Day 4 of the Australian Open was not a good day for British fans and was not good for ladies seeds. The day began with the big upset of 3rd seed Muguruza who lost to Alize Cornet in straight sets. That upset was followed by the upset of 6th seed, Kontaveit, who also lost in straight sets to Tauson. Collins, Swiatek, Vondrousova, Mertens, Pavlyuchenkova, Kasatkina, Zidansek and Halep all came through their round 2 matches in straight sets. Pavlyuchenkove knocked out Australian Sam Stosur who played her last singles match today. 2nd Seed, Sabalenka had to come back from a set down for a second time. She managed to come through in 3 sets against Wang. Zhang knocked out 12th seed, Rybakina. Rybakina lost the first set 6-4 and then had to retire due to injury at the start of the second set. Kovinic knocked out 17th seed and US Open champion, Emma Raducanu in 3 sets. Kovinic took the first set 6-4 and then Raducanu took the second set 6-4. Kovinic took the final set 6-3 to knock out the 4th ladies seed of the day. Halep dominated in her second round match, dropping just 2 games to book her spot in the 3rd round.

In the men’s draw, the 13th seed, Schwartzman was knocked out in straight sets against Australian O’Connell. The only other seed to lose was the 26th seed, Dimitrov, who lost to Frenchman, Paire, in 4 sets. Paire taking that match 6-4; 6-4; 6-7(4); 7-6(2). Rublev cruised past Berankis as he won in straight sets and dropping just 6 games. 20th seed, Fritz, managed to get past his very good friend, Tiafoe, in straight sets. Bautista-Agut dropped just 4 games as he booked a spot in the 3rd round where he will face 10th seed, Fritz. 9th seed, Auger-Aliassime, survived another tight encounter. Auger-Aliassime having to play 4 tiebreak sets as he beat Davidovich Fokina 7-6(4); 6-7(4); 7-6(5); 7-6(4). Australian hopes will still be with 32nd seed, De Minaur, as he beat Majchrzak in straight sets. Tsitsipas survived against argentinian, Baez. Tsitsipas having to come through in 4 sets against the Argentine. Medvedev had to face the tough oppenent named Kyrgios. Both players played at a high level with Medvedev eventually prevailing in 4 sets. Last mens match on was 11th seed Sinner who was up against American Johnson. Sinner coming through that match in straight sets.

Onto the fantasy league, and today we have no change to the lead. ‘Justice’ still lead but their gap is down to just 4 points. ‘You’ve Met Your Match’ retakes 2nd after dropping down to 4th on day 3. ‘Smashing Scandinavians’ move up 3 places to 3rd. ‘Guys and Dolls’ and ‘Novax Needed’ are tied in 4th place. Between 4th and 12th is just 5 points so the top of the leaderboard is far from certain. At the other end we have a battle for the wooden spoon. ‘Vax on Vax off’ are currently tied with ‘Meerkat’ for the wooden spoon award.

Matches on Day 4:

• O’Connell beat Schartzman(13) – 7-6(6); 6-4; 6-4
• Tsitsipas(4) beat Baez – 7-6(1); 6-7(5); 6-3; 6-4
• Paire beat Dimitrov(26) – 6-4; 6-4; 6-7(4); 7-6(2)
• Daniel beat Murray – 6-4; 6-4; 6-4
• Medvedev(2) beat Kyrgios – 7-6(1); 6-4; 4-6; 6-2
• Cornet beat Muguruza(3) – 6-3; 6-3
• Tauson beat Kontaveit(6) – 6-2; 6-4
• Inglis beat Baptiste – 7-6(4); 2-6; 6-2
• Sabalenka(2) beat Wang – 1-6; 6-4; 6-2
• Zidansek(29) beat Watson – 7-6(4); 6-4
• Kanepi beat Bouzkova – 6-2; 7-6(3)

Matches to watch on Day 5:

• Azarenka(24) vs Svitolina(15) (02:00)
• Kostyuk vs Badosa(8) (03:15)
• Krejcikova(4) vs Ostapenko(26) (03:15)
• Kudermetova(28) vs Sakkari(5) (04:00)
• Barty(1) vs Giorgi(30) (10:00)
• Anisimova vs Osaka(13) (10:00)
• Opelka(23) vs Shapovalov(14) (04:30)
• Alcaraz(31) vs Berrettini(7) (04:30)
• Korda vs Carreno Busta (05:15)
• Khachanov(28) vs Nadal(6) (11:15)
• Mannarino vs Karatsev(18) (11:15)

Jared

Jared matriculated in 2020 from Wynberg Boys High School in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. His passion for tennis afforded him the opportunity of travelling to Europe. He is a quizmaster and a tennis fantasy league organiser.http://Eishonline.co.za/jftl