Although the players had to work through a heat advisory and a rain delay, day two of the Australian Open featured many intriguing matches in front of a lively Melbourne crowd. Due to the weather delays, we could not get through all 32 men’s matches. Let’s look at all the good and the bad from day two of the 2023 Australian Open on the men’s side.
Australian Open Day Two Men’s Recap
Who impressed
Fifth seed Andrey Rublev looked very impressive in a 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory over Grand Slam champion Dominic Thiem. Although Thiem is still looking to recapture his pre-injury form, he is still a tough out and capable of creating magic on the court. Rublev was able to keep his composure and play the big points well.
19-year-old Holger Rune took down Filip Krajinovic 6-2 6-3 6-4 in just over two hours. It was the Dane’s first career victory in Melbourne. It was intriguing to see if the ninth seed next to his name would create unwanted pressure for Rune, but that did not appear to be the case. He hit 39 winners compared with 26 unforced errors and was in control of this match from the get-go.
The 27th seed, Grigor Dimitrov entered Melbourne Park with limited expectations. This role might be a blessing in disguise as the 2017 semifinalist was able to play freely in a 7-6(3) 7-5 6-2 victory over Aslan Karatsev. The serve was the difference for Dimitrov. He struck 15 aces and just four double faults while winning 86 percent of his first-serve points.
Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, demonstrated why he is the man to beat once again in Melbourne. The great Serbian notched his 83rd win at the Australian Open, sweeping aside Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3 6-4 6-0, dropping just four points in the final set.
Who struggled
In his first Grand Slam match since injuring his ankle in the 2022 French Open semifinals, Alexander Zverev was given all he could handle from world #103 Juan Pablo Viralles. Zverev edged out the 27-year-old Peruvian 4-6 6-1 5-7 7-6(3) 6-4. Against an opponent he should have been able to push around physically, Zverev was the one on his heels for most of the match. If he continues with this form, his stay in Melbourne will be short.
Miomir Kecmanovic will be thoroughly disappointed with his round one performance as the 26th seed fell to qualifier Nicolas Jarry 3-6 4-6 6-7(3). Kecmanovic was put on the defensive early and often due to the power from Jarry’s serve and forehand. The 23-year-old reached the fourth round of this event last year and will drop 180 ranking points with this loss. This will likely drop him out of the top 35.
Match of the day
Undoubtedly, the most entertaining match on day two occurred inside Rod Laver Arena between Matteo Berrettini and Andy Murray. The five-time Australian Open finalist outlasted Berrettini 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-7(7) 7-6(6) in a grueling four hours and 49 minutes. It was Murray’s first win in Melbourne since 2017.
Murray looked like his vintage self in the first two sets. He defended exceptionally well, forcing Berrettini to hang in and hit with him. The variety Murray displayed in the first two sets allowed him to throw the Italian off his game. Berrettini was pressing because Murray was not allowing any openings. The 35-year-old hit just 14 unforced errors in the first two sets.
During the third set, Berrettini seized momentum with a break of Murray’s serve at 2-2. The Italian never looked back as he rolled to a 6-4 third-set victory.
The fourth set was a 75-minute battle of epic proportions. Neither player was giving the other anything to work with. Both players served well and had fully found their footing in the match. Berrettini won 40 points compared to Murray’s 38, which was enough for a 7-6 (8-6) victory.
Three hours and 34 minutes in and having won the previous two sets, Berrettini was the heavy favorite to finish the job in the decider. He had a chance, as Murray served at 4-5, 30-40. Berrettini missed a sitting backhand, and the three-time Grand Slam champion never looked back.
Tennis is such a brutal sport. https://t.co/De42p2xtLW
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 17, 2023
Murray played some fantastic tennis in the super tiebreak, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and holding on for the 10-6 victory. Check out our comprehensive breakdown of this incredible match.
Main photo:
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