Federer now going through the usual platitudes with Jim Courier on court. Courier, ever so perceptive, points out that Federer’s kids are getting bigger as they get older …
And that’s about it from me. Do return for all the latest from day eight with Andy Murray in action against Bernard Tomic. Thanks for reading … Cheerio!
Updated
So, a 12th Australian Open quarter-final for Federer, who will face Berdych in a couple of days. Goffin really didn’t play that badly but he ran into an opponent in a hurry and operating a couple of levels above.
Game, set and match Federer!
Third set: Federer* 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 Goffin
In non-tennis news, the 3 ad is worse than the Atletico Madrid one. In tennis news, Federer is serving for the match. 0-15 as Goffin finds the corner. 15-15 as Goffin finds the net. 15-30 as Goffin finds the net again. 15-40 as Goffin finds the net, again …
Match point: Goffin nearly finds the crowd with his return, game, set and match Federer. It took him less than an hour and a half, that was imperious.
Updated
Third set: Federer 6-2, 6-1, 5-4 Goffin*
Goffin eases into a 30-0 lead, make that 40-0 when Federer is wide with a forehand. And that’s game with a backhand across the court. Excellent hold from Goffin.
Third set: Federer* 6-2, 6-1, 5-3 Goffin
Roger is angry and Roger is going to take his anger out on Dave. 15-0 with a powerful forehand, 30-0 with an ace, 40 love when Goffin’s return goes into the net … oooh, that’s a wild forehand from Federer. 40-15 – game when Goffin finds the net again. One more game to go …
Third set: Federer 6-2, 6-1, 4-3 Goffin*
The, comeback, is, on. Goffin moves into a 30-0 lead, then makes it 40-0 with a commanding point. Game. To love. Have some of that Rodg …
Updated
Third set: Federer* 6-2, 6-1, 4-2 Goffin
Federer treats us to another of his ridiculous half-volleys but Goffin finds himself 15-30 ahead. Federer’s now dropped a whole 10 points on his serve. As a result, that was a venomous serve but Goffin now has a break point! And he’s done it with a blistering cross-court backhand!
Third set: Federer 6-2, 6-1, 4-1 Goffin*
Goffin continues to show his talent and takes the opening point with a lovely backhand volley but a couple of supreme winners – one forehand, one backhand – gives Federer a 15-30 lead. Make that 15-40, although Goffin stays in it with the next point, but Federer takes the game. Just two to go …
Third set: Federer* 6-2, 6-1, 3-1 Goffin
Federer races 30-0 ahead after Goffin hits a forehand wide and it’s 40-0 (again) with a backhand volley. Game – another to love - with an ace and Federer is just three games away.
Updated
Third set: Federer 6-2, 6-1, 2-1 Goffin*
Goffin is shooting from the hip now and marches into a 2-0 lead. Federer won’t mind too much, though he won’t like the ace that Goffin just produced. But all of a sudden it’s 40-30 after a double fault and a Federer backhand down the line. A forehand winner from Federer brings us to deuce but Goffin digs deep and takes the game with an ace.
Third set: Federer* 6-2, 6-1, 2-0 Goffin
Goffin threatens, Federer finds an absurd lob, point Federer. And the next one. But not the one after that – 30-30. Goffin is going for this one now and we’re at deuce now after a Federer double fault. Advantage Federer, game Federer, although Goffin at last took him to deuce. Every cloud …
Third set: Federer 6-2, 6-1, 1-0 Goffin*
Goffin begins the third set with a cross-court backhand winner but shoves the next one into the net. Federer moves ahead after capitalising on Goffin’s short second serve but another excellent point from Goffin levels at 30-30. Federer forces a Goffin mistake to earn another break point and he snaffles it with a forehand down the line. Five more games to go …
Second set: Federer* 6-2, 6-1 Goffin
Federer is serving for the set but a fine Goffin winner makes it 15-15. The Belgian really isn’t playing to badly at all but Federer needs two points for a two-set lead now. One point. No points.
Game and second set Federer, in just 50 minutes.
Second set: Federer 6-2, 5-1 Goffin*
Even more ridiculous. Federer picks up what was almost a half-volley on the baseline and with that relentless backhand of his, whips it into the corner. Goffin picks up a couple of points but Federer hits another forehand winner. We’re at deuce after a similarly outrageous backhand winner but Goffin edges ahead with a delightful lob. He tries again but Federer leaps to execute a fine volley. Deuce again. Advantage Federer after another pulverised forehand … but back to deuce after the next attempt is wide. Three more deuces come and go before the rally of the match ends with a Goffin forehand drifting long. And Federer takes the game with a ludicrous, gravity-defying lob.
Second set: Federer* 6-2, 4-1 Goffin
Quite ridiculous. Federer had no right to win that point but win it he did. And the next with an equally absurb shot – a back-pedalling forehand winner – and as Goffin’s next return goes long it’s 40-0 again. Game as Goffin finds the tram line.
Second set: Federer 6-2, 3-1 Goffin*
Mercy me. A seemingly endless rally comes to an abrupt end when Federer steers a backhand right into the corner. Goffin does well not to weep with exasperation but he’s 15-30 down and is under the pump here. Federer now has two break points as Goffin finds the net but the Belgian responds with an excellent serve. One saved, but not the second, Federer punishes a mis-hit with a blazing forehand.
Updated
Second set: Federer* 6-2, 2-1 Goffin
Federer opens up by dropping just his third point on serve and roars back with some supreme serving. Goffin takes Federer to 40-30 though – his best effort so far – but a routine smash by the Swiss seals the game.
Updated
Second set: Federer 6-2, 1-1 Goffin*
Goffin’s head is beginning to drop already. He could do with showing a wee bit more aggression and levels at 15-15 with an excellent backhand before seeing out the game. Impressive hold from Goffin but he still needs a kick up the backside.
Second set: Federer* 6-2, 1-0 Goffin
Another Federer service game, another service game to love. Federer is in a hurry …
Updated
First set Federer 6-2 Goffin*
My word I had forgotten how bad Eurosport ads are – if you haven’t seen the Atletico Madrid one, don’t. Anyway, back to the tennis and Goffin is serving to stay in the set. Federer whips a forehand into the corner to draw first blood and a lob forces Goffin, on the stretch, to hit an overhead into the net. One his trademark backhand flourishes brings up three set points … the first goes just wide, the second is an ace but Goffin hits long on the third and it’s the first set to Federer in 21 minutes.
First set Federer* 5-2 Goffin
Federer moves 30-15 ahead with his third ace of the match, then 40-15 after Goffin barely gets his racket to the serve. Goffin finds the net again and Federer, with four points in a row, moves to within a game of the first set.
First set Federer 4-2 Goffin*
Goffin needs to respond here, he’s not done a great deal wrong but Federer is imperious at the moment. A breathtaking forehand winner gives him a 15-0 lead but Goffin levels after Federer nets a backhand. 30-15 after a Goffin forehand finds the corner – he’ll have enjoyed that – and the Belgian holds. If he can serve like that for the rest of the game Federer will not have it all his own way.
First set: Federer* 4-1 Goffin
A remarkable volley from Federer is followed by the first lengthy rally of the match – won by Federer – and an ace. 40-0 again … game Federer.
First set: Federer 3-1 Goffin*
An awesome backhand from Federer forces the early mistake from Goffin and Federer leads 0-30 after a sumptuous backhand volley. Goffin responds with an excellent serve, and another and we’re at 30-30. Federer then earns his first break point and the Swiss converts when Goffin hits a forehand into the net.
Updated
First set: Federer* 2-1 Goffin
Federer really is on point from the off. Again he storms into a 40-0 lead. Goffin picks up a point but another fine first serve hands Federer the game. It’s 2-1 after just six minutes.
First set: Federer 1-1 Goffin*
Yowsers. Federer follows a sublime forehand with an awful one. Then a pretty poor one hands Goffin a 30-15 lead. And Goffin slips into his serving rhythm and holds to 30.
First set: Federer* 1-0 Goffin
Federer serves first, and opens up with an ace. A couple of points later he finds himself 40-0 up, make that game. That’s an imperious start from Federer.
Roger Federer and David Goffin are on court, finalising their warm-ups. The action will be under way shortly …
Updated
It’s 10.30pm in Melbourne but we still have Roger Federer against David Goffin to come. I’m nipping for a quick refreshment but will be back for that one shortly.
In the end, Suarez Navarro just had too much composure for Gavrilova who was all over the place really with some majestic shots, some monstrous. She will be back however but it’s Suarez Navarro who goes into the quarter-finals where she will meet Agnieszka Radwanska.
Updated
Third set: Gavrilova* 6-0, 3-6, 2-6 Suarez Navarro
Gavrilova is serving to stay in the match and begins by shanking a backhand into the net. Suarez Navarro follows suit for 15-15 and the two trade errors for 30-30. An attempted drop-shot from behind the baseline hits the top of the net and hands Suarez Navarro her first match point and … she takes it with a ruthless forehand.
Third set: Gavrilova 6-0, 3-6, 2-5 Suarez Navarro*
This appears to be Suarez Navarro’s to lose now. She is by far the calmer of the two and another wild forehand from Gavrilova hands her opponent a 30-0 lead. A very similar point follows, the only difference being the wild shot was a backhand. Game – a fifth in a row – for Suarez Navarro.
Third set: Gavrilova* 6-0, 3-6, 2-4 Suarez Navarro
Gavrilova needs to refocus here. She finds herself at 15-15 after Suarez Navarro’s backhand just misses but moves into a 40-15 lead with some excellent hitting. But, as has been the case of late, a couple of errant shots let Suarez Navarro back in. It’s deuce. It’s advantage Suarez Navarro … it’s game after a titanic rally ends with Gavrilova’s backhand drifting wide.
Third set: Gavrilova 6-0, 3-6, 2-3 Suarez Navarro*
Gavrilova is furious with herself while Suarez Navarro assumes control. An ace brings up 40-0 and she holds to love.
Third set: Gavrilova* 6-0, 3-6, 2-2 Suarez Navarro
That’s a bad miss! Gavrilova’s smash is out and Suarez Navarro draws first blood in this game. Errors all over the place here. Suarez Navarro goes too long then Gavrilova double faults. 15-30. And after a couple more mistakes we’re back at 2-2 and on serve in the decider.
Third set: Gavrilova 6-0, 3-6, 2-1 Suarez Navarro*
This one was shaping up to be a comfortable hold for Suarez Navarro but we’re all of a sudden back at 30-30, and now Gavrilova has a break point … nope, a wild backhand hits the net. And then so does a forehand. Advantage Suarez Navarro – game.
Gavrilova’s aggression got the better of her there.
Third set: Gavrilova* 6-0, 3-6, 2-0 Suarez Navarro
After another net chord in Suarez Navarro’s favour, Gavrilova has a face like thunder. And she finds herself 0-30 down after a poor mistake. Now Suarez Navarro has two break-back points – Gavrilova seemingly put off by some feathers that drifted down on to court.
Gavrilova saves the first one, and the second after a pretty shocking forehand from Suarez Navarro. Two points, two forehands from Gavrilova, one in, one out … deuce again. You get the feeling this game is going to be decisive and we’re back at deuce once more after a Suarez Navarro smash is followed by a Gavrilova drop-shot.
Two more deuces come and go before Gavrilova finally serves out the game with an ace.
Third set: Gavrilova 6-0, 3-6, 1-0 Suarez Navarro*
Suarez Navarro is very much in the ascendancy here, giving Gavrilova just enough rope. The young Australian is still going for her shots but there are too many errors. The crowd may lift here again however. Here we go …
Gavrilova kicks things off with a lovely winner and forces the error for a 15-30 lead. And now she has two break points with a fine backhand volley. She has raised her game again but wastes the first one. But the second is snaffled with an awesome inside-out forehand. Game on.
Second set: Gavrilova* 6-0, 3-6 Suarez Navarro
Suarez Navarro wants to wrap this one up in this game and a lovely drop shot brings up 15-30. Gavrilova is all bluster but Suarez Navarro is finding her touch and she now has a set point after forcing another error. The Spaniard finds the net though so we’re at deuce but a lovely forehand brings about another set point … and an overcooked forehand from Gavrilova hands Suarez Navarro the second set.
Updated
Second set: Gavrilova 6-0, 3-5 Suarez Navarro*
That was some pretty lengthy treatment but the players are back out and Gavrilova kicks things off with a wonderful forehand winner. She tries something similar again but without the same accuracy. A point apiece makes it 30-30 before a fortunate net chord goes in favour of Suarez Navarro before Gavrilova goes long … game.
Suarez Navarro is receiving some treatment – knee trouble it looks like.
Second set: Gavrilova* 6-0, 3-4 Suarez Navarro
Whenever Gavrilova looks rattled she finds something and at 15-30 it’s no different – this time digging out a fine forehand winner. It’s 40-30 after Suarez Navarro finds the net and it’s game with some ludicrous chasing frmo Gavrilova and a pretty shocking shot from her opponent.
Meanwhile, Bruno Bedrossian has emailed in with either a question or a joke (with the punchline to follow)?
How many lets (first service) can you have before it counts as a fault)?
Second set: Gavrilova 6-0, 2-4 Suarez Navarro*
A lung-busting rally begins the next service game and Suarez Navarro comes out on top with a punishing forehand. Her second double fault leads to 15-15 but that backhand of hers is singing now and another Gavrilova error brings up 30-15. Suarez Navarro is far from error free herself though and all of a sudden Gavrilova has a break point but a cross-court forehand from the Spaniard leads to deuce.
It’s advantage Suarez Navarro after a poor forehand down the line from Gavrilova but we’re back to deuce after a lovely approach from the 19-year-old. Advantage Suarez Navarro again with an emphatic backhand volley and it’s finally game.
Second set: Gavrilova* 6-0, 2-3 Suarez Navarro
Gavrilova levels at 15-15 with a delightful drop shot and Suarez Navarro pushes a backhand wide for 30-15. A thrashed forehand from the Australian brings us to 30-30 and Suarez Navarro has a breakpoint after finding her range with her backhand. She hasn’t taken any of her previous five but she converts the fifth and Suarez Navarro is very much still in this.
Second set: Gavrilova 6-0, 2-2 Suarez Navarro*
Suarez Navarro seems to have found a bit of a groove and takes a 30-0 lead by a poor second serve is dispatched by Gavrilova. Suarez Navarro forces the error for 40-15 though and an ace keeps the second set on serve.
Second set: Gavrilova* 6-0, 2-1 Suarez Navarro
Let’s remind ourselves that Suarez Navarro is the 10th seed before appreciating that she is very much second best out there. Gavrilova is in a hurry and after successfully holding she has a 2-1 lead in the second set.
Updated
Second set: Gavrilova 6-0, 1-1 Suarez Navarro*
Not again? Suarez Navarro is pulled back to deuce after a fast start to the game … but the Spaniard is finally on the board with her first game of the match.
Second set: Gavrilova* 6-0, 1-0 Suarez Navarro
It seems to be the tale of the tape so far – Gavrilova holds the first game of the second set despite Suarez Navarro again finding herself in a promising position.
Game, set and match Radwanska!
Friedsam is up and running again but a loose backhand means Radwanska is just three points away. A volley from Friedsam goes wide and it’s 30-0 but the German is going down swinging and she forces the error.
Radwanska wins the next point and has two match points, she just needs the one and that’s victory for the fourth seed. That’s cruel on Friedsam but she can take plenty from it, Radwanska meanwhile, was ruthless and that’s another quarter-final for her.
Gavrilova, by the by, has taken the first set 6-0. The adopted Australian teenager has been utterly ruthless hitherto.
Friedsam hit the deck after that game, her left leg heavily strapped … serving isn’t going to be easy. She can’t really serve and opens up with a double fault. She gets a serve in, but it’s anything but full power and Radwanska ruthlessly lobs for 0-30. Friedsam has a point back at 15-30 but a poor blunder, whacking it into the net from close range, means it’s 15-40. Friedsam is cramping and cramping bad and she’s lost the game because of a time violation.
She is now receiving treatment but afterwards Radwanska will serve for the match.
Updated
Radwanska is pulling Friedsam all over the court, putting the leg under pressure, but no real signs of it impeding the German. It’s 15-15 with Radwanska serving to stay in the match. Make that 15-30 …
Friedsam pushes a backhand and it’s 30-30 … HUGE POINT coming up!
And a booming serve from Rasdwanka takes it 40-30. But Friedsam rallies and Radwanska nets. Deuce. Superb from Radwanska, who moves ahead with a cross-court volley and great serve makes it 5-5.
Updated
So with that medical time out, let’s focus on Gavrilova v Suarez Navarro, who has two break points to break back in the first set. Gavrilova saves the first … but the broadcaster has gone back to Radwanska v Friedsam …
Updated
On Rod Laver Arena, Gavrilova is in inspired form. She’s marched into a 4-0 lead in the first set.
Friedsam has called for the trainer … a left leg problem it seems
Radwanska holds, pretty comfortably in truth, so Friedsam will serve for the match. So far so good as she takes a 15-0 lead but overhits a backhand for 15-15. The tension is palpable.
A superb forehand return from Radwanska brings up 15-30 and Friedsam hits the net for 15-40. Friedsam saves one as Radwanska pushes a lob into the tram line and a breahtaking rally finally ends when the German hits a forehand long. We’re back on serve at 5-4.
On Rod Laver Arena meanwhile, Gavrilova has successfully held serve and has two break points in the second game of the first set … the Spaniard saves the first, but not the second and it’s an early breakthrough, much to the delight of the home crowd. I’ll be bringing you more details of that one, just as soon as Friedsam v Radwanska has wrapped up.
Friedsam has the momentum here and she has stormed into a 4-2 lead and is serving for 5-2. Radwanska is not going down without a fight though and has a chance a 15-30 … a fine serve brings it back to 30-30 however.
A colossal backhand from Friedsam makes it 40-30 and it’s 5-2 after a fine second serve and a forehand volley. The 21-year-old German is a game away from a first ever grand slam quarter-final …
Due to the length of Djokovic v Simon, we’re a little delayed on Rod Laver Arena but Gavrilova and Suarez Navarro are warming up. Action is imminent.
Perhaps not as Friedsam recovers to break. That’s all square a 2-2 in the third …
Updated
Friedsam has two break points to level up at 2-2 in the third set against Radwanska … the German overcooks a backhand with the first and finds the net with the second. Deuce and perhaps a turning point in this match …
Our man on the ground, Kevin Mitchell, has filed from Melbourne Park. Read more about Djokovic’s five-setter thriller against Simon here …
Meanwhile, Radwanska is a break up in the third set against Friedsam, leading 2-0 …
Not perfect from Berdych by any means but that’s a place in the quarter-final nonetheless. Bautista Agut is applauded off court while Berdych lingers before putting his feet up and preparing to face the winner of Roger Federer’s clash with David Goffin which is coming up fairly soon.
Game, set and match Berdych!
Fifth set: Bautista Agut 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6 Berdych*
One down. A fine wide serve, opens up the court for a simple winner and a booming forehand before another Bautista Agut error makes it 40-0 and three match points … the first comes and goes after a lengthy rally, an overcooked Bautista Agut forehand hands Berdych the spoils!
Updated
Fifth set: Bautista Agut* 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 3-5 Berdych
Bautista Agut kicks things off with a delicious drop shot and then a whipped forehand winner … and it’s 40-0 in no time after another impressive first serve. An ace yields the game and a ‘Vamos’ from the Spaniard. Over to you Tomas …
Fifth set: Bautista Agut 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 2-5 Berdych*
Break! Bautista is shooting from the hip here but it seems to be working. He’s forced two errors from Berdych so it’s 0-30, make that 15-30 after a bludgeoned serve. Bautista Agut hits a forehand ever so slightly long for 30-30 but the Spaniard is clinging on and forces a break point. And it’s converted. That’s one of the breaks back …
Updated
Fifth set: Bautista Agut* 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 1-5 Berdych
Break! It’s Bautista Agut that’s having to grind for his points now but grind into a 30-0 lead he does. Berdych claws back to 30-30 now and another booming forehand earns another break point … and it’s the double break. Bautista Agut hits another into the net – you get the feeling he just wants to get off court onw.
Meanwhile, an emphatic response from Radwanska who has won the second set against Friedsam 6-1 to level at one set all.
Updated
Fifth set: Bautista Agut 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 1-4 Berdych*
There’s a spring in Berdych’s step again, he can see the finish line and after romping into a 40-0 lead the sixth seed takes a commanding 4-1 lead. Bautista Agut’s days look numbered …
Fifth set: Bautista Agut* 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 1-3 Berdych
Break! A fortuitous net chord brings Berdych level at 15-15 and after Bautista nets a forehand he’s under the pump at 15-30. Berdych can scent his opportunity here – a thunderous smash after a lovely half-volley pick-up brings up two break points … Bautista Agut saves the first, but Berdych converts the second with an emphatic forehand.
Fifth set: Bautista Agut 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 1-2 Berdych*
Berdych is certainly having to work harder for his points at the moment but a rare trip to the net brings up 40-30 after an authoritative backhand volley and it’s game Berdych shortly after.
Fifth set: Bautista Agut 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 1-1 Berdych
We’re on serve after the first two games of the decider. A comfortable hold for Bautista Agut puts the ball back in Berdych’s court (!) – a wild back hand from the Czech makes it one apiece.
I’ll be sticking with this one for a while now but as an aside, Djokovic has won his titanic battle with Simon. Read more about that here.
And elsewhere, there’s some positive news about Nigel Sears, following his collapse on Saturday.
Set point for Bautista Agut … and set for Bautista Agut. A solid first serve was thumped into the net by Berdych who looks a bit rattled. The Spanish 24th seed is very much back in it. The winner of this one faces either Federer or Goffin by the by.
And elsewhere, Friedsam has taken the set off Radwanska 7-6, prevailing in the tie-break 8-6. That’s another that may go down to the wire …
Looks like we might have another five-setter on out hands … Bautista Agut is in the ascendancy in the fourth set against Berdych. He trails 2-1 in sets but has just broken again to take a 5-1 lead and he will serve to level.
Radwanska and Friedsman are into a first-set tie-break while Djokovic is serving for the match … but let’s have a re-cap as to what has already happened in Melbourne so far on Sunday shall we?
Both Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova are into the quarter-finals, where they will face each other, after respective straight sets victories over Margarita Gasparyan and Belinda Bencic. Read more about that here …
And Kei Nishikori, who faces the winner of Djokovic v Simon in the last eight, wasted little time in defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. He currently has his feet up and is enjoying every lung-busting point at present – not least because Simon has just broken back to trail 5-2 in the fifth set.
Hello world! It’s just after 8am in Loooondon town but it’s gone 7pm in Melbourne where the red hot tennis action is unfolding. Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, has been taken to a fifth set by the inspired Frenchman Gilles Simon – you can keep up with that one in more depth below.
Meanwhile, I will be bringing you live updates from Roger Federer v David Goffin, just as soon as they get on court but before that we have Daria Gavrilova against Carla Suarez Navarro while I will sprinkle in a bit of Tomas Berdych v Roberto Bautista Agut – Berdych is two sets up at the start of the fourth – and the fourth seed Agnieszka Radwaska is 4-4 in the first with Anna-Lena Friedsam.
Stay tuned …
G’day. Gerard will be with you shortly for coverage from the Rod Laver Arena, where local hero Daria Gavrilova takes on No10 seed Carla Suárez Navarro, before Roger Federer aims to book his quarter-final spot with victory over No15 seed David Goffin.
34-year-old Federer is looking for his 301st victory in a Grand Slam singles match, having passed a significant milestone in the third round win over Grigor Dimitrov – and taken a moment to reflect on his wild teenage years:
“I made a lot of mistakes,” said the man whose admirers probably prefer to forget his racket-bashing, hair-dyed teenage years. “I wish I could have maybe been tougher when I was younger in practice but I guess that’s just how it needed to be. It needed to be genius or horrible. I needed to have that wide spectrum. I needed to make mistakes to become the player I am today.”
You can read more here.
