So that’s day seven in the books. Join us again in not that long at all, for a belter of a day eight!
Djokovic says he’s felt better, and the last ball he hit before the match was the final ball of his previous match. But it’s a slam, and at this stage of his career that means everything - any other tournament, he probably wouldn’t be playing. Against Fritz in that last match, the biggest struggle he found was returning because of the reaction speed necessary, but he was ok today, saying the short points suited him and that he was solid at the big moments. He’s on very strong painkillers so doesn’t know the damage he’s done but does know that he’s now doing more damage, being an aggressive player who slides a lot. He’s not expecting to be asleep much before 4.30 and is just focused on his recovery.
Djokovic is just so good at playing the big points – actually strike that, at playing the big games. You knew he’d find a break at some point in that fourth set, and that he’d serve out. The matches get harder from here, but the draw isn’t bad for him – Zverev next, then Dimitrov or Karatsev, which it to say he only needs to be one of Tsitsipas, Nadal and Medvedev to bring it home. As Ryan Giggs would say, he’d’ve took it.
Novak Djokovic beats Milos Raonic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 6-4!
*Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 6-4 Raonic Brilliant from Raonic, taking command of the rally before finishing it with a deep backhand to the corner ... except Djokovic runs it down and sends a sensational forehand pass down the line, on the slide, performing the splits! That is rrrridiculous. But Raonic fights back to win the next point ... only for Djokovic to slide into another superb forehand that’s too good. Raonic then swipes a backhand wide, crying out in pain as Djokovic prepares for match point ... and serves wide to the forehand, too accurately for Raonic to return! He’s played really really well these last two sets and meets Zverev next.
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Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 5-4 Raonic* Eesh! Raonic forces Djokovic to stretch with a big forehand to the corner ... then crashes a simple put-away volley into the net! And Djokovic being Djokovic, he then blocks back a gorgeous return that breaks the sideline before a succession of impossible returns sees Raonic net. Three break points, and are we close to the end? Well, a huge serve saves the the first ... and the second ... but not the third! After missing with his first delivery, Raonic nets a backhand, and after they’ve had a rest Djokovic will serve for the match!
*Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 4-4 Raonic A floaty cross-court backhand which drops wide hands Raonic 30-all, so Djokovic simply splatters down two nifty first serves to increase the pressure.
Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 3-4 Raonic* Or not! He turns it up to make 0-30 ... but Raonic sets up the next point with a big serve to clinch it with two big forehands, then clatters an ace out wide. A service winner follows, but a forehand into the net follows that, so we’re on deuce. If Djokovic can rustle up a break here we’re probably looking at the end and he creates an opportunity for advantage only to net a forehand and Raonic quickly cleans up.
*Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 3-3 Raonic Raonic plays a really good point at 30-15, but you need to play so many great shots to get rid of Djokovic and eventually a forehand goes into the net. Shortly afterwards, another quick game is over, and I daresay we’re getting a breaker here (or a Djokovic break at the last).
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Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 2-3 Raonic* Raonic hammers down his 25th ace for 40-0 and quickly secures the love hold. It’s tricky for him because he doesn’t exactly have the hands to keep Djokovic moving and needs to keep the points short. But he’s unlikely to win without his opponent’s injury getting worse, and that’s hard to arrange without rallies.
*Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 2-2 Raonic Hello! Two deep Raonic returns – Raoturns – get him 0-30, bot two decent serves get Djokovic 30-all. He’ll not be wanting a decider, though there’s probably some part of him that’d consider winning it injured a flex. In the meantime, four straight points give him the hold.
Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 1-2 Raonic* A 22nd ace gives Raonic 15-0 – the games are disappearing fast now – but at 15-all, when he thinks he’s sent Djokovic hurtling off to the forehand corner, he has to watch a sensational pass flying by. The champ has raised it in the last hour and quickly earns himself two break points ... but the first goes with an ace and the second with a needlessly shovelled forehand. A further ace, the third of the game, then seizes Raonic advantage, and Djokovic nets a backhand return to secure him a crucial hold.
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*Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 1-1 Raonic Raonic comes in to play an alright volley, Djokovic responding with a lob that drops long ... as if it matters. He holds to that 15, and has won 10 of the 12 points on his serve, a lack of pressure that allows him to attack Raonic’s.
Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 0-1 Raonic* An unforced error while we’re watching an ad gives Djokovic 0-15, so Raonic punishes down an ace. He managed three in the first game of the previous set but only one thereafter as Djokovic took over, but here it’s the first of for consecutive points.
*Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1 Raonic Djokovic is playing better than at any time in the match – just when he needs to, obviously – and though he loses the first point of the game, he quickly reels off four straight points to make it five straight games. Raonic, who’s yanked to the net unnecessarily as he tries to salvage things at 40-15 – Djokovic pats away his get - will be wondering what the point of it all is.
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Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 5-1 Raonic* At 30-15, Djokovic again picks the T-serve and dismissively swipes a winner ... then another next point, from out wide! This is brilliant from an absolute freak of nature, and an early return has Raonic netting! That’s the double break, and Djokovic will now serve for the set!
*Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 4-1 Raonic A wrong-footer from Raonic gets Djokovic facing 0-30, and these are key moments now. Raonic needs to force the break-back because it’s hard to see him winning consecutive sets, but a service winner makes it 30-all and a tremendous second serve is enough for game point. Raonic, though, gives it everything he’s got – both players do – pannelled forehands earning deuce, before Djokovic closes out to cement the consolidation.
Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 3-1 Raonic* Raonic hasn’t lost the first point of a service game since 4-4 in the first set, but Djokovic takes the first two here. Raonic, though, makes 30-all ... but Djokovic picks him, waiting at the T to take control of the rally and earn a break point ... which another booming delivery rescues. But Djokovic knows this is his chance, forcing another opportunity, and this time a deep return forces a Raonic to go wide with his forehand. Djokovic is an absolute joke - not always a good joke, but nevertheless.
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*Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 2-1 Raonic Another easy hold for Djokovic, who bends and sits gingerly and changeover. I don’t see how he can get through matches with Zverev, then, say, Dimitrov and Nadal, if he’s still like this.
Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 1-1 Raonic* Brimful of aces on the centre line; Raonic serves three, and though Djokovic then spirits a return winner cross-court, another big serve clinches the game. Raonic is looking solid.
*Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 1-0 Raonic Djokovic is such a monstrous competitor and he holds to 15, finishing off with an ace.
Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-6 Raonic* Raonic holds it down well, pushing Djokovic back at 0-15 to elicit the forehand error then punishing forehands until his man can’t take any more. A colossal serve then follows, raising two set points, and when Djokovic goes long on the backhand, that’s the first set Raonic has taken off him in a major! I’ve not a clue who’s going to take this now, which is to say we’re set for some extremely invigorating tackle.
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*Djokovic 7-6(4) 4-5 Raonic Whatever else you say about Djokovic, he has heart and guts, holding to 15. How’re your nerves, Milos old mate?
Djokovic 7-6(4) 3-5 Raonic* Raonic is finding aces much easier to come by now - three in this game – while Djokovic is walking half the time. But he still eases his way to deuce when a cross-court pass elicits a netted volley, and it’d sting hard if he found a way to lose his break in these circumstances. So he finds a service winner and an ace to go a game away from levelling the match.
*Djokovic 7-6(4) 3-4 Raonic Djokovic is starting to feel this, gurning and grimacing at the end of points. It’s mad that he can compete with whatever he’s got – a pulled stomach muscle or similar – and he holds to 15, serve-volleying the final point to bespeak a man trying to shorten points if he possibly can. If Raonic can keep him out there, he’s got a great chance now.
Djokovic 7-6(4) 2-4 Raonic* That timeout worked very well for Raonic, who’s looking strong all of a sudden. Two aces in the game make it three in a row, consolidating the break.
*Djokovic 7-6(4) 2-3 Raonic Still no breaks in the match and have a look! A great return from Raonic opens the court for a clean-up forehand and 15-30, then Djokovic leans into a double, his posture as he nets the second serve intimating injury. A well-placed second serve saves the first break point ... but Raonic doesn’t let him off the hook, two well-directed forehands giving him the advantage! We got ourselves a ball-game!
Djokovic 7-6(4) 2-2 Raonic* Raonic has a medical timeout for a foot situation, but doesn’t look too bad and is quickly at the net putting away a volley. A double follows, his second of the match, but another decent volley, this time as Djokovic performs the splits, gives him 30-15. He’s looking alright out there, and quickly closes out the game.
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*Djokovic 7-6(4) 2-1 Raonic Raonic just doesn’t have the hands to make an impression on Djokovic’s serve, even though it’s slightly underpowered today. But as I type that, he opens an angle to run around his forehand and belt a winner cross-court for 40-30, then Djokovic sends a backhand wide. And have a look! A fine return, right onto the line, has Djokovic netting; that’s Raonic’s first break-point, which the Serb greets with some shouting, then does likewise when a service winner saves it. He then needs two goes at advantage to secure it, but gets there in the end just as we and they knew he would.
Djokovic 7-6(4) 1-1 Raonic* On which point, it’s really hard to pick a winner of this competition. Whatever it is with Djokovic, he’s not 100 percent fit, and to get through four matches in that circumstance is a lot to ask. But he’s moving alright when Raonic invites him to the net, finding a terrific backhand across the face of it to showcase hands his opponent just doesn’t have. That gives him 30-all, and a forehand into the corner forces Raonic to miss going down the line; break point; heartbreak point; but Raonic saves it well, gets himself advantage with a serve/forehand combo, then nails an ace down the middle. Well played him.
*Djokovic 7-6(4) 1-0 Raonic Djokovic’s ability to win that set despite his discomfort will not fill Raonic with confidence or pleasure. I’m not sure he’ll be able to beat Medvedev, Tsitsipas or Nadal if he’s still crook, but you never know how he’s really feeling, and he opens set two with a hold to 30.
Djokovic 7-6(4) Raonic Raonic gets to face a second serve but when it offers him a chance he simply bunts back into play instead of attacking it. That makes no sense, allowing Djokovic to take the point over, and when Raonic becomes embroiled in another rally, he dumps a backhand to present Djokovic with three set points. A serve down the middle looks good enough to take the first, but Raonic responds well and it’s Djokovic who makes the mistake with a wild forehand ... only for Raonic to net one of his own. Djokovic doesn’t look right out there, but he still looks right enough to deal with this. He’s quite good, as it turns out, and though it took him a breaker to clinch the set, he led from its first point and never looked in the remotest trouble during it.
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Djokovic 6-6 (4-2) Raonic Djokovic earns the mini-break immediately and consolidates when Raonic nets a backhand. It’s hard to see a way he can win if he loses this breaker, but then Djokovic groans stretching for a ball that gives Raonic 2-3 ... only to quickly make it 4-2.
*Djokovic 6-6 Raonic Yeah, Djokovic holds to love; of course he does.
Djokovic 5-6 Raonic* Raonic gets Djokovic moving and stretching onto the forehand side, so Djokovic chases along the baseline then hurdles a hoarding; you can’t be too careful (when not dealing with a pandemic). Three aces follow, and Djokovic will now serve for a breaker.
*Djokovic 5-5 Raonic Djokovic isn’t at full power here – the side must be giving him gyp – but he holds easily enough, then grimaces. Thing is, Raonic isn’t deft enough to get him running about.
Djokovic 4-5 Raonic* At 0-15, Raonic takes the pace off his first serve, and against Djokovic that makes no sense at all; some chasing about later, it’s 0-30. But Raonic gets just enough angle and depth on a backhand, then canes down either an ace or a service winner – I think Djokovic gets a little bit of racket on it. But then he comes to the net, hesitates before playing his drop, and Djokovic slides in to make his winner. This looks like a matter of time but it might not be now, because a big serve is enough for deuce and Raonic quickly cleans up; he’s playing the big points pretty well. Meantime, I’ve just discovered that both these lads live in Monte Carlo; what a wholesome coincidence!
