Sun shines on Tsitsipas, Swiatek at Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Stefanos Tsitsipas and Iga Swiatek dazzled in bright sunshine to make short work of their third-round opponents on Friday (Jan 20) as some normalcy returned to the Australian Open after scheduling woes, wild weather, upsets and late finishes hogged the headlines.

Third seed Tsitsipas, the top surviving seed in the men's draw, checked his phone after a 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-3 win over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor and reflected on the beautiful day after hours of tennis were lost this week to the heat and stop-start rain.

"Fair crack of the whip mate, I mean, it was great," Tsitsipas said, slipping into the local vernacular.

"I think my placement on the serve was exceptional today, I didn't have a lot of rallies on my serve, which helped a lot.

"Kind of kept things clean and I enjoyed the weather today, what a lovely day for tennis it is today, isn't it?"

Tsitsipas has still not dropped a set in the tournament as he chases his maiden Grand Slam, with his chances boosted by the exits of holder Rafa Nadal and second seed Casper Ruud and an injury cloud hanging over favourite Novak Djokovic.

But the 2021 French Open runner-up came close, saving a set point in the second set before doubling his advantage following a tiebreak to pave the way for a comfortable win to delight his supporters on Rod Laver Arena.

Roared on by Greek fans, many of them from Melbourne, which has the largest population of Greek speakers outside Greece and Cyprus, Tsitsipas will next take on Italian Jannik Sinner in what could be a tricky test.

Top seed and women's favourite Swiatek was equally dominant in her 6-0, 6-1 victory over Cristina Bucsa as she bids to add to her two French Open wins and US Open crown.

"A couple of years ago when I was in the fourth