Novak Djokovic and Aslan Karatsev reached the men’s semis after beating Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov respectively, while Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams beat Su-Wei Hsieh and Simona Halep to reach the same stage of the women’s
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Barty v Muchova
Related: Djokovic battles injury to overcome Zverev at Australian Open
So there we go. Two very fun matches, and at the end of them, we’ve got Serena Willams and Novak Djokovic in the semis; why did we play again?
Djokovic tells Jim Courier that given his injury he needs time to warm up, despite hitting for an hour before the match started – he’s never had an injury as bad as this during a slam. After the first-set breaker, he felt better, and says he thinks he had more aces, “a miracle” for him against someone like Zverev. He feels drained and congratulates Zverev for how well he played, saying they pushed each other to the limit. He goes on to note that he started every set badly apart from the second, allowing his opponent to swing through the ball, and smashing up his racket helped him.
He then thanks his physio’s “magic hands” and those of the ATP physios, won’t practise on his day off, and hopes for a similar result. He’s not very familiar with Karatsev, but knows he’s got a great backhand – “Russian school of tennis” – and feels sorry for Dimitrov, who he thought was playing well till he got injured. He points out how many players have been hurt, saying the need to quarantine is taking its toll, and can’t wait for that to no longer be necessary.
That was an excellent performance from Djokovic who, as ever, was solid when he needed to be. Zverev played pretty well tonight, but when it came to it, he just didn’t have the consistency or the brilliance you need to beat a freak of nature of such pathological monomania.
He meets Aslan Karatsev in the semis!
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 6-6 (7-6) Zverev A long rally ensues, backhand to backhand, first with top spin then with slice, until Djokovic nets. He’ll be naused because he’d removed the server’s advantage and didn’t go for a winner only to lose the point anyway … but have a look! He finds an unbelievable backhand cross-court – it’s such a nasty angle, flying low across the face of the net … and Zverev can only net. Match point Djokovic again, this time on his own serve.
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 6-6 (6-5) Zverev Djokovic is back bouncing balls, which either tells you he’s thinking about things or that he’s back in his state of nature. This is so tight, and at 4-4 Zverev cleanses down an ace that ratchets up the pressure, all the more so when he lands a forehand on the line. But Djokovic, though he gasps, stays with it to win the point and will now serve to raise himself match point; his first effort goes into the net, but his second is an unreturnable beauty; match point.
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 6-6 (3-3) Zverev Zverev opens with an ace but two quick points establish Djokovic into things. Generally in breakers, you favour the bigger server, except Djokovic is involved and in the context of this match I’m not even sure who that is. We get to 3-3, both men delivering beautifully, and in commentary they wonder if the key moment will come when Zverev misses a first go.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 6-6 Zverev A tennis coach mate messages to say Zverev must be the worst volleyer in the top 100, as he botches a simple one, then at 30-0 a phenomenal rally ends when, with its 25th shot, Djokovic stretches to the corner on the split for single-handed backhand that spins him fully around, yet somehow sends a winner that breaks the opposite sideline. He is rrrridiculous … but Zverev yanks him back from 40-0 to deuce and is two points away from a decider! Make that one! Zverev has been happy to rally from the back all match, and after a succession of balls to the Djokovic backhand, clouts an inside-outer of his own for a clean winner to the opposite side. So Djokovic summons an ace, then a service winner, before Zverev nets a backhand. He’s had so any chances to seal this set, but now needs to win the breaker to stay in the competition. Here we go!
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 5-6 Zverev* Zverev has rebounded really well since being broken, and rushes through a second straight love hold. If Djokovic is to clinch the match ereannar, it’ll need to be by way of breaker.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 5-5 Zverev Oh! In at the net on 15-all, Djokovic skps into a large forehand, then somehow nets a simple volley! Zverev is two points from the set! So down comes an ace, obviously, then a smash into the corner … but Zverev makes deuce by sending a forehand out wide, then dunking the resultant floater. So down comes another ace, obviously – that’s 20-19 in Djokovic’s favour – make that 21-19! It’d mad to still be improving when you’re as good and as old as Djokovic is – I like to think he’s been watching James anderson bowl.
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 4-5 Zverev* We’re into a fourth hour as Zverev rattles through a love hold – the first of the set, and a huge staging post for the German who needs to show himself that he can hang tough when the rhythm gets ruff and the DJ says I think you’ve had enough.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 4-4 Zverev At 30-15, Djokovic slices into the net and if I’m Zverev – I’m wearing a sleeveless top – I’m unloading the suitcase at whatever comes at me next. Instead, they go backhand slice to backhand slice, constructing the longest rally of the match … and Zverev takes it when Djokovic nets with a forehand. From 30-0 to break point! But Djokovic quickly restores the order of things, a huge forehand earning him deuce … only to go long with the same shot! But a terrific drop shot regains deuce, and as the rallies get longer it’s Zverev who looks wearier, slightly slow in picking up another drop, and a nails inside-out forehand secures a monumental hold. That was a really great game, but Djokovic just had that little bit more, as he almost always does.
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 3-4 Zverev* And there’s one, except Djokovic somehow gets it back and wins the point … so Zverev retorts with a clean ace followed by a boomer out wide and a forehand to the opposite corner for 30-15. Djokovic, though, looks set to claim the next point when he advances to the net and prepares a forehand down the line … only to take his eye off the ball, which flies away off the edge of his frame; you don’t see that very often, and Zverev takes advantage to close out from there. He needed that.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 3-3 Zverev But who knows! Zverev takes Djokovic on from the back and induces the backhand error … so, er, well, um, Djokovic responds with aces 17 and 18. The quicker courts are working well for him in that aspect, but after a long rally he plants a forehand wide; Zverev still has a chance here. I typed that but I didn’t believe it, and another fine serve from Djokovic allows him the quick forehand clean-up, and a further step-in forehand levels the set. If Zverev can’t rediscover his first serve next up, he’s in a world of trouble.
