Australian Open: Tsitsipas & Rublev through, Fognini flashpoint
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Stefanos Tsitsipas won five of his 22 break points
Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas came through a gripping five-set tussle with home wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis to reach the Australian Open third round.
The Greek, 22, eventually triumphed 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 in four hours, 32 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev celebrated his 25th birthday with a 6-2 7-5 6-1 win over Spanish opponent Roberto Carballes Baena.
Another Russian, seventh seed Andrey Rublev, also progressed on Thursday.
Tsitsipas, who plays Sweden's Mikael Ymer next, said he had to fight "like a lion" to beat Kokkinakis.
Kokkinakis, the world number 267, has been plagued by injuries in recent years but the 24-year-old showed why he remains highly rated on tour by pushing Tsitsipas all the way.
"Kokkinakis is a great competitor and great fighter," added Tsitsipas. "It was difficult fighting him today.
"He is a talent, he has huge potential, he just needs to take advantage of it and make the most out of his career.
"He wasn't able to play all these years, the injuries he had, but I am happy to see him back competing at a high level."
Flashpoint after Fognini wins epic all-Italian clash
An official had to intervene when Fabio Fognini (left) and Salvatore Caruso shared a heated discussion after their second-round match
An all-Italian clash between 16th seed Fabio Fognini and Salvatore Caruso provided plenty of drama - on and off court.
Fognini, 33, eventually reached the third round with a 4-6 6-2 2-6 6-3 7-6 (14-12) win which took almost four hours and had a fifth set lasting 85 minutes.
The pair shared a handshake at the net before Caruso took exception to apparently being told by Fognini he had been "lucky" to push the seeded player that far.
Caruso, ranked 78th in the world, reacted angrily and it led to a heated discussion as the pair left the court.
After plenty of shouting and gesticulating from the pair, 28-year-old Caruso started to walk off towards the locker room before returning for another frank exchange of views.
That forced an official to stand in between the pair to ensure the row did not escalate further, before Caruso eventually left.
Afterwards Fognini said the incident was "not important", adding what "happens on court, stays on court".
The Italian will face Australian prospect Alex de Minaur in the next round, after the 21-year-old 21st seed saw off Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas 6-3 6-3 7-5.
Fognini will face Australian 21st seed Alex de Minaur, who beat Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas, in the last 32
Seventh seed Rublev progressed with a straightforward victory over Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, with the 23-year-old winning 6-4 6-4 7-6 (10-8).
He will face 39-year-old Feliciano Lopez next after the Spaniard came from two sets down to beat Italy's 31st seed Lorenzo Sonego 5-7 3-6 6-3 7-5 6-4.
Lopez is playing in a record 75th Grand Slam in a row, a run that started at the 2002 French Open.
Russian 19th seed Karen Khachanov also reached round three on Thursday, beating Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis 6-2 6-4 6-4, and will play Matteo Berrettini, the Italian ninth seed, who defeated Czech Tomas Machac 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-3.
Norwegian 22-year-old Casper Ruud edged past American Tommy Paul 3-6 6-2 6-4 7-5 and the 24th seed will now face Moldova's Radu Albot, who beat Australian wildcard Christopher O'Connell.
Croatian 22nd seed Borna Coric suffered a 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-4 defeat by American Mackenzie McDonald, who has a third-round tie against South African Lloyd Harris.
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