Kyrgios Sets Berdych Clash; Tsonga Beats Jasika
Kyrgios Sets Berdych Clash; Tsonga Beats Jasika
Big-hitting third-round clash in prospect
Nick Kyrgios surged into the third round of the Australian Open under the lights on Hisense Arena on Wednesday evening as he held off Pablo Cuevas for a 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(2) victory.
The 20-year-old Kyrgios narrowly avoided a fourth set, saving two set points when serving at 4-5, 15/40 in the third set. The Canberra native went on to clinch the ensuing tie-break, sealing victory with a rifled backhand winner in just under two hours.
Kyrgios reached his second Grand Slam quarter-final at Melbourne Park last year, falling to Andy Murray. The right-hander also advanced to the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2014, stunning Rafael Nadal in the fourth round before his run was ended by Milos Raonic.
Next up for Kyrgios will be a first-time meeting with sixth seed Tomas Berdych. Kyrgios has a 4-10 record against Top 10 players.
Former finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was too strong for 18-year-old Australian Omar Jasika, reaching the third round with a 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 victory. The Frenchman was given a stern test by the wild card in the first set, but struck 40 winners as he went on to claim victory in one hour and 43 minutes. World No. 310 Jasika had claimed his first tour-level win in the first round when he beat Illya Marchenko.
The ninth-seeded Tsonga was runner-up in Melbourne in 2008, losing to Novak Djokovic. The 30 year old began his 2016 ATP World Tour campaign last week in Auckland, reaching the semi-finals (l. to Bautista Agut).
In an all-French third-round clash, Tsonga will face qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who defeated American wild card Noah Rubin 6-3, 6-4, 6-0. The 24-year-old Herbert reached the doubles final at Melbourne Park last year with Nicolas Mahut (l. to Bolelli/Fognini) and is through to the third round in singles at a Grand Slam for the first time.