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 2-3 Zverev* Eesh, Djokovic somehow returns a punishing serve and makes 15-all, then Zverev responds with a double; we’ve seen this before, and a less venomous second serve allows Djokovic into the point, Zverev quickly going long on the forehand. I barely need to type the words, bit two break points to the good, Djokovic metronomically drops balls onto the baseline until Zverev can’t take any more. It seems fairly clear where this is going, as it always has.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 1-3 Zverev A double break would set the Pfizer among the anti-vax and Zverev earns himself two break points, both saved in short order. But then Djokovic goes long with a forehand … but then Djokovic clouts a forehand winner into to the corner, guides a volley safe, and rips a service winner. Zverev can hear him coming…
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 0-3 Zverev* At 15-30, Djokovic arrives at a backhand in plenty of tie to find a winner, only to send his shot hurtling wide; this development delights him as much as you’d expect. But another double hands Djokovic break point … only for him to overhit a backhand when dealt a powderpuff second serve! So Zverev does likewise but then plays two good points before a monstrous serve out wide clinches the game. That’s a colossal hold for Zverev, who offered two breaking opportunities with double faults but saved both. It’s a strange match is this, neither player able to sustain their form and though you assume Djokovic will find a way to bring it home, if Zverev serves well from here on in, he’s struggling.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 0-2 Zverev I should note, Zverev is wearing a sleeveless top which suggests iffy self-esteem. But he canes down a smash for 30-all from 30-0 and then defends brilliantly before spiriting a sensational backhand pass down the line when Djokovic comes in behind muck; break point Zverev. And he’s got it! A forehand to the corner is too good, and I do not know what to think! Djokovic goes to bash the ball at something or someone, then thinks better of it.
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 0-1 Zverev* It’s hard to see Zverev coming back from that – he knows he’s unreliable under pressure, and he’s crumbled twice in this match alone. He holds easily, but getting between Djokovic and the finish line is like getting between a hippo and the water.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 6-4 Zverev Zverev makes 0-15 but a service winner wipes out his advantage and a forehand that drops long takes Djokovic two points away. An ace out wide follows – what a total monster – and another fine serve allows him to dictate a rally, finally ended by a poor forehand from Zverev that drops long. From 1-4 and 0-30, Djokovic won five straight games, and he is so so good … but that is so so so bad from Zverev, who had no business tossing the set in the way that he did.
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 5-4 Zverev* Er, maybe. Djokovic is quickly at 0-30, then a protracted rally sees Zverev yanked to the net to hit a winner … but he either hits at yerman, yerman anticipates where it’s going or both, and a stop-volley raises three break points. Djokovic only needs one, Zverev netting a backhand for no good reason and things have changed very quickly. In commentary, they note that when things went against Djokovic, he destroyed his racket whereas Zverev is nonplussed; and though what’s going on is more nuanced than that, one of these knows how to win and the other knows how to lose. Djokovic will now serve for the set.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 4-4 Zverev Djokovic is back in charge now, storming through a hold to 15. Has Zverev missed his chance?
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 3-4 Zverev* Zverev clatters down another ace, but his first double of the match and a fine backhand cross-court help Djokovic to 30-40 and a second chance to break back. Zverev being Zverev, he chooses this moment to double-fault again, and we’re back on serve in set three.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 2-4 Zverev Djokovic asks for his racket mess to be cleared up; maybe he should do it himself. But a ball kid arrives with dustpan and brush – there’s no sitting down this time, I wonder why not – and Zverev quickly makes 0-30. The fluctuations in this match have been odd and we’ve yet to have both players playing well together, but Djokovic gathers himself and wins four straight points.
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 1-4 Zverev* The players have to wait for new balls, so Djokovic sits himself down on the court like a petulant toddler … then wins the first point of the game. Of course he does. So Zverev responds with an ace. Of course he does. But Zverev then nets a backhand after Djokovic defends well to stay in it … before Djokovic goes long with a backhand. Zverev is stepping into the ball now, two crushing backhands into the same corner giving him game point … but then he goes long and we’re at deuce. This is a crucial passage coming up, and after Zverev opens the court with a serve out wide, he sends his clean-up backhand to the opposite corner … and needlessly long. No matter, a bousting second serve opens the angle for a forehand winner and when he makes advantage following a backhand error from Djokovic, ole Nole destroys his racket; that’ll teach it. An ace down the middle then secures the hold, and Zverev knows how important that is, hollering his approval.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 1-3 Zverev At 40-30, Djokovic tries a lazy drop and Zverev runs it down … but goes long. That puts Djokovic on the board in set three, but, he’s not playing as well as he was.
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 0-3 Zverev* Victoria is out of lockdown tonight, so crowds can come back in tomorrow; I guess that’s good news, sort of, and there’s certainly good news for Zverev, who caps a love hold with an ace down the middle. This was not a momentum shift I foresaw.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 0-2 Zverev A long backhand from Djokovic offers Zverev an opening and two mass-murderous forehands, the second a wrong-footer, gives him 0-30. And have a look! At 15-30, a short ball sits up for punishment … and Djokovic whacks it long! An ace saves the first break point … but a double, his fourth of the match to Zverev’s none, hands the German the advantage! He did not have to work for that.
Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 0-1 Zverev* Zverev had to extend himself unduly in winning that first set, and in so doing allowed Djokovic to find his range – an error for which he was punished in the second. Ultimately, his only hoping of pulling this off is to serve like God and his level returns here – he holds to 15, offering not a sniff.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 6-2 Zverev Have a look! Djokovic plays a single-handed backhand and Zverev murders one of his own down the line for 0-30! But Djokovic isn’t fazed, his forehand dominating the next point, and when Zverev makes a backhand error, all Djokovic needs for the set is two aces, so that’s all he does. The cosmos is righting itself.
