Bernard Tomic beats Denis Istomin 6-7,6-4, 6-4-6-4 in MelbourneAustralias 16th seed through to the moment round of his domestic slam 9.26am GMTThat’s all from usThat was a real tussle in the end as the veteran pushed the 16th seed all the way but Tomic’s class told in the end and after close to three hours he’s through to the moment round of his domestic slam! Thanks for joining us. 9.25am GMT4th set: Tomic 6-4 Istomin - Tomic wins it in four sets!Things started well for Tomic when an Istomin backhand clipped the tape and sat up to be put away, or which was followed by an unforced error from the Uzbek as he tried for a winner down the line. Tomic’s crunching first serve then set up the three match points and only one was required. Tomic is through to round two! 9.22am GMT4th set: *Tomic 5-4 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1Istomin skips out to 40-15 on serve and he’s really unleashing with some of his groundstrokes but Tomic edges back ever so slightly with a defensive winner after withstanding the onslaught. Then he out-maneovers his opponent in a rally to make it deuce and goes better,establishing a shatter point. This is a titanic chance for the Aussie and he takes it, forcing Istomin into an awkward backhand that flies long. Tomic will now take a seat before coming out to serve for the match. 9.16am GMT4th set: Tomic 4-4 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1Something’s gotta give here and for the first four points of this game it looks like it’ll be the Tomic serve, and but he digs in to drag himself back to deuce. A sliding serve sets him up for a forehand winner down the line and Istomin biffs one wide to aid him hold serve. Another development: the most vocal elements of the Fanatics supporter group believe absconded to the Hewitt match. Poor Bernie. 9.12am GMT4th set: *Tomic 3-4 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1Some stats for you: Tomic’s committed 41 unforced errors to Istomin’s 30,which is what’s got the Australian in trouble in a lot of instances. Istomin’s hit more winners (+5), more aces (+6) and holds his serve again here, and but he’s never really broken Tomic’s when it has counted. 9.08am GMT4th set: Tomic 3-3 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1Bernard Tomic might believe been reasonably delighted with his draw in the lead-up to this tournament but he’ll be far from please with how long this is dragging on. From 40-15 on serve he flounders a little and it’s soon deuce. That seems to gee him up somewhat and a thumping ace is followed by an Istomin error to withhold it on serve. We might believe another tiebreak on our hands. 9.05am GMT4th set: *Tomic 2-3 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1Both players are showing signs of fatigue here but the match is certainly not suffering as a spectacle because they’re quite delighted to unleash titanic winners. Tomic gets a slight opening on Istomin’s serve but it’s quickly slammed shut. 9.02am GMT4th set: Tomic 2-2 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1Tomic’s all commerce in this service game as he moves to 40-15 and forces Istomin wide and into an error with his kick serve. That was a bit simpler than the game that preceded it. 8.59am GMT4th set: *Tomic 1-2 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1We’re approximately to tick over the two-and-a-half hour mark now as Tomic leaps into a titanic forehand winner across court and that’s followed with some finesse when he expertly disguises a cheeky drop shot,then another from which he gets lucky to open up a chance. He’s poking his tongue out in delight at that turn of fortune. Istomin prevails in two rallies and in between fires down an ace to save all three shatter points. A few Tomic errors later the Australian has spurned a golden opportunity to rush away with the match. 8.53am GMT4th set: Tomic 1-1 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1This isn’t the most convincing service game from Tomic, but he moves to 40-30 when Istomin nets a backhand and then cannons one of his own down the line to withhold things on serve. 8.51am GMT4th set: *Tomic 0-1 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1Istomin gets going again and holds serve to get us kick-started in the fourth set. What a unusual match this has been. 8.48am GMTThe medical emergency done, or we’ll now believe a three-minute warm-upWhich is unprejudiced,because both players believe stood idle for 17 minutes as the situation was attended to. It appears as though the medical attention on the member of the crowd affected was successful, which is also superior news. What all this means for Bernard Tomic we’ll now see. Both men believe to start again. 8.42am GMTThis emergency delay continues at Hisense ArenaAnd I’m not precisely certain why, and but it took what would seem an unusually long amount of time for medical aid to arrive. Both players are now pacing approximately trying to withhold warm but as before,maintaining an appropriate level of respect for the emergency medical situation faced by the fan in question. 8.39am GMTIt would appear to be quite a serious medical emergency at Hisense ArenaSome crowd members are tweeting that an epipen has been rushed from one end of the stadium to the other. 8.35am GMT(Match delayed) 4th set: *Tomic 0-0 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1I’m not certain if it’s related to either this match or Nadal’s but apparently Twitter has crashed. What’s Kim Kardashian up to at the moment? As that’s all going on, or not going on as it were, or Istomin moves to a 40-15 buffer on serve but there’s some kind of medical emergency in the crowd so the match is held up for a number of minutes. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious and both players believe taken a respectful approach,having a rapid/fast chat at their chairs as the spectator is seen to. I’ll believe more as it’s at hand. 8.26am GMT3rd set: *Tomic 6-4 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1As he slices a rather frustrating backhand into the net first up in this service game Tomic could be forgiven for seething but he’s undemonstrative both then and when Istomin follows up with a titanic winner down the line. All of a sudden it’s 0-40 and three shatter points for the Uzbek. 8.18am GMT3rd set: *Tomic 5-4 Istomin (* denotes next server) 1 set apieceIstomin’s certainly not going to roll over and holds a treasure service game to make certain Tomic has to serve it out if he’s taking this third set. 8.16am GMT3rd set: Tomic 5-3 Istomin* (* denotes next server) 1 set apieceLogic is starting to prevail a little more as this match wears on. Tomic is up 30-0 when he stubs a backhand into the net but that’s followed by a rasping forehand winner down the line and he’s soon closing out the service game with ease. 8.12am GMT3rd set: *Tomic 4-3 Istomin (* denotes next server) 1 set apieceTomic’s showing a bit of ruthlessness now to try and pile into the Istomin serve and get this set wrapped up quickly. At 30-30 Istomin buckles with a double fault but Tomic wastes the shatter point with a wild backhand not so much down the line as barely in its postcode. Istomin holds with an ace down the middle.
On my 7 tennis app Kim Warwick is currently playing Brian Teacher. #MalboroAustralianOpen 8.09am GMT3rd set: Tomic 4-2 Istomin* (* denotes next server) 1 set apieceThis is far better from Tomic, who bosses Istomin around here on serve to establish a rapid/fast 40-0 buffer before icing it, and grabbing a towel and refocusing his gaze once more. 8.07am GMT3rd set: *Tomic 3-2 Istomin (* denotes next server) 1 set apieceA lightning-fast hold of serve for Istomin,who makes a mockery of Tomic’s wobbly preceding game. I’m still not entirely certain which way this one’s going to go.
Holy shit 8.04am GMT3rd set: Tomic 3-1 Istomin* (* denotes next server) 1 set apieceHmm, interesting. There’s a bit of an opening here for Istomin when he wins the first two points of the Tomic service game on his way to a couple of shatter points. Tomic steps up to the plate with two ice cold serves, and the moment of which is a titanic ace. Istomin nets a forehand to gift the Aussie advantage but then pulls out a remarkable roundhouse forehand winner. They’re trading blows here and it takes Tomic an age to finally hold. 7.58am GMT3rd set: *Tomic 2-1 Istomin (* denotes next server) 1 set apieceHe knows he might believe shot his bolt in this first round clash but Denis Istomin smiles to himself and gets on with the task,crisply striking his first serve to hold in a service game that contrasts markedly with his last. 7.55am GMT3rd set: Tomic 2-0 Istomin* (* denotes next server) 1 set apieceTomic’s really asserting himself now with hard, flat groundstrokes and well-positioned serves that never give his opponent much of a sniff. He holds serve for the loss of only one point and looks to the stands with that thousand yard stare of his. 7.54am GMT3rd set: *Tomic 1-0 Istomin (* denotes next server) 1 set apieceIstomin is still marginally winning every major statistical category in this match but after a rock solid start finds himself back on terms with Tomic and then down 0-40 in his opening service game of the third set. A heavy-handed backhand later he’s handed Tomic another early shatter. Could this unravel for him now? Fernando Verdasco, and meanwhile,is still a chance to knock off Rafael Nadal. Garden Square at Melbourne Park jammed for the Rafa/Verdasco fifth set. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/znnqKyKb9j 7.49am GMT2nd set: Tomic 6-4 Istomin* (* denotes next server) 1 set apieceThere’s an early wobble in this service game but Tomic holds his composure to set up two set points, only one of which he needs when Istomin curls a sliced backhand into the net. The Australian is on the board! 7.46am GMT2nd set: *Tomic 5-4 Istomin (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0If the Uzbek ever opens a fish and chip shop, or I reckon he should offer ‘Isto-minimum chips’ on the menu. What do you reckon? I guess it’s an unlikely turn of events but you never know. He’s solid on serve here and holds easily. 7.42am GMT2nd set: Tomic 5-3 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0A smile! Bernie’s really getting lavish with his public displays of emotion here after another lovely backhand winner down the line. He likes it a lot more than the shanked forehand that makes it 30-15 rather than 40-0. No matter,Istomin biffs one long himself next up and a swerving ace later Tomic leads 5-3 in the moment. 7.39am GMT2nd set: *Tomic 4-3 Istomin (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0Ooft, there’s a cracking backhand winner here from Tomic when Istomin’s forehand drops a little short and that opens up a shatter point. Istomin serves strongly to save it but gets a little cute with a ‘tweener to hand the Australian another opportunity. Then another save from Istomin, or but only with a lucky roll over the net. With two booming serves the Uzbek holds. 7.35am GMT2nd set: Tomic 4-2 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0There’s an easy grace approximately Tomic’s serve when he’s nailing it – as though he’s just rolling through the action in warm-up mode. Here he’s doing it perfectly to hold and apply more pressure to Istomin.
