AUSTRALIAN OPEN | Rafael Nadal defeats Dzumhur as Wozniacki ousts Bertens

01/19/2018

Friday saw no upsets as Rafael Nadal, Grigor Dimitrov and Nick Kyrgios had convincing wins against Damir Dzumhur, Andrey Rublev and Wilfried Tsonga respectively. In women’s singles, Caroline Wozniacki defeated Kiki Bertens as 15-year-old Kostyuk was knocked out by Elina Svitolina in the round of 32.

World number 1 Rafael Nadal defeated Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 in the round of 32 tie. The Spanish ace hardly had to break any sweat in the game as Dzumhur’s increasing unforced errors made it all the more easier for Nadal, who wrapped the first set 6-1 in 23 minutes. Though the second set was a bit tricky, the outcome was never in doubt.

Leading early in the break, Nadal made silly errors to allow the Bosnian to come back at 2-2. However, Nadal immediately went in to break back the lead 3-2 before cruising on to a 6-3 win. The third set then was a formality as Dzumhur could just stand and watch the whole time as Nadal sealed ot 6-1.

Local favourite Nick Kyrgios had a tricky tie against France’s Jo Wilfried Tsonga, but emerged victorious 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 at the end of an enthralling match that consisted three tie-breakers. Though the Frenchman gave a serious examination of the man most likely to end Australia's 32-year wait for a male champion, Kyrgios held his nerve impressively in three tie-breaks.

Both men finished the match with 28 aces. While a Tsonga double fault handed Nick the first set, a delicate drop shot earned him the only break in the second. Both had their chances in the crucial third set tie-break but it was Kyrgios who took his first opportunity with a backhand return.

Break-points went begging early in the fourth, with Kyrgios finding a superb second serve under pressure at 30-30, 4-5, before Tsonga looked to be forcing a fifth set when he led 5-2 at the third tie-break. A knee issue then looked to disrupt the Frenchman and Kyrgios took full advantage, reeling off five points in a row to seal the victory. He will play Grigor Dimitrov next.

Dimitrov came through a tough match too, as 30th seed Andrey Rublev gave the Bulgarian a run for his money. The Bulgarian needed over three hours to win 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.

In the women’s singles, world number 2, Caroline Wozniacki kicked Bertens out of the Australian Open by winning in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. The 27-year-old maintained her advantage until serving for the match at 5-3, in what became a turbulent quarter-of-an-hour tussle to finish the encounter.

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