A solid 6-4 6-3 win for Gilles Simon who will face Wawrinka or Kohlschreiber in the third round.
A relatively calm day at the Australian Open, after yesterday’s upsets of Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep. All the favorites playing today cruised into the third round except 2-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, beaten by rising Aussie player Daria Gavrilova.
Relive day 3 through Brian’s tweets:
New day has dawned. Which can mean one thing… #Tennis! #AusOpen let's go! 💪🏼🎾🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/nfnKo4mNBQ
— Brian Peel (@Brian_Peel) January 19, 2016
Straight sets win for Kei Nishikori over Austin Krajicek:
Roof closed here at #MCA – it's @keinishikori up against USA's #Krajicek! #AusOpen #Tennis 🎾 pic.twitter.com/wgK6ydGPu3
— Brian Peel (@Brian_Peel) January 20, 2016
Congrats to 2016 Kooyong Classic champion David Goffin. Even though it’s only an exhibition, it’s always nice to start the year with a trophy!
Congratulations @David__Goffin! Winner of the 2016 @KooyongClassic 6-4 6-2 over @feliciano_lopez! #KooyongClassic pic.twitter.com/x2LZ6CCz8C
— Brian Peel (@Brian_Peel) January 15, 2016
The Kooyong exhibition is traditionally played the week prior to the Australian Open. Past winners include Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, Lleyton Hewitt… This year, the draw is a mix of veteran players (Lopez, Almagro, Baghdatis…) and young guns to watch (Edmund, Zverev, Chung…). Thanks to Brian, enjoy a few pictures of today’s matches:
The @KooyongClassic is in full swing here in Melbourne! What a great day to be here! #KooyongClassic 🎾☀️😎 pic.twitter.com/G0Lgbh26T7
— Brian Peel (@Brian_Peel) January 12, 2016
Britain defeated the other three Grand Slam nations (USA, France and Australia) to reach their first final since 1978. Let’s have a look at Murray’s and co road to the final:
1st round: GREAT BRITAIN – USA 3-1, Glasgow, indoors
A rematch of last year’s first round, and an similar scenario. James Ward is the hero of the tie: he comes back from two sets down to beat US number 1 John Isner in five sets, whereas Andy Murray wins both his singles matches.
Andy Murray defeats Donald Young 6-1 6-1 4-6 6-2
James Ward defeats John Isner 6-7 5-7 6-3 7-6 15-13
Bob and Mike Bryan defeat Dominic Inglot/Jamie Murray 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-7 9-7
Andy Murray defeats John Isner 7-6 6-3 7-6
QF: GREAT BRITAIN – FRANCE: 3-1, Queen’s Club, grass
Brothers Andy and Jamie Murray propel into the semifinals for the first time since 1981. After Andy’s win over Tsonga on day 1, the Murray brothers win the crucial doubles rubber over Tsonga and Mahut. Andy then gets the job done on Sunday with a win over Simon.
Gilles Simon defeats James Ward 6-4 6-4 6-1
Andy Murray defeats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5 7-6 6-2
Andy and Jamie Murray defeat Nicolas Mahut/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6 6-3 7-6 6-1
Andy Murray defeats Gilles Simon 4-6 7-6 6-3 6-0
SF: GREAT BRITAIN – Australia 3-1, Glasgow, indoors
Another 3-point performance by Andy Murray puts Great Britain into the Davis Cup final for the first time since 1978. The Brits will next face Belgium, in a rematch of the 1904 Davis Cup final. Britain won 5-0 back then and will be the favorite again in November.
Andy Murray defeats Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 6-0 6-3
Bernard Tomic defeats Dan Evans 6-3 7-6 6-7 6-4
Andy and Jamie Murray defeat Sam Groth/Lleyton Hewitt 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-7 6-4
Andy Murray defeats Bernard Tomic 7-5 6-3 6-2
I spent a few days in Paris last week for the BNP Paribas Masters, the ninth and final Masters 1000 event of the season. Novak Djokovic captured the title, dispatching Andy Murray 6-2 6-4 in the final. Enjoy my pictures and recaps of day 1 to day 4.
