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Live blog of Australian Open day three at Melbourne Park

NOBODY expected Aussie young gun Daria Gavrilova to knock off one of the Open’s most accomplished players last night. She pulled it off in stunning style.

Dan Elsom, Tyson Otto and wires
13 min read
January 21, 2016 - 5:53AM
Australian Open Tennis 2016 Day 3
Australian Open Tennis 2016 Day 3

DAY three saw Aussies Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova advance to the third round with thrilling wins, while world No.1 Novak Djokovic cruised to victory despite a brief slip-up.

DAY THREE RESULTS

ROD LAVER ARENA

5-Maria Sharapova (Russia) defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Belarus) 6-2 6-1.

1-Serena Williams (US) defeated Hsieh Su-Wei (Taiwan) 6-1 6-2.

3-Roger Federer (Switzerland) defeated Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine) 6-3 7-5 6-1.

4-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) defeated Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) 6-4 6-2

1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) defeated Quentin Halys (France) 6-1 6-2 7-6 (7-3)

MARGARET COURT ARENA

7-Kei Nishikori (Japan) defeated Austin Krajicek (US) 6-3 7-6 6-3.

12-Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) defeated Timea Babos (Hungary) 6-3 6-3.

10-Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain) defeated Maria Sakkari (Greece) 6-7 6-2 6-2.

9-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) defeated Omar Jasika (Australia) 7-5 6-1 6-4

Daria Gavrilova (Australia) defeated 6-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) 6-4 6-4

HISENSE ARENA

Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukraine) defeated 23-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 6-1 7-5.

13-Roberta Vinci (Italy) defeated Irina Falconi (US) 6-2 6-3.

6-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) defeated Mirza Basic (Bosnia) 6-4 6-0 6-3.

29-Nick Kyrgios (Australia) defeated Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay) 6-4 7-5 7-6

TOP STORY — MAJOR AUSSIE UPSET

What a victory.
What a victory.

RUSSIAN-born Daria Gavrilova advanced through to the third round of the women’s singles after defeating No.6 seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic.

A loss for Kvitova makes her the third top-10 seeded women’s player to bow out of the tournament.

The adopted Aussie took out the first set 6-4, but had to fight for the win in second set.

Holding match point up five games to three, Kvitova fought back to come within one game, before an unforced error from the Czech pushed the 21-year-old out to a straight set 6-4 6-4 win.

The victory sees Gavrilova advance into the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career. Winning in just over 89-minutes, the victory ranks as one of Gavrilova’s best, perhaps behind only a defeat of then-world number two Maria Sharapova in Miami last year.

The world No.39 was almost speechless after the match, but said she was ecstatic at one of the biggest wins of her career to date.

“It was unreal, I was so nervous at the end. I am just really proud,” she said.

“In the last game I told myself: ‘You are down 5-3 and you are trying to stay in the match’.”

“It means a lot. I can’t describe it, I am just really happy and I just have to prepare for the next one.”

Gavrilova became an official Australian citizen in December last year.

11:00pm — DJOKOVIC CRUISES TO VICTORY

Never in doubt.
Never in doubt.

NOVAK Djokovic has eased into the third round of the Australian Open, defeating Frenchman Quentin Halys in straight sets to continue assault on a sixth title at Melbourne Park.

For two sets, Djokovic was in relentless form against the teenager, winning 6-1 6-2 7-6 (7-3) in 100 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

It was only in the third set that the wildcard made it a contest.

Djokovic breezed through the first two sets in under an hour without facing a break point.

Halys finally earned one early in the second set, taking advantage to race to a 2-0 lead.

But the Serb wore him down, breaking back and then claiming a third-set tiebreaker set to seal his berth in the last 32.

Without a win against a player ranked in the top 80, the 19-year-old Frenchman was on a hiding to nothing against the dominant world No.1.

Djokovic’s defence wore down his younger opponent.

Across more than an hour and a half, he hit just 14 unforced errors, denying Halys a way into the match.

The world No.187 produced the shot of the match in the tiebreaker - curling a shot around the net post from a wide position - but could not match Djokovic’s legendary consistency. Djokovic’s reward is a third-round meeting with Denis Kudla or Andreas Seppi, most likely back on Rod Laver Arena.

— with Ben McKay, AAP

9:30pm — KYRGIOS WINS THROUGH

Tensions were high at the start of Nick Kyrgios’ round two clash.
Tensions were high at the start of Nick Kyrgios’ round two clash.

