Australian Open 2019: Key results of Day four
Day four of the Australian Open 2019 saw some mouth-watering clashes unfold. There were some tight second round battles in both the men's and women's singles matches. The biggest result of the day came in the form of Milos Raonic beating Stan Wawrinka. Kei Nishikori had a close shave. There were victories for Naomi Osaka and Venus Williams. Here are the updates.
Wawrinka goes down after a supreme fight
33-year-old Wawrinka, who was unseeded for the first time since 2006, fell to Canadian Raonic after four sets. Raonic won the battle in an intense 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 encounter to light up the proceedings. Wawrinka served 28 aces to Raonic's 39 during a four hours and one minute battle. "I was fortunate to stay alive in the fourth set," said Raonic.
Nishikori survives a scare to advance
Kei Nishikori survived a scare to overcome Ivo Karlovic of Croatia. The Japanese sealed the tie 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 5-7, 7-6. The eighth seed next faces Joao Sousa for a place in the round of 16. "It was a tough match which could have gone both ways. He almost had it for sure," said Nishikori.
Dominant Osaka beats Zidansek 6-2, 6-4
Women's singles fourth seed Naomi Osaka thrashed Tamara Zidansek 6-2, 6-4, to advance to the third round of the Australian Open. The US Open 2018 winner will come up against Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan in the next round. "I thought I served alright, this was my first time playing her and I'm just happy to win to be honest," Osaka said.
Svitolina, Pliskova and Venus register victories
Meanwhile, sixth seed Elina Svitolina surged ahead after a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win against Viktoria Kuzmova. Seventh seed Karolina Pliskova fought her way back in style. She came back strong to beat Madison Brengle 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 at the Melbourne Arena. She will face Italian Camila Giorgi in the next round. Veteran Venus Williams won her tie against Alize Cornet 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.
