Notebook 3 – Medvedev’s anger, Wawrinka’s regrets, the transalpine stroke of genius and the fabulous story of a draftee – rts.ch

REGRETS Stan Wawrinka therefore lost in the first round of this Australian Open and there is really reason to regret for the Vaudois, who delivered a fine match against Lorenzo Sonego (6-4 5-7 7-5 7 -5). The 2014 winner was at the level and, given his form, he would undoubtedly have passed the shoulder against a less tough opponent than the Turinese. Present in the fight, in good shape, “Stanimal” will certainly look back with a certain bitterness at the 3 overused set points at the end of the 4th round, at a time when he seemed in a position to be able to land a blow on the head of the 29-year-old player. years. It’s hard to have crossed the Pacific to lose straight away, but in terms of his pure performance, the veteran has little to complain about. Only ten points separated him from his opponent.

THE TURINE MUTANT It must be recognized that Sonego had his legs on fire and was present in all four corners of the court. As evidenced by this completely crazy point which gave him a decisive break at the end of the 3rd set. Impeccable at the net (77% success), author of 63 winning shots for 30 unforced errors, the escogriffe was able to be sharper in important moments.

BE CAREFUL OF THE FALL! Exactly a year ago, Adrian Mannarino made the headlines. An accession to the round of 16, after a crazy match won against Ben Shelton, allowed the 36-year-old left-hander to break through the wall of the top-20 for the first time in his career. Unfortunately for him, the rest of his 2024 had been chaotic, to say the least. And 2025 hasn’t started any better. Destroyed in 3 sets by Karen Khachanov, “Manna” will fall out of the top-100.

CONSCIOUSLY ENTER OMBRE ET LUMIERE Arriving late in Melbourne after witnessing the birth of his second child, Daniil Medvedev does not yet have his ideas completely in place. The 2021, 2022 and 2024 finalist suffered as rarely to get rid of the unknown Thai Kasidit Samrej (ATP 418!). Despite his 24 aces, it took him 5 sets, a lot of hair pulling and a serious meltdown in front of the net to find the key leading to the 2nd round (6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2 ). The Russian still wanted to pay tribute to his opponent: “If he plays like this every game, his life will be good: money, girls, casinos, etc…“, he laughed.

BERRETTINI ON FIRE We won’t swear that Matteo Berrettini will continue his path by taking the scalp of Holger Rune, but the Italian’s production was very solid against Cameron Norrie, beaten in 4 sets. Powerful and strong as in his best years, before injuries, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist was in total control: 32 aces, 63 winning shots, no breaks conceded. Difficult to do better for a player who missed the 2024 edition and was released straight away in 2023. “I’m happy with my performance and I think my backhand is better than in the pastlaunched the Roman. But there is still room to improve. I just need to play more against the best players in the world.” Good news: Rune is 13th ATP.

MONFILS, BEAUTIFUL BATTLE The Franco-French clash, a true generational opposition between Gaël Monfils and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, kept its promises. Against an old veteran who remains on a title in Auckland, the powerful winner of the Swiss Indoors thought he could do damage with the heaviness of his shots, especially his serve. But he was taken by surprise by the solidity of the Parisian, well placed on his large compasses and clearly not there to put on a show. Regular in the exchange, patient as he is not so often, Monfils held the house, dismissing a set point in the initial set to take the lead. Before stalling and letting 2 match points slip away in the 3rd set. This seemed to spell the end of his ambitions. Except that in the final package, the veteran (38 years old) knew how to keep a cool head and clinical tennis. In the end, he served the best, returned the best and passed the shoulder. Strong.

THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF POPYRIN In the Grand Slam, Alexei Popyrin notably remained on a victory against Novak Djokovic at the US Open, in the wake of his first Masters 1000 title, in Montreal. Suffice to say that the Australian entered “his” Open with the bit in his teeth. But woe! After a well-conducted set in front of Corentin Moutet, the Sydney native completely shattered, dazed by the French left-hander’s tricks. Discomfort in Melbourne Park.

FONSECA A PART We will have to realize what the untenable Joao Fonseca has been doing for several weeks; winner of the Next Gen Masters at the end of 2024, the Brazilian has just defeated the Canberra Challenger, the 3 qualifying matches for this Australian Open and, this Tuesday, he stunned Andrey Rublev in just 3 short rounds (7-6 6-3 7-6). Fourteen matches won in a row, with a monstrous final forehand. And this at only 18 years old. Who says better?

LILY HAS BLOOMED There was a somewhat incredible story yesterday, with the accession of lucky loser Francesco Passaro to the 2nd round, thanks to a withdrawal (Fognini) then a retirement (Dimitrov). But what about Tuesday of Eva Lys, the German out in qualifying and now also in the 2nd round in Melbourne? Lucky loser, but ready to return to Europe since no player seemed on the verge of withdrawing from the draw, the right-hander established in Hamburg learned only 10 minutes before the schedule that she was going to have to line up in the 1st round . “I had booked my flight, I had to change very quickly“, she smiled. The cause: the crime of Anna Kalinskaya, who was to fight with the Australian Kimberly Birrel. The Russian on the side, it was Eva Lys who was sent to the fire. And she did not burn his hands, sticking a dry and scoring 6-2 6-2 to his opponent A wonderful birthday present for the one who celebrated her 23rd birthday on Sunday evening.

PHRASE OF THE DAY “I’ve been playing really well since the start of the year, I played well in the United Cup that we won with the United States. I see no reason not to be confident.” It’s from Taylor Fritz, finalist of the 2024 US Open, who was quick yesterday against Jenson Brooksby, and who openly says he dreams of competing in a major tournament this season. Really?

AND FINALLY Let’s finish with another big point, from Botic van de Zandschulp. Although swept away by Alex De Minaur, the Dutchman pulled out the gesture of the match.

Arnaud Cerutti