Defending champion Roger Federer continued his dominance over Richard Gasquet to reach the round of 16 at the Australian Open on Saturday.
In just over two hours, the second seed Federer beat the Frenchman 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 and will face Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics for a place in the quarter-finals.
Federer, who’s in pursuit of Slam No 20 is yet to drop a set in Melbourne.
9️⃣0️⃣ match wins and counting!@rogerfederer notches up his 90th match victory at Melbourne Park d 29th seed Richard #Gasquet 6-2 7-5 6-4.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/wo83nX7u1K
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018
Chung sends Zverev crashing out
Chung Hyeon became the first South Korean man ever to reach the round of 16 at the Australian Open with a five-set upset win over fourth seed Alexander Zverev on Saturday.
The 58th-ranked Chung beat a top-five ranked opponent for the first time with his 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory in 3hr 22min on Rod Laver Arena.
He will face six-time champion Novak Djokovic in Monday’s fourth round.
Chung’s feat also makes him only the third South Korean player – man or woman – to reach the round of 16 at a Grand Slam.
Making history.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018
Hyeon Chung becomes just the third Korean player to make the R16 at a Grand Slam, ousting No.4 seed Zverev 5-7 7-6(3) 2-6 6-3 6-0.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/szU7TOljXZ
Djokovic sails to fourth round
Six-time champion Novak Djokovic downed Spanish 21st seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets to power into the fourth round at the Australian Open on Saturday.
The Serbian 14th seed won 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 and will face South Korean surprise packet Chung Hyeon for a place in the quarter-finals.
"I'm not the only one who considers this slam as the 'Happy Slam'... It's a great pleasure to be here." @DjokerNole humble in victory as always and also tries his hand at an Aussie impression 😂#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ZFir8nRkOk
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018
Berdych halts Del Potro’s run
Veteran Tomas Berdych reached the round of 16 for the 10th time at the Australian Open with a straight sets win over Juan Martin Del Potro on Saturday.
The 32-year Czech eliminated the 12th-seeded Argentine 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 in 2hr 16min on Hisense Arena.
Berdych, who has played in the semi-finals twice in Melbourne, will face Italian journeyman Fabio Fognini in their first Grand Slam match in Monday’s fourth round.
"I will try my best... To go one more further." 💪
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018
It's @tomasberdych's 10th time in the #AusOpen 4R! pic.twitter.com/RAvcV66Fqf
Thiem eases into round of 16
Austria’s fifth seed Dominic Thiem reached the round of 16 with a straight sets win over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino on Saturday.
Thiem downed the 26th-seed 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 in 2hr 8min on Margaret Court Arena and will face Tennys Sandgren for a place in the quarter-finals.
The Austrian has now reached the round of 16 at his last six Grand Slams.
Thiem showed no ill-effects of his five set win over American qualifier Denis Kudla in the second round in fierce heat on Thursday.
“I’m a little bit tired of it! I want to go further than 4R and I’ll give everything to do it for the first time.”@ThiemDomi equals his best #AusOpen performance, but he’s not done with yet! He faces the winner of Marterer v Sandgren. pic.twitter.com/BTCKrd3nZr
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018
Sandgren’s march continues
American Tennys Sandgren won only his third Grand Slam match to reach the round of 16.
The 97th-ranked Sandgren got past German Maxmilian Marterer 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) in just under three hours on Show Court Two.
He will now line up against Austrian fifth seed Dominic Thiem on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Sandgren upset former champion Stan Wawrinka in straight sets in the third round in the biggest win of his career on Thursday.
.@TennysSandgren is moving on!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018
The American's dream run continues d Maximilian #Marterer 5-7 6-3 7-5 7-6(5).#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/340kXmOv7d
Men’s singles 3rd round results:-
Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) bt Adrian Mannarino (FRA x26) 6-4, 6-2, 7-5
Tennys Sandgren (USA) bt Maximilian Marterer (GER) 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5)
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Nicolas Kicker (ARG) 6-3, 6-3, 6-2
Fabio Fognini (ITA x25) bt Julien Benneteau (FRA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
Chung Hyeon (KOR) bt Alexander Zverev (GER x4) 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0
Tomas Berdych (CZE x19) bt Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG x12) 6-3, 6-3, 6-2
Novak Djokovic (SRB x14) bt Albert Ramos (ESP x21) 6-2, 6-3, 6-3
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Richard Gasquet (FRA x29) 6-2, 7-5, 6-4
(with inputs from AFP)