*Djokovic 4-4 Raonic Of all the things that can happen in this match, Raonic coming from behind look the most unlikely, so he needs to find a way of winning this set. And he gets to 30-all, but a serve out wide is too good and a wrong-footer then sees him waft a backhand wide.
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Djokovic 3-4 Raonic* Raonic has Djokovic half-diving to return, quickly sweeping a forehand winner into the corner for 15-0. But he’s made to move on the next point and quickly nets, then sends down a double – the screws are tightening – then tossed onto the floor with a gigantic ace out wide. Djokovic, though, gets another return in and once the point is underway he’s so consistent, hanging in there until the inevitable Raonic error raises the first break point of the match. Raonic can’t find a first serve either, only for Djokovic to net a forehand for no good reason; that is not something you see all that often. And Raonic takes advantage, a serve out wide followed by a clean-up forehand giving him advantage, before a topspinner into the backhand corner allows him to advance and leave an attempted pass. He’ll feel better for that.
*Djokovic 3-3 Raonic Neither player is making much impression on the other’s serve and Djokovic has only needed a second go at his three times so far. He’s forcing Raonic to move his feet now - I wonder if we might see a bit more pressure exerted in the next game – but first of all, he seals this one with his first ace.
Djokovic 2-3 Raonic* Raonic is serving well and at a fair lick – three aces in the game and a hold to 15. He’ll fancy himself if we get to a breaker.
*Djokovic 2-2 Raonic Djokovic has found something about which to complain: photographers at the back of the court. Both Halep and Swiatek managed to pass an entire match without finding it a problem and somehow Djokovic copes, holding to love.
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Djokovic 1-2 Raonic* Both players look fit enough – Djokovic, in particular, has been struggling lately – but he fights his way to 30-all, only for Raonic to find a telling forehand in response to a ball which pinned him to the line. He quickly cleans up.
*Djokovic 1-1 Raonic At 30-all Raonic has Djokovic on the run but goes long with a forehand from the baseline. Missed opportunity, that, and a serve down the T elicits a return into the net, putting Djokovic on the board.
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Djokovic 0-1 Raonic* Raonic looks a bit chunkier and less cyborgier these days, and what a rig he’s got for us tonight, short orange shorts, a grey t-short with a sleeve on one arm, so it looks like he’s doing the whole Serena asymmetric thing, and a sky-blue bandana. It’s remarkable. Anyhow, he holds to 15, settling the game with an ace.
Play!
These two have played 11 times. Djokovic has won 11 times, but he’s got some kind of side-niggle here, so you never know.
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On which point, here’s Nick Kyrgios earlier today.
I’m dead😂 pic.twitter.com/7JgerUyCCo
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) February 14, 2021
Djokovic and Raonic are with us. Djokovic has his top on.
"That was a good answer bro."
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) February 9, 2021
Nick Kyrgios has fired back at Novak Djokovic after the World No.1 publicly declared he doesn't have respect for the Aussie.
His full response: https://t.co/RAUqLVLi6O
Watch #AusOpen LIVE on @Channel9.#9News pic.twitter.com/A8CLP6hXOa
Back to Zverev, he’s asked if it’s good having his brother with him – “No, he doesn’t bring much” – and then says “he’s doing a good job as cheerleader, I guess”, looking into the crowd for fraternal acknowledgement of his hilarity. I think every interviewer is contractually obliged to force the players to praise the crowd, so we then get a bit of that – Victoria’s lockdown means we’ve gone from some to none – and Zverev says the players just have to appreciate being out there at all. Finally, he says to win the majors you have to beat the best players, whether that’s Djokovic or Raonic.
Halep says her serve is doing well in this tournament – it’s not that powerful but it’s strong, so she tries to vary her angles and forced some mistakes. She worked really hard in the off-season and was a bit tired earlier in the week but is feeling good now.
Zverev still looks like he’s missing the coupe of steps he needs to become a major winner. He says conditions were tough because it was colder than before, plus Lajovic played “amazing tennis” early doors.
Alexander Zverev beats Dusan Lajovic 6-4 7-6(5) 6-3!
He meets Djokovic or Raonic next, and those two will be with us shortly for the final singles match of the day.
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On Court, Zverev is serving for the match....
That was a slightly strange match, because it really looked there for Swiatek until she took a break at the end of set one and dropped when she returned. Halep did really well to come back though, keeping the ball in the play and encouraging her opponent to miss, which she did. I’m sure we;ll see these two play plenty more biggies over the next few years.
Simona Halep beats Iga Swiatek 4-6 6-1 6-4!
Swiatek is swinging for the fences now, but at at 15-0 she misses the line by a fraction after a point dominated by her forehand. So she goes again, but a wrong-footing squash-shot from Halep brings her three match points ... and she only needs one, Swiatek’s return going long! Halep plays Serena next! Don’t mind if we do!
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Swiatek has just started to play well again, but it’s probably too late. She holds to love, emphatically battering forehands, forcing Halep to serve for the match following a little sit-down. Swiatek 6-3 1-6 4-5 Halep
Nice from Swiatek coming to the net off a big forehand to despatch a volley. But when she tries the same trick again, it’s off a less clever approach and she’s passed immediately; 15-all. A Swiatek forehand then misses the baseline by a fraction, before Halep drops one short and a backhand cross-court gives her 30-all. This game is shaping up, and just when it looks like Swiatek will raise break point, Halep charges to the net to make a difficult ball and conjure a winner. A solid serve then secures the game, and Swiatek is nearly gone! Meanwhile on Court, Zverev is 5-2 up in set three and Lajovic will shortly serve to stay in the match.
