The second day at the 2024 Australian Open is complete, and it was an action-packed day with nine matches going to the deciding fifth set.
The two highest seeds in action were Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who recovered after dropping the opening set to progress.
Former champion Stan Wawrinka and five-time runner-up Andy Murray were also on duty, and while both lost, their matches were in huge contrast.
The Swiss went down in a lengthy five-setter where he had plenty of chances to win in the fourth set, whereas the Brit was a damp squib as he captured just eight games in a painful loss to Etcheverry.
Other seeds to come through included Alex de Minaur, Hubert Hurkacz, Ben Shelton, Karen Khachanov, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Lorenzo Musetti, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Seb Korda. Nicolas Jarry was the only seed to fall, who went down in five sets to qualifier Cobolli.
You can see the complete results list below and select highlights from the day’s best matches.
Day Two 2024 Australian Open Round of 128 Results
| Winner | Loser | Scoreline |
|---|---|---|
| Daniil Medvedev (3) | Terence Atmane (Q) | 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 1-0 (ret.) |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas (7) | Zizou Bergs (LL) | 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 |
| Hubert Hurkacz (9) | Omar Jasika (Q) | 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-2 |
| Alex de Minaur (10) | Milos Raonic | 6-7, 6-3, 2-0 (ret.) |
| Karen Khachanov (15) | Daniel Altmaier | 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(5), 7-6(3) |
| Ben Shelton (16) | Roberto Bautista Agut | 6-2, 7-6(2), 7-5 |
| Flavio Cobolli (Q) | Nicolas Jarry (18) | 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 |
| Adrian Mannarino (20) | Stan Wawrinka | 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 |
| Ugo Humbert (21) | David Goffin (Q) | 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 |
| Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (23) | Constant Lestienne | 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(5) |
| Jan-Lennard Struff (24) | Rinky Hijikata (WC) | 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-7, 7-6(8) |
| Lorenzo Musetti (25) | Benjamin Bonzi | 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2 |
| Felix Auger-Aliassime (27) | Dominic Thiem | 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 5-7, 6-3 |
| Sebastian Korda (29) | Vit Kopriva (Q) | 6-1, 6-4, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2 |
| Tomas Martin Etcheverry (30) | Andy Murray | 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 |
| Nuno Borges | Maximilian Marterer | 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2 |
| Christopher Eubanks | Taro Daniel | 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 |
| Hugo Gaston (LL) | Roberto Carballes Baena | 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 |
| Hugo Grenier (Q) | Alexandre Muller | 2-6, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(7) |
| Miomir Kecmanovic | Yosuke Watanuki | 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 |
| Aleksandar Kovacevic (Q) | Alejandro Tabilo | 6-7(2), 7-6(7), 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 |
| Jakub Mensik (Q) | Denis Shapovalov | 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 |
| Gael Monfils | Yannick Hanfmann | 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 |
| Alexei Popyrin | Marc Polmans (WC) | 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-2 |
| Emil Ruusuvuori | Patrick Kypson (WC) | 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) |
| Jordan Thompson | Aleksandar Vukic | 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 |
| Luca Van Assche | James Duckworth (WC) | 6-7(2), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 |
| Zhizhen Zhang | Federico Coria | 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(5) |
Tstisipas Overcomes Slow Start
A last-minute change of opponent meant Stefanos Tsitsipas faced lucky loser Zizou Bergs in his opening match instead of the flimsy Matteo Berrettini.
On paper, that looked easier, especially as the Belgian appeared to be carrying an injury in the qualifying, but he captured the first set as he looked to make the most of his second chance and win his first-ever main draw Grand Slam match.
However, Tsitsipas found a way back into it, winning a point when the ball spun back onto Bergs’ side by reaching over the net.
From there, he took charge, using a pinpoint stance on his serve, which was rumoured to be easier on his back (he later claimed in the press he was experimenting), hitting 38 winners overall to move into round 2 with a 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win.
