Who’s through, who’s out? All news from day 9 at the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne up to date and compact.
Network broken! Long break in Sinner against Rune
Jannik Sinner – Holger Runer 6:3 3:6 6:3 6:2
Craftsmen wanted! It is reminiscent of the fallen goal in Madrid in 1998. The net broke during the match between Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune. More specifically, the screw that connects the net to the ground in the middle of the burst broke and pulls it down. Now the broken piece of screw and thread is stuck in the ground. As in Madrid, many people are now trying to solve the problem, and even more people are watching with interest. MacGyver is not there. The stadium DJ tries to create a good atmosphere with “Sweet Caroline”. Doesn’t work. It’s 6:3 3:6 6:3 0:1 from Sinner’s point of view. After a 15 minute break we continued. In the end, Sinner confidently got through the fourth set and moved into the quarter-finals.
Roller coaster in the round of 16
Madison Keys – Elena Rybakina 6:3 1:6 6:3
When your most important strength weakens, the rest often collapses too. Elena Rybakina, the number 4 women’s player and one of the best, if not THE best, servers on the WTA tour, served so poorly in the first set that her entire game suffered. 20 unforced errors, no confidence, two breaks, set 1 gone without ever having been there. Then just outside the door and suddenly it was working. Only to collapse again in set 3. Madison Keys returned Rybakina’s serves as if from another planet and deservedly prevailed after a roller coaster ride. The number 19 seed is in the top eight. Rybakina is out. Tennis is so much in the head.
Madison Keys (r.) wins her game against Elna Rybakina.
Top again after six years
Elina Svitolina – Weronika Kudermetova 6:4 6:1
Six years ago, Elina Svitolina from Ukraine was last in the top eight at the Australian Open. A lot has happened in the meantime, getting married, becoming a mother and making a comeback on the court. In Melbourne she is now back where she had her best result in 2019, in the quarter-finals. After a break against herself and 1:4 in the first set against the Russian Weronika Kudermetova, Svitolina turned things around, played 11 (!) of the next 12 games and won 6:4 and 6:1. Now the Ukrainian is up against Madison Keys from the USA.
German doubles have strong nerves
Krawietz/Pütz – Gillé/ Zielinski 6:7 (4) 6:4 6:4
The doubles of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz are in the quarterfinals. As in the previous round, the Germans were one set behind, kept their nerve and turned the match around. Three more wins until the desired title at the Australian Open.