Andy Murray’s Run In Melbourne Is Over
Frankly, it is not a surprise. For the Brit to have had any chance of going deep in the draw, he needed some luck. Murray expended too much mental, emotional, and physical energy in the first round to have anything left for the second round. The problem with getting older and being deconditioned, is that the Australian conditions take a greater physical toll. Add to that the fact that his body has been repaired.
[120] Taro Daniel, the American born Japanese player, is the forgotten Japanese player. I have often wondered why he was not ranked higher. Daniel proves once again that thriving in the professional tennis arena requires more than game. He will gladly take this 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Murray. Can Taro Daniel build on this victory?
Embed from Getty ImagesGarbine Muguruza, Highest Seed To Fall
Perhaps it was not a shocker for two reasons: Alize Cornet has won their last two encounters and [3] Garbine Muguruza has not rediscovered her form since winning the WTA Finals in November. We know from past experience that the Spaniard struggles after she wins a big title. What is troubling is that she did not compete. The French player with a heavily bandaged thigh won easily 6-3, 6-3.
Other Seeded Players That Fell On Day 4
[6] Anett Kontaveit lost easily to the teenage Danish player, Clara Tauson. I am really impressed with this young player. Her quiet demeanor is deceptive for she is a fierce competitor. Tauson won 6-2, 6-4. [17] Emma Raducanu lost to Danka Kovinic in three sets. Although injured, she put up a fight, but Kovinic was equally determined. The Montenegrin won 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
[12] Elena Rybakina lost her match due to injury. She retired in the second set to Shuai Zhang. [12] Diego Schwartman fell in three sets to the Australian wildcard, Christopher O’Connell. It’s not a surprise that [26] Grigor Dimitrov lost; however, it was a surprise to see him losing to Benoit Paire. The often enigmatic Frenchman won 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(2).
Hailey Baptiste Lost Her Way In Round 2
Hailey Baptiste lost to the wildcard, Maddison Inglis. A bit surprised by this loss, but perhaps fatigue was the unanticipated variable in this match. It was critical for the American to win the first set. She mounted a mental comeback in the second set, but the body had nothing left in the third. Inglis won 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesAmericans Who Booked Their Spots In Round 3
It was a straight-sets victory, but it was not a straightforward victory. [20] Taylor Fritz defeated his friend, Frances Tiafoe, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(5). [27] Danielle Collins defeated Ana Konjuh 6-4, 6-3 and Maxime Cressy continues his winning ways down under.
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