That’s all from us
That was a real tussle in the end as the veteran pushed the 16th seed all the way but Tomic’s class told in the end and after close to three hours he’s through to the second round of his home slam! Thanks for joining us.
Tomic wins it in four sets! 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
4th set: Tomic 6-4 Istomin - Tomic wins it in four sets!
Things started well for Tomic when an Istomin backhand clipped the tape and sat up to be put away, which was followed by an unforced error from the Uzbek as he tried for a winner down the line. Tomic’s crunching first serve then set up the three match points and only one was required. Tomic is through to round two!
4th set: *Tomic 5-4 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
Istomin skips out to 40-15 on serve and he’s really unleashing with some of his groundstrokes but Tomic edges back ever so slightly with a defensive winner after withstanding the onslaught. Then he out-maneovers his opponent in a rally to make it deuce and goes better, establishing a break point. This is a big chance for the Aussie and he takes it, forcing Istomin into an awkward backhand that flies long. Tomic will now take a seat before coming out to serve for the match.
4th set: Tomic 4-4 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
Something’s gotta give here and for the first four points of this game it looks like it’ll be the Tomic serve, but he digs in to drag himself back to deuce. A sliding serve sets him up for a forehand winner down the line and Istomin biffs one wide to help him hold serve. Another development: the most vocal elements of the Fanatics supporter group have absconded to the Hewitt match. Poor Bernie.
4th set: *Tomic 3-4 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
Some stats for you: Tomic’s committed 41 unforced errors to Istomin’s 30, which is what’s got the Australian in trouble in a lot of instances. Istomin’s hit more winners (+5), more aces (+6) and holds his serve again here, but he’s never really broken Tomic’s when it has counted.
4th set: Tomic 3-3 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
Bernard Tomic might have been reasonably happy with his draw in the lead-up to this tournament but he’ll be far from please with how long this is dragging on. From 40-15 on serve he flounders a little and it’s soon deuce. That seems to gee him up somewhat and a thumping ace is followed by an Istomin error to keep it on serve. We might have another tiebreak on our hands.
4th set: *Tomic 2-3 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
Both players are showing signs of fatigue here but the match is certainly not suffering as a spectacle because they’re quite happy to unleash big winners. Tomic gets a slight opening on Istomin’s serve but it’s quickly slammed shut.
Updated
4th set: Tomic 2-2 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
Tomic’s all business in this service game as he moves to 40-15 and forces Istomin wide and into an error with his kick serve. That was a bit simpler than the game that preceded it.
4th set: *Tomic 1-2 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
We’re about to tick over the two-and-a-half hour mark now as Tomic leaps into a big forehand winner across court and that’s followed with some finesse when he expertly disguises a cheeky drop shot, then another from which he gets lucky to open up a chance. He’s poking his tongue out in delight at that turn of fortune. Istomin prevails in two rallies and in between fires down an ace to save all three break points. A few Tomic errors later the Australian has spurned a golden opportunity to run away with the match.
4th set: Tomic 1-1 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
This isn’t the most convincing service game from Tomic, but he moves to 40-30 when Istomin nets a backhand and then cannons one of his own down the line to keep things on serve.
4th set: *Tomic 0-1 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
Istomin gets going again and holds serve to get us kick-started in the fourth set. What a strange match this has been.
The medical emergency done, we’ll now have a three-minute warm-up
Which is fair, because both players have stood idle for 17 minutes as the situation was attended to. It appears as though the medical attention on the member of the crowd affected was successful, which is also good news. What all this means for Bernard Tomic we’ll now see. Both men have to start again.
This emergency delay continues at Hisense Arena
And I’m not exactly sure why, but it took what would seem an unusually long amount of time for medical help to arrive. Both players are now pacing about trying to keep warm but as before, maintaining an appropriate level of respect for the emergency medical situation faced by the fan in question.
It would appear to be quite a serious medical emergency at Hisense Arena
Some crowd members are tweeting that an epipen has been rushed from one end of the stadium to the other.
(Match delayed) 4th set: *Tomic 0-0 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
I’m not sure if it’s related to either this match or Nadal’s but apparently Twitter has crashed. What’s Kim Kardashian up to at the moment? As that’s all going on, or not going on as it were, Istomin moves to a 40-15 buffer on serve but there’s some kind of medical emergency in the crowd so the match is held up for a number of minutes. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious and both players have taken a respectful approach, having a quick chat at their chairs as the spectator is seen to. I’ll have more as it’s at hand.
Tomic takes the third set and a 2-1 buffer!
