And with that, I’m done. The tennis isn’t quite over - Grigor Dimitrov is still on court at 11.20pm local time, but he leads Alex Bolt 7-6, 4-0 and seems set fair. A match against Pablo Carreno Busta is the reward for whoever wins that one. Anyway, bye!
Updated
Kyrgios stands, arms outstretched, and soaks up the crowd’s applause, having earned himself a match with Dominic Thiem in round three, before Jim Courier asks him some questions, starting with the obvious one: “How in the heck did you turn this match around?”
Well, first of all you guys were awesome again. Actually I was just thinking about all the shit I was going to cop if I lost that match. Honestly I don’t know how I did that. I’m lost for words. That is one of the craziest matches I’ve ever played.
He had a couple of match points, at which point, Couriers says, Kyrgios became “unbelievably clutch”.
He’s a heck of a player. He was one of the most improved players last year. I haven’t played for a year and he’s been playing some great tennis, the one thing I’ve got on him is experience. I’ve had so many experiences on this court, I just tried to draw on that and just make him play.
And the fans. “This is the best that tennis has sounded since the pandemic,” says Courier, which is surely accurate.
I just remember, down that end, when I was a couple of match points down, I don’t know what was going on. If you were inside my head, there were some dark thoughts in there. But I live to fight another day and hopefully I can continue to play good tennis in front of you guys.
Nick Kyrgios is in the third round!
Fifth set: Kyrgios* 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-6, 5-4 Humbert Kyrgios lands four successive first serves, at the end of which he stands at 40-15. Another first serve, heavy with spin, sends Humbert wide and he can’t get it back into play! It’s all over! Kyrgios drops to his knees, and Humbert packs his bags!
What a reaction!! 💪🇦🇺@NickKyrgios triumphs in a rollercoaster five set classic 👏#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/ihiI57wSKl
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 10, 2021
Updated
Fifth set: Kyrgios 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-6, 5-4 Humbert* At 30-15 Humbert seems in control, but then he follows a double fault with another double fault, and Kyrgios has a match point! Humbert emphatically corrects his failing serve at this point, though, and Kyrgios barely gets his racket on the next two, gets nothing at all on the one after that, and Kyrgios is going to have to serve this out.
Updated
Fifth set: Kyrgios* 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-6, 5-3 Humbert A straightforward hold for Kyrgios, with two aces and a double fault, who is now just one service game (or break, if he gets excited) from victory.
First set: Dimitrov 7-6 Bolt There is another Australian in action on Margaret Court, where Alex Bolt, the world No166 and a wildcard entry, is playing the 18th seed, Grigor Dimitrov, and giving a pretty good account of himself, at least until the first-set tie-break, in which he is soundly thrashed 7-1.
Updated
Zverev does a post-match chat:
He’s an extremely difficult player to play, he’s moving up the rankings very quickly. We’ll see where he can end up in a year. I have my brother in the box who plays very similar to him, so I know that kind of game very well. You have to be patient, you have to wait for your chances, but in the end I won and that’s the most important thing for me. There’s still other very great players out there. I’m definitely not the favourite but I’m going to do all I can to make it happen.
He’s asked about his brother Mischa, now his coach and manager:
He’s an emotional wreck. He’s the one who beat the world No1 on this court in 2017. He’s so annoying. As a coach, as a manager now, as a brother, he’s the most annoying person on the planet.
And he’s asked, for some reason, who would play him and Thiem in a movie adaptation of some tennis something. He suggests Kevin Hart and The Rock. It’s just a shame he went for the obvious answers, really.
Sascha Zverev eases into round three
Third set: Cressy* 5-7, 4-6, 3-6 Zverev It’s all over! Zverev sets up a third-round meeting with Adrian Mannarino, the No2 seed who has sauntered through his first two matches without dropping a set.
Updated
Fifth set: Kyrgios* 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-6, 3-1 Humbert And then a hold to love. Kyrgios has entered one of those zones he sometimes reaches, where he combines power, artistry and attitude and becomes almost irresistible.
Fifth set: Kyrgios 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-6, 2-1 Humbert* Kyrgios breaks in the fifth! It’s approaching 11pm in Melbourne, a home favourite is involved in an epic battle on a show court, the atmosphere is electric, and it is almost as if all is good in the world.
Third set: Cressy 5-7, 4-6. 3-5 Zverev* Cressy mishits a forehand return into the umpire’s head, a development she takes with good humour. His other returns are only marginally more accurate.
Updated
Fifth set: Kyrgios* 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-6, 1-1 Humbert At 30-40 Kyrgios launches into another tirade about the net cord sensor. “It’s ruining the game!” he rages. The umpire lets the storm blow itself out, Kyrgios gathers himself, and then hits a service winner, the first of three successive storming serves as he ekes out a hold.
Third set: Cressy 5-7, 4-6, 1-3 Zverev* A run of 10 out of 11 points turns the third set in Zverev’s favour, earning him a break and leaving Maxime Cressy needing acts of god or similar.
Fourth set: Kyrgios 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 Humbert Kyrgios, playing with complete freedom, earns the first mini-break at 1-1 with a super down-the-line forehand, and follows it up with two fabulous points on serve, a phenomenal backhand passing shot, and a ridiculous casual-yet-murderous forehand that almost lands on Humbert’s toe. From 6-1 there’s no way back for Humbert, and Kyrgios eventually wins the breaker 7-2! Into a decider we go!
Updated
Fourth set: Kyrgios 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-6 Humbert* Humbert’s service game is his least complicated for some time. He wins it with an ace, and this is going to a tie break!
Third set: Cressy* 5-7, 4-6, 1-0 Zverev Sascha Zverev has quietly wrapped up the second set against Maxime Cressy, the American qualifier and world No172, and appears to be set fair for victory.
