So, to recap, Bernie Tomic is through to a second-round encounter with Victor Estrella Burgos, who beat Britain’s Aljaz Bedene in four sets. That’s all from me, but switch over to Adam Collins’ liveblog of Andy Murray’s upcoming match against Illya Marchenko, which is about to start. Thanks for joining me, and bye for now.
And in other good news for Australia, young gun Alex De Minaur has won his first-round encounter with Gerald Melzer in five sets. A stunning result for the Spain-based 17-year-old Sydneysider!
Updated
Here’s Bernie:
“Amazing thing to be back. I’m feeling good practising hard doing the right things. When you do the right things, good things happen on the court.
“Today I played very very well.”
When asked about his reported new diet, he said: “I don’t know why people have started this. It’s a compete mess. If I was a girl they wouldn’t do this.”
Game, set and match Tomic!
Third set: *Tomic 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 Bellucci (*denotes server): There it is! A couple of aces (his 11th and 12th of the match) help Tomic to match point and his serve doesn’t let him down at that point. Tomic through into the second round with a minimum of fuss. Excellent stuff from the Australian.
Third set: Tomic 6-2, 6-1, 5-4* Bellucci (*denotes server): Tomic finally breaks the run of service points won and he continues the momentum with a fantastic forehand winner, hit back across the face of Bellucci, who is left with no chance. It’s perfect timing really; he goes on to break and will now serve for the match.
Third set: *Tomic 6-2, 6-1, 4-4 Bellucci (*denotes server): Make that 20 points in a row. Looks like the rising temperature is getting to the players now.
Third set: Tomic 6-2, 6-1, 3-4 Bellucci* (*denotes server): These last four games have been won to love as both players’ resistance to serve wavers a little in the heat. That’s 16 points now that have been won by the server. And the tempo of the match has drastically reduced.
Third set: *Tomic 6-2, 6-1, 3-3 Bellucci (*denotes server): Tomic holds as the tension builds for Bellucci – he knows a slip now could well mean the end of the road for him.
Third set: Tomic 6-2, 6-1, 2-3 Bellucci* (*denotes server): And another! So perhaps this is as good a time as any for some stats.
First serve percentage: Tomic 63-77 Bellucci
Winners: Tomic 8-8 Bellucci
Total points won 25-16 Bellucci
Third set: *Tomic 6-2, 6-1, 2-2 Bellucci (*denotes server): One of those games that makes a liveblogger’s job tough – Tomic holds serve without incident, and with not even a crap chant from the stands to mock, that’s your lot.
Third set: Tomic 6-2, 6-1, 1-2 Bellucci* (*denotes server): Tomic’s radar is out slightly this game and a couple of heavy-handed baseline shots go long at the other end, helping Bellucci along the way.
Third set: *Tomic 6-2, 6-1, 1-1 Bellucci (*denotes server): No problems for Tomic as he gets his name on the scoreboard this third set. “We love you Bernie, we do” cry the Fanatics. Really, their repertoire hasn’t changed in the past 10 years. Understandable if they’re keeping it simple so others can join in, but with no one else game in the entire arena, you have to ask questions.
Third set: Tomic 6-2, 6-1 0-1 Bellucci* (*denotes server): Wow, Tomic delivers some wonderful tennis this game – and a glimpse of what he is capable of. Yet Bellucci still manages to hold, after saving a couple of break points.
Amazing scenes over on Show Court 3, where Alex De Minaur has forced a final set against Gerald Melzer after a tie-breaker in the fourth!
Tomic wins the second set!
Second set: *Tomic 6-2, 6-1 Bellucci (*denotes server): Well, after his last lengthy service game, this one is a cinch. Tomic wraps up the second in double-quick time, and remains well on course for a place in the second round of this Australian Open.
Second set: Tomic 6-2, 5-1 Bellucci* (*denotes server): Normal service is resumed, in more ways than one this next game. Bellucci falls to 0-40 and Tomic converts on the second break point to move to within a game of the second set. A chorus of “Let’s go Bernie” breaks out among the Fanatics in the stands, a chant that will never get old. Or annoying. Ever.
Second set: *Tomic 6-2, 4-1 Bellucci (*denotes server): Well this is something of a strange game. Tomic eventually holds, but it’s far from plain sailing. He appears to lose his momentum and allows Bellucci a sniff of getting back into the set. In the end he has to save three break points, although it’s some tame play from Bellucci when it matters most that keeps Tomic in the game. On the second, he simply stands there as Tomic’s looped forehand lands on the baseline. A big serve from the Australian saves a third break point before an ace sets up the eventual hold. That could prove to be a big one for Tomic to have got through.