Halep makes Swiatek fight for her hold, who plays some fantastic shots in the process. She’s running out of chances to rescue this, but will know that there’s every chance Halep gets tight. Swiatek 6-3 1-6 3-4 Halep
A wild forehand ruins a point Swiatek sets up nicely, giving Halep 0-30, and it’s quickly 0-40. This game. Swiatek then nets a backhand, and all that work was for nowt, Halep back in command and a break up in the decider. Meanwhile, Lajovic bangs a forehand wide to give Zverev a break in set three, and this one is nearly over because Zverev quickly consolidates. Lajovic 4-6 (5)6-7 1-4 Zverev
Swiatek has to fight her way through several deuces for her hold, and maybe that’ll relax her. It won’t take much to flip this because Halep isn’t playing that well, and there’ve been signs that she’s regaining her level. And shonuff, right as the camera comes down to court-level, we see her using the backhand cross-court to set up the forehand winner that earns two break-back points! And she only needs one, a leaping, whipping forehand cross-court dealing with things and that’s the skinny with Swiatek: her power and range of shots mean she’s only a couple of swings away from snaffling momentum. Swiatek 6-3 1-6 2-2 Halep
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Excellent from Swiatek, coming back from 40-15 to advantage, on the Halep serve. But to her palpable frustration she nets a forehand, then on game-point sticks a backhand into the top of the net and she’s in big trouble. Swiatek 6-3 1-6 0-2 Halep
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Zverev snatches a mini-break and a booming forehand gives him two set points. Lajovic then finds a fine forehand into the backhand corner, to which Zverev can’t respond ... but he plays a tremendous next rally, taking control early and finishing with a gigantic forehand. Lajovic 4-6 (5)6-7 Zverev
Zverev has had a bad few minutes but is still on serve in the breaker, at 2-2 as Swiatek fights to hold serve at 0-0 in the decider. Serving with advantage, she sticks a forehand just outside the line – the kind of forehand she was pasting earlier in the match – and another poor shot gives Halep a chance, which she doesn’t even need to take, thanks to the double that’s presented to her. Swiatek is thinking about every movement now, and if she doesn’t just allow herself to play, she’ll be gone very soon. Halep hasn’t had to do that much and I doubt she’ll be going for lines now – keeping the ball deep and in play is enough.
Lajovic isn’t going away, and fights his way to a break-back point ... which he takes! A fine return gives him control of the rally, and he rushes to the net to flick a topspin forehand cross-court. A breaker will now decide set two.
A brute of a second serve gives Halep 40-15, but Swiatek’s forehand saves her only for a backhand slice to clump low into the net. That’s one set all, and it’s Halep playing much the better now. Swiatek took a comfort break after going in front, and I wonder if she regrets that, because Halep regrouped and put it on her immediately. Swiatek 6-3 1-6 Halep
Meanwhile, Swiatek is suddenly all over the show, presenting Halep with a double break. She’s serving at 5-1 in set two, and badly needs to right herself prior to the decider that looks inevitable.
Lajovic is playing really well and Zverev isn’t especially, but we might just’ve reached that moment at which the better player highlights that unarguable fact. He gets to 0-30, muscles a forehand winner down the line, and that’s three break points, the first of them vanishing into the net with a lazy drop. Lajovic then does well to save the second, coming into the net to finish a rally he ought to have resolved sooner, and Zverev then misses another forehand down the line, cracking the cord. But after all that work, a poor forehand from Lajovic hands him another go, and Lajovic goes long! Lajovic 4-6 5-6 Zverev
Zverev has to go through deuce for his latest hold, which makes it 4-4 in set two, while Swiatek has dropped. Halep consolidates to 15 which makes it three games in a row for her, without having played especially well. If she can build on this, we’re in for a lot of fun.
Yeah, Halep earns break point but Swiatek is nails on it, punishing forehands until it’s saved. This has been a tight match so far, but it’s mainly Swiatek in charge of the rallies ... but have a look! Halep forces another chance to break and this time Swiatek misses her first serve by a distance and though Halep doesn’t do much returning the second, a wild forehand hands her what she needs! Swiatek 6-3 0-2 Halep
Another quiet one in the women’s competition, then. I don’t think I remember a time when we had so many brilliant players of roughly similar standard.
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Halep finds a really strong, decisive service-game when she needs one, holding to love. She was doing that at the start of set one too, though – the question is whether she can maintain consistency while finding winners when we reach the business end, because there’s no reason to think Switake will had it to her prior to then. She’ll need to take it.
On Court, we’re still on serve in set two, but you get the feeling that, at some point, Zverev will find the break.
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Swiatek is so solid under pressure, calmly smashing the everything out of the ball. She races to 30-0 and even after a poor drop hands control of the next point to Halep, she still makes her play three more shots to secure it. Halep then nets a forehand on the run – she’s hitting it less cleanly than her opponent – and then nets a forehand return. Swiatek wins the first set 6-3 with a run of 10 points out of 11, which is to say that when she turned it up, Halep couldn’t go with her. Swiatek 6-4 Halep
Halep nets a backhand to give Swiatek 0-30; might that hold in the previous game be pivotal? And oh dear: Swiatek plays a poor drop, Halep charges in ... and swipes a wild forehand long with the court at her mercy. Three break points to the French champ; she only needs one, and will now serve for the first set at 5-3.
On Court, Lajovic is playing well in his first Slam quarter, refusing to buckle after losing the first set; we’re on serve in the second. Lajovic 4-6 2-1 Zverev
Halep earns the first break-point of the match ... so Swiatek sends a second serve out wide and resolves the point confidently. It some ways she’s a kind of sensible Ostapenko, going for as much as she can but not to a fault. But then a gruesome forehand drops long, Halep has another go ... and another second serve to attack. Again, though, Swiatek plays a decent point, even if Halep might regret not finding a better return, and after one further round of deuce she holds. Intensity is escalating. Swiatek 4-3 Halep
Elsewhere, it’s tea in Chennai, where India are holding England’s collective heed under the pump.
I thought I’d be bored of this song’s ubiquity in ad breaks by now, but not so.
On 40-15, Zverev sticks a forehand out, but clinches the first set 6-4 with a delicate drop. Meanwhile on 15-30 and with Swiatek looking sharp, Halep finds a terrific first serve and quickly cleans up the game. Swiatek 3-3 Halep.
Jo Durie reckons Switaek shocked Halep by how good she was at Roland-Garros – Swiatek won the final 1 and 2. Now, though, Halep is ready, is rushes through a love hold before Swiatek does likewise, her forehand starting to groove. 3-2 Swiatek now, while on Court, Zverev is about to serve for the first set at 5-4.
