Novak Djokovic circumvented a tricky opposition in Fernando Verdasco with relative ease in the first round. (Source: Reuters)
With Day 1 proving to be a tough one for the big names such as Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Angelique Kerber and Kei Nishikori, and Simona Halep crashing out, Day 2 might be another hot and steamy affair in Melbourne as more champions take centre stage.
However, Day 2 didn’t turn out to be as much of a challenge for the big guns as the day prior. There were no five-setters or long battles for the top guns. Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal all progressed in straight sets beating rather tricky first rounds against Belinda Bencic, Fernando Verdasco and Florian Mayer respectively. There was no trouble for Milos Raonic and Agnieszka Radwanska either with the latter stretching to third but still coming out victorious. Ivo Karlovic was taken to over five hours but won the fifth set 22-20.
KEY RESULTS (Will be updated through the course of Day 2):
Men’s Singles
Milos Raonic def. Dustin Brown 6-3, 6-4, 6-2; Alexander Zverev def. Robin Haase 6-2, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2; Gilles Simon def. Michael Mmoh 6-1, 6-3, 6-3; Philipp Kohlschreiber def. Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4; Rafa Nadal def. Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-4, 6-4; David Goffin def. Reilly Opelka 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4; David Ferrer def. Omar Jasika 6-3, 6-0, 6-2; Dominic Thiem def. Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3; Gael Monfils def. Jiri Vesely 6-2, 6-3, 6-2; Roberto Bautista Agut def. Guido Pella 6-3, 6-1, 6-1; Richard Gasquet def. Blake Mott 6-4, 6-4, 6-2; Alexander Dolgopolov def. Borna Coric 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6; Fabio Fognini def. Feliciano Lopez 7-6, 6-3, 7-5; Benoit Paire def. Tommy Haas 6-4, 7-6 (retd.); Novak Djokovic def. Fernando Verdasco 6-1, 7-6, 6-2
Women’s Singles
Karolina Pliskova def. Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2, 6-0; Serena Williams def. Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-3; Jo Konta def. Kirsten Flipkens 7-5, 6-2; Caroline Garcia def. Kateryna Bondarenko 7-6, 6-4; Elena Vesnina def. Ana Bogdan 7-5, 6-2; Dominika Cibulkova def. Denisa Allertova 7-5, 6-2; Heather Watson def. Sam Stosur 6-3, 3-6, 6-0; Caroline Wozniacki def. Arina Rodionova 6-1, 6-2; Agnieszka Radwanska def. Tsvetana Pironkova 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.
expressguest
January 17, 20176:19 pm
Agnieszka Radwanska is into the second round with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 win over Tsvetana Pironkova. Inconsistent second set for Radwanska but overall, a good game between the two.
expressguest
January 17, 20175:40 pm
Pironkova continues to dominate the second set as she is 5-3 up against Radwanska. While Daria Gavrilova leads third set 3-2 against Naomi Broady.
expressguest
January 17, 20175:28 pm
Pironkova to serve with a 3-2 lead over Radwanska in the second set. But the polish equals this one with a powerful back hand return.
expressguest
January 17, 20175:02 pm
Radwanska with a deep forehand approach and Pironkova moves to his right but can’t get the ball back. It lands into the net and the polish wins the first set 6-1. She will begin the second set by serving first.
expressguest
January 17, 20174:51 pm
With five games over, Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska leads 4-1 over Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria. Radwanska to serve for the sixth game.
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20174:41 pm
After five hours and 13 minutes, Ivo Karlovic has two match point chances against Horacio Zeballos and one goes begging. The next one is taken and Karlovic wins 6-7, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 22-20! 157 minutes just for that final set!
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20174:19 pm
A much easier and better third set for Novak Djokovic and he’s into the second round with a 6-1, 7-6, 6-2 win over Fernando Verdasco. Not the banana skin many were expecting it to be. Inconsistent second set but overall, Verdasco didn’t play a great match.
