Rain storms during the night session on day three of the Sydney International led to Aussie Alex de Minaur’s match against Reilly Opelka to be cancelled on Tuesday.
The Australian No.1 had just begun his second-round match, leading the American qualifier 1-0 in the first set on Ken Rosewall Arena when both players were sent back to the changerooms.
After several delays, finally just before 11pm, local time, organisers called it a night with the rain continuing to pour.
“Unfortunately, due to the severity of the rain, play has been cancelled. We thank you for your understanding and hope to see you again soon,” the tournament organisers tweeted.
Thompson fights his way into the quarter-finals
Australian wildcard Jordan Thompson is the first player through to the Sydney International quarter-finals after fighting back to claim a three-set win over Troy Daniel.
Thompson found himself a set and break down on Tuesday evening, but took advantage of the tiring world No.78 to win 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-0 in two hours and 26 minutes.
Daniel had Thompson on the ropes early in the second set but after losing a tense tiebreaker, completely fell apart in the third. Thompson’s victory comes just a day after the world No.72 beat Adrian Mannarino in the first round in what was his first win over a top-50 opponent in more than a year.
The 24-year-old now progresses to a final-eight match-up against countryman and Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur or American qualifier Reilly Opelka.
It is the first time the Sydneysider has reached the quarter-finals in his home city in five attempts, having made the second round on two occasions.
Thompson fights his way into the quarters
Kerber cruises in Sydney
World No.2 Angelique Kerber has gotten her Sydney International defence off to a strong start after outlasting Camila Giorgi 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
The German was forced to draw on all her experience when Giorgi pushed her all the way to a tiebreaker on Ken Rosewall Arena on Tuesday, but was thoroughly outplayed thereafter.
Kerber, who enjoyed a bye in the first round, advances straight to a quarter-final against either fifth-seed Petra Kvitova or Hsieh Su-Wei.
Millman’s classy act headlines victory
John Millman was been praised for his classy acts of sportsmanship in his first round comeback win over American young gun Frances Tiafoe at the Sydney International.
Oft praised for his well-natured temperament, Millman was a pillar of strength as he fought through illness to come back from a set down to claim the second in a tie-break, and pull off a comeback in the third to take the match 4-6 7-6 7-5.
However it was two moments of sportsmanship that summed up why Millman is one of the most amiable players on the circuit.
On the third point of the game the Aussie informed Tiafoe that his serve was called a let to save the American a challenge, but more impressive was Millman’s honesty when Tiafoe’s ball was wrongly called out on a crucial point. Millman informed the umpire, and in doing so coughed up a game to the American to force the second set tie-break.
John Millman downs Frances Tiafoe (AAP)
“It was a tough decision to come out today. I was actually pretty crook,” he said following the match.
“I woke up this morning with the flu and (was) really dizzy out there.
“But any chance to play at home in Australia, I think you’ve gotta take it, so I tried to come out here and give it everything.”
The US Open quarter-finalist next plays either countryman James Duckworth or Hungarian seventh seed Marton Fucsovics.
Barty sweeps Ostapenko
Australia’s Ash Barty has breezed past Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets to kick off her Sydney International with a 6-3 6-3 win.
Barty’s hit wasn’t without controversy though as Ostapenko’s coach appeared to sensationally walk out on his pupil after she coughed up a hotly contested first set at Ken Roswell Arena.
During the set-break it appeared a frustrated Ostapenko and her coach came to some disagreement with her coach seemingly telling her: “If it keeps going like this then i will go.”
Commentators then noted he did not resume his seat in the player’s box.
Ostapenko’s coach walks (AAP)
Ostapenko subsequently capitulated in the second set giving up a host of easy points as the Aussie female no.1 cruised to victory.
Barty claimed the first set after both players broke each other’s serve, with the Australian ultimately getting the upper hand in the final two games to claim the set 6-3.
“The goal is to keep improving every day…Ultimately I would love go into the top 10 one day and go deeper into a slam,” Barty said following her win.
“I want to become the complete player, the best player I can be, the best Ash Barty I can be.”
Barty claims the first
Australia’s Ashleigh Barty has claimed a hotly contested first set against Jelena Ostapenko in her first round clash at the Sydney International.
Barty got off the blocks fast, breaking Ostapenko to claim a 3-1 lead early in the set before the Latvian hit back with a break and service game of her own to tie things up.
Barty then proved why she’s Australia’s no. 1 ranked female as she dug deep to force a second break, before dominating her opponent with a powerful service game to close out the set 6-3 in little over 35 minutes.
Kvitova breezes through
Fifth seed Petra Kvitova has breezed through Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
the 6-1, 7-5 victory took little more than an hour as the Czech favourite progressed through to the second round of the Sydney International.
Preview
It’s a bumper day of action on day three of the Sydney International with a host of Australians set to take centre stage.
Eyes will be firmly fixed on Aussie Federer-slayer John Millman as he takes on exciting American up-and-comer Frances Tiafoe in the day session.
Millman comes in to the match hot off lighting up Kudos Banker Arena on Monday night alongside compatriot Nick Kyrgios in the Fast4, the pair falling short of claiming the title after squandering three match points in the mixed double final against Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic.
Australia’s no. 1 ranked female Ash Barty will take to Ken Roswell Arena in her round of 32 clash against Jelena Ostapenko, while James Duckworth will clash with seventh seed Marton Fucsovics.
Later, Alex De Minaur will be back in the spotlight after dispatching Dusan Lajovic in clinical fashion on Monday night. He’ll be eager to continue he’s strong form as ahead of the Australian Open with public holding high hopes for Australia’s no.1 ranked male player.
– with AAP
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