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2023 Australian Open Tennis: Karen Khachanov sees off 3rd set fightback from Yoshihito Nishioka in straight sets as he became the first person to advance into the Quarter-Finals

by Sports Benches

Karen Khachanov (Russia) became the first player to confirm a Final 8 booking in the 2023 Australian Open men’s singles draw here at John Cain Arena, after he got away in straight sets against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka – 0-6, 0-6, 6-7 (4-7 tiebreak).

Gutted for Nishioka with the elimination after he came out of nowhere to try & save himself in the game throughout the 3rd set. Now he made up some inspiring fightbacks along the way that went all the way via the tiebreak, but just not enough to continue such a rebuild from two sets down when his opponent collected all three straight stage wins to wrap up this 4R tie. Playing at the Aus Open has been his best run here so far, having once made the 3rd Round three years ago.  He vows to go one better next time and if he can show that he can inspire the game with fighting spirit from start to finish, then we could see him in the Final 8 grand slam draw sooner rather than later next time.

And great to see Khachanov tick off all four grand slam finals appearances, as this is his first knockout occasion here at Melbourne Park ahead of his next meeting either against Hubert Hurkacz (Poland) or Sebastian Korda (USA) on Tuesday. He was just too good during the first two sets & although he did face some pressure at times from Nishioka going into the 3rd set, but he has done enough with some fightback & patience needed to bring it home. These are the two key factors Khachanov will be tested on his next grand slam match if he wants to make the semis again like he did last year at the US Open, where he fell short over there out of a four-set showdown v Casper Ruud.

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2023 Australian Open Tennis: John Cain Arena has been a happy place for Aussies on Day 4 tonight after Alex De Minaur’s amazing Round 2 win v Adrian Mannarino

by Sports Benches

Looks like John Cain Arena tonight has been a happy vibe for not just one Aussie in Alexei Popyrin following his brilliant upset performance v 8th seed Taylor Fritz from the USA, there’s another one too as Alex De Minaur just defeated Frenchman Adrian Mannarino through a four-set showdown to finish Night 4 of the 2023 Australian Open. 

The first half was definitely a close encounter when De Minaur & Mannarino shared plenty of battles along the way, with De Minaur taking the early lead via the opening set tiebreak before Mannarino fought back at 1-1 apiece. But De Minaur regained the lead following another competitive 3rd stage at 2-1 before he quickly wrapped up this R2 tie with only the fifth & final set to spare. The final score was 6-7 (3-7 tie), 6-4, 4-6, 1-6.

Mannarino gave De Minaur a tough time throughout tonight, having tested the 22nd seed with a few mistakes being spotted here & there while keeping tabs on the overall lead. He almost got past De Minaur & lock that checkpoint in the 3rd set after the 2nd set rebound at 1-1 apiece, but then he began to be under pressure going into the fourth set before De Minaur confirmed his elimination from the Australian Open with the loss. He definitely had a great run here last year up until the 4th round, but a making miracles via the Final 8 would hopefully be his next highlight moment at age 34.

And hats off to De Minaur for putting up another amazing show tonight in front of his fans on home soil. He & Mannarino were on the same page from the start when De Minaur got away by a small lead following a good opening set tiebreak. As said with his opponent, he was tested throughout the whole time by Mannarino where De Minaur was inconsistent over in the 2nd stage; It’s something De Minaur will look to improve if he wants to crack the Final 8 this year. However, he knows how to get the job done, having gone back on top before De Minaur pulled off easily towards the finish line. Let’s see if he will get past another Frenchman this Saturday for Round 3 against Benjamin Bonzi.

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2023 Australian Open Tennis: Aussie Alexei Popyrin moves onto the 3rd Round after he eliminated one of the Top 10 seeds in Taylor Fritz through a long & close contest

by Sports Benches

This is such incredible Grand Slam Tennis by Australian Alexei Popyrin, as he just eliminated 8th seed Taylor Fritz (USA) following a long afternoon out (about four hours) with the five-set win at John Cain Arena.

Popyrin had a great opening two sets even though it wasn’t an easy one for sure via back-to-back tiebreaks, particularly when he‘s up against one of the Top 10 seeds of this tournament in Fritz. Then Fritz began to send a huge threat from two sets down where not only he won back the third stage, but denied Popyrin the first match point opportunity via the tiebreaker that led into a fifth & final set decider. 

In the end though, Popyrin got through the finish line comfortably & he is now on his way onto Round 3 this Saturday v another American in Benjamin Shelton. The final score was a huge contest- 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (2-7), 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) & 2-6.

