Day four is finally over. We’ve had plenty of drama, with Simona Halep surviving a scare against Sofia Kenin, Alexander Zverev taking five sets to beat Jeremy Chardy, Aussie youngster Alexei Popyrin beating Dominic Thiem and Garbine Muguruza beating Johanna Konta in an absurd night finish. It was the latest a match has ever started at this tournament and it ended with Britain losing their last representative in the singles. Oh well. Anyway that’s all from me. We’ll be back with more live coverage tomorrow. Like Muguruza, though, I’m off for a long lie down. Bye!
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Garbine Muguruza can’t believe people were still watching them at 3.15am local time. “Who cares?” she says with a big grin on her face. “We play for you guys. Otherwise why were we here? For what? I will go for breakfast now. No, I will be concentrated. The tournament is not over.”
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Johanna Konta wears a disappointed expression as she leaves the court. She was the last Brit standing.
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Garbine Muguruza beats Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-7, 7-5!
Konta is serving with new balls as she looks to stay in the tournament. The first two points are shared. Muguruza goes big and moves to 15-30, taking her two points from victory. Konta responds by stooping to scoop a stunning low forehand winner away for 30-all. Muguruza, however, attacks a second return with a fizzing return to earn a match point. She returns deep to take control of the rally and breaks Konta’s defences down with a storming backhand into the corner, bringing an excellent match to a close. That’s it: the British No1 is out of the Australian Open in the second round.
Third set: Konta 4-6, 7-6, 5-6 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Muguruza holds to 15. Konta will serve to force a deciding tie-break.
Third set: Konta* 4-6, 7-6, 5-5 Muguruza (*denotes server): There’s barely anyone in the stands now, which is such a shame. It is very late in Melbourne, though, and these two are still slugging it out with ferocious intensity. At 15-0, Konta challenges an errant out call. Once again it’s in. The point’s replayed. Konta wins it with a pinpoint forehand for 30-0. Soon it’s 40-0. She holds again. We move closer to a tie-break.
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Third set: Konta 4-6, 7-6, 4-5 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Muguruza remains rock solid on serve. She’s a game from the third round. And bed.
Third set: Konta* 4-6, 7-6, 4-4 Muguruza (*denotes server): Konta moves to 40-0. Back comes Muguruza, a couple of winners making it 40-30. Yet Konta holds when the Spaniard nets a backhand.
Third set: Konta 4-6, 7-6, 3-4 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Muguruza rams a forehand away for 40-30. Konta was nowhere near it. This really is a quality match. Muguruza holds here, relief rising as Konta sends a return long.
Third set: Konta* 4-6, 7-6, 3-3 Muguruza (*denotes server): Muguruza’s in charge of a Konta service game for the first time in a while, a backhand pass taking her to 15-30. Konta has to be strong - and she is, dealing with some powerful groundstrokes and a difficult slice before putting a smash away for 30-all. She moves to 40-30 and holds with a backhand down the line.
Third set: Konta 4-6, 7-6, 2-3 Muguruza* (*denotes server): The game goes to 30-all. Muguruza bangs an ace down the middle for 40-30. Konta sends a backhand return wide and Muguruza holds.
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Third set: Konta* 4-6, 7-6, 2-2 Muguruza (*denotes server): Konta knocks a forehand down the line to hold to love. She’s looking very cool.
Third set: Konta 4-6, 7-6, 1-2 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Muguruza skips into a 40-0 lead, volleying well. That should be that. But Konta somehow reels her in, three straight points dragging it to deuce. She can’t carve out any break points, though, and Muguruza holds again.
“This is a terrific match, but why oh why do the organisers insist on starting matches so late?” Tony Wawryk says. “Since tennis is not a time-limited sport - one of it’s strengths - it happens too often, and is caused primarily by having two sessions of play per day. Only the US and Aussie Opens do this, and it’s obviously just about making more ticket money. It’s ridiculous to expect world-class sportspeople to perform - with so much at stake - at stupid o’clock in front of almost no spectators. And the likelihood is that whoever wins this match will lose their next one as they simply won’t have enough recovery time. Bonkers.”
