Adrian Mannarino MARTIN KEEP / AFP
Adrian Mannarino was outclassed by Novak Djokovic. Taylor Fritz was stronger than Stefanos Tsitsipas. In the women’s draw, the two favorites Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka continued their flawless performances.
The Blue of the Night
Brutal return to earth for Val d’Oisien Adrian Mannarino, outclassed by ten-time winner Novak Djokovic, (6-0, 6-0, 6-3), back in business, after a difficult start to the tournament. The tennis monster was merciless for the 19th in the world. As in 2022 (against Nadal), the French left-hander stops at the 8th stage in Melbourne. Out of breath after his first three marathon matches, he was unable to worry the world number one (31 winning shots, only 12 for the Blue). If against Nadal, he had resisted a little two years ago, against the master of the place, he did not exist in 1h44. His adventure was beautiful, but its end was brutal.
Smile
The undemonstrative French number 1 smiled and asked for the public’s support when he unlocked his counter after thirteen games lost against the Serb. The latter became the first player in the Open era to inflict a double bagel on a top 20 player.
The number
58
The number of times Novak Djokovic has reached the quarterfinals in a Grand Slam tournament. The Serbian equals the record of a certain Roger Federer. It was at Roland-Garros 2006 that the Serb reached his first quarter. And for 19 seasons in a row, he has joined this stage of the competition, at least, once a year. Huge.
The (little) surprise
It’s over for the finalist of the 2023 edition. Stefanos Tsitsipas surrendered on Sunday against Taylor Fritz, 12th in the world, in the round of 16. The American dominated the Greek in four sets (7-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3) and will meet Novak Djokovic in the quarter. Another story.
The demonstration
No break point to defend, five breaks on the opposing service, Coco Gauff did not hang around last night against Magdalena Fresh, swept away (6-1, 6-2). Caroline Garcia’s faller in the 2nd round was totally helpless against the 19-year-old phenomenon, more in legs than ever and in total confidence.
The title holder
The Sabalenka express strikes again. The defending champion swept the comeback Amanda Anisimova (6-3, 6-2). A clear and flawless success. After an entry break, the Belarusian never wavered on her serve. Same scenario in the second act. Sabalenka, often betrayed by her nerves in major meetings, has had strong nerves since the start of the fortnight and the service is perfectly in place. Her next opponent Barbora Krejcikova or Mirra Andreeva, 16, may tremble.
The first one
Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk ended Russian qualifier Maria Timofeeva’s fairy tale on Sunday, crushing her 6-2, 6-1 to reach her first Grand Slam quarter. Timofeeva, for her Grand Slam debut, had taken out former world number one Caroline Wozniacki and 10th seed Beatriz Haddad, but she was unable to do anything against Kostyuk, winner of the junior title at the Open. Australia 2017. The latter, as since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has chosen not to shake hands with its adversary.
On the courts and to come
A very dangerous outsider, the Italian Jannik Sinner won the first round at the Margaret Court Arena against the Russian Karen Khachanov. From 9 a.m., Andrey Rublev (5) will face Alex de Minaur in a Rod Laver Arena won over to the Australian’s cause. The prodigy Mirra Andreeva challenges the Czech Barbora Krejcikova.
