Djokovic, Sabalenka Progress as Zheng, Ruud Make Early Exits at Australian Open

Djokovic, Sabalenka Progress as Zheng, Ruud Make Early Exits at Australian Open

In the latest round of the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the third round, but there were early exits for top players including Zheng Qinwen and Casper Ruud.

Zheng, who was the first top-10 women’s seed to exit, was stunned by Laura Siegemund in a 7-6(3) 6-3 defeat. Meanwhile, sixth-seeded Casper Ruud, on the men's side, became the fourth top seed to fall after losing to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4. Mensik's victory was part of a growing trend of young talents making their mark in the tournament, with Brazilian Joao Fonseca’s win over Andrey Rublev in the first round also surprising the tennis world.

Novak Djokovic continued to defy the younger generation, defeating 21-year-old qualifier Jaime Faria 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2. The Serbian star’s victory brought him closer to a potential 25th Grand Slam title. Alexander Zverev, the second seed, breezed past Pedro Martinez 6-1 6-4 6-1, while Carlos Alcaraz, at just 21 years old, put on a dominant performance, defeating Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0 6-1 6-4.

Sabalenka, aiming to secure a third consecutive Australian Open title, faced a tough challenge in her second-round match. After trailing 4-1 in the second set, the Belarusian managed to fight back and win 6-3 7-5, extending her winning streak at the tournament to 16 matches.

Third seed Coco Gauff also progressed but had to work hard in her match against Britain’s Jodie Burrage, winning 6-3 7-5. However, rain in the morning and late afternoon caused some delays in the schedule.

Belinda Bencic sailed through her match, defeating Suzan Lamens 6-1 7-6(3), while Zheng Qinwen was left in tears after being defeated by unseeded German Laura Siegemund. Bencic will now face former two-time champion Naomi Osaka, who advanced with a 1-6 6-1 6-3 win over Karolina Muchova, marking her first third-round appearance in a Grand Slam since taking a break for motherhood.

There was also a notable loss for Lebanon’s Hady Habib, who was defeated by Frenchman Ugo Humbert in straight sets 6-3 6-4 6-4 in his Grand Slam main draw debut. Meanwhile, Australia's Aleks Vukic pulled off a thrilling win against 22nd seed Sebastian Korda, securing a 6-4 3-6 2-6 6-3 7-5 victory.

In a thrilling five-set match, Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis fought hard but eventually lost to Britain's 15th seed Jack Draper, who overcame Kokkinakis 6-7(3) 6-3 3-6 7-5 6-3 after a tense fourth set, where Kokkinakis was broken while serving for the match.

The tournament continues with more exciting matches ahead as the battle for the Australian Open title intensifies.