Rafael Nadal v Tim Smyczek: Australian Open day three –as it happened
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Version 0 of 1. 12.32pm GMT12:32 Anyway that’s all from me today. It’s been emotional. Thanks for reading and do join us for more live coverage tomorrow morning. Thanks. Bye. 12.31pm GMT12:31 Bernard Tomic beats Phillip Kohlschreiber 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 And Bernard Tomic becomes the third Australian man to reach the third round today, a pinpoint forehand on his third match point leaving Kohlschreiber rooted to the spot. What a tense match. There was virtually nothing in it, but Tomic rode his luck at times, kept fighting and held his nerve in two tie-breaks to see off Kohlschreiber. 12.28pm GMT12:28 And while that’s been going on, they’re into a fourth-set tie-break on Margaret Court Arena. If Tomic wins it, he’s through and Kohlschreiber is out. “I believe Bernie will win,” chant the Aussies. 12.26pm GMT12:26 RAFAEL NADAL BEATS TIM SMYCZEK 6-2, 3-6, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5! Nadal quickly goes up 15-0 and then puts away a deft backhand volley for 30-0. The suffering is almost over. A massage isn’t far away. But then some numpty in the crowd shouts as Nadal serves a fault and in an incredible show of sportsmanship, Smyczek lets him have the first serve again. What a guy! Nadal can’t return that generosity; soon he has three match points. But the first two go begging! Nadal nets a forehand and then can’t handle a huge shot from Smyczek. Is he wobbling? He has one more match point. Surely - surely - it’s done. Think again! Nadal nets a forehand! Well, you didn’t think it was going to be easy, did you? It’s deuce. Nadal serves. And then wallops an outrageous backhand down the line. He has a fourth match point. Surely there’s no way back for Smyczek now. Nadal sends a difficult serve out wide and then pounces on a weak return, charging to the net and slamming a forehand away! It’s over! Somehow, Nadal has won. Somehow. He collapses to his knees and closes his eyes. He looked down and out on so many occasions, stunned into submission by the unlikely brilliance of Tim Smyczek and struggling with his own lack of match fitness. But Nadal is a great. A place in the third round is his. I suspect he’ll sleep well tonight. Updated at 12.26pm GMT 12.17pm GMT12:17 Nadal breaks to lead 6-5! He earns two break points with a monstrous forehand pass and Smyczek finally wavers, yawning a forehand into the net. “Ice towel!” Nadal barks. He’s going to serve for the match. While we wait, here are some nice pictures. 12.12pm GMT12:12 Nadal is in no mood for a long debate. He holds to 40 to make it 5-5. Over to you, Tim. 12.09pm GMT12:09 This is nerveless from Smyczek. He produces an array of magnificent shots to keep Nadal at bay, holding to 30 for a 5-4 lead. Although he did get lucky that a Nadal pass landed inches long at 30-all. Nadal serves to stay in the tournament now. Updated at 12.09pm GMT 12.05pm GMT12:05 Apologies, I just got waylaid by high-powered discussions with a colleague. They’re still on serve on Rod Laver Arena. Nadal is taken to deuce after a storming forehand from Smyczek, but holds for 4-4. 11.51am GMT11:51 Andy Murray is having a nice, cultural day. Some Melbourne Street art... #ACDC #PowerToThePeople http://t.co/HVjOmmeSNz 11.44am GMT11:44 Bernard Tomic wins the third set 7-6 to lead 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 Having survived those set points, Tomic earns one of his own when a backhand hits the net and drops dead on Kohlschreiber’s side. There’s nothing the German can do. He’s stranded. Luck, eh? Tomic accepts his good fortune and then bangs down an ace to win the set, before giving the crowd a mildly perplexed look, as if he can’t quite believe he’s won that set but he’ll take it nonetheless. 11.41am GMT11:41 Bernard Tomic saves another set point. Then another. But Kohlschreiber has one more serve. Surely he has to take this one? No! A double-fault from the German makes it six-all in the tie-break! There’s that famous fighting spirit from Bernard Tomic. 