Anyway, that’s us done for today – here’s some reading material to appraise you of anything you’ve missed, or to remind you of what you enjoyed. Join us again tomorrow!
Serena, meanwhile, is looking in pretty decent nick. If they both win tomorrow, she meets Sabalenka next, which should be a serious piece of match, likewise if Swiatek and Halep both win they play. I’m already excited thinking about that one.
What’ll happen in the women’s competition is, as ever, anyone’s guess. Halep will be feeling good after winning an arse-nipper yesterday, but Osaka and Swiatek both look nails.
Men’s tennis is in a strange and really interesting place at the moment. For the first time in nearly 20 years – oh my absolute days! – it’s possible to look at a major and think that the winner might come from outside the big three. Of course, it would not be at all surprising to see Nadal or Djokovic hoisting the trophy, but either of them against either of Thiem or Medvedev is a fifty/fifty match. Watching the latter, you get the feeling he knows this is his time, whereas I’d not quite back the former if things got tight.
Norrie thanks the crowd and his supporters, saying he really used them. He appreciated coming off Court 8 to Court Court, and both players raised their levels. He’s playing Rafa next, so is glad to have had the chance to get acclimatised to the big arena. He had a tough first round – he beat Dan Evans – so hadn’t looked forward to the third round, but he’s never met Nadal and is looking forward to it.
Norrie beats Safiullin 3-6 7-5 6-3 7-6(3)!
That’s a great win in a nails match, and Norrie’s reward for that endeavour is a match with Nadal. Safiullin, though, looks a player, and at just 23 has plenty of time to improve on some pretty nifty raw materials.
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Humungous forehands from Norrie earn and consolidate a mini-break, then a big serve raises three match-points! He leads 6-3...
Nadal says tonight was positive – “great news for everything” – and wishes Mmoh the best. He respects every opponent, so watched him on YouTube yesterday to learn more about him. He’s been improving his backhand through his career, and because he’s not running about as much, needs it more.
Nadal beats Mmoh 6-1 6-4 6-2!
He plays Norrie or Safiullin next.
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Safiullin is such a competitor, earning 0-15 then 15-30 thanks to a fair bit of running and hitting. But a big swinging lefty forehand opens the court for Norrie, and though he’s made to play another shot, he swipes a wrong-footing backhand into the corner. Safiullin won’t go away though, and he leaps on a tentative forehand to raise a break-back point! Then Norrie nets a backhand, and we’ll have a breaker! Norrie has held relatively easily in this set, but when he really needed to he couldn’t! Norrie 3-6 7-5 6-3 6-6 Safiullin
Yup, just as that game finishes, Nadal breaks Mmoh a second time to lead 5-2 in set three. He’ll shrtly serve for the match.
Norrie wins the longest point of the match to get himself 15-30, then a succession of booming forehands earn him a sixth chance to break in this set; he’s mot managed it so far. And Safiullin foils the first attempt ... and the second, a succession of booming forehands doing the damage. But Nozzah quickly earns another, and again Safiullin plays it brilliantly, a wrong-footing forehand doing the damage ... and again Norrie earns another, this time thanks to backhand return hit from shoulder-height ... and again Safiullin saves it! And round and round, Safiullin missing a game point before a belting backhand down the line gives Norrie another chance. AND AT THE TENTH TIME OF ASKING HE GETS IT! Safiullin hits a net-cord, the ball flies out, and the Scot will shortly serve for round three! Norrie 3-6 7-5 6-3 6-5 Safiullin
Yeah, there you go. Holding break point, Nadal blocks back a return that’s too good for Mmoh. He goes up 3-2 in set three, and is three holds away – though I’d not be surprised if it happened quicker than that. Mmoh 1-6 4-6 2-3 Nadal
Safiullin finds a love-hold of his own, so Nozzer will serve to stay in the set. Meanwhile, on Laver, Nadal and Mmoh are 2-2 in set three, Nadal leading by two sets to love.
Back on Court, Norrie is still dominating, hustling through another love hold. He’s been putting Safiullin’s serve under all sorts of pressure too, and will fancy another hack at breaking it before finishing him off. Norrie 3-6 7-5 6-3 4-4 Safiullin
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He says he’s happy with his form and is finding it easier to get up with the crowd, but the aim is to win and that doesn’t change whether they’re there or not. He’s usually in Rotterdam for his birthday, but it’s more serious here and he’s got his presents from his wife, but otherwise he’s doing nothing. Had he lost, he’d have gone out celebrating – what a strange life – but he didn’t. These things are sent to test us.
Medvedev beats Carballes Baena 6-3 7-5 6-1!
He finishes with a love hold which he finishes with an ace – happy birthday and all that. He’s a proper player, and meets Krajinovic (28) next. He’s a proper threat, and I’d not back anyone to beat him.
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Carballes Baena has given this everything but there’s nothing he can do, and at 30-40 he sends down an almost apologetic double fault, giving Medvedev the chance to serve for the match. Carballes Baena 2-6 5-7 1-5 Medvedev
Norrie has had a load of break points but Safiullin is hanging in there well. He leads 3-2 in the fourth but Norrie leads by two sets to one.
Break-point up, Medvedev hammers a backhand return that sends Carballes Baena chasing into the corner, quickly clearing up his retrieval; this is very nearly over. He’s played well tonight/this morning, and quickly wins three more points as his opponent exhales deeply, acknowledging the inevitability of it all. A second serve into the body follows, then a decisive volley, and off they go for a sit. Carballes Baena 2-6 5-7 1-4 Medvedev
Nadal is serving for the second set and opens up with an ace before some kind of disturbance in the crowd brings a halt to proceedings. I had eyes on Medvedev at the time – he’s just made it 2-1 in set three – but I’m guessing it involved nakedness. Nadal indulges in some keepy-uppy, then promptly canes down two aces. He’s quite good. Mmoh 1-6 4-6 Nadal
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Medvedev opens set three with a love-hold, secured with an ace, while Nadal leads 5-3 in set two and Norrie has just failed to take two break-points from Safiullin in set four. He earns another though ... and Safiullin saves another ... and another, before finally holding. Norrie 3-6 7-5 6-3 1-2 Safiullin
Yeah, a leaping forehand gives Medvedev 0-30 and Carballes Baena can’t take the pressure, sending down a double that gives his opponent three set points. He only needs one, a terrific point sending his man scurrying from wing to wing retrieving a succession of huge shots, before a forehand volley – applied to a ball that looked to be dropping out – secures the set. Carballes Baena will be demoralised because that set was about as well as he can play against so good an opponent, and where’s it got him? Carballes Baena 2-6 5-7 Medvedev
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Nadal has consolidated easily, leading Mmomh 6-1 4-2. And on Court, Norrie and Safiullin are about to resume.
