Medvedev Knocks Kyrgios Out Of Australian Open, Murray Falls; Berrettini-Alcaraz Tonight

Nick Kyrgios’s act didn’t play well on Daniil Medvedev who ousted the part-time tennis player from him home Australian Open 7-6(1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in just under 3 hours.

The tournament favorite Medvedev was 0-2 against Kyrgios, but behind a booming serve which registered 31 aces among his 68 winners he finally got that win. Kyrgios managed to win just 38% of his second serves.

“I came to win this match and I am happy I managed to do it,” Medvedev told the crowd. “It was a funny match because we both served big. In the second and fourth sets I managed to return a little bit more at the crucial moments. I just want to play my best, hit good shots and hopefully that will be enough to do something big.

“I came to win this match and I am happy I managed to do it,” he added. “It was a funny match because we both served big. In the second and fourth sets I managed to return a little bit more at the crucial moments. I just want to play my best, hit good shots and hopefully that will be enough to do something big.”

Medvedev has now won 15 of his last 16 Grand Slam hard court matches and his last nine, will now meet surprise US Open quarterfinalist Botic van de Zandschulp.

Five-time finalist Andy Murray couldn’t back up his big 5-set win over Nikolaz Basilashvili. The Scot went down with a thud falling to qualifier Taro Daniel of Japan 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

“He was solid the whole match, which was what I was expecting from him. He moves well, and he’s very consistent. He doesn’t give matches to you,” said Murray.

The former No. 1 added his body held up after the lengthy first round affair.

“I felt all right today, physically,” said Murray. “I pulled up pretty well from the [Basilashvili] match the day afterwards. From that respect I was actually quite happy considering the situation.”

We’ll see Murray again in Doha and Dubai.

Stefanos Tsitsipas again had no troubles with his elbow, but was made to work by Grand Slam debutante Sebastian Baez. The 21-year-old from Argentina pushed the 2-time semifinalist but fell short 7-6(1), 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 in just under 3.5 hours.

“It wasn’t easy. But I am glad I overcame that obstacle today,” Tsitsipas said on court. “Lots of fighting, a little bit of swearing, but I am glad to be in the third round. It was a pretty hot day today, but I tried to play with my heart and it paid off in the end.”

Baez’s fellow 5-foot-7 countryman Diego Schwartzman also lost going down to Australian Christopher O’Connell 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-4.

Felix Auger-Aliassime had another tough outing but advanced in four tiebreakers over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Andrey Rublev and Marin Cilic set a third round date as did Taylor Fritz and Roberto Bautista Agut. Jannik Sinner and Alex De Minaur were also winners.

On Friday, the third round opens up with Rafael Nadal returning at night to take on his first Top 45 opponent since the French Open last year in Karen Khachanov.

During the day, Spanish teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz battles the burly Matteo Berrettini. Denis Shapovalov also meets Reilly Opelka and American Sebastian Korda faces Pablo Carreno Busta.

FRIDAY AUSTRALIAN OPEN SCHEDULE
Rod Laver Arena
Day session – From 11am
V. Azarenka 24 v E. Svitolina 15
B. Krejcikova 4 v J. Ostapenko 26
C. Alcaraz 31 v M. Berrettini 7
Night session – From 7pm
A. Barty 1 v C. Giorgi 30
K. Khachanov 28 v R. Nadal 6

Margaret Court Arena
Day session – From 11am
N. Parrizas Diaz v J. Pegula 21
M. Kostyuk v P. Badosa 8
R. Opelka 23 v D. Shapovalov 14
Night session – From 7pm
A. Anisimova v N. Osaka 13
A. Mannarino v A. Karatsev 18