Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️
Today’s tennis mood: Invigorated + spicy.
We’re into the third round in Melbourne now, with just five seeds falling out in the second. We’ve got one insistent hanger-on in Stan Wawrinka, who played a dramatic second-round match. And some other kinds of drama unfolded on the other courts as well.
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
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🎾 Stanimal!: Stan Wawrinka, playing in his last Australian Open, isn’t going home yet! The 40-year-old outlasted Arthur Gea in a four-and-a-half-hour, five-set thriller, 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6. He moves on to the third round in Melbourne.
What he said: “As I told you, it’s my last Australian Open, so I’m trying to last as long as possible,” he said, telling a crowd that was almost entirely behind the Swiss veteran. “Not only I had fun, but you gave me so much energy. I’m not young anymore, so I need the extra.”
Recovery plans: “I’ll pick up a beer,” Wawrinka said. “I deserve one!”
Next: Wawrinka will face Taylor Fritz in the third round.
🎾 Icy: Sorana Cirstea and Naomi Osaka had a frosty handshake at the net after the Romanian lost in a close three-set battle and called into question Osaka’s sportsmanship. But Osaka wasn’t having it, and said in the on-court interview, “Apparently a lot of ‘c’mons’ that she was angry about, but whatever,” Osaka said. “I mean, I tried to play well, I tried my best. She’s a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open, so, OK, sorry she was mad about it.” In her press conference, Osaka apologized for “disrespecting” Cirstea with those comments.
🎾 Win Elina Svitolina’s racket: We’ve partnered with Diadem to give away one of Elina Svitolina’s stunning new rackets: The Elina Svitolina Signature Axis 98. The racket giveaway is for Court Theory Plus members who have signed up for a yearly subscription. And, if you’re a monthly subscriber, Diadem’s got you covered, too, with a backpack filled with gear coming in at a $150+ value. If you’re already a Court Theory Plus member, you’re automatically entered. Upgrade Now!
🎾 One to watch: Frances Tiafoe vs. Alex de Minaur (3rd round - Australian Open - Melbourne): Watch this one for the pure excitement: Alex de Minaur on the biggest home turf stage, plus Frances Tiafoe, who always puts on a show. Add to that, it’s always a battle every time they play.
The record: Alex de Minaur leads the head-to-head record over Frances Tiafoe 4-1. He won their most recent meeting in Toronto last year, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
On the line: De Minaur has made it clear that he wants to win the Australian Open; he also has the pressure of defending last year’s quarterfinal points. Meanwhile, Tiafoe wants to prove that the changes he said he’s made are real and are taking hold.
🎾 🏆 🎤 YOUR CALL
(Yesterday’s poll results: 80% of you called for Lorenzo Musetti to take down Lorenzo Sonego. Musetti won 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.)
And that’s game.
