Four rounds and gone… Arthur Kazaux’s beautiful story in Australian Open tennis came to an end on Monday 22 January: the Frenchman, 21 years old and 122nd in the world, was defeated by Paul Hubert Herkaz (9).E), in the round of 16, in three sets (7-6, 7-6, 6-4) and nearly two and a half hours of play. Walking off the court, the Montpelier native received a standing ovation from both his opponents and the crowd at John Cain Arena.
Arthur Kazaux will be a sensation in Melbourne as he takes part in the first Grand Slam of the year thanks to the invitation of the organisers, where he achieved the feat of eliminating Dan Holger Rune (8).E), in the second round. Before the Australian Open, he had never won a match at a major – in three tries – and had just one win on the main circuit more than two and a half years ago. His Australian career would see him break into the top 80 of the ATP rankings.
Hubert Hurkaz, already a Frenchman’s executioner in the previous round – beating Ugo Humbert, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-3 – will face world number three Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals.
In the women’s draw, Osen Dodin (95.) duelsE) and Chinese Qinwen Zheng (15E), takes place on Monday at 11 a.m. (Paris time) for placement in the quarters.