NICK Kyrgios has won through to the third round of the Australian Open, after defeating Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas.

The Aussie took out the match in straight sets, downing his opponent 6-4 7-5 7-6.

Kyrgios appeared to be in a foul mood before the match began, talking animatedly to his player box and repeatedly saying “never again”.

After Cuevas won his opening service game Kyrgios yelled at his team: “I’m fuming.”

A pair of errors by one line judge only increased his temper as his emotions threatened to boil over.

He gave the linesman a sarcastic thumbs up for incorrectly calling a serve out. Kyrgios challenged, won the call and fired down an ace.

Later in the game the chair umpire over ruled a serve that was called good. Kyrgios challenged again but the ball was out — meaning the line judge was guilty again.

‘If it’s out, it’s out, I don’t care,” Kyrgios said to the chair umpire. “But is he awake or not? It’s the second game of the match.”

Midway through the sixth game of the set, the Aussie once again contested a call from the same line judge, and again the call was overturned.

Fans on Twitter weren’t impressed with the youngster’s sour start to the match.

Despite the early drama, Kyrgios went on to take out the first set against Cuevas 6-4 in just 35 minutes. The Aussie hit seven aces in his first set win, including three consecutively in the same game.

Midway through the second set, a disgruntled Kyrgios left the court, much to the dismay of his opponent.

Cuevas held momentum on the court, having tied the set 3-3, before pressuring the Aussie once again and narrowly dropping one game. Kyrgios could be seen angrily conversing with his brother Christos in the stands, apparently unhappy with the shorts he was wearing.

Kyrgios allegedly told his brother the shorts were “not right”, who in response told him to “worry about it tomorrow.” But the young star was having none of it.

Kyrgios appeared uncomfortable with the pockets on his original pair, which weren’t holding his spare tennis balls to his liking.

The 20-year-old then asked for a toilet break midway through the set, and reappeared wearing a new black pair of shorts, having discarded his old white ones.

Commentators noted Cuevas’ clear agitation at the break, as the Uruguayan had a heated discussion with the umpire.

Black shorts are winners shorts.
Black shorts are winners shorts.

The break did serious damage to Cuevas’ momentum, after he looked as though he would overtake the world No.29 for the first time in the match.

The Aussie went on to take the second set 7-5, appearing much more composed after returning from his short mid-set intermission.

After taking out the final set at the tie-break, the 20-year-old spoke of his relief at having finished the match in just three sets, praising the Australian crowd for getting him through.

“I’m just really relieved to get through that in straight sets,” he said.

“You guys (crowd) told me to dig deep in that third set there, and you guys really lifted and got me through.”

Kyrgios also spoke of his second set wardrobe drama, and appeared disgusted with the “mix-up.”

“I’m not going to talk too much about it. It was just a massive mix up and it is just part of some of the challenges you face,” he said.

8:30pm — HEWITT, GROTH PROGRESS IN DOUBLES

AUSSIE duo Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth have progressed through to the second round of the Men’s Doubles after defeating Serbian pair Dusan Lajovic and Viktor Troicki.

The Serbs were forced to retire after Lajovic rolled his left ankle midway through the second set.

Hewitt and Groth dropped the first set 4-6, and were leading the second 2-1 before the match was brought to an abrupt end.

4:55pm — FEDERER’S RETIREMENT NIGHTMARE

So much for the love of the game.
So much for the love of the game.

ROGER Federer’s twin daughters are a regular fixture at his matches but you’re more likely to see them with their heads in a book than watching their old man.

Six-year-olds Myla and Charlene are receiving tennis lessons – at the insistence of their father – but Federer can’t see them following him onto the world tour. And to be honest, he’d probably prefer they didn’t.

“They don’t get so excited watching me play yet,” Federer said in an on-court interview following his second round win against Alexandr Dolgopolov.

“But we’re trying to bring them into the game a little bit, even though I don’t think we’ll see them here one day. I’m happy if they don’t end up on this court, actually.”

Prodded further in his post-match press conference about what he meant, Federer indicated the life of a tennis dad might not be his bag.

Following his lengthy career on tour with another decade or so following his daughter’s isn’t particularly appetising at this point.

“I think it’s 40 years straight on the tennis tour that doesn’t excite me. I think that’s what it would be,” he said.

