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Australian Open 2019: Day 3 live coverage from Melbourne Park

Alex de Minaur summoned every bit of his fighting spirit to win a five-set thriller against Henri Laaksonen and progress to the third round for the first time.

Courtney Walsh and Adrian McMurray
15 min read
7:31AMJanuary 16, 2019.
Updated 11:19PMJanuary 16, 2019
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Ash Barty cruises through to Round 3 with a confident win at the Australian Open

Welcome to live coverage of Day 3 of the 2019 Australian Open from Melbourne Park.

11.08pm: De Minaur wins!!!

Alex de Minaur has summoned every bit of his fighting spirit to win a five-set thriller against Swiss qualifier Henri Laaksonen and progress to the third round for the first time.

The 19-year-old Sydneysider was on weary legs heading in the deciding set but rallied in front of a raucous home crowd to triumph 6-4 6-2 6-7 (9-7) 4-6 6-3.

His reward for the round-two win in three hours and 52 minutes is another showdown with 17-time grand slam winner Rafael Nadal who beat him in the third round at Wimbledon last year.

AAP

11.07pm: Nadal is just too good

Rafael Nadal has seen off his second Australian in as many matches, cruising past Matt Ebden and into the third round.

Nadal added Ebden’s scalp to that of his first round opponent, James Duckworth, with another straight sets victory - 6-3 6-2 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena. Playing his second tour match since the 2018 US Open, the Spanish powerhouse showed no signs of any injury in a dominant display.

AAP

10.28pm: De Minaur in fifth set

10.18pm: Millman out after huge fight

John Millman has failed to replicate his US Open quarter-final heroics, falling in the second round to Roberto Bautista Agut. The Spanish party-pooper, who also eliminated Andy Murray in round one, outlasted the Australian No.2 6-4-6-1 3-6 6-7 (8-6) 6-4.

There was Millmania amongst fans at Margaret Court Arena after he saved four match points to win the fourth set, but he couldn’t go the distance. It was the second five-set victory for Bautista Agut, the 22nd seed, after his win over Murray.

Millman looked like he would be rolled in straight sets with the Spaniard dominating the early exchanges.

But the Queenslander found his groove in the third and worked his way back into the match.

Millman broke to lead 5-3 in the fourth before the tenacious Bautista Agut clawed his way back to take the set into a tiebreak.

The Spaniard led the tie-break 6-2 but Millman wouldn’t surrender and delivered a forehand winner to seal a thrilling set.

Bautista Agut got the break in the fifth to lead 4-2 and maintained that advantage before serving out the match.

AAP

9.56pm: Ebden tries for an upset

Huge night for the Aussies! Matthew Ebden is out to cause a massive upset tonight as he plays No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal.

But Nadal is giving nothing away.

9.52pm: Birrell dreams big

Australian wildcard Kimberly Birrell is dreaming big after securing the most important victory of her burgeoning tennis career, ousting No.29 seed Donna Vekic in the second round.

The win takes Birrell into new territory: a show-court showdown with world No.2 and former champion Angelique Kerber and a rankings boost of some 100 places. But when informed of her $155,000 cheque coming her way for securing a third-round berth at Melbourne Park, the 20-year-old’s response was disarmingly modest.

“Maybe I can buy myself a car now,” she said while laughing, “my mum and I share one.”

9.36pm: Millmania is setting in

8.57pm: Tense times for the Aussies

John Millman is clinging on in his match against Spain’s Roberto Bautista-Agut, with the Aussie currently trying to level the sets to two apiece.

Meanwhile De Minaur is looking in good shape, two sets up against Henri Laaksonen.

8.21pm: Millman’s still in it...

7.59pm: The Demon takes the first set

Adrian McMurray 6.37pm: Locals in action ahead of stellar night session

Nick Kyrgios and fellow Aussie Matt Reid have fallen at the first hurdle in the men’s doubles, 12th seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Ivan Dodig winning 6-2 7-6 (2).

