Matthew Ebden will look to advance to the third round of the 2014 Australian Open when he faces Canadian Vasek Pospisil on Rod Laver Arena tonight. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 8.30pm AEDT.
Ebden comes into the second round off a somewhat surprising 6-3, 7-5, 4-6, 0-6, 6-3 win over Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.
The world number 67 looked to be cruising but faded and was beaten to love in the fourth before grinding out the victory in just over three hours.
The 26-year-old comes into Melbourne off a strong 2013 season on the Challenger circuit, which earned him a second top 100 ranking in the last three years.
After defeating Alex Kuznetsov in the first round at Brisbane he went down to Kei Nishikori, and was eliminated in the first round of the Sydney International by Julien Benneteau.
Tonight’s opponent, world number 30 Vasek Pospisil, eased to a straight-sets victory over Australian Sam Groth on Monday.
The 28th seed is Canada’s number-two player behind Milos Raonic, and will look to capitalise on a strong serve-and-volley game.
Pospisil is playing in just his second Australian Open, after being elimnated in the second round of qualifying in 2012.
This is his first tournament of the Australian summer, coming straight into the Open after reaching the semi-finals at Chennai, where he fell to Stanislas Wawrinka.
The Canadian is favoured tonight and should progress, but with a parochial Australian crowd on hand Ebden will fancy his chances.
See if he can get it done from approximately 8.30pm AEDT.
MichaelJ
Guest
Lost for words. Could have been watching a video or asleep. Goodnight and thanks for trying, Guru.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Really looked soft at the end didn't it!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Final Conclusions: Wow that one will sting Ebden, he really should've gone two sets up early and he will regret missing the 3 break points he had when it was 5 all in the 2nd set. However all credit much go to Pospisil who managed to stay in the match and he will reap the rewards in winning. Ebden will certainly learn from the experience, Pospisil said jokingly he "overdosed on painkillers" the pain certainly went away. It will be a bit of de ja vu when he faces Wawrinka in a few days, he got injured in Shanghai when he last faced Wawrinka. Been a really lively interview, I like the look of this lad, well from me that's it. I hope you enjoyed the coverage, we will have more for you tomorrow with the young guns taking the court. But until next time I'm Brent Ford and this is goodnight. Ebden 6 6 6 1 Pospisil 3 7 7 6
MichaelJ
Guest
Looks like two 17 year olds to carry the men's flag now. Honestly, some of these blokes give in too easily.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Done and dusted! Pospisil wins his first 2nd round match and there is only one way up from here. Ebden 6 6 6 1 Pospisil 3 7 7 6
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
15-0 and it's the beginning of the end for Ebden. Now 30-0 and it's a slow but sure killing off. 3 match points for Pospisil. Ebden 6 6 6 1 Pospisil 3 7 7 5
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Pospisil up 0-15 and now 0-30 he could really kill off the Ebden challenge. Misses that one and it's now 15-30. Ebden hits the net and gifts Pospisil 2 break points. He gets it and now it's 5-1 and he can win the match here now on serve. Ebden 6 6 6 1 Pospisil 3 7 7 5
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Fastest serve of the night at 210km/h, Ebden negotiated it well and got it back to advantage, Pospisil then serves a cracker down the T to bring it back to deuce. Ebden on the next gets a wide serve and hits it out advantage Pospisil and he takes it and it now looks like an unassailable 4-1 lead here in the 4th. Ebden 6 6 6 1 Pospisil 3 7 7 4
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Now Ebden gets a chance at the break after some positive rally play. Great response from Pospisil a wide serve to bring it back to Deuce. Ebden 6 6 6 1 Pospisil 3 7 7 3
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Pospisil double faults but it isn't really justice from the last service game. Now out from Ebden and it's 15 all. Ebden then gets one above his head and smashes it baseline for a 15-30 lead, he is really trying to make a move here and he has too. Now Ebden hits one long and he shakes his head 30 a piece now. Ebden 6 6 6 1 Pospisil 3 7 7 3
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Ebden nets on a short volley, looks like he really struggles mentally 0-15. Pospisil now smokes one down the baseline and races to a 0-30 lead in this game. Gets a mixed bag however as his return on the next serve goes wide and Ebden gifts him 2 break points as he hits it wide. He saves one with Pospisil going long, Ebden had one in and the baseline ref called it out, ref said it wasn't out but couldn't do anything for it. Now Ebden double faults and Ebden is down 3-1. Ebden 6 6 6 1 Pospisil 3 7 7 3
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Pospisil aces it and goes out to 30-0 Ebden challenges it but it was well in. Now out to 40-0 following a serve and volley, finishes the game with an ace and takes a 2-1 lead early in the 4th. Ebden 6 6 6 1 Pospisil 3 7 7 2
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Ebden gets a nice volley above the net and races to a quick 40-0 lead and then aces to hold, think Pospisil might just try to force another tie breaker here. Ebden 6 6 6 1 Pospisil 3 7 7 1
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
He has had trouble with it previously. You get one 3 minute time out in a match I think that's the rules.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Pospisil will serve the first game of this 4th set and he is quickly out to a 30-0 lead. Then Ebden nets one and he is clearly frustrated at 40-0 behind. Pospisil holds which is what he would like, although he seems to be moving okay at the moment. Ebden 6 6 6 0 Pospisil 3 7 7 1
MichaelJ
Guest
Just wondered if the back complaint was caused in the match or pre-existing. If pre-existing the massage should have been denied.- or so I thought.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Ebden off the court at the moment,will be back shortly. Ebden 6 6 6 0 Pospisil 3 7 7 0
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Ebden goes to long returning the serve and it's 10-9 to Pospisil. Then Ebden nets it and loses the tie-break! Boy he would be frustrated, I reckon Pospisil can hang in off his serve I am off for a quick drinks break, this match is intense! Ebden 6 6 6 0 Pospisil 3 7 7 0
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Then Pospisil gets tight and misses an open shot!! It's now 9 a piece and you sense if Ebden wins this Pospisil may retire. Ebden 6 6 6 Pospisil 3 7 6
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Next serve it a fault from Ebden who then plays the wrong shot cross court at the net and now it's 9-8 advantage to Pospisal it was a brilliant passing shot! Ebden 6 6 6 Pospisil 3 7 6