Australian Open 2020: Fabio Fognini inflicts a heartbreaker on Jordan Thompson in a thriller
The Australian Open hopes of Jordan Thompson were dealt a crushing blow with the Sydneysider falling in a heartbreaker.
- Former champ attacks ‘trick’
- 15yo ace’s epic comeback
- Novak stays on track
- Emotional win for Wozniacki
- Barty cruises into round 3
- Kyrgios slams ‘cruel’ question
- Defending champ advances
Ash Barty and Novak Djokovic have headed a star-studded list of round-two Australian Open winners. Serena Williams, John Millman and Novak Djokovic are through to the third round.
Roger Federer is also through, while Australia’s Jordan Thompson lost out in a heartbreaker.
Here’s how the day played out.
Top story: Former champ Caroline Wozniacki attacks ‘trick’ tactic
Courtney Walsh 12.28am: Fognini inflicts heartbreaker on Thompson
The Australian Open hopes of Jordan Thompson were dealt a crushing blow with the Sydneysider falling in a heartbreaker at Melbourne Park.
In a match that last 4hr 5min and finished after midnight, Italian star Fabio Fognini crunched a sizzling backhand winner to finally edge the Australian 7-6 (4) 6-1 3-6 4-6 7-6 (4).
Fognini, who posted a remarkable victory over Rafael Nadal when overcoming a two set deficit at the US Open in 2015, is proving himself an ironman of this Australian Open.
His marathon victory over Thompson followed a similar triumph over Reilly Opelka on Tuesday which was also claimed in a deciding set super tiebreaker.
“It was a good fight. I think that the end was sweeter. I was winning two sets to love. Then it was two sets all. To win in a tiebreaker, it was amazing,” he said.
“I feel good. I am tired. I won two matches 7-6 in the fifth. I couldn’t be happier than that. I had 75 match points, I think, at the end it was more sweet. It is too easy winning in three sets.”
The competitive tension in the testing affair drove both players to moments of madness.
Fognini punched his racquet strings with a hand already bandaged for doing the same act of self-flagellation a day prior, causing further damage.
Thompson shattered a racquet, which is abnormal behaviour for him. And both players fought with all they had before embracing after the match.
The Australian started the second round match well, securing an early break against the Italian.
But the nine-time ATP Tour titleist was able to reel the deficit in by midway through the opening set and was clearly the superior player in the opening set tiebreaker.
The 12th seed proceeded to romp away with the second set, with the Australian clearly frustrated at his inability to make inroads into the match.
But the match flipped on its head from early in the third set after Fognini played a “horrible” service game.
Fognini had overcome a two set deficit in his opening round match to defeat Opelka and began to show signs of tiring.
Thompson is extremely fit and, sensing a vulnerability, continued to press the Italian.
He was able to clinch the next two sets and appeared the fresher player heading into the deciding set.
A winner of the Monte Carlo Masters last year, the 32-year-old Italian showed significant resilience in the deciding set once again and had several opportunities to claim the win before the tiebreaker, though 75 is an exaggeration.
He had the advantage of serving first and was able to snare the first break point opportunity when leading 4-3. Thompson denied him when making a high-forehand volley.
But with the Sydneysider serving to stay in the match, Fognini produced a brilliant forehand winner off a skidding ball to bring up his first match point.
The Australian saved that with an ace thumped down the middle of the court.
He was forced to face another soon after when a Fognini forehand clipped the netcord and jumped over his racquet.
A brilliant forehand from Thompson that clipped the line was enough to draw a forehand error from his rival and he was able to hold for 5-all.
There was another significant escape as the Davis Cup representative was serving to force a deciding tiebreaker, with Thompson saving a further two match points from 15-40.
The Sydneysider found himself without any line challenges remaining after narrowly missing an attempt at a forehand winner, which saw him fall behind 1-2 in the super tiebreaker.
Similarly to his victory over Opelka, Fognini was the steadier player with the match on the line.
He was able to move to a dominant 8-4 lead when the Australian netted a backhand return off a second serve, much to his frustration.
When Fognini nailed a forehand winner, he held a further five match points and started blowing kisses to the crowd. There would be no escape this time for the Australian.
Courtney Walsh 11.55pm: Federer praises Millman ahead of clash
Roger Federer had a brief concentration lapse in the second set on the way to a 6-1 6-4 6-1 win over Serbian Filip Krajinovic.
The Swiss champion is well aware of the threat posed by Australian John Millman, who he will face in the third round.