John Millman meanwhile is out on Melbourne Arena, up 2-1 in the first against Roberto Bautista Agut.

We’re not far away from the start of the night session, with the aforementioned Kerber-Haddad Maia match first on centre court, and Alex de Minaur taking on Henri Laaksonen on Margaret Court Arena.

Adrian McMurray 6.08pm: Wozniacki’s incredible start to defence

The defending champion is through to the third round, Caroline Wozniacki doing it easy in her 6-1 6-3 victory over Sweden’s Johanna Larsson.

The result means her opponents have won just four games against her so far this tournament.

“I just felt at home straight away as I got here,” Wozniacki said post-match.

“If I play my best I’m hard to beat.”

The third seed could face Maria Sharapova in the third round, the Russian taking on Rebecca Peterson on Margaret Court Arena later tonight.

Adrian McMurray 5.28pm: Young Aussie’s boilover

Kimberly Birrell, the World No 249, has pulled off a stunning upset, beating the 29th seed Donna Vekic 6-4 4-6 6-1.

There were a few nervous moments in the final game with the Australian serving for the match, with Hawkeye called on on numerous occasions, but it didn’t matter in the end with the 20-year-old progressing to the third round.

Speaking after her win, Birrell said she was “lost for words” after the Melbourne Park crowd stopped to cheer her to victory.

“It’s so surreal, that was such a blur but all I know is I just fought for every single point and I left it all out there, I used the energy from the crowd — they were the best. I’m just so excited that I get to play again, it’s crazy.”

When asked about her nerves in an erratic final game, Birrell said she was “definitely” feeling the pressure.

Kimberly Birrell. Picture: Mark Stewart
Kimberly Birrell. Picture: Mark Stewart

“There were so many things going through my head. I tend to bring myself back to the present and focus on getting my first serve in … I was able to do that.

“I’m so proud to be an Aussie, and represent my country and I’m just so grateful for this opportunity, I hope I can do everybody proud.”

Birrell will face the winner of the Angelique Kerber-Beatriz Haddad Maia match later tonight, but says she’d much prefer to test herself against the second seed.

“I haven’t really looked too far ahead, I knew she (Kerber) was in my half.

“There are no easy matches at this level and … I hope I end up playing her, it would be such an incredible experience. Anything can happen, you’ve just got to dream big and work really hard.”

Adrian McMurray 5.22pm: Federer wins

That’s it! Federer wins it 7-6 (5) 7-6 (3) 6-3 in just over two-and-a-half hours. He wins it with a backhand winner down the line, sending the RLA crowd into raptures.

Adrian McMurray 4.56pm: Upset of the Open?

Tiafoe has pulled off one of the upsets of the tournament so far, downing fifth seed Anderson 4-6 6-4 6-4 7-5. Hugely disappointing for last year’s Wimbledon finalist, who crashed out in the first round at Melbourne Park last year.

Frances Tiafoe celebrates victory over Kevin Anderson. Picture: AFP
Frances Tiafoe celebrates victory over Kevin Anderson. Picture: AFP

Federer’s taken the second, but it wasn’t easy. Another tie-break, the third seed in front 7-6 (5) 7-6 (3).

Incredibly, Birrell has fought back from 5-1 down to get within striking distance of the set, 5-4. Vekic isn’t happy, blowing up at the umpire over a challenge.

Vekic has gone on to take the set 6-4 … let’s see if the Aussie can hit back in the third.

Adrian McMurray 4.14pm: Aussie wildcard’s shock start

Federer starts the second with a break, before battling hard to hold his serve at 2-1. They continue to trade service games, the Swiss maestro moving to a 7-6 (5) 4-3 advantage.

Mofilis meanwhile has levelled his match against American Taylor Fritz 3-6 7-6 (8).

Birrell has taken the first set against Vekic 6-4, a huge start for the Aussie against her more-fancied opponent.

