Juan Martin del Potro grit his teeth Thursday and got the job done. In searing heat, and battling an apparent injury, the popular Argentine booked his place in the Australian Open third round. As Karen Khachanov took the third-set tie-break without losing a point, Del Potro appeared to fatigue. Summoning inner reserves, built up during the off-season, the 12th seed dug deep to record a 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-7(0), 6-4 victory in three hours and 45 minutes on Hisense Arena. Afterwards, on-court, the 2009 and 2012 quarter-finalist admitted, “I didn’t expect to play this kind of match, I prefer to watch on TV. I‘m so happy to be playing in Melbourne after many years. I had pain everywhere, but I‘m still...
Gael Monfils talks about his second-round loss at the 2018 Australian Open against six-time champion Novak Djokovic. Video courtesy Tennis Australia. Watch more video and live matches at www.ausopen.com.
Dominic Thiem talks about his come-from-behind victory against American Denis Kudla and why he has to focus on his next match, against Adrian Mannarino. Video courtesy Tennis Australia. Watch more video and live matches at www.ausopen.com.
Allez, Bennet! As last hurrahs go, former World No. 25 Julien Benneteau is enjoying an Indian summer. The 36-year-old caused the biggest upset so far at the Australian Open on Thursday evening, when he held his nerve – in his final season as a pro – to beat seventh-seeded Belgian David Goffin 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-1, 7-6(4). Having fallen to No. 696 in the ATP Rankings two years ago, primarily due to abductor surgery, the Frenchman could have easily called it quits. But the sentimental favourite, with an 0-10 record in ATP World Tour finals, returned and worked his way back. Competing in intense heat, wild card Benneteau, who received on-court treatment, first served for the match at 5-4 in the...
Six-time Australian Open champion talks to the press about how difficult the conditions were during his second-round match against Gael Monfils and how he is getting used to his new service motion. Video courtesy Tennis Australia. Watch more video and live matches at www.ausopen.com.
