Tsitsipas put to the test, but joins Rublev in the third round

Popular world No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to the third round after a testing four-set clash against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez.

While Tsitsipas was made to slog in a 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4 win, Britain’s Dan Evans enjoyed the luxury of a walkover into the next stage as a host of men’s seeds made steady progress beyond the dangers of the opening rounds at Melbourne Park on Thursday.

Stefanos Tsitsipas belts a forehand during his win over Argentina’s Sebastian Baez.Credit:Getty Images

Awaiting Roland Garros runner-up Tsitsipas in the next phase is Benoit Paire, after the Frenchman outlasted 26th seed Grigor Dimitrov in a compelling three-hour clash.

While Australian Christopher O’Connell sent Argentine world No.13 Diego Schwarzman packing in a head-turning result, it was largely business as usual in the bottom half of the draw.

Tsitsipas defeated Baez after three hours and 22 minutes on court, the first two sets going to tie-breakers nearing the one-hour mark.

“I tried to go for my shots a little bit I think,” Tsitsipas told Channel Nine.

“At certain moments [in the next two sets] I got a little bit lucky with finding the right depth and coming in.”

Andrey Rublev celebrates after defeating Ricardas Berankis.Credit:AP

Leading Russian Andrey Rublev was ruthless in dispatching Ricardo Berankis, of Lithuania, in straight sets, setting up a tough encounter with veteran and former US Open champion Marin Cilic on Saturday.

Just below them on the draw, world No. 24 Evans didn’t have to take to the court after emerging Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech pulled out with a wrist injury.

In an all-American battle on John Cain Arena, 20th seed Taylor Fritz had the better of Frances Tiafoe, winning through in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).

Fritz meets the durable Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut, who demolished Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in a lop-sided contest, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3.

“Feeling good,” said the 33-year-old. “I think today the conditions were a bit different. I think today was heat and dry, and the ball was going very fast through the air.

“I think the conditions were good for me, and I could play a really good match.”

Top Argentine Schwarzman took the loss to O’Connell in his stride, the Australian wildcard’s 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, 6-4 victory sending the fans into a frenzy.

Australia’s Chris O’Connell downed No. 13 seed Diego Schwartzman.Credit:Joe Armao

“Not many positive things about the match,” said Schwarzman. “It was a difficult match for me, and I think he did great on court, and he deserved the win.”

Australia’s leading man and 32nd seed Alex de Minaur was also a straight-sets winner. He now avoids a seed at the next stage after Spaniard Pablo Anjular beat Slovakia’s Alex Molcan.

De Minaur just squeezed into the seeds and the draw is shaping up reasonably well for the 22-year-old. Beyond Anjular, he could face Andy Murray, Taro Daniel, Steve Johnson or Jannik Sinner in potential fourth-round showdown.

Russian Rublev, who often sits in the shadow of countryman Daniil Medvedev, was brutal in his victory over Berankis.

He pounded down 35 winners, compared to 35 for the Lithuanian.

On the eve of the tournament, Rublev went close to an elevation to the top rung when the future of Novak Djokovic hung in the balance.

Had the Serbian world No. 1’s deportation and elimination from the tournament been confirmed earlier than last Sunday night, fifth seed Rublev could have moved up under a shuffling of the seeds dictated by International Tennis Federation rules.

Watch all the action from Melbourne Park on Nine, 9Gem, and 9Now.

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