Fri Jan 17 06:10:00 UTC 2025: **Australian Open Update: Gauff, Sabalenka, and Djokovic Advance; Medvedev Upset**
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian Open is underway, with several top seeds advancing to the third round. American Coco Gauff, boasting a perfect 14-0 set record this season, will face Leylah Fernandez on Friday. Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will play Clara Tauson, while Novak Djokovic will face Tomáš Machác in the night session. Other notable matches include Naomi Osaka versus Belinda Bencic and Carlos Alcaraz against Nuno Borges.
A major upset saw fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev defeated by American qualifier Learner Tien in a grueling five-set match. Iga Swiatek continues her strong run, advancing to the third round where she’ll face Emma Raducanu. Other notable winners include Taylor Fritz, who dropped only eight games in his first two matches, and Jannik Sinner.
Betting odds favor Gauff, Sabalenka, and Djokovic in their upcoming matches. The total prize money for the tournament has reached a record AU$96.5 million (approximately $60 million USD). The singles champions will each receive AU$3.5 million (approximately $2.15 million USD).
The tournament continues with third-round matches on Friday and Saturday, leading to the fourth round on Sunday and Monday, and quarterfinals on Tuesday and Wednesday. A new interactive quiz, testing fans’ Australian Open knowledge, has also been launched by the Associated Press.
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