It was a productive morning for the Americans at the Australian Open on Wednesday. Two of the more prominent American men took the court hoping to push themselves into the third round.
Both were successful, as Frances Tiafoe and Learner Tien dispatched their opponents in four sets.
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Tiafoe got out to a strong start, taking the first two sets 6-4 and 6-3 over Francisco Comesana. Tiafoe faltered a bit in the third set, losing 6-4, but was able to rally to take the final set 6-2.
Tiafoe won the contest despite trailing in aces. He picked up seven in the win. Comesana notched 15 aces, but also five double faults, which came back to haunt him.
With the win, Tiafoe advanced to the third round at the Australian Open for the first time since 2023. He’s advanced past that round only one time in his career.
Tien also needed four sets (6-2, 5-7, 6-1, 6-0) to take down his opponent, Alexander Shevchenko. Other than the second set, which went to a tiebreak, Tien was mostly in control throughout the entire match. He seemed to get stronger as it went on, allowing Shevchenko to take just one game over the final two sets.
For Tien, it marks the second straight year he’s pushed into the third round at the Australian Open. He performed well during his first appearance at the event last year, reaching the fourth round.
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Tiafoe and Tien will play their third-round matches Friday. Tiafoe will have a tough task ahead, as he takes on No. 6 Alex de Minaur. Tien will square off against Nuno Borges.
There were no major upsets on the men’s side Wednesday, with Alexander Zverev, de Minaur and Alexander Bublik all winning.
Mirra Andreeva dominates on women’s side
On a morning dominated by the favorites, no one was more impressive than Mirra Andreeva. The Russian made quick work of Maria Sakkari, winning 6-0, 6-4.
The 18-year-old Andreeva doesn’t have a ton of experience at the Australian Open, but has reached the fourth round both times she’s taken part in the tournament. She’ll look to extend that streak when she takes on Elena-Gabriela Ruse on Friday.
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The favorites also came out on top in the other matches on the women’s side. Women’s No. 7 Jasmine Paolini and No. 19 Karolína Muchová also won their matches. American Iva Jović dispatched Priscilla Hon in straight sets.
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