Goffin knocked out, but Thiem and Del Potro survive
Seventh seed David Goffin crashed out of the Australian Open on Thursday, but Dominic Thiem and Juan Martin del Potro battled to victories.
Belgian Goffin started well as he won the opening set against Julien Benneteau, but the French veteran stormed back to win 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, 7-6 (7-4).
It is the first time since 2013 then Benneteau has reached the third round of a Grand Slam and he will face Italy’s 25th seed Fabio Fognini, who beat Russian Evgeny Donskoy 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.
.@julienbenneteau is through to the third round in his last ever #AusOpen appearance!
What a performance from the evergreen 36-year-old ????#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/w1D7DRxfdC
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2018
Fifth seed Thiem was pushed all the way by American Denis Kudla as he came from two sets down to win 6-7 (6-8), 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in three hours and 48 minutes on Margaret Court Arena.
“It’s awesome. It’s only the second time in my career I’ve come back from two sets down and especially in this very hot weather it was tough,” the Austrian, who will face Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in the third round, said.
Del Potro was also made to work for his win as he needed four sets to beat Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (0-7), 6-4.
The 12th seed from Argentina was playing at the Australian Open for the first time in four years due to serious wrist injuries, and he was once again in pain.
“I am so happy to be playing in Melbourne after so many years and that’s what I miss, this kind of fight,” he said.
“I have pain everywhere after that match but I am still standing up and that’s good.”
The roar of relief from @delpotrojuan!
He advances to 3R after a gritty four set win over Karen #Khachanov. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Xgj0Gv23Ee
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2018
The former US Open champion will face 19th seed Tomas Berdych next after the Czech beat Guillermo García-Lopez 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