11.34am GMT11:34 Rafael Nadal has two break points in his grasp in the first game of the fifth set. But he’s up against the force of nature that is ... Tim Smyczek! You know ... Tim Smyczek! He saves them with a couple of storming shots and holds to lead 1-0. Meanwhile Tomic has forced a third-set tie-break against Kohlschreiber. I’ll let you know how it goes. 11.32am GMT11:32 Over on Margaret Court Arena, Phillip Kohlschreiber has a set point in the third set against Bernard Tomic. But the Australian saves it. He’s trying to force a tie-break. 11.27am GMT11:27 Tim Smyczek has had a change of shirt. That’ll do it. “I love watching Nadal and I know everyone does it, to some degree, but Nadal abuses the rules and the spirit of the sport so badly,” says Leon Flegg. “Ridiculous delays between serving, stopping the game with timeouts or challenges to stop the momentum. He’s much better than Smyczek, and smyczek hasn’t done anything like that...” 11.26am GMT11:26 Stats corner: Smyczek has a 2-1 record in 5-set matches, while Nadal’s is 16-5. What’s going to happen, friends? There’s only one place to find out! 11.23am GMT11:23 Rafael Nadal wins the fourth set 6-3 to make it 2-2 in sets This time, Nadal does not falter. Despite going down 0-15 and then allowing Smyczek to 30-all, he earns a set point when the American’s footwork lets him down and he fluffs a forehand. Smyczek nets a backhand return and we’re into a fifth set! Nadal is on the charge. Smyczek might be wise to take cover. 11.19am GMT11:19 And hold he does. But now Nadal has a chance to serve it out and take it to a fifth. Although that didn’t go so well last time. 11.16am GMT11:16 Nadal is a survivor. He holds to 30 and, absurdly, he leads 5-2. Smyczek will serve to stay in the fourth set. 11.13am GMT11:13 Perhaps it’s all an elaborate double bluff from Nadal. Or perhaps he’s just benefiting from shortening the points. Smyczek looks lost all of a sudden, confused about how to play this situation correctly, as Nadal earns two break points - and he breaks when Smyczek’s serve betrays him. Nadal leads 4-2 in the fourth set! Where has he located this 27th wind from? 11.05am GMT11:05 “Agree with your contention that if Rafa is grimacing he must be in a world of pain,” says David Hopkins. “I’ve always assumed that if Rafa slightly furrows his brow and clenches his teeth, he must be undergoing the sort of pain that would make the rest of us curl into the foetal position and cry for mummy.” I see what you’re saying. Brave John Terry has nothing on Rafa Nadal when it comes to physical endurance. 11.04am GMT11:04 Tim Smyczek holds for 2-2. Nadal is doubled over. 10.59am GMT10:59 But have you ever known Rafael Nadal to turn his back on a fight? If Tin Smyczek is to do this, Nadal will have to be dragged kicking and screaming off the court. He is mixing up his game, dialling down the power and upping the invention, and leads 2-1 in the fourth set. 10.56am GMT10:56 Nadal is grimacing and talking to Uncle Toni. I’m speculating, but I’m guessing he is in a world of pain right now. Updated at 10.56am GMT 10.50am GMT10:50 Bernard Tomic has recovered well. He was down a set and a break but he’s battled back to win the second set 6-4 against Phillip Kohlschreiber. 10.45am GMT10:45 TIM SMYCZEK WINS THE THIRD SET TO LEAD RAFA NADAL 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 Third-set tie-break: Nadal 2-6 Smyczek* (*denotes server): Tim Smyczek only needs one of those set points! An ace seals the third set and it’s a long weary, walk for Rafael Nadal back to his chair. Has he got anything left in the tank. You can never rule him out, but it doesn’t look like it at the moment. 10.44am GMT10:44 Third-set tie-break: Nadal 2-6 Smyczek* (*denotes server): Nadal has no answer for a huge forehand from Smyczek. It’s set point! 10.44am GMT10:44 Third-set tie-break: Nadal* 2-5 Smyczek (*denotes server): An outstanding forehand down the line from Smyczek. He’s on it. 10.42am GMT10:42 Third-set tie-break: Nadal* 2-4 Smyczek (*denotes server): A booming, angry forehand from Nadal does the job. 10.41am GMT10:41 Third-set tie-break: Nadal 1-4 Smyczek* (*denotes server): Nadal batters a forehand miles wide. Oh my. He looks knackered. 