Second set: Tomic 6-2, 3-1 Bellucci* (*denotes server): Tomic edges a lengthy rally at 30-15 up when Bellucci goes wide (he challenges but to no avail), and the Australian is gifted two break points. Bellucci concedes on the first with a whimper, his forehand landing meekly in the net. Tomic now a set and a break up – and looking well set.
Second set: *Tomic 6-2, 2-1 Bellucci (*denotes server): Tomic, for the first time really, struggles slightly on his serve. He comes through though, not least because he pulls a superb winner out of the bag when being put under pressure from Bellucci. His forehand is ungettable and that’s a good hold for the Australian, but you can’t help feel a bit for Bellucci, who did his best to get his opponent running all over the court that game. Tomic’s shot-making was just too good in the end.
Second set: Tomic 6-2, 1-1 Bellucci* (*denotes server): Another game, another fantastic shot from Tomic, who runs around a Bellucci serve to slap a forehand winner back past the Brazilian. It’s not enough to deny Bellucci the game though, and we’re all square early in this second set.
Second set: *Tomic 6-2, 1-0 Bellucci (*denotes server): Tomic pulls out the shot of the match so far, a superb double-handed backhand winner down the line on his way to securing the first game of the second set. Cue a not-annoying-at-all solo version of the Beatles’ Let It Be, with lyrics tailored to Tomic, by a brave Australian man in the crowd. Incredibly, he gets a round of applause, although you have to think that was more for effort, rather than any songwriting or execution skills.
Tomic wins the first set!
First set: Tomic 6-2 Bellucci* (*denotes server): Oh dear, a double fault comes at a bad time for Bellucci and the Brazilian falls 0-30 down. Tomic manoeuvres his opponent around the court on the next point and sets up three set points. Bellucci saves the first, Tomic is long at the baseline on the second, and on the third, the Brazilian whips a super forehand that Tomic can’t return. Ballsy play from Bellucci. But Tomic soon gets a fourth chance though and this time he takes it, as Bellucci finds the net. Thirty-two minutes and Tomic is a set up!
First set: *Tomic 5-2 Bellucci (*denotes server): And more of the same from Tomic as he inches towards claiming the first set. No problems at all for the Queenslander in this game as his serve, um, serves him well. This has been a really solid start to his campaign so far.
First set: Tomic 4-2 Bellucci* (*denotes server): A light smattering of applause signals a held service game for Bellucci. You get the feeling half the crowd didn’t even see that game, such was its brevity.
First set: *Tomic 4-1 Bellucci (*denotes server): No such messing about in this next game, as Tomic races to another game without fuss. This is good stuff from the Australian. Now to maintain this level for the next hour and a half.
First set: Tomic 3-1 Bellucci* (*denotes server): Bellucci pings down another ace early on, but the Brazilian is slightly error-prone with his ground strokes and this, coupled with some decent play from Tomic – and an element of luck – means he struggles to hold. A net cord at deuce gives the Australian a chance, but in true Tomic style, he attempts a sliced forehand dropshot to claim the game. It doesn’t come off. Bellucci relies on his serve to get him through and an ace seals the deal to finally get him on the board.
Over on Show Court 3, Alex De Minaur has dropped the third set to Gerald Melzer and must find a way to stay in his debut slam in this fourth set.
First set: *Tomic 3-0 Bellucci (*denotes server): Eight minutes into the match and Tomic has opened up a 3-0 lead. He’s looking comfortable during this quickfire game, in which he encounters little resistance from Bellucci, largely thanks to his own shot selection.
First set: Tomic 2-0 Bellucci* (*denotes server): Bellucci is a grunter, not the loudest ever heard, but still a grunter. The Brazilian exhales loudly with every shot, in start contrast to Tomic, who manages to keep any noise down. Anyway, it’s been a great start for Tomic, who breaks at the first opportunity, despite Bellucci hammering down the first ace of the match. Tomic seals it when the Brazilian is a fraction long with a volley at the net, with Tomic unable to get near the ball.
First set: *Tomic 1-0 Bellucci (*denotes server): Here we go then! Bellucci won the toss and elected to receive first so here goes Bernie. And the Australian gets off to an encouraging start, cajoling his opponent around the court on several points before sealing the game with a powerful serve that Bellucci cannot get back. Bellucci does however, give an indication of what he’s capable of, when at 30-0 down he counters with a frankly magnificent return, reaching across to fire a forehand back across Tomic. A high quality first game.