Third set: Konta* 4-6, 7-6, 1-1 Muguruza (*denotes server): Konta begins the game with an ace. Another crisp forehand makes it 30-0. It’s a routine hold.
Third set: Konta 4-6, 7-6, 0-1 Muguruza* (*denotes server): It’s roughly 2.25am in Melbourne when this set begins. You’d imagine it isn’t finishing before 3am. There’s no hint of a break here, Mugurza holding to 15 with an ace.
Johanna Konta wins the second set 7-6 to level the match!
Second set tie-break: Konta 7-3 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Konta hits a deep forehand off a second serve. Muguruza nets a forehand, just as Konta’s shot’s called out. Konta challenges and finds her forehand clipped the baseline. Which means the second set belongs to her! The British No1 has taken this to a decider!
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Second set tie-break: Konta* 6-3 Muguruza (*denotes server): Konta pings an ace down the middle to earn three set points.
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Second set tie-break: Konta* 5-3 Muguruza (*denotes server): Muguruza nets a forehand. Konta holds on to the mini-break.
Second set tie-break: Konta 4-3 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Muguruza stays in touch with an ace.
Second set tie-break: Konta 4-2 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Konta absorbs some frightening shots before arrowing a brilliant backhand from left to right beyond Muguruza’s reach.
Second set tie-break: Konta* 3-2 Muguruza (*denotes server): Muguruza sends a forehand return long.
Second set tie-break: Konta* 2-2 Muguruza (*denotes server): Konta swipes a volley away after excellent hitting from the baseline.
Second set tie-break: Konta 1-2 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Once we resume, Muguruza stays firm.
Second set tie-break: Konta 1-1 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Konta nets a backhand return. Now we’ll have a brief pause. You’ll never believe it: it’s raining in Melbourne, so they’re closing the roof. Won’t take long.
Second set tie-break: Konta* 1-0 Muguruza (*denotes server): A lengthy baseline rally ends with Muguruza hitting a backhand wide.
Second set: Konta 4-6, 6-6 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Muguruza holds to 15. Tie-break.
Second set: Konta* 4-6, 6-5 Muguruza (*denotes server): Konta serves well to establish a 30-0 lead. A blistering forehand makes it 40-0. She holds to love, thrusting the focus back on to Muguruza.
Second set: Konta 4-6, 5-5 Muguruza* (*denotes server): It’s a shame this has started so late. Rod Laver Arena’s pretty empty at this late hour and a lot of fans are missing some top tennis. Serving to stay in the set, Muguruza makes it 40-30 with a huge backhand down the line. She holds. Just.
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Second set: Konta* 4-6, 5-4 Muguruza (*denotes server): At 15-all, Konta sends a forehand long at the end of a tense rally. Muguruza spies an opportunity, a skidding forehand into the left corner drawing a backhand error from Konta, who suddenly finds herself 15-40 down. Konta serves wide and hopes it’s an ace. Out! She asks Hawkeye. Still out. Second serve. Konta does well to push Muguruza into a backhand error for 30-40. Then, somehow, she stands up to a vicious Muguruza forehand and makes it deuce with a backhand pass. Great shot, though Muguruza should have killed the rally. Konta clings on against all the odds. That was clutch.
Second set: Konta 4-6, 4-4 Muguruza* (*denotes server): A strange moment at 40-15. With Johanna Konta not ready to receive, an unwitting Garbine Muguruza looks down and slams a serve in her direction, much to everyone’s surprise. Muguruza was in a world of her own there. Konta looks a little annoyed and surprised as she has a quick word with the umpire. She’s feeling better when she wins the next two points to force deuce. Less so when she lets Muguruza hold.
Second set: Konta* 4-6, 4-3 Muguruza (*denotes server): The first two points are shared. Soon it’s 30-all, nobody giving an inch. It’s good tennis, not least because it’s the middle of the night in Melbourne. Konta does enough. She holds in efficient fashion.
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Second set: Konta 4-6, 3-3 Muguruza* (*denotes server): This is very impressive serving from Muguruza, who stomps into a 40-0 lead in no time. A love hold quickly turns the spotlight back on to Konta.
