(Melbourne) Canadians Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov continued their journey at the Australian Open on Wednesday. However, it was a little more difficult for the Quebecer.
After two innings of play in the Auger-Aliassime second-round duel, social media was already buzzing.
It looked like the 22-year-old, sixth-seeded tennis player was in for a big upset, but he came from behind to defeat Slovakia’s Alex Molcan in five sets.
Auger-Aliassime came out 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 after just over three hours of play at Melbourne Park.
The Quebecer, who had experienced difficulties in the first set in the first round against the Canadian Vasek Pospisil, took advantage of a collapse of Molcan to regain his composure.
“I believed in myself after winning the third round. I’ve come from behind before and felt like I could do it again. But it was a tough day,” said Auger-Aliassime, who finished the match with 23 aces.
PHOTO PAUL CROCK, AGENCY FRANCE-PRESSE
Denis Shapovalov
Then, at the end of the evening, the Ontarian Denis Shapovalov took the measure of the Japanese Taro Daniel 6-3, 7-6 (3), and 7-5.
Shapovalov, 20e seeded, will face in the third round the Pole Hubert Hurkacz, 10e seed, who beat Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 3-6, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the early morning hours.
All matches on the outdoor courts have been postponed due to rain.
Canada’s Bianca Andreescu was still able to play her match, but was eliminated after suffering a second-round loss to Cristina Bucsa of Spain, the WTA world 100 racquet.
The 22-year-old Ontarian lost in three sets, 6-2, 6-7 (9) and 4-6 to her 25-year-old rival who came from qualifying.
It was the first duel between the two players.
Cristina Bucsa, who is seeking a first career title, will face the daunting task of meeting tournament favorite and No. 1 player in the world Iga Swiatek of Poland, who disposed earlier on Wednesday Colombian Camila Osorio in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.
Tonight, Quebecer Leylah Annnie Fernandez will meet fourth-seeded Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia in the second round. She is the last representative of the maple leaf in the running in Melbourne. She is also due to begin her career in women’s doubles with the American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, against the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia and the Chinese Zhang Shuai, seventh seeds.
