What a day at the Australian Open. Extreme heat began the preceding’s and then rain to end the day off. Play had to be suspended midday as the heat was deemed unsafe to play in which has meant that many matches were moved to tomorrow and then with the rain more matches will have to finish off tomorrow so a jam packed day ahead of us on day 3.

In the mens draw we saw some seeds cruise through. These included Dimitrov, Rublev, Carreno Busta, Rune, De Minaur and Djokovic who all won their respective matches in straight sets. Evans needed 4 sets on his way to beating Argentine Bagnis. Schwartzman also needed 4 sets as he booked his spot in the 2nd round with a win over Krutykh. Jarry played amazingly to defeat 26th seed Kecmanovic in straight sets. Davidovich Fokina the 30th seed battled from 2 sets to 1 down to defeat the unseeded but very dangerous Bublik. Fritz had to win in 4 after losing the 3rd set to Basilashvilli. Murray performed the big upset of the day as he defeated 13th Berrettini in a marathon match. Both players left their heart and soul on that court and because of this they produced a match to remember for years. Murray winning that match in a 5th set super tiebreak (tiebreak to 10). Zverev battled hard against lucky loser Varillas. Varillas actually led by 2 sets to 1 but Zverev managed to get the win in 5 sets. Ruud needed 4 sets but is safely through to the next round. The last match to finish was the match between Australian Popyrin and Tseng. Popyrin coming through in front of his home crowd in 5 sets.

In the ladies draw we saw straight set wins from Sabalenka, Townsend, Fernandez, Rogers, Alexandrova, Giorgi, Garcia, Kontaveit, Pliskova, Kudermetova, Martic, Samsonova, and Bencic. Schmiedlova knocked out 21st seed Trevisan in straight sets. Birell knocked the very dangerous 31st seed, Kanepi in 3 sets. Birell losing the 1st set before winning the next 2 sets to take the match. Jabeur had to come through a tough one against Zidansek. Jabeur taking the 1st set in a dramatic tiebreak 10-8 before losing the second set 6-4. The number 2 in the world composed herself well as she took the 3rd set 6-1 to book her spot in the 2nd round.

Onto the leaderboard and we have a new leader in ‘Live once Serve Twice’. They lead by 6 points over ‘Groundstroke’, ‘Hit and Run’ and ‘Sunday Hackers’ who are all in a joint 2nd. ‘Klippies’ is just 1 point behind them in 5th place. ‘Koala Bear’ and ‘The Down Underdogs’ are currently in a joint wooden spoon position. There is still a long way to go and the leaderboard is not even for the end of round 1 as not all first round matches are complete.

Results Day 2

• Rublev(5) beat Thiem – 6-3; 6-2; 6-2
• Jarry beat Kecmanovic(26) – 6-3; 6-3; 7-6(3)
• Davidovich Fokina(30) beat Bublik – 6-0; 6-7(3); 3-6; 6-4; 6-3
• Fritz(8) beat Basilashvilli – 6-4; 6-2; 4-6; 7-5
• Murray beat Berrettini(13) – 6-3; 6-3; 4-6; 6-7(7); 7-6(10-6)
• Zverev(12) beat Varillas – 4-6; 6-1; 5-7; 7-6(3); 6-4
• Rune beat Krajinovic – 6-2; 6-3; 6-4
• Paul beat Struff – 6-1; 7-6(6); 6-2
• Popyrin beat Tseng – 4-6; 7-6(5); 6-7(5); 7-6(4); 6-1
• Ruud(2) beat Machac – 6-3; 7-6(6); 6-7(5); 6-3
• Djokovic(4) beat Carballes Baena – 6-3; 6-4; 6-0
• Mertens(26) beat Muguruza – 3-6; 7-6(3); 6-1
• Schmiedlova beat Trevisan(21) – 6-3; 6-2
• Garcia(4) beat Sebov – 6-3; 6-0
• Putinseva beat Cirstea – 2-6; 6-4; 6-3
• Jabeur(2) beat Zidansek – 7-6(8); 4-6; 6-1

Matches to watch on day 3

• Pegula(3) vs Sasnovich (03:15)
• Sherif vs Linette (03:50)
• Kalinina vs Kvitova(15) (04:00)
• Stephens vs Potapova (04:15)
• Podoroska vs Azarenka(24) (06:20)
• Rybakina(22) vs Juvan (10:00)
• Raducanu vs Gauff(7) (10:00)
• Muchova vs Collins(13) (12:00)
• Molcan vs Auger-Aliassime(6) (03:15)
• Harris vs Fucsovics (04:25)
• Nadal(1) vs McDonald (05:00)
• Hurkacz(10) vs Sonego (05:40)
• Griekspoor vs van de Zandschulp(32) (07:25)
• Millman vs Medvedev(7) (10:00)
• Tsitsipas(3) vs Hijikata (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