The Russian phenomenon and his young compatriot, with their stunning performances, accompanied the solid Italian this Wednesday in Melbourne.
The performance
Directed by Mirra Andreeva. Ons Jabeur (seeded n°6) was sharply eliminated 6-0 6-2 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (she had already disappeared at this stage of the competition last year) by the teenager Russian. The Tunisian harassed by a rival who took great advantage of her unusual errors (24 unforced errors in total) to complete the first set 6-0 in 20 minutes, conceding only eight points, never found space to breathe and express yourself. For her fourth participation in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament since her debut at Roland-Garros last year and her second appearance on the Rod Laver Arena (after the defeat in the junior final last year), the Russian showed astonishing maturity, allowing herself to raise her level of play and definitely escape without being caught up by the pressure of a first victory against a Top 10 player.I was really nervous before the match, because Ons (Jabeur) is an inspiration to me with the way she plays. Before I played on the WTA circuit, I always watched his matches“, said Andreeva with a smile. After a 3rd round during her very first Grand Slam last season, at Roland-Garros, then an 8th final at Wimbledon, the young Russian continues. Established since the beginning of 2022 in Cannes, coached by Jean-René Lisnard and Jean-Christophe Faurel, alongside her older sister Erika (113th at 19 years old), the young Russian is progressing quickly.
The chase
Led 6-1, 2-0 by Caroline Wozniacki, the Russian Maria Timofeeva (20 years old; 170th in the world), from qualifying, overthrew the Dane 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, notably with 40 winning points. “I’m truly speechless now. It was an honor for me to play against Caroline. I approached this match without any expectations. I just wanted to show what I could do and see how the match would go. I enjoyed every second… It’s crazy to think she won this tournament (in 2018). Playing against her here was very special. I am very happy to have won this match. I couldn’t ask for better», quickly summed up the one who, in the 3rd round, will be opposed to her compatriot Alina Korneeva (16 years old; 179th in the world) or to the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia (seeded n°10).
The phrase
«It’s a dream to have the physique of Baywatch but it’s okay… »
Signed Jannik Sinner with a smile. The Italian, sure, solid, serene won 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 Dutchman Jesper de Jong, from qualifying. “Tomorrow (Thursday), I have a day off, to try to train at the pace of the match. I’m also going to go to the gym. Even if it doesn’t show, I’m skinny… but that doesn’t matter. I’m happy with my physique at the moment. Of course, it’s a dream to have the Baywatch physique, but that’s okay… » Jannik Sinner (7 aces; 86% of points scored on his first serve; 26 winning points) has, with complete peace of mind, reached the 3rd round of the Australian Open for the third consecutive year. Sinner (22 years old; n°4) appearing in the short list of the main favorites will be opposed in the 3rd round, to the Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan or the Argentinian Sebastian Baez (n°29).
Weather
After the oppressive heat, Melbourne saw the rain set in which severely disrupted the 4th day of the Australian Open. The meetings scheduled for 11 a.m. (1 a.m. in France) could not start before 4 a.m. Only matches scheduled on courts equipped with a roof (Rod Laver Arena, Margareth Court Arena and Joh Cain Arena) were initially able to be played.
The number : 11
The consecutive games scored (4-2 in the 1st set by Alex de Minaur (n°10) to stifle the Italian Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-0, 6-3. Quite happy with the game played. I tried to stay focused on my game“, summed up the Australian before recounting, hilariously, his passion for his Mini car when the photo appeared on the screen of the Rod Laver Arena during the interview given to Jim Courier: “Look at this. It’s magnificent, isn’t it. This is my Mini from 1973. It turned 50 last December. We threw a big party for her. It’s my everyday car. What’s fun is not knowing if it will start every morning. I enjoyed being stuck in the middle of the road a few times. But he’s still my baby and I love him.» The favorite of the Australian public will play against the Russian Pavel Kotov or the Italian Flavio Cobolli.
The appointment
Alycia Parks (23 years old; 82nd) joins the 3rd round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career after dominating Canadian Leylah Fernandez 7-5, 6-4. The American will meet, for a place in the round of 16, her compatriot Coco Gauff (seeded n°4) who authoritatively dismissed the American Caroline Dolehide 7-6 (7/2), 6-2. “I should play my match, be focused», Announces Parks.
To be continued, Djokovic act 2
Snagged during his entry into the tournament by the surprising Croatian Dino Prizmic (18 years old, from qualifying), Novak Djokovic will return to the Rod Laver Arena. Facing him, the Australian Alexei Popyrin whom he beat during their face-to-face on the circuit (in Tokyo, in 2019).
To follow, from 9 p.m. Rod Laver Arena: Brenda Fruhvirtová (RTC)-Aryna Sabalenka (BLR, 2); Novak Djokovic (SRB, 1)-Alexei Popyrin (AUS). Margareth Court Arena : Jordan Thompson (AUS)-Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE, 7) ; Maria Sakkari (GRE, 8)-Elina Evanesyan (RUS).
