’ star

It was a vocal first set.
It was a vocal first set.

Australian women’s star Ashleigh Barty endured a rocky start against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka as she dropped the first set in a nailbiting tiebreak.

The first hour didn’t come without its controversy with Sabalenka copping heat for her loud screams while hitting the ball. Fans accused the 19-year-old of deliberately drawing out her grunts to interfere with Barty’s swin.

Sabalenka’s loud shrieks continued into the second set as Barty broke her serve to pull herself back into the game.

The Aussie was able seal the deal on the second set 6-4 after the break and sent the match to a nailbiting third set, making it the first match on Rod Laver Arena this year to not be completed in straight-sets.

9pm

Federer seals the deal, De Minaur knocked out

Roger Federer completed a clinical dismantling of Aljaz Bedene at Rod Laver Arena and, as always, the Swiss master did it with a touch of signature charm.

The 19-time major champ had the Melbourne crowd giggling after a baby’s scream interrupted Bedene’s serve in the third game of the third set. Bedene looked up with a smile as family man Federer declared “it’s not mine” to the crowd.

It didn’t take long for the 36-year-old to claim victory after the brief baby moment, searing through the 49th seeded star 6-3 in the third.

Federer’s win saw him make history in becoming the only men’s player to have 19 first round wins in a row at a grand slam. The Swiss master has never been knocked out in the first round since debuting in Australia in 2000.

As the World No. 2 advanced to the second round, Aussie teen Alex De Minaur was sent spiralling out of the Open. The 18-year-old showed promise against Tomas Berdych after taking the second set but eventually succumbed to the 32-year-old’s experience and fell 6-3 3-6 6-0 6-1.

8:10pm

De Minaur takes the second

Alex De Minaur took the second set over Tomas Berdych, twice breaking the No. 19 seed’s serve and revving the Hisense Arena crowd into a fit.

The Aussie out-served his opponent throughout the second set, hitting 83 per cent of his first serves in compared to Berdych’s 57. Berdych began to falter midway through the piece, hitting 19 unforced errors to De Minaur’s three as the 18-year-old took the set 6-3.

But it wasn’t long before the more experienced player showed his Berdych shot out of the blocks in the third set, though, taking the first four games and putting the energetic Aussie on the back foot.

He eventually swept De Minaur with a 6-0 win in the third.

Meanwhile, 2017 champion Roger Federer has begun his 2018 campaign with a bang, taking the first two sets over Aljaz Bedene 6-3 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena.

7pm

‘Fearless’ De Minaur’s gutsy move

Aussie teen Alex De Minaur dropped his first set against Tomas Berdych 6-3, but his intent to cause an upset had the commentators lauding his performance.

Tennis legend Jim Courier gave sparkling praise to the 18-year-old as he Aussie shaped up to Berdych’s powerful serve.

De Minaur’s peculiar stance while receiving serve caught Courier’s eye as he ran towards a one of Berdych’s second serves. The Channel Seven commentator noted that not even Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal stand that close while receiving serve.

“They don’t stand there, they give more space to respect the speed,” Courier said,

“This kid, he’s 18 and fearless. You don’t see players do this that often, let alone teenagers.”

6:45pm

Channel Seven scolded

C’mon, guys.
C’mon, guys.

Viewers took aim at Channel Seven’s broadcast of the Australian Open after it decided to leave Thanasi Kokkinakis’ four set thriller against Daniil Medvedev for Alex De Minaur’s match against Tomas Berdych.

Kokkinakis dropped the third set in a nailbiting tiebreak and was forced to fight out of his skin to contain the match in the fourth. The match was going for approximately three hours when Seven switched matches — and an army of viewers were furious.

The network quickly switched back to Kokkinakis’ match after De Minaur dropped his first set but could only show a portion of the final game as the Aussie dropped to 6-4 in the final set.

The Aussie star was fuming at himself as he hit a ball long on the second last point before Medvedev aced him to seal the match.

6pm

Kokkinakis’ concerning injury

Aussie star Thanasi Kokkinakis has bounced back after losing the first set to Daniil Medvedev 6-2. The 21-year-old forced the Russian to a tiebreak in the second and eventually prevailed 8-6 to earn back some momentum — but a concerning shoulder niggle soon forced the Aussie to the bench. Physios massaged his shoulder, the same one he had problems with earlier in his career, before allowing him back on court for the third set.

The pair sent the third to another tiebreak but this time Medvedev came out on top, sending the match to a fourth after claiming the marathon set 7-6 (10-8).

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Alex De Minaur has taken the court against World. No. 19 Tomas Berdych.

