Here is the first report from Roger Federer’s incredible win over John Millman. What a match that was and what a day that was. It’s hard to imagine any day in Melbourne will be quite as crazy as this one, but we will see. Thanks for following.
More Roger Federer:
I never really felt comfortable. I felt John did a great job of keeping me on the back foot, that I couldn’t always step in. Until the last shot: I went for it. He picked the wrong side.
Then he smiled.
Federer was understandably completely flustered after that astounding match:
Oh god, that was tough. Thank God it’s a super tiebreaker otherwise I would have lost this one. Ah. Where to start? I think John played a great match. He might as well have been here as well making the match- doing the interview. Ah, I can’t even speak anymore! He’s a great fighter, good guy and it came down to the wire at the end.
A bit of luck maybe - go one way, I had to stay focused, make the right decision and he was doing all that stuff in the beginning of the breaker. I thought: ‘ok, I guess I tried. I didn’t play too bad after all.’ I was getting ready to explain myself in the press conference.
The demons are always there, they’re always lurking. But anyway, what a match, John sure deserves half of this one.
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Roger Federer survives John Millman 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 7-6 (10-8)
From a 4-8 deficit in the final set tiebreak, Roger Federer produces the smash-and-grab of the year, winning six points in a row to reach the fourth round. Incredible.
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Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 6-6 (9-8*) John Millman: Match point Roger Federer! With his fifth point in a row, a big serve followed by a swift forehand down the line, he has turned it around. One point away.
Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 6-6 (*7-8) John Millman: Tense, tense moments. Two nervy, routine errors from Millman, a forehand error followed by a backhand, bring Federer back on serve.
Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 6-6 (*4-8) John Millman: Federer boldly narrowed the deficit to 4-5* with a forehand winner followed by a drilled backhand down-the-line, but from *5-4 Millman simply elevated his level with three incredible shots in succession: a fabulous drop volley followed by two sweeping forehand passing shots in a row. He stands two points from an incredible win.
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Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 6-6 (*2-5) John Millman: Millman has established narrow mini-break lead after a sprayed backhand error by Federer at 3-2. At 4-2, Millman slammed an ace down the T to consolidate.
Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 6-6 John Millman: John Millman has shown his character for 3 hours and 50 minutes, and he did so again there under immense pressure. After squandering a 40-15 lead and missing a further game point, at the fourth attempt he found a big service winner to push Federer into a deciding 10 point tiebreak.
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Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 6-5* John Millman: Federer edges ahead once again with a hold to 15 and one of his best service games of the set. He found his first serve, he connected with his forehand down-the-line and his game nearly flowed. That may just five him some much-needed confidence. Millman will serve to stay in the match with a tiebreak looming.
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Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 *5-5 John Millman: Everyone in Rod Laver Arena is feeling the nerves right now, but Millman showed his mettle by coming through another service game with everything on the line. This time, a couple of sloppy errors reduced Millman’s 30-0 lead to 30-30. Instead of panicking, the Aussie calmly pounded a point-ending forehand down the line before finding an unreturned serve to hold.
Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 5-4* John Millman: The nerves from Federer are so palpable and this time they affected his serve: he threw in two double faults and found himself at the precarious score of 30-30. However, the Swiss steadied himself with two good first serves to keep himself ahead. He stands one game away from crawling over the line.
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Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 *4-4 John Millman: Millman pieces together a swift, businesslike hold to immediately put the pressure right back on Federer’s broad shoulders.
Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 4-3* John Millman: This is not getting any easier. This time, a flurry of errors forced Federer down 15-40. He rode his luck on the first break point as Millman missed a routine return. However, from 30-40 he simply trusted himself. He finished a well-constructed point at the net, then at deuce he pounded a down the line forehand. He closed the game off by crunching a crosscourt backhand winner to hold. Bold.
Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 *3-3 John Millman: No issues for Millman this time. He found ample first serves before sealing the swift love hold with an ace down the T.
Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 3-2* John Millman: Federer edges back ahead in the fifth with another tense, tense game. The Swiss finished with a sweet point-ending forehand down the line, but Millman will be kicking himself for missing a routine forehand at deuce as the pressure visibly weighed on his opponent.
