(January 16, 2019) Twenty-year-old Frances Tiafoe had the win of his career on Wednesday at the Australian Open, when the American upset fifth seed Kevin Anderson 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in the second round. The American rallied from a set and 3-0 down.
Anderson, who is a two-time major finalist, had medical time outs for his right arm.
Tiafoe is currently ranked No. 39 in the world.
Another young American also took out a seeded player – Taylor Fritz stopped 30th seed Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5).
Fritz has a big task ahead on him in the third round – two-time defending champion Roger Federer.
“I grew up watching a lot of the guys I play today,” Fritz said to media. “I can’t tell you how many times I watched Monfils’ highlight reel on YouTube, just growing up. ‘Fed,’ obviously, my whole life growing up, he was always the best, winning everything,”
Defending champion Roger Federer battled past qualifier Daniel Evans 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-3.
He’s now reached the third round of the Australian Open twenty times in a row.
No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal had no problems beating Australian Matthew Ebden 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
The world No. 2 Nadal will play another Australian in Alex de Minaur next. De Minaur beat Swiss qualifier Henri Laaksonen 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3.
Other seeded men advancing to the third round include – (6) Marin Cilic, (10) Karen Khachanov, (14) Stefanos Tsitsipas, (18) Diego Schwartzman, (19) Nikoloz Basilashvili, (20) Grigor Dimitrov, (22) Roberto Bautista Agut and (26) Fernando Verdasco.
In women’s play, defending champion and third seed Caroline Wozniacki beat Johanna Larsson 6-1, 6-3. She’ll face 30th seed and 2008 champion Maria Sharapova in the third round.
Second seed and three-time major champion Angelique Kerber advanced with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia.
No. 5 seed Sloane Stephens defeated her former junior doubles partner Timea Babos 6-3, 6-1.
Four seeded women were upset victims on Wednesday – No. 9 Kiki Bertens, No. 20 Anett Kontaveit, No. 24 Lesia Tsurenko and No. 29 Donna Vekic.
Women’s seeds advancing were – (8) Petra Kvitova, (11) Aryna Sabalenka, (15) Ashleigh Barty and (19) Caroline Garcia.
