MELBOURNE, January 17, 2019

Alexander Zverev headlined Wednesday’s night session and reaches the third round of the Australian Open for the third straight year, beating Jeremy Chardy of France 7-6(5), 6-4, 5-7, 6-7(6), 6-1 after three hours and 46 minutes.

The 21-year-old German fired 29 aces, winning 69 per cent of his first service points to set a meeting with Alex Bolt. The World No. 155 of Australia saved four match points to upset French veteran Gilles Simon 2-6, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(8), 6-4 in four hours and four minutes. 

At his third appearance at the Australian Open and his fourth Grand Slam overall, Bolt has advanced to the third round for the first time.

“I’ve always known that I can play at this level. But I guess the thing with me is being able to maintain that level. But, yeah, I today I felt like I was able to maintain it and I ended up playing pretty good,” Bold said in his post-match press conference.

“Probably once the tournament is done, I’ll probably sit down and have a think about how good this tournament has been for me.”

Djokovic beats Tsonga

11 years after the 2008 Australian Open final and Novak Djokovic cruises to a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

“I’ve been coming to Australia for the last 15 years… so hopefully I’ll be coming for 50 more.”

We’ll still have you when you’re 81 @DjokerNole 😉#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/2dPYmg7VVB

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) 17. Januar 2019

With the win the World No, 1 has set up a third round clash against Canadian young gun Denis Shapovalov.

Serena stays on course

Women’s tournament favourite Serena Williams stays on course for her eighth title in Melbourne by seeing off Eugenie Bouchard.

The 23-time major winner closes out a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 victory in 70 minutes on Rod Laver Arena and faces Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine next.

In her on-court interview with Jim Courier, Williams said: “It wasn’t an easy match tonight, Genie has been to the finals of Wimbledon and the semi-finals of other grand slams. I knew, ‘All right Serena, you’ve got to come out hot, got to come out firing’.”

Courier: “Where do you keep your trophies?” Serena: “I’ve never been a hoarder…” before bursting out laughing.

Yendome a dormir… what a day! (Or a night?) 😉 pic.twitter.com/mDwZxIsdLE

— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) 17. Januar 2019

 

No. 18 seed Garbine Muguruza of Spain defeated Johanna Konta of Great Britain 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-5 in the last match of the day.

“I seriously can’t believe there are people watching us at 3.15am. Who cares?” said Muguruza after the late-night finish.

Day/Night Attendance: 77,885

This is a first Thursday Day/Night session record – previous record AO 2016 (77,746).