Day 3: Save Pedro and Mannarino cutting like a surgeon Australian Open reports

Today was very hot and tomorrow will be worse. As for the tennis, some of it was hot and then there was the Kyrgios show which many people can not look away from whether they like or loathe him .

Martinez vs. Ruusovori

Interesting fact about this match Martinez is coached by 2 guys, one of them the great man known as Daniel Gimeno Traver with the massive forehand. Gimeno Traver had defeated Ruusovori in 2019 at the Scheveningen Challenger.

Martinez started slowly and was unable to get into the match at all. Ruusovori was solid, but not really having to do much at all as Martinez was making errors and hitting a lot of short balls. The young Finn takes the set 6-1 .

In the 2nd set Martinez is holding serve but not without difficulty, At 3-3 *0-40 on Martinez's service game was the turning point of the match. After a huge hold like this, it is very common for the player who came through the tough situation is able to break serve in the next game. Martinez is freed up from some nerves and is able to break serve and serves out the set to take it 6-3.

There was a bizarre incident which is something I have not seen before. Rafael Nadal was training on the next court and there is someone from the tournament setting up in a spot next to us to film a video camera and microphones. My friends and I are looking at each other and thinking what is this nonsense, there's a match going on. Martinez hears them talking loudly and glares, then has enough and told them to be quiet. Finally they get the message and move.

After taking the 2nd set Martinez is now hitting the bal with much greater depth, defending when he needs to and taking advantage of the short balls. Ruusovori is unable to make much of an impression and is feeling the heat. Martinez strolls to a 2 sets to 1 lead .

Martinez starts the 4th set in the same manner and runs out to a 4-1 lead with a double break and this is where the next twists begin. Martinez got a bit passive forgetting what got him to the lead and manages to lose the double break. Ruusovori is making less errors but not really going for it, whereas Martinez was playing the situation and not the score.

Ruusovori at 5-5 plays a game of errors which gave Martinez a chance to serve for the match which he fails to achieve. The 4th set tiebreaker was more a question of who is able to manage a combination of fatigure and pressure. Martinez took the long way home but got it done in 4.



Lajovic vs. Bublik

Bublik is always entertaining, you will get a running commentary in Russian and English whereas Lajovic is all business and do everything not to hit a backhand.

It's an interesting clash of styles Bublik is all power and drop shots and Lajovic is working the angles with his forehand waiting for the short balls. One of Bublik's comments was why won't Lajovic serve a double fault on Bublik's break chances.

Bublik had his chances in the 2nd set but Lajovic saves them and Bublik plays his one dumb service game a set, which Lajovic took and leads 2 sets to 0.

Bublik is still continuing with the monoloigue and I believed that he was going to tank the set. Thankfully Bublik hung around and with a mix of big groundies and deft volleys while taking the 3rd set. The Russian's attitude has not changed and played a dumb game with errors and Lajovic broke taking the match. Bublik's response well I am leaving with 150K.


Mannarino vs. Kecmanovic

This match intrigued me and was wondering why Kecmanovic was the favourite. First thing I noticed about the strong Serbian player is that he is not a great mover this was from last year against Seppi. It didn't change my mind at all here. Kecmanovic is excellent when he is set, but not good on the move.

Mannarino he looks so sleepy and you think what does this guy have to keep winning matches. He's one of those players who is more interesting to watch in person. The crafty French left hander was moving the ball around getting Kecmanovic on the stretch to expose the average movement. Mannarino took the first set easily.



The match continues on the same path. Mannarino using angles and then going down the line to wrong foot Kecmanovic. In reality this was a dissection of Kecmanovic, a bit like the star junior who plays the wily club veteran who knows where to put the ball in spots that the upstart can't handle and they implode. To be fair Kecmanovic wasn't screaming but he got his pants pulled down..