Day 3 snapshot from the Australian Open

SNAPSHOT FROM DAY THREE AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

PLAYER OF THE DAY: Thai qualifier Luksika Kumkhum sent Swiss star Belinda Bencic packing from Melbourne Park in a 6-1 6-3 boilover. It’s the second time the 24-year-old has claimed a big-name Australian Open scalp, having dispatched Czech star Petra Kvitova four years ago.

STAT OF THE DAY: At 15 years and sixth months, Ukrainian wunderkind Marta Kostyuk became the youngest player to reach the Australian Open’s third round since Swiss prodigy Martina Hingis staged a quarter-final run in 1996. Her career earnings are also set to grow 16-fold after grabbing a $142,000 third-round appearance cheque.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t know what the rules are. I have never really heard an umpire say, ‘hey, you have to tone it down’.” Aussie Olivia Rogowska wasn’t aware of a little-known WTA law umpires can use to silence excessive grunters.

TURNING POINT: Danish star Caroline Wozniacki, one of the early tournament favourites, fended off two match points against Croat Jana Fett to move into the third round. The 27-year-old world No.2 had fallen 5-1 down in the deciding set before clawing her way back to win 3-6 6-2 7-5.

TOURNAMENT SUMMARY: Women’s favourites Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and Caroline Wozniacki were both pushed to three sets, while fellow seeds Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Daria Kasatkina crashed out. Former Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was on the brink of elimination against next-gen Canadian star Denis Shapovalov, but eked out a 3-6 6-3 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 win. The Frenchman was joined in the third round by Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta and Croat Marin Cilic.

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