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Pictures from Day 4 of the 2024 Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Djoko downs Popyrin to enter third spherical
IMAGE: Novak Djokovic reacts throughout his second spherical match in opposition to Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. {Photograph}: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters
Defending champion Novak Djokovic survived an enormous scare earlier than beating dwelling hope Alexei Popyrin 6-3 4-6 7-6(4) 6-3 to achieve the third spherical of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old Serb, bidding for a record-extending eleventh crown in Melbourne, was in serious trouble within the third set when errors started to circulate and he needed to save 4 set factors.
With the packed night-time crowd on the sting of their seats, prime seed Djokovic used his huge expertise to win the pivotal tiebreak after which broke a dispirited Popyrin halfway by means of the fourth set to lastly seize management.
Djokovic duly racked up his thirtieth successive victory on the Australian Open — his final defeat coming in 2018 — however for the second successive spherical he was pushed exhausting.
Sabalenka glides previous Fruhvirtova
IMAGE: Aryna Sabalenka in motion throughout her second spherical match in opposition to Brenda Fruhvirtova on the Australian Open on Wednesday. {Photograph}: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka continued her Australian Open title defence with one other comfy victory because the Belarusian beat 16-year-old Czech Brenda Fruhvirtova 6-3, 6-2 to maneuver into the third spherical on Wednesday.
Enjoying a second straight qualifier, Sabalenka didn’t have all of it her approach early within the opening set on Rod Laver Area and swapped breaks together with her opponent after some wayward hitting.
“I feel for somebody who’s 16, she’s doing an unimaginable job,” Sabalenka mentioned. “I want I used to be at that degree at that age. She’s an unbelievable participant, if she retains on working she’ll be on the prime actual quickly.
“I am tremendous proud of the win. I used to be targeted on myself, not on anything and I simply tried to battle for each level.”
Sabalenka rapidly reset to seek out her vary for a 5-3 lead following a second break of serve earlier than she wrapped up the primary set and surged to a 4-0 lead within the second.
World quantity 107 Fruhvirtova responded to get on the board however Sabalenka was in no temper to permit an unlikely comeback and reeled off the winners en path to victory.
The 25-year-old will subsequent play both Ukrainian twenty eighth seed Lesia Tsurenko or Spain’s Rebeka Masarova.
Gauff overcomes gradual begin to advance
IMAGE: US Open champion Coco Gauff was pressured to battle till her fourth match level to beat fellow American Caroline Dolehide. {Photograph}: Issei Kato/Reuters
World quantity 4 Coco Gauff battled by means of a tough opening set and overcame points together with her first serve to beat fellow American Caroline Dolehide 7-6(2), 6-2.
“It was actually exhausting, I began off enjoying properly however she does properly hitting the ball heavy so it is powerful to be on the offensive,” mentioned Gauff.
“I wasn’t nervous right now, I used to be simply making an attempt to play good tennis.”
The 19-year-old will subsequent play one other compatriot in Alycia Parks, who beat former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 7-5, 6-4 in one of many first matches accomplished on the surface courts.
Timofeeva downs Wozniacki
IMAGE: Russia’s Maria Timofeeva celebrates successful her second spherical match in opposition to Caroline Wozniacki. {Photograph}: Issei Kato/Reuters
Former world primary Caroline Wozniacki additionally fell sufferer to a younger Russian in qualifier Maria Timofeeva, the Dane cursing herself after successful the primary set comfortably on John Cain Area however going out 1-6, 6-4, 6-1.
“It undoubtedly sucks and it is disappointing. I felt like this was my match to win, and I did not,” mentioned the 2018 Australian Open champion.
“I really feel just like the match form of slid out of my palms.”
Wozniacki’s exit follows that of Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka within the first spherical, leaving the match with none of the trio of moms and former champions who returned to the Grand Slam this 12 months.
Andreeva sends Jabeur packing
IMAGE: Russia’s Mirra Andreeva celebrates after successful her second spherical match in opposition to Ons Jabeur on the 2024 Australian Open on Wednesday. {Photograph}: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters
Ons Jabeur suffered a shocking 6-0, 6-2 loss to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva within the Australian Open second spherical on Wednesday because the sixth seed’s bid to turn into the primary Arab and African lady to win a Grand Slam title lay in tatters.
Jabeur started the match with a giant ace down the center however rapidly discovered herself on the again foot as her 16-year-old opponent capitalised on some uncharacteristic errors to cruise by means of the opening set in 20 minutes conceding eight factors.
IMAGE: That is Mirra Andreeva’s fourth Grand Slam look. {Photograph}: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters
In her fourth Grand Slam important draw look since making her debut eventually 12 months’s French Open, Andreeva confirmed maturity past her years as Jabeur desperately sought solutions from her teaching crew after the early jolt.
Jabeur – dubbed by followers as Tunisia’s ‘Minister of Happiness’ – swapped her trademark smile for a extra decided look and the 29-year-old held early within the subsequent set however there was no stopping Andreeva, who raised her degree once more and pulled away.
Sinner races into third spherical
IMAGE: Jannik Sinner banged down seven aces and 26 winners, confronted not a single break level over your complete contest whereas successful a formidable 45% of his return factors.. {Photograph}: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters
Jannik Sinner continued his scorching streak of type to race into the third spherical of the Australian Open for the third successive 12 months with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Italian fourth seed, favoured by some as a possible champion at Melbourne Park after a stellar end to final season, utterly dominated the world quantity 161 underneath the closed roof on Margaret Court docket Area.
Sinner, who banged down seven aces and 26 winners, confronted not a single break level over your complete contest whereas successful a formidable 45% of his return factors.
There have been sympathetic cheers from the group when De Jong lastly bought on the scoreboard within the closing set however Sinner was quickly serving out to like to e-book a gathering with Daniel Elahi Galan or Sebastian Baez.
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