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At 5-5 and 15-all, Medvedev finds a monstrous serve; of course he does, but at 40-15 Carballes Baena sends a big forehand to the backhand corner and races to the net to clean up. A double follows, and for the first time, Medvedev is under pressure, on deuce and about to send down a second serve. And what a brute it is! There’s nothing Carballes Baena can do about that, nor about the serve and smash which follow. He’ll now serve to stay in set two.
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Medvedev is back into it, panelling his way to 15-30, but Carballes Baena fights back well to hold. Thing is, everything it causing him aggravation, and you’d not back him in a breaker if that’s what eventuates. Carballes Baena 2-6 5-5 Medvedev
Nadal fights his way to two break points and a serve into the net means he’ll do it off a second. Mmoh puts plenty on it, sending yerman out wide, but he responds well with a forehand and Mmoh goes well long. Mmoh 1-6 2-3 Nadal
Medvedev holds easily enough, and once they’ve had a little sit-down we’ll discover whether there’s been any serious momentum change, because Carballes Baena will serve to stay in the second set.
Well! I did not see this coming, but Carballes Baena has just held to love with the help of a net-cord which got him underway; Medvedev, meanwhile, is grousing at the umpire. We’re back on serve in set two, while on Laver, Nadal and Mmoh are 2-2, Nadal having won the first 6-1.
On Court, Pegula has beaten Stosur 6-0 6-1 and meets Mladenovic next. Norrie and Safiullin will now move to complete their match under the roof, with the Scot leading 3-6 7-5 6-3 1-1.
Mmoh isn’t going away and holds to 15, taking the lead in set two, while Carballes Baena holds as well but trails 2-4. He gets 0-15 too, but Medvedev simply cleanses a a forehand down the middle. But have a look! He wins the next two points and that’s two break-back points ... the first saved by way of murderous forehands, the second via big serve; every time he thinks he’s back in, he’s puuuuushed all the way back out. But when they get to deuce, he gets a break point on a second serve, and this time Medvedev can’t retort, sending a forehand fractionally wide! Carballes Baena 2-6 3-4 Medvedev
But here comes Carballes Baena, getting to 0-30 ... to be sent two horrendous services, one out wide then one down the middle. Enjoy! Very quickly, Madvedev consolidates the break, and there’s not a lot to be done about this. Carballes Baena has been looking up at his coach, but there’s not much he’s got to offer; sorry chap! Medvedev is brilliant and playing really well. Carballes Baena 2-6 1-4 Medvedev
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Nadal rushes through another hold, that topspin forehand - you may be familiar with it – forcing Mmoh to net. Mmoh 1-6 Nadal
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Nadal is all over Mmoh and breaks him a second time for 5-1; meanwhile, Medvedev is giving Carballes Baena far more than he can handle, absolutely flying into his forehands and forcing a tame backhand slice that earns him the break. Carballes Baena 2-6 1-3 Medvedev
Pegula has bageled Stosur and leads 2-0 in the in set two. That match is not long for this tournament.
Caruso (in white) and Fognini exchange Italian at the end of their five-set thriller.
Medvedev, who looks a lot like Jamie from Eastenders is really feeling himself, a colossal backhand down the line cementing a love hold. Everything Carballes Baena tries, he’s returning and then some, and though the Spaniard holds his first service game of the second set – after a succession of deuces – it feels like a break is in the post. Norrie and Safiullin, meanwhile, are still waiting for the rain to abate, while Nadal has broken Mmoh to lead 3-1. .
Mmoh is looking comfy out there, finding a pair of aces in his first service game. Mmoh 1-1 Nadal
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On Court, Pegula has won the first four games against Stosur. The former US Open champ is 36 now, but I doubt she’s any more relaxed about losing than when she was at her peak.
Medvedev is flowing now, two gigantic forehands giving him 0-30, quickly converted into three set points. Carballes Baena has nothing for him and knows it, waving a tame drop shot into the net, and that’s the end of that. Carballes Baena 2-6 Medvedev
Medvedev is all over Carballes Baena now, leading 5-2 in set one, while Nadal loses the first point of his first service game before ramming a forehand wide at 40-15. But a big serve forces a forehand into the net, and Nadal leads 1-0.
If Nadal can win here, he’ll become the first man in the open era to win each slam twice. It feels peculiar to type this, but that seems unlikely; he’ll likely have to beat either Tsitsipas or Khachanov the round after next, and I’d not expect him to beat whichever of Djokovic or Thiem he ended up playing in the final. Anyway, off we go.
Nadal and Mmoh are knocking up; Mmoh had to qualify then come back from 1-2 down to beat Victor Troicki in five sets, the match featuring four breakers and a 7-5. He might be grooved, he might be knackered.
Yup, Medvedev breaks back, as we learn that Norrie won’t return to his match against Safiullin for at least another 20 minutes. Carballes Baena 2-2 Medvedev
I’m a big fan of Medvedev, who I’m sure will win majors – maybe starting with this one. But he’s been broken early in set one, trailing Carballes Baena 1-2.
Mats has just said Gauff was “very active when the Black Lives Matter movement was happening”; it’s still happening, old mate. otherwise, he reckons Gauff needs to relax and play a simpler game.
On Cain, Carballes Banea and Medvedev (4) are underway; Medvedev held in the first game.
Next on Laver: Mmoh v Nadal. Don’t mind if we do!
Svito says it was a high-quality match, and she’s pleased with how she played, taking her opportunities to break. She’s told she was efficient, but says the main thing she took was energy – from the crowd, saying how much joy it’s giving her to play in front of people. The interviewer must be a mate of her coach, Andrew Bettles, because he pushes her to praise him which she does, noting that she’s not easy and he’s very good with her. She’s looking forward to meeting Putintseva, who is also not entirely easy.
Funny game, tennis. Gauff looked the better player with the better shots, but Svitolina’s timing was better.
Svitolina beats Gauff 6-4 6-3!
Second set: Gauff 4-6 3-6 Svitolina* Tennis is an easy sport to fix because you can play well, lose a handful of big points and lose the match, which is what’s happening to Gauff here. Svitolina has played the big points really well, and a superb backhand, not hit as hard as Gauff hits hers but with pinpoint accuracy, gives her 30-0. A long rally follows ... and Guaff finds a tremendous backhand from the middle of the baseline to break the sideline! She’s got a sniff! But a sniff is all it is because a big serve raises two match points and one is all that’s required, a huge forehand, a leaping volley, and Gauff can’t retrieve! That was a high-quality match, but Gauff couldn’t stay calm enough at the key moments, so it never quite sparked as we’d hoped. Svito plays Putintseva (26) next.
