It’s Men’s Singles action at the Australian Open on Day 1, as Aussie young gun James Duckworth opens his Melbourne Park campaign agaist Blaz Kavcic from the Czech Republic. Join The Roar from around 12:30pm AEDT for live scores and commentary on this contest.
After brilliant win in Brisbane against Gilles Simon and Jarko Nieminen, our Aussie might just be favourite coming into this match even if the bookies are against him. His form in Brisbane has guided him to a career best ranking of 119, yet a solid run in the Open would push him into the top 100.
The Aussie, at just 22 years of age, has a massive serve and looks to work from the baseline before coming into the net. This aggressive style of tennis should help him in his quest to conquest Kavcic, who has played his best tennis on clay where he can work the ball around with time and space, creating a mental battle against his opponents.
In their three previous meetings, Kavcic has had the better of Duckworth. However on their last occasion in Paris, Duckworth was successful.
Both men played each other here in the first round of the Australian Open in 2013, where Kavcic won a thriller five setter with the score 10-8 in the fifth set.
The man from Slovenia (like Duckworth) has played many challenger events recently to build both his confidence and his ranking away from the ATP Tour. So far in 2015 Kavcic made his way to the last 16 in Doha before retiring hurt in the first round in Sydney.
This match will be played on Court 6. However don’t be fooled by the time slot and the choice of arena, as this match promises to be very tight between two players desperate to make their mark on the ATP Tour.
Given their draws, the winner of this match could potentially cause more damage to come later in the tournament. A game to watch for sure.
Prediction: Given his recent form and the home crowd advantage, I think Duckworth will come home in 4 sets.
Karen
Guest
Well done James Duckworth !!!!! Winning in 5 sets.... amazing effort
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Arguably the game of the afternoon session so far. Join me from 7:00 PM as Roger Federer opens his campaign tonight on RLA. Duckworth from Australia through to the second round in 5 sets! 6-2, 5-7, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME/SET/MATCH - Duckworth! What an amazing effort from James Duckworth! This match was a cracker as we expected. The momentum changes were prevalent and coming into the fifth set it was anyone's game! A huge victory to Duckworth who looked gone at the end of the 4th set, yet his resilience and composure in the fifth set was to much for his resilient opponent in Blaz Kavcic. He was a worthy opponent who played a very good match but Duckworth just had too much firepower! What a game here on Court 6 at the Australian Open. DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 3 6 KAVCIC 2 7 6 6 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
MATCH POINT TO THE AUSSIE
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME - Duckworth. Only one game away now! DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 3 5 KAVCIC 2 7 6 6 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME AND BREAK OF SERVE - Duckworth! A huge moment! Can he finish it off! He must find his first serve which is eluding him right now. Just 37% in this set! DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 3 4 KAVCIC 2 7 6 6 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
THREE BREAK POINTS - Terrific Return
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
0-30! Here is a massive chance for Duckworth, really determined to finish him here!
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME - Duckworth Now the Aussie is starting to find better tennis. Looking comfortable and determined to take out this match. Crowd getting right behind him. DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 3 3 KAVCIC 2 7 6 6 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME - Kavcic. Kavcic might be starting to tire now. After coming back in that 4th set it seems as though he might be fatiguing now. Duckworth however must continue to keep the pressure on. DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 3 2 KAVCIC 2 7 6 6 2
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME - Duckworth Great work from the Aussie. Keeping strong and holds his serve in this fifth set. A massive advantage to serve first in this fifth set due to the fact it keeps them ahead in the match. Opportunity to put pressure on Kavcic now. DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 3 2 KAVCIC 2 7 6 6 1
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME - Kavcic After the scores being 30-30 yet again the Slovenian pulls out some great tennis. Loved the way he has kept fighting today and how he has tried to draw out the rallies creating a mental game. DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 3 1 KAVCIC 2 7 6 6 1
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME - Duckworth A really stong hold due to brilliant serving from the Australian in that game. That's the way he must go about his tennis in this set' aggressively. Needs to take some calculated risks and compose himself in this final set. DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 3 1 KAVCIC 2 7 6 6 0
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME/4TH SET - Kavcic There it is! The Slovenian continues to fight in these rallies and eventually he got the better of Duckworth in that set! As the final set starts it is very hard to pick a winner. A deciding fifth set will take place and Duckworth does have the advantage of serving first! HERE WE GO. DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 3 KAVCIC 2 7 6 6
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME - Duckworth! and now we are at 5-3 in this 4th set and Kavcic will now serve for the set! The tension is now very, very high. DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 3 KAVCIC 2 7 6 5
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME - Kavcic, Consolidates the break and now it seems as if we are heading into a fifth set. It has been a tight game all day and a fifth set finish would be a fair outcome! Kavcic has lifted and the game has heated up! DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 2 KAVCIC 2 7 6 5
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME - Kavcic. A massive break of serve in this 4th set! Kavcic has stepped up his game while Duckworth has dropped off slightly. The break to the Slovenian! DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 2 KAVCIC 2 7 6 4
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
GAME - Kavcic. Still looking physically and mentally strong his the Slovenian. Serving much better and he has been able to dictate more points as the game has gone on. DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 2 KAVCIC 2 7 6 3
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Duckworth. Solid hold. DUCKWORTH 6 5 7 2 KAVCIC 2 7 6 2
Daniel
Guest
who is injured?(according to bet365)