Djokovic (6)6-7 5-2 Zverev* Zverev won’t be wanting Djokovic to serve first in set three so needs to hold here and does – as Barry Davies might say.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 5-1 Zverev Zverev gets a point off Djokovic’s serve, so Djokovic bangs an ace down the middle to seal it. He’s serving a lot of aces at the moment which, when you’re already the best returner around, spells grief for your opponents.
Djokovic (6)6-7 4-1 Zverev* Djokovic has won eight Aussie Opens – including the last two – from eight finals played; that’s an absolute joke. But Zverev is on the board in set two, muscling through a revitalising love hold. The first set took nearly an hour; this one’s been going less than 15 minutes.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 4-0 Zverev Djokovic opens the game with an ace spinning out wide, then makes 30-0 with a dismissive forehand. A service winner, out wide again, comes next – typical Djokovic, beating his opponent at their own game – and quickly completes a fourth straight love hold.
Djokovic (6)6-7 3-0 Zverev* Yeah, Zverev has that confused look on his phizog when he finds himself at 0-30, but then bases a backhand down the line so well that Djokovic applauds. That guy is so magnanimous! I love that guy! Djokovic is going to Zverev’s backhand a lot at the moment, another another winner off it makes 30-all … but then he goes long from down by his ankles, after which a superbly constructed point by Djokovic, finished with a backhand down the lie and into the corner, establishes the double break. Things have changed very extremely quickly.
*Djokovic (6)6-7 2-0 Zverev That break was so crushingly predictable and Zverev will be just as aware of that as Djokovic, who consolidates to love. That’s eight of nine points for him, and momentum might just be shifting.
Djokovic (6)6-7 1-0 Zverev* Zverev needs to keep focused here – only he knows what it took to win that first set, but we all know what happens if he drops below that level. And there you go – at 15-30 he goes long with a backhand after which my SkyGo drops out and returns to confirm that yes, Zverev lost focus right when he knew it was danger, did it anyway and lost his serve as a consequence.
Djokovic (6)6-7 Zverev A tremendous serve from Djokovic allows him to save set point with a forehand winner, but then Zverev reads a drop and glides a backhand down the line which facilitates a smash. That raises a third set point for Zverev, this one on his own serve, and when Djokovic can only block back a second effort, he goes in front – as he ought to have done quite some time ago.
Djokovic 6-6 (5-6) Zverev No one’s holding it down now – when that happens there’s only one winner – and Zverev loses a second consecutive service point thanks to an imprecise forehand. But he finds a colossal forehand when he needs it, cleaning up with an overhead, and we’re back level … until Djokovic finds an ace. The pressure ratchets up a notch as such, but Zverev goes out wide as he ought to have done when serving for the set and despatches a further smash, the rinses an ace down the T; set point, but on the Djokovic serve.
Djokovic 6-6 (3-3) Zverev Djokovic knows that when things get tight so will Zverev – he made three unforced forehand errors when serving for the set – and shonuff, when made to play an extra ball at 0-1 in the breaker, he goes long with the backhand. But he’s quickly back at 2-2 and then properly steps into a succession of forehands to seize a mini-break of his own. But he can’t consolidate it, Djokovic’s forehand inciting him to net.
Djokovic 6-6 Zverev* Zverev holds easily, and we have ourselves a breaker.
*Djokovic 6-5 Zverev Yeah, welcome to the real match, Sascha. Djokovic holds to love and both players look different, Djokovic having eaten a mushroom and Zverev having lost his.
Djokovic 5-5 Zverev* Here we go. Djokovic finds a fine return down the line, backs it up with a solid backhand that takes him to the net; Zverev can’t pass. Another fine return then makes 0-30 and Zverev is tightening, playing percentages instead of seeking the monsters out wide that have been so definitive so far. But there’s one! After outlasting Djokovic in a baseline slog for 15-30, he clobbers a service-winner out wide … before going down the middle again. Why? Djokovic returns easily, Zverev nets, and here’s a break-back point! A 25-strike rally ensues, this is what Djokovic wants, and Zverev drops a forehand long, of course he does – he’s made three unforced errors in this game. He served beautifully in this set, especially out wide, then changed it up – we can only assume because of nerves – and was made to pay.
*Djokovic 4-5 Zverev Djokovic is going to need some breakers to win this, I think, because he’s struggling to do much with Zverev’s serve as Zverev is with his, save that early aberration. But as I type that, a fine return followed by a winner down the line turn 30-0 into 30-all, then Djokovic dumps a forehand into the net for deuce. That was very uncharacteristic, and in commentary they reckon that shot “looked sore”; it’s hard to know how bad his stomach is because if it was even slightly so, you’d think it’d stop him from playing. Anyhow, a backhand winner from Zverev earns him set point, then a backhand winner, on the run and down the line from Djokovic, saves it, before a succession of unconverted Djokovic advantages until one is eventually take to end a nine-minute game. Zverev will have to serve for it.
Djokovic 3-5 Zverev* Zverev has such a high toss, and he brings the racket down so true – or truly, as the case may be, grammar massive. Again, he holds easily, and Djokovic is in a spot of trouble here.
*Djokovic 3-4 Zverev Djokovic races through a love hold, but needs to find a way of attacking the Zverev serve. I’ve no idea how he does that.
Djokovic 2-4 Zverev* Zverev is doing a good job of making first serves, and when he misses one at 0-15 he finds a high kicker like Stefan Edberg in his prime. Very quickly, it’s 40-15, and an ace out wide secures the game; Djokovic isn’t getting close to breaking him at the moment.
