Nadal Fights Into The Australian Open 3R; Medvedev v Kyrgios Tonight

Rafael Nadal stayed perfect in 2022 but it was much tougher than he expected. The 2009 Australian Open champion was made to work by German qualifier Yannik Hanfmann 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in 2 hours, 42 minutes.

Rallies and games were long as the Hanfmann was able to push the former No. 1.

“Having played him before at Roland Garros I knew that he is dangerous,” said Nadal. “His result against Thanasi in the first round says that he is playing great and coming from the qualies he was used to the courts. He has big shots, a good serve and has a lot of potential. Today his level was much higher than his ranking says.”

After not having to face a top opponent thus far, Nadal will get Karen Khachanov in the third round Friday night.

“As I said before the tournament, things are not going to be perfect, but every day that I spend on court, the chances to play better a higher,” Nadal added. “Things that I can improve I have to improve. Winning today allows me to practice again tomorrow, to be ready for another match. After two matches it’s the moment to make a step forward.”

Nadal’s younger countryman Carlos Alcaraz motored into the third round crushing Dusan Lajovic 6-2, 6-1, 7-5. The 18-year-old will now meet Carlos Berrettini in a great third round match-up.

“I’m really happy with the performance today. It wasn’t an easy day with all the wind,” Alcaraz said. “I knew that I’d have to be really focused on the match, really focused on what I had to do.”

Pablo Carreno Busta joined the party stopping the streaking Tallon Griekspoor in five sets 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4. He’ll face another player who won in five sets, Sebastian Korda. The 21-year-old Korda saved a match point in a stirring final set breaker victory over Corentin Moutet.

Denis Shapovalov came from 2 sets to 1 down to deny Soonwoo Kwon, and Alexander Zverev, Gael Monfils and Aslan Karatsev were also winners.

No. 10 seed Hubert Hurkacz fell victim to Adrian Mannarino.

Thursday night, all eyes will be back on the showman Nick Kyrgios who will battle Daniil Medvedev.

“It’s definitely going to be not easy against the crowd,” said Medvedev about the match. “He’s going to try to pump himself up, like, he likes to play big names.

“He’s definitely a character,” he added. “I think probably like almost everybody in the world, there are some things I adore in what he does and some things I don’t like. I’m not gonna tell what exactly, but as you say, you know, he’s kind of going to extreme almost all the time he’s on court. That’s why people love to watch him. Even if they hate him, they love to watch him, and that’s his strengths.

“I think he’s a great guy out of the court. On court, some things I like, some things I don’t. But, yeah, I can say this probably about many players on tour.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jannik Sinner, Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also scheduled.

THURSDAY AUSTRALIAN OPEN SCHEDULE
Rod Laver Arena
Day session – From 11am
A. Cornet v G. Muguruza 3
X. Wang v A. Sabalenka 2
Day session – Not before 2:30pm
K. Majchrzak v A. De Minaur 32
Night session – From 7pm
N. Kyrgios v D. Medvedev 2
S. Halep 14 v B. Haddad Maia

Margaret Court Arena
Day session – From 11am
A. Kontaveit 6 v C. Tauson
H. Baptiste Q v M. Inglis WC
S. Baez v S. Tsitsipas 4
Night session – From 7pm
D. Kovinic v E. Raducanu 17
S. Johnson v J. Sinner 11