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Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 *2-2 John Millman: Federer breaks straight back! It is quite surreal to see Federer battling so much with one of his signature shots, but finally he won one battle with his forehand. After alternating between abject forehand errors and hopeful winners throughout the game, he finally connected with two successive sweeping forehand winners before Millman elicited an error on break point.
This is not effortless, balletic or any of the words often used to describe Federer - it is taking every ounce of his concentration.
Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 1-2* John Millman: Millman breaks! Federer’s wife, Mirka, has her head in her hands and for good reason. Federer double faulted at 15-15 and then dumped a routine short forehand well long on break point. Millman takes the first break and across the net, his opponent looks like a shell of himself.
Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 4-6 *1-1 John Millman: No problem from either player in the opening two service games of the fifth. After a swift hold to 15 from Federer, Millman slams down a big unreturned serve at 30-15 and then Federer dumps a backhand into the net.
Some perspective on how dire Federer’s forehand has been today: He has hit 60 unforced errors today and 41(!) have been forehand groundstroke errors. Looking deeper, his forehand has produced 12 winners and forced 16 errors from Millman compared to 41 unforced errors. It has directly cost him 13 more points than it has earnt.
John Millman pushes Roger Federer to a fifth set: 6-4 6-7(2) 4-6 6-4.
We’re heading to a fifth set on Rod Laver Arena. John Millman has no problems serving it out, slamming down four serves and watching Federer’s returns fly well out. Truly courageous play from Millman who refused to buckle after falling down two sets to one. Which Federer will we see in set 5?
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The question after Federer took the third set was whether he would be able to relax and play more freely from the ground, but it simply hasn’t been the case. His forehand has been a major issue throughout the match and once again it has proven his downfall on a big point. From 30-30, he missed two consecutive forehands to hand Millman a 5-3* fourth set lead and move to within a game of fifth set.
John Millman takes the first break of the fourth set with a burst of inspiration from his forehand wing. Federer was cruising up 30-15 in his service game, only for Millman to step in and clobber two successive point-winning forehands to bring up break point.
On break point, the Aussie took things one step further by producing a miraculous point, pounding his forehand from left to right until he finally dragged Federer out of the court. The score stands at 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 3-4*.
If there was any doubt, John Millman just made it clear that he is still here and still fighting. Federer was piling pressure on his serve at 2-1*, dragging him to deuce and snapping a couple of gorgeous down-the-line backhand winners in the process. The Aussie responded by grinding to game point and then flicking a glorious angled forehand passing shot winner at full sprint. He loved it and so did the crowd.
A quick Federer hold followed. The 3rd seed now leads 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 3-2*.
14th seed Sofia Kenin saved set point and recovered from 2-5 down to move up 7-5 against Zhang Shuai on Margaret Court Arena. The winner plays Coco Gauff, which means this is a huge opportunity for all three players.
Roger Federer finally breaks Millman’s serve to move up 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4. The set point from Federer summed up his effort today - he simply ground Millman down with depth and consistency until the Aussie gave up an error. It took some perseverance, but Federer found a way to edge out the third set. Let’s see if he can relax now.
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After nearly a decade of grand slam tennis "MILOS RAONIC — CANADA" is still an anagram of "I CAN DO A SLAM — OR CAN I?"#AusOpen https://t.co/OjawdaxBqe
— Gigs (@AndrewGigacz) January 24, 2020
My word, what a hold that was by John Millman to level the third set at 6-4 6-7(2) 4-4*. Federer was prowling and generated a break point at 30-40, which the Aussie saved by boldly stepping into the court and crushing a forehand crosscourt winner. At deuce, they pounded the ball back and forth for 27 desperate strokes. When Federer made a move to the net and seemed to have the point in his grasp, Millman threaded a slick angled backhand passing shot winner. Federer netted a forehand on game point and Millman survived.
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Tsitsipas: 'Kind of reminds me of a match I had with Kyrgios a few weeks ago in Brisbane. Not much going on from the baseline, mostly serves. Myself I felt a bit stupid returning his serves, felt like I was slow. My anticipation wasn't there. Just it's a strange game of tennis..'
— Ravi Ubha (@raviubha) January 24, 2020
Over on Margaret Court Arena, former Australian Open quarterfinalist Zhang Shuai leads 14th seed Sofia Kenin *4-2.