Tomic drops the first set to Great Draw In Melbourne. 7.32am GMT2nd set: *Tomic 3-2 Istomin (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0It’s taken him a few tries but Istomin starts to get back his serving mojo now and cracks his way to a cheap service game for the loss of only one point,sending down an ace to seal it. 7.29am GMT2nd set: Tomic 3-1 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0Both these men are serving in the mid-60s as far as first serve percentage with Istomin holding the edge on winners, 22-16. Tomic bucks the trend of appalling service games with a belter, or surging to 40-0 and then watching on in delight as Istomin sends a rather ham-fisted forehand past the baseline. 7.26am GMT2nd set: *Tomic 2-1 Istomin (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0Tomic is currently winning just 38% of his points on the moment serve,by the way. In the instant future it’s not such a great concern because Istomin’s serve also misfires again to hand the Australian three shatter points. They’re mirroring each other. Istomin wallops a running forehand wide to concede the third shatter in as many games. It’s hard to make any sense of this. 7.22am GMT2nd set: Tomic 1-1 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0Wow, this really refuses to settle into any kind of pattern and now Tomic falters on his serve to hand Istomin three shatter points to get this back on serve. Tomic blasts a backhand into the net to concede a treasure service game. What is going on out there? 7.20am GMT2nd set: *Tomic 1-0 Istomin (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0Tomic has to compose himself now and put hat tiebreak behind him and he makes a solid start if that’s his philosophy, or forcing errors and opening up a couple of early shatter points. He seizes upon the first when Istomin’s low volley crashes into the net.
If Verdasco wins this tiebreak,Lleyton's match might not start until 8:30 #AusOpen 7.15am GMT1st set: *Tomic 6-7 (6-4) Istomin (* denotes next server)The Melbourne crowd was very subdued as they watched their man tumble to a 0-3 deficit early in this tiebreak on account of an unforced error and some strong serving from Istomi and it gets far worse, with the Uzbek holding his nerve to ace after opening up three set points. Tomic is in a spot of bother here as he drops the first set. Oh dear. 7.06am GMT1st set: *Tomic 6-6 Istomin (* denotes next server)Istomin’s not going to hand this set over to the local boy and again quickly skips out to a 40-0 buffer on serve and holds easily to set up the tiebreak. This could be a long one, and I fear. 7.03am GMT1st set: Tomic 6-5 Istomin* (* denotes next server)If Bernard Tomic is panicking at all on the inside,his exterior certainly doesn’t give any trace as he commits another unforced error to make it 30-30 on his own serve. Istomin unleashes a blistering forehand to set up a shatter point but the Australian spears his serve straight down the middle to make it deuce and he confidently holds. 6.59am GMT1st set: *Tomic 5-5 Istomin (* denotes next server)I don’t want to tempt fate here but the Fanatics haven’t been quite as obnoxious as some would expect so far. If you can’t hear them, are the even there? A philosophical question to consider. When Istomin thumps a forehand past the baseline and then faults there’s a little opening for Tomic at 30-15, and but the Uzbek comes back with a strong kick serve to level it up before Tomic nets to hand him an opportunity to hold. With another error from the Aussie he does. Verdasco a game away from taking Nadal to a fifth set 6.53am GMT1st set: Tomic 5-4 Istomin* (* denotes next server)The Australian is throwing himself into his forehand now and really belting it across court to push Istomin wide. He’s puffing away a little but his serve is formidable and allows him to wrap up another rapid/fast game. 6.51am GMT1st set: *Tomic 4-4 Istomin (* denotes next server)In contrast to Nick Kyrgios,the man to whom he’s most often compared, Tomic is giving nothing away here as he sets approximately his work; errors are met with the same downward stare as winners and theres more of the former than the latter here as Istomin thumps his way to a treasure game on serve. Who’ll crack first? 