Defending champion Naomi Osaka knocked out of Australian Open 2022

She was beaten by unseeded Amanda Anisimova.

A huge upset headlined the fifth day at the Australian Open 2022. Defending champion Naomi Osaka was knocked out by unseeded American Amanda Anisimova.

Osaka returned to the sport in January after taking two sabbaticals last season to maintain her mental health. She won her first two matches at the tournament with ease. But in 20-year-old Anisimova, she faced a player in red-hot form. Although she did not perform poorly, Osaka was defeated in a crucial first-to-10-points tie-break, losing 4-6, 6-3, 7-6. (5).

Berettini and Alcaraz play out four-hour classic

Italian tennis prodigy Matteo Berrettini advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday in an epic encounter. He overcame a fierce fightback from Spanish youngster Carlos Alcaraz and a horrific tumble in the last set. The five sets of the match lasted a mammoth 4 hours and 10 minutes.

Berrettini had a two-set lead until 18-year-old Alcaraz, the youngest player in the draw, came back to force a fifth set. The World No. 7 blew a two-set lead and damaged his right ankle in the second game of the fifth set. However, he came back to script an incredible 6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6 triumph.

Barty storms her way through

Ashleigh Barty's victory over Camila Giorgi on Friday night marks the start of an unbelievably amazing streak for her. The World No.1 was simply too consistent for the power-hitting Italian. She won the contest 6-2, 6-3 in 61 minutes at Rod Laver Arena. Barty is in top form and will face a resurgent Anisimova in the fourth round of the Australian Open 2022

Azarenka advances through with ease

Victoria Azarenka, the two-time Australian Open winner, advanced to the fourth round for the first time since 2016. She defeated the 15th-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-0, 6-2. Azarenka had almost twice as many winners (17) as unforced errors (9) and she never faced a break point. Svitolina committed mistake after mistake, totaling 26 unforced mistakes. Azarenka improved her record against Svitolina to 5-0.

Carreno Busta win 50th Grand Slam match

Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta won his 50th Grand Slam singles match. He defeated American upstart Sebastian Korda 6-4,7-5,6-7,6-3 in 3 hours and 27 minutes. The 19th seed, who had a medical timeout after the third set to receive treatment on his lower back, converted six of 15 break points while preserving 11 of 13 on his own service. With the win, Carreno Busta advanced to the Australian Open 2022 fourth round, where he will face seventh seed Matteo Berrettini.

Monfils marches through

Gael Monfils, the Adelaide International champion this month, has yet to drop a set at the Australian Open this year. The 17th seed defeated Chilean 16th seed Cristian Garin in straight sets, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-3. He hit 14 aces, bringing his overall victory count to 30, surpassing Garin's 22. He became the third Frenchman to reach the Round of 16 in a Grand Slam, joining countrymen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet.

Rafael Nadal avoids upset

Nadal dismissed fears of an upset as he advanced to the last 16 of the Australian Open for the 15th time, after defeating Khachanov in four sets on Friday. He makes it to the last 16 despite a scare from Khachanov.

He built a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 lead before Khachanov battled to win the third set 6-3. Nadal hasn't won an Australian Open singles title since 2009. With Djokovic out of the picture, he is definitely one of the favourites to clinch the men's singles crown.

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