2022 AO 2R - Pavlyuchenkova d Stosur

Wildcard Samantha Stosur (Australia) v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (10) (Russia)

This major hasn’t been the favourite for Sam Stosur - she made the AO round of sixteen twice, but long ago (2006, 2010)

Pavlyuchenkova had made 3 quarter finals here (2017, 2019, 2020).

Their nine previous matches were split 5-4 in the favour of Stosur, with the Australian winning the most recent - second round at 2018 Roland Garros.

Stosur served first, and with three winners, two forehands, Pavlyuchenkova broke.

The 10th seed consolidated to lead 2-0.

Stosur held in game three to be on the board.

At 1-3 and 30-30, Stosur hit an awful forehand then double faulted, and Pavlyuchenkova was up a double break. 

Serving for the set at 5-2, Pavlyuchenkova donated two double faults, saved a break point, and for all of that took it away 6-2.

Pavlyuchenkova opened set two by breaking Stosur in the first game. Four errors to two.

The fifth game, as in the first set, was bad for Stosur, with unforced errors flowing and Pavlyuchenkova breaking for 4-1.

Stosur retrieved one of the breaks, a backhand winner helping, along with a Russian double fault.

Stosur had game point, but three unforced errors cost her the game, and Pavlyuchenkova would serve for the match at 5-2.

Pavlyuchenkova saved a break point, but eventually sealed it 6-2 6-2, ending the final singles match in the sensational career of Samantha Stosur.

Sam was appropriately given a presentation on court at the conclusion of the match, commemorating her career, including 20 years of competing at the Australian Open.

2022 AO 2R - Rublev d Berankis

Andrey Rublev (5) (Russia) v Ricardas Berankis (Lithuania)

The best AO performance from Berankis had been the third round (2011, 2013).

The best for Rublev last year’s quarter final.

Rublev won the only previous match on tour between the pair in St Petersburg, September 2019.

Berankis served first.

He saved two break points, but a second double fault gave Rublev the first blow and lead 1-0.

Rublev at 40-0 double faulted, but an ace cleared things. 2-0.

Berankis was on the board after holding serve, an ace and forehand winner assisting.

Rublev saved break points in games five and seven. 4-3.

At 3-5 and 0-30, Berankis was staring at a first set loss, but he steadied and held for 4-5, ensuring Rublev had to serve for it.

An ace, followed by two forehand winners and quickly three set points. Berankis forced into error and the set was over.

Rublev ahead 6-4.

Four errors from Berankis in the opening game of set two gifted the break to Rublev.

The fifth seed hit a couple of winners en route to 2-0.

Berankis surrendered his serve again in the fifth game and Rublev had the double break, without much effort on his part. 4-1.

Rublev served the set out 6-2.

Berankis was broken for the third time in three opening games of sets, and Rublev consolidated, but only after two visits to deuce.

Rublev strolled through the rest, and should have been satisfied with the 6-4 6-2 6-0 thrashing of Berankis.

It felt like a long practise session, where any slightly rough edges were smoothed out, especially the forehand.

2022 AO - Day 3 - Men’s Singles

2022 Australian Open - Day Three - Men's Singles

- Miomir Kecmanovic defeated Tommy Paul 7-6(7) 7-5 7-6(8)

- Lorenzo Sonego (25) defeated Oscar Otte 2-6 6-2 6-3 6-1

- Gaël Monfils (17) defeated Alexander Bublik 6-1 6-0 6-4

- Cristian Garin (16) defeated Pedro Martinez 6-7(1) 7-6(4) 2-6 6-2 6-2

- Sebastian Korda defeated Corentin Moutet 3-6 6-4 6-7(2) 7-5 7-6(10-6)