Fourth set: Kyrgios* 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-5 Humbert Humbert nets a straightforward forehand at game point - a few shouts from the crowd as he runs in to put it away - and the arena erupts again. The No29 seed now serves to stay in the set.
Fourth set: Kyrgios 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 5-5 Humbert* Every Humbert error has the crowd cheering wildly, and he hits a couple of them to give Kyrgios hope at 15-30. But his serving has been tip top in his last couple of service games, and helps him win the next couple of points, earning match point No1. Kyrgios forces an error to bring it back to deuce. Humbert’s first serve goes into the net (wild cheers); Kyrgios nets a forehand (groans, shouts of encouragement); Kyrgios hits a lovely backhand pass (euphoria), and winners off both flanks give the Australian the break, and hope!
Fourth set: Kyrgios* 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 4-5 Humbert Kyrgios serves a couple of aces of his own as he holds to 15, and Humbert is going to have to serve for it.
Fourth set: Kyrgios 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 3-5 Humbert* Kyrgios earns a couple of break points at 30-40. The first is saved with an ace, the next with a phenomenal second serve, but then Humbert hands his opponent another by inexplicably if narrowly missing a backhand. Another perfectly timed ace, a forehand winner and a second serve ace later (Kyrgios was already way out wide when it went down the centre), Humbert is another game closer to victory.
Updated
Fourth set: Kyrgios 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 2-4 Humbert* Another match that hasn’t had the attention it deserves because Halep and Tomljanovic were hogging it all. Kyrgios is a break down in the fourth, in a heap of trouble, and really not quite at it. At 30-30 the Australian hits the most unforced of unforced errors, more of a can’t-be-arsed error really, and then nonchalantly flicks a service return into the net.
Simona Halep has a lot of very vocal support, and is cheered a little more than someone who’s just narrowly beaten an Australian might expect to be. She’s asked if the match was tougher than she expected it to be, and what she was saying to herself when she was muttering busily at the start of the second set.
I was expecting that she would play very hard and very strong. I expected it to be a difficult match but it was more than I thought. But I’m really happy that I can smile now. I was not that positive when I was talking to myself. I didn’t talk about the score, I was just blaming myself, that I’m not strong enough to win against her. But in the end mentally I was maybe a bit stronger than her, and I didn’t want to give up.
Simona Halep scrapes through against Ajla Tomljanovic!
Third set: Tomljanovic 6-4, 4-6, 5-7 Halep* A backhand long from Tomljanovic, an ace, and then two poor volleys from the Australian that let Halep stay in and then win a point she should have lost, and it’s 40-0. Tomljanovic keeps fighting, saves one match point, and then forces Halep to win the next two or three times, but eventually she finds herself stranded at the net, forced into a desperate volley that lands midcourt, and Halep puts it away to seal a fifth game on the spin, and victory!
Updated
Third set: Tomljanovic* 6-4, 4-6, 5-6 Halep Tomljanovic saves break point at 30-40, thanks in part to a phenomenal backhand defensive shot that transformed a point she seemed certain to lose. Halep earns another break point, but hits a forehand a fraction long, and then another, only for Tomljanovic to power a forehand winner. But then a backhand into the net and a forehand long hands Halep the game, her fourth in a row, and she’s about to serve for the match.
First set: Cressy 5-7 Zverev* I’ve been too engrossed by the goings-on on Margaret Court to see much of this, and didn’t feel the need as it was just going with serve, but Zverev broke in the penultimate game, taking the only break point either player won in the set, and then served out to 15.
Third set: Tomljanovic 6-4, 4-6, 5-5 Halep* There’s a moment, after Halep served a double fault to make it 15-30, when it felt like she could just fall apart, and it would all be over in a few seconds. Instead she reeled off the next three points, bossing every moment of every rally.
Well this sounds fun.
Iga Swiatek crashed Naomi Osaka’s press conference, much to Osaka’s delight. Some inside-joke banter about flip flops ensued. #AusOpen
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) February 10, 2021
Third set: Tomljanovic* 6-4, 4-6, 5-4 Halep Oh. Tomljanovic lashes a forehand way long, then double faults, and from 0-30 Halep isn’t going to let this one go. It’s back on serve!
Updated
Third set: Tomljanovic 6-4, 4-6, 5-3 Halep* Halep misses a backhand by an inch or two to start the game and double faults at 15-15, but otherwise plays an impeccable game to pour the pressure onto Tomljanovic, now serving for the match.
Third set: Tomljanovic* 6-4, 4-6, 5-2 Halep This time she backs it up by holding. At 40-15 Tomljanovic misses a straightforward backhand down the line, with Halep stranded on the other side of the court, and then overhits a backhand. But instead of wobbling at deuce she goes again; a drop shot winner, and then a forehand of sufficient power and depth to force an error from Halep. The No2 seed will serve to stay in the match!
Third set: Tomljanovic 6-4, 4-6, 4-2 Halep* Tomljanovic breaks to love! She seals the game with a vicious crosscourt forehand return; Halep’s second serve has been pummelled all match, and none more than that.
Third set: Tomljanovic* 6-4, 4-6, 3-2 Halep An excellent rally, and an excellent forehand down the line from Tomljanovic to win it. From 15-30 the Australian served two aces - twice as many as she served in the entire second set - and then reeled off that forehand winner. A beautifully poised match, now entering the decisive phase.
Third set: Tomljanovic* 6-4, 4-6, 2-1 Halep ...and back on serve. Halep also streaks to a 40-0 lead, loses the next point, and then completes the break. Tomljanovic served a double fault at 15-40, which helped.
Second set: Kyrgios* 5-7, 6-4 Humbert Kyrgios draws the match level at a set apiece, and then gets the umpire to check the net bad sensors, still grumpy about some of its results. She does so, and says they’re fine.
