Muguruza (3) was the biggest casualty of the Australian Open women’s draw after being upset by Cornet 3 and 3.
Raducanu (17) was also upset by Kovinc in three sets. The US Open champion struggled with an injury throughout the match.
Kontaveit (6), who had such a strong finish to 2021, was knocked out by Tauson in straights.
I am not sure Murray losing to Daniel 4-6, 4-6, 4-6 is necessarily an upset, but he is a big name in a draw feeling the loss of a few stars.
Other upsets were:
Paire beating Dimitrov (26).
O’Connell beating Schwartzman (13).
Rybakina (12) who had been injured in the run up to the tournament, retired a game down in the second set versus Zhang.
Noteable results.
Stosur’s singles career ended at the hands of Pavlyuchenkova. The Australian won a grand slam, was a runner up, and was one of the most athletic and sportsmanlike competitors in the game.
Going into the third round, in the men’s draw, a total of 22 of the 31 seeds made it through. In the women’s, it’s 20.
Day four was a little underwhelming, and the tournament still hasn’t really taken off. There hasn’t been that match to get everyone buzzing. Nick Kyrgios did his best versus Daniil Medvedev and that encounter did bring things to life, but Kyrgios is not match fit and the result never seemed in doubt. A lively encounter between Kyrgios and a top seed in the early round of the Australian Open on Rod Laver under the lights has become a trope now rather than a genuinely thrilling unpredictable highlight.
Day 5 could provide it with Nadal vs Khachanov, Azarenka vs Svitolina, Krejcikova Vs Ostapenko, Korda vs Busta, Barty vs Giorgi and Alcaraz vs Berrettini all on offer. I think that’s a line up any slam would be happy for.
Still, while the tournament is slow, there is a mystery at least. There’s no clear winner in either draws as yet and it feels like as the tournament progresses, it becomes more and more a free for all. Worth tuning in to see how all that unfolds.
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