Jelena Dokic is the only local in action at the Australian Open on Wednesday – one of just four remaining in the tournament after Lleyton Hewitt’s late-night, first-round demise at Melbourne Park.
Dokic takes on Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova for a berth in the last 32, with fellow Australians Sam Stosur, Alicia Molik and Bernard Tomic set to play their second-round matches on Thursday.
But Hewitt won’t be joining them after losing a five-set epic to Argentine 27th seed David Nalbandian just after 1am local time on Wednesday.
Hewitt let a two sets to one lead slip, and despite a brave fifth-set fightback lost 3-6 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-1) 9-7 in four hours and 48 minutes.
The match swung on a knife-edge throughout a remarkable fifth set of the highest quality on Rod Laver Arena.
Trailing to an early service break, Hewitt eventually took advantage as Nalbandian wobbled to level up the decider at 5-5.
Hewitt then had two match points which Nalbandian saved – one with an outrageous drop shot.
The Argentine grabbed the upper hand with a superb sliced passing shot on Hewitt’s serve at 7-7, then converted a resulting break point and held his own nerve and serve.
Dokic, now ranked at 137 in the world, has a good opportunity to go deep into the tournament should she win her second-round clash, as well as climb back towards the world’s top 50.
“This year is really, really key for me, especially the first few months,” Dokic said.
“I’m going to try to play, week in, week out, all the way until I get really tired because I think that’s what I really need to do – play as many matches as possible.
“I feel physically better, better with my tennis and I think most of all mentally much better.”
Defending men’s champion Roger Federer takes on Frenchman Gilles Simon during the Wednesday night session at Rod Laver Arena.
Other big names in second-round action include Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin, Venus Williams and women’s No.1 seed Caroline Wozniacki against American Vania King.
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Former Wimbledon champion, double grand slam winner and Australian Open finalist Garbine Muguruza has announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 30.…
Rafael Nadal has hailed the brilliance of Alex de Minaur, calling him "a great player" after the Australian forced the Spanish legend to say…
The clay season promises to be one of high level and tight margins. With the Monte Carlo open just around the corner, it will…
In incredible scenes, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's quarter-final clash with Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells was halted abruptly due to a "bee invasion." Less…
Marathon man Jordan Thompson has finally clinched his first ATP Tour title, with the Australian upsetting Norwegian Casper Ruud to lift the trophy in…
Alex de Minaur has earned the perfect 25th birthday present, booking a place in the final of the Rotterdam Open with an emphatic revenge…