Updated
Third set: Tomljanovic 6-4, 4-6, 2-0 Halep* The first break of the deciding set goes to the Australian, who streaks to a 0-40 lead, overhits a forehand, then watches Halep do the same!
Third set: Tomljanovic* 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 Halep At 40-15 Halep hits a really fantastic sprinting crosscourt forehand winner, and then she’s an inch or two from clearing the net after chasing down a drop shot. She didn’t, however, clear the net and thus it’s a hold.
Second set: Tomljanovic 6-4, 4-6 Halep* A real rarity: a straightforward hold on Margaret Court, where Halep serves out the second set to love. It’s the first love game of the entire match.
Reuters have kindly filed some quotes of the day:
I haven’t met Robert Downey Jr. and I love Marvel and Iron Man. I went shallow there, but it’s fine.
Serena Williams, when asked to name a celebrity she would like to meet.
It feels right, it feels like my living room here. It’s only I’m not sitting on a couch.
Novak Djokovic on playing at Rod Laver Arena.
Right now, I feel like I’m dying.
Marton Fucsovics on having to play a second consecutive five-setter to reach the third round.
When I stepped on the court and we had crowd, even if it’s against me, just to have crowd, I was already excited.
Garbine Muguruza on playing with fans back in the stadium for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic last year.
It’s tough to hang with this guy, running left and right, just wasting energy.
Dominik Koepfer on struggling to keep up with Dominic Thiem.
Second set: Kyrgios 2-1 Humbert* Also a break up in the second set is Nick Kyrgios, playing some nice tennis now but also, less encouragingly, looking a little uncomfortable in his movement between points.
Second set: Tomljanovic* 3-4 Halep Another break! On break point Tomljanovic hits a forehand into the top of the net, and it loops up gently to give Halep a straightforward putaway. Halep, for the third time this set, is a break up.
Second set: Tomljanovic 6-4, 2-2 Halep* Four games and four breaks so far in the second set. Halep has only hit two winners in the set so far, with Tomljanovic basically taking it in turns to win and then lose points.
Naomi Osaka does a post-match on-court interview. She says of Garcia that “it’s really hard to play opponents like her because you never know what she’s going to do and how hard she’s going to hit”, and of her next opponent, the Tunisian world No30 Ons Jabeur, that “she’s really funny and nice” and “the match I’m going to play against her is going to be really difficult”. She’s also asked what she has been getting up to in her free time:
Honestly, I just stay in my room. The first day I got here I was really excited, because you guys get to do stuff, unlike in America. So I walked around but then I felt guilty, I didn’t know if guys were staring at me, so then I just stayed in my room and started watching Netflix.
Smashed racket alert! First set: Kyrgios* 5-7 Hubert Nick Kyrgios is broken in the final game of an even first set, and smashes his racket into the court in frustration. A code violation swiftly follows.
Naomi Osaka cruises into round three!
Garcia 2-6, 3-6 Osaka* After one hour and one minute - seven minutes shorter than Osaka’s first-round win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova - Naomi Osaka books her place in round three.
Updated
Second set: Tomljanovic* 0-1 Halep Halep breaks to 15 in the opening game of the second set, as Tomljanovic hits three unforced errors and a double fault.
Second set: Garcia* 2-6, 2-5 Osaka While the No2 seed struggles, the No3 seed is looking serene. Osaka’s match started after Halep’s but looks almost over. Osaka has won 93% of points on her first serve in the second set, as well as 47% of points on her opponent’s, and is one game from an early night.
First set: Tomljanovic 6-4 Halep* Tomljanovic breaks to win the opening set! Halep has not had a single easy service game. She won her first to 30, but other than that they’ve all gone to deuce as indeed does this one, eight times. This one game last 15 minutes, with some sensational forehand returning and a couple of fantastic rallies along the way, before Halep sends a forehand into the net to lose the third break point!
Updated
First set: Tomljanovic* 5-4 Halep A big game, with Tomljanovic saving a break point on her way to a precious hold, and Halep about to fight to stay in the opening set. Meanwhile on John Cain, Nick Kyrgios is arguing with the umpire, apparently about a let cord decision he didn’t agree with.
First set: Garcia* 2-6 Osaka Naomi Osaka, the No3 seed, is not hanging around. Caroline Garcia, the French world No43, is being fairly emphatically outplayed - other than the two games she won Garcia didn’t have a game point in that set.
First set: Tomljanovic* 4-3 Halep Tomljanovic is absolutely standing should to shoulder, going toe to toe and also mirroring other body parts with Halep here. The match is on serve, but after successive breaks. Halep’s win percentage on her second serve is currently an astonishing 10%.
Here’s a Reuters report on Sorana Cirstea’s shock win over the No9 seed, Petra Kvitova:
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova had no excuses for her second-round exit at the Australian Open on Wednesday, refusing to blame the mandatory two-week quarantine for her rusty display in a 6-4 1-6 6-1 defeat by Romanian Sorana Cirstea.
Kvitova recovered well after losing the opening set but her efforts were undone by untidiness, the Czech finishing with 44 unforced errors and seven double faults.
“I think this match wasn’t really about the quarantine or just practicing differently,” said Kvitova, who was allowed outside her hotel room for five hours a day to train. “It’s a little painful and I’m really disappointed about my loss. I didn’t really bring the best tennis today. It’s really hurting. I should have take the first set when I was leading a break ... and it would be different story.”
Kvitova jumped out to a 2-0 lead but could not keep a lid on her errors as Cirstea converted each of her three breakpoint opportunities to claim the opening set.