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Second set: Gauff* 4-6 3-5 Svitolina Svito gets 0-15 but a brilliant forehand from Gauff draws her level, only for a further one to just miss the sideline at 30-15. This might be the match right here – it loos that way when Svito opens the court with a forehand, but then Gauff does likewise ... only to go long with another, Svito nowhere. That’s break point, and oh dear; it gets a bit much for Gauff, who tightens and sends a tame forehand long. Svitolina will now serve for the match!
Second set: Gauff 4-6 3-4 Svitolina* A comfortable hold for Svitolina, and Gauff will be feeling this. She’s played pretty well today, but hasn’t been able to find something extra when she’s really needed to. Svito is so solid these days.
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Next on Court: Pegula v Stosur.
De Minaur beats Cuevas 6-3 6-3 7-5!
He plays Fognini next.
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Second set: Gauff* 4-6 3-3 Svitolina About time. As in the first set, Svito had to save break points in the first game, but otherwise it’s been tight. We join at deuce, and Gauff finds a tremendous point, a blinding get on the forehand setting up a high volley; she enjoyed that one, and quickly closes out. Meanwhile, De Minaur has broken Cuevas and is serving for the match.
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Cuevas and De Minaur are 5-5 in set three, De Minaur leading by two sets to love; Gauff and Svitolina, who we’ll be rejoining in a moment, are on serve in set two, Svito ahead by 3-2.
Fognini beats Caruso 4-6 6-2 2-6 6-3 7-6(12)
Oh wrists! From outside the sideline, Fognini sends a backhand flying cross-court and that gives him another match point, but this time on his serve! And he clinches it! He plays Cuevas or De Minaur next, but for the now is more concerned with shouting at Caruso. I’m not sure what they’re saying, my Italian not extending much beyond swearwords – ah, there’s one I recognise! – but be sure, both of them mean it.
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Fognini raises another match point and the noises they’re making sound like the below, Caruso with the hey and Fognini with the ho. Anyhow, after Fognini spurns two match points Caruso wastes one of his own, before a mighty ace gives Fognini another go. Fognini then batters a forehand that’s called out – a challenge confirms – and on Laver, Gauff and Svitolina are 2-2 in set two.
But Caruso saves it with a giant forehand!
This breaker is getting extremely tense. Caruso isn’t making Fognini move as he might, given the leg injury, and wild forehand gives the Italian match point at 9-8!
Fognini fights back to 5-5, but then becomes extremely upset when Caruso hits a shot that looks out only for Hawkeye to disagree; the players are not loving the system at all. Caruso then makes 7-5 but Fognini yanks him back to 7-7. On Court 8, Norrie and Safiullin are breaking for rain, while De Minaur and Cuevas are on serve in set three and back in our feature match, Gauff has just held for 1-1 in set two.
We’ve nipped over to Cain to watch that final set breaker; Fognini, who’s had injury aggravation, trails Caruso 2-5. Meanwhile on Court 8, it’s 1-1 in set four, Norrie leading Safiullin 2-1, and raining a bit.
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First set: Gauff* 4-6 Svitolina On Cain, Fognini and Caruso are about to play a final-set breaker, while Norrie is back underway following an injury break taken by Safiullin. But have a look! Svito, already leading 0-15, takes advantage of a nondescript approach to hammer a forehand winner and this is getting significant. So Gauff gets significant too, staying dead low on a forehand winner ... before netting a backhand! Two set points for Svitolina, the first of which Gauff saves with a really good forehand that sets Svito a tricky volley, which she nets. But a decent return then forces a forehand error, and that’s the set! And that’s also tennis: when players are well-matched, it comes down to a point here and there, and Svitolina found her best gear when she needed it most.
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First set: Gauff 4-5 Svitolina* Gauff nudges in front only to net a return. But a much better return – a hard, deep forehand brute – allows her to dominate the next rally. Svito, though, makes 30-all, and consecutive booming forehands, followed by an ace, bring what looked a tricky game to a definitive conclusion. Neither player has looked much like breaking, because neither player has looked much like being broken.
First set: Gauff* 4-4 Svitolina Gauff is serving really well and her forehand is backing it up nicely; of course, as I type that, she sends down a double, but quickly closes out to 15.
First set: Gauff 3-4 Svitolina* Norrie has taken the third set against Safiullin to lead by two sets to one, while at 30-0 Gauff absolutely climbs into an acceptable Svitolina serve, dematerialising a forehand cross-court winner. But she can’t build on it, and Svito holds to 30. I’ve not a clue who’s going to win this set; Gauff’s best is better, but producing it at the business end is a whole nother thing.
First set: Gauff* 3-3 Svitolina Gauff doesn’t wait to be asked, which is one of the various reasons it’s such a pleasure to watch her work. She’s really stepping into her forehands now and holds to 15, but the question is whether she’ll find similar range when things get tight.
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First set: Gauff 2-3 Svitolina* On Court, De Minaur has taken the second set and leads Cuevas 6-3 6-3; Fognini and Caruso and 4-4 in the fifth; and Norrie leads Safiullin 5-2 in the third, the first two sets having been split. Back on Laver, Svito races through a hold to 15, and this is an extremely promising match.
First set: Gauff* 2-2 Svitolina Gauff nets a forehand to give Svitolina 0-15, who then dashes to a half-court ball and with Gauff expecting a cross-courter, knocks a winner down the line. Gauff, though, responds with an ace, and two more big serves raise game-point before an ace drives it home.
First set: Gauff 1-2 Svitolina* What a revelation Hooch was when it came out, Friday lunchtimes in the car park of Kwik Save then back to school. Meanwhile, Svitolina again struggles on serve, before a wafty backhand from Gauff gives her 40-30 and she quickly closes out. She’s really “pumped” out there, but the early signs are that Gauff is just that little bit better.
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First set: Gauff* 1-1 Svitolina At 15-0, Gauff tries a drop, and Svitolina runs it down really well, but Gauff is grooved and holds easily, winning the next three points. In commentary, they note than when she started, she won games she was expected to lose and now she’s losing games she’s expected to win, but remains a stellar talent. She’s 16! No doubt she’s got some Embassy No1 and a six-pack of Hooch in her bag.
First set: Gauff 0-1 Svitolina* The number five seed will serve first and soon finds herself in a ruckus, a booming backhand from Gauff making 15-30. A wild swing then gives Svito 30-all, but a big second serve flies out and that’s break point ... not for long it isn’t. An ace out wide makes deuce, Gauff then flings a backhand cross-court wide ... but comes into the net via clever forehand, dispatching the eventuating volley for another deuce. And we go around again, Svitolina unable to press home her next game point either – these players look really well-matched – before eventually holding. Meanwhile, on 8, Norrie now leads Safiullin by a break in set three.