- Pablo Carreno Busta (19) defeated Tallon Griekspoor 6-3 6-7(6) 7-6(3) 3-6 6-4

- Carlos Alcaraz (31) defeated Dusan Lajovic 6-2 6-1 7-5

- Matteo Berrettini (7) defeated wildcard Stefan Kozlov 6-1 4-6 6-4 6-1

- Alexander Zverev (3) defeated John Millman 6-4 6-4 6-0

- Qualifier Radu Albot defeated wildcard Aleksandar Vukic 6-4 7-6(4) 6-4

- Reilly Opelka (23) defeated Dominik Koepfer 6-4 6-3 7-6(4)

- Denis Shapovalov (14) defeated Soonwoo Kwon 7-6(6) 6-7(3) 6-7(6) 7-5 6-2

- Adrian Mannarino defeated Hubert Hurkacz (10) 6-4 6-2 6-3

- Aslan Karatsev (18) defeated Mackenzie McDonald 3-6 6-2 6-2 6-3

- Karen Khachanov (28) defeated Benjamin Bonzi 6-4 6-0 7-5

- Rafael Nadal (6) defeated qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-2 6-3 6-4

2022 AO - Day 3 - Women’s Singles

2022 Australian Open - Day Three - Women’s Singles

- Ashleigh Barty (1) defeated qualifier Lucia Bronzetti 6-1 6-1

- Camila Giorgi (30) defeated Tereza Martincova 6-2 7-6(2)

- Amanda Anisimova defeated Belinda Bencic (22) 6-2 7-5

- Naomi Osaka (13) defeated Madison Brengle 6-0 6-4

- Nuria Parrizas Diaz received a walkover from Maryna Zanevska

- Jessica Pegula (21) defeated Bernarda Pera 6-4 6-4

- Veronika Kudermetova (28) defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-2 7-5

- Maria Sakkari (5) defeated qualifier Zheng Qinwen 6-1 6-4

- Barbora Krejcikova (4) defeated wildcard Wang Xiyu 6-2 6-3

- Jelena Ostapenko (26) defeated Alison Riske 4-6 6-2 6-4

- Victoria Azarenka (24) defeated Jil Teichmann 6-1 6-2

- Elina Svitolina (15) defeated Harmony Tan 6-3 5-7 5-1 (retired)

- Madison Keys defeated Jaqueline Cristian 6-2 7-5

- Wang Qiang defeated Alison Van Uytvanck 2-6 7-6(5) 6-3

- Marta Kostyuk defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo (32) 7-6(5) 6-3

- Paula Badosa (8) defeated qualifier Martina Trevisan 6-0 6-3

2022 AO 2R - Anisimova d Bencic

Belinda Bencic (22) (Switzerland) v Amanda Anisimova (USA)Alison Riske (USA)

The pair had met once before with Bencic winning - quarter finals Mallorca 2019.

Bencic made the AO round of sixteen in 2016, and the third round the past three years.

Anisimova has played the AO main draw twice, making the round of sixteen in 2019, and falling in the opening round the next year.

Anisimova served first and was broken to love.

Bencic was up 30-0, but her streak ended, and she faced a break point after a couple of backhand errors. It was saved. Winners were exchanged and deuce was revisited. 

Bencic saved two more break points, but not another, and her fast start was stalled. 1-1.

On serve until game six - Bencic was up 30-0. Then two forehand errors and a double fault gave Anisimova a break chance. Bencic obliged with an unforced backhand error and the American led 4-2.

A pair of aces made consolidation of the break simple for Anisimova. 5-2.

Bencic again let a comfortable position slip - 40-15 to deuce. A third game point disappeared with a double fault. And set point arrived with an unforced forehand error. Bencic double faulted and Anisimova won the set 6-2.

Anisimova opened set two convincingly, the backhand to end the first game brilliant.

Bencic, on the other hand, began with a double fault and continued to struggle. Anisimova hit a forehand winner and had two break points. Both were saved. Another break point was saved with a Bencic forehand winner. Serve was held, finishing with an ace. 1-1.

At 2-2, Anisimova was broken, after her backhand failed twice from 30-30. Bencic back in the match leading 3-2 in the set.