Second set: Konta* 4-6, 3-2 Muguruza (*denotes server): Konta looks in control at 30-all. Back comes Muguruza, forcing 30-all. Konta’s relieved to see Muguruza knock a return long for 40-30. Konta holds once again.
Second set: Konta 4-6, 2-2 Muguruza* (*denotes server): The game goes to deuce, offering Konta further encouragement. There’s plenty of pop and fizz to her groundstrokes right now and it’s starting to rush Muguruza, who goes for too much with a forehand, pushing it long to give Konta a break point. Muguruza challenges to no avail. Then she gives Konta a second serve to examine. They rally briefly, but Konta screws a forehand just wide. Muguruza produces a spectacular backhand lob to hold, similar to the one that won her the French Open in 2016.
Second set: Konta* 4-6, 2-1 Muguruza (*denotes server): It’s only been that break for Muguruza in the very first game of the match. Konta definitely has a chance here, though it may well depend on Muguruza dropping her guard during this set.
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Second set: Konta 4-6, 1-1 Muguruza* (*denotes server): There are signs Konta’s warming up, trading blows with Muguruza and drilling a backhand down the line for deuce. Muguruza holds, though, knuckling down on serve.
Second set: Konta* 4-6, 1-0 Muguruza (*denotes server): It must be said that Konta didn’t do much wrong in the first set, but she’s going to need to lift her game here, because Muguruza is in the zone. She makes a good start, holding to love.
Garbine Muguruza wins the first set 6-4!
Konta looks to keep the momentum going, ramming a backhand away for 0-15. Muguruza looks annoyed. She’s a little ragged now, a forehand going long to make it 15-30. Yet her previous high level returns and soon she has a set point. A thumping serve forces Konta to knock a backhand return long, handing Muguruza a deserved lead.
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First set: Konta* 4-5 Muguruza (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the set, Konta’s under pressure after netting a backhand to make it 30-all. It’s important Konta wins the next rally and she does so by forcing Muguruza wide and pushing a forehand into the open court for 40-30. But the game goes to deuce when Muguruza wrongfoots Konta with a forehand winner – and Muguruza earns set point when Konta hits an erratic backhand long. Konta saves it. She holds with a forehand that clips the line. Over to you, Garbine.
First set: Konta 3-5 Muguruza* (*denotes server): As hard as Konta tries to stay with Muguruza, it’s mostly proving a futile task. At 30-15 the aggression’s too much from Muguruza, leaving Konta stranded as a backhand volley sails into the open court. Muguruza closes out the game easily, holding to 15.
First set: Konta* 3-4 Muguruza (*denotes server): Konta sticks a fine backhand down the line to make it 40-30. Yet the game goes to deuce when Muguruza picks Konta off at the net with a backhand pass. Is Muguruza about to break? No, as it transpires. Konta keeps hitting it hard enough to keep the Spaniard at bay.
First set: Konta 2-4 Muguruza* (*denotes server): The game goes to 30-all, Konta forcing Muguruza to net a defensive backhand. Then an error hands Konta a break point. Muguruza cancels it out with some serve-volley. “Come on!” she cries. She’s very fired up. She holds. An opening disappears for Konta, but she’ll be feeling more encouraged now.
First set: Konta* 2-3 Muguruza (*denotes server): Konta slams down an ace to make it 30-0. She holds to love, hitting the ball crisply. Her level isn’t bad at all here. The problem is how well Muguruza’s playing.
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First set: Konta 1-3 Muguruza* (*denotes server): Muguruza continues to dominate, holding to love.
Novak Djokovic beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-5, 6-4!
The world No1 cruises into the third round, where he’ll face Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. That should be entertaining.
First set: Konta* 1-2 Muguruza (*denotes server): Looking to assert herself, Konta races through three quick points, a venomous forehand making it 40-0. Muguruza responds with a forehand winner for 40-15. 40-0 turns into deuce. Konta is having to absorb a lot here. Muguruza’s emerged with all guns blazing - but Konta manages to get herself on the board with a couple of clinical shots.
First set: Konta 0-2 Muguruza* (*denotes server): This is a terrifying level from Muguruza, who consolidates the break with a rollocking hold to love. She’s absolutely battering the ball early on. It’s too much for Konta at the moment.