Federer praised Millman as one of the hardest working players on tour.
“He is a great guy. I have practised a lot against him. I almost passed out when I played him in New York City. It was so hot. He had no problem. He is from Queensland,” he said.
“He is an unbelievably tough opponent. There are not many guys who are fitter than him out there, and those are the guys I respect the most, actually.”
9.05pm: Raonic sets up clash with Tsitsipas
Former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic has set up an explosive third-round Australian Open shootout with Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas. Continuing his comeback from an injury-marred 2019, Raonic outclassed exciting young Chilean Cristian Garin 6-3 6-4 6-2 as sixth seed Tsitsipas - a semi- finalist last year - progressed without hitting a ball when Philipp Kohlschreiber withdrew injured from their scheduled second-round clash. Runner-up in 2018 to Roger Federer, unseeded Marin Cilic hammered 30 aces to squeeze past French 21st seed Benoit Paire in a fifth-set super-tiebreaker, 6-2 6-7 (6-8) 3-6 6-1 7-6 (10-3).
The 2014 US Open champion will face Spain’s ninth seed Roberto Bautista Agut or American wildcard Michael Mmoh in the third round.
Unbeaten in 2020, Bautista Agut was locked at one set apiece with Mmoh when rain forced the suspension of their match on Wednesday night.
Resurgent American Tommy Paul continued his lightning start to the season with a thrilling fifth-set super-tiebreak win over 2019 US Open semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov.
A semi-finalist last week in Adelaide, Paul steeled himself after relinquishing a two-set lead to eke out a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (10-3) triumph. The 22-year-old next meets Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, who ended Italian teen Jannik Sinner’s Open with a 6-4 6-4 6-3 win over one of tennis’s so-called next big things.
American Tennys Sandgren knocked out Italian eighth seed Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 4-6 2-6 7-5 in the upset of the day.
Sandgren will play compatriot Sam Querrey, a 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 6-4 6-4 winner over Lithuania’s finest Ricardas Berankis, for a spot in the last 16.
AAP
9.00pm: Williams moves into third round
Serena Williams has shown her passion for an eighth Australian Open crown with a fiery second round win over Serbian Tamara Zidansek.
Currently ranked world No.9, Williams secured a hard-fought 6-2 6-3 victory on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night.
Williams showed her frustration with her errors during the second set and was forced to save three break points at 2-3 to keep her win on track.
AAP
8.18pm: Djokovic in cruise control
Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open title defence remains firmly on track following a commanding second-round win over Tatsuma Ito.
Seeking an unprecedented eighth Melbourne Park crown, Djokovic dismissed the Japanese challenger 6-1 6-4 6-2 in one hour and 35 minutes on Wednesday. The world No.2 didn’t face a single break point all match and converted five of his own.
“Credit to him for fighting until the end,” Djokovic said.
“The second set was pretty close. Tough conditions out here today, very windy, so it’s quite unpredictable where the ball is going to go.
“He was playing pretty aggressive and flat with not many unforced errors in the second set from the back of the court.
“I just managed to find my way, I think, serve well from my side a lot today to get out of trouble.” The Serb will go up against another Japanese player in the third round after Yoshihito Nishioka upset British 30th seed Dan Evans 6-4 6-3 6-4.
AAP
8.17pm: Millman likely to take on Federer
John Millman is in line for another dream showdown with Roger Federer after winning his second round Australian Open match on Wednesday night.
The popular Australian had a surprisingly straightforward win over 31st seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland 6-4 7-5 6-3.
Millman famously beat Federer, who will play Filip Krajinovic later on Wednesday night, at the 2018 US Open.
8.00pm: Millman up two sets
Australian John Millman is one set away from advancing to the third round.
Straya 💪
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
With a two sets lead over Hurkacz, @johnhmillman grabs the early break and 2-0 edge in the third.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/bvdIk6nlmn
6pm: Cilic survives thriller
Former Australian Open finalist Marin Cilic has outlasted French 21st seed Benoit Paire in a five-set second-round epic, AAP reports. The 2014 US Open champion took down Paire in a super-tiebreaker, 6-2 6-7 (8-6) 3-6 6-1 7-6 (10-3), in front of a raucous court-three crowd during the 3hr 33min match.
Cilic, the world No.39, will face Spain’s ninth seed Roberto Bautista Agut or American wildcard Michael Mmoh in the third round.
Earlier, Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas progressed after Philipp Kohlschreiber withdrew from their scheduled second-round clash.