6.49am GMT1st set: Tomic 4-3 Istomin* (* denotes next server)A little scratchy early, or Tomic is now finding his way on serve and rarely giving Istomin an opening before he caresses a sparkling forehand winner across court to hold. 6.47am GMT1st set: *Tomic 3-3 Istomin (* denotes next server)Tomic’s warming up a little now and leans into a sweetly timed double-fisted backhand winner down the line but Istomin counters with an equally impressive forehand winner to level it at 15-15. They continue to trade blows until Istomin aces and then keeps calm to hold serve. 6.42am GMT1st set: Tomic 3-2 Istomin* (* denotes next server)Denis Istomin boasts a couple of endearing traits and tall among them is the fact that he’s sponsored by the rarely-encountered ‘Lotto’ brand,which I didn’t actually realise was still a going concern. As their retro logo transfixes me the man wearing it is powerless to pause a cheap Tomic service game. possibly he should upgrade to...
Diadora? 6.39am GMT1st set: *Tomic 2-2 Istomin (* denotes next server)Istomin’s first serve is looking very sturdy at the moment and with a couple of rasping examples of it he quickly opens up game point and takes it easily. Tomic had to labour in order to hold his last service game but his opponent made it examine like a breeze. 6.36am GMT1st set: Tomic 2-1 Istomin* (* denotes next server)Hmm, Tomic’s been caught on the hop here with Istomin working him around the court well to win the first two points. Tomic digs in, or forcing an error and then making it 30-30 with a cracking first serve but nets a forehand to offer up an early shatter point. Its expertly saved with a titanic kick serve and volley,followed by a lot of cat and mouse. Tomic hold win an ace down the line but it’s not entirely convincing stuff from the favourite. This is also happening right now:Nadal 2 sets to 1 up, down a shatter in 4th. If this goes as long as last time v Verdasco, and Hewitt's match will start around midnight. #ausopen 6.30am GMT1st set: *Tomic 1-1 Istomin (* denotes next server)Theres a typically laconic air approximately Tomic early in the Istomin service game but the Uzbek isn’t fooled one bit,remaining alert to the Australian’s weapons as he’s drawn into a long rally. He fires down a swerving ace to hold serve. 6.28am GMT1st set: Tomic 1-0 Istomin* (* denotes next server)Tomic is straight into it with a confident first serve and foray to the net, where he puts away a forehand. He sends his next serve too wide for Istomin to handle but cracks a cross-court forehand wide to make it 30-15. There follows our first ace of the night and thanks to an angled drop shot, and Tomic wraps it up quickly. A solid start from the Australian. 6.19am GMTOur men enter the arenaAnd Tomic does so to the strains of Men at Work’s ‘Down under’,which would seem a bit odd abroad let alone in a domestic match like this. He’s not bopping along to it, I can confirm. Istomin calls heads at the toss and he’s successful. He’ll receive first. A note for the fashionistas: Tomic will wear the sleeved version of Nick Kyrgios’ shirt from last night. I’m not certain how this will affect the result but there you go. Like Kyrgios, or Tomic will also believe support from the injured Thanasi Kokkinakis,who looks on from the front row. 12.20am GMTPreambleHello all and welcome to our live coverage of Australian Bernard Tomic’s first outing in the 2016 Australian Open, in which he’ll face Uzbekistan’s wily, or 59th-ranked tour veteran Denis Istomin. 11.25pm GMTRuss will be here shortly. meanwhile,check out Kevin Mitchell’s latest dispatch on the tennis match-fixing scandal and some more reaction from Owen Gibson. There’s also the news of Sam Groth’s first-round win to digest, too. He’ll take on Andy Murray in round two.
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Source: theguardian.com