The early Australian Open story lines focused on some upsets in the women's draw. On Day 3, the narrative focused on young guns and near-upsets in the men's draw.
Champions survive ... eventually
by Bill Connelly
Rafael Nadal (Hannah Peters / Getty)
Results: Maria Sharapova [2] def. Alexandra Panova, 6-1, 4-6, 7-5; Roger Federer [2] def. Simone Bolelli, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2; Rafael Nadal [3] def. Tim Smyczek, 6-2, 3-6, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5.
In the first week of a slam, centre court is reserved for showcase players, not showcase matches. Former champions and top-ranked players take the court, dispose of lesser opponents, and prepare for tougher battles to come.
At least, that's how it usually works. On Day 3 of the Australian Open, Rod Laver Arena gave us three former champions in various stages of distress. First, Maria Sharapova needed three long sets to knock out Alexandra Panova, 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. After a clean, easy first set, Sharapova was scattershot, committing 43 unforced errors in sets two and three and getting broken twice in the final set. Still, as is typically the case, she figured out a way to survive, and she'll get No. 31 seed Zarina Diyas in the third round; Diyas also had to grind in the second round, surviving Anna Schmiedlova, 8-6 in the third set.
Roger Federer followed Sharapova onto centre court and proceeded to drop the first set to Simone Bolelli, against whom he had won all seven previous head-to-head sets. The 48th-ranked veteran controlled Federer with a big serve and went for early winners, putting Fed on the ropes.
And then Federer dropped only seven games in the next three sets. But still, it was a struggle for a bit.
Then came Rafael Nadal, who did more than struggle. After cruising through what could have been a tough first-round battle with Mikhail Youzhny, Nadal took the first set with ease against American Tim Smyczek, 6-2. But the 27-year old from Milwaukee responded with some fire in the second set, and Nadal's body, still not completely in form after another injury comeback, began to betray him a bit. Smyczek took the second and third sets as Nadal cramped up, made off-court trips to the locker room, and tried not to throw up on camera.
Smyczek tightened up in the fourth set, however, and Nadal was able to establish a rhythm and force a fifth. And while Smyczek stabilized and once again began holding serve, the match eventually played out according to script. At 5-5 and love-15, Smyczek got a chance at a lob but didn't put much on it. Nadal responded with a winner and a couple of points later, Smyczek dumped a forehand into the net. Nadal held serve and that was that.
You must win 21 sets in seven appearances over about 13-14 days to win a men's Slam. Your form is going to dip and surge, especially in Melbourne in January and especially if you're trying to play your way into form like Nadal. That Nadal survived was the important thing; against Dudi Sela -- who disposed of No. 28 seed Lukas Rosol (a former Nadal conqueror) in the second round -- Nadal will show us whether form is an outright concern or whether Wednesday against Smyczek was an isolated occurrence.
Can Kyrgios alter the script yet again?
by Chris Huffines
Nick Kyrgios (Patrick Scala / Getty)
Result: Nick Kyrgios def. Ivo Karlovic [23], 7-6, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
It’s almost as if the stars are aligning for a deep tournament run by the young Australian. Nick Kyrgios burst onto the scene at Wimbledon 2014 with his stunning upset of Rafael Nadal in the Round of 16. He had Tommy Robredo on the ropes in the third round of the 2014 U.S. Open, as well, before his 47 unforced errors sealed his doom. He plays with a reckless abandon that entertains all tennis fans, and his recent success has created a sense of anticipation that most are not accustomed to having in a player who isn’t even ranked among the top talent.
Returning home with his newfound fame, Kyrgios has already made some noise in Melbourne. It took a long five sets to get past Federico Delbonis in the first round and he took a four-set win over No. 23 seed Ivo Karlovic in the second round. If he gets past Tunisia's Malek Jaziri in the third round, then a potential showdown with Roger Federer will generate a lot of buzz around the tournament. Does Kyrgios have any more tricks up his sleeve?
Federer is a better version of Robredo, so Kyrgios will have to minimize his unforced turnovers to have any shot at altering the storyline of another major tournament. However, he has a bad taste in his mouth from the loss to Robredo that he ultimately allowed to get away. Don’t limit the phenom’s capacity to overcome the odds … and steal the headlines along the way.
More than one Australian young gun on display
by Griffin Kurzius
Bernie Tomic (Cameron Spencer / Getty)
Result: Bernard Tomic def. Philipp Kohlschreiber [22], 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6; Sam Groth def. Thanasi Kokkinakis, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1
Australia has won the second-most Grand Slam singles championships all-time. But without a men’s singles title since Lleyton Hewitt's U.S. Open title in 2001, the Aussies have endured a severe drought. However, with three Australian prospects on the rise, the dawn is coming Down Under. And all three have second-round matches on Day 3.
Nick Kyrgios is the only teenager ranked in the Top 60 and has the on-court flare to match his big game. But he is not alone in making noise at this tournament.
Bernard Tomic has experienced more up-and-downs than a high-speed roller coaster, but the world’s No. 66 player is still only 22-years-old. The tricky baseliner has displayed renewed maturity this week, first in a four-set victory over Tobias Kamke, then in a four-setter over No. 22 seed Philipp Kohlschreiber. Tomic had the talent and game to disrupt the German’s timing and he had the fortitude to handle Kohlschreiber’s exceptional pace.