And Cilic is up 7-5 6-7 (9) 6-4 2-3 after just going down in the second.

Adrian McMurray 3.43pm: Federer pushed

Incredible tie-break! Federer takes the set 7-6 (5) in an absorbing contest. He’s up and about, and so are the crowd. Evans, who reached the fourth round in 2017, is pushing him though. This one isn’t done with yet!

Tiafoe took the third and now leads 4-6 6-4 6-4 over Anderson. The fifth seed’s going to need to dig deep now.

Aussie wildcard Kimberly Birrell has also begun her second round contest against the 29th seed Donna Vekic.

Adrian McMurray 3.30pm: More Greek delight

Sakkari wins 6-1 6-4, much to the delight of the huge Greek contingent in the crowd! Unlucky for Sharma, but it’s not all bad news for the qualifier … according to current projections, she’s going to jump 74 spots to World No 158 — a career high — when the new rankings are out.

Sakkari’s next opponent is another Australian, you might have heard of her: Ash Barty.

Back on RLA, Federer and Evans are headed for a tie-break in the first. Huge for the British qualifier. Roger’s still pulling off more than a few handy shots, though …

Meanwhile Anderson has found himself in a spot of bother again. He’s dropped the second to Tiafoe, the latter serving to take the third.

Adrian McMurray 3.06pm: Rough patch for Thompson, Sharma

Away from centre court it hasn’t been a good few hours for the locals.

Thompson went down in straight sets, Seppi prevailing 6-3 6-4 6-4, while Sakkari leads 6-1 3-4 over Sharma.

Evans is holding his own against Federer, the pair trading service games, 4-all midway through the first set.

Adrian McMurray 2.40pm: High praise for Barty

Post-match, Barty says she’s feeling “great”, and isn’t buying into the hype surrounding her form.

Noting she simply turns off notifications on social media to ignore any external noise, the 15th seed said it’s nice to be home.

“We’ve had an amazing start to the year … it’s nice to be playing in Australia and playing well,” she said.

“I’m really enjoying myself out on court … if I win that’s a bonus, if I lose the sun still comes up the next day.”

When asked about her coffee of choice, especially while in Melbourne, she gives a plug to her local haunt and says she prefers it: “Short and strong, that’s all I need.”

John McEnroe has suggested the Aussie is the best volleyer in the women’s game.

Todd Woodbridge said in commentary her play is “Federer-esque”. High praise, indeed.

Speaking of Fed, he’s out on RLA now to face British qualifier Daniel Evans.

Adrian McMurray 2.18pm: Barty party rolls on

Well! We didn’t have to worry for long. Barty’s held her serve and broken again, serving for the match. And she’s done it, winning 6-2 6-3. We’ll be able to continue using those Barty puns for at least another round, then. Phew.

Ash Barty following her straight sets win on day three. Picture: Michael Klein
Ash Barty following her straight sets win on day three. Picture: Michael Klein

Thompson’s just clinging on against Seppi, but with the Italian in charge at 6-3 6-4 4-4 it looks like it’s curtains for the Australian.

Loyalties will be divided out on court three as local qualifier Astra Sharma takes on Greece’s Maria Sakkari. The strong Greek support in the crowd won’t have moved after Tsitsipas’ earlier triumph and are getting their money’s worth today. After Sakkari served first, both players have incredibly already broken, the Greek doing it against to take a 3-1 lead. No one can hold their serve!

Adrian McMurray 2.07pm: Scare for Ash

Oops, this isn’t going to plan for Barty. Three unforced errors handed Wang the break, but the Aussie pulled things together to break back at 3-all.

Meanwhile Tsitsipas has prevailed 6-3 2-6 6-2 7-5 in 2hr 40min, and fifth seed Kevin Anderson is up 6-4 2-0 over American Frances Tiafoe.

