Composed Daniil Medvedev took all that mercurial Australian Nick Kyrgios and the home crowd could throw at him to march into the third round at the Australian Open on Thursday. The Russian World No.2 and title favourite served out a 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win over the 115th-ranked Kyrgios.
It was a madhouse inside Rod Laver Arena with unpredictable Kyrgios dealing out all his assortment of unplayable serves and tweeners before a partisan home crowd, while embroiled in a running battle with the chair umpire.
But Medvedev dealt with it all to ease through and will now face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round. Medvedev was not happy with some of the antics of the vociferous crowd.
“I came to win this match and I am happy that I was able to do,” Medvedev said on court. “It’s not your choice when you get booed between first and second serves, it’s not easy, I just had to stay calm.”
Murray knocked out
Earlier, frustrated three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray was stunned by Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in straight sets in the
second round.
The 120th ranked Daniel ambushed the former World No.1 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in 2hr 48min on John Cain Arena to reach the third round of a major for the first time. “I’m really, really isappointed. Very frustrated. And, yeah, a tough loss for me. That’s for sure,” said veteran Murray, a former World No.1.
“I want to perform well in the big events. For me, tonight is not good enough in that respect. Making the second round of Slams is not something I find particularly motivating. I want to be doing better than that.”
Tsitsipas survives
Meanwhile, misfiring Stefanos Tsitsipas survived a thorough examination by former World No.1 junior Sebastian Baez before taking his place in the third round
on Thursday.
The Greek World No.4 raced through a first-set tie breaker but struggled to put away the tigerish 88th ranked Argentine before winning in four sets. Tsitsipas wrapped up the match 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 in 3hr 22min on Margaret Court Arena and will next face Frenchman Benoit Paire.
“It wasn’t easy. I’m glad I overcame that obstacle today. Lots of fighting, a little bit of swearing, but I’m glad to be in the third round,” Tsitsipas, who is yet to win a Grand Slam, said. “It was a pretty hot day today playing here, but I tried to play with the heart and it paid out at the end.”
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