After a wild first round highlight by some outstanding wins for the host nation, there is no rest for the weary. Second-round action will get underway on Wednesday, with both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal taking the court. A throng of Aussies including Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios will also be looking for more success.
A look at some on Day 3’s top matches:
Tim Smyczek vs. (3) Rafael Nadal: It has already been a great tournament for Smyczek, who qualified for the main draw and is into the Aussie Open second round for just the second time in his career. His reward is a night session inside Rod Laver Arena against Nadal. And yes, for a player like Smyczek this really is a reward. He won’t win, of course, but the experience in this kind of atmosphere will be a great one.
Simone Bolelli vs. (2) Roger Federer: Super Bol is a straight-up shot-maker. He is not consistent enough to make this one overly competitive, but there should be plenty of entertainment. Unfortunately for the underdog, a rejuvenated Federer is undefeated this season with a title in Brisbane and a routine win over Yen-Hsun Lu on Monday.
(22) Philipp Kohlschreiber vs. Bernard Tomic: The mercurial Aussie’s motivation can be questioned at other times during the season, but it is never an issue Down Under. He gives the home crowd what it wants to see. Just ask Kohlschreiber. Tomic thrashed the German only one week ago, 6-3, 6-4 in Sydney. If that was the appetizer, the main course will come in Margaret Court Arena.
Sam Groth vs. (WC) Thanasi Kokkinakis: “Australia loves the Kokk.” So far that is the sign of the tournament, which could be found on Court 3 at Melbourne Park during Kokkinakis’ five-set win over Ernests Gulbis. Australia won’t love the Kokk as much on Wednesday, however, because he is going up against a fellow Aussie in Groth.
Nick Kyrgios vs. (23) Ivo Karlovic: Kyrgios is being banished to Court 3 for this one. As some who loves the spotlight and the biggest stages, he won’t be happy about that. Then again, Court 3 has delivered the most epic match of the tournament so far (Kokkinakis vs. Gulbis), so will it be able to produce an encore in the form of what is sure to be a huge-serving affair between Kyrgios and Karlovic?
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.
Topics: AO15, Atp, Australian Open, Federer, Melbourne, Rafa, Ricky Dimon, Tennis
-@Dimonator LOOKS AT THE @AustralianOpen DAY 3 MEN’S SCHEDULE, INCLUDING @rogerfederer AND @RafaelNadal http://t.co/wbyipT2exC #AO15 #tennis
RT @10sBalls_com: -@Dimonator LOOKS AT THE @AustralianOpen DAY 3 MEN’S SCHEDULE, INCLUDING @rogerfederer AND @RafaelNadal http://t.co/wbyip…
RT @10sBalls_com: -@Dimonator LOOKS AT THE @AustralianOpen DAY 3 MEN’S SCHEDULE, INCLUDING @rogerfederer AND @RafaelNadal http://t.co/wbyip…