3rd set: *Tomic 6-4 Istomin (* denotes next server) Tomic leads 2-1
As he slices a rather frustrating backhand into the net first up in this service game Tomic could be forgiven for seething but he’s undemonstrative both then and when Istomin follows up with a big winner down the line. All of a sudden it’s 0-40 and three break points for the Uzbek.
Here’s a test for Tomic. He produces a big serve down the line to save the first and crunches a forehand winner to take care of the next. What follows is even better; off balance and seemingly out of the point, Tomic still finds a way and thumps a forehand winner. From there it’s a real arm-wrestle but somehow Tomic holds his composure to take the set. That was gutsy!
3rd set: *Tomic 5-4 Istomin (* denotes next server) 1 set apiece
Istomin’s certainly not going to roll over and holds a love service game to make sure Tomic has to serve it out if he’s taking this third set.
3rd set: Tomic 5-3 Istomin* (* denotes next server) 1 set apiece
Logic is starting to prevail a little more as this match wears on. Tomic is up 30-0 when he stubs a backhand into the net but that’s followed by a rasping forehand winner down the line and he’s soon closing out the service game with ease.
3rd set: *Tomic 4-3 Istomin (* denotes next server) 1 set apiece
Tomic’s showing a bit of ruthlessness now to try and pile into the Istomin serve and get this set wrapped up quickly. At 30-30 Istomin buckles with a double fault but Tomic wastes the break point with a wild backhand not so much down the line as barely in its postcode. Istomin holds with an ace down the middle.
On my 7 tennis app Kim Warwick is currently playing Brian Teacher. #MalboroAustralianOpen
— Anthony Leach (@ahleach) January 19, 2016
3rd set: Tomic 4-2 Istomin* (* denotes next server) 1 set apiece
This is far better from Tomic, who bosses Istomin around here on serve to establish a quick 40-0 buffer before icing it, grabbing a towel and refocusing his gaze once more.
3rd set: *Tomic 3-2 Istomin (* denotes next server) 1 set apiece
A lightning-fast hold of serve for Istomin, who makes a mockery of Tomic’s wobbly preceding game. I’m still not entirely sure which way this one’s going to go.
This refers to Nadal, of course:
Holy shit
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) January 19, 2016
3rd set: Tomic 3-1 Istomin* (* denotes next server) 1 set apiece
Hmm, interesting. There’s a bit of an opening here for Istomin when he wins the first two points of the Tomic service game on his way to a couple of break points. Tomic steps up to the plate with two ice cold serves, the second of which is a big ace. Istomin nets a forehand to gift the Aussie advantage but then pulls out a remarkable roundhouse forehand winner. They’re trading blows here and it takes Tomic an age to finally hold.
Meanwhile, Rafa’s just gone down 6-2 in the fifth and a shocked sigh rings out across the press box. Nobody can believe it.
Updated
3rd set: *Tomic 2-1 Istomin (* denotes next server) 1 set apiece
He knows he might have shot his bolt in this first round clash but Denis Istomin smiles to himself and gets on with the task, crisply striking his first serve to hold in a service game that contrasts markedly with his last.
3rd set: Tomic 2-0 Istomin* (* denotes next server) 1 set apiece
Tomic’s really asserting himself now with hard, flat groundstrokes and well-positioned serves that never give his opponent much of a sniff. He holds serve for the loss of only one point and looks to the stands with that thousand yard stare of his.
3rd set: *Tomic 1-0 Istomin (* denotes next server) 1 set apiece
Istomin is still marginally winning every major statistical category in this match but after a rock solid start finds himself back on terms with Tomic and then down 0-40 in his opening service game of the third set. A heavy-handed backhand later he’s handed Tomic another early break. Could this unravel for him now? Fernando Verdasco, meanwhile, is still a chance to knock off Rafael Nadal.
Garden Square at Melbourne Park jammed for the Rafa/Verdasco fifth set. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/znnqKyKb9j
— Neil McMahon (@NeilMcMahon) January 19, 2016
Tomic takes the second set to level it up!
2nd set: Tomic 6-4 Istomin* (* denotes next server) 1 set apiece
There’s an early wobble in this service game but Tomic holds his composure to set up two set points, only one of which he needs when Istomin curls a sliced backhand into the net. The Australian is on the board!
2nd set: *Tomic 5-4 Istomin (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0
If the Uzbek ever opens a fish and chip shop, I reckon he should offer ‘Isto-minimum chips’ on the menu. What do you reckon? I guess it’s an unlikely turn of events but you never know. He’s solid on serve here and holds easily.