Adrian McMurray 1.52pm: First set no sweat for Barty

Barty’s taken the first set 6-2 and looks in nice touch on RLA. Thompson is keeping things tight in the second, Seppi still leading 6-3 5-4. Tsitsipas is serving for the match at 6-3 2-6 6-2 6-5, while Marin Cilic is up against American Mackenzie McDonald 7-5 1-0.

Adrian McMurray 1.24pm: Let’s Barty

It’s Barty time! Ash Barty is out on RLA against China’s Yafan Wang, and has taken the early break, on serve at 3-1.

Tsitsipas has taken the third, now leading 6-3 2-6 6-2 in this seesawing contest. Seppi is in control against Thompson after taking the first 6-3.

Adrian McMurray 1.02pm: ‘They’ve got their issues’

Sam Stosur has suggested the Australian men currently embroiled in a war of words could take a leaf out of the book of their female counterparts.

Stosur, who fell in the first round of this year’s Australian Open to Dayana Yastremska, added she hoped the issue wouldn’t completely take away from a positive start for some local hopes.

Sam Stosur. Picture: Mark Stewart
Sam Stosur. Picture: Mark Stewart

“They’ve got their issues. We don’t have anything to do with what the men do,” Stosur said.

“It would be a shame if it put a dampener on things as a whole.

“The women’s side is in a really good spot. We all really genuinely support each other and like to see each other do well.

“We haven’t had a problem for a very long time so we must be doing something alright.”

With AAP

Adrian McMurray 12.56pm: Stephens progresses

Stephens finishes things off, largely untroubled in the second winning 6-3 6-1 to move to the third round.

Kiki Bertens, however, is in strife. The ninth seed is down a break against Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third.

Tsitsipas, meanwhile, has broken the Troicki serve in the third, ahead 4-2.

Adrian McMurray 12.38pm: Troicki hits back

OK, things are getting interesting now, after Troicki took the second set 6-2. This one’s already gone 1hr 12min, and it appears we’ll be in for the long haul here.

Frustration from Babos as she drops her serve to begin the second set, unforced errors beginning to creep in and cruel her chances against Stephens, who’s serving at 2-1.

Aussies Adamczak and Moore finished off their doubles opener 6-1 6-4, but Purcell and Saville are struggling, down 3-0 in the third after dropping the second set.

Jordan Thompson is in second round action against Andreas Seppi, and has been broken the very first game.

Adrian McMurray 12.13pm: Epic contest looms on court three

Tsitsipas made light work of the first set, taking the early advantage 6-3. But Troicki has staged a second set comeback, up 4-2.

What about the support for the World No 14? His fans have turned out in force to cheer him on.

Things haven’t been so easy for Stephens on centre court, the American trading service games with Babos until she finally got the break at 4-3, serving out the set.

The Aussies are doing well in the doubles — Purcell and Saville one set up over Gonzalez and Jarry, while Adamczak and Moore took the first 6-1 in their clash with Krunic and Zheng.

Aussie wildcard Zoe Hives has crashed out at the second round, with 19th seed Caroline Garcia clinching victory 6-3 6-3 in just over an hour.

Adrian McMurray 11.08am: Day three begins

Here we go! Day three begins with Sloane Stephens and Timea Babos out on Rod Laver Arena, while Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on Viktor Troicki — who these days is ranked 201st — out on court three.

The women’s and men’s doubles also begins, and we’ll have the key results throughout the day.

7.30am: ‘Captain your way, Lleyton’

Tennis legend John Newcombe has told Lleyton Hewitt to ‘take the high ground” and ignore Bernard Tomic — and all other outside noise — and continue nurturing Australia’s young talent however he sees fit.

Tomic’s plea for Hewitt to “go away” amid claims that not only he but also fellow grand slam quarter-finalist Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis no longer want to play Davis Cup under Hewitt have rocked Australian tennis. “He’s ruined the system,” Tomic said after his first-round Australian Open loss to Marin Cilic.

