Australian Open 2018: Men's Day 6 review
Day 6 saw the completion of the remaining third round matches. Roger Federer cruised to a three-set win over French veteran Richard Gasquet 6-2, 7-5, 6-1. Federer broke Gasquet early and then broke him again to win the set. Gasquet put up more of a fight in the second set which had only one break point which Federer won to win the set.
Federer then raced to a 3-0 lead in the third set as Gasquet seemed a little demotivated after losing the close second set. Gasquet pulled himself together and fought back to get back on serve. This was only the second time that the Federer service game was broken. Federer ended the match on his second match point when he broke Gasquet again while he was serving to stay in the match.
Novak Djokovic overpowered Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2, 6-3, 6-3. The Serb had an injury scare when he took a lengthy medical timeout for treatment on his left leg and back in the second set.
Djokovic continued the match but was limping and appeared to be in some discomfort on his left side. Although not at his best and showing signs of frustration, the Djoker did not face any problem in winning the match.
In a major upset, fourth seed Alexander Zverev was beaten by World No. 58 Hyeon Chung in five sets 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-2, 3-6, 0-6. Zverev exited at the same stage last year when he lost to Nadal. Zverev played well in the first three sets but then lost the plot in the fourth set and won just five points in the fifth set. Chung will play Djokovic for a place in the quarter-finals.
In a minor upset, 19th seed Tomas Berdych took out 12th seed Juan Martin Del Potro in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. Berdych next plays Fabio Fognini who beat Julien Benneteau in a tough five-setter 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.
Marton Fucsovics beat Nicolas Kicker 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 and will play Federer next. Dominic Thiem beat Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 and will play Tennys Sandgren who beat Maximilian Marterer 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, 7-6(5).