Gael Monfils, Svitolina’s boyfriend, is in the crowd. I hope he’s feeling better.
De Minaur has broken Cuevas in set two and I daresay this one’ll be over pretty sharply. He leads 6-3 3-1.
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Gauff and Svitolina are out knocking up and I can’t wait for this one. Svito has improved so much in the last couple of years, while Gauff is special.
Is Cuevas’ tash ironic? I don’t think it is; he doesn’t look a particularly ironical individual. But he’s serving well now, and trails De Minaur 3-6 1-2 on serve in the second. Back on Court 8, Norrie has broken back immediately and has just held too, so he leads Safiullin 3-6 7-5 2-1.
My school run is completed thanks for asking (die snow) and De Minaur has taken the first set 6-3, leading Cuevas 1-0 on serve in the second. Meanwhile, Norrie nabbed the second set off Safiullin 7-5, but has just been broken in game one of set three. What an absolute heel to the solar plexus that must be.
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Right then, the afternoon session is almost in the books. Fognini, the men’s 16th seed, is about to haul Caruso into a decider, while Norrie and Safiullin are 4-4 in set two, first set Safiullin. And coming up shortly, we’ve got what promises to be an absolute jazzer: Coco Guaff v Elina Svitolina, while Cuevas and De Minaur have already got the evening session underway, sitting at 2-2 in set one.
“I just wanna go for a nice bath now,” says Tsitsipas. He’s very pleased with himself – though perhaps not as pleased as the interviewer wearing a syoot and box-fresh white trainer – and is happy to be playing tennis again. He says Kokkinakis is a great player and great competitor, has huge potential and he thinks he knows it himself, he just has to make the most of himself. He’s got a great serve and all the shots, and Tsitsipas really enjoyed being out there showing the world his own skills. He says it was a shame to miss Thanasi on the tour and there’s so much variety and diversity in his generation of great players, and the fight for pots and rankings is going to be great to watch. Too right, old mate; hell’s bells, he’s likable.
Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Thanasi Kokkinakis and meets Mikael Ymer next!
Fifth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) 5-4 Thanasi Kokkinakis Tsitsipas has looked really strong on serve in the second half of this set, but another double hands Kokkinakis 15-all. And have a look! He plays a brilliant backhand on the run and tight to the sideline, which Tistsipas expects to go cross but goes down the line! Tsitsipas, though, finds a murderous forehand to a shovelled return for 30-all .. but can’t find a first serve next up ... so sends Kokkinakis out wide, and he can only dump his return into the next. Match-point to the number 5, and when he goes long on the return, Tsitsipas is through! What a brilliant match that was! It’s so good to see Kokkinakis back, and so good to see Tsitsipas extended.
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Elsewhere, Safiullin and Norrie are back on serve in set two, the Russian leading 6-3 3-3.
Fifth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) 5-4 Thanasi Kokkinakis* Kokkinakis is scheduled to play doubles in a couple of hours – with Nick Kyrgios, no less – goodness me. And he begins this game with yet another ace, so that’s a bit of running saved. But at 30-0 a backhand slice drops long, inviting Tsitsipas into the game ... only for a terrific forehand winner to a high, looping return, to boot him out of it again. A service winner follows, and the number 5 seed will have to serve ferit.
Fifth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) 5-3 Thanasi Kokkinakis You’ve got to admire the mental strength of Kokkinakis, a wild-card entrant after two years of injury munt. A big forehand volley gets him to 15-all, and Tsitsipas blinks, losing concentration and maybe a little confidence to hand over a double-fault. But in classic style, a backhand winner out of nowhere redeems the situation, a serve out wide followed by a clean-up forehand raises game-point, and the same formula then forces it home. He’s one away!
Fifth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) 4-3 Thanasi Kokkinakis* Kokkinakis begins the game with another ace, but at 30-0 a poor serve is straight at Tsitsipas, and he punishes a forehand down the line without having to shift his feet. He’s such a beautiful, lazily hyperactive mover, though a tennis-coach mate tells me Thiem is easily the best on the tour in that aspect. Anyhow, we’re soon at 30-all, whereupon Kokkinakis finds a great angle to go cross-court on the forehand ... then so does Tsitsipas; deuce. He looks the stronger man now, but Kokkinakis isnae going away, and a serve out wide followed by a drive-volley earns game-point only for a further forehand to clip the net and flick out. No matter: an ace banged down the T restores advantage, then a wild forehand clinched the sit-down. We’ve now been going four hours and 18 minutes; the lads are made of elasticated metal fibre.
Fifth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) 4-2 Thanasi Kokkinakis There’s a strong stench of o-v-e-r about this now. Tsitsipas is firing on both wings (forehand and backhand) and he rushes through a love consolidation.
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Coming up in the evening session: Gauff v Svitolina (Yes!), Cuevas v De Minaur, Mmoh v Nadal, Pegula v Stosur.
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Elsewhere: Roman Safiullin leads Cam Norrie by a set .... but Norrie has just broken for 2-0 in the second.
Fifth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) 3-2 Thanasi Kokkinakis* Tsitsipas opens up the court and pastes an oblique forehand cross-court to nudge ahead in the match; I’d not commit to it, but I think his class might be starting to tell ... and he soon has 15-30. But have a look! Kokkinakis nails an ace, his seventh in this set of 21 altogether; that is brilliant. But the next point is anything but, a tame serve and a long backhand handing Tsitsipas a break point. A body serve gets the point underway but Tsitsipas adjusts well, and again Kokiinakis goes long with a backhand! Tsitsipas has the break!
Fifth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) 2-2 Thanasi Kokkinakis Thanks Emma and hi everyone. After the marathon, the sprint; Tsitsipas races to 40-15 ... but then dumps a backhand slice into the net. Can Kokkinakis make something of it? “Do you wanna make something of it?” not something anyone’s asked me at the back of the top deck of the bus in a while. Anyway, a serve out wide, a clean-up forehand, and we’re all-square again/
Fifth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) 1-2 Thanasi Kokkinakis* Big serves are, to a certain extent, dictating this match and both players are winning a fair chunk of points in which they land a good first serve. Tsitsipas has won 83 of 125 of his for an 86% success rate. A point of lovely ground strokes ends with a Tsitsipas winner in the corner but he meets his match with two ominous shots to the Greek’s left-hand corner. He’s forced into a half-lob that Kokkinakis puts away on approach to the net. Nothing he could do about that. The Australian is up 40-30 and tallies his eighth doule fault. Tsitsipas is just plugging away, forcing the issue when Kokkinakis thinks he has it all sorted. An ace travelling at 201km/h gives Thanasi the advantage. His first serve is a let, then a fault, and another let. Finally a tame second serve is returned with force and we’re back to deuce. Kokkinakis has to salvage a break point now and he does so with another fast serve. We’re at the sixth deuce. Now it’s a seventh, and the service line again feels the impact of that Kokkinakos serve, that serve that has saved him when he’s most needed it. More of the same sets up his point and another long game comes to a close. That one was 15 minutes. The pair have been on court for four hours.