Roger Federer and John Millman remain on serve at 4-6 7-6(2) 3-2* to Federer.
It should be noted that Tennys Sandgren’s run to the fourth round run evokes some memories of its own. When he reached the Australian Open fourth round two years ago, his political views became one of the main stories of the tournament.
Fabio Fognini is through to the fourth round. He will face Tennys Sandgren and the match-up brings up some breezy Summer memories:
Fabio Fognini beats Guido Pella 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-3.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 24, 2020
Fabio Fognini next faces Tennys Sandgren in #AusOpen R16.
Fabio Fognini played Sandgren at Wimbledon last year.
Fabio Fognini said during that match, you'll recall, that Wimbledon should be *bombed*.pic.twitter.com/EBnLwGHOPP
Roger Federer completely elevated his level in that tiebreak and he should be very pleased with the quality he produced with his back to the wall. Millman should probably also be satisfied. He didn’t do anything wrong and he gave Federer nothing. He is still in this and the Swiss will have to produce more moments of brilliance to move ahead.
Roger Federer snatches the second set to level John Millman at 4-6 7-6(2). Roger Federer has been searching for inspiration for 80 minutes and it finally came when he needed it the most. A brilliant sequence of flowing, attacking tennis ended with a slick drop volley winner to seal the second set.
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At last, Federer comes alive and he leads *5-1 at the break. Federer snatched the mini-break with an excellent forehand down-the-line at 2-1 and then followed it up with another flashy combination of forehands. At 4-1, he edged further ahead with a brilliant overhead winner. Almost there.
Despite his struggles off the ground, Roger Federer is handling his service games really well. He holds with a gorgeous drop volley to bring the second set into a tiebreak. 6-4 6-6 to John Millman. A crucial tiebreak ahead...
Tense, tense moments in Rod Laver Arena but John Millman holds firm for 6-4 6-5*. Federer played his best return game of the set and generated break point at 30-40, but for what feels like the 900th time today, he then missed the return. At deuce, Federer shanked a forehand wide and Millman closed it off with a brilliant backhand smash. That sequence was really the match in a nutshell: Federer self-sabotaging from the baseline and Millman viciously making him pay with consistent brilliance.
"I'm happy to hit as many aces as possible to add on to that."
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020
We're happy for you to hit as many aces as possible too @milosraonic 👏#AO2020 | #AusOpen | #Aces4BushfireRelief pic.twitter.com/DvA2FQzgJo
Roger Federer holds to love for 4-6 5-5 on Rod Laver Arena. The service games have flown by in this second set with only one deuce game (on Millman’s serve) in the entire set. Federer is serving much better now but he is still struggling to play with freedom from the baseline.
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Unsurprisingly, Milos Raonic is very happy:
Obviously, today was an incredible match for me and I’m incredibly happy with how things went. To be back here on Margaret Court, it’s been a while and I always enjoy it here. I enjoyed the energy and it’s a lot of fun for me. It’s fun to be healthy, to be playing well and I can really take a lot of pleasure in that.
32nd seed Milos Raonic upsets 6th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5 6-4 7-6(2)
An enormous victory for the former top 5 player and Australian Open semi-finalist. Raonic’s career has been beset by injuries in recent years but he is finally healthy again and he played bold, aggressive tennis, backed up by flawless serving. Another top seed out. What a day!
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Milos Raonic leads *5-1 at the break and this already looks like it is over. The Canadian took the first mini-break on Margaret Court Arena, secured with a sleek, angled drop volley. Tsitsipas then dumped a backhand into the net. After more bruising forehands from Raonic, he is within two points of a huge victory.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas still hasn’t touched Milos Raonic’s serve, but he has finally pushed the Canadian to a third set tiebreak. Raonic leads 7-5 6-4 6-6. Needless to say, Tsitsipas cannot afford to lose this.
Osaka: "I love her, but I don't like this feeling of losing to her.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 24, 2020
"I feel bad for Wim, for my entire team, Nana, Abdul, Ka-ru. We came here to win the tournament, and I’m the vessel that everyone's hard work is put into. And I wasn't able to do what I was supposed to do."
