Australian Open 2019: Čilić & Martić advance to last 32

16 January 2019 – Three Croatian players were in action in Melbourne on day 3 of the Australian Open. 

Marin Čilić and Petra Martić both won their respective matches to move into the last 32 of the year’s first Grand Slam, but Donna Vekić has bowed out. 

6th seed Čilić was too good for American MacKenzie McDonald winning in four sets 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. Čilić broke McDonald in his opening service game of the match but the set would be decided in the 12th game after the American broke back early. Despite loosing the next set in a tiebreaker, Čilić’s victory was never in doubt. 

7-5 6-7(9) 6-4 6-4.@cilic_marin gets it done against a valiant Mackenzie McDonald.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/PGZHkAuQth

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2019

He has now set up a meeting with 26th seed Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in the last 32.

Petra Martić continued her good run, beating Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondroušova in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 in one hour and 33 minutes. Martić now faces American Sloane Stephens in the third round. 

Croatia’s only other hope in the women’s draw, Donna Vekić, was knocked out of the tournament on Wednesday in an upset by world number 240 Kimberly Birrell in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 1-6. 

WHAT A WIN!!! 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

Aussie @kimbirrell98 upsets Vekic 6-4 4-6 6-1 to reach her first ever 3R of a major at just 20 years of age.#AusOpen #GameSetMatch pic.twitter.com/9kn3eJr90D

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2019