Emma Raducanu got her preferred day slot to face Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open (Image: Getty)
Jacob Fearnley’s Australian Open debut is over after the British No.3 was outclassed by world No.2 .
It leaves – who plays later tonight local time – and as the only British singles players left in the competition. The former US Open winner has now learned where and when she will face in the third round as she bids to create a bid shock.
Draper’s potential fourth round opponent has revealed what tattoo he will get if he completes his career Grand Slam at the .
Two-time defending champion won her 17th consecutive match at Melbourne Park despite a first-set serving horror show.
Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekic is on a fourth different revenge mission after beating Russian No.12 seed Diana Shnaider.
And Danielle Collins, who took on the Aussie crowd here on Thursday night, remains the talk of the first Grand Slam of the season.
No.12 seeds Jamie Murray and John Peers are out in the second round of the men’s doubles after losing to the Dutch duo of Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp 7-5 6-2.
Zvevev full of praise for “incredible” Fearnley
After two wins in his first overseas Grand Slam, the world No.92 never threatened Zverev as he lost 6-3 6-4 6-4.
The world No.2 has yet to drop a set as the double Grand Slam runner-up seeks his first Major title. But he was full of praise for the Scot who only left college in the USA last June.
“I think he is an incredible player,” said the German. “He went through all the stages – college, Futures, Challengers, not he is on the big tour and playing in the third round of a Grand Slam. Massive respect to him. Massive respect to the effort he has put into the sport
“I think he is going to get better in the next few years.”
Alexander Zverev beat Britain’s Jacob Fearnley (Image: Getty)
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Early start for Emma
The British No.2 will take on the five-time Grand Slam champion in the first match in the Rod Laver Arena at 11.30am local time on Saturday – 12.30am in the UK.
The Pole, who has beaten Raducanu in their previous three matches, likes to play her matches earlier in the day.
“We’ve played twice before on clay in Stuttgart,” said Raducanu. “The conditions there are very quick as well so those were two good matches and for me I think it’s about just expressing myself on the court and swinging.
“She’s a really top opponent, disciplined, so I’m going to have to play good tennis, but I take a lot of confidence from my last two rounds.”
Alcaraz will get a kangaroo
The French and champion dropped his first set in the week but he is still on track to become the youngest man to ever complete a career Grand Slam after beating Nuno Bourges 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-2.
The Spaniard had a tattoo of the date when he won his first Major at the US Open, the Eiffel Tower for his French Open win and a strawberry for .
Asked what tattoo he will get for winning Down Under, the No.3 seed laughed: “It is going to be a kangaroo. That is the idea. The only thing missing is to lift the trophy but I have the idea.
“I am just happy to see a full crowd watching my watch. It is just a privilege to feel the love here. I am trying to entertain the people and make them happy watching my matches.
Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set against Nuno Bourges (Image: Getty)
Sabalenka serving problems return
Back in 2022, the then No.2 seed sent down six double faults in her first service game – and 12 in all – but still made the third round.
Today the Belarusian world No.1 overcame Clara Tauson 7-6 6-4 despite losing her first four service games. The match started with seven consecutive breaks before the Dane held to lead 5-3.
“I think winning the first set, it was very difficult set, gave me a little bit more mental strength that I can win this match even without serving my best,” said the three-time Grand Slam champion.
“But conditions are pretty heavy for servers. It’s not giving you that match advantage as usual. Yeah, balls are heavy. Courts are a little bit slower. You just have to sometimes just put that serve in and just play the rally.”
Vekic on a roll
The No.18 seed beat the No.12 seed Diana Shnaider 7-6 6-7 7-5 to set up a clash with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Pavlyuchenkova beat her in the first round here last year but she had also lost to her previous opponents here – Diane Parry and Harriet Dart – before.
“All the three three girls I beat here I have lost to them so let’s keep it going,” said the Croatian. “It was tough today. It was pretty warm out there. She play incredibly well. In my next life I want to be a leftie. I don’t remember the last time I beat a leftie!”
Donna Vekic is through to the fourth round (Image: Getty)
We all love a “villain”
Danielle Collins caused quite her stir Down Under with her bating of the crowd when she knocked the last Aussie female player out of the singles.
The American told fans to “shut up” and then cupped her hands to her ears, blew kisses and slapped her backside after beating qualifier Destanee Aiava.
The world No.11 then said: “One of the greatest things about being a professional athlete is the people that don’t like you and the people that hate you, they actually pay your bills. it’s all going towards the Danielle Collins Fund. Bring it on. I love it.”
But former Australian tennis star Casey Dellacqua told Channel Nine here: “I love that we have got villains in our game, we have got the nice guys, we have go”
And Aiava said: “It was really fun. Kinda sounded like a rugby league match. But it was very different. I think we could use a little bit more of that in tennis.”