12th seed Fabio Fognini opened his Australian Open by battling from two sets down against Reilly Opelka to win 7-6(4) in the fifth. Then he blew a two sets lead against Jordan Thompson in his second round before recovering to win 7-5(5). In the midst of so much drama, he punched his racquet so hard that his hand now looks like it is about to fall off. No matter! He currently leads 22nd seed Guido Pella 7-6(0) 6-2.
John Millman holds to lead 6-4 1-0. Roger Federer opened the second set really positively, quickly generating a 0-30 lead and threatening Millman’s serve. He then made a total mess mess of a backhand volley at 0-30 before shanking a forehand long at 15-30. From 30-30, Millman slammed down back-to-back aces to hold. It is very simple: Millman is playing brilliantly, while Federer still hasn’t really shown up yet.
Over on Margaret Court Arena, Milos Raonic slams down a service winner to level the third set at 7-5 6-4 3-3*. The pair are still on serve and Tsitsipas is still searching for his first break point.
John Millman takes the first set 6-4 against Roger Federer. Just when it seemed like Federer’s game was coming together, he produced a dire service game to hand over the set with a series of errors, sealed with a limp forehand into the net. Surely not another upset?
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Roger Federer breaks back for *4-5! At last, some quality tennis from the 3rd seed when he needed it most. Federer opened up the game by forcing a Millman error with an angled crosscourt backhand, then he found a great crosscourt passing shot to move to 0-30. A Millman forehand error offered him three break points and he took the second with gorgeous backhand down the line passing shot on the run.
John Millman will serve for the first set at *5-3. Across the net, Federer has found his serve but he is still extremely erratic off the ground. After an error-strewn return game at 4-2, Federer held in 53 seconds with a flurry of aces. Now would be a good time for the 3rd seed to start landing backhands.
John Millman consolidates his break to lead Roger Federer 4-1*. Federer made some progress on the Millman serve, moving to 0-30 before generating a break point at 30-40. Millman responded by finding a few big first serves at 0-30, saving the break point with a swift forehand down-the-line winner and then closing the hold with an ace. He is oozing confidence.
John Millman makes the first move on Rod Laver Arena, crunching a backhand down-the-line to move up *3-1 on Roger Federer. These are early days but he has entered the court serving extremely well (83% first serves in) and looking like a man who knows he can beat Federer again. Federer must respond.
Roger Federer and John Millman have taken to court on Rod Laver Arena. The match is still on serve early on, with the Australian commanding a narrow 2-1 lead.
32nd seed Milos Raonic moves up 7-5 6-4 on 6th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas
A decent effort from the Greek to break back at the death. Raonic led 40-0 with triple set points but Tsitsipas fought back to deuce before saving a fourth set point. How did Raonic respond? He slammed down an ace followed by an unreturned serve on the edge of the line. Unplayable.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has never recovered from two sets down in his career. Now would be a good time to start doing so.
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Rankings watch: With today’s failed title defence, Naomi Osaka will slip to #9 in the rankings. Gauff will at least be ranked around the #50. For perspective, the next highest ranked 15 year old currently sits at #627.
"Honestly, like, what is my life?"@CocoGauff can barely believe she just defeated Naomi Osaka on @RodLaverArena.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/xM7lDWYDsU
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020
Out on Margaret Court Arena, 6th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is in serious trouble. Milos Raonic leads 7-5 5-3* and hasn’t yet faced a single break point on his booming serve. Tsitsipas will serve to stay in the second set.
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On Coco Gauff’s big victory over Naomi Osaka.
Coco Gauff just defeated the Australian Open defending champion on Rod Laver Arena. Tomorrow she will be doing her her homework:
My teachers, they’re giving me some time because considering the circumstances they’re letting me submit some assignments later.
Coco Gauff is a bit stunned right now:
Honestly, what is my life? Like, oh my gosh. Two years ago I lost first round in juniors and now I’m here. This is crazy!
I mean, I love it down here. Oh my gosh. Like, honestly? Thank you guys so much for the bottom of my heart. Like, oh my gosh, I’m on Rod Laver Arena. I can’t believe this!
And for good reason. Wow.
Coco Gauff defeats defending champion Naomi Osaka 6-3 6-4 to reach the Australian Open fourth round.
If there was any doubt before, Coco Gauff has arrived. As the 3rd seed and defending champion crumbled across the net, the 15 year old closed it out to love with. Incredible result.