*Djokovic 2-3 Zverev There’s no real pattern to the match so far, both players hitting good shots and bad shots in various positions. At 40-30, Djokovic tries a backhand drop which Zverev is ready to run down, but it hits the net … and at advantage, Djokovic makes his 12th and 12th unforced errors of the match so far. But he saves break point with an ace, follows up with another, and then cements an important hold.
Djokovic 1-3 Zverev* Djokovic gets 0-15; a service winner follows, then an ace. Zverev is 6’6, which makes such a huge difference; a while ago, I was talking to an agent on behalf of a young player, and the first question I was asked was how tall is he. A further ace, sliced out wide Ivanisevic-style, follows at 40-15, and if Zverev keeps this up he’s a hard night for anyone.
*Djokovic 1-2 Zverev A poor drop for Djokovic hands Zverev 0-15, quickly rescued by a service winner down the T. He holds to 15, and is in the match.
Djokovic 0-2 Zverev* Zverev catapults through a love hold in minus time, and is something happening here?
*Djokovic 0-1 Zverev Djokovic is averaging 15 aces a match and he sticks one in here, but then finds himself at deuce and goes long with the forehand! Zverev has an immediate break point, and will know he’s unlikely to get many chances so needs to snaffle this. he doesn’t, because he doesn’t have to – Djokovic sends down a second double of the game, and that’s the break! Given how well Zverev is serving, that could be crucial, and what a good call he made to receive!
And play. Djokovic to serve.
The players are with us.
Related: Tennis stays silent as abuse allegations hang over Alexander Zverev | Tumaini Carayol
Here is a translation of Alexander Zverev and his family talking about his ex-girlfriend, Olga, accusing him of domestic violence. In short, they spend a lot of time trying to discredit her character rather than responding to the specific accusations. https://t.co/O1Qauna9TK
I suppose Zverev has beaten Djokovic at the ATP finals, but this isn’t that. Djokovic is desperate to finish his career with more majors than anyone else and will have to play badly to lose because he’s just much better.
Zverev has never beaten a top-10 player at a major and will have to go some to win this. But he’s serving well and Djokovic isn’t fully fit so maybe this is his time … yet conversely, maybe it isn’t.
Coming up next, as Mike Goldberg might say: Novak Djokovic v Alexander Zverev. Truly, there is nothing more godly than working-day sport.
So there we go: a very very good performance from Serena, and with plenty of scope for improvement. Simona wasn’t quite there, but she wasn’t allowed to be either – though Serena made a load of unforced errors, she found even more winners and most noteworthy of all, her movement and retrieval was absolutely on point. If Osaka plays well, she’ll still need to find another level, but it’s there for her and she knows it is, not something that’s been so for a while.
Serena tells Jim Courier that she realised she was making a lot of unforced errors in the games she lost so told herself to stay in there. She says that was the best match she’s played this tournament and she had to, playing against the number 2 in the world, so she’s excited. She agrees that her de-fence was good today – her coach told her it had to be, but she didn’t really work on it in the off-season as she was mainly getting healthy. She has cameras everywhere, apparently, and there’s some kind of thing in the works but she won’t say what. Asked about the seh-mye, she says that Osaka is a great player, inspiring on and off the court; she’s been watching her and is sure the reverse is so.
Williams 6-3 6-3 Halep* Serena has played pretty well today – Simona knows that she needs to finish points quickly because if she doesn’t a winner is imminent, and she’s not quite managing it. It’s no great shock to see Serena glide to 0-30, but then Simona finds a sensational backhand down the line, hammered flat for her first point in nine, but then she’s pinned in the back corner and can’t fight her way out, netting to hand Serena two match points. The first disappears when a forehand goes long, but a wondrous backhand return sets up a forehand cross-court winner into the corner, and that is a majestic, beauteous performance from the greatest of all-time. She plays Osaka next; I cannot wait for that.
*Williams 6-3 5-3 Halep Serena shows Simona the new ball, then whacks the cover off it by way of ace out wide. Goodness me, this is great stuff, another huge serve backed up with a martial arts-style forehand, complete with finishing flourish, and seconds later the consolidation is complete, to love. Serena is a game away.
Williams 6-3 4-3 Halep* Yeah, this might just be the match here. Serena very quickly makes 0-40, but some over-zealous hitting yanks her back to 30-40. Simona then finds a big forehand when she needs it, but with the point right there for her she tries a drop that sits up! Serena races to the net, but goes cross when DTL is right there and the ball flies long! That’s an escape for Simona, who quickly finds herself facing another break point and this time misses her first serve. Shonuff, Serena tucks into it, but Simona dredges up a tremendous forehand that does just enough to save her … then is saved again when Serena wastes a further break point with a carelessly long forehand. Simona just can’t sort it out though, a murderous rally ending when she goes long, and though she dominates the next one, a succession of mortifying gets from Serena incite her to net, and there’s another break! This is nearly did!
*Williams 6-3 3-3 Halep At 30-15, Simona is right in the rally, but she looks for the winner when it’s not there, ploughing a forehand cross-court and wide when past the centre line herself. Then, at 40-30, she finds a terrific backhand that reverses momentum in the point, only to hit long immediately thereafter. The next game is a biggie, and you’d not be surprised to see Serena take it.
Williams 6-3 2-3 Halep* This is a huge game for Simona. If she can consolidate, she’ll be just two away from levelling the match, and at 30-all she needs to find something. Er, and that something is a weak serve, clouted back and into the corner for a clean winner and another break-back point … which is quickly snatched. That’s four lost serves in a row.
*Williams 6-3 1-3 Halep Good start to the game from Simona, coming in to meet Serena and winning the exchange of volleys. Serena then finds a first serve – she’s only lost four points behind it all match – and it’s enough for 15-all, but Simona then steps into a forehand winner that clips the line, after which Serena goes wide on the backhand! Two break points Simona, and the first looks gawn gawn gawn, woah oh oh when a first serve takes her out wide … but Serena goes long with the clean-up!
