That brings day three to an end. We’ve seen wins for Rafa Nadal, Alex de Minaur, Roger Federer, Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber, Maria Sharapova and many more. I’ll be back with more live coverage of the Australian Open tomorrow. Thanks for reading. Bye.
Maria Sharapova beats Rebecca Peterson 6-2, 6-1!
The defending champion sails serenely into the third round, where she’ll meet Caroline Wozniacki, after crushing her Swedish opponent. That was a mighty performance from the former champion.
As someone who is now very hungry, I would like Maria Sharapova to get this done soon. She leads 6-2, 4-1.
If, as looks likely, Maria Sharapova makes it through to the third round - as I write, she breaks again to lead 6-2, 3-0 - it will be interesting to see her level against Caroline Wozniacki. A former champ against the defending champ, that one. Sharapova hasn’t mustered much since returning from that ban in 2017 but her level here has been high so far. Wozniacki will be wary of the 30th seed.
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An early break in the second set puts Sharapova in a commanding position. Thoughts turn to tomorrow’s action. Johanna Konta meets Garbine Muguruza. There’s Serena Williams versus Eugenie Bouchard. And, in a repeat of the 2008 men’s final, Novak Djokovic against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who’s here this year on a wild card.
The first set goes to Maria Sharapova. There doesn’t seem to be much hope for Rebecca Peterson.
Maria Sharapova is cruising, breaking again to lead 5-2. She’ll serve for the first set.
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Maria Sharapova’s made a fast start, breaking quickly to lead 2-1 against Rebecca Peterson. Meanwhile here’s a match report for your perusal.
The tennis isn’t done yet - Maria Sharapova and Rebecca Peterson are out on court now. Hooray for them. This is the final match of day three.
Alex de Minaur has fought through the nerves and the tiredness to seal his place in the third round, sending the home fans wild on Margaret Court Arena. The only problem for the Australian wonderkid? He’s goig to have to play Rafa Nadal after playing five gruelling sets. Still, this 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 4-6, 6-3 win is one to savour for the 27th seed. He’ll give Nadal a game.
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Over on Margaret Court Arena, they’re witnessing one hell of a match between Alex de Minaur and Henri Laaksonen. The tension’s high as the home fans attempt to get the young Australian over the line in the fifth set. We join them with Laaksonen serving at 3-4 – and just in time to see De Minaur break! He’ll serve for a place in the third round.
Rafael Nadal beats Matthew Ebden 6-3, 6-2, 6-2!
Ripping that forehand, Nadal gives himself a match point at 40-30. Ebden keeps fighting, saves it and earns a break point. Nadal scrubs it out with a firm serve. Then he earns a second chance. No more messing around. Nadal takes his opportunity this time and moves into the third round. He’s looking good after recent injury problems.
But Henri Laaksonen isn’t giving up. After a long slog through deuce, he breaks back in the fifth set. Alex de Minaur can’t believe it.
There’s better news for Australian fans as far as Alex de Minaur is concerned. The youngster has the early break in the fifth set against Henri Laaksonen.
Matthew Ebden’s earning some generous applause from the home fans with some spirited play on Rod Laver Arena. All a bit late, though, given Nadal’s well on the way to winning in straight sets.
It’s a doddle for Rafa Nadal, who leads by two sets and a break on Rod Laver Arena. Day three’s almost over. But we’re still waiting for Maria Sharapova and Rebecca Peterson, who have been delayed by the shenanigans between Alex de Minaur and Henri Laaksonen.
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Speaking of matches going the distance, Alex de Minaur is going to have to do it the hard way to reach the third round. This is an impressive fightback from Henri Laaksonen, who’s taken the fourth set 6-4.
A brave fight from John Millman, but to no avail. The Australian’s out after losing 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 6-7, 6-4 to Roberto Bautista Agut, who plays the No10 seed Karen Khachanov in the next round.
A Matthew Ebden return sails wide and Rafa Nadal crunches into a 6-3, 6-2 lead. Ebden was fearless early on, but reality’s taken hold now.
Just nipped off to get a coffee. And have returned to see that Bautista Agut has the crucial break in the fifth set against John Millman. The Spaniard will serve at 4-3.
Alex de Minaur has regrouped, breaking back to get the fourth set back on serve against Henri Laaksonen. Meanwhile it’s tight in the fifth set between Roberto Bautista Agut and John Millman.
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Rafa Nadal doesn’t have to wait long for a break at the start of the second set. He knocks on the door with enough intent to force Matthew Ebden to net. Nadal leads 6-3, 2-1 and this has the whiff of formality about it.
Things are starting to unravel for Alex de Minaur. He was two sets up, he had match point in the third set, but it’s Henri Laaksonen who has an early break in the fourth. De Minaur needs to regroup quickly.
