14th seed Gilles Simon easily defeated Federico Delbonis to reach the round of 16 at the Australian Open.
Simon takes control midway through first set
Each man held to 15 through their first two service games, the score two-all. After Simon saved a break point in a seven point game on his serve to scrape out a hold, he broke the Argentine's serve on his third break chance of the game when Delbonis' backhand went just wide. Armed with a break lead and 4-2 advantage, the Frenchman held to 15 for a 5-2 edge.
Delbonis held to 15 to cut Simon's lead to 5-3, the 14th seed stepping to the line to try and serve out the first set. He built a 40-0 lead, but Delbonis close to 40-30, saving the first two set points, but Simon closed the set out when Delbonis' backhand was dumped into the bottom of the net, the Frenchman a set to the good.
Simon grabs early second set lead, adds insurance break to go two sets up
The second set started with exchanges of love holds. At one-all, Delbonis was broken, a marathon game that saw nine points and three break chances for Simon. On the third opportunity, the Frenchman breached his opponent's serve when he ripped a forehand down the line, getting a weak reply and easily placing a forehand into the open court up at net. Now up 2-1, Simon had little trouble on his next two service games, holding to 15.
In between, another dragged out Delbonis service game was played, this time going 13 points long. Simon had two chances to add an insurance break, but the Argentine responded well to save both. With Simon up 4-2, he got the insurance break he failed to seize on in the last Delbonis service game, breaking the lefty to 15 when Delbonis' forehand was ripped down the middle, but into the net. At 5-2, Simon served for a two set lead and promptly held to 30, claiming the big edge on his second set point.
Simon runs away with the third set to cap fine performance
With Delbonis clearly on the back foot, Simon capitalized immediately, breaking the Argentine on his second chance of the game with a beautifully struck backhand down the line past the approaching Delbonis. A hold to 30 gave Simon a 2-0 lead and if he hadn't clinched the match already, he all but did so in the next game, claiming another break of serve when he ripped a forehand down the line, Delbonis getting his racket on it far too late, a 3-0 lead secured.
Simon held to 30 for 4-0 and Delbonis would win his only game of the set at 15 to get on the board, 4-1 now the score. After another hold to 15, Simon punctuated his outstanding performance with a final break of serve, a cross-court forehand finishing the job and sending Simon to the Round of 16.
Djokovic challenge next
Simon will face top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic in the fourth Round.