Blinkova makes history as Alcaraz and Swiatek power on
Unseeded Russian Anna Blinkova shocked last year's runner-up Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open on Thursday, winning the longest tie-break in Grand Slam history as world number one Iga Swiatek came back from the brink. On a day of striking second-round upsets, women's fifth seed Jessica Pegula also crashed out, along with men's eighth seed Holger Rune. But the biggest drama was saved until late into the cool, breezy night in Melbourne, when Blinkova converted her 10th match point to beat third-ranked Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 [22/20]. The first two sets were completely forgotten in an astonishing 42-point tie-break that lasted more than half an hour. The astonishing scenes on Rod Laver Arena overshadowed a remarkable comeback earlier in the day by women's world number one Swiatek. The Polish player was cruising at a set and a break up against Danielle Collins before faltering badly and slipping to a 4-1 deficit in the deciding set. But just as she appeared to be heading home, she reeled off five straight games to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 and extend her winning run to 18 matches. Spanish world number two Carlos Alcaraz matched his best Melbourne result by reaching the third round with a 6-4, 6-7 [3/7], 6-3, 7-6 [7/3] win against Italy's unseeded Lorenzo Sonego. Alcaraz will meet Chinese wildcard Shang Juncheng next as he ramps up his drive towards a maiden title in Melbourne. Pegula was ousted 6-4, 6-2 by young French star Clara Burel and former US Open winner Emma Raducanu also crashed out. Denmark's Rune went down in four sets to French wildcard Arthur Cazaux. Two-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev reached the third round with a five-set win over Emil Ruusuvuori which finished at 03:40 on Friday morning. World number three Medvedev battled back from two sets down to win 3-6, 6-7 [1/7], 6-4, 7-6 [7/1], 6-0 after more than four hours and 20 minutes on court. Sixth-ranked Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud, the 11th seed, were pushed to the brink before both came through their matches in fifth-set tie-breaks. (AFP)