At the end of the fourth day of play at the Australian Open, a number of top players breathed a sigh of relief after being pushed hard and in many cases forced to come back from a set down and overcome rain breaks.
I didn’t know what his energy level would be like, but he’s one of the strongest guys on Tour and I’m really happy with this match Alexander Zverev
Third seed Alexander Zverev, still chasing his first major at the age of 28, was among them after being pushed by Alexandre Muller before reaching the third round with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in three hours and three minutes, hitting 45 winners.
“Thanks to him. Two days ago he played 7-6 in the fifth against an Australian, Popyrin, and the way he came out, he played great tennis,” Zverev said.
“I thought it was a very high level match. I didn’t know what his energy level would be like, but he is one of the fittest guys on Tour and I am very happy with this match.”
Next up for the German seventh time is Britain’s Cameron Norrie, after the British southpaw – who has never beaten Zverev – defeated Emolio Nava 6-1 7-6(3) 4-6, 7-6(5).
Meanwhile, Zverev’s contemporary Daniil Medvedev, a three-time former AO finalist, continues to build on his improved performances to start the season by beating Quentin Halys 6-7(9) 6-3 6-4 6-2. The 29-year-old won the title in Brisbane earlier this month and was aggressive against the American, hitting 46 winners in his three hour and four minute victory before a third round meeting with Fabian Marozan.
Another American, the young Learner Tien, advances to round three for the second time. Last year he stunned Medvedev in a match that ended at 3am and reached the fourth round as a 19-year-old.
He is back and looks set to equal that run after beating Alexander Shevchenko 6-2 5-7 6-1 6-0 to set up a meeting with Portugal’s Nuno Borges who defeated Jordan Thompson 6-7(9) 6-3 6-2 6-4. before a possible rematch with Medvedev in the last 16 on Sunday.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Home hope Alex de Minaur had a frustrating match with Serbian Hamad Medjedovic before demolishing him 6-7(5) 6-2 6-2 6-1 under the Rod Laver Arena lights. American Frances
The Australian, who reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne last year, competes at a career-high No. 6 and was visibly frustrated after losing the first set before regrouping to take control.
“I am very proud of these kinds of victories,” De Minaur said after his victory. “Especially because I’m playing against a very strong opponent, who played very high quality tennis. I felt like I could stay with him and maintain my level somewhat.”
“As the match went on, I was even able to raise my level at times. I’m very happy with that, that I can almost have that impact on opponents where they might start to think that they’re in for a long night and that it’s going to be very tough, especially the best-of-five.”
The 26-year-old sixth seed will play Frances Tiafoe after the American eliminated Francisco Comesana in four sets.
Alexander Bublik, making his first Top 10 appearance, defeated Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 7-5 6-4 7-5 as he builds on a great start to the season, including lifting the Hong Kong title.
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