Australian Open – Day 5 + 6 (3R)

Alexandr Dolgopolov [46] stands out not only by his feminine haircut but also by very hard, unorthodox forehand. “Dolgo” isn’t very young  – 22, but he is a new face on the main tour, two years ago (2008) finished the season at the No. 309, in the last season played his first three majors and improved his ranking position considerably (moved from No. 131 to 48). Today has achieved the best career result destroying Jo-Wilfried Tsonga [13] in the last two sets of their five-setter (just 44 minutes) – for Tsonga, who was affected a bit by right hip injury,  it’s the first 5-set loss (he beat in five sets Dolgopolov during the last Wimbledon). The Ukrainian says: “For sure it’s probably the biggest match I’ve won for now. This year I got a lot stronger physically. I worked out consistently in the preparation for the year, so I’m feeling a lot better. Feeling good, feeling solid, so I can really get my game up with the level because I don’t need to do, like stupid shots, you know, miss a lot.”
John Isner [20] has inscribed himself to all record books winning a titanic ’70-68′ set in the last Wimbledon, but today wasn’t so resistant playing against Marin Cilic [15]. The Croat, known as a weak tie-break player, managed to win the 4th set tie-break though, after Isner’s two consecutive double faults, and held his serve without troubles in the 5th set. Isner, who was all the time behind, at 7:8 saved a match point and had a point to level at 8 games apiece, but Cilic played very good volley and a moment later converted his second match point after Isner’s forehand mis-hit. Cilic has improved his perfect record in 5-setters in Melbourne to 4-0. 

Longest match:
4 hours, 33 minutes: Marin Cilic d. John Isner 4-6, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-6(2), 9-7

Most aces:
32 – Andy Roddick, defeated in four sets Robin Haase

5-set barometer:

10-6 Marin Cilic
5-1 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
3-3 John Isner
2-1 Alexandr Dolgopolov…            Interesting article on “Dog”