Runner-up Rybakina was eliminated after the longest super tie-break series in history

Runner-up Rybakina’s elimination by a player outside the world’s top 50 Blinkova was a big surprise on the fifth day of the Australian Open. The Russian girl saved six match points in the third set tie-break series, before taking advantage of the 10th match point to defeat Rybakina 22-20.

The 42-point series between Blinkova and Rybakina broke the record of 38 points set by Lesia Tsurenko and Ana Bogdan at Wimbledon last year. Andy Roddick and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also previously created a tie-break series with a score of 20-18 at the 2007 Australian Open.

“I will forever remember today,” Blinkova shared after defeating third seed Rybakina. “It happened on this field, in front of a passionate audience, and it became the most beautiful day of my life.”

The victory after nearly three hours of competition was Blinkova’s best performance against a top 5 opponent in the world. She previously defeated another top 5 player, Caroline Garcia, at Roland Garros 2023. At the age of 25, Blinkova reached the third round of the Australian Open for the first time and has never reached the fourth round of any Grand Slam.

Rybakina is considered a top championship candidate and has just had a good run when reaching the final of the Brisbane International. She also has Grand Slam experience when winning Wimbledon 2022 and runner-up at the Australian Open 2023. Blinkova has not even won a match in 2024, before entering the Australian Open.

Another former Grand Slam champion who also disappointed was Raducanu. The British player lost to Chinese opponent Yafan Wang 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 and has not reached the third round since six consecutive Grand Slams. won the 2021 US Open. This is also the only title that Raducanu has earned since playing professionally in 2018.

Other high seeds in the women’s singles who stopped in the second round were Jessica Pegula, Maria Sakkari, Daria Kasatkina and Caroline Garcia. The top 8 seeds only have three left: Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff.

Australian Open day 7: Alcaraz meets “dark horse”, Medvedev meets “acquaintance”

Shang Jun Cheng is the “dark horse” of the Australian Open when he passed the first 2 rounds. The Chinese tennis player won a dramatic 3-2 against McDonald in round one and overcame Sumit Nagal in round 2. However, Shang Jun Cheng’s opponent in round 3 is a name that is completely different from the rest. That is Carlos Alcaraz, the number 2 tennis player in the world at the moment.

Alcaraz meets the player considered the “dark horse” of the tournament.

The Spaniard started the Austarlian Open well with a 3-0 victory over Richard Gasquets. In round 2, Sonego only troubled Alcaraz one set before retiring with a score of 1-3. Compared to last season, Alcaraz has strengthened his muscles, especially the upper body. Therefore, the Spaniard’s shots are much more powerful than before.

This is the first time these two players meet. Compared to strength, Alcaraz is clearly rated higher. Therefore, if nothing special happens, victory will go to the Spaniard

Felix Auger Aliassime – Daniil Medvedev, around 3:00 p.m., January 20, men’s singles round 3

Auger Aliassime facing Medvedev is considered one of the most even matches in round 3 of the Australian Open. The Canadian tennis player had a hard time overcoming Dominic Thiem in round 1 and also let Grenier win 1 set in the previous round. Compared to the previous period, Auger Aliassime is somewhat stagnant.

On the opposite side, Medvedev is not much better. This player did not waste too much effort in round 1 when Atmane gave up after 3 sets, but in round 2, the number 3 seed needed 5 sets to solve Ruusuvuori. The Russian tennis player made many people worried when he needed help from medical staff in the middle of the match. However, everything turned out okay in the end.

These two players have met 6 times in their careers and Auger Aliassime has not won once. The two sides met each other at the Australian Open and Medvedev won that match 3-2.