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20173:30 pm
Verdasco sends slice long and Djokovic has a set point. Serves out wide on Verdasco’s backhand and the Spaniard nets it. Djokovic is two sets up with four straight points in the tiebreak
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20173:24 pm
RESULT: Fabio Fognini converts his eighth match point to beat No. 28 seed Feliciano Lopez 7-6, 6-3, 7-5
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20173:23 pm
Novak Djokovic and Fernando Verdasco are into the second set tiebreak. Djokovic has a minibreak to start things off. And serves his own to lead 3-0
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20173:17 pm
SCORE UPDATES: Barbora Strycova wins first set 6-3 against Elizaveta Kulichkova; Denis Istomin is two sets up against Ivan Dodig 6-1, 6-4. Meanwhile, number 28 seed Feliciano Lopez is on the brink of an exit. Fabio Fognini is up 7-6, 6-3 and 6-5 in the third set
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20173:13 pm
Over on Margaret Court Arena, Grigor Dimitrov is comfortably two sets up against Australian Christopher O’Connell 7-6, 6-3
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20173:12 pm
5-5 in the second set between Novak Djokovic and Fernando Verdasco. Sense of discomfort in both players’ game at the moment. 19 unforced errors for Verdasco and 17 for Djokovic in this set
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:59 pm
Eyes back on Rod Laver Arena where it has been an inconsistent performance by Novak Djokovic in the second set after that blitzy start. 4-4 in second after four breaks of serve – two for either player
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:57 pm
Ivo Karlovic has smacked his 52nd ace against Horacio Zeballos which is a new Australian Open record! He leads the Argentinian 7-6 in the fifth set
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:49 pm
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:35 pm
UPDATE: Sixth seed Gael Monfils is through to the second round with a straight sets win over Jiri Vesely. Wins 6-2, 6-3, 6-2
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:32 pm
Djokovic has a chance to break back immediately. Three break point chances. Inconsistent play by both and Verdasco looks absolutely incensed with his forehand. A mishit hands Djokovic the break back. He is bumbling to himself as he sits down while gesturing to his box
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:29 pm
Two break point chances for Verdasco as he holds serve to open the second set. Djokovic saves first as Verdasco sends forehand wide. Another chance still. Verdasco runs around to return on his forehand and Djokovic replies with a backhand that is well long. BREAK! Verdasco is 2-0 up in the second set
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:22 pm
Scores from around Australian Open: Gael Monfils is up two sets against Jiri Vesely 6-2, 6-3 and in the women’s department Timea Bacsinszky has beaten Camila Giorgi 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:19 pm
Djokovic serving for the first set: A good serve followed by a double fault and we’re on to 15-15. Verdasco nets a forehand and his error count has been rising. 30-15 to the World No 2. And he sends a backhand long. Some rustiness after that early near-perfection. 30-30. Another set point for Djokovic – the third – as Verdasco sends his shot long. Djokovic goes for a drop shot but Verdasco is swift on his feet and runs on for a simple forehand winner. Deuce. Verdasco follows that up with a slice backhand that goes long. Set point number 4 for Djokovic. Lovely play from both before Djokovic volleys into open court and wins the first set 6-1
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:13 pm
Set point for Djokovic but Verdasco saves it with a big serve and Novak sends it long. On to Deuce. The Spaniard looks hapless out there as he sends a routine forehand wide. Another set point for Novak. Verdasco produces an angled serve out wide and Novak can’t return. Deuce. Another good serve and Verdasco has a chance to open his account. And he does as Djokovic nets forehand. Huge cheer from the crowd.
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:09 pm
Over on Hisense Arena, fellow Spaniard David Ferrer has fared much better. He beats Aussie Omar Jasika 6-3, 6-0, 6-2. In another contest earlier, young Borna Coric extended Alexander Dolgopolov to four sets but couldn’t get a win as he goes down to 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:07 pm
Verdasco pushes Djokovic on his serve but can’t do enough to eke out a break or open his account. Novak holds and is 5-0 up now in the first set
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20172:02 pm
Verdasco sends a forehand wide and Djokovic has a break point opportunity. And he duly takes it by moving Verdasco around the court and then a deep backhand return forces the Spaniard into an error. The Serb is now 4-0 up with two breaks into the bag. Talk about example of intent right from the word go!
