Australian Open favorite blames clock for huge upset, Alcaraz on fire – overnight recap

The Olympic gold medalist was eliminated from the Australian to make it easier for Arina Sabalena to return to the final.

Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz reached the third round without dropping a set, while two-time winner here Naomi Osaka will now face another mum.

And Nick Kyrgios weighed in on Thanasi Kokkinakis’ row with Todd Woodbridge, branding the doubles legend “jealous”. The world number 71 from Australia will face Jack Draper later.

Afternoon rain halted play on the outer courts to postpone the second-round match between Scotland’s Jacob Fearnley, who beat Kyrgios in the first round, and France’s Arthur Cazo on court six.

Zheng Qinwen’s time has passed

The Chinese star reached the final here, and then won the Olympics. But the No. 5 seed suffered her biggest shock of the tournament when she lost to German veteran Laura Siegemund 7-6 6-3.

After an 80-minute first set, Zheng trailed 1-3 in the second set after being given a second time violation and denied her first serve before serving two double faults. Players have 25 seconds to complete.

At the court, she complained that she could not see the clock. And in her press conference, Zheng said, “Obviously, it really distracted me from the match. This is the first time I have such a situation with a time violation. I think this is my fourth year on the tour and this has never happened to me. Should they turn back the clock? Yes, it is better to go directly to the wall, not to the side. It bothered me, but I won’t lose because of it.”

No rematch with Sabalenka

Belarus beat the Chinese star in last year’s final to retain their title and they were due to meet here in the quarter-finals.

Currently, the highest seed remaining in her division of the draw is No. 12 seed Diana Schneider.

Sabalenaka won her 16th straight win at Melbourne Park when she came from 2-5 down in the second set to beat Spain’s Jessica Buzas Maneiro 6-3 7-5.

And at her press conference, she already knew that Zheng was out. “I saw her lose,” said the doppelganger Australian Open Championship champion. “It’s very sad to see.

“Look, it’s a slam, you know? Not everyone can handle these emotions. I have to go there, I have to compete, I have to fight. Today’s match confirmed it. Girls can go there and just play without fear, without losing anything. They can put you in a really awkward position.”

Carlos Alcaraz still on its way to history

French Open and Wimbledon The champion’s quest to become the youngest person to complete a career Grand Slam was overlooked at this tournament.

But the 21-year-old Spaniard now has just five wins after needing just 81 minutes to beat Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0 6-1 6-4 in just 81 minutes. He hit 14 aces and won 89% of first serve points.

Alcaraz, who has never made it past the quarter-finals here, said: “I think the less time you spend on the court in a Grand Slam, especially in a tournament, is good. I am very pleased with today’s pitch. It’s something I’ve been working on in the pre-season and I struggled a bit in the first round. I’m just glad it worked out pretty well today.”

Osaka will play Bencic’s second mother

The former Japanese world number one reached her first WTA final since giving birth to daughter Shai in 2023 at the Auckland Classic before pulling out of the final due to injury.

She has now reached her first Grand Slam third round as a mother after overcoming a slow start to beat 20th seed Karolina Mukhova 1-6 6-1 6-3.

At the exit from the KIA Arena, she wrote in the camera lens: “I love you Aus.”

She will now face former top 10 star and compatriot Belinda Bencic.

The Swiss is returning to major tennis after giving birth to her daughter Bella last April.

The 2020 Olympic champion said: “We just do more interesting things and try to go for a walk or try to go to the aquarium. I don’t think I would have gone to the oceanarium before.

“So, just in terms of family time, it’s definitely changed. Now there are different things to do in terms of preparation, but it’s better because I think it takes my mind off tennis a little bit.”

Kyrgios can’t stay out of the headlines

Nine times Wimbledon Doubles champion Todd Woodbridge disagreed with Kokkinakis’ decision to play lucrative exhibition matches, including in Russia last month

The world number 71 hit back at Woodbridge, who also presents the Australian version of Tipping Point, saying: “That’s why he’s trying to host every game show under the sun … we’re trying to make a living out of what he is.”

Now Kyrgios, who was knocked out by Jacob Fearnley in singles on Monday, has entered the fray. Former Wimbledon the finalist wrote on social networks: “Facts!!! Here we earn 6-7 figures on these “exos”. We have every right to go and get this money!!! Don’t be jealous, we earn bread!!! We EARNED it!”

Played by Kokkinakis Jack Draper at the John Cain Arena no earlier than 8am UK time on Wednesday.