Swiatek and Help both look in nick, though I’d venture that the former is playing with the greater confidence. Swiatek 2-1 Halep on serve.
Zverev consolidates easily. We know this is what he does (except when he doesn’t) – dismisses inferior players before losing to the first good one he faces; he leads 5-3. And also on Zverev:
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Zverev is starting to move, a fine returning game giving him the first break of the match. He leads 4-3 while, on Laver, Swiatek, serving on deuce, hauls Halep to the net with the drop them lobs her. Have that! She quickly closes out, and is on the board and into the match.
Halep and Swiatek are warming up. I love the former, but fancy the latter – Swiatek won’t let Halep off the hook like Tomljanovic did, and mashed her up in the French Open final.
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Meanwhile, we’ve also got Alex Zverev, the number six seed, in action. He and Dusan Lajovic are currently at 2-2 in set one.
Thanks Emma and morning/afternoon/evening all! When I finished off on Thursday, I said I was buzzing for the prospect of Halep-Swiatek, and here we are. I absolutely love these two, and neiher of them will wait to be asked.
You can email me on daniel.harris.casual@theguardian.com or tweet @unitedrewind.
I’m going to hand over to my esteemed London-based colleague, Daniel Harris, to guide you through this evening’s session. Thanks for joining me. Always a pleasure.
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Channel Nine’s broadcast feed is doing the rounds at Melbourne Park and the scenes are truly bizarre. Hark, the sounds of silence, at a place usually swarming. Lonely flags fly in front of the giant Rod Laver Arena sign. A couple of workers wearing official Australian Open uniforms cut solitary figures.
Artificial crowd somewhat filled the void during the broadcast of matches but raw footage reveals the desertion, the hollow anti-atmosphere inflicted upon this tournament by Victoria’s five-day Covid-19 lockdown.
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Around the grounds in the men’s wheelchair singles quarter-finals, Brit Gordon Reid has won the second set against Argentine second seed Gustavo Fernandez and appears in comfortable territory at 5-7, 6-4, 3-3.
German sixth seed Alexander Zverev is due to against Serbian world No 27 Dusan Lajovic soon on Margaret Court Arena.
And from 7pm another couple of headline fourth-round matches will steal the show on centre court with Poland’s Iga Swiatek to attempt to inflict some damage on Simona Halep, Romania’s world No 2 and two-time major winner who rarely suffers damage. In total the pair have dropped one set this tournament, when required three to get past second-round foe and Australian Alja Tomljanovic. Swiatek, 19, made the fourth round here last year, which really could be an omen either way (if you’re into that sort of thing).
That will be followed by a showdown between Novak Djokovic and Milos Raonic. Need we say more?
While we wait, here is a hip-hopping video of Rafa Nadal dancing. For what reason, we do not know, but it’s relieving to see at least one person in Melbourne Park busting some moves.
2009 champion @RafaelNadal has off-court moves, too 🕺#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/ABpkhoddCH
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 14, 2021
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Dimitrov does not so much advance to the quarter-finals as spring into them. For he has played less than seven hours of tennis across four rounds.
His next opponent, Karatsev – the qualifier who came from nowhere to make the final eight – endured 3:25 just in today’s match.
Some words from the giant killer:
It's fitting that on Valentine's Day, @GrigorDimitrov continues his love affair with the #AusOpen 💙#AO2021 pic.twitter.com/QHQ3We5EIV
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 14, 2021
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Grigor Dimitrov beats Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-4, 6-0
Ace. 30-0. Ace. 40-0. 40-15. Game, set and match.
It is the fourth time Dimitrov has made the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park and my has he done that with aplomb. A polished performance from a player with a question mark. He did so against a weary Thiem, who makes his exit. It’s a shame we did not see him at his fluid best here today, it is a zero-sum game this tennis caper.
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First set: Dominic Thiem* 4-6 4-6 0-5 Grigor Dimitrov Unless the Austrian performs a miracle, Thiem’s Australian Open is over. He is broken again, which leaves Dimitrov to serve for the match.
First set: Dominic Thiem 4-6 4-6 0-4 Grigor Dimitrov* Dimitrov holds. Thiem is tallying 39 unforced errors to Dimitrov’s 18. Dimitrov’s progress in particular can be tracked through these stats. In set one he made 13 unforced errors, in set two there were five and in this set so far there have been zero Thiem’s card reads 18-12-10
First set: Dominic Thiem* 4-6 4-6 0-3 Grigor Dimitrov A penny for Thiem’s thoughts. He slumps to 0-40, and then the game, all via unforced errors.
First set: Dominic Thiem 4-6 4-6 0-2 Grigor Dimitrov* And there’s more pain where that break comes from as Dimitrov holds to love and throws in two aces for good measure.
First set: Dominic Thiem* 4-6 4-6 0-1 Grigor Dimitrov It seems to be falling apart for Thiem, who is no doubt feeling the effects of that famous win over Kyrgios.
First set: Dominic Thiem 4-6 4-6 Grigor Dimitrov* HOW ABOUT THAT. Those caps were a typo but also weirdly appropriate, for Dimitrov holds to love and has the second set. Thiem looks flat, tired and the contest carries an air of inevitability.
First set: Dominic Thiem* 4-6 4-5 Grigor Dimitrov Thiem finds himself down 15-30 until he produces one of the shots of this match. Dimitrov returns with vigour and somehow the Austrian somehow, inexplicably sucks the pace out of the ball and brushes it ever so gently into his opponent’s right-hand service box. That’s as far as it gets for him, though, the only point he wins in his service game as Dimitrov steals a break at a vital time indeed.
First set: Dominic Thiem 4-6 4-4 Grigor Dimitrov* Dimitrov returns the favour, also to love.
First set: Dominic Thiem* 4-6 4-3 Grigor Dimitrov Thiem holds to love. This match is tight and the psychological edge swinging to and fro, as we go.
First set: Dominic Thiem 4-6 3-3 Grigor Dimitrov* He fights and he holds.
Over on Margaret Court Arena, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have emphatically lost their doubles match 6-3, 6-4 in little more than an hour. That Kyrgios impersonation didn’t work, then.
