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AO day two wrap - jubilation and disappointments

The mercury soared to 37 degrees on day two of the Australian Open, as around 62 thousand fans headed to Melbourne Park. And for the second consecutive day, it was a young Australian who stole the headlines at the Grand Slam. 22-year-old Australian Jordan Thompson defeated world number 21 and eighth seed David Ferrer, coming back from two sets down to claim the victory. Daria Gavrilova also added to the good news for the Aussies, defeating Briton Naomi Broady in three sets (3-6, 6-5, 7-5). Five Australian men and three women have won through to the second round.

2017 Australian Open - Day 2
Australian Jordan Thompson celebrates victory on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac

This overshadowed the disappointing performance by Sam Stosur who was defeated by Great Britain’s Heather Watson (6-3, 3-6, 6-0).

Day two also had former world number one Rafael Nadal breezing past Germany’s Florian Mayer in straight sets (6-3, 6-4, 6-4).

Number two seed Serena Williams defeated Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in straight sets (6-4 6-3). And defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic began his bid to win the grand slam back-to-back.  

The world number two defeated Spain’s Fernando Verdasco who he says was a tough opponent; Meanwhile, rising German star Alexander Zverev won his first match at Melbourne Park in five grueling sets against Dutchman Robin Haase (6-2, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2). But most of the drama was over on court 19, where an epic five-setter between Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic and Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos went for a record five hours and 15 minutes and finished with the Croat’s victory 22 games to 20.

Unfortunately, the disappointed Russian Mikhail Youzhny throwed in the towel against Marcos Baghdatis in the second set and has left the tournament. In an interview he  explained that  couldn't cope with a heat and also has expressed his disappointemtnt with the absence  of interest from the Russian sports media which did not  sent to Australia any journalist.

Daniil Medvedev couldn't overcome the barrier of the first round having conceded to American  Ernesto Escobar in four sets – 5:7, 6:4, 6:7, 1:6. And the former  juniors  star Elizaveta Kulichkova tripped over the 16th racket of a tournament Czech Barbora Strytsova and  lost in two sets – 3:6, 2:6. After the match Lisa was very upset by defeat

 

 


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By Erdem Koc, Sima Tsyskin, Andrej Bucko



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