Drama filled action as fans are sent on lockdown at Aussie Open
Spectators were asked to leave during the five-set match between Nick Kyrgios and Dominic Thiem.
AUSTRALIAN fans had a night to remember as well as one to forget at the Australian Open on Friday after home favourite Nick Kyrgios took US Open champion Dominic Thiem to five sets before spectators were asked to leave ahead of a lockdown in Melbourne.
With his back against the wall and a fired-up home crowd cheering every Kyrgios point, third seed Thiem came back from two sets down to triumph 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 in a see-saw battle at the John Cain Arena.
“There are easier things to do,” Thiem said when describing playing in front of a raucous crowd that will be absent for the next five days.
Top seed Novak Djokovic battled through an injury scare and came through an epic five-setter to beat Taylor Fritz 7-6(1) 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2, celebrating with a guttural roar inside an empty arena after fans were asked to leave 30 minutes before midnight.
Second seed Simona Halep eased past Russian Veronika Kudermetova 6-1 6-3 to reach the fourth round while seven-times winner Serena Williams was tested in the opening set of her 7-6(5) 6-2 victory over Anastasia Potapova.
Naomi Osaka beat Ons Jabeur 6-3 6-2 with a power-packed performance but also displayed her delicate side when she escorted a butterfly that had settled on her face out of harm’s way.
Felix Auger Aliassime dispatched higher seed Denis Shapovalov 7-5 7-5 6-3 in an all-Canadian affair while French Open champion Iga Swiatek advanced with a 6-4 6-3 win over Fiona Ferro.
DUSI Canoe Marathon champion Hank McGregor (front), running with partner Andy Birkett on the way to their triumph three years ago.