A not-so-simple night (Wednesday to Thursday) passed for the top-ranked Australian champions, who finished their way to the opening Grand Slam of the year already in the second round.
Spain's Garbinia Mugurosa, ranked third in the world, had hoped to recreate her achievement from two years ago when she reached the final, and maybe go all the way this time and lift the trophy, but it will wait until next year, after losing 6-3, 6-3 to Eliza Corne (61st in the world) while Less than an hour and a half.
Estonian Annette Contebite (6) also packed her bags earlier than expected, after surrendering 6: 2, 6: 4 to Danish Clara Tauson (39) who in her debut in Melbourne manages to break her record in the Grand Slam tournaments, where she has not passed the second round to date.
In contrast, last year's surprising actress Erina Sabalenka, ranked second in the world, worked hard against Chinese Wang Xinio when she lost the first set, but was eventually able to breathe a sigh of relief with 6: 1, 4: 6, 2: 6.
Iga Schbiontek (7) Poland passed the game safely against the Swedish Rebecca Patterson with a light 2: 6, 2: 6.
The American Daniel Collins (27) advanced to the third round after finishing 4: 6, 3: 6 over the Croatian Anna Konyuk.
Rublev.
Crossed the hurdle, Photo: EPA
In the men’s, fifth-ranked Russian Andrei Rublev, who made it to the quarterfinals last year, took another step on the road to recreating that, defeating Lithuanian Rickers Brankis 4: 6, 2: 6, 0: 6.
One of the big surprises of the night, came from the direction of local Chris O'Connell, ranked 175th in the world, who entered via a free ticket to the tournament, ousting 13th-ranked Argentine Diego Schwartzman, with 6: 7 (6), 6: 4, 6: 4.
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