Australian Open: Frenchwoman Clara Burel beats world number 5, Arthur Fils stops there

This is the feat of the day in the women’s draw. At the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne (Australia), Clara Burel, 51st in the WTA rankings, eliminated world number 5, the American Jessica Pegula, on Thursday January 18. The latter remained on three consecutive quarter-finals in Melbourne. The Breton won with authority in two sets (6-4, 6-2) and 1 hour 10 minutes of play.

“I played very solid, I was very focused. It was really a big match, even if in the last game I was very nervous! I haven’t faced many Top 10s in my career, so this is definitely my biggest victory,” said the Frenchwoman after the match at a press conference.

The 22-year-old has reached this stage of the competition for the first time in her career. She will face her compatriot Océane Dodin, who defeated the Italian Martina Trevisan (6-4, 6-4). As a result, a French woman is guaranteed to reach the round of 16 of the 2024 Australian Open.

Arthur Fils takes the door, the favorites in the tough

End of the tournament, on the other hand, for Arthur Fils. The world number 34 lost in four sets (6-3, 1-6, 5-7, 4-6) against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, 31st in the ATP rankings. After winning the first set without conceding a break point, the Frenchman experienced a slump, losing his serve twice. The next two sets were contested, but turned to the advantage of Tallon Griekspoor.

On the favorites side, the German Alexander Zverev was pushed to his limits by the Slovakian Lukas Klein, who came out of qualifying. Trailing two sets to one, the world number 6 won the last two sets in the tie-break (7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6). The Norwegian Casper Ruud also needed five sets to overcome the Australian Max Purcell (6-3, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6).

After a successful first match against Richard Gasquet, this second round is another pair of challenges for Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard conceded a set before winning in 3:25. In the women’s draw, the world number 1 scared herself by giving up the second set, but won in three sets. The Pole will meet the Czech Linda Noskova in the next round.