Andreescu Loses, Auger-Aliassime Survives - Australian Open Day 3
via CTV News
Another inclement weather day in Melbourne brought more scheduling chaos to Australian Open organizers.
After a rain delay that lasted around six hours, the roof-less courts were able to be played on.
Bianca Andreescu Loses to Spanish Qualifier
Bianca Andreescu crashed out of the tournament after a tight match with Christina Bucsa of Spain, a qualifier.
After taking the first set routinely, Andreescu broke in the first game of the second set, before losing the next five games on the trot. The Canadian then fought back in classic form to form a tie-breaker which went the way of the Spaniard.
In the 3rd set Andreescu continued to take more chances than Busca, but it didn’t pay off as she committed 20 unforced errors to 13 winners.
The almost three hour battle went the way of Bucsa, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4.
Andreescu gains 45 points after missing last years tournament, but will be disappointed to lose in R2, missing out on the chance to challenge World #1 Iga Swiatek in the 3rd round.
Auger-Aliassime Comes Back From 2 Sets Down in Round 2
Felix Auger-Aliassime avoided another early exit at a Major by coming back from 2 sets down against Slovakia’s Alex Molcan, who played a great first two sets.
Felix struggled to get going in the match, finding the balls hard to play with as they are “dead":
Ultimately, Molcan dropped his level a little bit in the third set, just in time for Felix to find his game and become the much better player in the final three sets.
Felix should feel happy that he was able to figure out a different way to win, and win without his best level.
Shapovalov Rolls To Straight Sets Win
Denis Shapovalov won in three sets over Japan’s Taro Daniel with a passionate celebration that shows how much each win still means to him.
The fiery Canadian got into it with some rowdy fans who “had too much beer” but was able to get through the match unscathed.
Shapovalov was in Nadal’s quarter, before he lost to Mackie Mcdonald, so there is theoretically more opportunity for Denis to go deep although he may have to play Medvedev in the 4th Round.
Leylah Fernandez In Action Day 4 of Australian Open
Canada’s highest ranked woman, Leylah Fernandez is set to take on 4th seed Caroline Garcia in the third match on Rod Laver Arena.
You can watch the match in Canada on TSN.