And with that, I’m going to hand you over to Daniel Harris who will keep you up to date throughout an action-packed evening session.
Fifth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) 1-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis Kokkinakis has won his fifth point in a row now but his foe is on the front foot and backing him into a corner. He delivers an aces, and another big serve that yields a ball into the net. Easier service game for Tsitsipas.
Fifth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) 0-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis* Not an ideal start to this deciding for Kokkinakis, who follows a double fault with an unforced error. He has a point now, but another double fault has him down 15-40. He’s shaking out his legs as if cramps are setting in. A big serve elicits a to-long return and a timely ace makes it deuce. He puts away a winner and another ace and that’s his service game taken care off, a mixed bag though it was.
Fourth set tie-break: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-7(5-7) Thanasi Kokkinakis The Kokk needs a big first serve. That’ll do. Set point. Tsitsipas’s serve is just as big but the return is monstrous. It’s sent back to him and he takes the set with a winner for the ages. What a shot, across court, heavy on the top spin so it lifts just high enough and lands low, swinging wide and out of reach. His mouth is open again, fist pumping, veins popping in elation. The crowd goes wild as they embark on a fifth set in this rollercoaster. Kokkinakos was tired but he has hit the refresh button here and there’s light at the end of the tunnel for him. He’s having a banana and some biscuits, and some potion that makes him wince at the taste. I have some biscuits at my desk but I’m somewhat more sedentary. This match, of course, isn’t over for Tsitsipas. The fifth seed knows how to fight, and he’s attaching a new bandana to that curly mop of hair ready for battle.
Fourth set tie-break: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-6(5-5) Thanasi Kokkinakis An unforced error from Kokkinakis allows his combatant to close the gap to a single point. The Aussie is back on serve. He faults, lands the second a little soft and Tsitsipas is hitting that baseline again to leave Kokkinakis out of options.
Fourth set tie-break: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-6(3-5) Thanasi Kokkinakis The home encouragement is boisterous. It’s rowdy (while adhering to etiquette). And the local is lapping it up. He can wrap this up but the next couple of points are crucial. He gives Tsitsipas a lifeline with an overcooked ground stroke and the Greek is now serving. He’s gone big and Kokkinakis is already on the back foot. Now he’s lobbing and that usually only means one thing, and there’s the smash.
Fourth set tie-break: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-6(1-5) Thanasi Kokkinakis Tsitsipas seems to be flustered and he’s lost track. He’s attempting to change ends at the end of the wrong point. Kokkinakis puts away a winner.
Fourth set tie-break: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-6(1-4) Thanasi Kokkinakis Stefanos is making mistakes now and before he knows it he’s suddenly at a disadvantage, hitting one long. He’s clearly frustrated with himself.
Fourth set tie-break: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-6(1-2) Thanasi Kokkinakis Tstsipas opens the play-off with a double fault and then fails to return Kokkinakis’s serve but he has the next point.
Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-6 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (*denotes server) There’s a bit of “Heeeeey, heey babe, ooooh, aaah!” as the change of ends occurs in anticipation. Kokkinakis makes his first serve count. Well, Tsitsipas makes a mistake he shouldn’t have. But Thanasi forces the issue and that tall drink of water that is the fifth seed is forced to the back corner and pops the ball up. Kokkinakis obliges and puts it away from the net. His serve is really keeping him in this, and he wins the game to love. We’re off to a tie-break.
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Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 6-5 Thanasi Kokkinakis (*denotes server) Ace. Ace. Backhand winner. Forehand winner. Game, and the pressure is back on Kokkinakis no more than a minute after it took him 11 minutes to hold serve.
Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 5-5 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (*denotes server) Not flawless so far. Tsitsipas has unleashed a risky wide ground stroke that looks as if it’s sailing out until Hawkeye shows it’s nicked the line. Thanasi ups the pressure and forces an error to level at 15-15 but lets himself down with an unforced error. But he will not go quietly and changes it up with a low winner too far forward to Tsitsipas to get to. Parity restored at 30-30. An ace elevates him to 40-30 but blimey, another unforced error. He’s making this difficult for himself. Tsitsipas coughs up and advantages and Thanasi does the same with a wildly loose swing to hoik the ball out. Then he puts away the fastest serve of the match and Tsitsipas has no chance of returning that. But now the Australian opts to go across court and he doesn’t cover his line and gets duly punished as Tsitsipas catches the outside of a line again, this time the baseline. Tsitsipas unforced error. Kokkinakis unforced error x 2. Deuce. Kokkinakis unforced error. A match point is saved when Tsitsipas’s return is too long. Advantage Australian thanks to a smashed volley and Kokkinakis has his mouth open like that evil dude in The Mummy in a roar of victory. Tsitsipas returns the favour by forcing his counterpart into a mistake. And finally, finally this game comes to a close in favour of Kokkinakis. Still on serve.
Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 5-4 Thanasi Kokkinakis (*denotes server) Tsitsipas is also serving with ferocity. He matches Kokkinakis with two aces. If he can snatch a break here that’ll be game, set and match. The Kokk has to make this service game immaculate.
Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 4-4 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (*denotes server) And still on serve. Kokkinakis makes sure of that with two aces. Up 40-15, he exerts the pressure and Tsitsipas’s shot down the line is just a smidgeon wide.
Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 4-3 Thanasi Kokkinakis (*denotes server) As if feeding off spectators clearly on the side of the local, Tsitsipas brings out his ruthless side once again. Kokkinakis returns well but his opponent draws him wide until it’s too much. He is playing with freedom but this contest is still on serve.
Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 3-3 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (*denotes server) Worth noting that Tsitsipas is 22 with five career titles. Kokkinakis is 24 with zero. But he has beaten Federer. Say no more. Only three points have been lost on serve for the entire set thus far and Thanasi is serving strongly and wins the game despite being pushed all the way. The crowd gives another enthusiastic cheer.
Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 3-2 Thanasi Kokkinakis (*denotes server) Nice bit of interaction from the crowd, who cheers Kokkinakis and gets a smile out of him. That doesn’t get him a break though.
Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 2-2 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (*denotes server) sliding but not slipping, rushing forward for a drop shot, with Kokkinakis volleys, which Tsitsipas then volleys out of reach. 15-15. What tennis.
