Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas ended the dreams of Australian wildcards John Millman and Rinky Hijikata on day three of the Australian Open.
Medvedev and Tsitsipas are both looking to be contenders for the Australian Open title and continued their campaigns with straight sets.
Starting with Medvedev, last year’s finalist defeated John Millman 7-5 6-2 6-2 cruising through despite a slow start.
Medvedev was broken on three occasions in the opening set as Millman was motivated by the home crowd to make a match of this.
In the end the former world number one’s quality showed as he claimed the opening set.
The current world number eight would go onto break on an extra four occasions as he sealed victory in 2 hours and 21 minutes.
In his post-match press conference Medvedev said he is feeling confident and motivated to do well in Melbourne, “I’m feeling really confident, really motivated to try to do a better season this year,” Medvedev said after the match.
“It all starts here like every year. So looking forward again to my next matches. I know this experience. I know what I have to do and how I have to play to try to win these tournaments. I know that I’m capable of it. That’s only positive thing.”
Medvedev will now play either Sebastian Korda or Yosuke Watanuki in the third round on Thursday.
As for Tsitsipas, the Greek was in fine form as he dispatched world number 169 Rinky Hijikata 6-3 6-0 6-2 in 1 hour and 33 minutes.
The world number four converted six of his nine break points as he stormed past the Australian wildcard.
After the match Tsitsipas admitted it was a difficult contest, “It was challenging, he came up with some good tennis in the third set, I kind of lost my rhythm in the serve,” the Greek was quoted as saying by the BBC website.
“So I had to find ways to get out of the difficult situation. I think my fighting spirit showed towards the end, I wasn’t going to give up.”
Tsitsipas will now play either Tallon Griekspoor or Botic Van De Zandschulp in the second round.