First set: Konta* 0-1 Muguruza (*denotes server): Jo Konta won the toss and elected to serve first. Eager beaver. She’s off to a fast start, too, ripping a forehand volley away to make it 15-0. Muguruza responds in kind, though, and earns two break points with a huge forehand return. Konta’s knocked off her stride and drops her serve when she sends a backhand long. Some start from Muguruza.
On Eurosport Annabel Croft isn’t impressed with how late this is starting. It’s gone midnight in Melbourne. Let’s hope they’ve had a good cup of coffee. That’s how athletes prepare, isn’t it? Presumably they’ve both downed a couple of cans of Relentless too (other energy drinks are available).
I’m not sure Garbine Muguruza will be delighted about facing Johanna Konta in the second round. Konta’s a former top 10 player and has been a semi-finalist here; her ranking’s dropped in the last year but her form’s been encouraging in recent weeks. However the British No1 will have to be very focused to beat Muguruza - the Spaniard, seeded 18th here, is a two-time grand slam champion.
Konta and Muguruza are on court and are warming up. To take you through to the bitter end is Jacob Steinberg.
Zverev speaks on beating Chardy and taking on Australia’s Alex Bolt in the third round. He said: “What an amazing match. Jeremy fought so hard, he’s an unbelievable player, he has caused so much damage to all the top players and he showed today what a top player and top person he is, I wish him all the best. He’s someone I’m very close to on the Tour. It was always going to be an entertaining match and hopefully I’ll see him on court again very soon.”
World No 155 Bolt has never reached this stage in his home Grand Slam and took a nine-month hiatus from the sport in 2016. He beat Gilles Simon 2-6, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in his second round match. Zverev added: “Nice. They were playing the fifth set when I walked on court, he came back from 2-1 down. He’ll be the home crowd favourite, I wont be mad at you guys (gestures to crowd), I understand. I don’t want to say I wish him nothing but the best, because I want to win, but hopefully it’ll be a fun match.”
Alexander Zverev beats Jeremy Chardy 7-6, 6-4, 5-7, 6-7, 6-1!
Three aces and a fourth serve that Chardy could only stretch to paddle long over the German’s shoulder. Zverev dug deep and got the job done but really didn’t need for this to go on so long. A battling display but he really shouldn’t be playing five-setters at this stage in the competition when two sets up. The PA declares Konta v Muguruza will start, “very, very soon”.
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Chardy has seen that bagel staring him in the face and doesn’t fancy it, breezing through a service game to allow Zverev to serve for the match.
On Rod Laver, Djokovic has sealed that second set against Tsonga 7-5 and is 2-0 up. The Serb could finish his match off before Konta and Muguruza have even completed their first set.
Chardy was a little livelier in that game, in what was a little weird and perhaps symbolic of Zverev’s mercurial/frustrating nature. Chardy opened up a 0-30 and 15-40 lead but his first break point attempt was a wayward baseline backhand and he then spurned the second as Zverev clubbed a low top-spinning forehand which the Frenchman struggled to get his feet in position for. After five lots of deuce, and three Zverev double faults, the German then whipped a couple of groundstrokes past his opponent and it’s 5-0 in what has been a limp end to an epic contest.
There was some talk that Konta v Muguruza was going to be moved to Court No3 but the court isn’t in a sufficient state for a match (jokes among the Eurosport commentary team that the cleaners have gone home) so it will be on Margaret Court after Zverev-Chardy. We wait.
Zverev now 4-0 and should polish this off in the next 10 minutes. Chardy has lost all sense of aggression and zip to his game. The end is nigh. Just returning to Konta v Muguruza. The last time they played each other in a Grand Slam was at the US Open in 2015 and the match lasted three hours and 23 minutes.
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Over on Rod Laver, at the fourth time of asking Djokovic has broken Tsonga for 6-5 and is serving for the second set.
Zverev is pushing the accelerator down, serving to love to move 3-0 ahead. Chardy looks a little fatigued, his backhand uncharacteristically loose. And the game is summed up as he send a lazy forehand long on Zverev’s second serve.
