For your reading pleasure:
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That’s us done for for day 1 – join us tomorrow for more fun in the sun (and snow).
So there we go – what a great match to get the evening sessions going. Both these lads are absolute, er ... ballers, and I can’t wait to see how good they get given how good they already are.
Shapovalov says fun matches like this are why he plays, and win or lose it’ll be one he remembers from his career. It’s better not to play five-setters early in the competition, notes that Tomic only played two and bit sets, and notes that he’s no joke – to laughs from the crowd who’ve stayed on. He’s glad to have his mum there with him, apologises for the grey hairs he’s giving her, and advises us that it was her who put a racket in his hands.
That was a terrific match; I’m certain we’ll be using those words to describe confrontations between these two for many more years to come. Sinner looks absolutely bushed, wandering out of the stadium, while Shapovalov is extremely chuffed. He plays Bernard Tomic next, which should be fun too.
Denis Shapovalov beats Jannick Sinner!
Fifth set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 Sinner Great stuff from Sinner, hitting hard from the baseline and inciting Shapovalov to net. But a fine serve out wide to the backhand is too good, again, and then Sinner, given plenty of time to belt a backhand that sits up, is lost in the supermarket and nets. The nerves are jangling for Shapovalov, though, and he runs around a forehand to hit wide and then some ... only to find a disgraceful backhand in the middle of a 25-stroke rally that sets up the rest of the next point and takes him to 40-30. But he can’t force it home, the trusty serve out wide returned well by Sinner and forcing him to leap into a volley that flies wide; deuce. And have a look! A double gives Sinner break-back point at the last! But a decent pick-up saves it, just; Sinner’s response flies over Shapovalov’s shoulder and drops just wide. Next, a service winner which brings a second match point ... and a forehand crashed down the line and on the line seals it!
Fifth set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 5-4 Sinner* Sinner holds to 15, while Shapovalov looks to be gathering himself for one final push.
Fifth set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 5-3 Sinner Shapovalov’s serve is a problem and a boomer then a kicker give him 30-0. Sinner manages a point in retaliation, but serve, forehand, backhand, volley sees the game home. Shapovalov has dominated this decider and Sinner must now serve to stay in the competition.
Fifth set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 4-3 Sinner* Sinner was, we’re told, the best young skier in Italy – I’m not surprised he’s got such ludicrous stamina. He played a final yesterday! And he speeds through a hold to 15, but is running out of opportunities to break back.
Fifth set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 4-2 Sinner Shapovalov’s volleying has been immense today, and he opens this game with another effortless beauty, backing up a serve which is firing just when he needs it to. He quickly wins the next two points too, and though a backhand into the net, and the end of a punishing rally, gives Sinner a sniff – Sinner looks knackered again and with good reason – another volley looks set to seal the game. Except Shapovalov makes it harder than it needs to be and nets, only to mass-murder a leaping backhand cross-court and win the next point! What a shot that is!
Fifth set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 3-2 Sinner* I really enjoy the way Sinner competes – he does not wait to be asked – and he still thinks he can win this, holding to 15 and flexing his fist like he plans to.
Fifth set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 3-1 Sinner Shapovalov bangs a forehand wide but quickly redresses the balance with yet another nails volley. Sinner, though, keeps at it, forcing a terrific get after running down a drop, then flicking it back for a winner. And though Shapovalov draws level again, a forehand error leaves him break-point down. But that swinging lefty serve solves his problem and when Sinner narrowly misses a backhand pass down the line, Shapovalov quickly closes out the game.
Fifth set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 2-1 Sinner* A luscious drop from the baseline gives Shapovalov the advantage, but Sinner isn’t about to toss it, pounding that forehand to win four points in the trot.
Fifth set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 2-0 Sinner This is good from Shapovalov, finding first serves when he needs them to rattle through a consolidation to 15 and suddenly Sinner looks ragged again. Imagine how good our liveblogging’ll be once we’re all getting massages at our desks.
Fifth set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 Sinner* Here we go. Shapovalov gets himself a sniff, fighting to 30-all, but can’t find a return when he needs one, Sinner getting to game-point. But three consecutive backhands from the Canadian – his shoulder seems alright – brings us to deuce, and a bazzing return yanks Sinner back from advantage, then a forehand of similar quality does likewise. Are we going to get a decider with both men playing well? Perhaps so, because two fine forehands peg Sinner back a third time, and this is now A Big Game. which Shapovalov might just pilfer, a backhand onto the baseline forcing break point ... and another measured return drives it home! Five holds and he’s into the next round!
Shapovalov has the trainer out, massaging his left shoulder. I’m going to suggest the Guardian arrange similar for livebloggers.
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Fourth set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6 Sinner A decent return from Sinner puts him in a decent position in the game, and an ankle-biting forehand cements the advantage; 0-15. And look at this! He’s swinging really freely now, crashing that same forehand until Shapovalov can’t take anymore; 0-30. So, when Shapovalov nets a forehand of his own, a decider looks virtually certain ... but a backhand crosscourt flicks the net-cord and drops just out; 15-40. A poor return is then easily despatched, and suddenly it’s running away from Sinner; 3o-40. But then, after opening up the court, Shapovalov nets a forehand, and we’re going to a decider! What a comeback!
Fourth set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-5 Sinner* At 15-0 Shapovalov reckons a serve’s dropped out and has a word with the umpire in that regard, but Hawkeye reckons to the contrary, then 40-15 he clouts a delicious forehand return down the line; is his mojo returning? Not quite yet, a big serve enough from Sinner to secure the game. Shapovalov will now serve to stay in the set.
Fourth set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-4 Sinner At 15-0 Shapovalov sticks a backhand into the top of the net, his purple patch looking spent; now it’s the man in purple profound mauve dictating. Still, fine volley gives him 30-15, only for a return into the laces to bring Sinner back level and another forehand raises break point! But Shapovalov finds a swinging serve, gigantic forehand and clean-up volley, then quickly races through the deuce, clinching the game with another fine volley.
Updated
Fourth set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-4 Sinner* Yep, Sinner is back. He races to 40-15 then chips and charges, allowing Shapovalov to whip a crosscourt forehand ... after which an ace follows. Momentum is with the Italian.
Fourth set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-3 Sinner Sinner stands way back to receive and plays a decent forehand to nudge ahead in the game. And have a look! He finds another, Shapovalov hands him a double, and there are three break points! The first is saved with an eleventh ace, then a backhand return on the stretch flies wide ... but Sinner punishes a forehand that’s too good. He’s alive (take a deep breath)!
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Fourth set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-2 Sinner* There we go! At 30-0, Shapovalov forces Sinner wide, and he bangs a forehand down the line with terrifying prejudice. He’s not gone yet, quickly sealing a hold to 15.
Updated
Fourth set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-1 Sinner I think I’m going to call it profound mauve, in case Dulux are watching. Meantime, Shapovalov will know how crucial this game is, and at 30-15 he sends Sinner scurrying about the baseline, eventually forcing an error after which Sinner bangs his legs as though they’re not working quite as he’d like. And he’s certainly not played as well as he can – as well as he has been doing – and he’s looking increasingly morose out there, made to move about when he’d very much rather not, a point emphasised by the drop-shot which seals the game. The Sinner who played the US Open runs it down quicker, but the Sinner of today is just a fraction slower arriving and flicks his response long.
