Australian Open 2021: Day 6– Barty, Mertens, Svitolina all overcome the 3rd round hurdle, Bencic and Pliskova falter

Australian Open 2021: Day 6– Barty, Mertens, Svitolina all overcome the 3rd round hurdle, Bencic and Pliskova falter
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Day 6 of the Australian open saw Ashleigh Barty, Elise Mertens, Elina Svitolina all record straight sets victories. While Belinda Bencic, Karolina Pliskova bid farewell to this year’s Australian Open. 

Ashleigh Barty outclasses Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets 

Barty, the no.1 seed at this year’s Australian Open came into this match, just like the previous one, with a heavily strapped left thigh. But neither that nor Alexandrova could give her any trouble as she finished the match in straight sets 6-2 6-4. Most impressive was her ability to run down balls, and hit returns into deep corners. She faces Shelby Rogers in the fourth round. 

Elise Mertens beats Belinda Bencic in straight sets 

Martens the 18th seed played her best match of the tournament so far to get the better of 11 th seed Bencic. Mertens mixed up her shots, using lobs and dropshorts, to get the better of a powerful opponent in Bencic. This win will give Mertens a lot of confidence going forward. She faces Karolína Muchová in the 4th round. Mertens won this match 6-2 6-1 . 

Elina Svitolina sends Yulia Putintseva home

Svitolina the 5th seed used her powerful forehand to devastating effect to register a straight sets victory over Putintseva. With this win, Svitolina moves into the fourth round of the Australian Open where she will face Jessica Pegula of the USA. Svitolina won this match 6-4 6-0. 

Karolína Muchová puts one past her friend Karolína Plíšková

Muchová didn’t let friendship come in her way as she beat Plíšková in the 3rd round of the Australian Open. Muchová served and volleyed at will and played a fantastic game of defense against the serve of Plíšková to pull off this feat. Next up for her is Mertens. Muchová won this match 7-5 7-5   

Bencic, Pliskova, Kontaveit all exit the tournament

Bencic lost to Mertens 2-6 1-6 

Pliskova was defeated by Muchová 5-7 5-7 

Anett Kontaveit lost to Shelby Rogers 4-6 3-6 

Other Results :

  • Donna Vekić beat Kaia Kanepi 5-7 , 7-6(7-2), 6-4 
  • Jennifer Brady beat Kaja Juvan 6-1, 6-3
  • Jessica Pegula beat Kristina Mladenovic 6-2 6-1 

Also read: Australian Open 2021: Day 5– Halep, Serena, Osaka, Sabalenka, all the big names march into the 4th round