By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 18, 2024

The Happy Slam has been a cheerful place for the American contingent in Melbourne.

Coco Gauff

Fresh off her maiden Grand Slam win on the 2023 US Open, Gauff rides a nine-match Grand Slam profitable streak into her third-round conflict with Alycia Parks. More on Parks down the web page.

As for Gauff, she is essentially the most reliable title contender of this group, and the highest-ranked participant of this set of ten. The American has already spoken of her need not simply to win extra Slams, however to win double digit Slams. That says one thing about her self-belief and expectations. Here in Melbourne she is bidding to turn into the primary girl to win the US Open and the Australian open back-to-back since Naomi Osaka in 2019.

Taylor Fritz

Fritz overcame a tough stumble in spherical one – in additional methods than one – as he twisted his ankle throughout his five-set victory over Facundo Diaz Acosta. In spherical two it was a special story. Twelfth-seeded Fritz dropped simply 4 video games in his win over Hugo Gaston. He’ll face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in spherical three as he bids to achieve the second week in Melbourne for the second time.

Amanda Anisimova

She’s the comeback child in Melbourne. After sitting out the second half of 2023 on an indefinite hiatus, Amanda Anisimova is again with a vengeance. Anisimova, a former World No.21 and Grand Slam semifinalist, smoked Liudmila Samsonova in spherical one, then toppled Nadia Podoroska within the second spherical.

Anisimova faces Paula Badosa within the third spherical.

Ben Shelton

Ben Shelton has received 11 of his final 13 arduous court docket matches on the majors. That’s spectacular for a 21-year-old who's starting his second full season on tour. He’ll face Adrian Mannarino within the third spherical, and if he’s profitable, he may get the possibility to hold up the telephone on Novak Djokovic within the spherical of 16.

He LOVES it right here 😤@BenShelton defeats Australian Chris O'Connell 6-4 6-1 3-6 7-6(5) to achieve the third spherical. pic.twitter.com/bB0Wvivh6z

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2024

Sloane Stephens

Surprise, shock, Sloane Stephens is discovering her groove on the Happy Slam. 11 years after her journey to the semifinals, that featured a win over Serena Williams, in 2013, and 5 years after her final journey to the spherical of 16, Stephens is bidding to achieve week two as soon as once more.

She’ll face Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya within the third spherical.

Tommy Paul

Last week in Adelaide Tommy Paul went right down to Jack Draper in straight units – not good. Last evening in Melbourne, Paul exacted his revenge, taking down Draper in 4 to maintain his hopes of creating one other deep run in Melbourne alive. Paul has now received seven of his final eight Australian Open matches.

Next up? A 3rd-rounder with Miomir Kecmanovic.

Alycia Parks

Hard-serving Alycia Parks is into the third spherical at a Slam for the primary time after a formidable victory over Leylah Fernandez within the second spherical. She’s nonetheless a really uncooked expertise that depends on her energy and athleticism, however she’s getting higher yearly. The 23-year-old takes on Coco Gauff in spherical three on Friday.

Sebastian Korda

Sebastian Korda is a former Australian Open junior champion, who had his finest efficiency as a professional final yr, reaching the quarterfinals final yr. His dad, Petr, can be a former champion. Hard to not consider that Korda isn’t destined to do some huge issues at this match, and that would occur as quickly as this yr.

Korda faces Andrey Rublev subsequent.

One yr in the past, Alex Michelsen was ranked No. 526 🔽 he is now No. 91.

Today, he toppled No. 32 seed Jiri Lehecka 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4.

Oh, and he is solely 19 years outdated 👏#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/ZBpLSwnazm

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2024

Alex Michelsen

World No.91 Alex Michelsen is the most important shock among the many American contingent in spherical three in Melbourne. But ought to we be stunned? The 19-year-old entered the week with solely 17 matches underneath his belt, however right here he's, gifted and energetic, within the third spherical after his four-set takedown of final yr’s quarterfinalist Jiri Lehecka.

Michelsen, a California native, reached the ultimate at Newport final yr, and has drawn rave opinions for his being an important mover for his 6’4” body.

Emma Navarro

Seeded at a Slam for the primary time, Emma Navarro continues to excel on the circuit. She took out Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto to achieve the third spherical at a serious for the primary time. 22-year-old Navarro received her maiden title final week at Hobart, and is driving a seven-match profitable streak for the time being.

Content Source: www.tennisnow.com