2nd set: Tomic 5-3 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0
A smile! Bernie’s really getting lavish with his public displays of emotion here after another lovely backhand winner down the line. He likes it a lot more than the shanked forehand that makes it 30-15 rather than 40-0. No matter, Istomin biffs one long himself next up and a swerving ace later Tomic leads 5-3 in the second.
2nd set: *Tomic 4-3 Istomin (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0
Ooft, there’s a cracking backhand winner here from Tomic when Istomin’s forehand drops a little short and that opens up a break point. Istomin serves strongly to save it but gets a little cute with a ‘tweener to hand the Australian another opportunity. Then another save from Istomin, but only with a lucky roll over the net. With two booming serves the Uzbek holds.
Istomaniacs?
2nd set: Tomic 4-2 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0
There’s an easy grace about Tomic’s serve when he’s nailing it – as though he’s just rolling through the action in warm-up mode. Here he’s doing it perfectly to hold and apply more pressure to Istomin.
Tomic drops the first set to Great Draw In Melbourne.
— Jason (@Hurleytennis) January 19, 2016
2nd set: *Tomic 3-2 Istomin (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0
It’s taken him a few tries but Istomin starts to get back his serving mojo now and cracks his way to a cheap service game for the loss of only one point, sending down an ace to seal it.
2nd set: Tomic 3-1 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0
Both these men are serving in the mid-60s as far as first serve percentage with Istomin holding the edge on winners, 22-16. Tomic bucks the trend of appalling service games with a belter, surging to 40-0 and then watching on in delight as Istomin sends a rather ham-fisted forehand past the baseline.
2nd set: *Tomic 2-1 Istomin (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0
Tomic is currently winning just 38% of his points on the second serve, by the way. In the immediate future it’s not such a great concern because Istomin’s serve also misfires again to hand the Australian three break points. They’re mirroring each other. Istomin wallops a running forehand wide to concede the third break in as many games. It’s hard to make any sense of this.
2nd set: Tomic 1-1 Istomin* (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0
Wow, this really refuses to settle into any kind of pattern and now Tomic falters on his serve to hand Istomin three break points to get this back on serve. Tomic blasts a backhand into the net to concede a love service game. What is going on out there?
2nd set: *Tomic 1-0 Istomin (* denotes next server) Istomin leads 1-0
Tomic has to compose himself now and put hat tiebreak behind him and he makes a solid start if that’s his philosophy, forcing errors and opening up a couple of early break points. He seizes upon the first when Istomin’s low volley crashes into the net.
And then his match will inevitably go five sets...
If Verdasco wins this tiebreak, Lleyton's match might not start until 8:30 #AusOpen
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) January 19, 2016
Istomin wins the first set! Tomic is in early trouble!
1st set: *Tomic 6-7 (6-4) Istomin (* denotes next server)
The Melbourne crowd was very subdued as they watched their man fall to a 0-3 deficit early in this tiebreak on account of an unforced error and some strong serving from Istomi and it gets far worse, with the Uzbek holding his nerve to ace after opening up three set points. Tomic is in a spot of bother here as he drops the first set. Oh dear.
1st set: *Tomic 6-6 Istomin (* denotes next server)
Istomin’s not going to hand this set over to the local boy and again quickly skips out to a 40-0 buffer on serve and holds easily to set up the tiebreak. This could be a long one, I fear.
Updated
1st set: Tomic 6-5 Istomin* (* denotes next server)
If Bernard Tomic is panicking at all on the inside, his exterior certainly doesn’t give any hint as he commits another unforced error to make it 30-30 on his own serve. Istomin unleashes a blistering forehand to set up a break point but the Australian spears his serve straight down the middle to make it deuce and he confidently holds.
1st set: *Tomic 5-5 Istomin (* denotes next server)
I don’t want to tempt fate here but the Fanatics haven’t been quite as obnoxious as some would expect so far. If you can’t hear them, are the even there? A philosophical question to consider. When Istomin thumps a forehand past the baseline and then faults there’s a little opening for Tomic at 30-15, but the Uzbek comes back with a strong kick serve to level it up before Tomic nets to hand him an opportunity to hold. With another error from the Aussie he does.
Memories...
Verdasco a game away from taking Nadal to a fifth set
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) January 19, 2016
1st set: Tomic 5-4 Istomin* (* denotes next server)
The Australian is throwing himself into his forehand now and really belting it across court to push Istomin wide. He’s puffing away a little but his serve is formidable and allows him to wrap up another quick game.