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Fourth set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-1 Sinner* We’re on serve at the start of set four but Sinner is struggling for consistency and break point down, serves a tired double. On the plus side, he’s wearing a lovely shade of purple, but he needs to find something big to resolve this now.
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Hi everyone and thanks Simon. This is brewing, is this.
Third set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 Sinner Shapovalov holds to love and he’s come back from a set down to lead 2-1. As at the end of the first and second sets, he immediately sprints off the court for a comfort break, but it’s Sinner who’ll be feeling uncomfortable right now, after a set in which he hit just three winners to his opponent’s 13. And with that I’m going to hand over to Daniel Harris, who will take you through the rest of the match. Bye!
Third set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 5-2 Sinner* Shapovalov is really purring at the moment, making very few mistakes nailing some eyecatching shots from all over the court. As I type that he slices a backhand limply into the net on break point, but he follows that with a down-the-line forehand winner of phenomenal power and accuracy to earn another, and this time Sinner hits long. Shapovalov is two breaks up in the third!
Third set: Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 3-2 Sinner* A strange game from Sinner starts with a double fault and continues along those lines, also featuring a missed overhead, until a fluffed forehand ends it. Shapovalov goes a break up in set three!
Third set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3, 1-1 Sinner It’s all going on now: two break points, a pause while Sinner removes some kind of insect from his racket, and to end with a forehand crosscourt passing shot from Sinner that would have been an excellent winner had it not landed a foot wide.
Maxime Cressy has wrapped up victory over Taro Daniel, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4, and he now gets to play the No6 seed, Alex Zverev.
Second set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 6-3 Sinner And that is the equaliser. This is a high-quality match now, purring along at a set all and this could go long.
Second set: Shapovalov 3-6, 5-3 Sinner* A whoop from the Canadian as Sinner’s backhand drifts long and he breaks! There are now only two matches in progress as we move towards 10.30pm in Melbourne, and the other looks like it won’t be ongoing for long: Taro Daniel, a lucky loser, is finding his luck running out against the American qualifier Maxime Cressy, trailing as he currently does 6-7, 6-7, 3-5.
Updated
Novak Djokovic strolls into round two!
Third set: Djokovic* 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 Chardy It’s all over in one hour and 31 minutes, during which Djokovic played at an outrageously high level. He hit 41 winners (to Chardy’s 20), 11 unforced errors (21), nine aces (3), and was basically phenomenal throughout. Then he has a chat on court:
Feels great. Great to see you back in the stadium. It makes my heart full to see a crowd in the stadium again. It’s one of those things we hope is going to pass very soon, these kinds of circumstances are temporary. These are the most people I’ve seen on a tennis court in 12 months. Thankyou so much, I really appreciate your support tonight, because sometimes we take these things for granted but I’m very grateful to see crowds back again.
There’s an ongoing love affair between me and this court. Hopefully I can have many great matches with these kinds of performances.
He’s asked about the frustration he felt in quarantine.
What do you mean, I got frustrated? I’m just really glad we are free, we are playing tennis. I am really glad we are back in Australia. It’s a happy place, that’s all.
Second set: Shapovalov 3-6, 2-2 Sinner* Just a fabulous point here at 30-30, which Shapovalov nearly wins twice and eventually loses when Sinner improvises a stretching backhand pass down the line.
Updated
Third set: Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 4-1 Chardy Another massive game, but this time Novak Djokovic is involved, and he eventually takes his fourth break point, 12 minutes after the game started.
Second set: Shapovalov* 3-6 2-1 Sinner In his two service games this set there have been 24 points and four break points, but Shapovalov has banked two holds.
Second set: Shapovalov* 3-6, 1-0 Sinner A mammoth game to start the second set, which is eventually held by Shapovalov after four break points and four missed game points of his own, with a brilliant forehand down-the-line winner from out wide.
Third set: Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 1-0 Chardy* Chardy celebrates losing the second set by also losing the first service game of the third, to 15. It’s just as well he did OK at the Murray River Open last week (losing to Britain’s Dan Evans in the semi-final), because it would be depressing to come here and quarantine and everything just to get your arse handed to you by Novak Djokovic.
First set: Shapovalov* 3-6 Sinner Shapovalov hit twice as many winners as Sinner in that opening set, and 100% of the four aces, but also more than three times as many unforced errors. If the Canadian can raise his game a notch, we could have a match on our hands here.
The No23 seed, Dusan Lajovic, has secured a spot in the second round, but the 35-year-old Ukrainian qualifier Sergiy Stakhovsky certainly made his life difficult before the world No26 eventually won 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in three hours and 24 minutes. Lajovic has never got past the second round here (or at any other Grand Slam except the French Open, where he was a quarter-finalist in 2019).
Second set: Djokovic* 6-3, 3-0 Chardy It’s more Oliver Hardy than Jeremy Chardy out there, with Djokovic well on top.
Nick Kyrgios storms into round two!
Ferreira Silva 4-6, 4-6, 4-6 Kyrgios* Kyrgios holds to love, finishing the match in style with an ace down the middle. He goes through to play Ugo Humbert, the 22-year-old Frenchman, in round two. “An amazing player, one of the most improved players in the last year,” says Kyrgios. Also from him:
It was special. Obviously very strange here last year. It was amazing to have you guys here, it felt normal to be honest. You guys were going nuts and it was good to see, so hopefully we can continue it. Honestly it was pretty average. I haven’t played a Grand Slam match in over a year and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to produce anywhere near my best tennis. I’m just happy I got through it, honestly.
I think Canberra was actually the best place in the world. I was very fortunate that Covid didn’t effect me or my family. I was able to just spend some time with my family. I used it as a massive reset and I’m just glad to be out here.
Third set: Fereira Silva 4-6, 4-6, 3-5 Kyrgios* At game point, Kyrgios advances to midcourt, gets lucky when Fereira Silva hits his shot down the middle, and nonchalantly improvises a through-the-legs drop-shot winner, before standing, arms outstretched, Cantona-style, milking the applause.
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Meanwhile on Margaret Court, the No11 seed, Denis Shapovalov, has had a poor start against Jannik Sinner, the exciting young Italian. Sinner raced into a 3-0 lead in the opening set, though Shapovalov has just got on the board.
First set: Djokovic* 4-2 Chardy Djokovic and Chardy have played each other 13 times over the years, though only once since 2018 and in the Australian Open not since 2009. In those 13 matches Djokovic has won 30 sets and Chardy none. He has taken Djokovic to a tie break three times, including in 2019, but that’s as good as it’s got for him and there are seven occasions (also including in 2019) when he has only won a single game in a set. Anyway, and to summarise, he’s in trouble.
First set: Djokovic 3-2 Chardy* Djokovic misses one break point with a poor backhand return into the net, then loses the next point with a poor backhand return that floats wide, and a Chardy ace means the Frenchman remains just a single break down.
