The young stir up same old feeling

MELBOURNE, January 22

Naomi Osaka offered a light-hearted apology to her racquet sponsor for throwing a tantrum against Zheng Saisai at the Australian Open today as the defending champion overcame her frustrations to set up a third round clash with Coco Gauff.

After dropping serve early in the second set, third seed Osaka threw her racquet, slammed a ball into the court and gave her racquet a kick for good measure before steadying the ship and earning a 6-2 6-4 win on a gusty day at the Margaret Court Arena.

“I mean, my racquet just magically flew out of my hand,” Osaka told reporters with a smile. “I couldn’t control it. Sorry, Yonex. I think that’s how I dealt with my frustration. It was a bit childish. I just want to play one match without throwing my racquet or kicking it. That’s all I want.” The match had echoes of her tempestuous third round win over Hsieh Su-wei at the same venue last year when Osaka was driven to distraction by her opponent’s unorthodox game of drop-shots and slices.

Gauff, the 15-year-old American sensation, set up a blockbuster rematch with the US Open conqueror by beating Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 4-6 6-3 7-5 at a heaving Melbourne Arena.

Osaka defeated Gauff 6-3 6-0 in the third round at Flushing Meadows.

Djoker exorcises wild ghosts

Defending champion Novak Djokovic banished the ghosts of wildcards past by despatching Japan’s Tatsuma Ito 6-1 6-4 6-2 to sail into the third round of the Australian Open today.

The world No. 2 was famously knocked out of the second round at the Melbourne Park by Uzbek wildcard Denis Istomin three years ago in the upset of the tournament. However, he had no such problem against Ito, who earned his place in the draw with victory in the Asia-Pacific wildcard play-off. Having struggled through a four-set grind against Jan-Lennard Struff in his opener, Djokovic was back to his imperious best as he fired down 16 aces and had 31 winners. — Reuters

Sania out of mixed doubles, Divij advances

Melbourne: India’s Divij Sharan and his New Zealand partner Artem Sitak progressed to the second round of the men’s doubles event but Rohan Bopanna was knocked out of today. Sharan and Sitak got the better of the Portuguese-Spanish duo Pablo Carreno Busta and Joao Sousa 6-4 7-5 in a thrilling one hour and 28 minutes encounter. Partnering Japan’s Yasutaka Uchiyama, Bopanna went down to USA’s Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, 1-6 6-3 3-6 in one hour and 17 minutes.

Sania Mirza pulled out of the Australian Open mixed doubles due to a calf injury. Mirza was supposed to partner compatriot Rohan Bopanna. Mirza will, however, play in the women’s doubles event. PTI

Other key results

Men: Tommy Paul bt Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 7-6(6) 3-6 6-7(3) 7-6(3), Fabio Fognini bt Jordan Thompson 7-6(4) 6-1 3-6 4-6 7-6(4), Guido Pella bt Gregoire Barrere 6-1 6-4 3-6 6-3, Diego Schwartzman bt Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1 6-4 6-2, RobertoBautista Agut bt Michael Mmoh 5-7 6-2 6-4 6-1, Milos Raonic bt Cristian Garin 6-3 6-4 6-2

Women: Madison Keys bt Arantxa Rus 7-6(3) 6-2, Iga Swiatek bt Timea Babos 6-3 6-2, Elise Mertens bt Danka Kovinic 6-2 6-0, Sofia Kenin bt Ann Li 61 6-3, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova bt Nina Stojanovic 6-1 7-5, Heather Watson bt Kristyna Pliskova 6-4 6-3 6-1

I played her at the US Open so I know what to expect. I think she’s a great competitor on and off the court. We’re both familiar with each other’s games. She plays really aggressive. This time coming in, I’m going to be more aggressive — Cori Gauff

I mean, my racquet just magically flew out of my hand. I couldn’t control it. Sorry, Yonex. I think that’s how I dealt with my frustration. It was a bit childish — Naomi Osaka

I came into the match and played extremely well at the beginning. It’s only the second round. I have to keep going. History of my results here have been positive — Novak Djokovic

Day 3: Highlights

Ferocious FEDERER

Third seed Roger Federer, chasing a record-extending 21st Grand Slam, has reached the third round at Melbourne Park for the 21st straight year with a 6-1 6-4 6-1 victory over Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic

WILLIAMS FEELING GOOD

Serna Williams stayed on course for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles crown with a 6-2 6-3 win over Slovenian Tamara Zidansek in their first career meeting

Wobbly WOZNIACKI WINS

Caroline Wozniacki, who is set to retire after the tournament, fought back from 1-5 down in the first set to beat Ukrainian teenager Dayana Yastremska 7-5 7-5

BARTY KEEPS IT UP

Top seed Ash Barty looked in ominous form in her quest for a second Grand Slam title as she powered past unseeded Slovenian Polona Hercog 6-1 6-4

TSITSIPAS HAS IT EASY

Sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has advanced to the third round of the Australian Open after his German opponent Philipp Kohlschreiber withdrew due to injury

NO STOPPING KVITOVA

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova fired seven aces and 31 winners in a tight 7-5 7-5 victory over Spain’s Paula Badosa in their first career meeting