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It was a game of mental strength as much as physical, as Inglis came up against an opponent known for her mind games.
Siegemund – a trained psychologist – has mastered the art of keeping her opponents waiting.
Laura Siegemund pushed Maddison Inglis to the limit in her round two match.Credit: AP
She takes her time between games, she takes her time on serve and she keeps her opponents waiting when they’re ready to serve.
Finally, at 5-5 in the second set, Siegemund was given a time violation warning by chair umpire Alison Hughes.
There was also a fiery exchange between Hughes and Siegemund when Inglis was 40-15 up at 5-5 in the second set with Siegemund on serve.
The German sent a serve blistering down the court before Inglis was ready.
Siegemund was given another first serve and made to replay the point.
“So if she’s not ready, it’s OK?” asked an incredulous Siegemund.
“It’s unbelievable. And if I don’t serve [on time], you give me a missed serve.”
It only fired Siegemund up more, and while Inglis got the break, Siegemund broke back when the Australian was serving for the set.
It sent the second set into a tie-break, where Siegemund took control.
On set point, she sent a lob up, drawing Inglis into the net, before she eventually closed out the set with a backhand winner across the court to send the match to a deciding set.
But even when Inglis was down a break in the third, with Siegemund serving for the match, the Australian never gave up hope.
The crowd rallied behind their Australian, and roared when Inglis got the late break to level it at 5-5 in the third, before the set eventually went to a 10-point tiebreak.
Inglis surged ahead in the tie-break, and while Siegemund was able to save two of four Inglis’ four points, the Australian sealed victory and booked herself a third round meeting with either Naomi Osaka or Sorana Cirstea.
It means Inglis is Australia’s only woman through to the third round of the singles draw, after Taylah Preston lost her second round match 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 to Czech No.13 seed Linda Noskova in front of a packed crowd.
After dropping the first set, Preston rallied and took the second, but the 20-year-old wildcard ran out of juice in the third.
In a post-match interview, Preston said many of Australia’s female tennis players were “pushing and getting super close” to breaking through at their home slam.
“I think it was the most [women] through to a second round in 30 years or something, which is incredible,” she said.
“I’m so happy for all the girls … but I think it just makes us want to keep pushing and try to break through to that next level.”
Taylah Preston leaves the court after her round two loss.Credit: PENNY STEPHENS
Rinky Hijikata was Australia’s first casualty on day five, losing 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to world No.31 Valentin Vacherot.
Despite a spirited third-set comeback and thunderous support from the Kia Arena crowd, Hijikata struggled to overcome the big-serving Monegasque and his 207km/h aces.
Cheer squad chants of “Oh, Rinky, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind,” seemed to lift the Australian’s spirit, and he changed his game style to come to the net, throwing his opponent off and claiming third set.
But Vacherot – who won his first title last year in Shanghai – ultimately prevailed, showcasing some powerful forehands to proceed to the third round.
Loveable larrikin Dane Sweeny was the other Australian to fall – unable to replicate his heroics against Gael Monfils two days earlier.
Sweeny – nicknamed the “Sweene Machine” by fans in the crowd – lost 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to big-hitting American Ben Shelton.
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