OVERNIGHT ROUND-UP: Madison Keys’ reign got here to an finish as two extra Individuals moved into the quarter-finals.
Defending Australian Open champion Madison Keys has been eradicated – and should now eat pie (Picture: Getty) This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
It’s day 9 of the Australian Open, and it’s a financial institution vacation right here because the nation celebrates Australia Day. The grounds have been full of followers having fun with an additional break day and a few summer time solar whereas watching the gamers try and e-book the final remaining spots within the singles quarter-finals.
We’ve misplaced reigning champion Madison Keys, who received a maiden Grand Slam title right here 12 months in the past. The No. 9 seed was despatched packing by good good friend Jessica Pegula, with whom she additionally co-hosts a podcast. And so as to add insult to harm, Keys will now be compelled right into a “gross” forfeit after dropping the Gamers Field Podcast battle.
Pegula will now face one other countrywoman in Amanda Anisimova, who completed runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open, and is hoping to go all the way in which in Melbourne Park. However it wasn’t an important day for the American males, as Taylor Fritz was ousted by Lorenzo Musetti whereas combating some bodily points.
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Defending champ out
Madison Keys grew to become arguably one of many tour’s hottest winners when she lifted a long-awaited maiden Grand Slam trophy right here a yr in the past. Her title defence got here to an finish within the spherical of 16 as she suffered a 6-3 6-4 defeat to Jessica Pegula. However the American was nonetheless happy with her efforts this week.
“Clearly not the way in which that I needed issues to finish right here, however nonetheless actually happy with myself. I believe coming again, being defending champion, coping with the entire form of additional stress and nerves, I am simply actually happy with myself for the way I dealt with it,” Keys stated. “Simply a kind of days the place I really feel like Jess beat me, and I can form of stroll away with my head held excessive.”
The 30-year-old additionally admitted that it wasn’t so dangerous dropping because the reigning champ. “Actually, I might say it feels manner higher dropping and nonetheless being defending champion, as a result of it means you have received. So, once more, it is not just like the world is ending as a result of I misplaced right now,” she added.
Madi Keys should pie!
Madison Keys might stroll away along with her head excessive, however she shall be introduced again right down to earth as soon as she completes her forfeit. Jessica Pegula shocked her Gamers Field Podcast co-hosts final yr when she shared her household’s Thanksgiving custom – consuming apple pie with a slice of cheddar cheese melted on the highest. Keys, Pegula, Jennifer Brady and Desirae Krawczyk recorded an episode earlier than the Keys vs Pegula AO showdown – and agreed on some forfeits.
Pegula, whose household owns the Buffalo Payments, was spared the awkwardness of getting to put on a Kansas Metropolis Chiefs jersey, however Keys will now should strive the tacky apple pie. “A wager is a wager, so I am going to do it. I hope it is much less gross than I believe it will be, however we’ll discover out, I suppose,” final yr’s winner conceded.
Forward of their fourth-round showdown, Keys had shared her disgust at Pegula’s uncommon dessert mixture and defined: “She tried to make it sound prefer it was probably the most regular factor ever, and we have been all simply disgusted. “She tried to double down and stated, No, it is wonderful. So our producer tried it and was, like, the is grossest factor.”
Keep tuned for the upcoming episodes of the Gamers Field Podcast, as Pegula stated co-host Brady would be certain Keys held up her finish of the deal. “I believe Jenny stated she’s going to do it with Madi in Orlando, so I believe one in every of them, I am positive it would Jenny, I do not suppose Madi goes to exit of her technique to get this pie or cheese, so I believe it will be a Jenny job,” she smiled.
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American women
The American ladies are having an important run right here. 4 of the eight quarter-finalists are from the States – Coco Gauff, Iva Jovic, Jessica Pegula, and Amanda Anisimova. Pegula and Anisimova will face off in an all-American battle. Pegula had already crushed one other countrywoman on Monday and stated: “Actually, I do not thoughts, like, the familiarity of it.
“At the very least one in every of us will get by, and I believe that is nice for American tennis. Yeah, it has been fairly loopy how properly the ladies have been doing and what number of top-ranked women there are. I am simply comfortable to be part of that dialog.”
After beating Xinyu Wang 7-6(4) 6-4, Anisimova added: “It’s going to be enjoyable, sucks that one American has to exit within the quarter-final however I’m actually trying ahead to it. Jess is such an important participant, so I’m positive it’s going to be a battle.”
Taylor’s tape job
Taylor Fritz got here out on the dropping finish of a top-10 battle with No. 5 seed Lorenzo Musetti, struggling a 6-2 7-5 6-4 defeat – his first loss to the Italian on a tough court docket. The ninth seed has been battling a knee concern, which ruined his pre-season, and appears to have picked up one other harm. Fritz wore giant strips of tape both facet of his stomach throughout his match in opposition to Musetti, after which known as the physio in the course of the second set, showing to have it eliminated.
“I don’t find out about you guys, I don’t understand how that tape truly helps. As a result of the quantity of pressure that’s truly going by that belly space is unbelievable, and the way one thing so superficial goes to maintain it in place, I wrestle to get my head round it,” commentator Robbie Koenig stated. Brad Stine, who coaches Tommy Paul, added: “I don’t know, we’ve talked about it right here and there, totally different instances with our physio, and he stated there’s actually not a lot profit.”
Lorenzo Musetti took out Taylor Fritz to succeed in his first Australian Open quarter-final (Picture: Getty)
Extra defending champs out
Reigning males’s doubles champions and No. 2 seeds Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten have crashed out within the third spherical. The Finnish-British duo lifted the trophy right here final yr and had received 14 of their final 15 matches, lifting titles on the Paris Masters, ATP Finals, and Adelaide Worldwide. However their run is now over, as they have been shocked by the unseeded Czech pairing of Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl, who received 7-6(4) 7-6(6).
One other scorching day
After play was suspended on outside courts and roofs have been closed on the world courts as a result of excessive warmth on Saturday, it’s one other scorching day in Melbourne. The warmth stress index reached 4 this afternoon, which suggests gamers can take an prolonged break in between sure units of their matches. However it’ll be manner worse tomorrow – temperatures are anticipated to succeed in 44 levels Celsius, even hotter than it was on Saturday. Anticipate the roofs to be shut on the larger courts and extra suspensions.
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Musetti lacking family members
No. 5 seed Lorenzo Musetti is into his first Aussie Open quarter-final and can face Novak Djokovic. The Italian is competing right here with out a few of his family members round. Musetti’s coach and physio needed to depart Melbourne and return to Italy for private causes. “They’re right here [in] the guts, and it’s powerful additionally to talk as a result of, when actual life knocks on the door, it’s one thing actually shocking, and also you all the time perceive life higher. And I believe I really feel extra mature on the court docket and doubtless I’m taking part in higher, additionally for that and for them,” Musetti stated.
Musetti and his associate, Veronica, welcomed their second baby in late November. She is again residence with each youngsters and the 23-year-old added: “I ship a kiss to my associate, Veronica, and my two little youngsters. After all, I’m lacking residence because the 1st of January now. It’s greater than 20 days that I’m alone, and it’s not straightforward, however I really feel their presence additionally right here, in order that’s a message for them.”
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