| Australian Open: Joko advances, Rudd back

Melbourne: Norway’s second seed Kasper Rude lost in the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam. Rudd was knocked out in the second round by USA’s Jenson Brooksby. Score: 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-2.

Rudd, 24, won last year’s French Open and U.S. Open. Runner up in the Open Grand Slams. It is the first Australian Open of Brooksby’s career. Rudd’s fight lasted three hours and 55 minutes. The star’s next opponent is local Tommy Paul. Tommy defeated Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Eighth seed Taylor Fritz also lost.

Australia’s wild card Alexei Popyrin defeated Fritz. Score: 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-2. Russia’s fifth seed Andrey Rublev also reached the third round. Rublev defeated Finland’s Emil Rusuvuri. Score: 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3. Britain’s Dan Evans is the Russian star’s next opponent. Former champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia also reached the third round. Jocko defeated France’s Enzo Caucaud despite injury. Score: 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-0.

This is the star’s 23rd win in a row at Melbourne Park. The goal is the 10th title in the Australian Open. Joko took time out due to wrist injury. This is Enzo Caucaud’s maiden Australian Open. Enso is ranked 191 in the world.

Joko’s chances have been boosted by the fact that world number one Carlos Alcarez is out due to injury. The exit of Rafael Nadal, Casper Rudd and Taylor Fritz is also in favor of Joko. In women’s singles, U.S. qualifier Kathy Volinetz defeated ninth seed Veronika Kudarmetova. Score: 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. Kathy is ranked 113 in the world. China’s Zhang Shui will face Petra Marticho Volinetz of Croatia in the third round. Spain’s world number two Rafael Nadal will need eight weeks of rest following losing in the men’s singles second round.

It was Macdonald who overthrew the Spanish player. Nadal injured his hip during the match and took time out for treatment. A detailed medical examination conducted following the match confirmed that the star will need eight weeks to regain his fitness.

Nadal’s struggle to match Serena Williams’ record of 23 Grand Slams ended early. Nadal won his 21st Grand Slam following defeating Daniil Medvedev in the last Australian Open final. By winning the French Open, he also won the 22nd Grand Slam. The 36-year-old Nadal also became the first male player to win 22 Grand Slams.