“They don’t necessarily love it the way I do. We give the girls tennis lessons because I said so, because I think it’s a good thing for them.

“I think it’s a wonderful place the tennis tour, otherwise I wouldn’t be on it. It’s a great sport, to learn how to lose, how to win, the friendship, discipline, hand-eye co-ordination - I only think good things about it.

“I didn’t say it in any negative way. I just don’t think they’re going to be tennis players who play on Rod Laver Arena. But maybe they’ll surprise me.”

Federer had a suggestion for an alternative path his girls could follow, although it’s not something that will bring them to Melbourne.

“I’ll support them in any way, whatever they want to do,” he said.

“(But) I’d rather support them in another sport. Maybe they could be a super skier. Wouldn’t that be exciting?”

3.55pm — FED EXPRESS

Ultimate professional.
Ultimate professional.

WORLD No. 3 Roger Federer cruised into the Australian Open third round with a smooth, straight-sets win over Aleksandr Dolgopolov on Wednesday.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion was never in any trouble against the 35th-ranked Ukrainian and strolled to a regulation 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 win in one hour 33 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

The third set took just 22 minutes.

Federer improved his career record against the Ukrainian player to 3-0 without facing a break point in the 93-minute match.

It was the 34-year-old’s 299th Grand Slam singles victory.

Federer will now have a third-round encounter with either Bulgarian 27th seed Grigor Dimitrov or Argentina’s Marco Trungelliti.

“I’m very happy. The conditions are extremely quick so you are not going to find that much rhythm out there,” Federer said.

“Aleksandr can play great when you give him too much time so maybe it wasn’t a bad thing that it was as fast as it was.

“But I served well and as the match went on I started to feel better and better, but the second set was crucial and I’m glad I got it done.”

3.30pm — KYRGIOS FINED

That’s an expensive word.
That’s an expensive word.

AUSSIE Nick Kyrgios has been fined $US3000 for an audible obscenity during his first round win at the Australian Open.

The incident occurred early in the second set of Monday night’s straight-sets victory over Carreno Busta.

The tournament announced its list of fines earlier today with American Venus Williams receiving the heaviest slap on the wrist — $5000 — for failing to turn up to her post match press conference.

The fine does not count towards Kyrgios’ strict quota of fines on ATP Tour events that could see him hit with a further $US25,000 and suspended from the tour.

2pm — SERENA’S FIRST

Serena Williams has waited 20 years for this.
Serena Williams has waited 20 years for this.

SERENA Williams enjoyed the first around-the-net shot of her career on her way to a commanding 6-1 6-2 win over Hsieh Su-Wei.

Williams wrapped up the regulation second round win in 60 mins, but it will be one of her more memorable matches at the Australian Open.

The win also took the World No. 1’s record at Melbourne Park to 70-9.

Williams said after the match she believes her around-the-net shot was the first in her career dating back to her professional debut in September 1995 when she was 14-years-old.

“That was my first one I think,” she said.

“I was like yeah. It’s never too late.”

1.30pm — NISHIKORI WINS

Easy.
Easy.

KEI Nishikori reached the third round of the Australian Open for the sixth consecutive year, beating Austin Krajicek 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Margaret Court Arena.

The No. 7-seeded Nishikori, a two-time quarterfinalist here, dropped serve just once when he was serving for the second set but recovered to win a tight tiebreaker.

Nishikori, the 2014 U.S. Open finalist, is working with 1989 French Open winner Michael Chang as coach and says the extra attention to detail is good for his game.

“It’s always great support from Michael. That’s why I’ve been playing really well,” Nishikori said.

“He’s a very nice guy outside of the court - on the court he’s very tough.”

12.30pm — SHARAPOVA CRUISES, KUZNETSOVA BOUNCED

Easy.
Easy.

MARIA Sharapova has won through to the third round of the Australian Open with a comfortable straight sets win.

The 28-year-old took just over an hour to dispose of Belarussian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-1.

Sharapova was happy to have gotten her match in given that heavy rain was falling outside when she took to the court.

Returning to Rod Laver Arena - the scene of her 2008 victory - for the first time this tournament was also “very special”.

“To come back here and play my first match on Rod Laver is always very special. I’m happy that I got through,” she said.

“That’s one of the challenges of this tournament – the weather. One day it’s 40 degrees and the next you need a parka. I was just happy that I could get the match in as I know many players are waiting for the rain to stop.”