Bernard Tomic and Lleyton Hewitt during a Davis Cup tie in 2016. Picture: Mark Evans
Bernard Tomic and Lleyton Hewitt during a Davis Cup tie in 2016. Picture: Mark Evans

Kokkinakis did little to douse the flames when he declined to endorse the skipper after his first-round retirement against Taro Daniel — which he partially blamed on a gruelling qualifying campaign after being overlooked by Hewitt for an Open wildcard nomination.

“I”m not answering that,” Kokkinakis said when asked if he supported Hewitt staying on as Cup captain for Australia’s qualifying tie next month in Adelaide against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Australian No.3 Matt Ebden — overlooked for September’s World Group playoff loss in Austria — also raised concerns over Hewitt’s captaincy credentials. Ebden said “there’s clearly some issues that need to be addressed with the players and Tennis Australia, with Davis Cup and the players and the group as a whole”.

But Newcombe, who first introduced Hewitt to the Davis Cup fold as an orange boy back in 1997, is urging the former world No.1 to stick to his guns and continue driving a cultural change in Australian tennis.

Newcombe applauded Hewitt for rewarding hard workers with Cup selection — and grand slam wildcards — rather than picking players on reputation.

Lleyton Hewitt (right) receives encouragement from team captain John Newcombe during the 2000 Davis Cup Final in Barcelona. Picture: File
Lleyton Hewitt (right) receives encouragement from team captain John Newcombe during the 2000 Davis Cup Final in Barcelona. Picture: File

“I think Lleyton’s doing an unbelievable job,” Newcombe said. “I said to Lleyton the other day: ‘Things that are being said and all that, take the high ground.

“’You don’t have to defend yourself. Everyone sees what you’re doing out there. You’re busting your arse, you’ve got a great group of young people working for you that are all working at 100 per cent.

“’They all love you, they respect what you’re doing for them and, if people want to bad name you, well okay that’s their opinion’.

“The general public can see what Lleyton’s doing, but every time Bernie gets a microphone he attacks Tennis Australia or someone in it.”

Newcombe’s backing of Hewitt is reflected in the rankings.

Alex de Minaur, John Millman and Jordan Thompson — who led Australia in September’s World Group playoff in Austria — are now all ranked ahead of Kyrgios, who is projected to slide to No.67 in the world after his earliest Open exit in six appearances.

Tomic (84) and Kokkinakis (132) are further down the pecking order.

AAP

Courtney Walsh 7.15am: Aussies in action on Day 3

After a spirited opening two days that mixed magnificent tennis with some off-court controversy, the ranks are starting to thin as the second round begins.

But it will be another busy day for Australians, with eight players in action, beginning with newcomer Zoe Hives and finishing with Matt Ebden.

—

15-ASH BARTY v YAFAN WANG (China)
When: Second match on Rod Laver Arena
Head-to-head: First meeting
Preview: Australia’s top-ranked player started her Open campaign in smart fashion against Luksika Kumkhum and has another winnable match here. Her Chinese rival was an easy victor over Aussie wildcard Ellen Perez in the first round, but she will find this a sharp rise in class.

Australia’s top-ranked player, Ash Barty, is back in action at the Australian Open today. Picture: Michael Klein
Australia’s top-ranked player, Ash Barty, is back in action at the Australian Open today. Picture: Michael Klein

—

MATT EBDEN v 2-RAFAEL NADAL
When: Night session, second match on Rod Laver Arena
Head-to-head: 0-1
Preview: It is eight years since the Western Australian put up a sound fight against the Spanish legend at the Queen’s Club. Ebden performed particularly well when turning around his opening match against Jan-Lennard Struff and is in the best form of his career. But he will need to be given the Spaniard looked impressive against James Duckworth.