5:30pm

Disappointing end to teen’s stunning charge

Destanee Aiava had to take a medical time-out.
Destanee Aiava had to take a medical time-out.

Destanee Aiava turned heads in her first round match as she took a huge 5-2 lead over World No. 1 Simona Halep in the first set — but her incredible charge was stopped short after experiencing breathing difficulties.

The 17-year-old took a medical time-out before she could wrap up the set as her trainers took her blood pressure. She was cleared to play soon after but wasn’t able to capitalise on her two set points as Halep fought back following the stoppage.

The 26-year-old sent the set to a tiebreak and eventually overcame the early scare to take the first 7-6 (7-5).

The match took another turn in the second set as Halep strained her ankle in the second game. The Romanian went down in pain after her foot awkwardly twisted under her weight as she attempted to return an an Aiava forehand.

Halep had her ankle strapped and laboured through the first game after resuming the match — but it didn’t take long for her to overcome her ailment and take the match in straight sets as Aiava dished up a plate of unforced errors.

Halep was full of praise for the young Aussie after the contest and compared her to 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams.

“I can say she is a little bit like Serena,” Halep said.

“She hits the ball very strong and she looks like her, she’s a powerful girl. She’s very talented and powerful. I think she’s going to be very good in the future. Good luck to her.”

4pm

Sharapova responds to Seven farce

Maria Sharapova was tight-lipped about the storm.
Maria Sharapova was tight-lipped about the storm.

Maria Sharapova refused to be drawn into a debate on the merits of her role announcing the Australian Open women’s draw last week.

Tournament organisers were criticised for using her so prominently as she carried the trophy onto the court before being interviewed by Channel Seven’s Hamish McLachlan. Given she returned last year from a 15-month drugs suspension for using the banned substance meldonium, many thought it was inappropriate for her to take centre stage at the very tournament where she tested positive.

McLachlan was slammed for labelling Sharapova’s drugs suspension a “time out”, while the Russian star called it a “period of time”.

Sharapova had nothing to say to critics of her involvement in the draw following her 6-1 6-4 opening round win against Tatjana Maria on Tuesday, saying she merely took up an offer that was extended to her.

“I was invited to be part of the draw by (tournament director) Craig Tiley and the tournament organisation and I kindly accepted,” Sharapova said.

— with James Matthey at Melbourne Park

2.55pm

Aussie fumes after match-defining call

Australia’s Jordan Thompson lost his cool at the umpire after a tense moment in the fifth set against Nicolas Kicker from Argentina.

Down two sets to love, Thompson had fought his way back to square things up at two sets apiece.

He broke early in the deciding set to go up 2-0 and saved a game point when it was advantage Kicker.

He hit a deep forehand to Kicker’s backhand wing and the South American clunked his return into the net, only for the chair umpire to overrule and call Thompson’s shot out. The 22-year-old’s decision to challenge the call was vindicated when Hawkeye showed the ball was in.

But rather than claim the point and send the score back to deuce, the point was instead replayed because the umpire deemed Kicker’s backhand return was impacted by her out call and he didn’t make a full effort to get it back in play. Thompson was furious, going down on his haunches and putting his hands on his head in disbelief.

He believed Kicker didn’t have enough time to react to the umpire’s call because the ball was a half volley, meaning he must have played it on the assumption it was good. But the official saw it differently.

“He missed it,” Thompson complained. “It (the umpire’s call) was after he hit it. You guys never do your job. Never.”

The incident sparked a dramatic collapse from Thompson, who lost the replayed point and the next five straight games to go down 5-2 before losing 6-3 6-1 4-6 3-6 6-3.

Speaking after the match, Thompson was firm in his belief the point should have been his and believes tennis must come up with a way to fix such subjective interpretations.

“The way I saw it is he even gave up on that ball,” Thompson said. “He had no intention of making it, he thought it was going out too I reckon.

“I’m pretty sure the call was late and he didn’t even have to make the ball and we had to replay the point.

“It’s frustrating. It’s up to the umpire and it’s a real grey area – they’ve got to fix that.

“She (the umpire) said it affected his shot which obviously I didn’t think so … I’m pretty sure it was a late call.”

2.35pm

Former semi-finalist upset in major boilover

Canada’s Milos Raonic will not be repeating his 2016 run to the final four after being bundled out by Lukas Lacko 6-7 7-5 6-4 7-6.

The 22nd seed joined 20th seed Roberto Bautista Agut on the first round loser’s list after Bautista Agut’s 6-1 7-5 7-5 defeat against fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

2.30pm

Open blasted for ‘terrible change’

The Australian Open has a sterling reputation but a change at this year’s tournament is driving tennis fans crazy.