The 36-year-old German defeated American Marcos Giron in straight sets in the first round but suffered a muscle strain and was unable to face the No.6 seed and 2019 Melbourne Park semi-finalist.
Tsitsipas will face big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic next.
— AAP
5.45pm: Wozniacki attacks ‘trick’ tactic
Former champion Caroline Wozniacki has criticised 23rd seed Dayana Yastremska after edging her in a thriller 7-5 7-5 in the second round.
The 2018 Melbourne Park winner rallied from 5-1 down in the first set to win it, and levelled at 4-4 in the second after falling behind 3-0.
After Wozniacki held serve to go up 5-4, Yastremska called for a medical time-out for what appeared to be a left thigh problem, and returned to court with heavy strapping.
“Obviously she tried to break my rhythm,” Wozniacki said at her post-match press conference.
“And at 5-4 I don’t think there is anything wrong. She was running just fine. So that’s a trick that she’s done before, and I knew that it was coming. But I was just trying to stay focused.”
Yastremska has form for calling the trainer out when trailing in matches. She did so against Australia’s Anja Tomljanovic last year in the final of the Thailand Open when she fell behind 5-2 in the final set. She stormed home to win 6-2 2-6 7-6(3).
Nick Kyrgios, a close friend of Tomljanovic, labelled the move “trash”.
Wozniacki, like the rest of us, saw it coming. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/sTDK7bbEYy
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 22, 2020
Dayana Yastremska loses momentum and calls a medical timeout.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 22, 2020
This is my shocked face. 😠#AusOpen
4.20pm: Novak stays on track
Novak Djokovic’s title defence remains firmly on track following a commanding second-round win over Tatsuma Ito, AAP reports.
Seeking an unprecedented eighth Melbourne Park crown, Djokovic dismissed the Japanese challenger 6-1 6-4 6-2 in 1hr 35min on Wednesday. The Serbian world No.2 is up against another Japanese player in the third round after Yoshihito Nishioka upset British 30th seed Dan Evans 6-4 6-3 6-4.
Courtney Walsh 3.45pm: Gauff sets up epic contest
Teen sensation Coco Gauff has produced an outstanding comeback on Melbourne Arena to proceed to the third round.
The 15-year-old, who is making her Australian Open debut, showed tremendous resolve when under pressure at various stages against Sorana Cirstea.
After drawing a forehand error from the Romanian to win 4-6 6-3 7-5, the American pumped her fists and raised her arms in triumph, clearly delighted with the result.
She had trailed 3-0 in the last set but was able to find her rhythm and range to reel in her vastly more experienced rival with the majority of the stadium cheering her on.
“Oh my gosh. It is amazing. I didn’t think I would get so much support in Australia,” she said. “You really made me believe. It is really emotional because I never thought this would happen, to see so many people supporting me, so thank you.
“I think they kind of like me, so I hope I can keep that going.”
Gauff, who has reached the last 16 at Wimbledon and the third round at the US Open in her only two grand slam tournaments so far, is already a star.
She has significant development left in her game but her ability to fight from difficult positions and think her through testing situations is already evident.
““My will to win and especially the crowd, you definitely cheered me back,” she said. “My parents always told me I could come back, no matter what the score is, so that helped today.”
The reward for Gauff, who defeated Venus Williams in the opening round, is a clash with reigning champion Naomi Osaka.
The Japanese star was far too strong for the young American in a clash at the US Open last September.
It was a rare occasion where the situation overwhelmed Gauff, with Osaka consoling her on court after the match.
Gauff, who will move to a new career-high ranking as a result of her progress this week, is aware of the challenge posed by a superstar of the sport.
“I played her at the US Open. I know what to expect,” she said. “She is a great competitor on and off the court. I think it will be a good one.”
Challenge Accepted 💯@cocogauff does it again ousting Cirstea 4-6 6-3 7-5 to set up a blockbuster third round clash with defending champion Naomi Osaka.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/xHrsOMng2N
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
3.30pm: Wozniacki brought to tears
An emotional Caroline Wozniacki had tears in her eyes as she kept alive her dreams of a triumphant farewell to tennis at the Australian Open, AP reports.
The 29-year-old former world No.1 roared back in both sets to defeat 23rd-seeded Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine 7-5 7-5.
Neil Diamond’s hit “Sweet Caroline” rang around a blustery Margaret Court Arena after the Dane nailed the sixth match point to reach round three in blustery Melbourne.
She plays Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.
“It’s a little bit emotional for me,” said Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open winner who announced in December that this would be her final tournament.
