The surprising Frenchwoman, the serene Russian, and the Belorussian (No. 12) diminished and eliminated scored the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.
In the blue corner
5 French were on the program for the second day of the Australian Open. First in the running, Kristina Mladenovic hung a wide smile. The 50th in the world eliminated the Greek Maria Sakkari (seeded No. 20) 6-2, 0-6, 6-3. A performance of choice for a player (decisive in the Fed Cup final against Australia in November 2019) who has lost the habit of shining in singles. Quentin Halys (from qualifying) lost 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 against Pablo Andujar.
The phrase : “I don’t hear the comparison with Rafa”
Signed Carlos Alcaraz (17 years; 146e worldwide). Resulting from the qualifications, the great hope of Spanish tennis won his first Grand Slam match by disposing 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 of the Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp (159e), also from the qualifying tournament. He is the first player of the 2003 generation to win a Grand Slam match. “I want to be in the top 10 in the world, but you have to work for it. My idol is Nadal, I want to be like him, ”said the 13-year-old who is the youngest player to win a Grand Slam match since the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis (during the Australian Open 2014). Last month, Juan Carlos Ferrero’s protégé had become the youngest man to qualify for the Australian Open since Novak Djokovic in 2005… Asked at a press conference about the quality he would like to take inspiration from Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz said: “The intensity with which he trains. He hits the ball very hard. He is focused from the first ball to the last ball. It’s a good thing to keep. ” Before confessing about his older brother: “I try to focus on myself, not on social media. I don’t hear the comparison with Rafa. ” In the second round, the Spanish hope has an appointment with the Swede Mikael Ymer (22 years old; 95th).
This is fantastic.
“I wanna be top 10 in the world, but you got to work for that. My idol is Nadal, I wanna be like him”, a 13 years old Alcaraz. https://t.co/vzQ6zaJ7Kl
Signed by Christopher O’Connell, the Australian from qualifying (121eworld) was played 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 by German Jan-Lennard Struff (37e) who let themselves be consumed by frustration. And by the American Ann Li (20 years old) who offered a 6-0, 6-2 against the Chinese Shuai Zhang (n ° 31).
The discomfort by Victoria Azarenka
The Belarusian was among the outsiders in the women’s draw. The No. 12 seed was stopped in his standoff with American Jessica Pegula. Victoria Azarenka led 5-2, obtained a set point before seeing her game crumble (especially in the service 7 double faults; 58% of bridges registered on her 1st service). After losing the opening set 7-5, Victoria Azarenka was down 4-2 in the second set when she repeatedly felt the need to take a breather during her service game. Leaning over, she then tried to breathe deeply. Stunned, she then crouched down, before being taken care of by the medical service who auscultated her in the locker room. A dramatic drop in blood pressure. After several minutes, Azarenka returned to end the game. She courageously equalized at 4-4 before giving in and disappearing in the first round.
Victoria Azarenka was one of 72 players in contact cases, confined to strict isolation who were deprived of the 5 hours of training available to the other players of the Australian Open during their fortnight. The lack of training raised concerns about injuries and such reactions to sudden efforts without a launch pad. Viktoria Azarenka, double winner in Melbourne (2012, 2013), suffered brutally, eliminated 7-5, 6-4 in the first round. Like Angelique Kerber (but also Maria Sakkari or Alison Riske), head of series n ° 23, (which was titled in Melbourne in 2016), one of the 5 seeds of the male and female tables eliminated from entry, Monday, Victoria Azarenka struggled to erase the effects of this strict fortnight. Belarus did not want to look for excuses, however: “Was this the best preparation for me? No. The biggest impact for me was not being able to get some fresh air. I’m disappointed that I couldn’t do what I knew I could do. It’s a little hard to accept because I knew I could play better, much better. At the same time, I feel like I tried everything to prepare myself, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. “
A dull queen
Defending champion Sofia Kenin (No.4) entered the tournament with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Australian Maddison Inglis (130e, guest) after a meeting that was not completely under control (27 unforced errors): “I’m always a little nervous on the first laps. I’m glad I got through this round even though I wasn’t 100. I’m still not totally happy with the way I played, but I’m making sure I’m ready for the next round. ” The American has a date with the Estonian Kaia Kanepi (94e). Garbine Muguruza (n ° 14) advances, without worry 6-4, 6-0 against the Russian Margarita Gasparian (125e, lucky loser).
At the state
In contention against Li Tu, an Australian player taking advantage of an invitation, the Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez (39) is playing his 76e Grand Slam tournament, 3 units from the record holder of the genre, Roger Federer.
The team
Two days after winning the ATP Cup with Russia, Andrey Rublev, seeded No.7, easily qualified for the second round of the Australian Open, beating the German Yannick Hanfmann (101st ), 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, in 1h43. After a year rich in titles (5) in 2020, the 23-year-old Russian is off to a good start in 2021 and appears to be one of the brand outsiders of this first Grand Slam of the season. In the next round, he will be opposed to the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro (74th). Daniil Medvedev also easily cleared the obstacle, dismissing Vasek Pospisil 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 for a 15th consecutive victory. Stamped with the seal of confidence.
The image
Stan Wawrinka’s relaxed training. You can be a workout monster and sometimes bow to it with your cell phone like Stan Wawrinka (# 17) on the treadmill. All in flexibility. At 2e turn, the Swiss massif has an appointment with the Hungarian Marton Fucsovics (55th).
To come, from 9 a.m.:
Highly anticipated due to back pain that could hamper his debut in the tournament, Rafael Nadal came down to the ground against the Serbian Laslo Djere. By making a quick break. At 6:55 am (French), the Spaniard was leading 6-3, 6-4. Without showing any apparent pain. The night session in Melbourne will be marked on Tuesday at the Rod Laver Arena by the matches between Ashleigh Barty (n ° 1) and Montenegrin Danka Kovinic (77e). Before the match between Stefanos Tsitsipas (n ° 5) and Gilles Simon. On the Margareth Court Arena, clash between Matteo Berretteni (n ° 10) and Kevin Anderson.