Matt Ebden faces one of the biggest challenges of his career in Rafael Nadal today. Picture: Getty Images
Matt Ebden faces one of the biggest challenges of his career in Rafael Nadal today. Picture: Getty Images

—

27-ALEX DE MINAUR v HENRI LAAKSONEN
When: Not before 7pm on Margaret Court Arena
Head-to-head: First meeting
Preview: The Australian started his campaign soundly, recovering well from his triumph at the Sydney International last week. Laaksonen did well to qualify, but the Sydneysider will start a short-priced favourite.

Alex de Minaur faces a qualifier in the second round of the Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images
Alex de Minaur faces a qualifier in the second round of the Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

—

JOHN MILLMAN v 22-ROBERTO BAUTISTA-AGUT (Spain)
When: Not before 5pm on Melbourne Arena
Head-to-head: 1-3
Preview: Millman’s win over the Spaniard came way back in 2009 on the Futures circuit. Since then, the tough right-handed who ousted Andy Murray has had the upper hand, though the past two matches were tight. The Australian is in career-best form and will fancy his chances at home.

Millmania returns to the Australian Open today. Picture: Getty Images
Millmania returns to the Australian Open today. Picture: Getty Images

—

ZOE HIVES v 22-CAROLINE GARCIA (France)
When: 11am on 1573 Arena
Head-to-head: First meeting
Preview: Hives performed well in her grand slam debut but will find the classy French woman a far bigger test. She does boast a sound, all-court game and this is another opportunity to assess where she sits against an established tour player.

Australian youngster Zoe Hives takes on Caroline Garcia on 1573 Arena today. Picture: Mark Stewart
Australian youngster Zoe Hives takes on Caroline Garcia on 1573 Arena today. Picture: Mark Stewart

—

JORDAN THOMPSON v ANDREAS SEPPI (Italy)
When: Second match on 1573 Arena
Head-to-head: First meeting
Preview: The Sydneysider continued his bright start to the season with a quality win over Feliciano Lopez and is pitted against another veteran here. The Italian poses a different challenge and is in good form, having reached the final of the Sydney International. But the Australian is not without some hope.

Australia’s Jordan Thompson in action. Picture: David Caird
Australia’s Jordan Thompson in action. Picture: David Caird

—

ASTRA SHARMA v MARIA SAKKARI (Greece)
When: Second match on Court 3
Head-to-head: First meeting
Preview: The Western Australian demonstrated her promise with an excellent debut win at Melbourne Park on Monday. She faces a more difficult task against Sakkari, who ousted French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko on Monday. But if Sharma can start well, it will fuel her belief.

Aussie Astra Sharma faces Greek 23-year-old Maria Sakkari today. Picture: Getty Images
Aussie Astra Sharma faces Greek 23-year-old Maria Sakkari today. Picture: Getty Images

—

KIMBERLEY BIRRELL v 29-DONNA VEKIC
When: Third match on Court 3
Head-to-head: First meeting
Preview: The Gold Coast resident has enjoyed a stellar summer and showed great poise against an opponent who tried to unsettle her Monday. Vekic improved sharply in 2018 and is starting to live up to the promise she showed as a junior, but expect Birrell to take the fight up to her.

Australia's Kimberly Birrell smashes a forehand during her first round victory over Paula Badosa Gibert. Picture: Mark Stewart
Australia's Kimberly Birrell smashes a forehand during her first round victory over Paula Badosa Gibert. Picture: Mark Stewart

Courtney Walsh 7am: TA pays for policy of secrecy

The problem with a policy of ­secrecy, as Tennis Australia and Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt discovered late on Monday night, is that a hint of discontent can ­explode in your face when it fin­ally bubbles to the surface.

For Australia’s male tennis players, there has scarcely been a dull tournament or tie over the past decade, though unfortunately the controversies have often outweighed the successes. And the latest blow-up from Bernard Tomic continues the trend, even if there is some truth in the incendiary remarks.

Read the full story here.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2019-day-3-live-coverage-from-melbourne-park/news-story/bd0debf4ce8206b9257f850d5b6beb05