GAME, SET AND MATCH

By: Aaron Xiong

Defending a Grand Slam title is never easy in the tennis world. You have tough competition every round these days and the pressure mounts as the tournament gets closer. For the second consecutive match, reigning champ Novak Djokovic played a thrilling match against a young American. In his third round, he faced off against Taylor Fritz in a 5 set epic.

After taking the first two sets with ease against the American, Djokovic looked poised to finish the match in straight sets. However, Fritz found a spark and kicked his game into second gear and took the third and fourth sets respectively. With a booming serve and forehand, the American was looking to make a comeback to take the fifth and deciding set.

Despite winning the third and fourth sets, Taylor Fritz’s energy had seemingly decreased as he loss the match in five excruciating sets. In a sport where you must be able to play for 4-5 hours at a time, being in shape and fit is super important and that’s what separates the top players from the field. Although Djokovic appeared to be injured, he was still able to pull out the win despite dropping the third and fourth sets. Djokovic finished with 15 aces to Fritz’s 24 and won 157 of the 312 total points played, winning the match [7-6(7-1), 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2]. In what was a narrow victory, Djokovic hopes to play his fourth round match despite a slight muscle tear.

Novak Djokovic after escaping Taylor Fritz

Other day 5 actions saw the Australian favorite Nick Kyrgios taking on world number 3 and 2020 Australian Open finalist, Dominic Thiem on John Cain Arena. Kyrigos who is known for his fiery and unpredictable behavior, seemed locked in and focused as he stepped onto the court. Locked and loaded, the Australian quickly broke the serve of the world number 3 and took the first set 6-4.

Thiem had seemingly looked out of rhythm as Kyrgios fed off of the Australian crowd’s energy and looked to be defeated before the match was even close to being over. Kyrgios dominated the second set as he did the first winning it six games to four as well. The difficult thing about men’s Grand Slam matches, is that the matches are best of 5 sets. Although Kyrgios had the momentum heading into the third set, Thiem found a second wind and pulled off a Houdini escape.

Nick Kyrgios and Dominic Thiem shaking hands after their third round match

The Austrian seemingly didn’t want to go away. He claimed the third and fourth sets 6-3 and 6-4 and was looking to make a successful comeback to head into the fourth round. Despite the crowd favoring Kyrgios, Thiem shut out the noise and pulled off the comeback in remarkable fashion. He took the deciding fifth set after breaking the Australian’s serve. With match point at 5-4 40-30, the rally for the match was breathtaking with Thiem finally winning the match with a backhand winner down line to pull off the comeback. Thiem won the match [4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4] and will face Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round.

Other matches on day 5 saw Serena Williams escape young Russian Anastasia Potapova in straight sets [7-6(7-5), 6-2]. 2019 champion Naomi Osaka also took to the court with a win over Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in straight sets [6-3, 6-2].

Day 6 action begins tonight around 7:15pm CST with world number 4 Daniil Medvedev playing on Rod Laver Arena against Serbia’s Fillip Krajinovic.

By: Aaron Xiong

Unlike many sports that involve the aid of teammates and coaches, the gladiator sport that is Tennis sees the ascend and decline of many professionals. Without the support of coaches on the court, the tennis court can seem like an island with no escape. However, if you can muster the strength and the will to keep fighting back, great things can happen.

With the Australia as the location of the first Grand Slam of the year, many Australians outside of the top 100 get wildcards into the tournament. Despite this, young Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis wasn’t given a wildcard and had to compete in the qualifying rounds to garner him a spot in the tournament. After winning his qualifying rounds, Thanasi was into the Australian Open.

Heading into the Australian Open, Thanasi Kokkinakis hadn’t won a match Down Under since the first round of the 2015 open when he defeated number 11 seed Ernest Gulbis in 5 thrilling sets. However, the young pro found his rhythm in the first round as he defeated South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo.

Kokkinakis in round 1 of the 2021 Australian Open

Due to injuries and little success at tournaments, Nike had ended their endorsement deal with Kokkinakis. Spectators and commentators at this year’s Australian Open took notice of it and the lights were back on the young Australian. After the win against Soon-woo where he dressed in an all black outfit, he stated that he got it from Chadstone Mall in Melbourne. He worked with what he had at his disposal and made a name for himself despite not being endorsed by a major clothing brand.