Updated
Tomic and Bellucci are out on court and warming up. Tomic is in a seemingly conservative outfit (white shirt and shorts with black detail), until you look down to his feet. They are ensconced in a pair of bright pink trainers with yellow soles, matched with bright pink socks. Bellucci is in an eye-catching flouro yellow and black shirt with black shorts. And with that, thankfully fashion is done for the day.
Four-times Australian Open champion Venus Williams is out on court and under way in her match against Ukraine’s Kateryna Kozlova. Early in the first set the American is a break down, but there’s no doubting her enduring popularity at Melbourne Park.
V never goes out of style.#ausopen pic.twitter.com/jUf4wJ9eeN
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2017
Some interesting reading on the ATP’s website about these two players. There’s five years difference in age between the pair but very little in terms of career prize money. Tomic (24) has earned $4,780,593 while Bellucci (29) has $4,690,882 to his name. I say very little, because what’s the odd 90K between tennis players? Anyway, you’ve got to love the detail, right down to the last dollar.
Tomic and Bellucci will be on court soon as Muguruza has wrapped up victory over Erakovic. The Spaniard wins 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 38 minutes on Margaret Court Arena to progress to the second round, and the day is well under way now. Plenty more to come, so stick with us.
I forgot to say, but please do get in touch, on email, or via Twitter. Is this Tomic’s year to go beyond his previous best result of reaching the fourth round at Melbourne Park? Or will it all end in tears?
Over on Hisense Arena, my least favourite of the main show courts for what it’s worth, Kei Nishikori dropped the first set to Andrei Kuznetsov but the Japanese has roared back in the second to level at a set apiece. Australia’s Ashleigh Barty follows that one, in her comeback to grand slam tennis after a stint playing cricket.
Aiava’s debut Australian Open is over! Mona Barthel wraps up victory in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), in a result that won’t surprise many. Nevertheless, Destanee gets a rousing ovation from the stands as she departs, and she can move into the future with the experience of a grand slam appearance under her belt. Definitely a case of ‘watch this space’ for the young Melburnian.
Weather update
The sun is out in Melbourne, and the mercury is rising. A high of 31 degrees is expected today, but of course down there on the court, it can feel far hotter than that for the players.
Around the courts
That match on Margaret Court between Erakovic and Muguruza is currently in the second set, with the Spaniard – despite being clearly unwell – having taken the first. She was a break down in the second, but has just got back onto serve at 3-4 and is still a chance of wrapping this up in straight sets.
And we have our first shock of the Australian Open, with fourth seeded Romanian Simona Halep bundled out of the tournament by American Shelby Rogers, a stunning 6-3, 6-1 winner first up on Rod Laver Arena.
Elsewhere, Australia’s next big thing, Destanee Aiava, is locked in battle in a second set tie-break against Mona Barthel of Germany, having lost the first 6-3. More on that in a tick.
Another bright young Australian prospect, Alex De Minaur, is currently a set and 4-3 down to Gerald Melzer of Austria.
Preamble
So, here we go once again. The Australian Open 2016 is under way and one of our first chances to run the rule over the local talent on the sun-bathed blue courts of Melbourne Park comes with a match that pits Bernard Tomic, seeded 27, against Brazil’s world No62 Thomaz Bellucci.
In some ways, it’s as an intriguing encounter as a first-round clash can be – rankings suggest Tomic should have few problems in dispatching Bellucci, but of course there is far more to it than that. For starters, it’s Bernard Tomic we’re talking about, the same Bernard Tomic who has failed to win a competitive match this year following a disappointing outing in Brisbane and two defeats in Kooyong. Bernard Tomic, who is about as predictable as the guest list for Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony. And the Bernard Tomic who delights when in the mood, and frustrates when not.
Then there is Bellucci, by no means a walkover and a very real potential banana skin. The pair have met three times before, most recently at Shenzhen in China last year, where the Brazilian won 6-2, 6-2. He now holds a 2-1 advantage over Tomic following a win in Stuttgart in 2012. Victory for the Australian at the 2013 Indian Wells Masters tournament is the meat in this particular results sandwich.
So which Tomic will we see today? Honestly, I’ve no idea and you’re a fool a better person than me if you think you can predict this one. Anyway, we’re about to find out soon enough. The match is scheduled second up on Margaret Court Arena, after Kiwi player Marina Erakovic and women’s seventh seed Garbiñe Muguruza are done and dusted.
Mike will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Russell Jackson with his thoughts on Tomic before this round-one opener.