10.41am GMT10:41 Third-set tie-break: Nadal 1-3 Smyczek* (*denotes server): Smyczek creams a two-handed backhand down the line. 10.40am GMT10:40 Third-set tie-break: Nadal* 1-2 Smyczek (*denotes server): Smyczek sends a forehand into the net. 10.38am GMT10:38 Third-set tie-break: Nadal* 0-2 Smyczek (*denotes server): Smyczek gets the mini-break. Updated at 10.39am GMT 10.37am GMT10:37 Third-set tie-break: Nadal 0-1 Smyczek* (*denotes server): SMASH. Updated at 10.39am GMT 10.37am GMT10:37 Smyczek has the proverbial bit between his teeth and he doesn’t want to open wide. He wins the first point in this game, forcing Nadal to stoop low and dab a backhand into the net. 0-15. Nadal, however, isn’t about to show any more generosity on his serve. He rattles through four consecutive points and well have a tie-break. 10.33am GMT10:33 Over on Margaret Court Arena, Bernard Tomic digs deep to win a marathon game and break back in the second set against Phillip Kohlschreiber. That’s more like it from Tomic. 10.32am GMT10:32 Tim Smyczek - the world No112 - holds for a 6-5 lead in the third set. Nadal will serve to stay in the set. His American opponent is playing some unbelievably good tennis. 10.29am GMT10:29 For the third time on a break point, Nadal double-faults! Smyczek breaks! It’s 5-5! Consider me flabberghasted. 10.28am GMT10:28 Smyczek eanrs two break points with an outrageous drop shot. What is going on with Nadal? 10.27am GMT10:27 Rafael Nadal is serving for the third set and a 2-1 lead. But he’s gone down 0-30... 10.24am GMT10:24 Bernard Tomic is living dangerously. Phillip Kohlschreiber breaks early in the second set and is up a set and a break now - 7-6, 3-1. 10.21am GMT10:21 Tim Smyczek dusts himself down after the disappointment of being broken and forges into a 15-40 lead on Nadal’s serve with a laser-guided forehand down the line. Nadal isn’t out of the woods yet. But he picks a good time to remember that he’s Rafael Nadal and saves both break points; Smyczek actually did well to get out of the way of one Nadal serve there. That would have blasted all the way to Sydney if it had hit him. He dodged it and we go to deuce. Nadal gets a little warning about taking too much time to serve, but he doesn’t let that steer him of course and he holds to lead 5-3. What a turnaround in this third set. 10.16am GMT10:16 Farewell, Thanasi Kokkinakis. The teenager’s Australian Open is over, as he loses 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 to his fellow Australian, Sam Groth. He ran out of juice in the end, although his collapse in that fifth set was understandable given that it was his 10th set in 48 hours. He can hold his head up high. He’s given us some terrific entertainment and you can be sure that he’ll be back. But it’s not his day. It’s Sam Groth’s day. The unheralded 27-year-old is into the third round after another fine victory and he’s playing some good stuff. 10.13am GMT10:13 Smyczek saves the third, charging to the net to slam a forehand past Nadal. But he can’t save a fourth! And it’s a gift for Nadal. Smyczek dumps a gimme of a volley into the net at the worst possible moment and Nadal breaks for a 4-3 lead in the third set. Cue a pump on the first and a glare at his box. 10.11am GMT10:11 Nadal doesn’t look so dizzy now. He’s on the prowl, forcing a couple of break points at 3-3 with loopy forehand returns, and you sense that the tide is turning. Smyczek saves the first two with ballsy shots. But how about a third? Can he save a third? Updated at 10.11am GMT 10.08am GMT10:08 I’m afraid the end is nigh for young Thanasi Kokkinakis. He’s 5-0 down in the fifth set to Sam Groth, the older man showing no mercy at all. 10.07am GMT10:07 Phillip Kohlschreiber wins the first set 7-6! First-set tie-break: Tomic 5-7 Kohlschreiber* (*denotes server): And Kohlschreiber only needs one! Tomic wilts in the face of strong hitting from the German and wafts a forehand into the net to drop the first set. He’s got a mountain to climb now. 10.05am GMT10:05 First-set tie-break: Tomic 5-6 Kohlschreiber* (*denotes server): Kohlschreiber earns set point with an ace. It’s Tomic to serve. 10.05am GMT10:05 First-set tie-break: Tomic 5-5 Kohlschreiber* (*denotes server): Tomic is back in the tie-break! Kohlschreiber goes too long with a forehand! 10.05am GMT10:05 First-set tie-break: Tomic* 4-5 Kohlschreiber (*denotes server): And then fails to deal with another serve. 10.04am GMT10:04 First-set tie-break: Tomic* 3-5 Kohlschreiber (*denotes server): Kohlschreiber fails to deal with a Tomic serve. 10.04am GMT10:04 First-set tie-break: Tomic 2-5 Kohlschreiber* (*denotes server): A lovely little drop shot from the German makes it 5-2. 