Australian Open: Caroline Wozniacki, Elina Svitolina survive scares as new star born

IANS

Title contenders Caroline Wozniacki and Elina Svitolina survived big scares at the Australian Open Wednesday, as a new teen star was born at the first major of the year.

World number two Wozniacki produced a great escape against little-known Croat Jana Fett, saving two match points and rallying from 5-1 down in an epic third set to keep her dream of a first Grand Slam title alive.

She looked out for the count, and was struggling afterwards to work out how she survived 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 against a player ranked 119.

“That was crazy, I don't how I got back the in the match, She really took her shots, she had nothing to lose,” said Wozniacki, adding that “experience was crucial”.

Fourth seed Svitolina also came from a set down to overcome spirited Czech Katerina Siniakova 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.The Ukrainian is now on a seven-match win streak after winning the lead-up Brisbane International.

She picked up five WTA Tour titles last year, more than any other woman, making her a serious Grand Slam contender.

Her next task is tackling 15-year-old sensation Marta Kostyuk, who became the youngest woman to reach the third round since Martina Hingis got to the quarter-finals in 1996. Also Ukrainian, she beat local wildcard Olivia Rogowska 6-3, 7-5.

Her win streak at Melbourne Park is now 11 straight matches after claiming the Australian Open girls' title in 2017 and coming through qualifying this year.

“I heard a lot of times that I'm talented, and I know that,” said the confident teen. “But I know that only talent will not help me to play good. So I'm working pretty hard.”

Svitolina said she knew little about the youngster, and was preparing for a no-holds barred fight.

“She has nothing to lose, so that's why I know she goes just for everything. You know, a little bit like a headless chicken,” she said.

More seeds fall

On a hot Melbourne day, Croatia's sixth seed Marin Cilic also advanced to the third round, with last year's Wimbledon finalist easily beating Joao Sousa.

US Open semi-finalist and 10th seed Pablo Carreno-Busta also went through after French veteran Gilles Simon retired injured when trailing 6-2, 3-0.  

But Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a quarter-finalist last year, became the latest seed to slump out in the women's draw, which has been shorn of leading names over the first two rounds.

Seeded 15, she lost to Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko.

Venus Williams' conqueror Belinda Bencic also ran out of steam, having no answers against Thai qualifier Luksika Kumkhum, slumping out 6-1, 6-3.

Dream on

Rafael Nadal resumes his march towards a 17th Grand Slam later on Rod Laver Arena, after dispelling any lingering injury concerns in his opening match.

The world number one faces Argentina's Leonardo Mayer, who has never gone beyond the second round at seven previous attempts at Melbourne Park.

Last year's finalist Nadal has said his body was feeling “good” and he had “no problems” with his troublesome knee.

Surprisingly, he is not the prime time men's night match on centre court, with that honour going to third seed Grigor Dimitrov, who takes on American Mackenzie McDonald.

The stylish Bulgarian admits he dreams about winning a Grand Slam, but so far has never got beyond a semi-final.

“I'm going to deal with it. That's all I'm really focusing on,” he said about his drive to break his Grand Slam duck.

French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko is also in action later, along with Australian Nick Kyrgios who was slapped with a $3,000 fine Wednesday for swearing in his first round match.