Australian Open Daily Preview: Djokovic, Murray, Sabalenka Face Familiar Foes - UBITENNIS
Connect with us

ATP

Australian Open Daily Preview: Djokovic, Murray, Sabalenka Face Familiar Foes

Published

2 years ago

on

Andy Murray on Friday morning in Melbourne (twitter.com/australianopen)

On Saturday in Melbourne, third round singles action concludes, with plenty of room for new names to advance after the bottom half of both singles draws saw a plethora of upsets on Thursday.

Andy Murray won an epic encounter in the last round, defeating Thanasi Kokkinakis after five hours and forty-five minutes, in a match that ended after 4:00am.  After already spending over 10-and-a-half hours on court this week, what will Murray have left on Saturday against Roberto Bautista Agut, who had seemingly sent Andy into retirement four years ago at this same event?

Meanwhile Nine-Time Champion Novak Djokovic has struggled his way through two rounds with a significant leg injury, as his movement was obviously hampered on Thursday.   In the third round, he faces Grigor Dimitrov for the 11th time.  Dimitrov has advanced comfortably without dropping a set.

And Aryna Sabalenka is playing some of the best tennis of her career.  But on Saturday, she faces her friend and former doubles partner Elise Mertens, who partnered with Sabalenka to win this tournament in 2021.

Each day this preview will highlight the four most intriguing matchups, while outlining the other notable matches on the schedule.  Saturday’s play will begin at 11:00am local time. 

Aryna Sabalenka (5) vs. Elise Mertens (26) – Third on Margaret Court Arena

Sabalenka has cruised to this stage, losing only nine games across four sets.  And she’s now taken all 12 sets she’s contested in 2023, coming off a title run last week in Adelaide.  Aryna has reached the fourth round in each of the last two years in Melbourne.

Mertens has achieved that same feat in each of the last three years, and was a semifinalist here in 2018.  She was a modest 29-23 last season in singles, but won a hard court title in October.

Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 6-2, and has won their last five meetings.  Most recently, she defeated Mertens in the fourth round of the 2021 US Open 6-4, 6-1.  On Saturday, based on her recent strong form, Aryna is the favorite to defeat Elise for the sixth straight time.

Linda Fruhvirtova vs. Marketa Vondrousova – Third on 1573 Arena

Vondrousova upset Ons Jabeur in the last round, who was the runner-up at the last two Majors.  Marketa was a Major runner-up herself four years ago in Paris, but injuries have hampered her career ever since.  Still just 23-years-old, there’s seemingly plenty of time for the Czech to become a contender again.

Fruhvirtova is also a Czech player, though she’s six years younger than Vondrousova.  The 17-year-old is into the third round of a Slam for the first time, and her younger sister Brenda was also in this main draw, as a qualifier.  Linda first made waves on tour last March in Miami, where she upset Mertens and Azarenka on her way to the fourth round.  She won her first WTA title this past September in Chennai. 

Both players possess plenty of variety in their games, so this should be a fun contest.  But based on Vondrousova’s experience edge, especially at this level, I like her chances to advance.  Plus, since November, Marketa is now 12-2 at all levels on a hard court. 

Grigor Dimitrov (27) vs. Novak Djokovic (4) – 7:00pm on Rod Laver Arena

Djokovic looked seriously hobbled at times during his second round match against Enzo Couacaud.  He suffered a hamstring injury two weeks ago in Adelaide, and admitted after his second round victory that his injury “is not ideal.”  Dimitrov is a considerable step up in competition for Novak, as his first two opponents were ranked 75th and 191st in the world.

The Australian Open is easily the best Major in Grigor’s career.  The Bulgarian has advanced to the quarterfinals or better four times since 2014.  But he was only 26-22 last season, and only 4-4 at Slams.

Djokovic has dominated their head-to-head 9-1, and 6-0 on hard courts.  Dimitrov’s only victory came 10 years ago on clay in Madrid.  While not knowing the full extent of his hamstring inury, after watching Djokovic fight his way through an abdominal injury to win this event two years ago, it’s hard not to pick Novak to fight his way to another victory over Grigor on Saturday.

Andy Murray vs. Roberto Bautista Agut (24) – 7:00pm on Margaret Court Arena

Murray can’t possibly recover enough to contend in this matchup, right?  Coming back from back-to-back five-setters, the second of which lasted nearly six hours and ended close to breakfast time, seems impossible for almost any athlete, much less a 35-year-old with a metal hip.