Third set: Ferreira Silva* 4-6, 4-6, 0-1 Kyrgios An excellent inside-out forehand is way too good for Ferreira Silva, who finds himself two sets and a break down.
Kyrgios has called a physio on court, and is getting some kind of ointment rubbed into his left thigh. Obviously not a significant issue, as he waves a thumbs up at the umpire before getting himself ready for set three.
Second set: Ferreira Silva 4-6, 4-6* Kyrgios winds up a forehand and hits it hard, flat and really not that far away from Ferreira Silva, who makes no attempt to reach it, and Kyrgios has a set point. The Portuguese then fluffs a forehand to go two down.
First set: Djokovic 1-0 Chardy* I fear poor Jeremy Chardy, who turns 34 on Friday, is going to be free to celebrate his birthday without having to worry about competitive tennis. He’s broken to 15 in the opening game against the world No1, who’s not messing about.
Second set: Ferreira Silva 4-6, 3-5 Kyrgios* Kyrgios holds to love, and in the second set he has now done so twice, and held to 15 once. His first serve percentage in this set is a healthy 79% (it’s 77% overall in the match), he’s one 100% of the four points he’s played on second serve, and he has not given his opponent a sniff of a break.
Important fashion update: Here’s news of Serena Williams and her new one-legged catsuit:
Also from Halep, on playing in front of fans:
I was very emotional before the match, I have to admit. It’s always nice to have people around and feel the energy from them. I missed them last year.
Simona Halep eases past Lizette Cabrera!
Cabrera* 2-6, 1-6 Halep It’s over! Lizette Cabrera is defeated but certainly not disgraced, and is loudly applauded from the court. Halep’s next opponent is another Australian, the Croatia-born Ajla Tomljanovic, and this is what she’s got to say about life:
It feels great to be back here in Melbourne. I have great memories and it’s always great co come back. It was really tough to start the tournament after so long and when you play an opponent for the first time it’s always difficult. I want to congratulate her. She’s still young, and has a good future ahead. I tried to watch a little bit of video of her, I tried to do my homework and then come on court and play my tennis.
Second set: Cabrera 2-6, 1-5 Halep* Cabrera wins herself a couple of break points and takes the second of them, and she’s still in the game! Just.
Second set: Cabrera* 2-6, 0-5 Halep Halep breaks to love, and it’s fair to say she too has recovered from her wobble. Kyrgios has meanwhile wrapped up the first set against Silva, 6-4.
Grigor Dimitrov, the world No21 and the No18 seed, has dumped out the former world No3 Marin Cilic on court three, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6.
First set: Silva 3-5 Kyrgios* Kyrgios has managed to right his ship, and is now proceeding relatively calmly, is a break up and generally making Silva look very much the second best player on court.
Second set: Cabrera 2-6, 0-2 Halep* Cabrera has just won her first break point. And then, soon after and with an excellent forehand down the line, her second. She didn’t win either, but small acorns and all that. Halep’s level has certainly dipped, and by way of illustration her first serve win percentage has dropped from 92% in set one to 50%, and while she hit six unforced errors in the entire first set, two games into this one she’s already matched that tally.
First set: Greet Minnen 3-6 Petra Kvitova* At this rate it won’t be so much greet Minnen as farewell Minnen. Or something. Kvitova leads 16-5 on winners at the end of set one (and also 15-10 on unforced errors).
First set: Ferreira Silva* 2-1 Kyrgios A bad start for Kyrgios, who loses his first service game, but a slightly bizarre, enormous Silva service game follows in which the Portuguese seems absolutely determined to surrender every other point as cheaply as possible, and equally determined to win the others at whatever cost. As a result Kyrgios wins and loses eight break points, before Silva hits a forehand wide under little pressure and it’s back on serve.
First set: Cabrera 2-6 Halep* (* denotes most recent server) An ace brings up three set points for Halep, and she only needs one of them as she forces an error from Cabrera, who sends a forehand wide.
First set: Cabrera* 2-5 Halep (* denotes most recent server) Cabrera saves set point, then brings up a game point of her own with an excellent forehand drop shot. She loses that, but wins the next one when Halep nets her return.
First set: Lizette Cabrera* 1-4 Simona Halep (* denotes most recent server) Cabrera wins a game! Riotous applause on court as the Australian gets on the board.
There is one marathon match on court at the moment, between the Czech world No68 Jiri Vesely and the Belgian world No178 Kimmer Coppejans. The Czech is left-handed at 6ft 6in, the Belgian right-handed and 5ft 11in, but they appear pretty closely matched: they have just traded breaks and the score therefore stands at 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 3-6, 3-3 (with Vesely’s tally first).
First set: Lizette Cabrera* 0-3 Simona Halep (* denotes most recent server) The bad news is that Lizette Cabrera has lost three games in the blink of an eye, and that she served two of them. The good news is that she has, as of this last game, won a point.
Similarly Nick Kyrgios has never played his opponent, Frederico Ferreira Silva. The two were born just a couple of weeks apart, but that’s pretty much where the similarities end. Silva’s claim to fame is that he won the junior doubles at the US Open in 2012, when his partner was Britain’s Kyle Edmund.
Simona Halep is on court and warming up against Lizette Cabrera, an Australian 23-year-old who has never won a match in the main draw of a Grand Slam, and has never previously played Halep. It looks the tallest of orders for the world No140.
Hello world! Simon Burnton here, reporting for duty. First order of business: though there are other matches ongoing - most notably the men’s No8 seed, Diego Schwartzman, who is a set up against the Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer on Court Seven - here are the scheduled evening/morning/whatever matches in full:
Rod Laver Arena
Lizette Cabrera (Australia) v 2-Simona Halep (Romania)
1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v Jeremy Chardy (France)
Margaret Court Arena
Greet Minnen (Belgium) v 9-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic)
11-Denis Shapovalov (Canada) v Jannik Sinner (Italy)
John Cain Arena
Frederico Ferreira Silva (Portugal) v Nick Kyrgios (Australia)
A little more in other live action ... Carreno Busta is two sets up against Nishikori after has winning the second-set tie-break, and Dimitrov has won the first set and is up 4-1 in the second against Cilic.
I’ll shortly be handing over to Simon Burnton in London, who will keep you up to speed as Simona Halep plays unseeded Australian Lizette Cabrera, Jeremy Chardy tests his mettle against Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios takes on 184th-ranked Portuguese qualifier Frederico Ferreira Silva, among others.
Australian qualifier Bernard Tomic has also just begun his match against Japan’s Yuichi Sugita.
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And Jonathan Howcroft has some colour from in and around the ground:
More spectators watched the opening day of the Australian Open than did the Super Bowl this morning, with 30,000 in Melbourne Park and only 25,000 at Raymond James stadium in Tampa Bay Health experts are deeming the Open – the biggest event held in Australia since the pandemic began – “as safe as it can be” and said the risk of catching Covid at Melbourne Park is very low.
Here is the full story from Calla Wahlquist:
Andreescu is through to the second round after outlasting a strong fight from Buzărnescu.
