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2022 French Open: Novak Djokovic advances into the 3rd Round with a straight sets win v Alex Molcan

by Sports Benches

It was an easy start by Novak Djokovic while Slovakian Alex Molcan began to make up some lost time after he was beaten easily in the opening set. However, Molcan’s late fightback in the 3rd set wasn’t enough to save his French Open campaign, as Djokovic closed out this Round 2 tie in straight sets with the win; 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 via 7-4 tiebreaker.

Congratulations to Djokovic who is through to Round 3 tomorrow against Aljaz Bedene from Slovenia. He was simply outstanding for the majority during these two opening sets. Although he had to overcome a competitive duel in the third while Molcan tried to keep this game alive, but Djokovic used the lifeline well going into the tiebreak and capped off in style with the win. Brilliant response there to hold back his opponent in a couple of areas that helped Novak being prepared to fight hard & show grand slam quality on the court.

Meanwhile, Moclan played some brilliant shots that earned him a few games, especially when he tried to stay in this fight which went all the way through the tiebreak in the 3rd set. But a poor opening set spell alongside a couple of gaps with his inconsistency just couldn’t him challenge the elite stature of Djokovic in the end. He came off a great run recently in the ATP Tour despite a couple of runner-up losses so far in 2022. But there’s still room for improvement though at age 24 where his best grand slam appearance was the US Open 3rd Round last year, as well as being the 38th ranked singles’ player right now.

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Tennis News, Miomir Kecmanovic advances into Round 4 for the first time of 2022 Australian Open after he upsetted 25th seed Lorenzo Sonego from Italy

by Sports Benches

Hats off to Miomir Kecmanovic from Serbia, who just eliminated 25th seed Italian Lorenzo Sonego, as he advances into the 4th Round of the 2022 Australian Open which will be his first time & face either Frenchman Gael Monfils or Cristian Garin from Chile.

Final Score: 6-4, 6-7 via 8-10 tiebreaker, 6-2, 7-5

Unlucky from Sonego with the loss there, he had to fight back during these tough battles against Kecmanovic when the Italian tied 1-1 via the tiebreak. However, Sonego lost his shape having fallen behind for the majority where he had a few missed opportunities to execute & get ahead of Kecmanovic before it was too late.

And Kecmanovic had a ball against one of the Top 25 seeds in this year’s Australian Open draw, the Serbian fired off well that gave him the upper hand after the opening set. Although he narrowly lost the 2nd set spell via a close battle through the tiebreak, but Kecmanovic is class all-round with a super easy 3rd set followed by the 4th set which was enough to confirm his breakthrough win.

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Tennis Australia News, 2021 Australian Open Men’s Singles Final: Novak Djokovic v Daniil Medvedev

by Sports Benches

Novak Djokovic fired off with an easy serve where he first built a 1st half lead 3-0. Daniil Medvedev began to fight back with the next run 3-1. After he fell behind as soon as the game started. The momentum has swapped places this time when Medvedev another point. While Djokovic struggled with the feel that began to miss valuable points.

Medvedev managed to catch up a slow start to tie with Djokovic 3-3 for the stage 1 lead. It has been a hard fought battle between the two finalists. Djokovic nearly reached the 1st set win at the first attempt 5-4. But Medvedev is not done yet with the continued resurgence in this half 5-5. Before Djokovic just closed Medvedev out for the Stage 1 win 7-5. There is some fightback from the Russian to try and save this game. But not enough though.

Both players bounced back and forth with a great battle as Djokovic won the 1st half of Stage 2. With Medvedev struggled again to push on his early start as it was from the 1st set. Before the Serbian able to bridge a productive 2nd half play. As Djokovic wins Stage 2 6-2.

Medvedev unable to find the middle ground to get himself ahead of Djokovic. Where his 1st & 2nd half runs are lopsided throughout this stage. He even felt frustrated in agony by whacking his racket. The Russian is 2-0 down for the overall lead. With Medvedev needed to find a corner somewhere to keep himself in contention. Or else it could be game over as Djokovic is one stage away from the title.

