Day Two of Aus Open 2018 and the bottom half of the men’s draw begins its campaign, including the defending champion Roger Federer. The top half of the women’s draw starts its journey too, top seed Simona Halep hoping for better success than in the past.
First up on court 8 will be Australian Jordan Thompson against Argentine Nicolás Kicker. Thompson is ranked 99 and Kicker 93.
Thompson had a big win last year at Queens against Andy Murray but form has drifted away of late.
Kicker, with his single handed backhand, troubled Thompson in his opening service game, and two break points eventuated. Both were saved, the second with an ace. Serve was held.
The Argentine then went on a run of three games to lead 3-1 with the break.
His forehand was hammering Thompson and another break point created. Saved - just ! A wayward forehand presented a second chance to Kicker but that was wasted too. Thompson held and trailed 2-3.
Thompson found three break points on the next Kicker serve but they were all saved, one luckily with a net cord. Kicker held for 4-2.
Serve volley tactics were working for the Aussie as he drew to 3-4 but he still needed to break back.
A big serve from Kicker sealed the eighth game and 5-3.
Thompson volleyed long then pushed a backhand into the net and 0-30 was a problem. Two solid points and 30-30. Set point after a netted Thompson forehand. Saved. Two blistering Argentine forehands won Kicker the set 6-3.
Another seed is in strife - Roberto Bautista Agut (20) has lost the first set 6-1 to Fernando Verdasco.
Set two and Kicker won a point at the net for 40-30. He then held for 1-0.
Thompson committed successive errors to arrive at deuce, then a big serve gave him game point - a sharp volley closed out the game 1-1.
Two opening points, including a punishing forehand, sent Kicker to 30-0 and a great point was finished with a top overhead from the Argentine, who proceeded to win the game and control things 2-1.
Karolina Pliskova (6), Caroline Garcia (8), Johanna Konta (9), Milos Raonic (22) and Lucie Safarova (29) have all won their first sets.
Two break points created for Kicker and crucial for Thompson to save these. A foot fault didn’t help and a backhand down the line sealed the game for Nicolás who extended the lead 3-1.
4-1 with ease.
More break points on the Thompson delivery. Taken at 30-40 and 5-1 to Kicker.
Return and volley from the Aussie 0-15. But not enough to prevent set point. Two sets to love 6-3 6-1 and a long trip back for Jordan.
Kicker just continued to roll, breaking immediately for a 2-0 lead.
Thompson held well for 1-2.
Lucie Safarova (29) has defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 7-5 6-3
Johanna Konta (9) has defeated Madison Brengle 6-3 6-1
Bernarda Pera defeated qualifier Anna Blinkova 6-2 6-2
Caroline Garcia (8) defeated Carina Witthoeft 7-5 6-3
Karolina Pliskova (6) defeated Veronica Cepede Royg 6-3 6-4
Two service holds and Kicker led 3-2.
Thompson created two break points - the second was converted and scores were level 3-3.
Down a break point in the seventh game, Thompson served an ace, and another two big serves presented him with the lead 4-3.
Thompson broke again to take the third set 6-4.
However he dropped the first game of set four. And Kicker consolidated for 2-0.
At 1-2 and 30-40 Thompson had a break point but a good first serve snuffed that out.
Another chance came and a netted Argentine forehand levelled the score at 2-2.
Thompson asserted himself to take the lead 3-2
A quick service hold and 3-3. Timely good serves from the Aussie and 4-3.
From 40-0 Kicker was dragged back to deuce, and he was ultimately broken giving Thompson the chance to serve for two sets all.
This one is going the distance.
Jordan Thompson is threatening to run away with the match, breaking Kicker and leading 2-0 in the decider.
From the baseline Kicker broke back for 2-2.
Deuce for eight times in a thirteen minute game before Kicker held and 3-2.
Kicker broke and led 4-2, a streak of 4 games.
A service hold and one game away from the second round.
A forehand from Kicker brought up match point, but a Thompson volley saved it.
A serve volley play and another fine point from Thompson forced Kicker to serve out the match.
An ace for 30-0. A missed forehand from Kicker and 30-30. A break point sends the crowd wild.
Saved. An ace and match point. Double fault ! A second break point.
Saved with a big serve. Match point again. All over.
Nicolás Kicker has won 6-3 6-1 4-6 3-6 6-3.
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