Australian Open: Sania retires; Medvedev cruises; Thiem edges in a thriller

January 23, 2020

• Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok, who came into the Major after winning the doubles title at the Hobart International, were trailing 2-6 0-1 against the Chinese team of Xinyun Han and Lin Zhu when the Indian retired. She was suffering from a calf injury sustained during practice and had pulled out of the mixed doubles draw already.
• The Russian fourth seed, Daniil Medvedev was pressed hard in a competitive first set before grinding down the 22-year-old Spanish qualifier Pedro Martinez 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 with the roof closed on Margaret Court Arena. He plays Australia’s Alexei Popyrin next in Melbourne.
• World No 5 Thiem survived a five-set scare after being pushed hard by gutsy home hope Alex Bolt. The Austrian, targeting a maiden Grand Slam crown, looked fragile as the crowd got behind the wildcard but ultimately prevailed 6-2, 5-7, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-2 in 3 hours and 22mins.

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