1 1/2 hours into this game Djokovic continued to extend his lead ahead of Medvedev 3-0. Again another productive next half of play from the Serbian. With three points needed to reach the finish line first. Medvedev began to fight back once more for lost time. As the Russian wanted to win Stage 3 badly for the game to continue.

The 2nd half momentum began to finally put the puzzles together by Medvedev. When he gained two points as of late in Stage 3 off Djokovic. But the Serbian however is already miles ahead 5-2. With just one point away from the title. Before he pulled off in the end via the championship point immunity that sealed his ultimate prize.

The Final score was done in one hour and 53 minutes at 7-5, 6-2, 6-2.

Commiserations from the 4th seed in Daniil Medvedev. He may have started off somewhat behind Novak. His 2nd half runs began to work and almost derailed the opposition’s progress for the 1st set win. The same goes for a little bit during the 3rd set having lost the 1st half of play 3-0. But Medvedev unfortunately rushed without the foundations set by Djokovic. And it really frustrated him for the whole night. He had a great run though before the big final. Not the night he wanted to settle 2nd but we wish Daniil the best of luck.

And congratulations to Novak Djokovic with the big win tonight at Rod Laver Arena. He got the foundations right to build a healthy lead. It was there when Novak won the 1st half of play very easily 3-0. Before he was able to bridge a balanced productive run for the whole night in the office. That reflects his natural game as a top quality player. Even so in the elite group of grand slam champions.

Novak Djokovic is your winner in the Men’s Singles Final.

It has been two weeks of Australian Open Tennis from Melbourne Park. We cannot wait for 2022.

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Tennis Australia News, 2021 Australian Open 1st Semi-Final Men’s Singles Game: Novak Djokovic v Aslan Karatsev

by Sports Benches

It’s been a competitive semi-final meeting so far for Novak Djokovic & Aslan Karatsev. When these guys fired off side by side. Having won a few points each towards the initial halfway mark. But Karatsev stalled however with a lack of feel in the next run. While Djokovic dominant at the same time as his decline. As the Serbian wins Stage 1 6-3.

Nothing much changed for a while when Djokovic still dominant to keep himself distanced away from Karatsev. He was just narrowly ahead of the Russian 2-1. Before he was almost close to win Stage 2 easily at the 1st attempt. But Karatsev did not give up though with the fightback. When he almost denied Djokovic his possible 2nd stage win altogether. Despite some great courage in return. He was still so short in the end by Djokovic for the Stage 2 win 6-4. Aslan Karatsev needs to balance consistency if he was to win the 3rd stage. As well as Stages 4 & 5 for a harder route for the Final.

Djokovic grabbed the early headstart 2-0 to begin the 3rd stage of play. But Karatsev halted his progress with two points to tie the lead before the Serbian reached the halfway line first 3-2. Before Djokovic bridged a decent next run. Where he able to find the sweet spot & execute his finishing well in the end. Novak Djokovic is now a finalist of the 2021 Australian Open. After this win in straight sets.

The final score was done in one hour and 53 minutes: 6-3, 6-4 & 6-2.

It may not be the night Karatsev unable to continue his fairytale run out of nowhere. He already has the foundations to build each set in which pressured Djokovic on occasions. Not bad at all in the 1st half run. But a lack of 2nd half executions ultimately cost him the game in the end. Bugger not to see Karatsev make it. We wish him good luck.

And well played on Djokovic tonight where he was so good to clean Karatsev out in straight sets. His 2nd half runs was the strongest where he executed so well. And closed out Karastev on each portions. Mainly the 1st and 3rd ones are easier. After he always fired off side by side with Karastev. The 2nd set was the hardest he can overcome though. But he is now here as a finalist. He will either face either Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas this Sunday.

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Tennis Australia News, 2021 Australian Open 1st Quarter Final Men’s Singles Game: Novak Djokovic v Alexander Zverev

by Sports Benches

Alexander Zverev fired off to a great start ahead of Novak Djokovic. With a healthy lead 5-3. Although Novak fired back to catch up during the 2nd half run of play.

The first stage portion went into a tiebreaker. Despite the stalled progress there from Zverev. He won this mini overtime 8-6 to close Novak out with the 1st set. As the German leads here 1-0.