10.03am GMT10:03 First-set tie-break: Tomic 2-4 Kohlschreiber* (*denotes server): Tomic lazily knocks a backhand long. 10.02am GMT10:02 First-set tie-break: Tomic* 2-3 Kohlschreiber (*denotes server): Kohlschreiber sends a forehand return past the baseline. 10.02am GMT10:02 First-set tie-break: Tomic* 1-3 Kohlschreiber (*denotes server): Tomic is on the board. 10.01am GMT10:01 First-set tie-break: Tomic 0-3 Kohlschreiber* (*denotes server): Tomic had the advantage so many times in this point but couldn’t finish it off, and eventually flaps a forehand into the net. 10.01am GMT10:01 First-set tie-break: Tomic 0-2 Kohlschreiber* (*denotes server): Tomic sends a forehand too long. 10.00am GMT10:00 First-set tie-break: Tomic* 0-1 Kohlschreiber (*denotes server): A ripping forehand down the line from Kohlschreiber gives him the first point. 9.59am GMT09:59 There’s still no separating Kohlschreiber and Tomic. They thought about using a crowbar to prise them apart in this first set, but instead they’re settling for a tie-break. Let’s point-by-point it. 9.56am GMT09:56 Thanasi Kokkinakis has it all to do. He’s a break down in the fifth set to Sam Groth, who is calling upon all his guile to down the young pretender. 9.55am GMT09:55 Smyczek must be resisting the temptation to give himself a furious kicking. It’s 2-2. He may well be wondering how he let that lead slip. 9.52am GMT09:52 The trainer has been on and Nadal has had a medical time-out. I haven’t been able to watch much of this match, but apparently he’s been quite sloppy. Still think he’ll win, though. 9.49am GMT09:49 Rafael Nadal has a huge ice towel around his neck and appears to be calling for the trainer. The word is he’s feeling dizzy. He was looking in some discomfort towards Uncle Toni. 9.49am GMT09:49 Thanasi Kokkinakis loves a five-set thriller. He’s won the fourth set 6-3 against his fellow Aussie, Sam Groth, and they’ll go into a decider. 9.47am GMT09:47 Wouldn’t you just know it. As soon as I switch over, Nadal breaks back immediately. He was 30-0 down but Smyczek took his foot off the accelerator and paid for it. That could be a pivotal moment. Nadal is back in the set, trailing 2-1 on serve. 9.45am GMT09:45 WE INTERRUPT THIS GAME-BY-GAME COVERAGE... To let you know that Tim Smyczek is a break up in the third set against Rafael Nadal. He leads 2-0. Sorry, Tomic fans, I’m going to have to turn this into a broader live blog and pay more attention to the Nadal match. 9.42am GMT09:42 First set: Tomic 3-3 Kohlschreiber* (*denotes server): Tomic challenges a Kohlschreiber ace on the first point, but to no avail. It was on the line. 15-0. But Tomic then comes out on top in a battle of wits at the net; he’s drawn forward by a drop shot, but Kohlschreiber is eventually overpowered. The German remains unflustered, however, moves 30-15 up and then has a good old chuckle when Tomic mounts another silly challenge after being aced. It was on the line again and Tomic has now wasted two challenges in a single game. That’s poor game management. He only has one left and Kohlschreiber holds easily. 9.37am GMT09:37 First set: Tomic* 3-2 Kohlschreiber (*denotes server): Tomic needs to use the crowd. They can help him here. They’re cheering madly whenever he wins a point. Presumably they’re high from the paint fumes floating off his t-shirt. If so, I applaud his original thinking. And his tennis, too. Tomic is dominating the longer rallies and an error from Kohlschreiber makes it 40-15, before a return into the net gives Tomic the game. 9.35am GMT09:35 First set: Tomic 2-2 Kohlschreiber* (*denotes server): A comfortable hold for Kohlschreiber. This is a very tight start. 9.31am GMT09:31 First set: Tomic* 2-1 Kohlschreiber (*denotes server): Tomic looks like he’s in trouble at 15-30, Kohlschreiber rolling through the gears, but an ace brings it back to 30-all and a strong serve on the next point makes it 40-30. An accurate forehand seals an impressive hold from the home favourite. The crowd is in a positive mood. 9.29am GMT09:29 First set: Tomic 1-1 Kohlschreiber* (*denotes server): Phillip Kohlschreiber is a good player. He gave Andy Murray a huge scare at the French Open last year and Tomic will have to be at his best to beat him. Kohlschreiber is quickly into his stride, also holding to 15, the highlight a punchy serve-volley combo. 