AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Melbourne

Third day at the Australian Open and the struggle is real for the Americans. Ryan Harrison gave the American fans something to cheer about as the only singles player to advance on day three down under.

AMERICANS THAT WON

Ryan Harrison def. [31] Pablo Cuevas: 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-4. Coming close to winning a title in Australia at the beginning of the season, the Brisbane International, is doing wonders for Harrison’s confidence. Keep it going Ryan!

[6] Bryan/Bryan def. Fucsovics/Nishioka: 5-7, 7-5, 6-1.

Johnson/Querrey def. Dodig/Verdasco: 6-4, 6-3.

 

AMERICAN LOSSES

Mackenzie McDonald lost a heart breaking five-setter to [3] Grigor Dimitrov. Although he did not win, he can take some comfort from the knowledge that he pushed the number three ranked player on the ATP World Tour to a thrilling five-setter and even managed to gift him a bagel in the fourth set. Dimitrov won 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 0-6, 8-6.

Nicole Gibbs lost to [30] Kiki Bertens: 6-7(3), 0-6.

Tiafoe/Young lost to [5] Murray/Soares: 7-5, 4-6, 4-6.

 

SEEDS THAT FELL DOWN UNDER

[12] Julia Goerges lost to the always dangerous Alize Cornet: 4-6, 3-6.

[15] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova lost to Kateryna Bondarenko (returning mother): 2-6, 3-6.

[22] Daria Kasatkina lost to Magda Linette:6-7(4), 2-6.

[23] Daria Gavrilova lost to Elise Mertens: 5-7, 3-6.

 

SPECIAL MENTION: [1] Rafael Nadal got by a very dangerous opponent, Leonardo Mayer.  Serving to take the match 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, Nadal encountered a determined last-ditch effort from the Argentine and was broken. Although Mayer pushed him to a tiebreak, the Spaniard was equally determined not to lose a set and won the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4).

 

SOURCE OF IMAGE: serveandrally original (Rafael Nadal)