Good evening/afternoon all. As Zverev breaks to move 2-0 up in the fifth, Johanna Konta and 18th seed Garbiñe Muguruza are waiting patiently in the locker room for their second-round match on Margaret Court Arena. Or maybe not *too* patiently as their encounter is will be the latest start in Australian Open history, beating the 11.59pm mark set by Daria Gavrilova and Elise Mertens last year.
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I’m off to grab some lunch before Konta v Muguruza. James Piercy will take you to the end of this five-set epic.
A big serve from Jeremy Chardy brings up his fourth set point. Zverev serves, Chardy’s backhand return is good and he’s delighted to see the German send a backhand long! This one’s going the distance. Chardy, who was two sets down, has forced a decider after taking this tense tie-break.
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Up 5-3 in the tie-break, Jeremy Chardy turns reckless on serve. Zverev’s able to fight to 5-5. It’s been that sort of match. With one more serve at his disposal, a boulder from Zverev forces Chardy to net a return. Match point Zverev, his first of the evening. Yet Chardy, who’s back on serve, stays strong and does enough to force Zverev to hit a forehand long. 6-6.
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Over on Rod Laver Arena, it’s tight in the second between Djokovic and Tsonga, who’s had a few chances to break the world No1. They’re level at 3-3 as Tsonga tries to get over the disappointment of losing the first set.
Now’s the time for Chardy to turn up the temperature - and soon he has two set points, two points to force an unlikely fifth set. Zverev, so talented, knows he has to produce his best now. And he does, making it 30-40 with a beautiful winner, then smashing for deuce. Crisis averted, right? Think again. Chardy attacks with a forehand and earns a third chance. But with Zverev doing little more than keep the ball in play, Chardy nets a backhand. Zverev holds from there and forces a tie-break.
Chardy holds to 15 to lead 6-5 in this error-strewn fourth set. Zverev will have to hold again.
Serving immaculately, Zverev holds for 5-5 in the fourth set. It feels like a tie-break to me.
Serving at 4-4, Jeremy Chardy smacks a forehand down the line for 30-all. An ace makes it 40-30. It’s Chardy’s 14th so far. Naturally, though, the game goes to deuce. A look for Zverev - but Chardy holds on to lead 5-4. Zverev will serve to avoid a fifth set.
Jeremy Chardy holds! He’s 4-3 up in the fourth set. Zverev’s frustration grows. Konta and Muguruza are never getting on court.
Novak Djokovic wins the first set 6-3 against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga!
This one’s more straightforward.
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Jeremy Chardy does Alexander Zverev a favour, dumping a volley into the net to give the German two break points. This is an absurd match, though. Zverev fluffs the first break point, knocking a dismal forehand long, then Chardy rips a winner away for deuce. Another rushed error from Chardy gives Zverev another opening. Another opening that’s scrubbed out, this time with a big serve. The irascible Zverev is so frustrated. Ivan Lendl, his coach, must be getting flashbacks of his time with Andy Murray. On they go. Meanwhile...
Having got himself back into the set, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga throws away his serve again. A long forehand sees Djokovic break for 4-2. You fear Tsonga just isn’t going to be consistent enough here.
Less predictable now on Rod Laver Arena. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga breaks straight back when a Djokovic backhand drops wide in the fifth game of the first set.
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All very predictable so far on Rod Laver Arena. Novak Djokovic’s already a break up against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
A horrible game from an agitated Alexander Zverev lets Jeremy Chardy back into the contest! Serving to stay in the third set, a few horrible misses from Zverev sees him fall to 15-40. Chardy can’t take the first set point, but he only has to wait for Zverev to smack another backhand wide to take the third set 7-5! Zverev leads 7-6, 6-4, 5-7 – but he needs to regain his composure quickly.
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Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga have arrived on Rod Laver Arena. Tsonga barely played because of injuries last year and is past his entertaining peak at the age of 33. The French wild card’s extravagant game could cause a few problems for the world No1, but it’s difficult to see him being strong enough to push Djokovic far.
Alexander Zverev was in a bit of trouble in the third set on Margaret Court Arena, but he’s just broken back against Jeremy Chardy. Johanna Konta and Garbine Muguruza will be hoping Zverev can get this done now.
