THE first week of Australian Open action came to a close yesterday, with four of the quarter finalists decided in both the men’s and women’s singles. The Round of 16 action threw up a few surprises, with the remaining eight matches to be completed today.
In the men’s, the only major upset was 14th seed Canadian Denis Shapovalov taking out third seed Alexander Zverev. The win over the German mean the top-ranked player in that half of the draw is Shapovalov’s next opponent, Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard is gunning for his record 21st Grand Slam title, after defeating Adrian Mannarino in their fourth round contest. In the other quarter final, seventh seed Italian Matteo Berrettini will face 17th seed Frenchman Gael Monfils, as all three matches were wrapped up in straight sets on day seven.
MEN’S SINGLES – ROUND OF 16:
[14] Denis Shapovalov (CAN) defeated [3] Alexander Zverev (GER) 6-3 7-6 6-3
[6] Rafael Nadal (ESP) defeated Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 7-6 6-2 6-2
[7] Matteo Berrettini (ITA) defeated [19] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 7-5 7-6 6-4
[17] Gael Monfils (FRA) defeated Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 7-5 7-6 6-3
MATCHES TO WATCH TODAY – ROUND OF 16:
[11] Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs. [32] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
[4] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs. [20] Taylor Fritz (USA)
[9] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs. [27] Marin Cilic (CRO)
[2] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs. Maxime Cressy (USA)
On the women’s side of things, it was a mixed bag, but an overall good day for the United States. Though young gun Amanda Anisimova could not get past world number one Ash Barty, her compatriots Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys both upset Top 10 players. The 21st seed Pegula defeated fifth seed Maria Sakkari in a tight one, whilst Keys continued her remarkable 2022 season with a straight sets win over Badosa in a battle of the title winners from last week. In the other match, fourth seed Barbora Krejcikova ended the run of 24th seed Victoria Azarenka with a comprehensive 6-2 6-2 win to reach the quarter finals.
WOMEN’S SINGLES – ROUND OF 16:
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) defeated Amanda Anisimova (USA) 6-4 6-3
[4] Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) defeated [24] Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 6-2 6-2
[21] Jessica Pegula (USA) defeated [5] Maria Sakkari (GRE) 7-6 6-3
Madison Keys (USA) defeated [8] Paula Badosa (ESP) 6-3 6-1
MATCHES TO WATCH TODAY – ROUND OF 16:
[14] Simona Halep (ROU) vs. Alize Cornet (FRA)
[19] Elise Mertens (BEL) vs. [27] Danielle Collins (USA)
[7] Iga Swiatek (POL) vs. Sorana Cirstea (ROU)
[2] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) vs. Kaia Kanepi (EST)
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