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Coco Gauff holds for 6-3 5-3* to move to within a game of victory. Amid some solid serving from Gauff, more inexplicable errors from Osaka. She ended the game by sleepwalking to the net and being easily picked off by a dipping backhand from Gauff. One game from a monumental result on a crazy first Friday.
Coco Gauff breaks for 6-3 *4-3! Osaka seemed to be growing into the set, but out of nowhere she threw in another horrific service game filled with errors, sealed with yet another backhand into the net. Inexplicable.
So many of Coco Gauff’s qualities are impressive. Aside from the one lapse at the beginning of the set, she is serving exceptionally well, moving like the wind and her backhand is already a world class shot. However, her most impressive quality right now is her mental strength. After dropping serve at 6-3 *1-0, she has responded with two really solid service games in succession to hold for 6-3 3-3*, the last one to love. There will be a lot of pressure on Osaka in the coming games.
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Over on Margaret Court Arena, another big story may be developing. 32nd seed Milos Raonic has takes the first set 7-5 on 3rd seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Much better work from Osaka to stop the run games against her at 4 by breaking Gauff back immediately and then quickly holding for 3-6 2-1*.
A bit of a mental lapse from Gauff in her service game. She double faulted at 40-15 and again on the second deuce before dumping a volley into the net on break point. Now she has to regain her composure.
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Current stats on Rod Laver Arena: 4 winners and 10 unforced errors for Gauff. 9 winners and 17 unforced errors for Osaka.
Coco Gauff immediately moves up a set and a break on Naomi Osaka at 6-3 *1-0. A rancid service game from Osaka - she opened with a couple more dreadful backhand errors, then she dumped an easy volley into the net and she dismounted by shanking a forehand well wide. She is playing terribly now and looks extremely flat. Gauff is giving absolutely nothing away.
Coco Gauff takes the first set 6-3 against Naomi Osaka!
Absolutely no fear from the youngster, who sealed out the love hold with a huge unreturned serve out wide. While Gauff is skidding around the court, chasing every ball down and punctuating each winning point with loud cheers, Osaka looks a little too calm. She ended the set with a flurry of backhand errors and that isn’t good enough.
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Coco Gauff breaks Naomi Osaka for 5-3 and will serve for the set! The 15 year old is such a fast learner and she is already looking so much more comfortable in the presence of the defending champion. Gauff has soaked up so much of Osaka’s pace in the early exchanges and her defence is clearly in Osaka’s head. Two weak backhand errors in succession from Osaka hand over the first break.
Marin Cilic defeats 9th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-7(3) 6-4 6-0 5-7 6-3
A fantastic win for 2014 US Open champion Cilic, who moves into the fourth round after two consecutive five set wins after his fifth set tiebreak win over Benoit Paire. Cilic is unseeded and ranked 39th after struggling with injuries and form in recent months but he has shown this week that he is still motivated and capable of dispatching top opposition.
Cilic will face the winner of Tsitsipas vs Raonic, which is still on serve at 4-3 to the Greek, in the fourth round.
Over on Melbourne Arena, Marin Cilic just roared as he dug out a tough hold from 0-30 down to move to within a game of victory. He leads Roberto Bautista Agut 5-3 in the fifth set.
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Good work from Gauff to dig out another solid hold for 2-1* from 15-30 down. She responded well from 15-30: a slick backhand down-the-line winner, an enormous 188kmh unreturned serve and then an easy serve and forehand combination. She is already doing a better job of imposing her game on Osaka.
Gauff and Osaka are underway on Rod Laver Arena and the youngster pieced together an essential opening hold. It was far from easy - Gauff led 40-15 before serving a double fault and then watching an Osaka backhand winner fizz by - but she is moving beautifully as usual and her defence is forcing Osaka into errors.
Serena Williams’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, speaks.
I understand how disappointing it is for her fans but you can be sure that she is giving it all on a daily basis to achieve her dreams. Thanks to all of you for always believing in her, and always rooting for her. This is extremely precious.
— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) January 24, 2020
Osaka and Gauff are officially on-court. The American won the toss and very confidently decided to serve first.
Over on Margaret Court Arena, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Milos Raonic are also preparing for battle.
Coco Gauff previewing tonight’s match a couple of days ago:
I think I’ll be less nervous this time. I think US Open I was nervous. It was my first time on Ashe. We’re both familiar with each other’s games. She plays really aggressive. This time coming in I’m going to be more aggressive
Lost in the loveliness of Naomi Osaka’s post-match gesture in New York was just how well she handled Coco Gauff during the match. She wanted to make it clear what the pecking order was and she did, rising to the match and playing her best tennis of the tournament. Gauff struggled badly with the weight of Osaka’s ball in New York and her weaker forehand was constantly exposed by Osaka. her attempts to match Osaka’s aggression were futile. It will be very interesting to see what she has learnt since the US Open and how the youngster will approach the defending champ.
Some required reading: Kevin Mitchell on the upcoming Naomi Osaka vs Coco Gauff match.
On Melbourne Arena, ninth Roberto Bautista Agut just recovered from being a break down to snatch the fourth set 7-5 and push Marin Cilic into a decider. What a brutal second round match this is for everyone involved - a current top 10 player versus a slam champion and former top 10 player.
Here is Kevin Mitchell on the big Serena upset.
We don't doubt it, @serenawilliams 💯#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/VpWkDwR6DP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020
Wozniacki speaks.
Wozniacki: :"I fought like my life depended on it.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 24, 2020
"I think the result today doesn't matter to me as much as the way that I fought, that I gave it everything. I did everything. I think that shows how my career, throughout my career, that's what I'm known for.” #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Rgam7kKldX
So, what happened earlier today? A heck of a lot. The big news is that Serena Williams has been upset by Chinese 27th seed Wang Qiang in a dramatic three set battle. Wang played a brilliant match and then showed such impressive resilience to recover after failing to serve out the match in the second set. Williams fought hard but she played a bad match and was punished. A few months ago, Wang and Williams played each other at the US Open and Serena won 6-1 6-0. What a turnaround.
The second big story is that Caroline Wozniacki is no longer a professional tennis player. With her 7-5 3-6 7-5 loss to Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, that is it. She has officially retired from the sport at 29. There was a lovely ceremony for Wozniacki on-court and she departed Melbourne Arena with an incredible career behind her. 30 titles, 1 slam, $34m prize money, 71 weeks at #1 and twice year-end #1. She was never the most talented player at the top of the sport but she was a true winner and one of the most mentally strong athletes around. Still, a great result for Jabeur who made history as the first Arab woman to reach the Australian Open fourth round.
Meanwhile, Ash Barty, Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova all cruised through. Barty defeated Elena Rybakina 6-3 6-2. Djokovic won 6-3 6-2 6-2 with an insane serving performance, losing only one point on serve after two sets. Kvitova eviscerated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-1 6-2.
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Preamble
Hello! Welcome to our coverage on night 5 of the Australian Open. What a night session we have in store. We begin on Rod Laver Arena with one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament as 3rd seed and defending champion Naomi Osaka faces 15 year-old child star Coco Gauff.
We all know what happened when the two faced off a few months ago at the US Open. After Osaka’s statement 6-3 6-0 victory, she comforted Gauff and convinced her to address the crowd. The night ended with both women embracing each other in tears, the footage going viral across the internet. Despite the lovely sportsmanship in New York, Gauff will be desperate to give a better account of herself and to show what she can do against the very best.
3rd seed Roger Federer will follow them on Rod Laver Arena in a match that will generate just as much excitement in Australia as he faces home favourite John Millman. The pair have played three times, with Federer winning two of their meetings, but one meeting that people will remember is their 2018 US Open fourth round when Millman stunned Federer with a 3-6 7-5 7-6(7) 7-6(3) upset in the suffocating New York humidity. Federer has played great so far but what a joy it would be for the Aussie to score an upset on home soil.
On Margaret Court Arena, 6th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will face 32nd seed Milos Raonic and then former quarterfinalist Zhang Shuai will take on 14th seed Sofia Kenin. Elsewhere, Marin Cilic is leading 9th seed Roberto Bautista Agut by two sets to one and Tennys Sandgren is up against Sam Querrey. Later on, 12th seed Fabio Fognini will be in action against 22nd seed Guido Pella.
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