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And another Italian, Lorenzo Sonego, has just gone in front against Stan Wawrinka – belieeeeve it’s taking a lot for me not to major on that match given we don’t know how many more times we’ll get to lap up the dishevelled Swiss – taking the third set 7-5. Meantime Popyrin finally secures his hold for 1-1 in the first against Moutet, and on Laver, De Minaur and Van de Zandschulp are under way.
Paolini, meanwhile, consolidates for 2-0 in the first, while Arnaldi and Musetti have just begun a third-set breaker. It’s quite something really how many excellent Italians there now are especially in the man’s game: Mario Berrettini beat Cam Norrie earlier today and there’s also Cobolli, Sinner and so on.
Moutet fights through a tough hold then forces Popyrin to deuce, swinging heavily top-spinning forehands; already, this looks like being a sapping contest both physically and mentally. The Frenchman is a an awkward customer, lacking power but not desire and running for everything before applying a tricky lefty angle. He’s also something of a wind-up merchant, but for now, he’s advantage down…
Paolini is so much fun to watch and she earns two break points immediately, and when Wei nets a forehand she leads 1-0.
Some latest scores:
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Musetti (16) and Arnaldi are level at a set apiece
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Shelton (21) leads Nakashima 7-6 7-5 4-3
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Bautista Agut and Shapovalov are warming up
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Sonego and Wawrinka are 1-1 4-4
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Etcheverry and Cobolli (32) are playing a first set tiebreak
So, which matches to watch? I’m going to go with Van de Zandschulp v De Minaur, Popyrin v Moutet, Arnaldo v Musetti and Wei v Paolini, I think – provided the various systems permit that.
Let’s begin with a result: Daniil Medvedev, seeded five, has survived a scare, beating Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej, a qualifier, 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2. He meets Learner Tien of USA next.
Preamble
G’day all and welcome to the Australian Open 2024 – day three!
As ever we’ve all sorts for you in this evening session. Local favourites Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin both begin their campaigns, against the big-serving Botic van de Zandschulp and mercurial Corentin Moutet respectively, while Jasmine Paolini and Andrey Rublev also play.
And there’s more, so much more. Ben Shelton and Brandon Nakashima are mid-match, likewise Matteo Arnaldi and Lorenzo Musetti, with Ons Jabeur and Katie Boulter taking to the court when they’re finished; Roberto Bautista Agut meets Denis Shapovalov; Lorenzo Sonego and Stan Wawrinka are already under way; and so are Tomas Etcheverry and Flavio Cobolli.
Let’s go!
