Australian Open must feel like opportunity for younger men

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — There was a second on the Australian Open on Saturday that should have felt very very similar to an opportunity for a career-defining outcome for a few of the younger males transferring into Week 2.

That is seen by most as a interval of transition in males’s tennis, an opportunity for brand spanking new faces to make themselves identified, and gamers corresponding to Andrey Rublev, Holger Rune, Alex de Minaur, Tommy Paul and J.J. Wolf all took key steps ahead with victories within the afternoon at Melbourne Park.

That No. 5 seed Rublev, a 25-year-old from Russia, and No. 9 seed Rune, a 19-year-old from Denmark, would nonetheless be within the bracket, and are set as much as face one another for a quarterfinal berth on Monday, ought to come as a shock to nobody.

Nonetheless, neither has been previous the ultimate eight at any Grand Slam event. Nor has No. 22 de Minaur, a 23-year-old from Australia, who superior Saturday and was awaiting the winner of 21-time Slam champion Djokovic’s contest in opposition to three-time main semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov.

Two different unseeded gamers who gained Saturday — Paul, 25, and Wolf, 24, each People — by no means have been previous the fourth spherical at one of many 4 largest occasions in tennis.

After early losses by excessive seeds corresponding to No. 1 Rafael Nadal, the defending champion and proprietor of twenty-two main trophies; No. 2 Casper Ruud, twice a serious finalist final 12 months; and No. 7 Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 U.S. Open champ and the runner-up at Melbourne Park every of the final two years, have on the very least made some newcomers really feel welcome within the latter phases.

Even when they don’t wish to speak in regards to the disruptions within the bracket.

“After all, I do know what’s taking place,” stated Rune, who appeared to harm his ankle and wrist in a fall throughout a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (5) win in opposition to Ugo Humbert and pronounced himself OK afterward. “However primarily I simply deal with myself.”

Rublev sounded an analogous notice following his 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. 25 Dan Evans.

“There have been some moments earlier than after I really feel there’s alternative to go to semis and even ultimate possibly and, ultimately, nothing occurred,” stated Rublev, who delivered 60 winners. “So this time, I simply don’t wish to even strive to consider alternative or one thing.”

Wolf, who’s ranked 67th and with out an ATP title, and Paul, ranked thirty fifth and with one tour-level trophy, each gained lopsided all-American matchups on Saturday. Wolf beat fortunate loser Michael Mmoh 6-4, 6-1, 6-2, whereas Paul eradicated Jenson Brooksby — who was answerable for Ruud’s ouster within the second spherical — by a rating of 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.

Wolf will get the winner of Ben Shelton vs. Alexei Popyrin, whereas Paul’s subsequent opponent will likely be Andy Murray or Roberto Bautista Agut.

An intriguing fourth-round matchup on the ladies’s aspect was established with No. 5 Aryna Sabalenka to tackle No. 12 Belinda Bencic. Sabalenka is now 7-0 in 2023 after beating Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3, and Bencic stretched her profitable streak to eight matches by defeating Camila Giorgi 6-2, 7-5.

Additionally transferring into Week 2: two-time main finalist Karolina Pliskova, Zhang Shuai and Donna Vekic.

___ AP freelancer Simon Cambers contributed to this report.

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