Australian Open: Zverev, Swiatek, Ruud... What to remember from the night in Melbourne

Weather

The rain, like Wednesday, disrupted the start of the program in Melbourne. The matches on the courts with roofs (Rod Laver Arena, Margareth Court Arena, Jon Cain Arena) could be played, on the other courts the matches were interrupted on two occasions. Before the resumption on the outdoor courts with a blue sky, at 4:30 a.m. French time.

The videoIga Swiatek's warm-up. Headphones on, the Pole, in the last moments before entering the court, had fun juggling with a ball, with balls. A sequence captured by the cameras which shows a playful way of trying to get out of the situation. A precious letting go this Thursday. At the end of an intense, uncontrollable match, Iga Swiatek who led 6-4, 1-0 serenely held the reins of the match lost the thread, suffered the power of the American Danielle Collins (62nd in the world) who attacked on all the balls (sometimes with a little waste), putting her to torture on her second serving balls. Collins pocketed the 2nd set and led 4-1 in the 3rd set. Before the world No. 1 finds a little serenity and security to put a game back together and get out of the trap. The American eliminated the Pole in the semi-finals in Melbourne in 2022. The Pole, in pain and at the end of an uncontrollable match (Collins rejected 2 match points), signed 5 consecutive games to take her revenge 6 -4, 3-6, 6-4 at the end of the effort and the emotion. “I was already at the airport, she was playing so well... I told myself I have to resist, I have to resist until the end,” summed up the world No. 1, relieved. In the 3rd round, the Pole will meet the Czech Linda Noskova (50th in the world).

Super tie-breaks

Alexander Zverev (No. 6) and Casper Ruud (No. 11) completed two extended matches almost at the same time. The German ended up taming the Slovakian Lukas Klein (165th in the world, from qualifying). The Norwegian finally overcame the resistance and success of the Australian Max Purcell (45th) 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (10/ 7) in 3h50, which, like the day before Alexei Popyrin against Novak Djokovic, offered the boiling public of Melbourne multiple opportunities to ignite. The German who, in his worst moments, was able to rely on his serve, finally coming out 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10 /7) in 4h30. In the 3rd round, Ruud will face the Briton Cameron Norrie (n°19) or the Italian Julio Zeppieri (22 years old; 133rd); Zverev will be opposed to the American Alex Michelsen (19 years old; 91st in the world).

In the blue corner

Océane Dodin dominated the Italian Martina Trevisan (59th) 6-4, 6-4 to reach the 3rd round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career. She will be opposed to Clara Burel or Jessica Pegula (n°5).

The picture

The one that unites the inseparable. Far from Melbourne but on a court, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were together again this Wednesday. The Swiss and the Spaniard (42 Grand Slam titles) met at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. The Spaniard, who is recovering after a torn thigh which deprived him of the Australian Open, wrote on Instagram: “It's great to have you with me today my friend. Thanks for the visit and I hope to see you again very soon.”

To be continued, Cazaux facing Rune

The young Frenchman Arthur Cazaux (21 years old; 122nd in the world), surprise winner of the Serbian Laslo Djere in 5 sets, sees a major challenge arise, the Dane Rune on one of the big courts. From 9am. Rod Laver Arena: Elena Rybakina (KAZ/3)-Anna Blinkova (RUS); Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) - Daniil Medvedev (RUS,3). Margareth Court Arena: Holger Rune (DAN, 8)-Arthur Cazaux (FRA); Clara Tauson (DAN)-Victoria Azarenka (BLR, 18).

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