It's been a LONG time between matches for the 2019 US Open champ 🏆 - but she's back! 💪
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 8, 2021
Her first match in 1⃣5⃣ months is a win!
WATCH: @9Gem
STREAM: https://t.co/ykPpc0k2wf#9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/DGDA0n90re
Playing her first match in 16 months, Bianca Andreescu hit three winners to save 3 BPs at 3-3 *0-40 in the 3rd and ends up beating Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the #AusOpen R2 vs Hsieh.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 8, 2021
Playing like a big match played that she is in the end.
Welcome back, Bibi. pic.twitter.com/PkhMIdOgfM
Gael Monfils is also feeling the enduring effects of Covid, breaking down during his press conference after his own shock loss to unseeded Finn Emil Ruusuvuori. The world No 10 Frenchman ended up in tears describing his form slump, having not won a match since tennis’ return from the pandemic-enforced hiatus.
“I would like to get out of this nightmare but I can’t,” Monfils said. “I do not feel well.”
Gael Monfils, who lost in 5 to Ruusuvuori: "I would like to get out of this nightmare but I can't."
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) February 8, 2021
(via @QuentinMoynet)pic.twitter.com/BEkzQobMLu
Around the grounds, Pablo Carreño Busta has taken the first set against Kei Nishikori, Mihaela Buzărnescu has claimed the second set against Bianca Andreescu and the pair are neck and neck in the decider, and Grigor Dimitrov has begun his battle with Marin Čilić.
Because it would be remiss to go an entire day with no Covid complaints, Angelique Kerber has sort of but not directly shifted the blame for her upset first-round loss to slumped to a 6-0, 6-4 loss to unseeded American Bernarda Pera onto Melbourne hotel quarantine.
“I don’t know, maybe if I knew that before, to stay two weeks’ in the hard quarantine without hitting a ball, maybe I would think twice [about coming],” the 2016 Australian Open champion said.
“I was not feeling the rhythm that I was before the two weeks, to be honest. I was really trying to stay positive but you feel it, especially if you play the first match in a Grand Slam against an opponent who doesn’t stay in the hard lockdown.
“But I was trying to take the motivation for this tournament because it’s one of my favorite tournaments. I knew that we play with a little bit of fans, which makes tennis playing much more fun. So that was my motivation.”
Here is the story and round-up of today’s play as it stands:
Like Kerber, #24 Alison Riske is another seed who had to do the hard 14-day hotel quarantine and then wasn't able to be competitive in her #AusOpen first round match.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) February 8, 2021
Riske falls 6-2, 6-1 to #101 Potapova.
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Alexander Zverev beats Marcos Giron 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-2
It’s crunch time at 30-40 and the American has faulted. His second serve is good but the return is better. That’s it. Rather emphatic in the end from a player who moves into the second round and will aim for one better than last year’s semi-final.
Fourth set: Alexander Zverev* 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 5-2 Marcos Giron (* denotes server) Wow, some forehand from Giron. Cool, calm and collected, he’s on the front foot as Zverev wallops one across court and he sends his response straight and deep. If that point was composed, an ensuing one was not so much as Zverev serve-volleys and forces another lob. His 16th ace of the match puts him in the box seat and a mistake from his counterpart makes it official. Zverev will serve
Fourth set: Alexander Zverev* 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 4-1 Marcos Giron (* denotes server) Not much in this game, really. A business-like exercise of ace, error, winner, ace. Done and dusted.
Fourth set: Alexander Zverev 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 3-1 Marcos Giron* (* denotes server) Zverev is receiving and is not rushing matters. He could go on one shot from Giron, and a second, but he waits patiently until Giron makes the error. A battle of attrition, if you will. This game is full of unforced errors from both players, and Zverev has a second break point. Another long rally ensues, with both eager to gain the upper hand until Giron is forced to dart back and forth and eventually outdone by some heavy top spin which forces a lob that sails to into the sky.
Fourth set: Alexander Zverev* 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 2-1 Marcos Giron (* denotes server) I’d barely finished typing that previous update when Zverev raced to 30-0, forcing play to Giron’s backhand twice in quick succession and eliciting two forced errors. Two aces later he has held to love.
Fourth set: Alexander Zverev 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 1-1 Marcos Giron* (* denotes server) Giron, on the other hand, is in a battle with his ball toss, and is forced to rely on his second serve, which plays to Zverev’s strengths perfectly. And my my, how about that backhand. Enchant us, oh tall one sporting the yellow bandana. Bewitch us. Giron won’t let this one get away, though, and he claims the advantage via an unforced error from his opponent before serving the game away with an ace, the first serve rediscovered in a time of need.
Fourth set: Alexander Zverev* 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 1-0 Marcos Giron (*denotes server) Zverev stutters a little but that big serve of his is making up for it. Two aces in a tight game put him ahead.
Third set: Alexander Zverev 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 Marcos Giron* (* denotes server) I’m going to apparate to Margaret Court Arena, where world No 7 Alexander Zverev is engaged in some tense on-court dealings with 73-ranked American Marcos Giron. The German was beaten to the first set via a tie-break, before returning the favour in the second. Giron has tightened up his game by the looks, but double faults are becoming an issue, and this is ultimately what gifts Zverev the third set.
In case you missed it, here is one of the more enthralling rallies of that match:
"How did Thiem win this point?!" 😱
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 8, 2021
Dominic Thiem gets the crowd up and about after winning a superb rally!
WATCH: @9Gem
STREAM: https://t.co/ykPpc0k2wf#9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/n7VCrFY3PV
Dominic Thiem beats Mikhail Kukushkin 7-6, 6-2, 6-3
Kukushkin, serving to stay in the tournament, falls at the final hurdle to love. And that’s all she wrote. But what a hard-working performance from the world No 90 from Kazakhstan. This was not the walkover it should have been on paper.
Third set: Dominic Thiem* 7-6, 6-2, 5-3 Mikhail Kukushkin (* denotes server) You have to give it to Kukushkin. Even as the match slips from his grasp, he continues to play. Even as he is overpowered by Thiem’s sheer baseline strength, he bravely pushes on. At 40-15, it’s another unforced error that lets him down.
Third set: Dominic Thiem 7-6, 6-2, 4-3 Mikhail Kukushkin* (* denotes server) It’s 30-15 and Kukushkin is holding court (quite literally) in the middle, making the Austrian run this way and that and forcing him into an unforced error – his fourth of the match (Kukushkin has seven). Now he has eight, for the pair have clawed their way to advantage Kukushkin and, in response to Thiem’s backhand slice that appears sure to land wide but does not, he misjudges his response. Comeback quashed. Or not? He has an other ad and this time his forehand is on point. Still in it.
Third set: Dominic Thiem* 7-6, 6-2, 4-2 Mikhail Kukushkin (* denotes server) Thiem steams ahead to 40-0 before a fantastic backhand gives him no hope. Can Kukushkin claw back for a break of his own? The short, promptly issued answer is no, for he has hit the ball into the net. He is clearly not happy, muttering to himself, cursing his racket and engaging in some close-quarter string clicking.