The first set goes to Rafa Nadal. He frowns as he looks at his box and clenches his fist. It hasn’t been plain sailing but he’s taken control since that botched volley from Matthew Ebden, winning the set 6-3.
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Sure enough, Rafa Nadal breaks, capitalising on double-faults from Matthew Ebden. He’ll serve for the first set at 5-3. As for Grigor Dimitrov, the 20th seed has finally seen off Pablo Cuevas, beating the Uruguayan 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5.
You have to take your hat off to John Millman, who’s only gone and forced that fifth set against Roberto Bautista Agut on Hisense Arena. Bautista Agut had match points in the tie-break, but Millman’s digging ridiculously deep and has sent the home fans wild as he threatens to win from two sets down. Meanwhile Alex de Minaur has been taken to a fourth set by Henri Laaksonen, who saved a match point before winning the third-set tie-break.
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Matthew Ebden is giving Rafa Nadal a few early problems on Rod Laver Arena. He’s showing no fear and a fizzing forehand down the line earns him a break point at 3-3. Yet Nadal is strong enough the net to force deuce. Ebden earns another chance and he plays the rally magnificently - until he nets a backhand volley with Nadal stranded. Eventually Nadal holds to lead 4-3. Ebden might look back at that volley and wonder.
Having served for the fourth set at 5-4, now John Millman’s having to deal with the disappointment of being broken. Roberto Bautista Agut will fancy his chances of getting this done without having to go through a fifth set.
We’ve got three Aussie men in action now. Matthew Ebden’s just held his opening service game against Rafa Nadal on Rod Laver Arena, Alex de Minaur’s two sets up and battling hard in the third against Henri Laaksonen, and John Millman is threatening to force a fifth set against Roberto Bautista Agut, who’s having flashbacks to his dramatic tussle with Andy Murray on Monday.
On Rod Laver Arena, they’ve just said hello to Rafael Nadal and Matthew Ebden. Nadal has won his only previous meeting with the world No48.
Grigor Dimitrov, the 20th seed, has a grip on proceedings on Court 3 again. He leads 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 against Pablo Cuevas. As for Alex de Minaur, he’s two sets up against Henri Laaksonen - though the Swiss qualifier leads 4-1 in the third set.
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Angelique Kerber beats Beatriz Haddad 6-2, 6-3!
Maia sends one final forehand wide and Kerber, who looks totally dialled in, celebrates with the look of someone who’s pleased to have got the job done with such efficiency. The former champion moves on to play the Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell, who stunned Croatia’s Donna Vekic earlier.
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Angelique Kerber will serve for the match. She breaks when Beatriz Haddad Maia knocks a forehand wide. It’s 6-2, 5-3 to the No2 seed.
Alex de Minaur is serving for a two-set lead against Henri Laaksonen. Elsewhere Grigor Dimitrov has established a measure of control against Pablo Cuevas, breaking to lead in 6-3, 6-7, 3-1.
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There’s hope yet for John Millman on Hisense Arena! The Australian’s only gone and taken the third set to lift home hopes, though Roberto Bautista still leads 6-3, 6-1, 3-6.
Grigor Dimitrov has been dragged into a battle by Pablo Cuevas, who’s levelled it up on Court 3 after snatching the second set on a tie-break. You don’t want to rely on Grigor too much. It’s never a wise move.
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After 47 minutes, Angelique Kerber yelps “Come on!” as she clenches her fist and walks back to her chair with the first set in the bag. The second seed took it 6-2, which makes it look easy, though she has been inconvenienced here and there by Beatriz Haddad Maia, the Brazilian qualifier. Maia’s determined not to roll over.
Alex de Minaur, who could play Rafael Nadal in the third round, is a set up against Henri Laaksonen. The young Australian took it 6-4.
While I was distracted by a long chat with the football editor here, Belinda Bencic went and pulled off a remarkable turnaround in the third set against Yulia Putintseva on Court 20. She was a break down but the Swiss has ended up winning 7-6, 4-6, 6-2. Bencic will play Petra Kvitova next – the Czech had an easy win over Irina-Camelia Begu.
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Angelique Kerber’s having little trouble dealing with her Brazilian opponent so far. The German already has an early break on Rod Laver Arena – a few nice touches from Beatriz Haddad Maia haven’t been enough to make an impact so far.
Just to put Andy Murray’s five-set defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut in context, the Spaniard leads 6-3, 5-0 against John Millman. Meanwhile Yulia Putintseva is threatening to pull off a very impressive comeback against Belinda Bencic – after losing the first set to the Swiss, the Kazakh has an early break in the decider.