“The crowd really got behind me so that was so special. Thank you everyone for coming out today, it really means a lot to me,” she added, fighting back tears.
The 19-year-old Yastremska, beaten by world number one Ash Barty in last week’s final in Adelaide, threatened to put a swift end to Wozniacki’s career.
But having been 5-1 down in the first set, Wozniacki — who suffers with rheumatoid arthritis, which causes fatigue and joint pain — fought back to claim the set in 53 tough minutes.
Now ranked 36th, having ended 2010 and 2011 at No.1 in the world, Wozniacki was similarly quickly down 3-0 in the second set.
But once again she battled back to make it 4-4, then held her own serve to lead 5-4 and within touching distance of round three.
Yastremska then required a medical time-out for what appeared to be a left thigh problem, and returned to court with heavy strapping.
She saved five match points, but with the crowd firmly behind her, Wozniacki would not be denied.
— AFP
"It's a little emotional for me."@CaroWozniacki thanks the crowd on Margaret Court Arena for helping her through a tough second round match#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qklQ5qdW09
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
3pm: Coco on the comeback
Coco Gauff has sent her second-round match with Sorana Cirstea to a third set, AP reports. After Cirstea won the first set 6-4, 15-year-old Gauff took the second set 6-3. The winner will play defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round.
Earlier, Elise Martin beat Danka Kovinic 6-2, 6-0 to complete the last of the eight first-round women’s singles matches played on Day 3.
Among the first-round winners, all from the bottom half of the draw, were Carla Suarez Navarro, Heather Watson and Taylor Townsend. World No.28 Anett Kontaveit and No.30 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also advanced from the first round.
— AP
2.20pm: Barty into round 3
Normal service has resumed with Ashleigh Barty sweeping into the Australian Open third round in straight sets, AAP reports.
A three-set comeback winner in the opening round, top-seeded Barty needed barely an hour to see off Slovenian world No.48 Polona Hercog 6-1 6-4. Barty next plays in-form Kazakh Elena Rybakina, a winner of this month’s Hobart International, or Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen on Friday for a place in the last 16.
1.45pm: A break for Tsitsipas
The Greek sixth seed and his boisterous fans will have to wait another couple of days to unleash after his second-round opponent, German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber, was forced to pull out of the match.
Unfortunately Philipp Kohlschreiber has withdrawn from his #AusOpen match vs Stefanos Tsitsipas due to a muscle strain.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
Their match - third on Melbourne Arena - will be replaced by Raonic vs Garin.
1.37pm: Ash in a flash
Ash Barty takes the first set 6-1 in just 25 minutes. She’s sent down three aces to love, while opponent Polona Hercog has no aces but three double faults to her name. Barty’s also been dominant with her first serve and perfect at the net.
CLINICAL!@ashbarty takes the opening set in just 25 minutes.
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 22, 2020
Watch: @Channel9
Stream: https://t.co/YVc8u4pCVY#9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/E2YuLVi2Wr
1.20pm: Barty battles Hercog
Top seed Ash Barty has started her match on Rod Laver Arena against Slovenia’s Polona Hercog, who’s ranked 48 in the world and has never reached the fourth round of a grand slam tournament. Barty gets the early break and takes a 2-0 lead.
Doin' Straya proud ðŸ˜#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/HorJxMVbP3
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
12.55pm: Kvitova’s close call
Last year’s Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitova squeaks past spirited Spaniard Paula Badosa 7-5 7-5 in 1hr 38min on Rod Laver Arena.
Badosa thought she’d levelled the match when she hit a backhand winner down the line on set point at 5-4 in the second with Kvitova serving. However, the seventh seed’s Hawk-Eye challenge showed the ball out by just millimetres. It enabled the Czech to hold serve after staving off three set points. She then broke Badosa and served out the match to move into the third round.
12.40pm: Osaka tames wind, opponent
Japan’s Naomi Osaka overcame swirling winds on Margaret Court Arena to beat Zheng Saisai 6-2 6-4 and advance to the third round. Osaka became upset with herself at times. After having her service broken in the second set she threw her racket to the ground, tossed a ball from her hand and kicked the racket along the court. Osaka then sat in her courtside chair with a towel over her head. But she rallied back and clinched the match when Zheng double-faulted on match point.
Third-seeded Osaka said the best part about winning over Zheng was how she was able to deal with all the emotions.
“I hope you guys like the tennis that’s coming after my match,” Osaka said, “because it wasn’t that pretty.”