It’s been a long and difficult afternoon to reflect from Fritz, having just been out of the race after only the second round by a 113th ranked player in Popyrin. They got themselves up and running with a couple of games being won here & there. Although, Fritz showed some fight when he denied Popyrin both a straight sets & 1st match point attempt going into the 5th set. But he just couldn’t find a way to overtake his competitor & sprint all the way past the finish line.

And what a day it has been from Popyrin with an unreal win v Fritz. He had to bide time every time when he goes up against his R2 competitor, having closed off a couple of close battles in the first half of the afternoon. Now he began to be inconsistent at times where he was at one point about to be eliminated after missing out these two big opportunities, but glad he restarted the final set really well with an easy end to this match. Speaking of opportunities, this is Popyrin’s chance now to make a name for himself & go all the way on home soil here at Melbourne Park.

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2023 Australian Open Tennis: Jason Kubler’s run has come to an end in Round 2 following defeat to 18th seed Karen Khachanov

by Sports Benches

18th seed Karen Khachanov & Aussie wildcard Jason Kubler put up an amazing show last night at John Cain Arena. They both fought really hard back and forth, particularly in the 2nd set where Kubler levelled at 1-1 apiece. Unfortunately, Kubler fell short by two games onto the next stage before it was too late altogether when Khachanov crossed the finish line first out of a four-set showdown. 

The final score was 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.

We would’ve liked to see Kubler go on and show not only his fighting spirit like he did last night v one of the Top 20 seed players like Khachanov, but also some tricks on the court as well. Despite a great start, he just wasn’t consistent with his 2nd half play when Khachanov began to pull further in front & nothing much has changed ever since. Let’s hope he can come back and make up another fairytale story line Kubler did at Wimbledon last year where he ended up in the last 16.

And congrats to Khachanov with the win as he will be going to Round 3 tomorrow v American Francis Tiafoe. He had a nice & easy fire off in the opening set; Although he couldn’t get enough of Kubler’s amazing 2nd set performance alone. But he came back refreshed after the break by ending Kubler’s redemption bid with the 3rd set fightback at a 2-1 lead, and that’s where Khachanov saw the light at the end of the tunnel with an easy finish to this match. His best finish so far at the Aus Open was RD3 over the last four years. 

Let’s see if he can go one better & have an extended shot towards the Final 8 here for the first time, having came off from his breakthrough end to the grand slam legs last year in the Final 4 at the US Open.

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Tennis News: Jason Kubler is one of the Australians to watch so far on Day 1 of the Australian Open after he defeated Seasbtian Baez in straight sets

by Sports Benches

Great start by Australia’s own Jason Kubler whose 2023 Australian Open campaign was off to a flyer in the opening round v Sebastian Baez from Argentina, as he will face 18th seed Karen Khachanov for Round 2 on Wednesday.

The start of each set was really competitive by both players where they both got the ball rolling at least through the first half distance.

However, Kubler turned out to be better player than Baez when it comes to his finishing; He went on to the beat the Argentine in straight sets – 4-6, 4-6, 4-6.

Kubler have shown so much fight & patience right from the very start, having been tested by his competitor on-court by sharing a couple of early close games in Baez. But once we flip over into reaching these checkpoint stages & eventually the finish line, he took his opportunity to get the job done with both hands and it’s something Baez couldn’t match before conceding defeat in the end.

For Baez, it’s not the exit he wanted after hanging around just for the opening day of this year’s Australian Open. The lack of 2nd half pull really prevented him from staying in contention while falling further behind as this match goes over time.

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Felix Auger-Aliassime too good for Dan Evans in straight sets at John Cain Arena as he advances to Round 4 of 2022 Australian Open

by Sports Benches

Felix Auger-Aliassime too good for Dan Evans at John Cain Arena where he nailed down in straight sets (4-6, 1-6, 1-6), he will be watching the Andrey Rublev and Martin Cilic tie with interest & study what these players are like where one of them will meet him for Round 4 on Monday.

For Evans, he endured a huge blow against the 9th seed Canadian which wasn’t easy to reflect on after this match, even though he came off a brilliant warm-up spell before the main draw in Sydney via the semis. He was on the same page at the beginning where Evans narrowly fell short & had the chance to tie 2-2 in the 3rd set, unfortunately, the Brit just couldn’t unpack some fire having fell way behind before Auger-Aliassime comfortably made it home at the other end.

And Auger-Aliassime is one of two Canadians alongside Denis Shapovalov in the 4th Round as this is be an exciting time right now for that country, he displayed lots of Grand Slam quality that helped him shift up a few gears ahead of Evans & never looked back ever since. He had an excellent 2nd half last year with the Quarter-Final in Wimbledon & Semi-Final at the US Open, he has Daniil Medvedev on his radar where he hopes to upset last year’s runner-up in the Final 8 & potentially come home with a grand slam trophy.