Williams 6-3 1-2 Halep* Serena sticks with her high risk/high reward game and it gets her to 30-all, whereupon she leaps onto a poor serve and sends a forehand winner cross-court that breaks the sideline. A punishing baseline rally follows, Serena dictating the pace but Simona on the move seeking an angle … until she sticks a backhand into the top of the net! Serena breaks back immediately, which has to got to be extremely discouraging.
*Williams 6-3 0-2 Halep I say that, but then two errors from Serena give Simona 0-30; she has 21 unforced errors to Simona’s five and 17 winners to Simona’s five. A double follows, and out of nowhere that’s three break points, the first of them saved with a vicious backhand followed by an equally unfriendly forehand. But when Serena comes in, Simona punishes a backhand right at her and she can’t control her volley! Has momentum shifted?
Williams 6-3 0-1 Halep* Serena has shown total disregard for Simona’s second serve and is outhitting her from the back too; more or less, this match is being decided by her winners and unforced errors. I’m not sure what Simona can do to become the protagonist – maybe she can come in and put Serena under pressure (then watch the passing shots screech by). She struggles to 40-30 but then has to hit another second serve, which is absolutely dematerialised past her – Serena is finding some gorgeous oblique angles when she goes cross, as she did there, and her forehand down the line is nicely grooved too. We go back and forth from advantage Halep to deuce for a bit, before a crucial hold is eventually secured. But Serena is dominating.
*Williams 6-3 Halep Halep loses a string playing the first rally and nets her return at the start of the second; Serena is two points away, then sends a first serve out wide which facilitates the forehand clean-up. Simona then bangs a backhand return down the line and wide, making for another love game. That’s how you clinch a set, and Serena is looking alright you know.
Williams 5-3 Halep* Simona must now serve to stay in the set and she does so easily – that’s the first love game of the match.
*Williams 5-2 Halep Halep gets 0-15; Serena responds with a majestic forehand down the line and helps herself to the next point too, then makes 40-15 with a wrongfooting forehand. She’s been the better player all the way through this set, hitting more winners and dictating more points, and this time she consolidates – worryingly easily, if you’re Simona.
Williams 4-2 Halep* The first time Serena won in Australia, in 2003, Simona was 11; it must be an absolute trip of a head situation to play her, though Halep’s hero growing up was diminutive powerhouse Justine Henin, which makes a lot of sense. We get to 30-all – though Halep has only missed four first serves so far, she’s not getting much for nowt, and at 40-30 the pressure tells and a double ensues. Serena then tries to jump on a second delivery, netting, but opens her shoulders through the next point too, and Halep nets a backhand. An unbelievable point from Serena follows, a dazzling return setting up a murderous rally with both players smashing the fuzz off it before a winner down the line raise break point; Halep saves it. But with Serena looming at the net she can’t find a pass so has to save another; naturally, Serena climbs into her second serve again, and this time it’s enough, Simona going fractionally wide with a backhand down the line that she thinks is good. Serena breaks for a second time!
*Williams 3-2 Halep Serena drops short, and Simona’s eyes literally widen as the ball sits up and she whips a forehand winner cross-court; an ace duly follows. But when Serena gets 30-15, Simona retorts with an inside-out backhand wrongfooter; a service winner duly follows, then Serena outhits Simona from the back to clinch the game. This match had all the makings of a jazzer in the context, but now they’re out there it has all the makings of the jazzer in the contest.
Williams 2-2 Halep* Simona Halep, playing percentages – wouldn’t that be a thing?! She holds to 15, and is into the match.
*Williams 2-1 Halep A loose forehand from Serena gives Simon 15-30; it’s barely a sniff, but she needs to turn it into one. Good luck old mate. She drops one short and Serena is onto it so quickly, gliding a winner cross-court with infinite power; she’s finding such beautiful angles today. But two unforced errors from Serena hand back the break, and I wonder if the pattern – a surprising one – is set: Serena either hits winners or makes mistakes, while Halep plays percentages.
Williams 2-0 Halep* Another good sign for Serena, who absolutely cleanses a second serve back cross-court for a clean winner and 0-15. But then Halep runs onto a forehand and clouts a winner cross-court, table tennis-style, that breaks the sideline; Serena applauds the shot. We get to 30-all and the longest rally of the match so far, dominated by Williams, who’s hitting it much harder … until she hits the net. But a winner down the line earns her deuce and the two exchange frankly ludicrous gets – these are incredible – then Serena finds an unbelievable angle to hit a forehand winner, cross-court. Another baseline rally follows, Halep goes long, and that’s the break! Serena is at it!
*Williams 1-0 Halep At 15-all, a sign: Serena rockets a serve out wide that looked measured too. It’s far too good, and if she can keep finding that angle, Halep is in trouble. At 40-15, Serena goes long with a forehand down the middle … bit of pressure. Yeah ahahahahahaha. She clatters an ace down the middle, of course she does.
Play! Serena to serve.
The winner here plays Naomi Osaka next – I’m buzzing for this, but I’m advance-buzzing for that.
Halep beat Swiatek in the last round and from a set down, but she didn’t play that well in doing it; Swiatek dropped her level a little and that was enough. I’m not sure Serena will allow her in or back in like that – most likely, she’ll need to force it.
Here they come! Man, I absolutely love both of these, and absolutely love the clash of mentalities. Serena is so solid and reliable, whereas Simona is fragile and erratic. When she’s on she’s very hard to stop, partly for that reason, but she has a collapse in her locker.
I think what Simona needs to do is try and hit close to the corners so that Serena is hitting on the run. If she lets her plant her feet and settle, I can’t see her resisting.
Get yourself into the mood: here’s something on Serena from Joy of Six: champions.