Osaka has set up a potential third-round showdown with American teen sensation Coco Gauff. Fifteen-year-old Gauff plays Romania’s Sorana Cirstea later on Wednesday.
— AP
Too good, @naomiosaka! #AO2020 | #AusOpen | @channel9 | @espn pic.twitter.com/9J5Ce4XBBQ
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
Courtney Walsh 12.20pm: Astra crashes out
Astra Sharma has become the first local to exit Melbourne Park on the third day is the Australian Open. The West Australian struggled to handle the windy conditions when well beaten by Anett Kontaveit 6-0 6-2 in 59 minutes.
The 24-year-old underwent surgery in the off-season, which hindered her preparation for the Australian summer, and she found the 28th seed too strong.
Sharma is a player of considerable promise but will dip beyond a ranking of 120 after failing to defend the points she earned during a sound summer at home in 2019.
The powerful right-hander, who was finalist in the mixed doubles in Melbourne last year, remains in Fed Cup calculations for the new week-long event to be played in Budapest in August.
12.10pm: One down, plenty to go
American Sofia Kenin, the 14th seed, is the first winner on day three, thumping compatriot Ann Li 6-1 6-3 in just 57 minutes. Kenin was born in Moscow but her family emigrated to the US when she was still in nappies. The 21-year-old will meet the winner of the Shuai Zhang-Catherine McNally match for a place in round four.
11.55am: Big guns in control
Third seed Naomi Osaka and 14th seed Sofia Kenin are a set up in their second-round matches, while Australian wildcard Astra Sharma is a set down in her first-round encounter against world No.31 Anett Kontaveit.
11.20am:
11.15am:
11am: Match catch-up
The fallout from rain on day one is that eight first-round women’s matches are yet to be played. A packed day two resulted in 88 of 96 scheduled matches being completed. Those yet to play include 11th seed Aryna Sabalenka, 16th seed Elise Mertens and Australian wildcard Astra Sharma.
Even our umps arrive in style 😎#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/5UGl9r3gGC
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
10.30am: ‘Every single cent’
Alexander Zverev reached the second round and promptly pledged to donate his prizemoney to the bushfire appeal if he lands his maiden grand slam, AP reports.
The 22-year-old seventh seed progressed after a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 victory over Marco Cecchinato.
Zverev has not been in the best of form, however, so his further pledge of $10,000 for every match he wins in the tournament might work out to be a more realistic donation.
The German conceded that he was not the favourite to raise the trophy on February 2 but, if he did, the $4.12 million first prize would be by far the largest individual donation to the Aces for Bushfires appeal.
“I know I’m not the favourite to win this event, but if I win this event, I’ll donate every single cent to the bushfires.”
— Agencies
10am: Eye on the sky
It’s sitting on 24C at Melbourne Park, heading for a top of 32C by about 3pm. The only potential issue is a gusty wind which could play havoc with some of the ball tosses and groundstrokes.
Who's launching some serves so far at #AO2020? 🚀
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2020
2ï¸âƒ£3ï¸âƒ£2ï¸âƒ£ kph / 1ï¸âƒ£4ï¸âƒ£4ï¸âƒ£ mph
👇 pic.twitter.com/08AnhQW1hs
Adrian McMurray 9.30am: ‘Have a heart’: Kyrgios slams ‘cruel’ question
Nick Kyrgios has sent a message of support to his mixed doubles partner, after she was asked about the recent death of her father following her first round exit at Melbourne Park.
American Amanda Anisimova was beaten 6-3 4-6 6-3 by Zarina Diyas yesterday, in her first grand slam since the death of her father and coach Konstantin Anisimov just prior to last year’s US Open.
Anisimova, 18, broke down when she was asked post-match whether she felt “unsettled” after her father’s passing.
“Do we really have to talk about this so fast after a match?” she said.
Missing you 🕊😞
— Amanda Anisimova (@AnisimovaAmanda) January 8, 2020
“Things are still pretty tough but I was excited to play in the Australian Open as it’s my favourite grand slam.
“I have good memories from it.”
In condemning the journalist, Kyrgios asked reporters to “have a heart and please feel”.
“This makes me so mad … it’s not fair. Keep your head up Amanda,” he tweeted.
This makes me so mad. Have a heart and please feel, it’s not fair. Keep your head up Amanda â¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ½ #alwayswatching https://t.co/gaoA8SlOFY
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 21, 2020
Anisimova made a splash at last year’s French Open, upsetting defending champion Simona Halep before going down to eventual champion Ash Barty in the semis.