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Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 2-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) Tsitsipas’s serve is brutal. Even his second, which bullets across the service court. Thanasi is tiring and he’s looking down at his racket for some answers. All is not lost, but his opponent is in control. He’s putting away winners with more ease. Kokkinakis shakes his legs out.
Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 1-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) Kokkinakis is no slouch either and holds after dropping only a single point through an error.
Fourth set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 1-0 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) Whoosh, the freight train passes Kokkinakis on his right, then on his left. Now Tsistipas is at the net and oh, that is an exquisite drop volley. Clean service game.
Third set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 6-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) What a shot, Kokkinakis. His body is open to receive the ball across court and he brings around his back shoulder as the spring releases down the line. The errors keeping coming, though - he’s at 37 unforced errors now - and before we know it, it’s deuce, ad Tsitsipas and game and set.
Third set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 5-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) All Tsitsipas has to do now is hold serve twice to claim this set. It’s looking good thus far at 40-0 and there’s seemingly no stopping him. Kokkinakis steals a point back. More accurately, Tsitsipas double faults. A giant forehand takes him within a whisker.
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Third set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 4-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) Some athleticism, this. The Greek may have been expected to make this wide shot but it was certainly not anticipated to return it on such an acute angle. And the way the ball caresses the opposite line. And now, controversy as a ball pops out of Kokkinakis’s pocket which means they have to play a let. But it looks as if Tsitsipas had already hit the ball before that, and it would have been going out. The umpire has called it anyway and the Australian isn’t happy but doesn’t make too much of a fuss. He wins the point anyway. Had he lost it he may have kicked up more of a stink. He makes up the difference from 0-40. Advantage Kokkinakis. Deuce. Advantage Tsitsipas. Game. Another break.
Third set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 3-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) This has been smooth sailing for Tsitsipas, who takes the ball on the rise and makes it count for a 40-30 lead. The next is a front-footed, one-handed backhand down the line that seals the game.
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Third set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 2-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) The Kokk holds onto his serve, and thank heck for that, for a slippery is, well, slippery. The Australian is still down a break but continues to toil.
Third set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 2-0 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) That early break has set Tsitsipas on his way and at break point on 30-40 smashes a forehand this time to save himself. He is growing in consistency.
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Third set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 6-4 1-0 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) Thanks Mike. Did you mention ominous? Tsitsipas absolutely nails a down-the-line backhand to give himself three break points and he makes good on the second in a 24-shot rally that is something to behold. Kokkinakis isn’t moving badly but he catches his foot awkwardly while attempting to slide to a baseline ball and that offers his opponent the opening.
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Second set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 6-4 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) No hiccups for Tsitsipas and he serves the set out! We’re at 1-1, but you have to say Tsitsipas is looking ominous at this point.
And with that, I’m going to hand over to my colleague Emma Kemp, who will see you through to the end of the day session. Cheerio.
Second set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 5-4* Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) Kokkinaksi is hanging tough here. A booming serve at 30-30 puts him in a position to hold, which he duly does. But Tsitsipas will now serve to level things up at 1-1, and on current form, you wouldn’t bet against him doing just that.
Second set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 5-3 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) Tsitsipas is serving very well here. His first serve percentage is up in the 80s and he has really clicked into gear, leaving Kokkinakis little chance of getting anything against his serve.
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Second set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 4-3* Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) The pair trade service games and something has to give soon if Kokkinakis is to stay in this second set. Trouble is, Tsitsipas is looking comfortable on his serve at the moment.
Second set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 3-2* Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) Kokkinakis has looked a bit fatigued over the last two games, so he’ll be happy to get through this one with the minimum of fuss. The Australian holds to love, but he’s still down a break this set.
Second set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 3-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) Just brilliant tennis from Tsitsipas at 15-30 down. He moves to the net, puts Kokkinakis exactly where he wants him, and then finishes off the point with a volley. An ace follows and the Greek consolidates that break from 0-30 down.
Second set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 2-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) Is this the start of the inevitable fightback from Tsitsipas? The Greek has two break points. But Kokkinakis saves both! Not just yet, Stefanos! Tsitsipas maintains the pressure, but he can’t quite get over the line as he wastes a further two break opportunities. A fifth comes along following a double fault and this time, a flagging Kokkinakis bows to the pressure and sends a tired shot into the net.
Second set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 6-7 (7), 1-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) The crowd is mainly pro-Kokkinakis today, but safe in the knowledge at least one person out there loves him, Tsitsipas wastes no time in securing his first service game of the second set.
Second set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7), 0-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) Kokkinakis heads into the sheds before the second set gets under way and the break appears to have done him no harm as he races to a 40-0 lead before getting on the board with the loss of just one point. “I love you Stefanos, I love you,” is the call from a woman in the crowd. “I love you,” she continues. Persistent, you’ve got to give her that.
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (7) Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) There’s really nothing to separate these two during the breaker as they trade blows time after time. Until Kokkinakis aces and then runs around a blistering forehand winner to bring up set point! And when Tsitsipas double faults, the Australian draws first blood and takes a one-set lead!
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 5-5 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) Kokkinakis keeps his cool on serve and we’re heading into a tie-break to decide the first set.
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 5-5 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) Tsitsipas races through this game, to love, to heap the pressure back onto Kokkinakis’s serve.
Over on Court 3, another Australian, Alexei Popyrin, has met his match in South African Lloyd Harris, who wins in five sets.
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 5-5 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) Kokkinakis finds himself under a degree of pressure with Tsitsipas sniffing around at the pointy end of this game and that feeling intensifies as he goes wide to gift the Greek break point, and set point. Kokkinakis thinks he’s got himself out of jail with an ace, but there’s a beep and it’s a net cord. The crowd don’t like it, but the player himself doesn’t make any complaints. Kokkinakis saves second break point with an ace and he goes on to hold… with another ace!
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 5-4 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) And we remain on serve in the first set as Tsitsipas holds again, without too much drama.
Over on John Cain Arena...
Heather Watson recovers from 2-5 down in the tiebreak to take the first set 7-6(5) on Anett Kontaveit.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) February 11, 2021
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 4-4 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) Kokkinakis throws down a love service game for the first time this match. The Australian keeping things simple there.
Here’s Emma Kemp’s match report from the earlier Barty-Gavrilova match:
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 4-3 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) Tsitsipas is called for another time violation as he readies himself to serve this game. It might be coincidence, but Kokkinakis then brings up break point. He fails to take it but he brings up another one after forcing an error from the Greek with a ball that kicks high again. Tsitsipas responds with class though, drawing Kokkinakis across before moving the net and finishing off with a simple volley. And the fifth seed makes no more errors as he moves into a 4-3 lead.
