Australian Open—Melbourne, Australia
Friday’s action at the Australian Open saw world No. 1 Iga Swiatek continue her dominant form by losing only one game in reaching the fourth round. Defeating Cristina Bucsa 6-0, 6-1, Swiatek will next face reigning Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina for a place in the quarterfinals.
Elsewhere, (3) Jessica Pegula, (7) Coco Gauff, (17) Jelena Ostapenko and two-time former winner (24) Victoria Azarenka all advanced to the round of 16.
No. 6 Maria Sakkari was defeated by Lin Zhu, 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-3.
On the men’s side, up-and-coming American Sebastian Korda ousted last year’s finalist (7) Daniil Medvedev 7-6(7), 6-3, 7-6(4). Using his poise and effortless groundstroke game to great effect, Korda struck three aces, won 72 percent of his first serve points and hit 50 winners in total. The 22-year-old will next face (10) Hubert Hurkacz for a place in the quarterfinals.
Other men’s winners on the day included: (3) Stefanos Tsitsipas, (6) Felix Auger-Aliassime, (15) Jannik Sinner, (18) Karen Khachanov, (31) Yoshihito Nishioka. No. 11 seed Cameron Norrie, (16) Frances Tiafoe and (20) Denis Shapovalov were all ousted.
Saturday’s action in Melbourne will be highlighted by No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic taking on No. 27 seed Grigor Dimitrov and No. 5 seed Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 26 seed Elise Mertens.
Third-round results:
(3) Stefanos Tsitsipas Defeats Tallon Griekspoor 62 76(5) 63
(6) Felix Auger-Aliassime Defeats (28) Francisco Cerundolo 61 36 61 64
(29) Sebastian Korda Defeats (7) Daniil Medvedev 76(7) 63 76(4)
(10) Hubert Hurkacz Defeats (20) Denis Shapovalov 76(3) 64 16 46 63
Jiri Lehecka Defeats (11) Cameron Norrie 67(8) 63 36 61 64
(15) Jannik Sinner Defeats Marton Fucsovics 46 46 61 62 60
(18) Karen Khachanov Defeats (16) Frances Tiafoe 63 64 36 76(90
(31) Yoshihito Nishioka Defeats Mackenzie McDonald 76(6) 63 62