Courtney Walsh 9.00am: Aussies in action on day three
Ash Barty (1) V Polona Hercog
Rod Laver Arena, second match on
The world No 1 started slowly in her opening round win over Lesia Tsurenko but was edging closer to her best form by the end of the match.
Hercog has enjoyed some sound results on the WTA Tour and is a winner of three titles. After her opening round win, the Slovenian praised the Australian but said she would not be intimidated by the occasion. It may be a tricky affair for the Queenslander but she should have too much class.
Jordan Thompson v Fabio Fognini (12)
Margaret Court Arena, 7pm
The Australian produced an encouraging performance on Tuesday when too strong for Alexander Bublik but faces a step up in class against the Italian.
Fognini, though, was forced to the brink against American Reilly Opelka when victorious in a deciding tie-breaker on Tuesday.
The key for the Sydneysider will be to try to stay with the Italian, who is capable of breathtaking tennis, early in the hope Fognini fades through fatigue.
John Millman v Hubert Hurkacz (31)
Melbourne Arena, fourth match on
The Queenslander produced a strong opening round win over Ugo Humbert on Tuesday and will be hoping he is fitter than Hurkacz, who was forced to five sets in his victory over Dennis Novak.
The Polish player has been a big improver in the past two years but the Australian is a hardened professional who has proven hard to beat at major level in recent years.
Marc Polmans v Dusan Lajovic (24)
Court 3, fourth match on
It was tremendous to see the Melburnian breakthrough for a maiden grand slam win over Mikhail Kukushkin. The veteran Kazakh looked set to deal the hardworking Australian a Melbourne Park heartbreaker for the second year in succession when seizing the lead in the deciding set but Polmans showed grit to prevail.
Lajovic is a difficult test and will be fresher after proceeding in easier fashion. But expect the 22-year-old to give it his all as he seeks to continue his fairytale.
Astra Sharma v Anett Kontaveit (28)
Court 8, 11am (first round match)
The Western Australian finally gets a chance to play after the rain-delayed schedule ran overtime on Tuesday.
She has a powerful all-court game and won on debut in Melbourne last year. A finalist in the mixed doubles event, she has fond memories of Melbourne.
But Kontaveit shapes as a difficult proposition. The Estonian has reached the last 16 at three of the four majors and has been ranked as high as 14 in the world.
8.30am: Former world No 1s on show on day three
Five Australians, four former women’s world No 1s and two of the all-time greats of men’s tennis feature on day three of the Australian Open. Current women’s world No 1 Ash Barty heads the Australian contingent as the action and weather heats up at Melbourne Park.
After rain and mild temperatures so far, the mercury is expected to tip 30 degrees on Wednesday before showers and another cool change. Barty will be hoping to heat up a bit earlier in her match against Polona Hercog, the Queenslander a little sluggish in dropping the first set in her opener against Lesia Tsurenko.
Yet she remains comfortable in digging herself out of holes. “Knowing that I’ve come back from being a set down in many matches is good. I’d prefer not to be in that situation,” she said.
“It’s good knowing I have the ability to trust myself when I need to.”
Recent nemesis Petra Kvitova precedes the match, kicking off the day’s action on Rod Laver Arena with a second round encounter against Paula Badosa. Serena Williams will be a warm favourite when she takes on Tamara Zidansek, Naomi Osaka is expected to keep her title defence in check with a win over Saisai Zheng,while Caroline Wozniacki rounds out the roll call of former women’s No 1s when she plays Dayana Yamstremska.
Elsewhere, two of the ‘big three’ play second round matches. Roger Federer gets the late show after Williams’ match on Rod Laver Arena, when he faces off with Filip Krajinovic.
Pulling out of the ATP Cup to spend time with family and not playing a lead-up tournament in Australia, Federer knows he has to quickly build into the tournament.
“I just haven’t played proper matches in many, many weeks, and a lot of guys, probably 95 per cent of the guys are coming here with matches,” he said. “So I think for me really the first three rounds are key to get going, to get used to the pressure, stay calm …”.
After losing a set in his opening round encounter with Jan-Lennard Struff, Novak Djokovic will be hoping for a more leisurely afternoon when he plays world No 146 Tatsuma Ito.
Australian Astra Sharma has the rare distinction of playing an opening round match on day three when she goes up against 28th seed Anett Kontaveit, rain on day one blowing out the schedule.
Compatriots Jordan Thompson, John Millman and first round five-set here Marc Polmans also feature.
AAP
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