Medvedev Advances, Rybakina Stunned: Highlights from Australian Open 2024

Day 5 at the Australian Open 2024 witnessed major upsets and thrilling comebacks. Elen Rybakina, the world no.3, suffered a shocking defeat against Anna Blinkova in a record-setting tiebreaker. Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev overcame a tough challenge, and other players like Zverev, Rudd, Nagal, Azarenka, Raducanu, and Pegula experienced intense matches with unexpected outcomes.

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In a captivating Day 5 at the Australian Open 2024, Elen Rybakina, last year's runner-up and world no.3, faced an unexpected early exit. The Kazakh star succumbed to a stunning defeat against Anna Blinkova after an intense 22-20 tiebreaker, marking the longest in Grand Slam singles history.

Rybakina secured the first set at 4-6 and showcased her prowess with nine aces, yet Blinkova mounted a comeback, claiming the second set 6-4. The match's climax unfolded in a riveting third set, where both players engaged in a 42-point tiebreaker, setting a new record for the tournament.

On the men's side, world no.3 Daniil Medvedev battled fiercely against unseeded Emil Ruusuvuori, ultimately triumphing 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 0-6. Medvedev, a finalist in the previous two Australian Opens, now faces a formidable opponent in Canadian star Felix Auger Aliassime in the third round.

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Notably, Alexander Zverev and Casper Rudd also navigated five-set encounters to secure victories. Zverev outlasted Lukas Klein 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, while Rudd vanquished Max Purcell 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, avoiding early exits.

India's Sumit Nagal, after an impressive victory against world no.31 Alexander Bublik in the first round, suffered an unexpected setback in the second round against China's Juncheng Shang, ranked 140th.

In women's singles, two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka advanced to the next round by overcoming Clara Tauson 4-6, 6-3, 2-6. Meanwhile, US Open 2021 champion Emma Raducanu bowed out with a 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 defeat to Wang Yafan, and world no.5 Jessica Pegula faced a shocking loss to French youngster Carla Burel in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.