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Gauff and Zverev unstoppable, Zheng and Ruud on the mat

World No.2 Alexander Zverev wasted little time on Wednesday to qualify for the third round of the Australian Open, which Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff will also see but not Qinwen Zheng or Casper Ruud.

. Alcaraz and Zverev mercilessly, Djokovic slowed down, Ruud eliminated

Winner in three sets for his entry into the competition, world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz repeated this performance on Wednesday in the 2nd round by sweeping away the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka (65th), eliminated 6-0, 6-1, 6-4.

The German Alexander Zverev was just as relentless against the Spaniard Pedro Martinez, outclassed 6-1, 6-4, 6-1.

In the 3rd round, Alcaraz will face the Portuguese Nuno Borges (33rd) and Zverev the British Jacob Fearnley (92nd).

Ten-time winner of the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic (7th) for his part once again let slip a round against the young Portuguese Jaime Faria (125th), finally beaten 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2.

A small statistical consolation, the Serbian became on Wednesday the player to have played the most Grand Slam singles matches in history (430), ahead of his ex-Swiss rival Roger Federer (429) and the American with 23 major titles Serena Williams (423), both retired.

“Grand Slam matches and victories are the most important thing in our sport, so I’m obviously delighted” of this new record, soberly commented the Serb, who is preparing to challenge the Czech Tomas Machac (25th) in the 3rd round.

Sixth player in the world, the Norwegian Casper Ruud was beaten on Wednesday in the 2nd round by the young Czech talent Jakub Mensik (48th at 19 years old) in four sets.

The German Alexander Zverev won against the Spaniard Pedro Martinez in the 2nd round of the Australian Open, January 15, 2025 in Melbourne / WILLIAM WEST / AFP

Like Sunday during the first round, the day’s schedule was disrupted by rain, with matches scheduled on the side courts having been suspended for more than three hours.

Title holder in Melbourne, world No.1 Jannik Sinner will play his second round on Thursday, like US Open finalist Taylor Fritz (4th).

. Gauff continues his series, Zheng KO

Winner of the WTA Finals in November and undefeated since the start of the season, world No.3 Coco Gauff quietly continues her journey in Melbourne, where she defeated Briton Jodie Burrage (173rd) in two sets on Wednesday.

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The 20-year-old American, seeking a second Grand Slam title after her victory at the US Open in 2023, has yet to concede a set in her seven matches played since the start of the season.

Led 5-3, service to be followed by Burrage in the 2nd set on Wednesday, she however had to work to preserve this perfect record.

“I knew there was going to come a time when she would play a little less well, the question was when”explained Gauff. “I didn’t know if it was going to happen at 5-3 or in the third set”she added.

In the 3rd round, Gauff, semi-finalist in Melbourne in 2024, will challenge Canadian Leylah Fernandez (29th).

The day started with a surprise with the elimination of the Chinese Qinwen Zheng (5th), finalist of the 2024 edition, by the modest German Laura Siegemund (97th).

Faller of Zheng in the final of the Australian Open in 2024, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka booked her ticket for the 3rd round on Wednesday, dominating the Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (54th) 6-3, 7- 5.

The match was not easy for the Belarusian, broken twice at the start of the first set and leading 5-2 in the second.

The Chinese Zheng Qinwen, eliminated in the 2nd round of the Australian Open, in a post-match press conference, January 15, 2025 in Melbourne / Vince CALIGIURI / TENNIS AUSTRALIA/AFP

“It’s a Grand Slam”underlined Sabalenka at a press conference. Regardless of the opponent’s ranking, “I have to fight. There are so many girls (…) who play without any fear, with nothing to lose and can put you in a difficult position. Today’s match (Wednesday) proved it again.”.

In the next round, the Belarusian will face the Dane Clara Tauson (42nd), recent winner of the WTA 250 tournament in Auckland.

Double winner in Melbourne (2019 and 2021) and recent finalist in Auckland, the Japanese Naomi Osaka (51st) also advanced to the 3rd round thanks to her victory in three sets against the Czech Karolina Muchova (20th).

Iga Swiatek (2nd) and Jasmine Paolini (4th) will try to imitate him on Thursday.

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