Third set: Dominic Thiem 7-6, 6-2, 3-2 Mikhail Kukushkin* (* denotes server) The Kazakh is more business like on serve, though, winning two points off his own bat and benefiting from two unforced errors to clinch the game to love.
Updated
Third set: Dominic Thiem* 7-6, 6-2, 3-1 Mikhail Kukushkin (* denotes server) That was simple enough. Thiem is on the ascension now, asking all sorts of difficult questions to which Kukushkin has few answers. The latter is probably wondering why he couldn’t return that forehand winner, and how the errors continue to climb. While Thiem is on serve he has little chance, according to the stats at least – he has won only 9% of receiving points while Thiem has won 41%.
Third set: Dominic Thiem 7-6, 6-2, 2-1 Mikhail Kukushkin* (* denotes server) Kukushkin, down 0-30, engages his opponent in some crosscourt stroke play of depth and disconcertingly powerful top spin. He forces Thiem into an error and snatches back a point. 15-30. 15-40. 30-40. Deuce. And we are into another see-sawing sub-contest within the main contest. Thiem takes the advantage as he watches a shot from the other end hit the net, then loses the next point to a backhand winner. He makes good on his fifth break point for what could be another pivotal break.
Updated
Third set: Dominic Thiem* 7-6, 6-2, 1-1 Mikhail Kukushkin (* denotes server) To the contrary, Thiem claims his service game to love.
Updated
Third set: Dominic Thiem 7-6, 6-2, 0-1 Mikhail Kukushkin* (* denotes server) Kukushkin is unwilling to start this set on the back foot and takes this game, but only after Thiem has pushed him to 40-30, before the Austrian cedes via a backhand error.
Around the grounds, and in some good news for Australia, Ajla Tomljanović is through to the second round after beating Japan’s Misaki Doi 6-2 6-1 in 75 minutes on John Cain Arena. The 27-year-old has never made it past the second round of the Australian Open so has a chance to go further here.
Second set: Dominic Thiem* 7-6, 6-2 Mikhail Kukushkin (* denotes server) Thiem is serving for the second set now, and there is an understated swagger in his follow throughs. Free, but without sacrificing accuracy. It’s 30-15. Kukushkin makes a poor choice of shot down the tramlines straight to Thiem’s forehand and he duly obliges. 40-15. Thiem serves, Kukushkin hits his return into the net. That is game and set, and this match has a feeling of inevitability now.
Second set: Dominic Thiem 7-6, 5-2 Mikhail Kukushkin* (* denotes server) For good measure, he wins Kukushkin’s service game to love too. It has now been 10 points since Thiem has lost a point.
Second set: Dominic Thiem* 7-6, 4-2 Mikhail Kukushkin (* denotes server) Thiem has loosened up now and this is getting easier by the rally as he wins his service game to love.
Second set: Dominic Thiem 7-6, 3-2 Mikhail Kukushkin* (* denotes server) Well well well. Don’t go overboard, exlaims Kukushkin (we imagine). I’ve got some for you too. It’s 40-0 but there is that drop shot and it hasn’t worked again, which is good for Thiem, because he utilises this momentum shift for an almight fightback. Another break here would be crucial. And what a rally! A serve-volley approach forces Thiem to run and slide to his right before abruptly changing direction to run down a reflex volley to his left. The athleticism is something to savour. Thiem has stuck out his arm, lifted the guillotine and is in a wrestle to throw his executioner on there instead. Advantage Thiem. Deuce. Advantage Kukushkin. Deuce. Advantage Thiem. Deuce. Advantage Thiem. Deuce. Theim has a third break point but he slugs the ball into the top of the net. Deuce. Kukushkin is not landing all of his first serves and is let down here by that followed by an unforced error. Advantage Thiem. This time he converts, wearing his man down, outlasting him in this rally and in this game, just as he did in the last set.
Second set: Dominic Thiem* 7-6, 2-2 Mikhail Kukushkin (* denotes server) And we’re back on level terms, easy as you like. 15-0. 15-15. 30-15. 40-15. Game.
Second set: Dominic Thiem* 7-6, 1-2 Mikhail Kukushkin (* denotes next server) Thiem’s pride has clearly taken a hit at being broken and he’s taking it out on the ball here and, indirectly, the server up the other end. Before even he knows it it’s 15-40 he’s got two break points in the bank. Not that he needs them. He forces a forehand error and is back on serve and feeling comfortable.
Second set: Dominic Thiem 7-6, 0-2 Mikhail Kukushkin* (* denotes next server) This game is a cross-court battle, a swiping and slicing rally that culminates in one deep from Thiem that looks like it juuuuust might sneak inside the baseline but doesn’t quite. Kukushkin is holding his own though and he makes the world No 3 run wide to a cracker of a forehand. He gets it back, does Thiem, and somehow finds reaches to return another bullet only for the ball to drop wide. 30-40. Kukushkin senses blood and has Thiem running, running, returning balls he should not be returning. There’s a sharp turn of foot and Thiem makes Kukushkin reach. He opts for across court, and his combatant calmly, brutally dips to lift the ball straight to Kukushkin’s backhand, which slumps into the net. Suddenly it’s advantage Kukushkin and finally that drop shot works for him. This could be an interesting set.
Second set: Dominic Thiem* 7-6, 2-1 Mikhail Kukushkin (* denotes next server) Kukushkin has tried three drop shots in one game. We hadn’t seen many of those throughout the first set. Perhaps a stab at variety, an attempt to knock his opponent off balance, to fight back after having pushed so hard only to come up short in a tie-break. It’s 30-40 now and he slaps the ball into the net.
Updated
Afternoon all and thanks Mike. We’re awaiting play to resume on Rod Laver Arena. Well, to be specific, awaiting the return of Kukushkin, who has still not materialised. Thiem is jumping around and on his feet in readiness to resume. Ah, and here he is. Change of shirt?
First set: Dominic Thiem 7-6 Mikhail Kukushkin* (* denotes next server) Thiem, last year’s runner up in Melbourne and expected to go deep again in this tournament, isn’t having everything his own way over on Rod Laver Arena. The reigning US Open champion, pushed all the way to a tie-breaker to decide the first set, has just wrapped it up 7-2. But that was a slog for the world No 3.
Let’s go around the grounds before we settle in and follow Dominic Thiem v Mikhail Kukushkin.
Teenage French Open champion Iga Swiatek was in a hurry in a 6-1, 6-3 win over Arantxa Rus. The 19-year-old will next face Camila Giorgi after the Italian’s 6-3, 6-3 win win over Yaroslava Shvedova.
In the men’s draw, Gael Monfils’ Australian Open is over already after the Frenchman fell to Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in a five setter on Court 13.
Corentin Moutet beats John Millman 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
An unforced Millman error brings up triple match point for the Frenchman and he makes no mistake! He’s through to his first grand slam second round with a tremendous, never-say-die performance. The crowd are silenced – they were in that one with Millman.