Next on Rod Laver Arena: Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Serena Williams speaks! “it wasn’t an easy match tonight. Genie has been to the finals of Wimbledon and the semis of other slams. I haven’t had many matches since last year but it’s ok, I got some time to spend with my daughter. It was great. I literally spent every day with her. I’ve always been told they grow up so fast. It meant a lot to me. I was really happy I was able to do that.”
Serena Williams beats Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-2!
Nothing to see here, just another snooze of a win for the American great. Bouchard was no match for her and she’s helpless to stop Williams sealing her place in the third round with a drive volley. Williams’s next opponent is the Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, who beat Carla Suarez Navarro earlier.
Eugenie Bouchard’s out of her depth whenever Serena Williams steps it up. Williams seizes the initiative, moving forward to place her opponent under pressure at 0-40, and Bouchard drops her serve with a weak backhand. Williams leads by a set and a break: 6-2, 3-2.
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A pounding serve from Alexander Zverev takes him into a 7-6, 6-4 lead against Jeremy Chardy. Hard to see anything other than a three-set Zverev win now.
Just nipped off to get an apple and a coffee. While I was away Alex Zverev broke to lead 7-6, 4-3 against Jeremy Chardy. The German’s looking good.
Serena Williams wins the first set 6-2!
A big serve down the middle, a smash at the net. It’s been a stroll so far.
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Eugenie Bouchard punches a forehand wide on a break point. She challenges but it was well out. Serena Williams breaks again to lead 5-2 in the first set
Eugenie Bouchard is on a mission to restore some dignity on Rod Laver Arena - and who knows, maybe she’ll make a match of this yet after cancelling out the double break for Serena Williams, who still leads 4-2.
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That’s a great win for Alex Bolt, who’s sent Gilles Simon on his way, beating the No29 seed 2-6, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4. His reward is a third-round match against Jeremy Chardy or Alexander Zverev. Probably Zverev - he’s growling away after winning a first-set tie-break on Margaret Court Arena, turning up the heat when it mattered most.
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Here’s a piece wot I did on Eugenie Bouchard last year.
Alexander Zverev contrives not to convert a set point before handing Jeremy Chardy the game with a horrible miss at the net. Chardy’s forced a first-set tie-break and Zverev’s body language could be better.
Another break for Serena Williams against Eugenie Bouchard. It’s a woeful mismatch so far.
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Serena Williams appears to be in a hurry, breaking in the very first game on Rod Laver Arena. This could be a swift workout against Eugenie Bouchard, which would be good news for Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Jeremy Chardy squares it up on Margaret Court Arena, capitalising on a dip from Alexander Zverev to break back in the first set. Over on Court 3, meanwhile, Australia’s Alex Bolt has broken Gilles Simon in the fifth set.
Serena Williams and Eugenie Bouchard make their entrance on Rod Laver Arena. It’s hard not to back Williams, who leads 2-0 in the head-to-head. A former Wimbledon finalist in 2014, Bouchard languishes at 79 in the rankings these days.
Alexei Popyrin knows his third-round opponent now. Lucas Pouille, the 28th seed, has beaten Maximilian Marterer of Germany 7-6, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4.
Alexander Zverev isn’t hanging around. He’s broken already against Jeremy Chardy. Meanwhile Alex Bolt has forced a fifth set against Gilles Simon after winning a fourth-set tie-break.
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To Margaret Court Arena, where Alexander Zverev is about to duke it out with Jeremy Chardy. The world No4 starts as the big favourite here and leads 2-1 in his head-to-head with Chardy.
Simona Halep beats Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-7, 6-4!
Having trailed 4-2 in the decider, now Halep’s serving for it. Three match points quickly come her way. Kenin, not ready to give up yet, makes it 40-15 with a brilliant forehand. But a big serve down the middle from Halep’s enough to do the job and see off a spirited challenge from her very good 20-year-old opponent. That was a cracking match, but it’s the world No1 who goes through to face Venus Williams.
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Sofia Kenin saves two break points - but the pressure from Simona Halep is relentless and the world No1 breaks when she watches a backhand from the wearied American sail wide. This has been a brilliant battle, but Halep is going to serve for the match at 6-3, 6-7, 5-4.
