After Wednesday's shock exit for Rafael Nadal, the drama continued on day three of the Australian Open, with more big names exiting the tournament.
In the men's singles, #2 seed Casper Ruud was knocked out after struggling through his second round match with Jenson Brooksby due to injury. Ruud's exit leaves an ever clearer path for Novak Djokovic to level Nadal's record 22 Grand Slam titles.
Much of the drama came in Brit Dan Evans' game against Frenchman Jérémy Chardy. A controversial call midway through the first set had Chardy livid, and Evans would ultimately go on to win the game. Chardy was not happy, and argued with the umpires for almost ten minutes, as he exited the Australian Open.
Australian Open Day 3 Round Up
Casper Ruud was sent packing from the Australian Open after a comfortable victory for Jenson Brooksby on Thursday.
American Brooksby was always in control, with Ruud being forced to call a medical timeout due to injury. He would ultimately fall to a 6-3 7-5 6-7 6-2 defeat, leaving the men's singles without two of its strongest contenders after just two rounds.
It was an American who knocked out Ruud, as it was for Nadal, and another American provided yet another shock elsewhere, with Michael Mmoh taking care of Alexander Zverev on Thursday.
Zverev - the #12 seed - was knocked out by Mmoh, who only qualified for the tournament through the "lucky loser" qualifying format, in a huge shock in Melbourne.
World No. 1️⃣0️⃣7️⃣ and lucky loser knocks out Alexander Zverev 🤯
Look how much that means to Michael Mmoh - who gets the win of his career 💙#AusOpen | @michaelmmoh pic.twitter.com/rW5qZ6uOA7— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 19, 2023
British up-and-comer Dan Evans is through to the third round after a contentious win over Jérémy Chardy during Thursday's afternoon session.
Midway through the first set, a ball dropped out of Chardy's pocket while he defended from Evans' break point, leading to the umpire calling "let" and calling for another serve. Evans sat back and allowed Chardy to argue his case with the umpire for almost ten minutes.
Ultimately, the decision was made to overturn the "let" call and give the point to Evans, as he had won the point before Chardy had even noticed the ball falling out of his pocket.
Chardy and Evans lock horns over unclear tennis rule. 🤬
Which side are you on? 🤔
🖥 #AusOpen LIVE | https://t.co/80XjQpwKWh#9WWOS #Tennis pic.twitter.com/zY6EVp90Oq— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 19, 2023
The Frenchman was fuming, and would go on to ask the officials if they were "looking at the birds? The clouds?"
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are both in action in Melbourne in the evening session.
In the women's singles, Aryna Sabalenka continued her impressive form, with a routine 6-3 6-1 victory over Shelby Rogers.
Sabalenka completed the second round assignment in just an hour and 27 minutes, putting her through to the third round of the Australian Open in routine fashion. She is undefeated thus far in 2023, and stands as one of the favourites to take the women's singles crown.
Ninth seed Veronika Kudermetova was knocked out, in another surprise result at Melbourne Park. As has been the theme thus far in this tournament, it was an American who claimed the scalp, with Katie Volynets taking a 6-4 2-6 6-2 victory over the Russian to set up a third round meeting with Chinese player Zhang Shuai.
Later on Thursday, 2022 Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur is in action against Marketa Simkova of the Czech Republic.
Things are opening up at the Australian Open, and it appears to be a year for the underdog.
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