Only 18-years-old, Thanasi Kokkinakis showed the composure of a veteran in the first round, defeating No. 11 seed Ernests Gulbis 8-6 in the fifth set. He understandably ran out of steam against 27-year old compatriot Sam Groth in the second round, forcing a fifth set before falling, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1. But he made some noise in the process. Groth and Tomic will face off in the third round.
While the young Aussies won’t contend for the title this year, the trio will eventually end Australia’s dry spell. But with the raucous fans on their side, these youngsters have been, and will be, tough outs in Melbourne.
Murray advances, but a trio of Brits crash out Down Under
by Elliot Turnbull
Andy Murray and a non-regulation ball (Quinn Rooney / Getty)
Result: Andy Murray [6] def. Marinko Matosevic, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2
Britain's hopes of success in this year's Australian Open took a dint early this week as three of Great Britain's four representatives fell at the first hurdle.
Britain's No. 2, James Ward, was the first casualty as he was beaten by Spain's Fernando Verdasco. Despite having two set points to claim the third set, the 27-year year old went down, 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3.
British No. 1 female Heather Watson also lost in the first round after feeling 'light-headed' and requiring treatment from the doctor. Watson was comfortably beaten by Tsvetana Pironkova in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0.
Watson came into the first grand slam of the year in fine form after claiming her second WTA title at the Hobart International in Australia. However, illness has prevented her from progressing. Watson suffered from nausea and blurred vision which led her to eventually require treatment from the doctor.
"I felt very light-headed and low on energy -- it's a shame that it's today," Watson told the BBC after the match.
"I get it sometimes. I'm going to go and see the doctor afterwards and see if there's anything I can do to help with times like these in the future.
"I think it's just one of these things that I have, girl things. It just happens."
This result means that no British women remain in the main singles draw. However, Watson still plans to play doubles in Melbourne.
Hidden away on court 22, meanwhile, Britain's Kyle Edmund faced an opponent ranked 154 places higher than him. It was the first time that Edmond had played in a main draw and his lack experience was evident. The Yorkshireman had surprised many by coming through three qualifying rounds to make it to this stage; however, he hardly troubled his American opponent. Steve Johnson, 25, ran away with a straight sets victory over the 20-year old, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.
Yesterday's results mean that Andy Murray is Britain's only representative left in the main singles draw. The Scotsman has made a solid start to his Australian Open campaign with a straight-sets victories over India's Yuki Bhambri and Australia's Marinko Matosevic.
So far, so good for Halep and Bouchard
by Griffin Kurzius
Eugenie Bouchard selfie (Quinn Rooney / Getty)
Results: Eugenie Bouchard [7] def. Kiki Bertens, 6-0, 6-3; Simona Halep [3] def. Jarmila Gajdosova, 6-2, 6-2
2014 was a great year for both Simona Halep and Eugenie Bouchard. Both entered the WTA top 10 for the first time and reached their first Grand Slam finals. Can they take that next step in 2015?
After opening last season under the radar, Halep, 23, and Bouchard, 21, have heightened expectations and media attention in 2015. The rising stars have favorable draws and the talent to contend in Australia, but it was reasonable to wonder how they might handle being increasing favorites.
So far, so good. Bouchard imposed her will on Kiki Bertens in a 6-0, 6-3, second-round win on Day 3, and Halep looked equally strong, dropping just four games against Jarmila Gajdosova.
After several upsets in the Top 10, the women’s field is vulnerable. With an open field, these upcoming matches will reveal whether the next stars of women’s tennis have the experience and confidence to win right now.
Azarenka and Venus could be ready for a run
by Chris Huffines
Venus Williams (Wayne Taylor / Getty)
Upcoming matches: Victoria Azarenka vs. Caroline Wozniacki [8]; Venus Williams [18] vs. Lauren Davis
Due to its timing and nature, the Australian Open becomes the prime opportunity for players to move past setbacks suffered in the previous season. Such is the case for both Victoria Azarenka and Venus Williams.
Capitalizing on Sloane Stephens' 29 unforced errors, Azarenka soared in her first round match, one consisting of names who wouldn’t normally meet up in the first round of any major.
That match, and the swift way in which it was won, could set Azarenka’s mindset on a course that leads her to a familiar place: an Australian Open title. Next up, however, is 2014 U.S. Open finalist (and marathon runner) Caroline Wozniacki in perhaps the most compelling early-round match in this tournament. If Azarenka gets by Wozniacki in the second round, complacency may become her biggest hurdle before a potential epic battle with Serena Williams in the quarterfinals. And two huge early wins should alert all competitors that Azarenka is back to her elite status and in a place she knows and loves.
Signing off from Day 3 with this preview of the Match of the Day on Day 4: https://t.co/0vPjiJeq9E
— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) January 21, 2015
Venus Williams, meanwhile, cruised through her first-round match against Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor. She came to the Open after winning the 2015 ASB Classic in Auckland, defeating Wozniacki in the final. She has yet to lose a match in this season's early going; is this a sign of things to come down the road?
Williams' portion of the bracket has opened up thanks to an upset loss by No. 12 seed Flavia Pennetta in the first round. She would not have to face a ranked opponent until the Round of 16, where a potential match with the crafty Agnieszka Radwanska might loom.
As top seeds continue to fall, other women are presented with the opportunity to create intriguing headlines, and Victoria Azarenka and Venus Williams are at the forefront.