Meanwhile, Sydney International champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has been bounced out of the Australian Open by Katryna Bondarenko, ranked 92nd in the world.

It looked like Bondarenko would wrap it up comfortably, leading 4-1 in the second, but Kuznetsova, a two-time grand slam champion, clawed her way back to 5-5.

Bondarenko, who took time off the tour to have a daughter in 2013, broke her opponent and then served out the match 6-1 7-5.

“Yeah, I’m really delighted,” Bondarenko said after the match.

“It was just a crazy match.”

12pm — VENUS’ RECORD FINE

Poor form.
Poor form.

VENUS Williams’ decision to skip her post-match press conference on day two of the Australian Open has cost her $US5000.

Williams was a high-profile casualty at Melbourne Park, falling to Brit Johanna Konta 6-4 6-2.

Being a grand slam, the fine was issued by the Australian Open and the money will come out of the $US34,500 she earned as a first-round loser.

It is just the eighth media conference infringement by a women’s tennis player since 2000, according to usatoday.com.

Williams was also fined $US3000 at the French Open last year for failing to show up to her media conference.

The $5000 whack she received today is the heaviest punishment a player has received under the “media conference” category of player behaviour rules since Marat Safin was fined $US10,000 at the French Open in 2001.

11am — ROGER’S GEN Y BASH

What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?

BERNARD Tomic, Nick Kyrgios and Australia’s entire band of ‘Gen Y’ rising stars have been given a reality check by Aussie tennis guru Roger Rasheed.

The former mentor of Lleyton Hewitt said there is a gulf between the professional work ethic of the retiring two-time grand slam champion and the generation of Australian players emerging now.

He believes Tomic and Kyrgios are kidding themselves if they believe they are working as hard as other players their age around the world.

“If you’re honest about it you’d say NO,” Rasheed told Triple M Brisbane’s Marto & Ed Kavalee for Breakfast when asked if the young Australian players share Hewitt’s famous work ethic.

“In their world they would say ‘yes I am’ because that’s what they are being accountable too. Right at this moment they’re not saying I definitely need to get the absolute best out of myself.

“I mean someone like Bernard Tomic who has improved his fitness has only recently been seen in the press to say I’ve only just started doing a little bit more fitness work now, I mean when you’re 23 and you’re an elite athlete I reckon your body should be in pretty good shape by this stage.”

He also said Kyrgios, who plays on Wednesday night against Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas, also appears not to take his career serious enough.

“Well he’s entertainment isn’t he, people are loving him at the moment,” he said.

“He’s Big Bash tennis isn’t he and he can play that’s the thing.

“You can be entertainment and be a side show act - he can actually play the game and what I’m hoping for is he decides one day that he wants to be the entertainment but be at the absolute top end of the game which means that he’ll be a bit more accountable to his processes week in week out and he’ll be that player.”

11am — BIG GUN IN TOWN

Take a closer look.
Take a closer look.

SERBIAN Viktor Troicki is starting to make some noise at the Australian Open and it’s not because of his big win at the Sydney International.

The No. 21 seed has fans debating if this photo taken during his 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-3 win over Daniel Munoz de la Nava yesterday is real or an optical illusion.

If you haven’t worked out why, take a closer look at the 29-year-old’s right arm and then take a quick peek at the left one.

The right-handed star has clearly forgotten left-arm day in the gym for a few years.

The picture prompted a series of comments on reddit.com.

“He ate his spinach with the right side of his mouth only,” one reader posted.

“I mean all tennis players’ dominant arms are bigger but this is the most drastic difference I’ve seen on a player,” another reader posted.

Players having much more definition, strength and power in their dominant arms is not a new phenomenon in tennis.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have both been pictured with their dominant arms dwarfing their non-dominant limb.

11am — BIGGEST FOREHAND EVER

Whack!
Whack!

FORMER player and tennis coaching guru Brad Gilbert has seen a lot of tennis.

The 54-year-old has been around the top level of tennis since 1982 as a player, coach and commentator.

Having mentored Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray, Gilbert has seen some of the best shots in tennis, but this one forehand from Fernando Verdasco during his shock first round win over Rafael Nadal yesterday left him speechless.

The ESPN analyst described the Spaniard’s left-handed rocket as “the biggest I have ever seen”.

Read related topics:MelbourneNick Kyrgios

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