MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic made a slice of Grand Slam history on his way into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday but last year’s women’s finalist Zheng Qinwen was knocked out in the biggest shock so far.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, two-time Melbourne winner Naomi Osaka and a rampant Carlos Alcaraz were all also winners on a rainy day four.
Djokovic needed four sets for the second match in a row before defeating Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2.
It was Djokovic’s 430th singles match at a major to claim sole ownership of most ever played, men or women, in the Open era ahead of Roger Federer (429) and Serena Williams (423).
The Serb is chasing an 11th Australian Open title and historic 25th Grand Slam crown.
“Whether I win or lose, I will always leave my heart out on the court. I’m just blessed to be making another record,” said Djokovic, 37, now coached by former rival Andy Murray.
Djokovic is drawn to meet Spain’s red-hot Alcaraz in the last eight.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz dropped just five games in an ominous display of strength to sprint into the third round.
The third seed showed no mercy to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 rout in 81 minutes.
“The less time you spend on court in the Grand Slams, especially in the beginning, it is going to be better,” said Alcaraz, who is yet to go beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne.
Second seed Alexander Zverev of Germany is seeking a first Grand Slam title and has enjoyed two days off since his straight-sets win on Sunday night against Lucas Pouille.
He again plays in the graveyard slot, the last evening match on Rod Laver Arena, this time against Spaniard Pedro Martinez.
Olympic champion Zheng was sent packing 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 by world number 97 Laura Siegemund, the second-oldest player in the women’s draw at age 36.
“I knew I just had to play more than my best tennis. I had nothing to lose so I just told myself to swing free,” said the German.
“It’s tennis. Nothing more,” said China’s Zheng, 22, who was given two time violations and lost her cool as her tilt at a maiden major crown evaporated in only the second round.
On center court Sabalenka dropped her serve three times and faced 11 break points before overcoming Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3, 7-5, rattling off the last five games in a row.
“She played incredible tennis today and it was a really tough one. I expected this tennis from her, I’m really glad I was able to win this match,” said Sabalenka, who beat Zheng in the 2024 final.
The win kept the Belarusian world number one on course for a rare hat-trick of consecutive Australian Open titles, a feat last achieved 26 years ago by Martina Hingis and only matched by four other women in history.
Former world number one Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 champion in Australia but now unseeded, stormed back to defeat 20th seed Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.
American seventh seed Jessica Pegula, beaten in the US Open final by Sabalenka last year, eased through 6-4, 6-2 against Belgium’s Elize Mertens.
World number three Coco Gauff is unbeaten this year after inspiring her country to victory in the United Cup and breezing past former champion Sofia Kenin in the first round in Melbourne.
She faces Britain’s Jodie Burrage.
Djokovic makes slice of history as Zheng stunned in Melbourne
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Djokovic makes slice of history as Zheng stunned in Melbourne
- Novak Djokovic made a slice of Grand Slam history on his way into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday but last year’s women’s finalist Zheng Qinwen was knocked out in the biggest shock so far
Pakistan legend Akram hails ‘incredible’ Starc after Ashes heroics
- Australia’s Mitchell Starc surpassed Akram’s tally of 414 test wickets during Brisbane match against England
- Akram says despite being 35, Starc can “go on and on” due to his passion for cricket and fiery pace bowling
KARACHI: Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram believes even more is to come from Australia’s “incredible” veteran Ashes wrecking ball Mitchell Starc.
Akram was reacting to Starc surpassing his tally of 414 wickets during the Brisbane Test against England on Thursday, becoming the leading left-arm pace bowler of all time.
“Congratulations to Starc on passing my tally of wickets,” Akram told AFP, saying that the 35-year-old’s passion and commitment helped set him apart.
“Starc has shown a great amount of dedication and focus in these times of too much cricket, having T20 leagues with big money coming your way.
“He did play T20 leagues but then decided to play more Tests and left the shorter format because he wanted to be remembered as one of the best in the world in the history of the game.
“Ten years down the line, if anyone decides to have an all-time Test team, then Starc will be named in that team for sure.”
Despite trumping Akram, Starc described the Pakistan great as the “pinnacle.”
“Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am,” Starc said on Thursday.
Akram dismissed the debate over who is the greatest.
“It is difficult to compare both of us because we are from different eras,” he said. “People say that I played on placid tracks and he played on bouncy Aussie tracks, so that was different.
“But nowadays batters have a different mindset and they play aggressive shots even on good balls, so that makes wicket-taking a more difficult art.”
Akram said he believed Starc’s passion could take him further.
“He is 35 and his pace is still there and passion remains at its peak. He has been incredible as a fast bowler and is enjoying fast bowling, so can go on and on.”
