SNAPSHOT FROM DAY TWO OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN AT MELBOURNE PARK
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PLAYER OF THE DAY: Andy Murray - the Scottish braveheart secured his first win over a top-20 rival at a grand slam in almost six years when he downed 2022 Australian Open semi-finalist Matteo Berrettini in a five-set epic.
STAT OF THE DAY: Australian Kimberly Birrell snapped a 1462-day grand slam drought by coming from a set down to topple No.31 seed Kaia Kanepi. The 24-year-old was only at Melbourne Park after being gifted a wildcard entry originally set aside for legendary veteran Venus Williams.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I definitely need to cool down," fifth-seeded Aryna Sabalenka said as the mercury in Melbourne soared and play was suspended on outside courts. Sabalenka's first-round win came in just 69 minutes but it was enough to feel the effects of the heat.
TOURNAMENT SUMMARY: Murray's heroic win breathed life back into a tournament reeling from the absence of Nick Kyrgios, Ash Barty, Naomi Osaka, Serena and Venus Williams, Roger Federer and injured world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz. High temperatures forced play to be halted on outside courts for almost three hours, with the delays meaning many matches will push into Wednesday morning. The day began with controversy when Tennis Australia slapped a ban on spectators bringing Russian and Belarusian flags into Melbourne Park due to a courtside incident on Monday.