The first set belongs to Grigor Dimitrov on Court 3. He took it 6-3 against Pablo Cuevas. As for Petra Kvitova, she remains in control against Irina-Camelia Begu, who’ll do well to fight back from a set and a break down.
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They’re out on the two main courts. Angelique Kerber, the No2 seed and 2016 champion, meets Beatriz Haddad Maia on Rod Laver Arena, while Alex de Minaur is up against Henri Laaksonen on Margaret Court Arena. De Minaur, seeded 27th, could go deep here. Big things are expected from the young Australian.
Roberto Bautista Agut, conqueror of Andy Murray in the first round, is breaking hearts again. This time the 22nd seed’s foiling a home hopeful on Hisense Arena, taking the first set 6-3 off John Millman.
No problems for Petra Kvitova so far. The former Wimbledon champion’s taken the first set 6-1 against the outgunned Irina-Camelia Begu, who can’t live with her opponent’s raw power.
In fast start news, Grigor Dimitrov leads 3-0 in the first set against Pablo Cuevas. You’ll note that Dimitrov, a semi-finalist in 2017, is the 20th seed this year. The Bulgarian was meant to produce so much more after winning the ATP World Tour Finals two seasons ago, but it’s still not really happening for him. First-round defeats to Stan Wawrinka at Wimbledon and the US Open last year were hugely disappointing. At the age of 27, we’re no longer talking about a guy with potential.
It’s a demolition so far. Petra Kvitova earns three break points and her venomous forehand gives her a 4-0 lead. She’s hitting it so hard. Begu can’t live with it at all.
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Petra Kvitova’s got her eye in early on. She’s broken already against Irina-Camelia Begu and her movement looks spot on, which is always a good sign for the Czech.
Over on Court 20, Belinda Bencic has snatched the first set 7-5 off Yulia Putintseva. Meanwhile Petra Kvitova and Irina-Camelia Begu are underway.
Roger Federer’s third round opponent? It’s Taylor Fritz, who’s just secured a very good win over Gael Monils, the 30th seed. The young American took it 6-3, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5). Fine margins. It was more comfortable for Karen Khachanov, the powerful young Russian winning in three sets against Yoshihito Nishioka. The 10th seed has never been in the third round here before.
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Aryna Sabalenka beats Katie Boulter 6-3, 6-4!
There’s no shame in losing this one for Boulter. It’s not a drubbing – but Sabalenka, two years younger than Boulter, is on a different level. The Belarusian is through to the third round and her power will make her a serious threat.
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Another Brit bit the dust earlier today, though Dan Evans emerged with plenty of credit after an entertaining battle with Roger Federer, who plays Gael Monfils or Taylor Fritz next. Fans on Rod Laver Arena have also seen Sloane Stephens beat Timea Babos and Ashleigh Barty beat Wang Yafan. One of the more eye-catching results on day three, meanwhile, is the USA’s Frances Tiafoe beating the No5 seed Kevin Anderson in four sets. That’s a top win for the highly rated American youngster. Marin Cilic is also through to the third round after beating Mackenzie McDonald, while Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Victor Troicki in four.
Elsewhere Caroline Wozniacki has cruised into round three, beating Sweden’s Johanna Larsson 6-1, 6-3. The defending champion will play Maria Sharapova or Rebecca Peterson next.
Speaking of British tennis, it’s over to Melbourne Arena, where Katie Boulter’s in action against Aryna Sabalenka, the brilliant Belarusian. However it isn’t going to well for Boulter. The 22-year-old from Leicester lost the first set 6-3 and finds herself a break down deep in the second.
Our man in Melbourne, Kevin Mitchell, has been nattering with Jamie Murray.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the night session on day three of the Australian Open. The main event - assuming we aren’t just going to watch a stroll - is Rafael Nadal taking on Australia’s Matthew Ebden, who’ll have plenty of home support on Rod Laver Arena. All that shouting might not be enough, though. That’s the last match of the day on that court.
Elsewhere in the men’s second round, Aussies will be more hopeful when they watch their rising wonderkid, Alex de Minaur, take on Henri Laaksonen. John Millman, who beat Roger Federer at last year’s US Open, is also in action – he plays the 22nd seed, Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat Andy Murray in five sets on Monday. Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov against Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas is another one to look out for.
As for the women, we have the Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber up first on Rod Laver Arena. The German meets Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil and will expect to win comfortably. Whether the same can be said of Maria Sharapova is less certain, though - the former champion had a good win over Harriet Dart on Monday, but she’s looked past her peak in the past two years and could have to work hard against Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson. Elsewhere we have Petra Kvitova versus Irina-Camelia Begu. That’s enough to be getting on with, isn’t it?