By the way, David Goffin saw off Marius Copil in four sets. The 21st seed’s likely opponent in the next round is Daniil Medvedev, who leads Ryan Harrison by two sets on Court 8.
Simona Halep breaks back to get the third set back on serve. Too many double faults from Sofia Kenin. There goes that lead. Are they heading for a deciding tie-break?
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Alexei Popyrin beats Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-4, 2-0 (ret)!
Thiem, who hasn’t looked right for much of this encounter, throws in the towel after losing his serve at the start of the third set. Oh dear. He played a five-setter the other day and is clearly struggling with something. But don’t take anything away from Alexei Popyrin, a mightily talented and hugely gutsy 19-year-old Australian who more than deserves this win over the seventh seed. He’ll play Lucas Pouille or Maximilian Marterer next.
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Potential shock alert! Potential shock alert! Simona Halep hits long and Sofia Kenin, who’s been threatening to do so, breaks to lead 3-6, 7-6, 4-2 on Rod Laver Arena! The unseeded American’s two games from knocking out the world No1!
Dennis Shapovalov cruises into round three, beating Taro Daniel 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. The young Canadian plays Novak Djokovic or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga next.
Venus Williams beats Alize Cornet 6-3, 4-6, 6-0!
That’s how you deal with a third set. Williams will play Simona Halep or Sofia Kenin in the third round.
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Potential shock alert! Potential shock alert! Alexei Popyrin now finds himself two sets to the good against the flailing Dominic Thiem! The Australian wild card leads the No7 seed 7-5, 6-4!
Alexei Popyrin comes through deuce to hold for a 7-5, 5-4 lead on Hisense Arena. Dominic Thiem is being drive to distraction by the 19-year-old, who fancies his chances of pulling off one hell of an upset.
Venus Williams is back in control on Margaret Court Arena, breaking twice to lead 6-3, 4-6, 3-0 against Alize Cornet. As for Alex Bolt, he’s lost the third set to Gilles Simon, who leads 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, 1-1 against the Australian wild card on Court 3.
Simona Halep is placing Sofia Kenin under immense pressure at the start of the third set, forcing the American to save four break points. After more than 10 minutes, though, Kenin holds to lead 1-0 in the decider.
Venus Williams will have to do it the hard way. Alize Cornet levels it up on Margaret Court Arena, winning the second set 6-4.
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Denis Shapovalov’s making cool progress against Taro Daniel. The 25th seed, who could play Novak Djokovic next, leads 6-3, 7-6. In other Next Gen news, the No15 seed Daniil Medvedev took the first set 6-3 against the unseeded American Ryan Harrison on Court 8.
Having taken the first set 7-5, Alexei Popyrin had 0-40 in Dominic Thiem’s first service game in the second set. Thiem’s managed to cling on, though. Still on serve, then, with Popyrin leading 7-5, 2-1.
A brilliant backhand winner gives Sofia Kenin a 6-5 lead in the tie-break. Set point. It’s Simona Halep to serve. A lengthy rally ensues - but Kenin’s always in control, thumping that forehand, and heavy hitting eventually forces Halep to send a backhand long! Kenin celebrates wildly! She’s got the world No1 on the run here! Halep led 6-3, 3-0 – but now look!
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Over on Rod Laver Arena, it’s 3-3 in the tie-break between Simona Halep and Sofia Kenin, who’s still giving nothing away. Tense stuff.
Back to Hisense Arena, where Alexei Popyrin finds himself with a 0-30 lead against Dominic Thiem, who’s serving to stay in the set. Excitement builds amongst the Aussie fans. Thiem’s under big pressure here and he doesn’t deal with it well. He’s nowhere to be seen as Popyrin carves out three set points with forceful play. Popyrin, wearing his baseball cap back to front, reaches a Thiem drop shot and sends a forehand down the line. Can Thiem do anything with his backhand? Nope. He plops it into the net and Popyrin, the 19-year-old wild card, takes the first set 7-5 off the rather flummoxed No7 seed! An upset’s brewing!
Sofia Kenin holds through deuce on Rod Laver Arena to force a second-set tie-break. Simona Halep could yet be dragged into a decider.
