Melbourne Park: Medvedev’s Collapse, Fritz’s Outstanding Performance for Big Win

Melbourne Park: Medvedev’s Collapse, Fritz’s Outstanding Performance for Big Win

Melbourne, January 14: Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev has advanced to the second round after an explosive display of anger following a collapse at Melbourne Park, while Taylor Fritz has started his campaign with a strong performance, ending the 22-year Grand Slam drought for American men.

Denmark’s 13th seed Holger Rune fought a tough five-set battle, and Emma Navarro faced a challenging time in her first-round match, where she defeated Peyton Stearns 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 7-5 to make it through. Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina played brilliantly in front of her new coach Goran Ivanisevic, defeating Australian wildcard Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-1.

In France’s Court Three, experience dominated over youth as Gael Monfils triumphed over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 6-4. Meanwhile, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 9th seed Daria Kasatkina, and former World No. 6 Matteo Berrettini all secured victories.

Russia’s Medvedev, last year’s runner-up, broke his racket and net camera after losing his serve in the third set, but came back in the fourth set to defeat Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 to move into the second round.

Fritz made a strong statement by defeating his opponent Jenson Brooksby 6-2, 6-0, 6-3, marking the end of a 22-year Grand Slam drought.

Meanwhile, Navarro, after a three-hour 20-minute match, was in trouble against Stearns but eventually emerged victorious 7-5.

Berrettini, after losing the first set, beat Cameron Norrie 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the second round. Raducanu defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6(4), 7-6(2) to make it into the second round for the fourth year in a row.

They will now face each other in the second round.