Muristek
Melbourne, January 21
Within an hour of her third-round loss at the Australian Open, defending champion Naomi Osaka had consigned it to the past.
It's part of her new resolution for 2022. No dwelling on what's already happened.
Osaka had two match points against 60th-ranked Amanda Anisimova in the third set Friday, and she missed two backhands.
Ash Barty beat Camila Giorgi. ReutersAnisimova held serve to force a tiebreaker, which she dominated, and finished with an ace for a 4-6 6-3 7-6 (5) comeback victory over the four-time Major champion.
In doing so, the 20-year-old American ensured that the so-called final-before-the-final — a much-anticipated fourth-round showdown between Osaka and top-ranked Ash Barty — won't happen. "I'm not sure if I'm going to have regrets about those two match points," Osaka said. "Like, I thought she played really well. But I can't really look in the past anymore, you know? Like I just have to focus on what I can do in the future to hopefully evade those situations."
Nadal powers through
Sixth seed Rafa Nadal dropped his first set of the tournament but still powered through to the fourth round with a 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 defeat of Karen Khachanov today.
The Spaniard, seeking to claim a record 21st Grand Slam title in the absence of great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, was sensational as he took a two-set lead.
But Khachanov, seeded 28th, threw caution to the wind in the third set, stalling Nadal's charge with some ferocious hitting.
Olympics runner-up Khachanov had lost all seven previous meetings with 2009 Australian Open champion Nadal but briefly looked capable of mounting a comeback.
"I played a great player tonight and happy that this was my best match since coming back," the 35-year-old Nadal, who missed the second half of 2021 with a foot injury, said on court. "I've been going through some tough times in the last year but night's like tonight mean everything." — Agencies
Matteo Berrettini flexes muscles after overcoming Carlos Alcaraz 6-2 7-6(3) 4-6 2-6 7-6(10-5). AP/PTIDay 5: Highlights
UNSTOPPABLE BARTY
World No. 1 Ash Barty breezed past Camila Giorgi 6-2 6-3 in just over an hour to advance to the fourth round.
ZVEREV TOO GOOD
Third seed Alexander Zverev continued his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot. Up next is Denis Shapovalov, who sealed a 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Reilly Opelka.
THE GLADIATOR
Seventh seed Matteo Berrettini staved off a strong challenge from 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz to win a huge battle 6-2 7-6(3) 4-6 2-6 7-6(10-5) and reach the fourth round for the second time.
KEYS HOLDS ON
Madison Keys came from a set down to claim a 4-6 6-3 7-6(10-2) win over China's Wang Qiang to book a meeting with eighth seed Paula Badosa next.
AZARENKA GOES ON
Two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka handed No. 15 seed Elina Svitolina a comprehensive 6-0 6-2 defeat to advance to the fourth round.
PEGULA MEETS SAKKARI
Last year's quarter-finalist Jessica Pegula shook off a slow start to get past Nuria Parrizas Diaz 7-6(3) 6-2 and reach the fourth round, where the American will face fifth seed Maria Sakkari.