Dominic Thiem is struggling to hide his annoyance on Hisense Arena, flinging his racket to the floor at the end of one really. Alexei Popyrin is proving to be a very stubborn opponent as he serves at 5-5 in the first set – and now he bangs down an ace to wipe out a Thiem break point. Popyrin holds for 6-5. “Here we go Aussies, here we go!” the fans chant.
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Serving to stay in the match on Rod Laver Arena, Sofia Kenin deepens Simona Halep’s frustration with an easy hold for 5-5 in the second set. Halep’s being pushed harder than she would have anticipated.
Over on the atmospheric Hisense Arena, Aussie wild card Alexei Popyrin is locked in a marathon game with Dominic Thiem, the 7th seed, at 4-4 in the first set. He’s had to save a few break points. A double fault gives Thiem another. Popyrin saves it with a big forehand for deuce. The 19-year-old is fighting so hard and he eventually holds to lead 5-4, much to Thiem’s frustration. Having beaten Mischa Zverev in the first round, Popyrin is not to be underestimated.
Simona Halep, who was given a few problems by Kaia Kanepi in the first round, isn’t having it all her own way today. The world No1 led Sofia Kenin 6-3, 3-0 - but Kenin has managed to fight back to 3-3 in that second set. Halep’s looking a bit flustered.
Alex Bolt, the Australian wild card, looked out of luck not so long ago. He trailed Gilles Simon, the 29th seed, by a set and a break. But he’s only gone and snatched that second set 6-4! Meanwhile David Goffin, the 21st seed, has levelled his match against Romania’s Marius Copil at one set apiece.
Let’s round up some of the day’s notable results so far, starting with Milos Raonic’s gritty win over Stan Wawrinka. Raonic has had quite the draw so far. He landed Nick Kyrgios in the first round and it didn’t get any easier in round two as he locked horns with the 2014 champion. Wawrinka’s still feeling his way back from injury, though, and Raonic had the nerve and steel to win 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6. The 16th seed’s next opponent is Pierre-Hugues Herbet, who knocked out South Korean’s Hyeon Chung, conqueror of Novak Djokovic last year.
The No11 seed Borna Coric also made it safely through after beating Marton Fucsovics and there was a dramatic victory for the No8 seed Kei Nishikori, who needed five sets to see off the experienced Croatian Ivo Karlovic.
In the women’s draw, meanwhile, we’ve seen wins for Karolina Pliskova and Camila Giorgi over Madison Brengle and Iga Swiatek respectively. Naomi Osaka, the US Open champion, beat Tamara Zidansek and will play Hsieh Su-wei after the 29th seed’s win over Laura Siegmund.
And we head straight to Rod Laver Arena, where world No1 Simona Halep’s crushing it against Sofia Kenin of the USA. Halep leads 6-3, 3-0. Elsewhere Venus Williams is a set up against Alize Cornet, Dominic Thiem’s taking on an Aussie qualifier Alexei Popyrin right now, Gilles Simon’s up a set and a break against Aussie wild card Alex Bolt, and Canadian whizzkid Dennis Shapovalov has just taken the first set 6-3 against Taro Daniel.
Preamble
Hello. Sorry for the slightly later start than usual – I was so engrossed in my book I didn’t realise I was on the wrong train this morning (District Line instead of Hammersmith & City; crisis averted when I got off at Cannon Street, made my way to Moorgate and got on the Northern Line – and I hope that charming little tale means something to people who don’t, er, live in London). Not to worry, though, because we’ve still got plenty of great tennis on the way.
Pick of the bunch? Hard to call. But it’s going to be hard to take your eyes off Novak Djokovic taking on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a repeat of the 2008 final. Djokovic won that one to take his first grand slam title and he’ll probably win this one too - but you can’t count out a player as unpredictable as Tsonga, who’s been given a wild card here after missing most of 2018 with injuries.
Then there’s Serena William meeting Eugenie Bouchard, who once reached a Wimbledon final. Not to mention Johanna Konta, the British No1, against former Wimbledon and French Open champion Garbine Muguruza. And much, much more! In fact, they’re playing tennis right now!