It felt great to be at that level of tennis. I was very focused, especially after losing the first set. I knew that this was my time to change things up and move on with better tennis, with better power and movement on the court, and I think I outplayed him as well physically. I was stronger physically today, at least that’s the way I felt. I think winning the first match today was all due to physicality and being constantly mentally involved during the match. I was expecting Matteo, and things like this are quite dangerous when you are preparing for a specific type of player. It was not easy for me, but I had that determination… I am glad I turned it around and showed that fighting spirit. Tsitsipas on his win over Bergs.
Etecheveryy Ends Murray’s Trip Down Under
The potential round 3 ‘blockbuster’ between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic isn’t going to happen as the Brit was dispatched effortlessly by Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
I had expected a typical Murray five-setter, but he produced a listless performance, crashing out 4-6 2-6 2-6 in 2 hours and 23 minutes.
There was little to talk about with Muray’s seeming lack of interest. Etcheverry, who lost both his opening matches in Brisbane and Adelaide, was better in all areas, winning 75% behind his first serve and breaking Murray six times en route to round 2.
It was really just a flat performance. I don’t know exactly why that was the case because I’ve been feeling good going in. Played pretty well in Brisbane. Practised really well the last 10 days or so. Today the crowd all showed up again and gave me brilliant support. I didn’t give enough. I felt like I didn’t give enough back and I’m disappointed with that because they have helped me a lot over the years in matches here. Murray on his lacklustre performance.
Other Matches of Note
- Medvedev Advances: I noted in my draw post that not playing any warm-up events in Australia to acclimatise is risky, and Meddy showed why as he struggled big time in the heat. Luckily for him, his opponent didn’t fare much better, as after winning the first set, Atmane faded with cramps, eventually retiring in the second game of the fourth set. 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 1-0 ret.
- Shapovalov Still Sucks: Still early days for the Canadian who is coming back from injury, but his game is miles off the level he once reached, and Jakub Mensik took him out easily. Was Youzhny right? 6-3 7-5 7-5.
- Mannarino Meanders Past Wawrinka: Another five-set loss for Stan which seems to be his speciality in recent times, and he squandered a break in the fourth set. However, with little off-season prep and no warm-up events, I thought he looked pretty good, only to run out of steam in the fifth. 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0
- Shelton Sinks Agut: A solid performance for the big-serving American who took out the wily Bautista-Agut. 6-2 7-6(2) 7-5.
- Auger-Aliassime Sneaks Past Thiem: In a battle of the underperformers who are both low on confidence, the 27th seed Aliassime came through a 5th set after Thiem hit back to force a decider. I thought the Austrian played well, and despite another early Slam loss, his game had some positive aspects.
Australian Open Day 3 Round of 128 Matches
- Laslo Djere vs Arthur Cazaux (WC)
- Arthur Fils vs Jiří Veselý
- Dušan Lajović vs Giulio Zeppieri (Q)
- James McCabe (WC) vs August Holmgren (Q)
- Cameron Norrie (19) vs Juan Pablo Varillas
- Roman Safiullin vs Tallon Griekspoor (28)
- Bernabé Zapata Miralles vs Jiří Lehečka (32)
- Albert Ramos-Viñolas vs Casper Ruud (11)
- Grigor Dimitrov (13) vs Marton Fucsovics
- Marcos Giron vs Jack Draper
- Max Purcell vs Máté Valkusz (Q)
- Soonwoo Kwon vs Lukáš Klein (Q)
- Holger Rune (8) vs Yoshihito Nishioka
- Mackenzie McDonald vs Shang Juncheng (WC)
- Tommy Paul (14) vs Grégoire Barrere
- Alexander Bublik (31) vs Sumit Nagal (Q)
- Daniel Evans vs Lorenzo Sonego
- Sebastian Ofner vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
- Alexander Zverev (6) vs Dominik Köepfer
- Richard Gasquet vs Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Who has impressed you so far at the 2024 Australian Open? Let me know in the comments.
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