Related: The Joy of Six: champions | Daniel Harris
Simona-Serena, then. I don’t think the former is playing that well, but she’s improving through the rounds and probably has the mental edge after beating Serena at Wimbledon. Only joking, no one has the mental edge over Serena, whose match against Sabalenka showed everyone but most importantly showed her that she’s right back at it. She moved really well in that one, as of the two is probably the more comfortable with where she’s at; partly that’s a personality thing, partly that’s a career thing, partly that’s a form thing. The bookies can’t split them, but I’m going to stick my neck out and lean towards the greatest we’ve ever seen.
Thanks Mike and hi everyone. I cannot wait for these.
And with that, I’ll hand you over to my colleague Daniel Harris, who will take you through the big women’s quarter-final and into the men’s later in the evening at Melbourne Park.
Speaking of Ash Barty, the world No 1 is planning a full playing schedule in 2021, including the Tokyo Olympics, says her coach.
Barty effectively took a sabbatical during 2020 and had said she would continue to prioritise her and her team’s health in 2021, with the Covid-19 pandemic still raging across much of the globe.
Tomorrow’s order of play is in: Ash Barty is first up on Rod Laver.
So, Karatsev becomes the first man in 53 years of professional tennis to reach the Australian Open semi-finals on his grand slam debut. Wow. For Dimitrov, his grand slam frustrations continue.
Don’t go anywhere, Serena Williams and Simona Halep are up next, to kick off the night session with what could potentially the match of the Open so far.
Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 2-6 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov unleashes his pent-up frustration with a huge backhand winner on the opening point of this game, but that’s pretty much his last hurrah of the 2021 Australian Open. It’s game, set and match Karatsev! It’s probably not the way he would have wanted to do it, but Karatsev is an Australian Open semi-finalist in his debut grand slam. Incredible really, the fairytale continues, with Novak Djokovic or Alex Zverev next in line.
Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 2-5 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) “I’m sorry,” Dimitrov says towards his box as he stretches for a ball that he can only return into the net. He’s done and knows this one’s over. Karatsev holds and he’s a single game from the semis now.
Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 2-4 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) The Channel Nine commentators are rolling out the “anything can happen in sport” line, as Dimitrov holds serve.
Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 1-4 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Karatsev moves another game towards the most unlikely of semi-final appearances. He’s a qualifier, don’t forget. Meanwhile, Dimitrov is going to see this one out, even though the writing’s on the wall. Credit to him.
Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 1-3 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimtrov fires down an ace to suggest there’s some life in his challenge yet and then a 23-shot rally ends not with Dimitrov collapsing in a heap, but with the Bulgarian unfurling a lovely backhand winner down the line. But that’s as far as he can go this game. Karatsev finds a winner off his forehand to bring up break point and he goes on to take a two-game lead.
Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 1-2* Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) No bother for Karatsev on serve. At times Dimitrov looks tired, and it’s difficult to see a way back into this match at this point. Karatsev, meanwhile, just has to keep landing his shots.
Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 1-1 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) OK, this is better from Dimitrov. He’s still capable of making shots, despite the problem with his back, and does so on several occasions this game.
Fourth set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 0-1 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Dimitrov desperately tries to get himself moving and get the energy levels back up. But he still seems a way off 100%. Karatsev, meanwhile, can’t believe his luck. That’s a comfortable hold for the Russian.
OK, Dimitrov is back out on court. He will carry on, for now at least. He’s likely had some painkillers – let’s see how well they have worked. Let’s get this fourth set under way. Karatsev leads 2-1.
Dimitrov calls a medical timeout and heads off court, down the tunnel of champions and into the bowels of Melbourne Park for some treatment. It appears to be his back that’s giving him grief, and I’m not sure he’ll return.
Third set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-6 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) This is bizarre. Dimitrov barely makes any effort on his serve; on set point for Karatsev the Bulgarian tosses over a dolly of a serve and starts to walk off court even before it lands on the other side. Karatsev lands his return in an empty service court, and he claims the second set. Dimitrov will be seen to by the trainer, and let’s hope he can return to see this one out.
Third set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-5 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Dimitrov’s had enough! At least for this game, and possibly the set. He’s returning Karatsev’s serves with little to no effort (although one of them, miraculously, turns into a winner), but the Russian wraps his service game up with ease. The trainer’s been called and will attend to Dimitrov at the end of the next game, you’d imagine.
Third set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-4 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov is in trouble! On the last couple of points he simply serves at half pace and then walks away. Is it cramp? Not entirely sure, but there’s clearly something up. Conversely, everything Karatsev touches turns to gold at the moment. Is this the beginning of the end for Dimitrov? He shakes his head at his box during the changeover.
Third set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-3 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) The pendulum has well and truly swung Karatsev’s way. Dimitrov needs to change something here if he’s to get back on track.
Third set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-2 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov’s second serve is wavering at the moment – his ball toss isn’t right at all and he’s off balance by the time he strikes the ball. It’s a problem that besets early in this game, and the Bulgarian never really recovers. Karantsev capitalises and it’s the Russian who makes the first breakthrough of the third set!
Third set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-1 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) There are none of the problems that beset Dimitrov early in the previous game for Karatsev in his first service game of the third. And a beautiful double-handed backhand winner down the line seals a comfortable hold to love.
Third set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov starts the third on very shaky ground, double faulting twice in the opening two points. But just as you think he’s on a downward spiral, he arrests the slide, impressively so, and goes on to hold without any further loss of points. Sighs of relief all around the Bulgarian’s box.
Second set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) We’re all square! Karatsev’s serve doesn’t fail him this time, as Dimitrov’s error count increases – four in total this game, which Karatsev serves out to love. Amazing really, there was a point early this set that you feared he would be bundled out in straight sets. Still a long way to go.