Updated
Fifth set: Corentin Moutet 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, 5-3 John Millman* (* denotes next server) Well look at this, Moutet is closing out this match brilliantly. He has threatened to lose his composure, but it’s coming together nicely for him when it counts.
Updated
Fifth set: Corentin Moutet* 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, 4-3 John Millman (* denotes next server) Moutet forces a break point opportunity and he plays it brilliantly, the Frenchman! He lobs a few high balls back to Millman to deal with, and the Australian eventually hits the net. That was unorthodox, and perhaps threw Millman. If Moutet can consolidate that break now, he’ll have one foot in the second round.
Fifth set: Corentin Moutet 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, 3-3 John Millman* (* denotes next server) Moutet’s certainly a character – he hangs on here to pull level again but he’s also arguing with the crowd and displaying all manner of quirky behaviour.
Meanwhile, on Margaret Court Arena, sixth seeded Alex Zverev is about to begin his Australian Open campaign against the American, Marcos Giron.
Fifth set: Corentin Moutet* 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, 2-3 John Millman (* denotes next server) We’re still on serve as an airborne forehand doesn’t work for Moutet this time. He hits the net and Millman noses ahead once again. The clock has ticked over three and a half hours and it’ll continue to tick as Moutet gets embroiled in a “discussion” with somebody in the crowd. I think he was upset by someone disturbing his concentration before he serves.
Over on Rod Laver, Dominic Thiem also has his nose ahead, a break up and 4-2 ahead against Mikhail Kukushkin.
Updated
Fifth set: Corentin Moutet 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, 2-2 John Millman* (* denotes next server) Moutet pulls a Hewitt-style “c’mon” as he holds again. The crowd are certainly into this one, proving players like Nick Kyrgios who thrive of the atmosphere at Melbourne Park, should be able to, despite the restrictions this year. Kyrgios is up later this evening on John Cain Arena, by the way.
Meanwhile, we have the first big upset of this year’s Open, as Angie Kerber falls at the first to Bernarda Pera, 6-0, 6-4.
Fifth set: Corentin Moutet* 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, 1-2 John Millman (* denotes next server) Fantastic recovery from the headbanded Moutet, who pulls back to deuce from 0-40 down. Millman responds with an overhead the crowd clearly enjoys before he forces Moutet into an error with a decisive move to the net. The Australian edges ahead as we approach crunch time.
Fifth set: Corentin Moutet 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, 1-1 John Millman* (* denotes next server) There’s a hint of Kyrgios about some of Moutet’s shot-making. He executes one of those running, jumping forehands at the pointy end of this game, to good effect. The Frenchman holds.
Fifth set: Corentin Moutet* 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2, 0-1 John Millman (* denotes next server) Millman is pushed hard for this one as the resurgent Frenchman seeks to capitalise on some momentum after taking the fourth set. But the Australian gets there in the end, after Moutet shows his clear frustration after he hits the net on a regulation backhand at last of a few deuces. Millman finishes him off after moving to the net on game point.
Fourth set: Corentin Moutet 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2 John Millman* (* denotes next server) Et voilà. Millman returns into the net on set point and we’re heading into a decider.
Fourth set: Corentin Moutet* 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 5-2 John Millman (* denotes next server) The Channel Nine commentators have just branded Moutet “feisty” as the Frenchman breaks to move to within a game of sending this match to a deciding fifth set. This is shaping as an early classic.
Australia’s Millman has fought back to take a 2-1 lead after claiming the third set 6-3 against Corentin Moutet, the Frenchman. But Moutet leads 4-2 in the fourth...
OK, perhaps it’s time to turn attention to the men’s draw for the next little while. Dominic Thiem, the third seed, is out on Rod Laver Arena and about to start his opener against Mikhail Kukushkin. More on that in due course. But first let’s check in with John Millman on Court 3....
Nina Stojanović of Serbia lies in wait for Williams next, after she opened with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Irina Begu of Romania.
In the men’s draw, Stan Wawrinka has won through in straight sets against Pedro Sousa; Reilly Opelka likewise against Lu Yen-hsun and so too Adrian Mannarino of France against the other Novak - Denis Novak of Austria.
Here’s Serena: “This is a good start. Definitely vintage Rena. I’m pretty good at pacing myself in a grand slam.
“This is amazing. Last year was very crazy for the world. To do what I love and be able to come out here and compete at a grand slam makes me appreciate it even more.”
Williams then looks to end the interview early, so she can go and catch up on the Super Bowl.
Serena Williams beats Laura Siegemund 6-1, 6-1
Williams takes just 55 minutes to seal victory and secure a place in the second round. After that opening game blip, there was simply nothing stopping her.
Updated
Second set: Laura Siegemund* 1-6, 1-5 Serena Williams (* denotes next server) Blink (or take a mouthful of sushi, in my case) and you’ll miss it. No messing around with the ball in her hand this time, and Williams serves to love. The American’s just one break away from the second round.
Second set: Laura Siegemund 1-6, 1-4 Serena Williams* (* denotes next server) Yes! Siegemund stops the run of lost games as she hits a winner to get on the scoreboard this set! The signs were there - the game started well for the German, when a glorious dropshot has Williams chasing into the net, but not getting there quickly enough. Serena then reminds her who is boss with an unstoppable crosscourt forehand return the next point, but it’s Siegemund who finally gets some reward for her efforts.
Second set: Laura Siegemund* 1-6, 0-4 Serena Williams (* denotes next server) It’s just not coming off for Siegemund. She’s trying to take it to Williams, attacking a few second serves, but to no avail. Williams finishes this game off with an ace and with around three-quarters of an hour on the clock, we’re potentially two games away from a result.
Second set: Laura Siegemund 1-6, 0-3 Serena Williams* (* denotes next server) Nine. Siegemund simply has no answer to Williams at this point. This could be over shortly.
Second set: Laura Siegemund* 1-6, 0-2 Serena Williams (* denotes next server) Make that eight consecutive games. Needless to say, Siegemund is struggling. She needs something from this next service game if she isn’t to rapidly disappear without a trace. Obviously, that’s easier said than done against Williams, who is warming up nicely.
Second set: Laura Siegemund 1-6, 0-1 Serena Williams* (* denotes next server) Williams continues where she left off in the opening game of the second set - she breaks once again and has now won seven games on the trot.
Elsewhere, Milos Raonic has become the first man to progress to the second round, beating Federico Coria 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. But there is trouble afoot for Angie Kerber, the German three-time grand slam winner. She’s gone down 6-0 in the first set against Bernarda Pera and has it all to do on Margaret Court Arena!
First set: Laura Siegemund* 1-6 Serena Williams (* denotes next server) Williams snaffles her sixth game on the bounce, following what is increasingly seeming like an aberration in that opening game, to secure the first set without too much fuss. She grew into her game as that set went on, and it would take a brave person to bet against her joining her sister in round two from this point.
Apologies, I may have used the wrong terminology for Serena’s outfit earlier. It’s a catsuit, according to Judy Murray.