And here is the little-known Karatsev celebrating after roaring back to life to become the first grand slam debutant since 1996 to make the quarter-finals.
😲KARATSEV TAKE A BOW!😲
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 14, 2021
The Russian is through to the Quarter-Finals in his 1️⃣st EVER Grand Slam appearance!🇷🇺
And it was from two sets down against seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime!👏🎾
WATCH: @9Gem
STREAM: https://t.co/TYsz5RZN3Z#9WWOS #AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/s3OooTrABf
First set: Dominic Thiem* 4-6 3-2 Grigor Dimitrov Here’s the thing. Dimitrov reached a career-high ranking of No 3 in 2017. He is facing a player who is the current world No 3. Thiem looks somewhat refreshed as we approach the 90-minute mark and we know what he did to Kyrgios. But there’s that Dimitrov backhand passing shot again that we saw early in the first set and its a peach that levels this chapter at deuce. Two Thiem unforced errors consummates Dimitrov’s break to bring the set back on serve.
First set: Dominic Thiem 4-6 3-1 Grigor Dimitrov* That’s a break Thiem needs, and one that projects pressure back onto Dimitrov.
First set: Dominic Thiem* 4-6 2-1 Grigor Dimitrov Yet another deuce. According to the statisticians, Thiem’s service games are on average two minutes longer than Dimitrov’s, suggesting he is having to work significantly harder to hold. As I write that Dimitrov has the advantage and a break point that he saves. They’re battling out deuce at the baseline, forehand to forehand, waiting to see who breaks forward first. It’s Thiem, but he has scant to do as his opponent does it for him by making the net bulge. Thiem holds.
First set: Dominic Thiem 4-6 1-1 Grigor Dimitrov* Easy hold.
First set: Dominic Thiem* 4-6 1-0 Grigor Dimitrov Thiem makes his move towards the net first but Dimitrov’s approach is sneakier, cleverer, and that’s a winner all right. Advantage Dimitrov. A couple of points later Thiem produces his own moment of magic with a backhand drop shot that lifts wistfully over the net and spins back towards it as Dimitrov runs fruitlessly for it. Dimitrov has three break points in this game – ANOTHER with several deuces – before Thiem forces the issue to hold.
First set: Dominic Thiem 4-6 Grigor Dimitrov* The pair trade blows until the server is up 40-30 and Thiem has no chance to return the latest humdinger. Excellent fortitude from Grigor who, from 3-1 down, wins the set.
First set: Dominic Thiem* 4-5 Grigor Dimitrov The opposite is true of this game an Thiem cruises to a hold before taking a pair of fresh shoes from a trainer. He’s yet to put them on.
First set: Dominic Thiem 3-5 Grigor Dimitrov* A hold with a sole point dropped consolidates Dimitrov’s breakthrough and the pressure is on Thiem’s serve here.
First set: Dominic Thiem* 3-4 Grigor Dimitrov Grigor breaks again in another game that goes to deuce – that’s five from seven thus far – and includes three unforced errors from Thiem.
Taking a brief interlude for a peak Nick Kyrgios moment, in which he mocks Novak Djokovic’s walkout routine as he emerges alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis for their doubles match. Another chapter in the long-running feud plays out. This is all very grown up.
👑@NickKyrgios takes the Mickey out of @DjokerNole in one of the funniest walk outs in tennis history! 🤣🤣🤣
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 14, 2021
WATCH: @9Gem
STREAM: https://t.co/7uAf53PWTv#9WWOS #AusOpen #AO2021 #Tennis #ATP pic.twitter.com/hOclt9t644
First set: Dominic Thiem 3-3 Grigor Dimitrov* Dimitrov utilises some of that much-needed versatility in a serve-volley point that earns him the advantage and then the game. A lot of double faults in this match so far. Thiem has 12 to Dimitrov’s 13.
First set: Dominic Thiem* 3-2 Grigor Dimitrov For the one-handed backhand purists this is an ideal contest. But Dimitrov will need to adapt, because Thiem has his own game, and that game generally beats others who attempt to play it. In other words, versatility will be Grigor’s biggest weapon. Having said that, the Bulgarian was down 40-15 and now it’s deuce. Five deuces in he has the advantage and he’s chipping away with that backhand slice until he breaks a string on a forehand and the ball finds the net. It did not look like a particularly strong shot anyway.
After deuce No 7 Dimitrov has the advantage, and this is an absolutely lovely point from both. Thiem starts the aggressor with a ferocious serve and follow-up but now Dimitrov is running onto a forehand and when Thiem rushes to get it back you know where that ball is going. Grigor, with that ubiquitous backhand, caresses the ball across court, just enough out of reach that its receiver cannot quite lift it over.
That’s a break and we’re back on serve.
First set: Dominic Thiem 3-1 Grigor Dimitrov* Thiem has two break points now and just like, within the course of one game, he’s swung the pendulum back in his favour. He knows how to do that, as Kyrgios found out. Three unforced errors work against Grigor but Thiem has clinched an early break.
First set: Dominic Thiem* 2-1 Grigor Dimitrov Back on Rod Laver Arena we are on serve. Don’t forget Thiem has endured the more taxing of pathways to get to this point, having staged that epic five-set comeback win over Kyrgios on Friday evening. Dimitrov, conversely, only had to play little more than one set against Pablo Carreno Busta, who retired hurt.
Dimitrov executes a passing shot of beauty. He takes in the air, with one hand, and deposits it down the line. Thiem climbs back from 15-40 to hold.
Dominic Thiem and Grigor Dimitrov are starting their fight for a quarter-final spot but a quick around the grounds first and Aslan Karatsev, the Russian qualifier, has beaten Felix Auger Aliassime 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
That result is scarcely believable if you consider that Karatsev would have had to play far more matches to reach this point and fought back from two sets down against the 20th-seeded Canadian.
The lucky guy gets to play Thiem or Dimitrov next.
And a throwback to a mid-match moment of exasperation:
When you lose 2⃣ break points and then the game with an unforced error... 😬
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 14, 2021
Sabalenka ensures the racquet bears the brunt!
WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/TYsz5RZN3Z#9WWOS #AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/7oPwBO9Aam
Some kind words about sister Venus, who is in the “crowd”:
“It helps a great deal havingVenus around is amazing,” she says. “Not just now, in the twilight of our careers. Also in the beginning. It’s so cool. Because no one really understands ... no one understands the level of intensity or the pressure or the losses or the wins unless it is someone else in the locker room.”
And an update on her fashion label. She was busy on her day off yesterday.
“I had to kind of step up a little bit and I was on the phone yesterday with our designer and making final orders and deciding how much fabrics we needed for our new collection. It was a mind trip ‘Ooh my gosh I have to play tomorrow, but I have to get this done’, so business keeps going. The lounge wear is amazing. We have some really, really cool things coming out very soon.”
“I am happy to get through that one, I knew it wasn’t go to be easy,” Williams says. “She was teeing off on every shot. I felt like I was there but some shots I felt like I was missing ... the games that I lost [were] super close – one shot here and one shot here. ‘Serena you are so close, you have to keep going’.”
Serena Williams beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
More vocals here as Serena levels with a tremendous return, opens her body right up to place a forehand from left to right. Sabalenka is down 15-30 and has whipped her first serve into the net, and then, off her second serve, a shot into about the same spot and finds herself on the wrong end of two match points. Williams was without a doubt tested by a player in fine form but this was vintage from the winner of 23 grand slams. Her quest for a 24th continues.
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Third set: Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-2 4-5 Serena Williams* Some phenomenal tennis is happening here. Such intensity. Both players taken turns in hyping themselves up as Williams holds, dropping one point which, to be fair, was a Sabalenka winner for the ages. She serves to stay in the match with a quarter-final berth on the line.
Third set: Aryna Sabalenka* 4-6, 6-2 4-4 Serena Williams A no-fuss hold to love has the pair back on equal terms.
Third set: Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-2 3-4 Serena Williams* Serena, though, cuts a calm figure up the other end. She has been here many times before. Starts with an ace. Loses the next point. I was about to type that her first serve had really improved but she’s just thrown down her eighth double fault of the match and finds herself at 13-30. At 30-30, Sabalenka does well even to return this serve and her countpart puts it away out of the reach into the left-hand corner. The Belarusian matches her with a return to singe the hairs off your nose and, on the advantage, Williams piles the ball out. She’s broken back!
Third set: Aryna Sabalenka* 4-6, 6-2 2-4 Serena Williams Even in her new angst, that second serve prevails and takes her to an easy service game.
Third set: Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-2 1-4 Serena Williams* Williams is in a bit of a pickle here, down 15-40 through an unforced error and double fault. She gets one back. Now she’s not happy with her ball toss, and good thing she sorts it because that serve forces a half-baked return she puts away to level at deuce. Hasn’t this just taken a turn. Sabalenka is taking out her frustrations on her racket, slamming the device into the court. Not much damage, though.
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Third set: Aryna Sabalenka* 4-6, 6-2 1-3 Serena Williams Williams has two break points and converts the second. Crucial break point.
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Third set: Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-2 1-2 Serena Williams* Textbook service game from Serena, who holds to love. As she does, Alcott has beaten Davidson 6-0, 7-5.
Third set: Aryna Sabalenka* 4-6, 6-2 1-1 Serena Williams As Sabalenka holds, Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev, who upset No.8 seed Diego Schawrtzman, has come back from two sets down to push 2oth seed Felix Auger Aliassime to a fifth set.
Third set: Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-2 0-1 Serena Williams* She makes good on some first serves here but still allows her opponent two points in this game. This has been an authoritative display from Sabalenka. Both players are in uncharted territory, having never faced each other, and are slowly starting to work the other out.
Second set: Aryna Sabalenka* 4-6, 6-2 Serena Williams Sabalenka is down 15-30 but executes a forehand slice down-the-line winner and follows it with another huge serve and wraps it up thereafter. This is the first set Williams has dropped at this tournament and she needs to start getting those first serves in more often. Her current rate sits at 44%.
Second set: Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 5-2 Serena Williams* Williams holds, dropping only one point, but must now break twice to stay in this set.
Second set: Aryna Sabalenka* 4-6, 5-1 Serena Williams That is an exquisite shot from Sabalenka, an acutely angled crosscourt bullet that lands inside the service box. Another long game featuring more long rallies and three deuces.
Second set: Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 4-1 Serena Williams* Under pressure at 30-40, Williams lands a rare first serve and follows it with something I’ll call a winner even though that would not do justice to the brutal mid-court backhand that it was. She has the advantage now, Serena, but Sabalenka has something to say about that with heavy top spin that forces the American to plough into the net. Sabalenka has a break point now after Williams fluffs her lines on a lob that should really have been a winner from her. Sabalenka breaks again. Wow.
Second set: Aryna Sabalenka* 4-6, 3-1 Serena Williams Remember that time 12% of men thought they could take a point off Serena Williams? That was amusing. The current situation is not so amusing for Sabalenka who, despite that serve that would scare many a man in this world, Williams may be starting to work her out. In the end, it’s Sabalenka who is the architect of her own demise via three unforced error.
Second set: Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 3-0 Serena Williams* Williams must be feeling the pressure a little bit here as her combatant, a rapid improver on the women’s tour, outlasts her in a long rally and an unforced error from Serena gives the Belarusian two break points. Sabalenka’s fruitless attempt at a drop shot throws away one of them but shows Williams the full weight of her power on the second and has her double break.
Second set: Aryna Sabalenka* 4-6, 2-0 Serena Williams Sabalenka is left to rue some indecision and a poor shot choice to go down 30-40 and give Williams a chance to break straight back. She gets herself out of jail and then delivers a lightning-quick backhand to help her on her way to what could prove to be a very important hold.
Second set: Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 1-0 Serena Williams* Sabalenka has made a statement with an early break.