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20171:59 pm
Novak Djokovic has already moved on to a 3-0 lead. He’s up a break, in pulsating form, serving beautifully and consistently. It has only been 11 minutes into this contest and Djokovic is hitting forehand winners on Verdasco’s serve
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20171:50 pm
Now on court for the evening session are Novak Djokovic and Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco took out Rafa Nadal in last year’s Australian Open first round. Can he do it again to another top player? Djokovic dropped his World No 1 tag at the end of 2016 but has started this year well – by beating Andy Murray in the Doha final
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201712:53 pm
Dominic Thiem has recovered after dropping the first set to send out big-hitting German Jan-Lennard Struff. He will next face the winner of Aussie Jordan Thompson and Portugal’s Joao Sousa
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201712:23 pm
Gilles Muller, who won in Sydney for his very first ATP title, (my how long did that take!) follows it up with a straight sets win over Taylor Fritz of USA. Up next for Muller (and for linesmen to keep an eye out for) is Raonic. Let the big serving begin!
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201712:20 pm
Caroline Wozniacki saves four break points in the final game but comes through to win 6-1, 6-2 against Arina Rodionova. Two Aussies out within the hour!
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201712:19 pm
Looks like Coric is still not fully fit and the form is showing signs of that. He lost in the first round of the Chennai Open and now he’s two sets down to Alexander Dolgopolov 3-6, 4-6
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201712:11 pm
Rodionova nets her stretched backhand attempt and Wozniacki will serve for the match when the players resume at 5-2 in the second set
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201711:58 am
Heather Watson has blanked Sam Stosur in the deciding set to move into the second round with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 win. Good day for the Brits – Konta, Edmund and Watson all going through
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201711:55 am
Over on Court 7, Chennai Open winner Roberto Bautista Agut wins his first round against Guido Pella 6-3, 6-1, 6-1
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201711:41 am
Caroline Wozniacki has taken the first set 6-1 against Arina Rodionova. She’s facing first in the second set
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201711:21 am
Meanwhile on Margaret Court Arena, Heather Watson is 3-0 up in the deciding set against Aussie veteran Sam Stosur
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201711:19 am
Underway on the Hisense Arena: Former World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki against Aussie Arina Rodionova. The Dane already a break up, 2-0 in the first set
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201711:12 am
British update: Kyle Edmund has beaten Santiago Giraldo 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 while Heather Watson is going into the third as Sam Stosur takes the second set 6-3. The Brit took the first by a 6-3 margin too.
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201711:05 am
Nadal to Jim Courier (on court interview): Happy to have an interview with you, last year I didn’t get the chance. Happy to be on this amazing court. Unbelievable start to the year in Brisbane, Sydney and now Melbourne.
I have been practicising quite a lot. This year a lot more than usual. I was able to work on many things in Mallorca. A good first round for me – Mayer is not the typical player, changes things around. It’s great to be playing.
The body is good. Because of all the problems in 2016, but that’s all in the past.
Moya isn’t a change but an addition to the team. He’s a great friend of mine. Have practiced a lot with him over the years. He’s on the bench supporting me, working with the team and provides support to the rest of the team.
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201711:00 am
Nadal serving for a place in the second round: Serve into the body Rafa and it is 15-15 at 5-4 in the third set. An error by Mayer and Nadal is 30-15 up. Mayer slides to send a forehand back but it hits the top of the net and gives Nadal two match points. Rafa closes it out with a forehand winner and is through to the second round with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Florian Mayer
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201710:57 am
Retirements from two courts: Mikhail Youzhny and Peter Polansky allowing Marcos Baghdatis and Pablo Carreno to move into the second round.
