For Americans watching at home, the second round of the Australian Open begins tonight. If you missed those 3 a.m. matches the past couple of days, here’s the round-up of tournament winners and losers so far.
Winner: USA
Thirteen Americans advanced to the next round including the Williams’ sisters, 19-year-old Madison Keys and world no. 56 Donald Young. In her first Australian Open main draw match, Delaware native Madison Brengle upset no. 13 seed Andrea Petkovic in three sets.
Loser: Great Britain
British pros Heather Watson, James Ward and Kyle Edmund all lost on day two of the Open. Andy Murray is the last man standing for GB.
Winner: Comeback Kids
After injuries sidelined them for months, Rafael Nadal and Victoria Azarenka advanced to the second round with ease. Azarenka dropped just five games to Sloane Stephens and Nadal won in straight sets against Russian Mikhail Youzhny.
Loser: Up-and-Comers
Americans Sloane Stephens and Taylor Townsend both lost in the first round. Stephens fell to Azarenka for the third time at the Australian Open and Townsend lost in a 7-1 tiebreaker before dropping the second set 6-2 against Caroline Wozniacki.
Winner: Moms and Dads
New dad and no. 1 seed Novak Djokovic won his first round in straight sets while last year’s Australian Open champ and recently retired Li Na announced in Melbourne that she’s expecting her first child.
Loser: Ivanovic and Jankovic
Unlike their compatriot Djokovic, no. 5 Ana Ivanovic and no. 15 seed Jelena Jankovic crashed out in the first round. Jankovic won just five games against Swiss player Timea Bacsinszky and Ivanovic lost in three sets to Czech Lucie Hradecka.
Winner: Australian Citizens
Eleven Australians pushed through to the second round in Melbourne. Young talent Nick Kyrgios won in five sets, while veteran Lleyton Hewitt also came away with a victory. Seeded players Samantha Stosur and Casey Dellacqua overcame their first round opponents with little trouble, dropping a combined nine games.
Loser: Citizen vs. Citizen
It was a tough loss for two competitors who played their compatriots in the first round. In the men’s draw, French native Lucas Pouille lost in a close five sets to no. 17 seed Gael Monfils. On the women’s side, Italian Camila Giorgi upset no. 12 seed Flavia Pennetta in three sets.
For more Australian Open round-ups, keep checking the MTL blog! We’ll give you all the highlights you need to know about Melbourne 2015.