Second set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-5 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) What a time to break! “C’mon!” is the cry from a clenched-fisted Karatsev as he breaks Dimitrov’s serve! Dimitrov was the architect of his own fall there, with some sloppy serving, in particular a double fault at deuce, contributing. And Karatsev will now serve to level things up at 1-1!
Second set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 4-4 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) At the changeover, Karatsev looks hot under the collar. With the temperature having risen to the early 30s, the Russian uses what looks like an air conditioning pipe to blow air onto his face as he takes a load off. It seems to have the desired effect and he serves out to hold with a minimum of fuss for the first time for what seems like ages. “New balls please!”
Second set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 4-3 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) A polite smattering of applause arrives midway through the second point of this game, which is just weird. Dimitrov, meanwhile, gets back into the swing of things with the ball in his hand and holds with ease to nudge ahead once more.
Second set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 3-3 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) With a golden opportunity to open up a two-game lead in this second set, Karatsev blows it. Errors continue to plague the Russian’s game; he brings up the unwanted milestone of 30 for the match so far – and adds another two for good measure – before double faulting on a second break point. That’s the second time he has failed to consolidate a break today. Dimitrov breathes a sigh of relief.
Second set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 2-3 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Wow, I was not expecting this. Dimitrov shows a glimmer of hesitancy and Karatsev pounces to break. Where did that come from? Dimitrov was breezing through his service games but the wheels fall off this one. This could well prove to be a turning point.
Second set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 2-2 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) What a shot! The shot of the day so far comes off Dimitrov’s racket, a perfectly executed sliced backhand that Karatsev simply has no answer to. The Bulgarian goes on to bring up two break point chances, but again, Karatsev saves both. That’s seven in the last two games he has saved. Karatsev manages to hold, thanks to an ace on game point, but he’s really being made to work hard for each hold. That could well take its toll before too long.
Second set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 2-1 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) In stark contrast to that last game, this one’s over in a flash. Still, the ledger reads that each player held their service game, and that’s all that counts for now.
Second set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 1-1 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Karatsev finds himself in trouble on numerous occasions this game and cannot to extricate himself from the holes he digs for over 10 minutes in the longest game by far of the day so far. He does, eventually, but it takes him six deuces and five saved break points to do so. That’s a huge hold in the end.
Second set: Grigor Dimitrov* 6-2, 1-0 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov makes the opening game of the second set look easy, forcing Karatsev into a couple of errors and throwing down an ace on his way to an early lead.
First set: Grigor Dimitrov 6-2 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) The errors continue to flow for Karatsev, which makes life pretty easy for Dimitrov to be honest. Perhaps the Russian has already checked out of this set. Well, he is out of it now, as Dimitrov breaks to claim the opener in just 33 minutes.
First set: Grigor Dimitrov* 5-2 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) The momentum is well and truly with Dimitrov as Karatsev’s error count increases (17 unforced errors so far). A couple of aces help Dimitrov to a comfortable hold and the Bulgarian’s one game away from taking the opening set.
First set: Grigor Dimitrov 4-2 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Karatsev aces at 15-30 down and follows with a well-executed point as he dictates play and has Dimitrov running all over the court. He soon faces break points though. Both are saved, the first quite simply – serve, forehand, backhand winner – the second when a Dimitrov ball lands out at the baseline. A third double fault of the day lands him in trouble once again though and this time, Karatsev is long and Dimitrov has his second break of the day. Stat: Karatsev’s average forehand speed is a whopping 137kph so far today – higher than his tournament average.
First set: Grigor Dimitrov* 3-2 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov holds to love to steady the Bulgarian’s ship on serve. Stat (the last one for now): if Karatsev wins today, he’ll become the first man to reach a grand slam semi-final on debut.
First set: Grigor Dimitrov 2-2 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Ah, but Karatsev cannot hold that lead for long as some loose play allows Dimitrov to take advantage and break back straight away. Nerves? Maybe. Another Karatstat: the Russian also possesses the fastest backhand in the tournament so far – his average is 122.3km/h, again faster even than Rafa Nadal, who is third again, behind Alex Zverev in second.
First set: Grigor Dimitrov* 1-2 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) How about this then? Karatsev makes an early breakthrough as Dimitrov falters on his serve. A double fault doesn’t help him; neither does a couple of unforced errors by the Bulgarian; nor some powerful Karatsev forehands. Stat attack: Karatsev is ranked No 1 in terms of forehand speed so far this tournament. He’s clocking an average speed of 132.8km/h – faster than even Rafael Nadal, who is third on the list behind Andrey Rublev in second.
First set: Grigor Dimitrov 1-1 Aslan Karatsev* (denotes server) Karatsev brushes off a double fault midway through his opening service game to hold. Next stat up: he’s the first man to reach this stage of the Australian Open on debut.
First set: Grigor Dimitrov* 1-0 Aslan Karatsev (denotes server) Dimitrov gets us under way this afternoon and he begins with a comfortable love service game against Karatsev, who is the lowest-ranked men’s quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park in 30 years. That is the first of many stats about the Russian coming your way today.
The clock has ticked past 3pm and the players, masked up as is the new norm, are making their way out onto Rod Laver Arena. Down the tunnel they head, before Karatsev is introduced to…. no one really, given the empty stands, as he walks out into the bright sunshine. Dimitrov follows and we’ll be under way shortly.
Qualifier Aslan Karatsev’s journey to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open – in his first grand slam outing, no less – is the stuff small tennis boys surely dream of. The 27-year-old world No 114 has already seen off eighth seed Diego Schwartzman and 20th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime on his way to this afternoon’s clash with Grigor Dimitrov.
But the Bulgarian, seeded 18 this year, has sought to play down any suggestion that the Russian’s back story will have an impact on today’s match.