Meanwhile, there’s been a big upset in the women’s draw over on Margaret Court Arena…. defending champion Sofia Kenin is out of the Australian Open after falling in straight sets to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, 6-3, 6-2.
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-3 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) High quality stuff from both players at 15-15 before Kokkinakis unfurls a lovely backhand winner down the line that draws oohs from the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena. And the Australian builds on that as he serves out the game to draw level once more.
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 3-2 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) Tsitsipas is dealt a time violation, which means he’ll have to watch his step from now on. If he’s over time from on, he’ll lose his first serve and have to serve a second, or if on his opponent’s serve, he’ll lose the point. He doesn’t let it bother him for the rest of this game though, which he holds.
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 2-2 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) Tsitsipas grinds down Kokkinakis with a lengthy 18-shot baseline rally, mostly on the backhand, to bring up break point. Kokkinakis responds with an impeccably-timed ace but he faces another one soon afterwards… again he saves it in somewhat bizarre fashion as Tsitsipas swings and misses at a second serve! To be fair to the Greek, it did kick up on him a bit. Nevertheless he looks utterly bemused, but stops short of inspecting his racket for a hole that doesn’t exist. Anyway, having saved two break points, Kokkinakis holds.
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas* 2-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis (denotes server) A quickfire game as Tsitsipas pulls the trigger on some big serves - two aces to bring up game point and then a pretty much unreturnable effort seals the game.
First set: Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-1 Thanasi Kokkinakis* (denotes server) OK, to the big match on Rod Laver, where Tsitsipas enjoyed a comfortable hold in the opening game, before Kokkinakis followed suit. On serve in the first.
Before we turn attentions to the match about to start on Rod Laver, let’s quickly get up to speed with other matches around the grounds.
Alexei Popyrin has just won the fourth set against Lloyd Harris of South Africa and is heading into another five-setter. Poor bloke must be knackered already and we’re only in the second round. Elsewhere, Svetlana Kuznetsova’s comeback was shortlived against Belinda Bencic with the Swiss posting a a three set win, while men’s seventh seed, Andrey Rublev, saw off Thiago Monteiro 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (8).
Swiss sensation 🇨🇭@BelindaBencic converts her fifth match point to def. Kuznetsova 7-5 2-6 6-4 & secure a third round berth.#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/Ieo1HzWVV9
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 11, 2021
There have also been wins for Elise Mertens and Shelby Rogers in the women’s draw, and Feliciano Lopez in the men’s so far.
Right, time for a quick break before Stefanos Tsitsipas and Thanasi Kokkinakis begin their second-round encounter on Rod Laver. This should be a cracker.
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“It’s a different challenge every single day,” she continues. “Different conditions in here today. A bit warmer and a fair bit of wind down here on court level which makes it a little tricky. I think it is just trying to be the best that I can be every single day, whatever that level is just making sure that I apply myself as best asI can and then I know regardless of the result I can walk off the court with my head held high. That’s the challenge over the last couple of years for me.
“I’m just trying to do the best I can and obviously having 12 months off, it’s a little rusty, but certainly happy with how I’ve been able to fight through the last couple of weeks.”
Aha, more information on that taping around her left thigh.
“This isn’t very subtle, is it. There is a bit of taping going on there. It’s actually a very small tape job, we just wrap it to make sure it stays on. I can’t really hide it. I’m fit as a fiddle. I’m good to go. It’s been nice to get some matches and general soreness is good, but this one it’s not super subtle.”
Here’s Barty: “Firstly, it’s so nice to see her [Gavrilova] back. She has had a bit of a tricky run with injury over the last 18 months or so, so it’s nice to see her back out competing. I think when you play another Aussie, rankings and experience goes out the window. Always going to be a tricky match, no matter what. Genuinely I’m so pleased that she is back out here competing and healthy again.”
Ash Barty beats Daria Gavrilova 6-1, 7-6 (7)
Second set: Ash Barty 6-1, 7-6 (7) Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Barty turns it around, brings up match point, and doesn’t pass up the chance to move into the third round! She wins the tie-break 9-7 to progress after a topsy-turvy match that really should have been over about 30 minutes ago. Barty twice served for the match in the second set, but failed to close it out, allowing Gavrilova to mount a comeback. And she very nearly took the match to a deciding set, but ultimately fell short.
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Second set tie-break: Ash Barty 6-6 Daria Gavrilova But here’s another chance for Gavrilova as Barty can only return a big serve into the net. Again though, the chance goes begging, as Gavrilova finds the net.
Second set tie-break: Ash Barty 6-6 Daria Gavrilova Gavrilova cannot take it though, hitting the net. The chance goes begging...
Second set tie-break: Ash Barty 5-6 Daria Gavrilova Gavrilova puffs out her cheeks as Barty inches ahead but parity is restored at 4-4 as Barty hits a backhand volley into the net. Nothing can separate the pair until Barty shanks a regulation forehand and Gavrilova has an unlikely set point!
Second set tie-break: Ash Barty 3-3 Daria Gavrilova Barty opens up a 2-0 lead after Gavrilova opens the breaker with a double fault but a couple of wayward Barty shots allow her back to level things up. Gavrilova then hits the lead before Barty opens up and hits a forehand winner. All square midway through the tie-break!
Second set: Ash Barty* 6-1, 6-6 Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Barty has twice failed to serve for the match, but when serving to stay in this set, she does enough to hold. But only just; she’s made to work for it. Barty is getting annoyed with herself and becoming vocal about it. You don’t often see that. Into a tie-breaker we go.
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Second set: Ash Barty 6-1, 5-6 Daria Gavrilova* (denotes server) This match has just got interesting. Gavrilova holds without fuss and she now leads Barty, having trailed 5-2 this set. What a turnaround! Are we in the midst of an incredible comeback? It certainly makes this next game very, very interesting.
Second set: Ash Barty* 6-1, 5-5 Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Murmurs from the stands tell you all you need to know as Barty drops to 0-30 as she tries to serve out this match. And when the world No 1 is long on a regulation forehand, she’s facing two break points. One is saved but not the second! Incredible really, but Gavrilova is back on level terms! And Barty is not at all happy with herself. She refrains from chucking her racket, instead opting to hit herself with it (on her heavily-strapped thigh, no less!).
Second set: Ash Barty 6-1, 5-4 Daria Gavrilova* (denotes server) Gavrilova races to a 40-0 lead and, while she errs a few times on her way, she manages to secure the hold. She needs to break now to stay in the match and keep alive hopes of an unlikely comeback.
Second set: Ash Barty* 6-1, 5-3 Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Gavrilova pulls out some of the best tennis she’s played today in this 15th game of the match, a clever move to the net setting her on the way to a 40-0 lead. Barty aces twice down the T - her sixth and seventh of the day - to save two break points, but she can’t three-peat and Gavrilova hangs in there with a timely break of serve!
