Australian Open Daily Preview: Seeds Collide in Several Blockbuster Third Round Matchups - UBITENNIS
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Australian Open Daily Preview: Seeds Collide in Several Blockbuster Third Round Matchups

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Frances Tiafoe on Monday in Melbourne (twitter.com/australianopen)

On Friday in Melbourne, third round singles action begins, as seeds run into each other in the draws for the first time.

Reigning Wimbledon Champion Elena Rybakina takes on 2022 Australian Open Runner-up Danielle Collins.  Two-time Australian Open Champion Victoria Azarenka faces 2017 US Open Runner-up Madison Keys.  In a battle of 2022 US Open semifinalists, Frances Tiafoe goes up against Karen Khachanov.  And 2021 US Open Champion Daniil Medvedev plays promising American Sebastian Korda.

And all that doesn’t even include a matchup of top 20 seeds and two Major semifinalists, as Hubert Hurkacz battles Denis Shapovalov.  Plus Iga Swiatek, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and many more stars are in third round action on Friday.

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

Elena Rybakina (22) vs. Danielle Collins (13) – Not Before 2:00pm on Kia Arena

With her knee wrapped up, Collins has already survived two grueling three-hour encounters this week.  On Monday afternoon, she overcame Anna Kalinskaya 6-4 in the third.  Late on Wednesday night, and actually into Thursday morning, she outlasted Karolina Muchova in a final-set tiebreak.

Rybakina has remained as off the radar as you’ll ever see a reigning Wimbledon champion at a Major.  And her disrespectful scheduling continues, as she’s out on the tournament’s fourth largest court while playing last year’s runner-up.  But Elena has quietly yet decisively advanced without dropping a set.   

Collins and Rybakina just played two weeks ago in Adelaide, with Elena prevailing in three sets.  But Danielle claimed their other previous meeting, two years ago in San Jose.  In the rubber match, Rybakina will definitively be the fresher player, which gives her a considerable edge.

Madison Keys (10) vs. Victoria Azarenka (24) – 7:00pm on Rod Laver Arena

Keys’ best Major result may have been in New York, but she’s a two-time semifinalist in Melbourne.  And she now has more wins at the Australian Open than any other Slam.  The Aussie heat and fast-playing hard courts feel like home to the hard-hitting Floridian.  Madison collected 11 wins in Australia last January, and is now an undefeated 7-0 down under to start this season.

However, she is 0-3 against Azarenka.  That includes a three-setter just a few months ago on a hard court in Guadalajara.  But while Vika advanced to the second week of this event for eight straight years between 2009 and 2016, she’s only done so once since, reaching the fourth round a year ago.  She was absent from this tournament in three recent years, and lost in the first round in two others.

Friday’s weather is forecasted to be rather mild in Melbourne, which favors Azarenka.  And based on their history, it makes sense to favor Vika to go 4-0 against Keys, especially after Azarenka dropped only one game in her second round victory.  But coming off the Unites States’ title run at the United Cup, which Keys described as the best two weeks of her career due to the fun team atmosphere, I’m picking a confident and rejuvenated Madison to earn her first win over Azarenka.

Karen Khachanov (18) vs. Frances Tiafoe (16) – Not Before 7:00pm on John Cain Arena

At the last Major, both men achieved their first Slam semifinal.  Tiafoe defeated three top 16 seeds in New York, most notably taking out Rafael Nadal in an exhilarating fourth round contest.  And Frances pushed eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz to five sets in the semifinals.  Khachanov won consecutive five-setters over Pablo Carreno Busta and Kick Kyrgios to make the semis, where he lost to Casper Ruud in four.

These two players also had nearly identical record last season: Tiafoe was 35-25, while Khachanov was 36-25.  Frances is now an undefeated 7-0 to start this season, coming off his title run in the United Cup with Team USA.  Khachanov is 5-2 on the year, having reached two quarterfinals in back-to-back tournaments in Adelaide.

Karen is 2-0 against Frances, with both their matches taking place in the third round of another Major: The Championships.  In 2018, Khachanov won in five.  In 2021, Khachanov won in straights.  But in 2023 on a hard court, and with American men having a great tournament thus far, I like Tiafoe’s chances to prevail on Friday.

Sebastian Korda (29) vs. Daniil Medvedev (7) – Last on Rod Laver Arena

Medvedev has not dropped a set to this stage, and is now 5-1 on the year.  Two weeks ago in Adelaide, he lost to Novak Djokovic in a straight-set semifinal.  Daniil has been a finalist at this event in both of the last two years.

Korda make his breakthrough in 2021, going from 119th to 39th in the rankings, winning 36 matches and his first ATP title.  In 2022, he suffered a bit of a sophomore slump for much of the year, but ended the season reaching back-to-back hard court finals in Gijon and Antwerp.  And to start 2023, he advanced to a final in Adelaide, where he even held match point against Djokovic, before succumbing in three sets.

Their only prior meeting took place two years ago in Bercy, where Medvedev prevailed in three.  I like Korda to have a very strong 2023, and he could easily push Daniil in this matchup.  But despite Medvedev’s struggles since his heartbreaking loss in last year’s final to Nadal, Daniil still has to be favored on a hard court.

Other Notable Matches on Friday:

Stefanos Tsitsipas (3) vs. Tallon Griekspoor – Tsitsipas is now 6-0 this season, and has not dropped a set this week.  But Griekspoor is also 6-0, coming off a title run in Pune, and is also yet to lose a set this week. 

Jessica Pegula (3) vs. Anhelina Kalinina – Pegula has been a quarterfinalist in both of the last two years in Melbourne.  Kalinina beat Petra Kvitova in straight sets on Wednesday to achieve her first third-round appearance at a Slam.  Pegula went 3-0 last year against Kalinina, which includes a three-set victory at this event.

Mackie McDonald vs. Yoshihito Nishioka – Can McDonald follow-up on his upset of Rafael Nadal?  These are two of the ATP’s speediest players.  Mackie has twice before reached the fourth round at Majors.  He’s 1-3 against Nishioka, which includes a straight-set loss just two weeks ago in Adelaide.  But Yoshi has never advanced beyond the third round at a Slam.

Bernarda Pera vs. Coco Gauff (7) – Gauff defeated Emma Raducanu in two tightly-contested sets on Wednesday night, and is now 7-0 on the year.  Pera is a fellow American who upset Qinwen Zheng in the last round. 

Iga Swiatek (1) vs. Cristina Bucsa (Q) – Swiatek is vying to reach the second week at eight of the last nine Majors.  Bucsa is a 25-year-old qualifier who took out Bianca Andreescu in the last round. 

Hubert Hurkacz (10) vs. Denis Shapovalov (20) – Hurkacz survived a five-setter on Wednesday against Lorenzo Sonego.  Shapovalov reached the quarters here a year ago, but hasn’t been to the second week of a Slam since.  Hubi is 3-1 against Denis, with all four matches occurring on hard courts.

Friday’s full Order of Play is here.

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Wrist Injury Threatening To End Holger Rune’s Olympic Dream

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5 days ago

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21/07/2024

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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.

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Hubert Hurkacz Undergoes ‘Knee Procedure’ Ahead of Olympic Bid

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1 week ago

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17/07/2024

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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. 

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

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2 weeks ago

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13/07/2024

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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. 

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