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Men’s 13th seed Holger Rune from Denmark also survived a scare Tuesday when he was forced to five sets by China’s Zhang Zhizhen before coming through 4-6, 6-3, 5-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Taylor Fritz in action at the 2025 Australian Open (AFP)
Three-time losing finalist Daniil Medvedev and home favourite Alex de Minaur set out on the road to Australian Open glory Tuesday while rampant fourth seed Taylor Fritz was among the early winners on day three.
Fritz blitzed fellow American Jenson Brooksby for the loss of only five games in a dominant 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 victory on John Cain Arena.
“It’s never easy playing that first match in a Slam, there are some nerves, so I did a really good job shaking them off early and playing really solid,” said Fritz, who took just 1hr 46min to dismantle his compatriot.
The 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu got off to a solid start with a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2) win against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova from Russia. The 22-year-old Briton next faces American Amanda Anisimova.
Fifth seed Medvedev begins his 2025 season against Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej on Rod Laver Arena and has pledged to be a “disruptor” against last year’s Grand Slam kings Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The feisty Russian has reached three of the last four finals at Melbourne Park.
He was outplayed by Novak Djokovic in 2021 before a heart-wrenching five-set defeat to Rafael Nadal a year later.
The 28-year-old again crashed in five sets after being two up against Sinner 12 months ago.
Medvedev has not played since the ATP Finals in November but said it had only given him more time to prepare.
“I felt like it was one of the best pre-seasons,” he said.
“Last year Carlos and Jannik were beating me a lot of times in later stages of tournaments.
“I would like to become again.. let’s say a disruptor, because it means that I will be able to get to these later stages and win them.”
Men’s 13th seed Holger Rune from Denmark survived a scare Tuesday when he was forced to five sets by China’s Zhang Zhizhen before coming through 4-6, 6-3, 5-4, 3-6, 6-4.
But 13th seeding proved unlucky for Anna Kalinskaya, a quarter-finalist last year, who withdrew moments before her match against Australia’s Kimberly Birrell.
Kalinskaya has not provided an official reason for pulling out. She was replaced by lucky loser Eva Lys of Germany.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)