But Novak able to from the 2nd half of Stage 1. When the Serbian pulled off an easy start to touch the halfway mark 1st 3-0. Before it was too easy to tie with Zverev for the overall lead 1-1. As Djokovic takes out the Stage 2 win 6-2. With both men trying to vie for the semi-final spot.

Stage 3 saw Zverev jump back ahead of Novak with the lead. At least in the 1st half. And despite frustration from Novak with whacking his tennis racket. The Serbian bounced back out of nowhere having tied 4-4. Before the World No.1 pipped Zverev for the Stage 3 win 6-4.

Novak still lacking the feel as always in the 1st run. When Zverev at the same time was out in front 3-0. With just another stage win needed from the German to stay alive. He almost sinked Novak at 6-5.

But Novak held him short 6-6 going into a mini overtime. With one way or another we will really know who will end up winning this game. Both players gone through each of these tough duels 6-6. Before Novak closed Zverev out for the Stage 4 win 8-6 in the tiebreaker. Which means Novak won three stages throughout the night. As he will face Aslan Karastev from Russia in the semi-final. The final score is 6-7 (6-8 tie), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6 tie).

Zverev unfortunately came up short in the end. Always shown great ability to fire off each set. So he can try and stay away from Novak. But mightily struggled to bridge these conversions. Where it was the one area that left him down last night.

Djokovic on the other hand might have experienced some slow fire offs. Having fell behind Zverev at least during the 1st half portion. Even at one time he whacked his tennis racket in such agony. But Novak always catches up. Where he always consistent in each of the 2nd half. Before he blew Zverev by the closest of margins.

Brilliant match played by these two superstars. But Novak is the overall winner though. Roll on Day 10 of the Australian Open.

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Tennis Australia News, 2021 Australian Open Section 6 R3 Men’s Singles Game: Filip Krajinovic v Daniil Medvedev

by Sports Benches

It was an easy start from Daniil Medvedev who rolled off ahead of Filip Krajinovic. The 4th seed from Russia touched the halfway point first 3-1. Although, Krajinovic began to climb from scratch on his end. But was beaten to the punch for the Stage 1 win by Medvedev 3-6. As we are about 30 minutes in of this game at Rod Laver Arena.

The start of Stage 2 in the early portions was tight going side by side. But Medvedev once again able to find the middle ground with a narrow lead 3-1. Before the Russian bridged his 2nd half run for the Stage 2 win 6-3. Having overcame a late challenge duel against Krajinovic. Just two stage wins earned within one hour & 5 mins.

Krajinovic began to make up lost time from a dissapointed first two stages. Where he fired off this time than before with a halfway lead 3-2. Medvedev began bounce back to tie 4-4 after being behind a while ago in the 3rd stage. Before Krajinovic denied Medvedev a straight set sets win route with a stage win himself 6-4. The game goes on past the two hour mark into the 4th stage. Krajinovic would want another straight mini win towards a 5th stage showdown. And come out of nowhere 3-2 like Dominic Thiem did to Nick Kyrgios last night. While Medvedev still needs one more stage win to advance in Round 4.

The 28th seed from Serbia kept the consistency up in the 1st half of Stage 4 3-1. Where Medvedev still finding ways to connect his strong first two stage runs. With a lack of feel against the Krajinovic as of late. And nothing much changed despite a late point registered from the 4th seed 2-5. With Krajinovic takes out stage 4 as well as the 2nd straight mini win. As the game will go into the 5th & final set.

Daniil Medvedev this time found a way to forget his poor 3rd & 4th stage runs. When he pulled off a comfortable early lead away from Krajinovic 3-0. He has never won a 5th set throughout his career before as heard by Jim Courier. Forunately for Medvedev he won the 5th stage for the first time 6-0. As he clean bowled Filip Krajinovic to advance in Round 4. The final score is 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 & 0-6. His next opponent will be Mackenzie McDonald from the United States.

And on Krajinovic he did not have the best 2nd half performances in the first two stages. Where the 28th seed from Serbia found a way to deny Medvedev a straight sets win at the first attempt. Before Krajinovic began to turn his form around that led to the fifth & final stage. But just fell short by only six points in the end. Great to see some courage to help himself stay in the game though. We will wish Krajinovic the best of luck when he returns in Melbourne next year.

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