Serena rocking the one-legged catsuit @AustralianOpen 👑❤️#girlpower 📷 @GettyImages pic.twitter.com/qj9h3E2ZX5
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) February 8, 2021
First set: Laura Siegemund 1-5 Serena Williams* (* denotes next server) Siegemund lets out a cry of frustration as she makes another unforced error midway through this game, and it’s going to be difficult for her now. Williams breaks again and will now serve for the first set.
First set: Laura Siegemund* 1-4 Serena Williams (* denotes next server) Serena’s beginning to click with ball in hand. She serves to love. And probably loves to serve too.
John Millman is involved in what is shaping to be a bit of a ding-dong against Corentina Moutet of France over on Court 3. The Australian has won the second set on a tie-breaker and trails 2-1 in the third.
First set: Laura Siegemund 1-3 Serena Williams* (* denotes next server) Here we go then. Serena is opening up a bit more now, and landing (most of) her shots. The American breaks for the second time today, and Siegemund is yet to hold so far.
First set: Laura Siegemund* 1-2 Serena Williams (* denotes next server) We have sun at Melbourne Park! The court lights up as the sun peaks through the clouds and Williams secures her first service game of the match. She’s warming up slowly.
First set: Laura Siegemund 1-1 Serena Williams* (* denotes next server) A brief word on Serena’s outfit today - a one-legged, pink, red and black body suit with blue trim and a matching headband. Sensational. She wins the fashion stakes hands down. And she wins this game too, breaking back to get things back on serve immediately. It wasn’t an easy hold for the American though, not by any stretch, and she’s still looking to hit her strides.
First set: Laura Siegemund* 1-0 Serena Williams (* denotes next server) A rather inauspicious start for Serena, who starts with a double fault and never really recovers. Siegemund’s eyes light up and she takes full advantage, breaking at the first time of asking with a cracking forehand effort. Excellent opening game for the German!
Venus has thrown down the gauntlet to her sister Serena - she’s through to the second round after a rather more comfortable second set against Flipkens.
Vintage @Venuseswilliams ✨
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 8, 2021
The American advances through to the second round with a 7-5 6-2 win over Flipkens.#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/11WKTtBFdQ
Not every player is glued to the tennis today.
Play it again Tom ✌️@TomBrady https://t.co/MLePuTfzfk
— Feliciano López (@feliciano_lopez) February 8, 2021
On her record-equalling grand slam tilt at this year’s Open, Serena has said it is very much on her mind, but not a weight on her shoulders. “It’s definitely on my shoulders and on my mind and it’s good to be on my mind,” Williams said before the tournament began. “It’s a different burden, I should say, on my shoulders because I’m used to it now and it’s more relaxing.”
After a lengthy pep talk from the umpire - including details on exactly where the shot clocks are located on court - Serena wins the toss and opts to serve first. The players head out for a warm-up.
In the women’s draw, Venus Williams is two games away from a place in the second round - the American leads Kirsten Flipkins 7-5, 4-2 on Margaret Court Arena. And her sister, Serena, has just taken to Rod Laver Arena for her match with Laura Siegemund. Serena, of course, is chasing a 24th grand slam title. And we’ll focus on her opener for the next little while.
OK, time to go around the grounds and check in on the other big matches.
As mentioned, Stan Wawrinka is on John Cain Arena and on top in his match against Pedro Sousa. The Swiss is leading 4-1. Milos Raonic, the big-serving Canadian is two sets to the good against Federico Coria - younger brother of Guillermo - and a game up in the third. Home hope John Millman is in a fight on Court 3 against the Frenchman Corentin Moutet - he’s 5-4 ahead in the second, having lost the first.
Crowd favourite 10th seed Gael Monfils has just dropped the second set as Emil Ruusuvuori levelled things up at 1-1 while Reilly Opelka, he who has endeared himself to the Australian public with claims of not having been made welcome, is on his way to staying a bit longer, having just won a second-set tie-break to go 2-0 up against Lu Yen-hsun of Taiwan.
Updated
Here’s Naomi Osaka, being interviewed on court: “I was really nervous coming into this match and knew it was going to be tough. I’m just really happy to see people in the stands. It’s been really lonely in New York.
“I feel like everyone’s body has been shocked, coming [to Australia] and playing matches.”
Updated
Naomi Osaka beats Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 6-2
Lovely stuff from Pavlyuchenkova as she steps in and unleashes a blistering backhand back past Osaka! The Russian’s going down swinging at least. But when Osaka’s serve sends her well wide a few points later, she’s facing match point. And that is that, Pavlyuckenkova is long and Osaka eases into the second round!
Updated
Second set: Naomi Osaka* 6-1, 5-2 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (* denotes next server) “Come on!” shouts Osaka as she edges ahead at 30-15 with a backhand winner. You sense she wants to wrap this one up inside the next two games. And she’s well on course to do so – the 2019 champion will now serve for the match.
Second set: Naomi Osaka 6-1, 4-2 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (* denotes next server) Some encouraging signs from Pavlyuchenkova again this game, as she applies a bit more pressure on Osaka, forcing her to deuce. A blistering forehand from the Russian denies Osaka on game point but that’s as far as she can get. Osaka holds and Pavlyuchenkova really must hold her own serve now if she’s to stand any remote chance of staying in this match.
Over on John Cain Arena, Stan Wawrinka is up and running against Pedro Sousa of Portugal and has taken the opening game.
.@stanwawrinka is thinking about the kids 😊#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/ECNb9fJ8TK
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 8, 2021
Second set: Naomi Osaka* 6-1, 3-2 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (* denotes next server) Pavlyuchenkova keeps alive with what is arguably her most straightforward service game of the day. That is exactly what she needed at this point of the match – you feel that if she was broken again, it could have been curtains.
Over on Margaret Court Arena, Venus Williams has taken a hard-fought first set against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium, 7-5. Venus’s sister, Serena, is up next on Rod Laver.
Second set: Naomi Osaka 6-1, 3-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (* denotes next server) Is that… a left-handed shot from the right-handed Pavlyuchenkova? It is! It doesn’t come off though, and Osaka races to another love-service game.
Second set: Naomi Osaka* 6-1, 2-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (* denotes next server) Oof, a glorious forehand down the line from Osaka leaves Pavlyuchenkova with no hope of getting it back, and two points later the Japanese delivers another high-class shot, this time a backhand on the other side of the court, to break again! Wonderful tennis from Osaka. She’s threatening to race away with this one now.
Second set: Naomi Osaka 6-1, 1-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (* denotes next server) A quickfire service game from Osaka now. She wastes no time on her way to winning it to love. Back to you, Anastasia.
Second set: Naomi Osaka* 6-1, 0-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (* denotes next server) Pavlyuchenkova gives a strong hint of recovery, going 40-0 up in the first game of the second set, but some sloppy shotmaking allows Osaka to get back to deuce. The sloppiness doesn’t end there and a double fault threatens to help Osaka to another break, but Pavlyuchenkova holds her nerve to hold. Another held service game for the Russian, but again it wasn’t straightforward.
Over on Court 3, Australia’s John Millman has dropped the first set to Corentin Moutet of France, 6-4.
