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Top 5 Photos, 1/23: Bellis is back; rain delays play

By Jordaan Sanford

Dusty rain delayed play once again in Melbourne, but once the showers passed, more world class action ensued. These are the Top 5 photos from Day 4 of the Australian Open. (All photos from Getty Images.)

1

CiCi Bellis is making a great Grand Slam return in Australia. After being away from the game for almost two years, she's into the third round after upsetting No. 20 seed Karolina Muchova, 6-4, 6-4. The 20-year-old will next face No. 16 seed Elise Mertens.

Catherine Bellis of the US reacts after a point against Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their women's singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 23, 2020. (Photo by John DONEGAN / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by JOHN DONEGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

2

Before the Australian Open began, the concern was poor air quality and unhealthy playing conditions. But now, it's dusty rain that put a damper on Thursday's action. The rain forced workers to pressure wash the courts to clear the dust.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: (EDITORS NOTE: A graduated grey filter was used to create this image.) Staff are seen attempting to clean dirt off the outside courts after being caused by rainfall on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

3

Dominic Thiem suffered a hiccup in his second-round matchup against Alex Bolt. He was still able to regroup and finish strong to post a 6-2, 5-7, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-2 win. Thiem's next round will be no picnic, as he will face Taylor Fritz.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Dominic Thiem of Austria plays a forehand during his Men's Singles second round match against Alex Bolt of Australia on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
© 2020 Getty Images

4

Rain showers and a nosebleed that required medical treatment couldn't detour Daniil Medvedev. The Russian dismissed qualifier Pedro Martinez, 7-5, 6-1, 6-3, to advance to the third round. Medvedev smashed 40 winners and only hit 25 unforced errors.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Daniil Medvedev of Russia is interviewed on court after winning his Men's Singles second round match against Pedro Martinez of Spain on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

5

World No. 7 Belinda Bencic rallied her way past 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. It was a battle that consisted of shaky service games and quite a few unforced errors, but Bencic found a way to win, 7-5, 7-5.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland autographs the camera after winning her Women's Singles second round match against Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
© Getty Images