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Tennis News, Nick Kyrgios advances into R2 in a tough encounter ahead with Daniil Medvedev after he defeated Liam Broady in straight sets

by Sports Benches

Another Aussie who advanced into Round 2 of this year’s Australian Open tomorrow is Nick Kyrgios, he too defeated Briton Liam Broady in straight sets early in three stages at John Cain Arena (4-6, 4-6, 3-6) & will face 2nd seed & reigning US Open men’s champion Daniil Medvedev from Russia.

Kyrgios and Broady were always side by side for the whole time when they both tussled for every game and point, however, Kyrgios produced the better conversion first ahead of Broady before he sprinted a few blocks in the 3rd set & dominated this tie in the end.

And Broady is disappointed with the loss where he showed a good build-up base from the start & was so close to winning those two sets, but he just couldn’t provide the 2nd half consistency that gave Kyrgios the upper hand having felt like he’s fallen off a cliff & then couldn’t keep in contention.

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2021 Australian Open, Section 3 R3 Men’s Singles Game: Dominic Thiem v Nick Kyrgios

by Sports Benches

It has been a tough stage 1 encounter between the 3rd seed Dominic Thiem & Nick Kyrgios. It was Kyrgios who touched the halfway lead first 3-2. Before Thiem came back from a slow start by holding back Kyrgios on occasions 4-5. But Kyrgios shut him down for the first stage win unscathed 6-4. Having crossed just 37 minutes in R3 of this game. As the crowd roars at John Cain Arena.

The close battle goes on after the break where Thiem have the early 1st half advantage. In a bid to try and distance himself away from Kyrgios. Kyrgios though catches up to Thiem going into the halfway mark 3-3. And this progress remained still unchanged for a little longer. Where one of them will have to finish first in stage 2. After a few deuce attempts between the two players. Kyrgios overcome this part to lead 5-4 with one point away from winning Stage 2. And Kyrgrios once again has two mini wins v Thiem 6-4. Now Kyrgios is one set away from going to Round 4. While Thiem will need ideas now to get himself back in the race towards a possible Stage 4.

Thiem has the 1st half foundation build up as proven with the early lead in Stage 2-0. Despite a tough series of deuces duels v Kyrigos for these valuable points. As he touched the halfway line first 3-0 to try and bridge his 1st set win. While Kyrgios have played well so far with the deuces battles as of late. But is beginning to lack the momentum behind Thiem. Kyrgios did move away after a slow start to catch up the 3rd seed from Austria 3-5. There is a 2nd half strength seen alone. But not enough time to deny Thiem with the third stage win 6-3. As Kyrgios still has two set wins to his name.

Kyrgios finally took the first point in Stage 4 After he overcame another series of deuce battles. While Thiem kept the 3rd stage momentum to save his game. Both players still side by side at the halfway distance 3-3. Krygios has a few chances with the advantage to reach that 5th point. But just unable to get the finishing done whereas Thiem does in the contrary 6-4. As Thiem came back from behind Kyrgios 0-2 to two straight wins in the 3rd & 4th set. The decider is in between Kyrgios and Thiem in the 5th & final stage.

Just three hours in and both players battling hard to secure this 5th stage win. It will mean a lot to them with the Round 4 ticket in two days. Thiem began to pull the overall lead away from Kyrgios having drawn 3-3. Before he was just one point from winning the 5th stage & this game tonight. And once Thiem got into match point he found a way from out of nowhere after Stage 3 to comeback glory. The final score was done in 3 hours & 18 minutes: 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 & 6-4.

So unlucky from Kyrgios who fired off with two early stage wins to his name. And was one stage win away from finishing this game early at the first attempt. But the momentum began to decline unfortunately. As Kyrgios just unable to find these 2nd half conversions at least to make Thiem hard to catch up. Well played as we wish Nick all the best. Just not his night to exit this journey.

And on Thiem what a performance from the Austrian who is the 3rd seed of the world. Might have lost the first two stages behind Kyrgios. But he kept himself close to him at all times rather than being blown away too easily. Before Thiem found his finishing strategy that was not seen earlier on. And used this improved 2nd half run to outclass Kyrigos that eventually crossed the line 1st.

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Tennis Australia News, 2021 Australian Open Section 3 of R2 Game: Nick Kyrgios v Ugo Humbert

by Sports Benches

It has been a close start by the two players in the middle from Nick Kygrios & Ugo Humbert. Where the Aussie & Frenchman went side by side with a point win each as the game goes. So nothing much changed in the first part of stage 1. Even a little longer past halfway.

