AUSTRALIAN OPEN

MATCH OF THE DAY: [CR52] Monica Puig (PUR) vs. [CR114] Kristyna Pliskova (CZE)

Puig showed her resolve when she fought off the determined attack of Pliskova.  It was the match of the day because both players gave everything they had to win and in the end it came down to the recent experience of Puig that gave her the confidence to keep fighting in the face of the brilliant serving from Pliskova. Although she served 31 aces, it was not enough to give her the victory. Pliskova was not as confident and it showed on her forehand side, which repeatedly broke down under pressure.  As with matches like this, it’s unfortunate that one had to lose because there was no doubt that they both fought to win and the total points won tells you that it could not have been any closer, 115:115. Puig survived the marathon and came away victorious 4-6, 7-6(6), 9-7; however, for her reward, she gets the red-hot [4] Agnieszka Radwanska next.

 

 

SEEDS THAT SAID GOODBYE ON DAY 3

[6] Petra Kvitova (CZE) was upset by Daria Gavrilova (AUS)….4-6, 4-6

[23] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) lost to Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR)….1-6, 5-7

 

 AMERICANS LEFT STANDING AT THE END OF THE DAY

[1] Serena Williams def. Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) 6-1, 6-2

Lauren Davis def. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 7-6(7), RET

 

UPCOMING MATCHES TO WATCH

Sam Groth (AUS) vs. [2] Andy Murray (GBR) – third match on Rod Laver Arena

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs. [8] David Ferrer (ESP) – will Ferrer stop Hewitt in the second round of his final tournament?

Naomi Osaka (JPN) vs. [18] Elina Svitolina UKR) – first match on Show Court #2

Lukas Rosol (CZE) vs. [25] Jack Sock (USA) – last match on Show Court #2

Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. Dudi Sela (ISR) – simply curiosity

Bryan Brothers (USA) vs. Chris Guccione & Andre Sa- second match on Court #7

Tim Smyczek (USA) vs. [21] Viktor Troicki (SRB) – third match on Court #8

Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) vs. [31] Steve Johnson (USA) – last match on Court #13