Australian Open player loses $67,000 after taking mid-match selfie

There were bizarre scenes at the Australian Open on Wednesday when French player Corentin Moutet stopped to take a selfie with a fan late in his second round clash with Sebastian Korda.

Moutet and Korda played out an epic five-set battle at Melbourne Park, with Korda eventually prevailing in a deciding set tiebreak.

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The World No.43 won the breaker 10-6 to claim a 3-6 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 7-6 (10-6) victory.

However there were baffling scenes just moments before the fifth set tiebreak when Moutet stopped to take a selfie with a courtside fan.

The 22-year-old had just saved two match points to keep his hopes of victory alive, however he offered little resistance in the breaker.

Some suggested his concentration had been broken by the fan, with many questioning his decision to take the selfie.

The heartbreaking loss ultimately cost Moutet $67,000.

Players receive $221,000 for making the third round, but Moutet will instead leave the tournament with $154,000 for making the second round.

Nadal and Zverev advance to third round at Australian Open

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Rafa Nadal and Alexander Zverev underlined their title credentials with straight-sets victories.

Nadal swept aside qualifier Yannick Hanfmann to secure his 16th appearance in Melbourne Park's third round.

The World No.5 is the only player who can claim a record 21st men's grand slam singles crown this month, amid Roger Federer's injury-enforced absence and Novak Djokovic's dramatic deportation.

Nadal defeated gritty German Hanfmann 6-2 6-3 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena to secure a match-up with 28th seed Karen Khachanov, who beat Benjamin Bonzi.

Pleasingly for Nadal, he has shown no signs of lingering fitness issues from last month's bout of Covid-19 or his 2021 injuries.

Aussie veteran John Millman was then stunned by Zverev, with the German No.3 seed winning their Wednesday night encounter in straight sets.

World No.89 Millman fought hard on Rod Laver Arena, but Zverev always remained in control to cruise through their second-round match 6-4 6-4 6-0.

Zverev, the Olympic gold medallist was in scintillating touch, completing the victory in two hours to further stake his claim for a breakthrough grand slam title.

With Djokovic back in Serbia, Zverev and World No.2 Daniil Medvedev are in the box seat to claim this year's title at Melbourne Park.

Millman threw everything he could at Zverev during a compelling first two sets, before the 24-year-old went to another level to close out the match.

with AAP

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