Kvitova, who finished runner-up at Melbourne Park two years ago, showed glimpses of her powerful ball-striking as she raced to a 4-0 lead in the second set before levelling the match when Cirstea handed her a third break with a tame double fault.
Cirstea, however, turned the tables on the Czech in the final set and claimed victory on her third match point with Kvitova hitting a forehand long.
Having secured her first win over a top-10 opponent at a Grand Slam in nine years, Cirstea will next face 19th seed Marketa Vondrousova in a bid to match her best result at the Australian Open - a fourth round showing from four years ago.
“I was one of the few in hard quarantine. I think it’s impressive to come out of 15 days without hitting a ball and competing the way I did today, I wasn’t expecting it,” Cirstea said.
There is a mammoth encounter in progress on the 1573 Arena, where Reilly Opelka is pushing the No27 seed and his fellow American, Taylor Fritz, all the way and then some. Fritz has just broken in the first game of the fifth set to lead 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 1-0 after three hours and 49 minutes, and precisely 350 points. The stats are intriguing: Opelka has hit 88 winners to Fritz’s meagre 45, but also 78 unforced errors to Fritz’s 28.
British interest update: Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares have wrapped up victory over Cameron Norrie and Marcos Giron, 7-6, 6-3.
First set: Tomljanovic 2-2 Halep* A massive game in every sense, and Halep knows she’s in a scrap now. After 16 points, five deuces and four break points, Halep double faults and the first set is back on serve.
Iga Swiatek has wrapped up victory over Camila Giorgi, 6-2, 6-4. Both players had six break points; Swiatek won four of them, Giorgi just one, and though the Italian was excellent at times that doesn’t accurately reflect Swiatek’s superiority. She hit 17 winners to Giorgi’s 11, and 17 unforced errors to Giorgi’s 31. Nick Kyrgios is next on John Cain. Here’s Swiatek on managing expectations as a 19-year-old Grand Slam winner:
Honestly it’s really hard. You know, I’m really ambitious so I have my own expectations so I have to deal with them, and the other expectations from outside, so I’m working on that. I’m working with a psychologist. I feel I’m doing a good job. I guess I have nothing to lose. I just want to enjoy being on court, and try not to think about the outside world while I’m here.
First set: Tomljanovic 0-2 Halep* The Australian World No72 Ajla Tomljanovic is in for a tough evening against the world No2, though when they played in the final of the Adelaide International just last month it was very far from a thrashing, Halep winning 6-4, 7-5. Tomljanovic gets off to a poor start, being broken in the first game of the match.
Iga Swiatek has reasserted control of her match against Camila Giorgi. She has just held serve to lead 5-3 in the second and appears to be on the doorstep of victory, but Giorgi, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist a couple of years back, has at times played excellently, hit some wonderful winners, and generally banked a more than creditable performance.
British interest latest: there are Brits on both sides of the net on Court 15, where Jamie Murray is in doubles action with his Brazilian partner Bruno Soares, up against Marcos Giron, an American, and Cameron Norrie. Murray/Soares are seeded six and edging it so far, leading as they do 7-6, 4-2.
Hello world! There are seven matches currently ongoing, and action about to get under way on the show courts, where the evening session looks like this (Kyrgios and Humbert will have to wait for the end of Iga Swiatek’s match against Camila Giorgi, which from 6-2, 2-0 in favour of the No15 seed has suddenly turned complicated, and it’s now 3-3 in the second):
Rod Laver Arena
Caroline Garcia (France) v Naomi Osaka (Japan, 3)
Maxime Cressy (US) v Alexander Zverev (Germany, 6)
Margaret Court Arena
Alja Tomljanovic (Australia) v Simona Halep (Romania, 2)
Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria, 18) v Alex Bolt (Australia)
John Cain Arena
Nick Kyrgios (Australia) v Ugo Humbert (France, 29)
In case you didn’t see Venus Williams’s heartbreaking loss, she broke down during her 6-1, 6-0 second-round defeat to Sara Errani but opted against retiring and played through two injuries in her 21st Melbourne Park campaign.
Heartbreaking scenes for @Venuseswilliams. 😢
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 10, 2021
WATCH: @9now
STREAM: https://t.co/7uAf53PWTv #9WWOS #AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/Mc9LaW3ZqA
That was the most impressive, inspiring, life-affirming 1-6, 0-6 loss you’ll ever see.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) February 10, 2021
Thank you, Venus.#AusOpen
And with that, I’ll leave you in the excellent hands of Simon Burnton for a night session sure to tickle your tastebuds.
While we wait for the evening session to get under way, let’s take a look back at one of the highlight from Djokovic v Tiafoe:
A 3⃣3⃣-shot rally goes the way of the underdog! 😵
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 10, 2021
Tiafoe is NOT letting Djokovic run away with this!
WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/TYsz5RZN3Z#9WWOS #AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/VM3Y0EpFkZ
Meanwhile, Bernard Tomic has crashed out of the tournament, defeated 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 by Denis Shapovalov. The Australian qualifier, who progressed to the second round after his first-round opponent retired, made a whopping 40 unforced errors. Shapovalov, the Canadian 11th seed, will face compatriot Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round.
And in case you missed it, Dominic Thiem made light work of 70th-ranked German Dominik Koepfer 6-4, 6-0, 6-2, and will next play the winner of tonight’s battle between Nick Kyrgios and Ugo Humbert.
Well, the world No 1 rose to the occasion on a court he says is as comfortable as his living room.
“Very tough match,” Djokovic says post-match. “Difficult conditions. While we had sun on the court it was very warm. A lot of long rallies. I want to give a hand to Frances again for a great fight. It was a fantastic match on his part.”
In some ways this type of challenge will get Djokovic into his groove early in the tournament. In others, it will have tired him out.
