By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 18, 2024
The Pleased Slam has been a cheerful place for the American contingent in Melbourne.
Coco Gauff
Recent off her maiden Grand Slam win on the 2023 US Open, Gauff rides a nine-match Grand Slam successful streak into her third-round conflict with Alycia Parks. Extra on Parks down the web page.
As for Gauff, she is probably the most reputable title contender of this group, and the highest-ranked participant of this set of ten. The American has already spoken of her need not simply to win extra Slams, however to win double digit Slams. That claims one thing about her self-belief and expectations. Right here in Melbourne she is bidding to develop into the primary lady to win the US Open and the Australian open back-to-back since Naomi Osaka in 2019.
Taylor Fritz
Fritz overcame a tough stumble in spherical one – in additional methods than one – as he twisted his ankle throughout his five-set victory over Facundo Diaz Acosta. In spherical two it was a special story. Twelfth-seeded Fritz dropped simply 4 video games in his win over Hugo Gaston. He’ll face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in spherical three as he bids to succeed in the second week in Melbourne for the second time.
Amanda Anisimova
She’s the comeback child in Melbourne. After sitting out the second half of 2023 on an indefinite hiatus, Amanda Anisimova is again with a vengeance. Anisimova, a former World No.21 and Grand Slam semifinalist, smoked Liudmila Samsonova in spherical one, then toppled Nadia Podoroska within the second spherical.
Anisimova faces Paula Badosa within the third spherical.
Ben Shelton
Ben Shelton has gained 11 of his final 13 laborious courtroom matches on the majors. That’s spectacular for a 21-year-old who’s starting his second full season on tour. He’ll face Adrian Mannarino within the third spherical, and if he’s profitable, he might get the prospect to hold up the cellphone on Novak Djokovic within the spherical of 16.
He LOVES it right here 😤@BenShelton defeats Australian Chris O’Connell 6-4 6-1 3-6 7-6(5) to succeed in the third spherical. pic.twitter.com/bB0Wvivh6z
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2024
Sloane Stephens
Shock, shock, Sloane Stephens is discovering her groove on the Pleased Slam. 11 years after her journey to the semifinals, that featured a win over Serena Williams, in 2013, and 5 years after her final journey to the spherical of 16, Stephens is bidding to succeed in week two as soon as once more.
She’ll face Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya within the third spherical.
Tommy Paul
Final week in Adelaide Tommy Paul went all the way down to Jack Draper in straight units – not good. Final night time in Melbourne, Paul exacted his revenge, taking down Draper in 4 to maintain his hopes of constructing one other deep run in Melbourne alive. Paul has now gained seven of his final eight Australian Open matches.
Subsequent up? A 3rd-rounder with Miomir Kecmanovic.
Alycia Parks
Onerous-serving Alycia Parks is into the third spherical at a Slam for the primary time after a formidable victory over Leylah Fernandez within the second spherical. She’s nonetheless a really uncooked expertise that depends on her energy and athleticism, however she’s getting higher yearly. The 23-year-old takes on Coco Gauff in spherical three on Friday.
Sebastian Korda
Sebastian Korda is a former Australian Open junior champion, who had his greatest efficiency as a professional final 12 months, reaching the quarterfinals final 12 months. His dad, Petr, can also be a former champion. Onerous to not imagine that Korda isn’t destined to do some massive issues at this event, and that might occur as quickly as this 12 months.
Korda faces Andrey Rublev subsequent.
One 12 months in the past, Alex Michelsen was ranked No. 526 🔽 he is now No. 91.
As we speak, he toppled No. 32 seed Jiri Lehecka 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4.
Oh, and he is solely 19 years outdated 👏#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/ZBpLSwnazm
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2024
Alex Michelsen
World No.91 Alex Michelsen is the most important shock among the many American contingent in spherical three in Melbourne. However ought to we be stunned? The 19-year-old entered the week with solely 17 matches below his belt, however right here he’s, gifted and energetic, within the third spherical after his four-set takedown of final 12 months’s quarterfinalist Jiri Lehecka.
Michelsen, a California native, reached the ultimate at Newport final 12 months, and has drawn rave critiques for his being an ideal mover for his 6’4” body.
Emma Navarro
Seeded at a Slam for the primary time, Emma Navarro continues to excel on the circuit. She took out Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto to succeed in the third spherical at a serious for the primary time. 22-year-old Navarro gained her maiden title final week at Hobart, and is using a seven-match successful streak for the time being.