First set: Naomi Osaka 6-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (* denotes next server) It takes Osaka 33 minutes to wrap up the first set, and she looks in complete control of this match. It’s hard to see any weaknesses in her game so far, despite how much Pavlyuchenkova tries to examine her. What can the Russian produce in the second?
First set: Naomi Osaka* 5-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (* denotes next server) A double fault at 30-30 does Pavlychenkova no favours at all here. That’s a shame, you don’t want to give Osaka a freebie like that. Osaka duly works her opponent around the court with apparent ease to break back. The third seed will now serve for the first set.
First set: Naomi Osaka 4-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (* denotes next server) But here is a chance for the Russian – she digs deep and brings up two break points. The first one goes begging but she’s successful on the second thanks to an unforced Osaka error! Pavlyuchenkova is on the board, although it might be too late to salvage anything from the opening set. Let’s see what she can take from this game.
First set: Naomi Osaka* 4-0 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (* denotes next server) Oh dear. Pavlyuchenkova gives everything she has in this game, including a delightful, inch-perfect drop shot seems to give her some confidence, but still Osaka breaks, on her third break point in what is by far the longest game of the match so far. And that’s the problem for players like Pavlyuchenkova who face opponents of the quality of Osaka - it’s a long hard slog to get anything out of them when they’re on form. And Osaka is showing some good form at the moment.
First set: Naomi Osaka 3-0 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova* (* denotes next server) Osaka races to 40-0 before a long forehand blots an otherwise perfect copybook this game. She seals it without further ado and it’s looking very comfortable for the three-time grand slam champion.
First set: Naomi Osaka* 2-0 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (* denotes next server) No sign of that niggling injury so far as Osaka breaks for the first time today. The Japanese shows her class with a wonderful forehand winner before she levels things up at 30-30, but she then returns into the net to give Pavlyuchenkova game point. The Russian fails to capitalise though, and it proves a costly miss as a backhand winner then paves the way for Osaka to open up a two-game advantage.
First set: Naomi Osaka* 1-0 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (* denotes next server) Osaka looks confident in her opening service game, erring just twice with one wayward serve to kick things off and then a long forehand at 40-0 up. In between, she wrongfoots Pavlyuchenkova and strikes a couple of nice forehand winners. Good start for the No 3 seed.
Righty- ho, here we go. “First set. Naomi Osaka to serve. Ready? Play.”
Updated
It would be remiss of me to ignore the other grand sporting occasion currently in play, over in the US – it’s Super Bowl Sunday over there of course. My colleague Tom Lutz is manning the liveblog for that one, if gridiron is your thing:
To the tennis! Osaka and Pavlyuchenkova have taken to the Rod Laver Arena court and are warming up. Won’t be too much longer. “Three minutes,” is the call from the chair umpire.
Updated
The general vibe from Melbourne Park seems to be one of gratitude on the part of those lucky enough to be there. Not long until the actual tennis starts now – the clock has just tick over to 11am local time.
@mike_hytner Plenty of free seats Court 3 but good atmosphere generally. No complaints with organisation. Great to be here! pic.twitter.com/V3G6FMn119
— Stuart Turner (@stulatics) February 7, 2021
@MatildaBoseley nobody’s put a mask on the excellent @rodlaver statue yet. Melbourne, what’s wrong with you!? #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/uhb1cr8UEq
— Jonathan Howcroft (@JPHowcroft) February 7, 2021
In the men’s draw, needless to say Nick Kyrgios has been grabbing his fair share of headlines already. The Australian plays later today, wrapping up the day’s play on John Cain Arena against Frederico Ferreira Silva, not before 7pm AEDT, when he’ll have a chance to let his tennis do the talking.
The latest in his spat with Novak Djokovic? The Serbian world No 1 “doesn’t have much respect for him” off the court. That follows, of course, Kyrgios branding Djokovic “a tool” for his views on players’ rights in hotel quarantine (and a whole bunch of stuff preceding that).
Naomi Osaka, seeded three and this year’s favourite to add to her 2019 Australian Open crown, gets things under way this morning against the Russian, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
It’s likely to be an early test for the reigning US Open champion, given the quality of her opponent – ranked 39 and a quarter-finalist in all four grand slams – and a niggling shoulder injury Osaka is carrying that forced her out of the Gippsland Trophy semi-final on Saturday.
Jonathan Howcroft wrote over the weekend on the strength of the women’s draw, and had this to say on Osaka:
The Japanese star offers the strongest all-round package – technically, athletically, and mentally – reflected in her triumphing in three of the past eight slams, including most recently at Flushing Meadows. But off-court she does not subscribe to the cookie-cutter expectations of high performance athletes. She is introverted, which can come across as coy. She thinks deeply about how she communicates and often treats mundane press conferences as reflective therapy. She is increasingly finding her voice, evidenced most clearly by her powerful support for the Black Lives Matter movement during her US Open triumph. She accomplished a rare feat of drawing attention to a matter of significance and engaging with it fearlessly, all while avoiding gimmickry.
First evidence of a “slam like no other” from our man on the ground at Melbourne Park today, Jonathan Howcroft.
@MatildaBoseley the gates are open for the #AusOpen. Not a mad rush this year. People I spoke to were unconcerned about Covid risk or extra security precautions. pic.twitter.com/laYl9XaY7f
— Jonathan Howcroft (@JPHowcroft) February 7, 2021
Weather update. This time last year (well, a bit over a year ago, given the delay to the start of this year’s tournament), before Covid was a global concern, all talk was of the catastrophic bush fires raging throughout Australia. Qualifying for the Open had been affected by the poor air quality and there were even suggestions of cancelling the grand slam. Twelve months on, thankfully there are not the same concerns in Victoria (although sadly there are in Western Australia); air quality rates as “moderate” in Melbourne today. The weather too could be classed as moderate – it’s 17C and cloudy and for now at least there’s no need to have a conversation about players wilting in extreme heat.
Preamble
Here we are then. In the midst of a global pandemic, the first tennis grand slam of the year is about to get under way at Melbourne Park, with some fans in attendance, and with some vague semblance of normality. Incredible really, and a testament to how well Australia has handled Covid-19 so far.
Things won’t be exactly how they usually are, of course, and the buildup to the tournament has been anything but normal – “prison-like conditions” in hotel quarantine, whingeing players, Covid scares, a cancelled day of a full day of tennis, and a lack of proper preparation time for many players have seen to that. Then there’s the distinct absence of a level playing field, given the events of the past year – and recent weeks. Quite how that will impact the tournament remains to be seen.
We’ll get an initial idea soon enough; play on day one begins at 11am AEDT, as world No 3 Naomi Osaka takes to Rod Laver Arena to take on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova first up. Serena Williams follows against Germany’s Laura Siegemund before Dominic Thiem gets his campaign under way. And there’s plenty of other interest elsewhere, with the likes of Stan Wawrinka, Alex Zverev and Bianca Andreescu also hitting the court during a busy day session.
It’s a long day ahead. Do get in touch via email or of Twitter (@mike_hytner), if you have anything on your mind. Otherwise, let’s crack on.