“The matches will only get tougher,” he says. “It’s not the first time I’m in this kind of situation. I know how to handle these kind of circumstances, but at the same time I was fortunate to get through the third set today. It is probably the most aces I have served to someone and someone has served to me in a long time.”
In the end, Djokovic served 26 aces to Tiafoe’s 23.
He also references Tiafoe’s crucial loss of serve to violation.
“He deserved to have a first serve and play it out to the end.”
On Rod Laver Arena:
“It feels like my living room, to be honest. I feel comfortable playing here. I think the surface has changed over the years - this is probably the quickest speed I have played on at Rod Laver Arena, so you need a big serve, and if you don’t have a big serve you have to grind and win the battle.”
Novak Djokovic beats Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6(7-2) 6-3
These past 20 minutes or so have all but erased Tiafoe’s hopes. His head is no longer in it. Djokovic wins the first point, Tiafoe wins the next with an ace. It’s 30-15, 30-30, 30-40. It’s a double fault that gifts Djokovic victory. A deflating end to a classic, physical match. The pair hug enthusiastically.
Fourth set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6(7-2) 5-3 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Djokovic made a crucial break in the last game and serves here. Tiafoe runs to his box to grab a towel for a cursory wipe of the forehead. The umpire has called him out on it, having been lenient on him so far. He has already lost two serves to time violations, though, and now he gets another violation for spraying the umpire with expletives. He loses the game and lifts his racket over his head as if to smash it into the ground, but doesn’t. He’s serving to stay in the match.
Updated
Let’s just take a very quick moment to catch up on some results. Bernard Tomic is down two sets to Denis Shapovalov after the Canadian 11th seed raced to a 6-1, 6-3 lead.
Marton Fucsovics has overcome Stan Wawrinka in a five-set classic that sees the Hungarian progress to the third round.
Ninth seed Petra Kvitova has suffered an upset three-set loss to Sorana Cirstea.
Fourth set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6(7-2) 2-3 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Back to the action and there are scenes as Djokovic helps Tiafoe find his shock absorber, which flew off his racket. It is a nice bit of interaction between the pair and also probably a welcome rest. It follows an epic rally that has left Djokovic quite literally hunched over himself. Tiafoe comes back from 0-30 to win the game
Fourth set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6(7-2) 2-2 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) We’re at deuce and Tiafoe is pushing him all the way but he holds.
I didn’t see much of this game, having looked up from the TV screen once in the past three hours and eight minutes. It was for good reason - to view this video of a lawyer stuck in a cat filter while on a Zoom call. It has honestly made my week.
Fourth set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6(7-2) 1-2 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) He’s quick, is Tiafoe, but not quick enough to handle his foe’s relentless drives to the baseline. And he’s shaking his head at something as he pauses before serving again. He has a winner, and potentially might have notched another if it weren’t for Djokovic’s sprint to a volley. The latter takes the server to deuce and is heading the tennis ball in celebration. Tiafoe can’t catch a break, and Novak is about to. He has the advantage. Tiafoe sends down an ace. It takes him two goes to convert his following advantages and when he does a “let’s go!” rings out through the stadium. The young challenger is out of jail, for now. He drinks more magic potion, which is likely electrolytes.
Fourth set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6(7-2) 1-1 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) I really can’t pick this. Tiafoe has a spring in his step as he strides over for a racket change, carrying two of them back out to the court and then returning one. Is that sarcasm from Djokovic? He holds the ball out at the service line as if to say “are you bloody well ready?” and proceeds to win the point. The pair trade blows until Djokovic takes the upper hand at 40-30 and converts via - you guessed it - an ace.
Fourth set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6(7-2) 0-1 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Service game to love.
Third set tie-break: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6(7-2) Frances Tiafoe Tiafoe needs these next two points. They are off and trying every play in the handbook until Tiafoe again shakes the net. This play-off is slipping from his grasp. An unforced error makes it 6-2 before Djokovic has the winner and win he does this third set. The clock is at 2:44 now and this match could continue far longer. The pressure is both men. Tiafoe to overturn the deficit, Djokovic to grind him down.
Third set tie-break: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-6(4-2) Frances Tiafoe Make that another ace for Novak. He’s muttering under his breath, waiting for Tiafoe’s serve. He faults, lands the second. Djokovic nets after a baseline rally.
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Third set tie-break: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-6(3-1) Frances Tiafoe It’s 2-0 to Djokovic and Tiafoe serves an ace. Djoka follows suit.
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Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-6 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Tiafoe is faltering on his first serve. The toss has thrown him off balance. Double fault. He lands one in the next point and an intriguing rally ensues. Tiafoe has his racket over his head and the ball and it spins, lands not far inside the line and swings wide. Djoka has no right to get to it but shoves a gritty response across court. What should have been a relatively straightforward finish to this rally for Tiafoe is a ball that clips the net and dribbles back towards him. That could cost him the game and the set. It doesn’t; he claws his way back to hold and we’re off to that widely predicted tie-break.
Third set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-5 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Djokovic makes this one quick. Ace, ace, point, ace. He wants to get back to that ice towel quick smart. The shade descends on Rod Laver Arena. Relief, at last.
Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 5-5 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Tiafoe is being seen to during the change of ends and gargles something before returning to the court. Still, he appears confident. His serve is brutal at times, and he notches another ace, but Djokovic crawls back and is matching him point for point. One triumph is a drop shot, oh so delicate and with a hint of backspin, that nestles just inside Tiafoe’s side of the court. Tiafoe takes his turn via a beautiful drop volley but the Serb has 17 grand slams for a reason, and he not only gets to it but also puts it away. Tiafoe rescues two break points and then converts his advantage with a down-the-line winner. Is there another tie-break in store?
Third set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 5-4 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Djoka restores his lead, easy as you like.
Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 4-4 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Whatever it is, it’s working - at least momentarily. A quick two points. But now he’s lost two. An ace takes care of that, and then another - his 17th thus far - secures parity.
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Third set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 4-3 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Tiafoe gives it a “Come on!” but it does little good as his foe down the other end hits the refresh button and wins four straight points. There’s yet another shirt change at the break. Is this a Nadal-esque routine?
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Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 3-3 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) All is square at 15-15, then Tiafoe streaks away and wins every point from here on in. He has just fought back from 3-0 downbreak here could make the difference.
Third set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 3-2 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Tiafoe breaks back! The set is back on serve after an almighty effort that has again moved the pendulum of this swinging affair.
Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 3-1 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Djokovic unleashes a backhand described by commentators as “appropriately aggressive”. It wins him point one. But not point two, courtesy of another mistake. Tiafoe makes two errors. Who can handle the heat? Both are simultaneously not giving an inch but also giving an inch. Tiafoe is somewhat on the back foot at the minute. but he rescues a break point and at 30-40 races in to drive the ball deep to one corner, from where Djokovic wallops it into the net. He toiled, and Tiafoe finally has a game.
Third set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 3-0 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) And Djokovic consolidates, flying away with his service game that features two aces and another scarcely believable miss from Tiafoe. Djokovic has 15 aces to Tiafoe’s 12. The unforced error count stands at 23-27.
Third set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 2-0 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Tiafoe continues to control the rallies. Down 0-15, he runs a tired Djokovic left then right, then two quickfire volleys prove too much. Djokovic bites back in the next point but an ace brings us to 30-30, but he runs around the ball on the left side of the court to play a forehand and it’s a bit high, landing outside the baseline. It’s deuce, then Tiafoe has the ad but cracks first in a baseline rally. He needs to wrap up this service game but he can’t. Novak, with the advantage, executes one of those backhand slices his opponent so relishes, and his next shot barely skims the line. That’s a crucial early break.
Third set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 1-0 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Djokovic has an ice towel around his neck. The temperature at Melbourne Park has dropped a couple of degrees to 29 according to the Bureau but doubt they’re feeling it. Tiafoe is embarking on another shirt change. He puts on a yellow one, then takes it off, surveys the drenched blue ones, puts the yellow one back on.
A solid opener from Djokovic, who wins the game to love.
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Second set tie-break: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-7 (3-7) Frances Tiafoe This latest winner from Tiafoe isn’t in error, though, an immaculate drop shot that he follows with another strong rally to claim the set. He’s pumping his fist and his racket and saying “I love this! I love this!” as he takes a seat and his fans cheer. Tiafoe dictated that tie-break and Djokovic has to bring back his early energy.
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Second set tie-break: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (3-5) Frances Tiafoe Now he’s apologising as he catches Djokovic’s serve on his frame but it drifts onto the line anyway and wins him the point. Djokovic is back at the net now after some savage baseline back and forths end with an attempted volley that lands past the baseline.
Second set tie-break: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (3-3) Frances Tiafoe Tiafoe is up 3-2 until Novak sends down an ace that has Tiafoe falling in a heap, literally, venting.
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Second set tie-break: Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (2-2) Frances Tiafoe Tiafoe’s first serve is in the net, second serve is a sfty but he’s clinical this time and runs Djokovic out to the left-hand corner before volleying to the right.
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Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 6-6 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Tiafoe has just made one of the more remarkable misses of the tournament, having set up a perfect point at 15-15 and approached the net for a smash he inexplicably hurled well wide. That was his chance to hit Djoka where it hurts but in an instant it’s gone and Novak takes every point from there on in to take the set to a tie-break.
Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-6 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Djokovic falls prey to another ace from his combatant, who is starting to really thrive while the eight-time Australian Open champion appears to be suffering. He’s fidgeting as Tiafoe takes this game from 40-15 and forces him to serve to stay in the set. Djokovic won’t want this to stretch out to four or five sets but it could yet be heading that way.
Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 5-5 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Djokovic has just served his fifth double fault of the match. His first serve is starting to let him down, with the caveat that the very next point is a bullet that forces Tiafoe into a poor choice of shot for an easy winner. The next rally, though, starts with a safe second serve and it is in this situation the American is thriving. As it stands, Novak has won 26/30 points from his first serve and only 12/24 on his second. Still, he wins the game from deuce.
Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-5 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Djokovic is down 40-15, having made two unforced errors and despite a double fault from Tiafoe. He takes his place behind the service box, upright and with feet planted wide. Then he’s crouching, waiting. There he stands as the serve swooshes right past him for an ace that gives Tiafoe the game. This has turned into a fascinating match. Tiafoe changes that shirt in the break as Djokovic prepares to serve to stay in the set.
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Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 4-4 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) We’re seeing a bit more stroke play now and both players are over the ball. Tiafoe delivers a lovely winner but Djokovic responds, approaching the next to draw his counterpart wide before volleying out of reach into the other corner. TIafoe is drenched in sweat.
Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-4 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) raced away but two tremendous returns from Djokovic puts his lead on shakier ground. Perhaps under pressure, he finishes the following rally with an attempted crosscourt forehand that slaps the net. At deuce he holds his nerve, though, as Djokovic deposits a backhand into the net and then delivers a serve so ferocious it doesn’t look as if it can be returned. It isn’t returned. Game.
Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-3 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) There may have been a break of crowd etiquette a little earlier because Djokovic wasn’t happy with a couple of fans cheering for Tiafoe. Don’t let anyone tell you things can’t get rowdy while socially distanced.
Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 2-3 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Tiafoe had served five aces to Djokovic’s nine before this point but he finishes this game with two to win his service to love.
Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 2-2 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Normalcy resumes, somewhat. Djokovic is made to fight from 15-30 down but he serves his way out of a potential hiccup.
Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 1-2 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) According to Channel Nine’s flashing statistics, 69% of rallies are being conducted via backhand shots. And it has so far been a bit of a case of who flinches first. This time it’s Tiafoe, and this has not been such an emphatic game as the past two, squeezing into deuce territory. Tiafoe has the advantage and he sends one right and makes his move to approach the net, but Djokovic is too quick to get there and has his body around the ball in anticipation of an acutely angled winner that sails into the far corner. As the pair shift between ad and deuce, a fan in the stands is holding one of those little motorised fans up to cool off her face. We feel you, sister. Tiafoe smacks a forehand Djokovic can’t get to and that’s the game. The 23-year-old leads in a set for the first time to bring about a MOMENTUM SHIFT!
Second set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 1-1 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Djokovic does this one to love.
Second set: Novak Djokovic 6-3 0-1 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Tiafoe may have lost that battle but he’s determined not to lose the war just yet, and he claims his service game to love.
First set: Novak Djokovic* 6-3 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Error. Error. Ace. Double fault. Winner. And that’s the first set done and dusted in 23 minutes.
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First set: Novak Djokovic 5-3 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) There’s a sense we’re going to witness some epic rallies here. This one is 20 shots, broken only when Tiafoe falters first and rattles the tape. Djokovic reigns in the next one too but another marathon ensues. Slice, slice, slice, slice, slice, slice, slice, stroke, stroke, stroke, str ... and Djokovic skews the ball a whisker wide of the line. At 15-40, Tiafoe is going for a two-handed backhand here to return Djokovic’s return. This is rare. And it’s flat, and brutal, and the Serb down the other end can’t even get a racket to it. But Djokovic wants to wrap this set up and puts away a forehand. Important break that.
First set: Novak Djokovic* 4-3 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) A first double fault for the defending champion, but not the next, and a long rally ensues before Djokovic makes an unforced error. There’s a sense his challenger is settling now. Here’s some proof ... the very next point is a cracker and plants a wonderful shot low and in a position where Djokovic is forced to reach uncomfortably. He skies. Three break points and another Djoka error makes it a break to love. Can he bring it back on serve?
First set: Novak Djokovic 4-2 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) It’s 15-15 and a war-of-attrition rally at the baseline ends in an overcooked shot from Djokovic. At 40-15 an ace seals the game, thank you very much.
First set: Novak Djokovic* 4-1 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Another comfortable game for Djokovic. An early unforced error is quickly transformed into four dominant points. This set is getting away.
First set: Novak Djokovic 3-1 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Djokovic’s strength is not allowing his opponents to breathe. Let’s say he suffocates them. That is what is happening here, already. But wait, Tiafoe is up 15-0 after a lovely reply to Djokovic’s return and now he has two more points. It’s only through a double fault that he drops one and he wins the game from 40-15. That’s more like it. Don’t want this over too quickly.
First set: Novak Djokovic* 3-0 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) You can’t blame Tiafoe for treading carefully, against the world No 1, on a court he has enjoyed so much success. But he has taken his first two points of the match here and put the pressure on Djokovic, who is down 0-30, a forehand winner making it so. The latter is not known for letting games slip through his fingers though and it’s soon deuce. It is these moments that ultimately decide contests between opponents who are mismatched on paper. To wit, a ball pops up for Tiafoe that would make a winner - if he is patient. He is not, and takes a wild swing that serves to gift his opponent the advantage and then the game.
First set: Novak Djokovic 2-0 Frances Tiafoe* (* denotes server) Tiafoe has picked his favourite shot, and it’s the backhand slice. He makes several of these, before sending one high. The American is nervous, second-guessing. His shots safe. Double fault and Djokovic has a triple break point. And another unforced error - this time on his forehand - cedes the game to love.
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First set: Novak Djokovic* 1-0 Frances Tiafoe (* denotes server) Well that was a short 70 seconds. Ever seen a player open a match with four aces? Djokovic is giving it a decent nudge and he makes three before Tiafoe stretched a racket to one and swipes the ball into the net.
Afternoon afternoon, well here were are on Rod Laver Arena, where one of the cutest kids I’ve seen to date is overseeing the toss between Novak Djokovic and Frances Tiafoe. The little man is grinning ear to ear and even waving to the crowd.
It’s 31 degrees at Melbourne Park right now, which is not as extreme as some of those oven-esque days of past years but the surface will still be energy-sapping. Djokovic doesn’t always like heat so let’s see how he holds up here. The pair are warmed up and the Serb will serve.
And with that I’ll hand you over to my colleague Emma Kemp, who will see you through the rest of the day session. Cheerio!
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Serena Williams beats Nina Stojanović 6-3, 6-0
Second set: Nina Stojanović 3-6, 0-6 Serena Williams* (* denotes server) 15-0. 30-0. 40-0. Ace. Game, set and match. Williams closes out the match in style to end an impeccable second set in which she simply stepped up a level and left Stojanović for dead. Impressive outing for the 10th seed, who eases into the third round.
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Second set: Nina Stojanović* 3-6, 0-5 Serena Williams (* denotes server) You have to feel for Stojanović at this point. She held her own during the first set, but the gulf in class has been apparent ever since and it’s all over bar the shouting for her now. Williams breaks once more and the 23-time grand slam champion will serve for the match and a place in the third round.
Second set: Nina Stojanović 3-6, 0-4 Serena Williams* (* denotes server) Patrick Mouratoglou cuts a relaxed figure in the players’ box. Well he might. His charge is cruising now. Williams seals a love service game with a booming overhead and she’s just two games away from the third round now.