The tournament’s official website and app have been plagued with problems in the first day and a half of action, leaving visitors confused and upset.

The website has regularly displayed incorrect players in matches after what the Open’s official Twitter account put down to “technical issues which we are working to rectify”.

2.25pm

Sharapova’s awkward return match

Maria Sharapova was back at Melbourne Park for the first time since failing a doping test in 2016 — and her first round match-up was a commentator’s nightmare.

Sharapova played Germany’s Tatjana Maria, producing a scoreboard that looked designed to ensure the Russian star was always in front.

Adding an extra wrinkle, the chair umpire was Croatia’s Marija Cicak.

The five-time world number one breezed through the opening set before recovering from going down a break early in the second to win 6-1 6-4.

“I get shivers,” Sharapova said, after saluting the crowd on Margaret Court Arena. “It means a lot to me. I cherish these moments.”

11.40am

Nick’s new Aussie romance feels the love

Croatia's Ajla Tomljanovic serves against Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova during their women's singles first round match.
Croatia's Ajla Tomljanovic serves against Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova during their women's singles first round match.

Australia has adopted Ajla Tomljanovic with open arms judging by the reception Nick Kyrgios’s girlfriend received in her opening round match against Lucie Safarova.

A roar went up as her name was announced to the crowd on Court 3 and every point she won was met with loud applause.

There was a small section of devoted Czech fans in the stands but the goodwill shown towards Tomljanovic outweighed the noise made for her 29th seeded opponent. Whistles and cheers rang out as she held a tough, drawn out service game to stay in the set at 2-3.

A loud chant of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” started when AT broke back to level things up at 4-4 but she lost the first set 7-5. Safarova, the 29th seed, completed the match by taking the second set 6-3.

Tomljanovic completed her Australian citizenship test just before Christmas and is awaiting the arrival of her Australian passport. She played under the Croatian flag as recently as the Brisbane International but has pledged her allegiance to the land of sunburnt plains.

This is the first time she’s competed in a Grand Slam as an Aussie and she recently expressed her desire to represent her new home in the Fed Cup.

Kyrgios said during his on-court interview and post match press conference on Monday night having Tomljanovic back on tour with him - after she spent time away with injury - has been a big positive for him.

He cheekily told the crowd at Melbourne Park on Monday night she’d helped him through a busy week leading into the Australian Open.

“I had my girlfriend’s company in the room, so it’s been all right,” a smiling Kyrgios said, before adding “it’s just good to have her back on tour”.

— James Matthey

11am

Players support Djokovic on ‘ridiculous’ pay situation

Tennis legend Andre Agassi gives some tips to Novak Djokovic during a practice session ahead of the 2018 Australian Open. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Tennis legend Andre Agassi gives some tips to Novak Djokovic during a practice session ahead of the 2018 Australian Open. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic has locker room support as disgruntled tennis players demand more slice of the grand slam pie.

President of the ATP Tour player council, Djokovic is pushing for a higher percentage of the financial windfalls generated at the sport’s four biggest annual events.

While Tennis Australia has so far opted not to comment, players currently receive a reported seven per cent of the cash cows that have become the Australian, French and US Opens and Wimbledon, which are run by the International Tennis Federation and the national bodies of each host country — not the ATP.

Djokovic stunned officials, including Australian Open director Craig Tiley, by asking all-non players to leave the room during the annual players’ meeting in Melbourne last week, before urging players to form their own union to push for more money.

The 12-time grand slam champion’s rally cry comes despite Tiley’s pledge to increase Australian Open prize money from $55 million to $100 million over the next five years.

Djokovic’s Serbian teammate and good friend Victor Troicki says it’s “just ridiculous” how small a percentage players receive from grand slam revenue.

Asked ahead of his looming second-round Open clash with Australian Nick Kyrgios if he had an opinion on the matter, Troicki said: “I do. I do. “I have an opinion but I think what happens inside the union with the players should stay inside, and we’ll see”.

Troicki wasn’t able to attend last Friday’s players’ meeting because he was contesting the Sydney International.

“But I was informed about it, knew about it even before because I talk to Novak a lot about it,” he said.

“If you look at the percentages, what we get from all the income from the grand slams, I think it’s just ridiculous.

“Even though they say they’re raising the money all the time — they are — but they’re earning much more than they did (in the) last (few) years and that’s a bit of a problem, I think”.

The issue is sure to cause division, with defending Australian Open champion Roger Federer — the sport’s biggest star — said to be in favour of the status quo, comfortable players are receiving enough.

Djokovic is due to launch his bid for a record seventh men’s Open title later on Tuesday against American Donald Young.

— AAP

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