Anisimova with winners from both wings, and Bencic with errors, combined to achieve a break back for Anisimova, and 3-3.

Anisimova regained the lead 4-3 after holding serve.

 

Bencic serving at 4-5 to stay in the match. Job done for loss of one point. 5-5.

At 5-6, Bencic down 0-30. Then 15-40 after a backhand winner from Anisimova. Two match points. Both saved, forcing Anisimova into error.

Forehand winner from Anisimova and another match point. Forehand winner and the match over.

Amanda Anisimova into the third round, defeating Belinda Bencic 6-2 7-5.

2022 AO 2R - Ostapenko d Riske

Alison Riske (USA) v Jelena Ostapenko (26) (Latvia)

Riske made the round of sixteen at the 2020 AO, her best result here. 

Ostapenko reached the third round twice (2017, 2018).

Neither player won their opening match last year, so already 2022 is an improvement.

Ostapenko won their only previous match, straight sets in the second round of the 2019 US Open.

Two double faults in the opening service game for Riske saw her lose serve and Ostapenko began with a 3-0 lead.

Riske held serve in the fourth game despite two backhand winners from Ostapenko.

Ostapenko saved one break point in the fifth game, but Riske broke through with the second to bring things back on serve.

Two big serves, including an ace, highlighted the next game for Riske, and then she broke Ostapenko a second time to lead for the first time 4-3.

A love game sealed with a forehand winner meant that the American had won five games in succession.

Ostapenko served to stay in the set at 3-5, and survived one set point against her.

Riske served for the set at 5-4. A love game later amd Riske was leading 6-4.

From 2-2 in set two, Ostapenko went on a charge, winning seven straight games. The second set was hers 6-2, and she led 3-0 in the decider.

From 0-30, Riske won four points to hold, and break her run of outs.

In the fifth game, Ostapenko saved a pair of break points, but a double fault gave Riske another chance. An Ostapenko backhand error cost her the break and Riske was closer at 2-3.

Although Ostapenko appeared to be losing focus somewhat, she saved things in game seven with her forehand, avoiding a service break with two winners amongst other excellent shot making. 4-3 to the 26th seed.

At 4-4, Ostapenko was taken to deuce before holding and forcing Riske to do the same if she wanted to extend the match.

Riske was up 30-15. However, Ostapenko hit a forehand return winner, then Riske hit a wide forehand: on match point she double faulted.

Jelena Ostapenko was through to the third round 4-6 6-2 6-4.

2022 AO 2R - Badosa d Trevisan

Qualifier Martina Trevisan (Italy) v Paula Badosa (8) (Spain)

Trevisan was in her third AO main draw, having lost in the first round the past two years. This year, she managed to better that, with victory over lucky loser Nao Hibino in her opener, after winning three qualifying matches.

Badosa, in her three visits to Melbourne Park had exited in rounds one, two and one respectively. Her rise to be a top ten player promised a longer stay this year, and her first round demolition of Ajla Tomljanovic gave an indication of that.

This was the first time the two had met in a match on tour.

Badosa broke Trevisan in game one, then held to love with two aces. 2-0.

Trevisan hit a couple of winners in the third game, but still was broken.

Backhand winners from Badosa helped her break for a third time in the fifth game..

The eighth seed served out the set 6-0.

In game one of set two, Trevisan was down two break points after a double fault. She saved them both. 

Badosa’s backhand winner created another break chance, also saved.

Trevisan held serve, but not before saving a fourth break point. She led 1-0.

Badosa wasted no time in registering her first game of the set, winning to love.

Trevisan conceded just one point in taking a 2-1 lead.

Game five - Trevisan saved one break point, but a double fault presented Badosa with a second chance and the break arrived.

3-2 Badosa.

Trevisan served at 3-5 to stay in the match. 

0-30 after Trevisan forced into error. Badosa with a backhand winner set up three match points. All over when Trevisan missed with a forehand.

Paula Badosa into the third round winning 6-0 6-3.