Second set: Ash Barty 6-1, 5-2 Daria Gavrilova* (denotes server) Gavrilova, at 40-30 up, opts to attempt a backhand drop-shot. It falls sadly into the net, and you wonder what she was thinking with that decision. It proves the turning point of this game; Barty’s ruthless from that point on and she breaks again. The world No 1 will now serve for the match.
Second set: Ash Barty* 6-1, 4-2 Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Gavrilova looks to find a winning shot but her forehand lands just the wrong side of the line to Barty’s left. But she doesn’t have a monopoly on wayward shots and Barty gifts Gavrilova two break point chances with one of her own. Barty, though, saves both, the second with a ridiculous whipped Nadal-esque forehand. The top-ranked player here at Melbourne Park goes on to hold. Close but no cigar for Gavrilova this time.
Second set: Ash Barty 6-1, 3-2 Daria Gavrilova* (denotes server) Now Barty pulls out a lob from her deep drawer of shots, successfully so, while Gavrilova struggles to land her big shots. The gap in levels between the two is increasing the further into the match we go, and Barty breaks to take the lead for the first time this set.
Second set: Ash Barty* 6-1, 2-2 Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Barty moves into the net and volleys - we haven’t seen that much so far today - early on in a more straight forward service game for her. She’s still not firing on all cylinders though, and clearly has plenty in reserve.
Second set: Ash Barty 6-1, 1-2 Daria Gavrilova* (denotes server) “C’mon!” shouts Gavrilova after running around a forehand to strike her fifth forehand winner of the day. But the struggles on serve continue for her; Barty capitalises to break back and she’s back in things this set.
Second set: Ash Barty* 6-1, 0-2 Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Barty’s blowing hot and cold on serve at the moment - back-to-back aces should really take her to 1-1 but she makes life difficult for herself with a pair of double faults, the second of which hands Gavrilova a break point. Her first serve is into the net and when the she does get the ball into play, she goes long. Gavrilova breaks at the first time of asking!
Second set: Ash Barty 6-1, 0-1 Daria Gavrilova* (denotes server) Gavrilova has a bit of trouble with her ball toss n in this game, apologising to Barty more than a couple of times after abortive attempts, but she manages to keep her focus and she holds to 15. The importance of that hold may become clear as we move through this second set.
Over on Margaret Court Arena, veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova has taken the second set against Belinda Bencic, the 11th seed.
Not backing down... @SvetlanaK27 stakes her claim, taking the second set over Bencic 6-2. #AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/aDI7QYbnOV
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 11, 2021
First set: Ash Barty* 6-1 Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Gavrilova saves the first of two set points she faces here but Barty aces on the second and that’s that for the first set. The top seed, despite not really having hit her straps fully, claims it after just 27 minutes.
Game face 🔛 @ashbarty flies past Gavrilova 6-1 in 27 minutes 🇦🇺
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 11, 2021
Ash is in some sort of form this #AusOpen 👀#AO2021 pic.twitter.com/Yugzgpoji2
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First set: Ash Barty 5-1 Daria Gavrilova* (denotes server) Barty’s sporting some heavy strapping on her left thigh, by the way, although she seems to be moving freely enough at this stage. And it’s certainly not affecting the scoreboard – the world No 1 breaks again. If there’s any consolation for Gavrilova at this point it’s that she has already surpassed the meagre 10 points managed by Danka Kovinić two days ago in Barty’s opening match.
First set: Ash Barty* 4-1 Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Gavrilova clenches her fist after enjoying a big forehand winner, but she’s wide from a narrow angle at the net on the next point. Nevertheless she forces deuce and then saves game point with a huge, aggressive forehand - encouraging signs, if she can keep her radar in check. But she’s wide again soon after and Barty holds. Rather up-and-down play from both players so far and a pattern to the match has yet to emerge. Still, without setting the arena on fire yet, Barty holds a three-game advantage.
First set: Ash Barty 3-1 Daria Gavrilova* (denotes server) Gavrilova sends down her first ace of the game to level at 30-30 but she then offers Barty another break chance with a ball that lands just out at the baseline. And a double fault sees Barty break for a second time.
First set: Ash Barty* 2-1 Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Barty double faults midway through this game, but she recalibrates and, after a forehand winner played across Gavrilova, she holds for the first time today as Gavrilova fires one wide.
First set: Ash Barty 1-1 Daria Gavrilova* (denotes server) Of course, there’s a completely different vibe on Rod Laver compared to last night’s raucous atmosphere for Nick Kyrgios. It’s all very sedate so far, but that should change as we move forward. Barty breaks back immediately as Gavrilova plays some loose shots of her own. Back on serve in the opener!
First set: Ash Barty* 0-1 Daria Gavrilova (denotes server) Oh dear, not the start the higher-ranked player wanted on her serve. Barty faces three break points after a couple of unforced errors and, despite responding with an ace to pull back to 15-40, another sloppy shot, into the net this time, gifts Gavrilova the opening game.
Barty and Gavrilova (Ash and Dash in case you weren’t aware) are out on court, warming up. Gavrilova is on her way back from injury, but Barty spoke before the match of the challenge she faces today.
“It will be a challenge,” Barty said. “I’ll enjoy it – I always enjoy testing myself against other Aussies.”
OK, we’re good to go. Barty with the ball in hand first. Ready? Play.
It’s not just about Barty today, of course. Up after this one on centre are Stefanos Tsitsipas and Thanasi Kokkinakis in a match-up sure to capture the local imagination (particularly in Melbourne’s Greek community). Then Coco Gauff plays fifth seed Elina Svitolina first up in the night session, followed by Rafael Nadal’s big win over Michael Mmoh. Sofia Kenin and Daniil Medvedev are also in action, along with a host of local hopes, including Alex De Minaur, Sam Stosur and Alexei Popyrin.
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The reason for that rather brief preamble is that I’ve been caught somewhat on the hop, given the speed with which Karolína Plíšková ploughed through the end of the second set against Danielle Collins in the match just finished on Rod Laver Arena. After an evenly-matched first set, the sixth-seeded Czech took just 35 more minutes to complete a 7-5, 6-2 win over her American opponent. She moves into the third round against another Czech Karolína, Karolína Muchová.
Preamble
Hello. Nick Kyrgios has been credited for finally kicking this Australian Open into life, after his rollicking five-set win over Ugo Humbert last night. Today Ash Barty is tasked with keeping that momentum going as the women’s word No 1 faces compatriot Daria Gavrilova on Rod Laver Arena.
The Australian pair are about to hit centre court, so let’s jump straight into it. Do get in touch if you feel the need: mike.hytner@theguardian.com or @mike_hytner.
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