1st set: *Tomic 4-4 Istomin (* denotes next server)
In contrast to Nick Kyrgios, the man to whom he’s most often compared, Tomic is giving nothing away here as he sets about his work; errors are met with the same downward stare as winners and there’s more of the former than the latter here as Istomin thumps his way to a love game on serve. Who’ll crack first?
1st set: Tomic 4-3 Istomin* (* denotes next server)
A little scratchy early, Tomic is now finding his way on serve and rarely giving Istomin an opening before he caresses a sparkling forehand winner across court to hold.
1st set: *Tomic 3-3 Istomin (* denotes next server)
Tomic’s warming up a little now and leans into a sweetly timed double-fisted backhand winner down the line but Istomin counters with an equally impressive forehand winner to level it at 15-15. They continue to trade blows until Istomin aces and then keeps calm to hold serve.
1st set: Tomic 3-2 Istomin* (* denotes next server)
Denis Istomin boasts a couple of endearing traits and high among them is the fact that he’s sponsored by the rarely-encountered ‘Lotto’ brand, which I didn’t actually realise was still a going concern. As their retro logo transfixes me the man wearing it is powerless to stop a cheap Tomic service game. Maybe he should upgrade to...Diadora?
1st set: *Tomic 2-2 Istomin (* denotes next server)
Istomin’s first serve is looking very sturdy at the moment and with a couple of rasping examples of it he quickly opens up game point and takes it easily. Tomic had to labour in order to hold his last service game but his opponent made it look like a breeze.
1st set: Tomic 2-1 Istomin* (* denotes next server)
Hmm, Tomic’s been caught on the hop here with Istomin working him around the court well to win the first two points. Tomic digs in, forcing an error and then making it 30-30 with a cracking first serve but nets a forehand to offer up an early break point. Its expertly saved with a big kick serve and volley, followed by a lot of cat and mouse. Tomic hold win an ace down the line but it’s not entirely convincing stuff from the favourite. This is also happening right now:
Nadal 2 sets to 1 up, down a break in 4th. If this goes as long as last time v Verdasco, Hewitt's match will start around midnight. #ausopen
— Neil McMahon (@NeilMcMahon) January 19, 2016
1st set: *Tomic 1-1 Istomin (* denotes next server)
There’s a typically laconic air about Tomic early in the Istomin service game but the Uzbek isn’t fooled one bit, remaining alert to the Australian’s weapons as he’s drawn into a long rally. He fires down a swerving ace to hold serve.
1st set: Tomic 1-0 Istomin* (* denotes next server)
Tomic is straight into it with a confident first serve and foray to the net, where he puts away a forehand. He sends his next serve too wide for Istomin to handle but cracks a cross-court forehand wide to make it 30-15. There follows our first ace of the night and thanks to an angled drop shot, Tomic wraps it up quickly. A solid start from the Australian.
Our men enter the arena
And Tomic does so to the strains of Men at Work’s ‘Down under’, which would seem a bit odd overseas let alone in a home match like this. He’s not bopping along to it, I can confirm. Istomin calls heads at the toss and he’s successful. He’ll receive first. A note for the fashionistas: Tomic will wear the sleeved version of Nick Kyrgios’ shirt from last night. I’m not sure how this will affect the result but there you go. Like Kyrgios, Tomic will also have support from the injured Thanasi Kokkinakis, who looks on from the front row.
Updated
Preamble
Hello all and welcome to our live coverage of Australian Bernard Tomic’s first outing in the 2016 Australian Open, in which he’ll face Uzbekistan’s wily, 59th-ranked tour veteran Denis Istomin.
We know plenty about Bernie at this point – that his big aim in the first half of the year is to crack the world top ten and if he does, these sorts of matches should be his bread and butter. Istomin actually won the last clash between these two in Washington back in 2014 but Tomic’s taken out the other two matches they’ve played and certainly shouldn’t drop this one.
“If I can win in a quicker time, get off the court as soon as I can, that would be a favour to me,” Tomic said in the lead-up, saying he was keen to avoid the sweltering Melbourne heat in the opening rounds. Istomin’s not in super form right now, so maybe that’s likely.
“I like playing him. He strokes the ball very well. He plays very good tennis. Beaten good players,” Tomic said yesterday. “I prefer to step on court with him. I know his game. He knows mine.”
Updated
Russ will be here shortly. In the meantime, check out Kevin Mitchell’s latest dispatch on the tennis match-fixing scandal and some more reaction from Owen Gibson. There’s also the news of Sam Groth’s first-round win to digest, too. He’ll take on Andy Murray in round two.
Updated