While Bautista Agut is also coming off a five-setter, against American qualifier Brandon Holt, his lasted nearly three hours less, and ended even more hours earlier.  Roberto is off to a strong start in 2023, as he was a runner-up just last week in Adelaide, where he lost the final in a third-set tiebreak to Soon-woo Kwon.

Four years ago in the first round of this tournament, Bautista Agut defeated Murray in a four-hour five-setter, with an on-court ceremony held thereafter for a thought-to-be retiring Andy.  But here Murray is, still gritting his way through five-setters and defeating players nearly 10 years his junior.  Roberto also beat Andy twice last year on hard courts, winning those four sets by score lines of 6-0, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.  Murray claimed their first three meetings, which occurred between 2014 and 2016.

But on this day, a drained Andy has to be considered a huge underdog, as he tries to reach the fourth round at a Major for the first time in six years.

Other Notable Matches on Saturday:

Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (Q) vs. Belinda Bencic (12) – Bencic is now 6-0 to start the year, coming off a title run in Adelaide.  She’s split two previous meetings against Schmiedlova on hard courts.

Andrey Rublev (5) vs. Dan Evans (25) – Rublev is vying to reach the second week for the ninth time out of his last 12 Majors.  Evans has only twice accomplished that.  These players are 4-4 against each other at all levels.

Tommy Paul vs. Jenson Brooksby – Brooksby took out second-seeded Casper Ruud in four sets on Thursday, while Paul outlasted Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in five.  This past summer in Cincinnati, Tommy defeated Jenson 6-3, 6-2.

Laura Siegemund vs. Caroline Garcia (4) – Garcia managed to defeat Leylah Fernandez in straight sets in the last round despite a stern test from the Canadian.  Two years ago at Roland Garros, Caroline easily prevailed over Laura, dropping just four games.

Saturday’s full Order of Play is here.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

ATP

Wrist Injury Threatening To End Holger Rune’s Olympic Dream

Published

5 days ago

on

21/07/2024

By

Holger Rune will have a second medical opinion on Monday before deciding if he is fit enough to play at the Olympic Games, according to his team. 

The Danish world No.17 recently retired from his quarter-final match at the Hamburg Open due to a knee injury. The hope at the time was that his withdrawal would be just a precautionary measure ahead of the Olympics. However, he is also dealing with a second issue that appears to be more serious.

According to TV 2 Sport, Rune has been struggling with a wrist issue and underwent a scan on Sunday which his mother Aneke says ‘doesn’t look promising.’ Aneke is also the manager of her son’s career. Rune’s Olympic dreams now rest on the outcome of a second medical expert that he will visit tomorrow who has a better understanding of the sport. 

“Unfortunately, it does not look promising after the first medical opinion after the review of the scan of the wrist,” Aneke Rune told TV 2 Sport.

“We are waiting for two tennis-specific doctors who will give a second opinion tomorrow (Monday). Tennis wrists look different from regular wrists, so we’ll hold out hope for one more day.” 

Rune is one of three Danish players entered into the Olympic tennis event along with Caroline Wozniacki and Clara Tauson. The country has only won one medal in tennis before which was at the 1912 Games when Sofie Castenschiold won silver in the women’s indoor singles event. 

So far this season, the 21-year-old has won 27 matches on the Tour but is yet to claim a title. He reached the final of the Brisbane International and then the semi-finals of three more events. In the Grand Slams, he made it to the fourth round of the French Open and Wimbledon. 

It is not known when a final decision regarding Rune’s participation in Paris will be made.

Continue Reading

ATP

Hubert Hurkacz Undergoes ‘Knee Procedure’ Ahead of Olympic Bid

Published

1 week ago

on

17/07/2024

By

Poland’s top player on the ATP Tour is not giving up on his dream of winning a medal at the Olympic Games despite recently undergoing a medical procedure.

World No.7 Hubert Hurkacz suffered a knee injury during his second round clash at Wimbledon against France’s Arthur Fils. In the fourth set tiebreak of their clash, Hurkacz dived for a shot but landed badly on his knee and required on-court medical attention. He then played two more points before retiring from the match. 