After his emotional first round win, tennis legend Roger Federer messaged Kokkinakis on Instagram to congratulate him on a job well done. Kokkinakis had defeated the then world number one in the second round of the 2018 Miami Masters and received a lot of praise from the Swiss Maestro both then and now.

However, Thanasi Kokkinakis’ run at this year’s Australian Open came to an end on day four after a round two loss to world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 24 year old Australian had been looking to make a deep run after several injury ridden years. Despite taking the match to a deciding fifth set, the young Australian was broken at 2-2 in the fifth and loss the match [7-6(7-5), 4-6, 1-6, 7-6(7-5), 4-6].

Despite a round two exit, Kokkinakis received support from the crowd and tennis fans around the world as he put on a show in round two. In what he hopes will be the next spark of his young career, the Australian hopes to break back into the top 100. He stated that although he has a long road ahead, there are a ton of positives to take from this year’s Australian Open.

Kokkinakis after winning the 4th set tiebreaker in his round 2 match

By: Aaron Xiong

Day three of the 2021 Australian Open saw some nail bitters during the day and night sessions in Melbourne, Australia. With the top half of both the men’s and women’s draws taking to the courts for second round matches, many had their eyes set on the third round.

World number 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic was looking a bit surprised in his matchup against young American Frances Tiafoe. After winning the first set six games to three, Djokovic looked on pace to complete a straight sets victory over the American. However, Tiafoe forced a tiebreaker in the second set and proved a bigger test than the world number one had perceived.

After Tiafoe took the second set winning the tiebreaker seven points to Novak’s three, the match was tied at one set all. The third set saw another tie breaker after both players played phenomenal tennis. In what seemed to be a more crucial set to win for Tiafoe, Djokovic took his opportunity to strike and dominated the tiebreaker winning it seven points to two. The fourth set was more routine for Djokovic as he broke the Tiafoe serve and raced to a 6-3 fourth set victory. Novak defeated the American [6-3, 6-7(7-3), 7-6(7-2), 6-3].

Home favorite Nick Kyrgios highlighted the night action on John Cain Arena. Kyrgios has been looking to making a deep run on home soil after consecutive fourth round exits in 2018 and 2019. He faced Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the third round in what had thought to be an easy match for the fiery Australian. However, Humbert took a two sets to one lead over the crowd favorite and things looked grim for Nick.

Kyrgios after his five set thriller in round 2.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-10/nick-kyrgios-digs-deep-to-progress-to-australian-open-3rd-round/13142276

Despite trailing in the match, the Aussie fought back to fourth set in a thrilling tie breaker and forced a deciding fifth. After scintillating rallies and booming serves, it was Humbert who blinked first and Kyrgios prevailed. Kyrigos won the match [5-7, 6-4, 5-6, 7-6(7-2), 6-4] and finished with an astonishing 29 aces.

In other action on day 3, world number three Dominic Thiem left German Dominik Koepfer in the dust in an easy straight sets match. Thiem won all but six total games in the match and finished with 7 aces on the day as well as finishing with a stunning first serve percentage of 81%. Thiem won [6-4, 6-0, 6-2].

On the women’s side of the action, world number three Naomi Osaka defeated Caroline Garcia from France. Osaka out served the Frenchwoman as she aced Garcia 10 times and only conceded 10 points on serve. She also capitalized on 3 of the 7 break points that were presented to her to win the match [6-2, 6-3].

Serena Williams was also in action on day three of this year’s Australian Open. She was taking on Serbia’s Nina Stojanovic and was looking to steam roll into the third round. Williams won 12 of 15 games played and only conceded 14 points on serve to win the match [6-3, 6-0].

Day 4 action begins tonight with men’s world number five Stefanos Tsitsipas taking to Rod Laver Arena around 8:30pm CST.

20 Time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer

Tennis Legend Serena Williams

20 Time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic

5 Time Grand Slam Champion Maria Sharapova

20 Time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal

4 Time Grand Slam Champion Naomi Osaka

Defending Champion Novak Djokovic survives five set thriller, Thiem prevails over Kyrgios

Heart over Hype: Thanasi Kokkinakis

Djokovic, Kyrigos Battle to Third Round. Serena Williams, Osaka and Thiem Cruise to Third Round.