First set: Aryna Sabalenka* 4-6 Serena Williams Well well, Williams is starting to dictate these longer points now and she does here. How in this world did she get to that shot? And how did she get to that one! She stretches behind her and somehow gets power on it. She is defying physics. This is the point of the match by a mile. Sabalenka has an open court, she has the ball on the rise, and she dumps it into the net. 0-30. Both players ran about 40m each in that point. Sabalenka has clawed her way back to 30-30 and now she’s down 30-40 and manages, on her second serve which really looks like a first serve, puts Williams off her backhand. The Belarusian has the advantage, until she makes an unforced error. And she’s rattled the tape again on the run to gift Williams the advantage. That net is really not Sabalenka’s friend this game. It greets her again and Williams has the first set.
First set: Aryna Sabalenka 4-5 Serena Williams* Williams has two break points courtesy of her fifth ace and Sabalenka swings a bit too wildly to allow the hold, and now serves to stay in the first set.
First set: Aryna Sabalenka* 4-4 Serena Williams With her first test passed, Williams sets about attempt to find a circuit-breaker. The first point goes her way, but none thereafter. This stanza is all about longer rallies – nothing less than 29 seconds – and Sabalenka is keeping her cool. She is doing well against Williams, whom she has never played and whose on-court presence would be intimidating to any challenger.
First set: Aryna Sabalenka 3-4 Serena Williams* A forehand winner gives Sabalenka a break point. An ace takes care of that. The silence due to a lack of crowd is errie. I wonder how this affects the players. Williams has another break point against her but she forces the issue to hold.
First set: Aryna Sabalenka* 3-3 Serena Williams This one is not so straightforward for Sabalenka, who loses two points. including one incredible wide return of serve from Williams that’s quick as the wind and whispers on its way past Sabalenka far enough away that she can hardly hear it, let alone get herself in its vicinity. At 39, Williams is in superb shape and has lost none of that strength for which she is known. There is just a sense, at least right now, that Sabalenka could yet find an edge in the longer rallies.
First set: Aryna Sabalenka 2-3 Serena Williams* Interesting that Sabalenka is yet to lose a point on serve, while Williams has lost six at my count, albeit in one additional game. Williams is up 30-15 and has her opponent on the run, then approaches the net, guesses the right way to scoop up the response with a winner of a volley.
First set: Aryna Sabalenka* 2-2 Serena Williams These early games are flying by and while Williams is the one sporting the catsuit, Sabalenka sees out her service game in style, to love, in less than a minute.
First set: Aryna Sabalenka 1-2 Serena Williams* Up 30-15, Serena serves an ace but, with two game points, wallops Sabalenka’s return long. She’s just done it again and finds herself at deuce, and it’s the Belarusian who cracks after a rally replete with pile-driving backhands. On the second deuce, an ace and another big serve seal the game.
First set: Aryna Sabalenka* 1-1 Serena Williams Sabalenka has made an early statement too by holding to love, finished with an ace for good measure. Got the feeling the 22-year-old is going to give as good as she gets.
First set: Aryna Sabalenka 0-1 Serena Williams* Williams begins proceedings with a routine hold. Her serve is something to behold. High ball toss, but consistent, and struck from the air.
Here’s an excellent rally from that match, which ended up an epic chock full of power and grit.
"THE BEST OF THE MATCH!"
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 14, 2021
WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/TYsz5RZN3Z#9WWOS #AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/zfUg6ABwit
Serena Williams is on centre court for her fourth-round meeting with seventh seed Aryna Sabalenka. This will be another big-hitting affair and a tough one for Williams, who was subjected to a real examination by Anastasia Potapova in the third round and now faces a player in full flight and eyeing a first Australian Open quarter-final appearance.
Also in action in today’s day session are Grigor Dimitrov v Dominic Thiem and Dusan Lajovic v Alexander Zverev, while Australian duo Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios, having made their singles exits, play their round-two doubles match against Dutchman Wesley Koolhof and Pole Lukasz Kubot.
James Duckworth and fellow Aussie doubles partner Marc Polmans have were beaten in the third round this morning by French pair Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Dylan Alcott has taken an early lead against compatriot Heath Davidson in the quad wheelchair singles quarter-finals.
And on Margaret Court Arena right now, Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime has taken the first set against Russian Aslan Karatsev.
Naomi Osaka beats Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
Blimey, Osaka has a trio of match points against serve and only needs one of them. Both go at it from the baseline with freedom but it’s Muguruza who cracks first with a ball just long of the baseline. Had she played anybody else, Muguruza probably would have won that, but that’s why Osaka is a champion. She held her nerve in clutch points – match point – and progresses to the quarter-finals and will play Hsieh Su-Wei, who defeated Marketa Vondrousova 6-4, 6-2 earlier today on Margaret Court Arena.
“I feel like I was a bit intimidated because I knew she was playing really well coming into this match,” Osaka said. “For me, I feel like in the stressful points, I feel like I have to go within myself and I know that today I probably hit a lot of unforced errors that I think it was something I needed to do because I couldn’t really give her any shortfalls because she would finish it.”
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Third set: Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 4-6, 5-6 Naomi Osaka* Osaka has turned the tables big time, holding serve to force the two-time grand slam winner to serve to stay in the match.
We’ll take a proper look ahead to the day after this match has come to a conclusion.
Preamble
Good afternoon to you and welcome to live coverage of day seven of the Australian Open. Covid-19 already has Victoria in lockdown and crowds banned from attending Melbourne Park, and the virus has again threatened to overshadow actual tennis following news overnight that Greek player Michail Pervolarakis tested positive for in South Africa, after departing Australia on 9 February. Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley, has said the tournament will continue as normal.
And so we embark on another blockbuster day that is actually already under way. A tiny bit of an upset has just occurred on Rod Laver Arena as Naomi Osaka has just levelled the third set against Garbine Muguruza. Muguruza led 6-4, 4-6, 5-3 and when the reigning US Open champion saved two match points. In the following game Osaka earned and failed to convert two break points herself as Muguruza served for the match before capitalising on her advantage in the longest rally of the day. We’ll keep you updated on that.
In case you missed yesterday’s results, Ash Barty shrugged off injury worries to beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 6-4 and Rafael Nadal saw off a dogged Cameron Norrie 7-5, 6-2, 7-5. Meanwhile, Jonathan Howcroft asks whether hotel quarantine has really had an effect on player performance.
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