Tennis news - Men's round-up: Aussie wildcard Popyrin through as seventh seed Thiem retires hurt

The impressive Popyrin was already two sets up when a clearly struggling Thiem threw in the towel, but the Austrian's retirement shouldn't take away from what was a highly impressive display from the 19-year-old Australian talent.

Popyrin took a tight first set 7-5, and as Thiem's injury issues began to surface the Australian took advantage to win the second set 6-4.

An early break in the third set saw the home favourite go two games up, with Thiem calling for the trainer for a final time shortly afterwards.

Popyrin had beaten Mischa Zverev in the opening round and has gained the full support of a very vocal home crowd in Melbourne.

And late into Thursday evening on the Margaret Court Arena, Alexander Zverev survived a gruelling battle with Jeremy Chardy.

The German took a two set lead in the tight encounter, only to be pegged back to send the match to a deciding stanza.

But hours of toiling tennis in the Melbourne heat took its toll on a chastened Chardy, who capitulated in the fifth set, losing 6-1 to end an impressive performance on a disappointing note.

Elsewhere in the men's draw on Thursday, Croatian sensation Borna Coric is through to the third round of the Australian Open after a comfortable straight-sets win over Marton Fucsovics.

Coric is a man in form, and despite three double faults in his final service game, the number 11 seed regained his composure to complete a 6-4 6-3 6-4 win.

It is the first time that Coric has reached the third round in Melbourne, and he took out the dangerous Fucsovics with a serve and volley to complete the success.

The 22-year-old beat Steve Darcis in straight sets in the first round on Tuesday and will now face the winner of Evgeny Donskoy's clash with Filip Krajinovic.

Coric is determined to put himself in the Grand Slam conversation this year, and he is joined by Pablo Carreno-Busta in the next round after the Spaniard beat Ilya Ivashka in straight sets 6-2 6-3 7-6 (9-7).

Elsewhere, Fabio Fognini was taken to a tiebreak by Leonardo Mayer in the first set at the 1573 Arena, but the Italian 12th seed prevailed in straight sets 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 7-6 (7-5).

Seeds David Goffin, Lucas Pouille, Daniil Medvedev and Denis Shapovalov all progressed to the third round, but there were two major shocks involving home players.

Alexei Popyrin dominated seventh-seed Dominic Thiem before the Austrian's retirement during the third set, while Alex Bolt won a thriller against Gilles Simon (seeded 29), twice coming from a set down to win a five-set epic.

8-Kei Nishikori (JPN) bt Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 6-3 7-6 (8-6) 5-7 5-7 7-6 (10-7)

23-Pablo Carreno-Busta (ESP) bt Ilya Ivashka (BLR) 6-2 6-3 7-6 (9-7)

16-Milos Raonic (CAN) bt Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (13-11) 7-6 (7-5)

11-Borna Coric (CRO) bt Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 6-4 6-3 6-4

12-Fabio Fognini (ITA) bt Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 7-6 (7-5)

Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt Hyeon Chung (KOR) 6-2 6-1 2-6 6-4

Joao Sousa (POR) bt 32-Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 7-5 4-6 7-6 5-7 6-4

Filip Krajinovic (SER) bt Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) 6-4 7-6 7-6

21-David Goffin (BEL) bt Marius Copil (ROM) 5-7 7-5 6-2 6-4

Alex Bolt (AUS) bt 29-Gilles Simon (FRA) 2-6 6-4 4-6 7-6 6-4

28-Lucas Pouille (FRA) bt Maximilian Marterer (GER) 7-6 7-6 5-7 6-4

25-Denis Shapovalov (CAN) by Taro Daniel (JAP) 6-3 7-6 6-3

Alexei Popyrin (AUS) bt 7-Dominic Thiem (AUS) 7-5 6-4 2-0 (retired)

15-Daniil Medvedev (RUS) bt Ryan Harrison (USA) 6-3 6-3 6-3