9.27am GMT09:27 First set: Tomic* 1-0 Kohlschreiber (*denotes server): “PLAY BALL!” the umpire doesn’t shout. But he does give the signal for the players to get going, so they do, and it’s Bernard Tomic to serve first. It’s a confident start from the Australian. He serves well to cruise into a 40-15 lead and seals a very impressive opening game with a sliced ace that left Kohlschreiber grasping at thin air. There’s a major development elsewhere, though. Tim Smyczek has won the second set 6-3 against Rafael Nadal to level up their match. Interesting. Very interesting. 9.22am GMT09:22 Is it obligatory for Australian players to dress as if they’ve jumped into a tub of glow-paint before going out in public? Tomic is positively luminous. Even his socks are bright yellow. 9.19am GMT09:19 The players are out on court and they are knocking up. Meanwhile, over on Rod Laver Arena, Rafael Nadal is in a spot of bother in the second set. Tim Smyczek has broken him. 9.15am GMT09:15 Encouragingly for Bernard Tomic, who has been in good form at the start of 2015, he beat Phillip Kohlschreiber in straight sets in Sydney a couple of weeks ago. Can he replicate that performance where it really matters, though? 9.07am GMT09:07 It’s all over for Kiki Bertens. She loses 6-0, 6-3 to Eugenie Bouchard, a development which is greeted by a rendition of the Canadian national anthem on Margaret Court Arena, and Bernard Tomic and Phillip Kohlscheiber will be with us soon. 8.56am GMT08:56 Nick Kyrgios has just beaten Ivo Karlovic 7-6, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 and is into the third round. He’ll have to treat himself to some new jewellery as a reward. 8.51am GMT08:51 And it’s a set apiece in the all-Aussie affair between Thanasi Kokkinakis and Sam Groth. How exciting. 8.50am GMT08:50 Meanwhile Rafael Nadal has won the first set of his match against Tim Smyczek 6-2. He’s looking in fine nick. More so than Roger Federer, who had to - get this! - deal with being stung by a bee during his four-set win over Simone Bolelli earlier. Bees! Maybe Roger Federer will start a honey business when he retires. 8.46am GMT08:46 While we wait for Eugenie Bouchard to dispense with Kiki Bertens, I can exclusively let you know what’s happening with Nick Kyrgios. He won the first two sets against Ivo Karlovic, but dropped the third. But he’s a break up in the fourth! The third round is in sight. 8.40am GMT08:40 Preamble Morning. We all know that one maddeningly frustrating person who drives you up the wall with their lack of drive and willingness to apply their talent properly and make something of themselves (if you don’t know that one person, I’m sorry to say it’s probably you). There they go, coasting through life without a care in the world, waking up late, not going to work, growing their hair long like a BLOODY HIPPY, and spending their days watching Frasier repeats; it’s all you can do not to write a stern blog about them. Which brings us to Bernard Tomic. He was the great hope of Australian tennis a few years ago, but he has been affected by off-court problems and has not always appeared entirely focused. When he is good, he is very good, his bendy forehand and imaginative style making him a force to be reckoned with, but when he is bad, he looks like his racquet is made out of bread. And you can’t play tennis while you’re holding a baguette. I’ve tried. It’s impossible. When Tomic reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2011, losing narrowly to Novak Djokovic, he looked like a star in the making. He still could be, of course. He’s only 22. But it’s easy to be complacent and just assume that everything is going to fall into place. This is hard work. He has not pushed on since then and the last three years have been a waste of his gifts. That Wimbledon quarter-final remains his best performance at a grand slam by some distance and now he’s the world No66 and there are a couple of new Aussie kids on the block, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios, who are threatening to upstage him. Tennis is a brutally competitive sport and it would be a shame if Tomic wakes up one day with regrets, so he needs to make good on his vast potential sooner rather than later. Yet it’s not going to be easy against Phillip Kohlschreiber today. The 31-year-old German, the No22 seed, is as shrewd as they come. Play begins: when it begins. |