In a social media post published on Wednesday, the  27-year-old confirmed he underwent a procedure on his knee earlier this week but didn’t provide any further details.  Although Hurkacz has stated his intention to play at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, where the tennis event will be held on the clay at Roland Garros. 

“I had a knee procedure this Monday, but I’m feeling better already and my team and are dedicating extensive time each day to the rehab process.” He wrote on Instagram. 

“It’s a dream for every athlete to represent their country at the Olympics, and I want to make sure I am fully fit and ready before making the final decision to step on court. The aim is not only to participate, but to win a medal for my country.”

So far this season Hurkacz has won 34 out of 48 matches played on the Tour. He won the Estoril Open in April and was runner-up to Jannik Sinner in Halle. 

The Olympic tennis event is scheduled to begin a week Saturday on July 27th. Poland is yet to win a medal in the event but expectations are high with women’s No.1 Iga Swiatek also taking part. 

Continue Reading

ATP

Motivation, Pressure And Expectations – Novak Djokovic Targets History At Wimbledon

Published

2 weeks ago

on

13/07/2024

By

image via x.com/wimbledon

Novak Djokovic has broken numerous records throughout his career but he still feels the pressure of trying to make history in the sport. 

The world No.2 is through to his 10th Wimbledon final where he will play Carlos Alcaraz, who beat him at this stage of the tournament 12 months ago. There is plenty on the line for the Serbian who could equal Roger Federer’s record for most men’s titles won at SW19 and break the overall record for most major singles won in the sport if he triumphs over the Spaniard. Djokovic currently has 24 Grand Slam trophies to his name which is the same as Margaret Court, who won some of her titles before the Open Era started. 

“Obviously I’m aware that Roger [Federer] holds eight Wimbledons. I hold seven. History is on the line.” Djokovic said on Friday after beating Lorenzo Musetti.

“Also, the 25th potential Grand Slam. Of course, it serves as a great motivation, but at the same time it’s also a lot of pressure and expectations.”

Coming into Wimbledon, there had been doubts over Djokovic’s form after he underwent surgery to treat a knee injury he suffered at the French Open. However, he has defied the odds to reach the final. His run has also seen him beat Alexi Popyrin and Holger Rune before getting a walkover in the quarter-finals from Alex de Minaur, who sustained an injury during the tournament. Then on Friday, he overcame a spirited Musetti in three sets. 

Despite the challenge, Djokovic has insisted that his expectations to do well are always high no matter what the situation is. During what has been a roller-coaster first six months of the season, he is yet to win a title this year or beat a player currently ranked in the top 10. Although he will achieve both of these if her beats Alcaraz on Sunday. 

“Every time I step out on the court now, even though I’m 37 and competing with the 21-year-olds, I still expect myself to win most of the matches, and people expect me to win, whatever, 99% of the matches that I play.” He said.

“I always have to come out on the court and perform my best in order to still be at the level with Carlos [Alcaraz] or Jannik [Sinner] or Sascha [Zverev] or any of those guys, Daniil [Medvedev]. 

“This year hasn’t been that successful for me. It’s probably the weakest results the first six months I’ve had in many years. That’s okay. I had to adapt and accept that and really try to find also way out from the injury that I had and kind of regroup.”

Djokovic hopes that a Wimbledon win will help turn his season around like it has done in the past for him. 

“Wimbledon historically there’s been seasons where I wasn’t maybe playing at a desired level, but then I would win a Wimbledon title and then things would change.” He commented.

“For example, that was the case in 2018 when I had elbow surgery earlier in the year, dropped my rankings out of top 20, losing in fourth round of Australian Open, I think it was quarters of Roland-Garros, and just not playing the tennis that I want to play. Then I won Wimbledon and then won US Open and then later on became No.1 very soon.”

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Alcaraz is hoping to stop Djokovic in his tracks. Should he defend his title at Wimbledon, he would become the first player outside the Big Three to do so since Pete Sampras more than 20 years ago. He has won their only previous meeting on the grass but trails their head-to-head 3-2. 

“I’m sure he knows what he has to do to beat me,” said Alcaraz.

“But I’m ready to take that challenge and I’m ready to do it well.”

When the two players take to the court to play in the Wimbledon final, Djokovic will be 15 years and 348 days older than Alcaraz. Making it the largest age gap in a men’s Grand Slam final since the 1974 US Open. Whoever is victorious will receive £2,700,000 in prize money. 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending