Right, that just about wraps up coverage of this match, but the Australian Open continues into the night/morning/afternoon/evening, depending on where you are in the world, with new Australian crowd favourite Daria Gavrilova taking on Carla Suarez Navarro and Roger Federer playing David Goffin in the evening session on Rod Laver. Gerard Meagher’s liveblog has just fired up, so join him for the rest of the day’s action. From me, though, it’s goodbye for now!
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Djokovic will now meet Kei Nishikori for a place in the semi-finals.
“I hope I will be able to decrease my unforced errors stat,” says Djokovic. Never a truer word spoken.
Djokovic wins fifth set and match
Fifth set: Djokovic 6-3 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic wins 6-3, 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
There it is! Finally, Djokovic sees off the dogged challenge of Gilles Simon! He sets up victory with an ace – what a time to pull that one out of the bag – before taking the final game of the match to love. What a match. Four hours and 32 minutes, and some of the worst tennis you’ll ever see Djokvoc play. Yet the world No1 is through, just, and the defence of his title is still alive.
Fifth set: *Djokovic 5-3 Simon (* denotes next server); two sets all
Djokovic manages to see the funny side after a net cord is unkind to him – remarkable he’s still got a sense of humour, given the day he’s had – but then a failed challenge by Simon goes the Serb’s way and he has match point. Does he take it? Of course not, and we’ll go around again. He goes wide on a second attempt at claiming the match before he brings up an unwanted landmark – 100 hundred unforced errors on a quite remarkable night. Simon eventually holds, and Djokovic has another chance to serve this one out. Surely he’ll do it this time. Won’t he?
Fifth set: Djokovic 5-2 Simon* (* denotes next server); two sets all
As with most five-set matches, this one has been something of a rollercoaster ride. And it continues this game, as Simon takes a 30- lead before challenging a call a point later, the technology proving him right to bring up two break points! Djokovic shows his mettle on the first one, but he’s long on the second and Simon lives to fight another day!
Fifth set: *Djokovic 5-1 Simon (* denotes next server); two sets all
It indeed does look over for Simon, who’s race appears to be run. The Frenchman goes long at the baseline and although there is some confusion as to wether the ball clipped the line or not, he doesn’t challenge and the call stands. Djokovic can now serve for the match.
Fifth set: Djokovic 4-1 Simon* (* denotes next server); two sets all
Djokovic absolutely must consolidate his break this game... and he does! In some style too. Where was this shot-making last set? You fear that it could be over for Simon now, but if there’s one thing this match has taught me, it’s not to count any chickens before they’re hatched.
Fifth set: *Djokovic 3-1 Simon (* denotes next server); two sets all
Finally, Djokovic makes the breakthrough! Simon appears to be easing to this game, but he allows a way back in for Djokovic and somehow conspires to let slip a 40-0 lead. And it ends badly for the Frenchman, who goes long on break point. What can the Serb do now?
Fifth set: Djokovic 2-1 Simon* (* denotes next server); two sets all
Still no surprises as game length remains low in this deciding set, at odds with the general pattern of the previous four. Djokovic holds and we’re still on serve.
Fifth set: *Djokovic 1-1 Simon (* denotes next server); two sets all
Four hours down, how much more have we got? And more importantly, are we going to be looking at the biggest shock result of the this year’s tournament in about another hours’ time? All level and on serve in the fifth.
Fifth set: Djokovic 1-0 Simon* (* denotes next server); two sets all
Well, well, well. Who’d have thought we’d be in the grips of a fifth set at the outset tonight? Not many. But here we are, with Djokovic playing some of his worst tennis ever in Melbourne. Credit to Simon though, whose game has stifled the world No1.
Simon wins the fourth set 6-4
Fourth set: *Djokovic 4-6 Simon (* denotes next server); two sets all
Djokovic is imploding here. A weak return of serve hits the net, registering his 83rd unforced error of the match, an incredible stat. An attempted drop shot is his undoing moments later as he gifts Simon two break points... yet the Frenchman can’t take either. A third follows but Djokovic steps into the serve and fires back a forehand winner to stay in it.
Fourth set: Djokovic 4-5 Simon* (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 2-1
Djokovic controls the first point of the game nicely from the net, but he looks over at his box with a concerned look on his face at its conclusion. He’s not happy about something, and a ball into the net a couple of points later he starts to mutter agitatedly to himself. It doesn’t get better, even though he saves one break point, he can’t stave Simon off for any longer and a loose baseline shot sends the ball long and Simon has his break. The Frenchman will now serve to take the match to a fifth set.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 4-4 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 2-1
At the beginning of the game, Jim Courier says Djokovic is not far from victory – seven points to be precise, “if he can string them together”. But therein lies the problem: the Serb has not been able to string points together all match long. So erratic has been his play, the odd service game to love has been as good as it has got for him.
Fourth set: Djokovic 4-3 Simon* (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 2-1
Simon’s groundstrokes are becoming more of a factor in this match now. He loses this game – Djokovic’s serve is impressive – but at 0-40 he gives a reminder that he’s still very much in this match.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 3-3 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 2-1
Two absolute corking shots by Simon brings the crowd to life and him to game point but he lets himself down with a weak forehand into the net. A double fault on the next point turns this game on its head but Djokovic can’t capitalise – his frustration boils over as he whacks a ball high into the sky, prompting a few, rare jeers from the stands. Those supporters erupt a couple of points later following two fantastic points – from Simon’s point of view – which see him level at three apiece.
Fourth set: Djokovic 3-2 Simon* (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 2-1
That’s a more comfortable service game from Djokovic, who loses just the one point on his way.
Earlier in the day, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova have set up a mouth-watering quarter-final in the women’s draw. Here’s how:
Fourth set: *Djokovic 2-2 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 2-1
Novak has changed his shirt, from his sweaty yellow number to a crisp, box-fresh white polo. If he hoped the change would bring him new fortune, he’s sadly mistaken and his radar remains skewed.
Fourth set: Djokovic 2-1 Simon* (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 2-1
So many errors, so many. This isn’t an enjoyable match to watch, by any stretch. Djokovic struggles, although it is his serve that gets him out of trouble on two occasions – both 194kph efforts that save break points. He goes on to hold, but it’s anything but convincing stuff from the world No1.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 1-1 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 2-1
Simon holds.
News is filtering through that there has been yet another incident in the stands at Melbourne Park, this one involving the mother of Sam Groth, during his doubles match earlier today. AAP reports that the match against ninth seeds Vasek Pospisil (Canada) and Jack Sock (USA) was delayed for 20 minutes as she was treated having fallen down the stairs.
Fourth set: Djokovic 1-0 Simon* (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 2-1
As if to prove that last point, Djokovic gives up a couple of break points, which he saves, but still, Simon can be encouraged that he’s facing the five-times champion on what is probably his worst day on a Melbourne Park court.
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Djokovic wins the third set 6-4
Third set: *Djokovic 6-4 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 2-1
There is a glimmer of hope for Djokovic at 30-30 as he comes to within two points of the third set and when Simon hits the net to end the next rally, the world No1 is given a huge chance to take back control of the match. He takes it the opportunity without any further ado, Simon again failing in the fundamental task of getting the ball over the net, and Djokovic claims the set! In normal circumstances, that would probably be that, but this is no ordinary performance by the Serb and Simon will know he still has a chance.
Third set: Djokovic 5-4 Simon* (* denotes next server); one set-all
Djokovic clenches his fist, half in celebration, half in relief one presumes, as he secures another service game without any particular world class play, heaping the pressure back on Simon, who knows he must now hold serve to stay in the match. And a real chance presents itself for Djokovic, if he can up his game slightly.
Third set: *Djokovic 4-4 Simon (* denotes next server); one set-all
A wonderful backhand get at the baseline by Simon, who stretches like a rubber band to get there, sees him take the game comfortably enough. Apparently there is still the odd moment of quality to enjoy today.
Third set: Djokovic 4-3 Simon* (* denotes next server); one set-all
It’s still sloppy, from both players, but at least at 30-30 Djokovic seems to take the bull by the horns and show some more intent in his attacking play. Simon then finds the net and Djokovic edges ahead in the third set. Still, this is shocking, given the form Djokovic has been in of late.
Third set: *Djokovic 3-3 Simon (* denotes next server); one set-all
Yet more loose, ill-conceived shot-making from Djokovic sees him pass up further break point chances, again letting Simon, who does no better in this game, off the hook. This is an incredibly error-strewn match, remarkable for the fact that it features the world No1.
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Third set: Djokovic 3-2 Simon* (* denotes next server); one set-all
Boris Becker looks on with a hint of concern on his face as Djokovic falls to 0-30. That concern proves well placed as a wild forehand goes way out to gift Simon three break opportunities. Another loose, un-Djokovician shot, this time out at the baseline, puts Simon back on serve in this third set.
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Third set: *Djokovic 3-1 Simon (* denotes next server); one set-all
Simon’s composure remains, despite a poor start to the third set, as the shadows creep onto the court from the umpire’s side. He holds after racing out to a 40-0 lead to open his account.
Third set: Djokovic 3-0 Simon* (* denotes next server); one set-all
And as Djokovic holds again, he has now opened up a three-game advantage. Simon, all of a sudden, is the one who looks frustrated.
Third set: *Djokovic 2-0 Simon (* denotes next server); one set-all
Well, with Channel Seven switching to cover that Hewitt match, we missed the opening two games of the third set. And it appears they went rather well for Djokovic, who has broken and leads two-love.
Lleyton Hewitt’s career is officially over – the Australian great, along with Sam Groth, has just gone out of the doubles tournament, in straight sets to Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil. Cue standing ovation and deafening screams as he walks off.
Meanwhile, there has been some good news on the condition of Ana Ivanovic’s coach, Nigel Sears – he’s expected home from hospital later today and has been given the all-clear to fly home.
My medical advice is that I will be allowed to leave the hospital shortly and I have been cleared to fly back to the UK in the next day or so,” Mr Sears said.
I just wanted to express my sincerest thanks to the incredible people who came to my aid, as well as the brilliant staff both at the Australian Open and the Epworth Hospital. I feel truly grateful to everyone involved for the manner in which this has been handled. While I appreciate the level of media interest in this story I would prefer not to comment any further, thanks.
Simon wins the second set 7-6 (7-1)
Second set: Djokovic 6-7 (1-7) Simon (* denotes next server); one set-all
Some brilliant play from Simon, including a devastating backhand winner that Djokovic doesn’t get anywhere near, takes him to an early three-point lead in the tie-break. That stretches to 5-0 and despite some brief resistance from Djokovic, the writing’s on the wall and, having been given five set points, Simon takes the second set at the first time of asking!
Second set: Djokovic 6-6 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
Pressure? What pressure? At least Djokovic has been able to rely on his serve this set. He again races through this game, with the loss of just one point, to send the second set to a tie-break.
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Second set: *Djokovic 5-6 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
This must be getting incredibly frustrating for Djokovic. On another day he would have wrapped this set up by now, yet instead Simon leads 6-5 after yet another game during which the Serb fails to break, despite several opportunities. And the pressure on the defending champion ramps up.
Second set: Djokovic 5-5 Simon* (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
Djokovic keeps his cool with the pressure on with another quickfire service game, which he wins to love. No sign at all of bad Nole there, just good Nole.
Second set: *Djokovic 4-5 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
Just what on earth is going on with Djokovic? He has six (I think, there may even have been seven) opportunities to break serve and wastes all of them, allowing Simon reprieve after reprieve. Credit to the Frenchman, he eventually takes advantage of the charity doled out to him, first with his maiden ace of the match and then with a wonderfully delicate backhand get from way out wide that evades a slipping Djokovic at the net. The Serb graciously applauds Simon’s effort, and he’ll now have to serve to stay in the second set.
Second set: Djokovic 4-4 Simon* (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
A ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ kind of game. No problems at all for Djokovic this time, and now would be a pretty good time to break Simon’s serve. That said, is it ever not a good time to break serve?
Second set: *Djokovic 3-4 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
Djokovic now has 30 unforced errors, compared to Simon’s 22. A fantastic backhand winner seals this game for the Frenchman, who should take some credit for stifling his opponent’s attacking game so far today. Although that said, he’s still a set down and Djokovic can level at 4-4 this next game.
Second set: Djokovic 3-3 Simon* (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
Roger Rasheed, courtside for Channel Seven, has just said that it’s “very flat out here”, and that comes across on the television. We’re just in a bit of a lull at the momentum – both the players and the crowd are feeling it. Djokovic holds and it’s all square midway through the second.
Second set: *Djokovic 2-3 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
Djokovic brings this game to deuce with a wonderful drop shot – something we haven’t seen too much of so far today – but it’s some more sloppy play from the Serb that allows Simon to hold, this time a limp backhand into the net.
Second set: Djokovic 2-2 Simon* (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
Much more routine for Djokovic this time around, winning to 15 after venting some frustration at himself by way of some choice words and a death stare to no one in particular at the changeover. Whatever works for you, I suppose.
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Second set: *Djokovic 1-2 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
Momentarily Djokovic looks like the champion he is as he races to the first three points of the game but a couple of rippers from Simon get the game back to deuce and highlight the Serb’s fallibility today once more. The Frenchman takes advantage of a lucky net cord in his favour a couple of deuces later and we’re still on serve in the second set.
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Second set: Djokovic 1-1 Simon* (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
Nothing much to say about this next game other than it was far more like what we’ve come to expect from Djokovic. He wraps it up with the loss of just one point, and it’s a way off the 11-minute game we had at the end of the first set.
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Second set: *Djokovic 0-1 Simon (* denotes next server); Djokovic leads 1-0
A quick note on Simon’s shirt. I said earlier it was blue. It’s really not. It’s turquoise. Anyway, a fantastic backhand down the line gives Simon the first game of the second set after he dropped to a 0-30 deficit. An encouraging recovery from the Frenchman.
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Djokovic wins first set 6-3
First set: Djokovic 6-3 Simon* (* denotes next server)
He’s not quite slamming racquets into the ground or ranting at umpires, but clearly Djokovic isn’t overly enthused with his own performance so far, despite securing the first set. And rightly so. Erratic is probably the best way to describe the Serb’s play at the moment. Error-prone is another. From firing down his fastest ace of the tournament – clocking at 201kph – to weak groundstrokes, it’s all very unpredictable. And with Simon unable to capitalise, it’s making for lengthy games – this one goes to five deuces over 11 minutes before Djokovic finally seals it on his fifth set point.
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First set: *Djokovic 5-3 Simon (* denotes next server)
Much better from Djokovic this game as he breaks at the second time of asking when Simon goes long at the baseline. The defending champion will now serve for the first set, and if he can win this next game, he’ll be very well set, despite so far having largely failed to convince.
First set: Djokovic 4-3 Simon* (* denotes next server)
There’s something not quite right with Djokovic – he’s already made 10 unforced errors today – but at 30-30 we see a glimpse of what he’s capable of, moving into the net to finish off a well-crafted point. A double fault follows at deuce though, prompting disbelieving cries from the stands, although he saves the break point when Simon fails to return serve. A further three (three!) break opportunities are squandered by Simon before Djokovic finally secures the hold, but that was way more difficult than it should have been. Appropriately, he throws his arms up to the skies in a gesture of relief. Fourteen minutes in total that game lasted. On game point there, one of the ball kids had to leave the court, but he’s later shown giving a thumbs up from the shade of the tunnel, which is good to see.
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First set: *Djokovic 3-3 Simon (* denotes next server)
Djokovic looks to force the issue as he careers into the net at 15-0 up, following a Simon double fault on the opening point, but his low volley drifts out at the baseline. Again, he’s annoyed with himself. A much better point at 15-30 down follows as the Serb displays a deft touch at the net but Simon eventually holds serve and we’re all square at three games apiece.
A feature of this match already is the length of the rallies – a handy graphic on the screen tells us that in his previous matches this tournament Djokovic averaged five shots per rally. Today, that figure is nine.
First set: Djokovic 3-2 Simon* (* denotes next server)
But what’s this? Djokovic gestures to himself, unhappy with a poor shot that leaves him facing two break points. He saves the first but on his second serve of the next, he lacks his usual fluidity and sure enough, he can only find the net on a regulation forehand. Simon breaks back, and instead of Djokovic holding a 4-1 lead, we’re back on serve at 3-2.
First set: *Djokovic 3-1 Simon (* denotes next server)
Djokovic makes it look easy, although he’s helped by some sloppy shot-making at 15-30 by Simon, as he breaks for the first time this match. A strong start then, by the world No1, and already Simon is facing an uphill struggle in this opening set.
First set: Djokovic 2-1 Simon* (* denotes next server)
Lovely play by Djokovic as he moves Simon around the court with consumate ease to bring up game point at 40-15, which he soon wins with a big smash at the net as Simon scurries off the other way in anticipation of a ball that doesn’t arrive.
First set: *Djokovic 1-1 Simon (* denotes next server)
Up steps Simon, three years older than Djokovic, with the ball in his hand. A couple of lengthy baseline rallies are won by the Serb, and he brings up two early break points. He wastes the first one with an unforced error into the net and then another follows, as he lands a regulation shot into the tramlines. Simon breathes a sigh of relief and takes advantage of the reprieve to hold his serve. Meanwhile, Jim Courier is pronouncing Simon like Simone. Which is annoying and wrong in equal measures.
First set: Djokovic 1-0 Simon* (* denotes next server)
Djokovic sends the first serve of the match into the net but he recovers from that slight blip to easily claim the first game to love, emphasising the point with an ace at 40-0.
The players are out on court, warming up. Djokovic is sporting a yellow shirt today, matched nicely with the laces of his trainers. Blue shorts complete the Serb’s outfit. Simon, perhaps patriotically, is in two-tone bleu, a shorts a darker shade than his shirt. And with that sartorial update, we’re pretty much ready to go.
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After a rainy start to the day in Melbourne, it’s now cleared up and blue skies await the arrival of the players on Rod Laver Arena, which is bathed in sunlight with the roof open.
Preamble
Hello, with Serena Williams having disposed of Margarita Gasparyan on Rod Laver, it is indeed now time for the world No1, five times Australian Open champion and red-hot favourite once again at Melbourne Park, Novak Djokovic, to step onto court to face Gilles Simon, the 14th seeded Frenchman.
Simon, ranked 15 in the world, could be classed as one of those “potential banana skin” opponents, but Djokovic has more than a whiff of invincibility about him at the moment and it’s going to take quite some performance from Simon to cause an upset here today.
Simon does know what it takes to beat the Serb, although he has only tasted victory once in their 10 previous encounters – the first time they pair met, all the way back in 2008, in Marseille. All nine other matches since have gone the way of Djokovic, who has dropped just four sets.
It the writing already on the wall? Or can Simon produce what will be one the best results of his career to upset the form book? All shall be revealed over the next few hours.
First, a brief matter of housekeeping before we get started: you can get in touch on the email address above or if Twitter is your thing, @mike_hytner.
Mike will be here shortly. In the meantime, remind yourself how these two reached this stage of the tournament.
