Australian Open 2019 Day 3 Men's singles: Nadal and Federer through; Anderson crashes out

Day three at the Australian Open 2019 saw Rafael Nadal in action who cruised into the third round with a victory over Australia’s Matthew Ebden. Roger Federer had to take the opening two sets on a tie-break before sealing the third set 6-3 to get past Great Britain’s Daniel Evans.

Margaret Court Arena Round two:

Frances Tiafoe won his first game against South Africa’s Kevin Anderson after suffering three defeats against him in 2018. Tiafoe, who overcame India’s Prajnesh in the opening round, will now face Italian Andreas Seppi in the third round. Tiafoe committed only 27 unforced errors as to Anderson’s 35.

The American won 64 of his 80 points on the first serve while dominating the net play, clinching 21 of his 27 points which included seven passing shots and two overhead shots. Anderson got knocked out in the first round of the 2018 Australian Open, losing to Great Britain’s Kyle Edmund.

Frances Tiafoe (39) (USA) defeats Kevin Anderson (6) (RSA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.

1573 Arena Round two:

Taylor Fritz entered the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in his career when he got past France’s Gael Monfils in a thrilling four-set encounter which lasted for three hours and twenty-four minutes. Both players did not convert the numerous break-point opportunities they had, with Monfils managing just one from his 13 attempts, while Taylor converted three of his 15 attempts.

Fritz recorded the fastest serve at 142mph and posted a substantial contribution with ten backhand groundstrokes. Taylor broke Monfils twice in the first set to close it 6-3 and raced off to a 3-0 lead in the second. Monfils came back strongly, breaking Taylor’s seventh service game to secure the second set on the tie-break. Both players held on to their service games in the remaining two sets with Fritz winning both the sets in the tie-break. Roger Federer awaits Taylor Fritz in the third round.

Taylor Fritz (50) (USA) defeats Gael Monfils (32) (FRA) 6-3, 6-7 (8-10), 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5).

Court 8 Round two:

Tomas Berdych registered his 632nd victory after getting past Robin Haase of Netherlands. Robin Haase has had a forgettable outing at the Australian Open after failing to get past the first round since 2012. Berdych won 88% of his points on the first serve and 74% of his points with his second serve. He also converted five of his seven break-points along with 28 winners.

Berdych raced off to a 3-0 lead in the first two sets before comprehensively overcoming Haase in the final set by breaking him in the eight service game. Berdych clinched the match out with an ace to take the final set 6-3. He will now face Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman in the third round.

Tomas Berdych (57) (CZE) defeats Robin Haase (49) (NED) 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.