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201710:55 am
Nadal with a deep forehand approach and Mayer moves to his right but can’t get the ball back. It lands into the net and Nadal is one game from the second round
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201710:53 am
2014 finalist Dominika Cibulkova has beaten Denisa Allertova 7-5, 6-2 on the Hisense Arena. Will meet Hsieh in the next round
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201710:38 am
Reilly Opelka gives a tough fight but number 11 seed David Goffin pulls it out, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 201710:20 am
Nadal forces Mayer into an error and he takes the second set 6-4 with three chances to his name. He’s up two sets to the good
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20179:41 am
We have the schedule for Day 3 at the Australian Open:
Rod Laver Arena
Voegele vs Venus
Kerber vs Witthoeft
Rubin vs Federer
NIGHT
Crawford vs Murguruza
Murray vs Rublev
Margaret Court Arena
DAY
Svitolina vs Boserup
Fourlis vs Kuznetsova
Wawrinka vs Johnson
NIGHT
Rogers vs Barty
Tomic v E.Burgos
Hisense Arena
Chardy vs Nishikori
Jankovic vs Goerges
Peng vs Bouchard
Not before 6pm
Seppi vs Kyrgios
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20179:34 am
Mayer sends his backhand wide as he goes for another jumping shot. That brings up another set point for Nadal – fifth chance. And he closes it out with an ace that smacks the line and Nadal wins the first 6-3 in 38 minutes
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20179:32 am
Mayer with a terrible volley to send it straight back at Nadal in one corner and the Spaniard has no trouble dispatching it for a winner. Three set points for Nadal. Mayer saves two with good angled serves on Rafa’s forehand. 30-40. Another good serve, this time on Nadal’s backhand, and it is deuce. Three set points saved. Nadal goes around to play a forehand but hits the net. Game point for Mayer. The German goes for a serve-and-volley approach but his volley is wayward. Back to deuce. Nadal goes around, gets his body into position and spanks a massive forehand winner cross court. Another set point for the Mallorcan. Mayer saves it with a sweetly struck jump backhand winner that kisses the line before bumping the board behind. Back to deuce. Rafa sends two backhands long and Mayer holds after saving four set points. 5-3 in the opening set and Nadal will serve for it
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20179:14 am
On Rod Laver Arena, Mayer sends his forehand long and Nadal has the break of serve in the first set. The Spaniard is 3-1 up
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20179:11 am
Number 3 seed Milos Raonic is through to the second round. After an hour and 32 minutes on court, he beats Dustin Brown 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Good, deep serve and Brown nets his return.
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20179:01 am
Rafa Nadal is on court and he takes on Germany’s Florian Mayer. Rafa took a break post the US Open to recover from his injury. In 2017, he’s played in Abu Dhabi before hopping over to Brisbane where he lost in the quarters to Milos Raonic. Starts by holding serve on Rod Laver Arena
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20178:44 am
And on Margaret Court Arena, number 3 seed Milos Raonic is up two sets to Dustin Brown. The Canadian won the first two 6-3, 6-4. Can’t recall where you’ve heard of Brown? He’s the guy who beat Nadal with his superb theatrics, serve and volley effort at 2015 Wimbledon.
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20178:40 am
Alexander Zverev serves a double fault on his first match point but no problem on the second one as the German is through to the second round for the first time at Australian Open. He wins it 6-2, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 over Robin Haase
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20178:39 am
Serena in the on-court interview: I knew I had to be really strong. Right now I have nothing to lose. I get to travel the world and do what I do best. Bencic is such a great player, it was probably one of the toughest first round matches I’ve ever played
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20178:31 am
On 15-30, Bencic sends her backhand long and there’s a huge C’mon from Serena. A very important point that and it is now 30-30. Six-time champion Serena with a huge backhand and Bencic can’t send it back. Match point for Serena. And, there’s a double fault – second of the game. Deuce. Poor from Bencic there as she nets a backhand after getting into the rally from a strong serve. Second match point. And no hesitations this time with Serena closing it out with a drive volley and an error from Bencic. Serena is through to the second round with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Belinda Bencic.
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20178:25 am
And another match in focus surrounds Serena Williams, watched on by her fiancee in the crowd, against Belinda Bencic. Serena won the first set 6-4 and had raced off to a 5-0 lead in the second before the Swiss would hold, break the American and hold again to claw back to make it 5-3.
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20178:24 am
On the Hisense Arena, Alexander Zverev has been pushed into the fifth set. He took the first over Robin Haase but dropped the next two before winning the fourth. Into the deciding set where the German is off to a 4-0 lead
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20178:23 am
COMPLETED MATCHES: No problems for US Open finalist Pliskova in her first round. She is up and running 6-2, 6-0 vs Tormo. And no concerns for Britain’s Jo Konta either. Lucie Safarova would save NINE MATCH POINTS on her way to a first round win over Yanina Wickmayer. On the men’s side of things, straight sets win for Gilles Simon. Only seed to fall thus far on Day 2 has been number 25 seed Timea Babos losing to Nicole Gibbs
Tanuj Lakhina
January 17, 20178:19 am
Day 1 had lots of top guns being pushed with Cilic, Nishikori, Wawrinka all taken to five sets. Federer dropped a set on his return. Kerber dropped a set on her way as well. But there was no bigger surprise than Simona Halep’s straight sets loss to open the Grand Slam event. She would later complain of knee troubles – as was visible during the course of her match. Will Day 2 have the same troubles in store for the top players? We’ll find out!
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