Second set: Nina Stojanović* 3-6, 0-3 Serena Williams (* denotes server) Oof. How are you supposed to deal with that? Williams absolutely creams a return of serve back past Stojanović, leaving the Serb no chance. What. A. Shot. Stojanović never really recovers and on break point she finds the net. Williams is now motoring towards the third round, a set and a double break up.
Second set: Nina Stojanović 3-6, 0-2 Serena Williams* (* denotes server) Stojanović refuses to lie down and she demonstrates what she has in her armoury with a stunning forehand winner on the stretch - her fifth of the day so far, to Serena’s four - midway through this game. Still, Williams holds.
Second set: Nina Stojanović* 3-6, 0-1 Serena Williams (* denotes server) Brave stuff from Stojanović as she saves the first of two break points with an ace, but on the second one, the Serb’s radar is a fraction off and Williams goes a set and a break up early in the second. Ominous for Stojanović? Probably.
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First set: Nina Stojanović 3-6 Serena Williams* (* denotes server) With the first set within reach, you sense Williams just dials up the power a touch, as the greats are able to do, seemingly at will. And the 10th seed storms to another held service game - and a 1-0 lead. It’s a long way back now for Stojanović.
First set: Nina Stojanović* 3-5 Serena Williams (* denotes server) Stojanović double faults at 40-15 up but it’s a mere blip in an otherwise comfortable service game for the Serb. She’s not going anywhere this set, but Williams will now serve for it. Now seems like a good time for Stojanović to break...
First set: Nina Stojanović 2-5 Serena Williams* (* denotes server) Trouble could be brewing for Williams here as she faces two break points. But the first is saved with a fierce backhand as she moves towards the net and the second as Stojanović makes an unforced error. The camera zooms in on the American’s necklace - “Queen” - and yep, you can’t argue with that. She wins the next two points to hold again, and we should never have doubted her really.
First set: Nina Stojanović* 2-4 Serena Williams (* denotes server) Stojanović completes her most comfortable service game of the day so far, with the loss of just a single point. The Serb is holding her own and is still in with a shout in this opening set.
First set: Nina Stojanović 1-4 Serena Williams* (* denotes server) Williams’ serve is blowing a bit hot and cold here. She falls to 0-30 but then two powerful serves - one an ace - bring her back back on level terms. The American closes out but the 4-1 scoreline doesn’t really paint a true picture at this point.
First set: Nina Stojanović* 1-3 Serena Williams (* denotes server) Williams has the bulk of support from the stands on Rod Laver today, that’s for sure. But still, noise is at a minimum, given the sparse crowd. Those in attendance, however, show their appreciation for Stojanović as she saves break point with a wonderful forehand winner down the line. A perfectly-executed drop shot follows - again lapped up by the crowd - but Williams matches that with an inch-perfect backhand to bring up a second break point. This is some high-quality tennis. But Stojanović can’t sustain it forever and after she saves another couple of break points, Williams finally pounces decisively to open up a two-game lead.
First set: Nina Stojanović 1-2 Serena Williams* (* denotes server) Williams drops to 0-30 but again a booming serve comes to her rescue - a second ace of the day leaving Stojanović little chance of returning. The Serb then looks to find the line with a forehand, but she’s inches the wrong side. And with that, her chance of a break this game disappears as Williams fires a forehand winner - eliciting a “c’mon” afterwards - and then a serve and volley to finish.
First set: Nina Stojanović* 1-1 Serena Williams (* denotes server) Stojanović struggles with her first service point of the day - a couple of net cords means she ends up serving four balls before an actual rally gets underway. But she finds her groove soon enough and draws level.
First set: Nina Stojanović 0-1 Serena Williams* (* denotes server) Williams gets off to a comfortable enough start. A couple of glorious backhand winners sandwich a shanked effort from Stojanović to kick things off. The Serb then gets herself on the scoreboard as she stands and delivers a terrific return and she does well to force her way back into the game, bringing up deuce with a powerful backhand winner of her own! Serena looks to her serve to dig her out and an ace bring up game point.
As per usual, the stadium announcer’s introduction of Serena Williams seems to go on forever, such is her lengthy list of achievements. This is the first meeting between these two, so no head-to-head for comparison. OK, we’re just about ready. Serena to serve first.
Out they come onto the bright blue of the centre court. Serena is, of course, in her sensational one-legged catsuit that debuted on Monday to widespread acclaim. Serbian Stojanović is in all pink today.
Serena Williams and Nina Stojanović will be along shortly. The official start time for their second-round encounter is “not before 1pm” local time, so we should see them enter Rod Laver Arena in a couple of minutes. The American eased through on the opening day with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Laura Siegemund and starts as hot favourite to register a second victory in three days against the world No 100.
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We’ve already had an almighty upset in the first match on Rod Laver Arena – eighth seed Bianca Andreescu has been bounced out of the competition 6-3, 6-2 by veteran Hsieh Su-wei. Andreescu, the Canadian 2019 US Open champion, was one of the 72 players forced into hard quarantine in a Melbourne hotel before the tournament - we’ll see if she references her lack of practice time in her post match presser. Hsieh will next play Venus Williams or Sara Errani, who are up second on John Cain Arena later today.
Preamble
Day three on another sunny day in Melbourne and a wealth of big names ready to perform for our entertainment. Headlining the day session is record-chasing Serena Williams, up next on Rod Laver, followed by men’s No 1 Novak Djokovic, and in the night session, Noami Osaka. Elsewhere, take you pick from Petra Kvitova, Dominic Thiem, Venus Williams, Simona Halep, Alex Zverev and, on John Caine Arena this evening, Nick Kyrgios.
In short, plenty to look forward to. We’ll do our best to keep across the day’s events as they pan out at Melbourne Park. Do get in touch if you have anything pertinent to get off your chest - mike.hytner@theguardian.com or @mike_hytner.
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