But Kyrgios just unable to find the finishing tools to get past Humbert for the stage 1 victory 5-7. Having lost a deuce during the 5th point battle. Before a sub-par run in the 6th score saw Kyrgios forced to wait a bit longer. And find a different strategy to make up lost time in order to advance in Round 3 after the first set loss.

The second stage though remains the same momentum as it was from Stage 1. With Kyrgrios made some progress this time with the early lead going at halfway 3-1. As he still needed to stay in the race by holding off Humbert. When the Frenchman began to catch up to Kyrgios point by point. Before Kyrgios bounced back in Stage 2 6-4.

As always so far in this game tonight Kyrgios & Humbert fired off side by side. Both players trying hard to find their middle ground that would eventually end this game first. They are tied 3-3 by the halfway mark in the 3rd set. But Kyrgios unable to bridge that consistency in the 2nd half of this stanza. Whereas Humbert did when he found it not hard to win Stage 3 with two mini wins 6-3.

Humbert finally got the feel needed to fire off with an easy headstart v Kyrgios. The halfway point was there when Humbert checked in first 3-1. Kyrgios may have held the Frenchman back on occasions. Where the Australian desperately scrambled to fight back for the stage 4 win. And still in the running to meet Dominic Thiem in Round 3. Having only registered one set win during Stage 2. With not much progress heard since then. Even though he has raised a few complaints to the umpire. As well as whacking a tennis racket one time after Kyrgios narrowly fell short in the 1st stage.

Kyrgios was almost of the cusp of being flushed away against Humbert in the 1st match point 3-5. With Humbert have two set wins in Stages 1 & 3. But Kyrgios denied not one but both attempts to still be in the game. So he can take it towards a decider in the 5th & final stage. Having taken the late Stage 4 lead off Humbert 6-5. Before the Frenchman bounced back a point 6-6 that leads to a tiebreaker.

Both men shared the lead 1-1 apiece in a race that will go on towards Stage 5 for Kyrgios. Or else have it wrapped up early with Humbert in the box seat. Kyrgios have the upper hand 5-1. Where Humbert needed to find new ideas now to get himself back in the mix. And reach the home stretch by the easiest of margins. But Kyrgios just edged Humbert for the fourth stage win 7-6. As this game is not over yet going into the fifth and final stage.

Kyrgios and Humbert dueled each other out side by side in a race towards the final stage win. Kyrgios have a much better conversion tools to move around this time 3-1. Where Humbert did not give up a fight by beginning to bounce back. While Kyrgios reached the 5th point that is just one away from winning the 5th stage & overall win.

Humbert may have denied Kyrgios his first match point attempt at 3-5. But Kyrgios ended up unscathed in the end. After a first set loss & whacked the racket. As well as a few verbal fights with the chair umpire. Almost got sinked by Humbert out of the Australian Open Tournament during Stage 1. And within one hour Kyrgios came back out of nowhere. Before Kyrgios came home first as the winner.

The final score at John Cain Arena is 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 with the 7-6 tiebreaker & 6-4. Where this game was completed just over the three hour mark. Nick will meet Dominic Thiem from Austria in the third round on Friday. While praises to Ugo Humbert with the foundations built. Having held and tracked down Kyrgios on most occasions. But he just unable to hold on until the end. Even when the Frenchman missed his match point chance in the first place.

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2021 Australian Open News, Section 8 of Round 1 Match: Tennys Sandgren v Alex De Minaur

by Sports Benches

It has been a very close first stage battle right here at John Cain Arena. With American Tennys Sandgren side by side against Australian Alex De Minaur. Both men each won a point as they move up on the same page. Including just past the initial halfway point.

They just could not stop battling with oozes of energy approaching towards the end of Stage 1. With 55 minutes in section 8, first round tie of the 2021 Australian Open. But only one of them will have the early lead rather than shared with each other. Where De Minaur went up 6-5. Before the Australian No.1/overall World No.21 shuts down Sandgreen in a very close margin after the 1st set 7-5.

But Stage 2 changed its pace where De Minaur dominated this mini battle easily. Sandgreen might have registered a point lead earlier on with a fire off during the next run. The American just unable to keep up the momentum he fired back to De Minaur from the previous stage. De Minaur climbed up way ahead to pull further away from Sandgren 6-1. With little time to catch up in the end from Tennys.

And De Minaur went on to wrap up this game with three straight points win against Sandgren. Where Sandgren always have the base to give his opponent some beef. In which does benefit the plalyer himself. But unable to provide the conversions/executions needed to fight De Minaur all the way until the very end. As De Minaur found a very easy 2nd half to advance in Round 2. He will meet Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay who beat Andreas Seppi 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. The final score is done just under two hours of 7-5, 6-1, 6-1.

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