Surprise day at Australian Open: Radukanu and his blister on his hand – Sport

Thursday was a good day for a big surprise at the Australian Open. US Open winner Emma Radukanu and world number three Garbine Muguruza were caught in the second round. Before the tournament, Danka Kovinic’s name was certainly not meant to rank high in the women’s competition.

But then things fell apart, with the Montenegro woman ending all title dreams of US Open winner Radukanu. The 19-year-old Briton surprisingly lost 4:6, 6:4, 3:6 to world number 98 Kovinic. Radukanu’s US Open finalist rival, Leyla Fernandez of Canada, was knocked out in the first round itself. Britt Radukanu is now being coached by Angelique Kerber’s former coach, Torben Beltz.

The game, however, went very strangely: after taking a 3–0 lead in the first set, Britain seemed in control but then lost five games in a row. The US Open champion was battling a blister on her right hand. She was in pain and therefore could not serve properly, Radukanu later said. Nevertheless, she still managed to extend the game to three sets – but did not win. “I had a problem with my hand before the match,” Radukanu said. “Some members of my team even advised me not to play.”

Muguruza, a former Australian Open finalist from Spain, lost a surprise on Thursday – with a 3:6, 3:6 finish – against unseeded French Alize Cornet. Besides former Wimbledon and French Open winner Muguruza, another top ten player had to give up all hope: Estonia’s world number seven Annette Kontaveit lost only to 19-year-old Dane Clara Tosson 2:6, 4:6. ,

no surprises with men

For the men, on the other hand, there were no big surprises: US Open winner Daniil Medvedev defied the atmosphere at Nick Kyrgios’ tennis show and kept his chance for the title. The number two player in the tennis world won the second round match against Australia in Melbourne 7:6 (7:1), 6:4, 4:6, 6:2.

Known as a provocateur and entertainer on the field, Kyrgios delighted spectators at night sessions at the Rod Laver Arena, which was almost half full, and held spectacular rallies with Medvedev. “I came here to win the match and I’m glad I did,” said Medvedev. It wasn’t easy as he saw the audience’s slogan as a boon against him – even between the first and second serves.

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Former world number one Andy Murray, who celebrated his first win in Melbourne in five years on Tuesday, said the tournament is already over. The five-time Australian Open finalist went down to Japanese qualifier Taro Daniels in three sets 4:6, 4:6, 4:6. In 2019, Murray announced the end of his career in Melbourne due to persistent hip problems, but he returned after an operation.

Australia is history again for Philippe Kollschreiber. He was the only German at the start on Thursday and finished as a pro in the second round of German tennis. The 38-year-old from Augsburg lost 1:6, 0:6, 3:6 against strongman Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in Melbourne and consistently had no chance. (TSP/DPA)