We may not have a title contender like Ash Barty, but Australia will have four reasons to watch the second week at Wimbledon after a day six in London with green and gold flavor.
Alex de Minaur, Jason Kubler and Ajla Tomljanovic advanced to the round of 16 before Nick Kyrgios joined them with an epic win over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
An impressive disgust opens the door to Tomljanovic
Tomljanovic has a great chance to equal last year’s quarter-finals after his defeat to the 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova was followed by the shocking defeat of world number one Iga Swiatek against Alize Cornet.
Tomljanovic, who sealed a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Czech 13th seed Krejcikova, has surprised her father, who only booked her in the tournament accommodation until after the second round.
Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia celebrates the victory of the match point against Barbora Krejcikova. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Despite making the quarters last year, Ratko Tomljanovic had only booked the nearby house until Friday. “It was like you thought you would lose the second round,” Tomljanovic said. “At least book it until like Sunday. So it’s a good problem to have. I’m not really happy to be in the third round and then move house.”
The 29-year-old Australian said finding a new place was a headache. “The problem was that it’s very difficult to find something. London is full and I didn’t want to stay even an hour away. It didn’t go well. Yesterday I felt very sorry for him.”
Tomljanovic managed to find a hotel near the All England Club on Friday.
However, on Saturday there was more bad news from Ratko. “Today, when I’m done, he says, ‘Oh, I have to book again.’ I said, ‘You’re kidding.’
“I wasn’t kidding, but I managed to book the same hotel, so I probably have a room until Tuesday. But I don’t care. I said, even if someone joins me in my room, I will not leave this hotel.
Hot battle sees Kyrgios shot down Tsitipas | 01:45
She says her father will continue to book her flights and hotels as she has done throughout her career, though her explanation for the hotel mistake left her deceived. “It’s like,‘ Ajla, hungry rats swim faster, ’whatever that means,” he added. “I say,‘ I’m not a rat and I’m not hungry. I just want my house from start to finish, or maybe you should believe in me a little more. “
Next up for the world number 44 is a round-robin matchup against veteran Frenchman Cornet, who ended Swiatek’s 37-game winning streak with a 6-4, 6-2 demolition.
“It was awesome to see what happened to him today,” one ESPN commentator said.
Amanda Anisimova was the other big winner of the women’s draw early in the sixth day, beating compatriot Coco Gauff 6-7 6-2 6-1. Former champion Simona Halep is also approaching after the 6-4 and 6-1 victory over Magdalena Frech.
De Minaur-Kyrgios quarterfinals well and truly alive
Alex de Minaur is still finding his way. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / Getty Images) Source: Getty Images Jason Kubler deserves every second of this. (Photo by Ryan Pierse / Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
De Minaur beat British wildcard Liam Broady 6-3 6-4 7-5 to go further in this tournament than ever before.
He has a great chance to reach the round of 16 with a winable round of 16 match against world number 43 Cristian Garin.
If De Minaur manages to beat the Chilean, he will wait for the winner of a match between American Brandon Nakashima and Kyrgios.
Kubler’s fairy tale career continued with a five-set victory over American Jack Sock.
Kubler survived the longest match of the tournament to date to win 6-2 4-6 5-7 7-6 6-3.
He will face him in his next match, facing the eleventh American series leader Taylor Fritz, who has not yet lost a set in the tournament.
– with AFP