Match prep @GrigorDimitrov gets horizontal ahead of his clash with Karatsev in ~40 minutes.#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/hVq2ABPWnI
Champions! Australian duo Dylan Alcott and Heath Davidson have won the quad wheelchair doubles for a fourth year in a row with a 6-2, 3-6, 10-7 victory over Britain’s Andy Lapthorne and David Wagner of the US in the final.
“It is our 20-year anniversary, since I was 10 years old, which is incredible,” Alcott told Channel 9. “I’m really proud of him. He had eight years off the sport, had some things in his life going on. Now we’ve won four Australian Opens on the trot. I am super proud of you.”
The great fake crowd noise debate: Canned crowds or no? In the absence of real fans, sounds of applause, oohing and aahing, and cheering is being piped through to viewers. It’s certainly… different.
“Please get rid of this,” Adrian Sokolowski emails. “It is obnoxious and very annoying. Thank goodness the players aren’t subject to this ridiculous sound track.”
Up next: Grigor Dimitrov and Aslan Karatsev clash on Rod Laver, but not for a while yet. The first men’s quarter-final is slated for a 3pm start local time – pretty much exactly in an hour.
Next up @GrigorDimitrov v @AsKaratsev #AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/hY0RU5zvzz
Asked what makes Hsieh so difficult to play against, she says: “I guess her shot making. She is able to hit winners from both sides. You never know when she is about to go for it. I guess her shot making.
“I know my next opponent is Serena or Halep. I always watch Serena’s matches anyways. Normally I never look at my draw but everyone’s told me about my draw here so I’ve kind of had no choice but to know who my next opponent is. But definitely going to be really fun.”
Here’s Osaka, at the court microphone. Asked about her second appearance in the semis in three year, she says: “Yeah, definitely really happy. I’m really happy with how I played today too. Every time I play her, it is always such a battle. Even though the score was like this, it was really another battle for me.”
Second set: Hsieh Su-wei* 2-6, 2-6 Naomi Osaka (denotes server) Osaka bristles and bustles once more – she seems to be in a hurry to close this one out and get back into the sheds. But Hsieh delivers two moments of magic, saving two match points with a couple of well-executed winners – one off her backhand, and one off her forehand – to stave off defeat. It’s a momentary reprieve though, and Osaka goes on to wrap up the match at the third time of asking, when Hsieh hits one long. All over! And Osaka breezes into the semi-final, against either Serena Williams or Simona Halep. What a match that’s going to be.
Second set: Hsieh Su-wei 2-6, 2-5 Naomi Osaka* (denotes server) A lot is the brief answer, and I’ll have to be brief as Osaka absolutely stormed through that game and there’s barely any time to say anything else. Two quickfire, booming aces help her on her way, and Hsieh will now have to serve to stay in this match.
Second set: Hsieh Su-wei* 2-6, 2-4 Naomi Osaka (denotes server) Hsieh is refusing to lie roll over just yet. Osaka watches a forehand land just the wrong side of the line on game point and we’re back on Osaka’s serve. What damage can that weapon do now?
Second set: Hsieh Su-wei 2-6, 1-4 Naomi Osaka* (denotes server) Osaka’s serve could yet be the defining factor not just in this match, but in the tournament in general. Her stats when she lands her first serve are incredible: just one lost point today – 19 from 21 at 90%. She’s thrown down five aces for good measure too. Simona Halep and Serena Williams will be taking note.
Second set: Hsieh Su-wei* 2-6, 1-3 Naomi Osaka (denotes server) And just like that, Hsieh storms through a service game, to love. Osaka might be forced into wrapping up victory on her own racket after all.
Second set: Hsieh Su-wei 2-6, 0-3 Naomi Osaka* (denotes server) As thought, Osaka has absolutely no issues with the ball in hand once more, and the Japanese player could well run away with this from here on in. A place in the semis beckons.
Second set: Hsieh Su-wei* 2-6, 0-2 Naomi Osaka (denotes server) Uh-oh. Doesn’t look promising for Hsieh here. She’s broken again as Osaka ramps up her level. The difference in class between the two is gradually becoming apparent. And Hsieh now has to face another service game which, the way Osaka is serving at the moment, is a daunting prospect.
Second set: Hsieh Su-wei 2-6, 0-1* Naomi Osaka (denotes server) Osaka’s service is a force to be reckoned with. That first set, she won 100% of her first service points – 12 from 12. By way of comparison, Hsieh was at 58%. And Osaka carries that kind of form into the second, yet more aggressive serving helped her to the opening game.
First set: Hsieh Su-wei* 2-6 Naomi Osaka (denotes server) Osaka doesn’t fancy prolonging this set any more than absolutely necessary; she races to a 40-0 lead and wraps up the opener soon after. The 2019 Australian Open champion is in control here and looking well set to reach the final four. It’s taken just under 40 minutes so far.
First set: Hsieh Su-wei 2-5 Naomi Osaka* (denotes server) Osaka wastes little time in securing her next service game. Blink and you’ll miss it stuff; the Japanese clinches it to love.
First set: Hsieh Su-wei* 2-4 Naomi Osaka (denotes server) Osaka Hsieh holds, but she has to save another break point before she adds a second game to her tally.
First set: Hsieh Su-wei 1-4 Naomi Osaka* (denotes server) Osaka consolidates that break, but it’s not an easy for the third seed. It takes four deuces and two saved break points before she opens up a three-game lead. Initially, Hsieh’s backhand causes problems, with two terrific winners sailing back past Osaka. It’s not enough this game though.
First set: Hsieh Su-wei* 1-3 Naomi Osaka (denotes server) Trouble for Hsieh on her next service game as she falls to 0-40. But the unseeded player digs deep, and wins the next four points. Osaka then opens up her forehand to devastating effect, and again a few points later to bring up another break opportunity. And at the fourth time of asking, Osaka unleashes a backhand winner to finally make the breakthrough, and open up a two-game lead.
First set: Hsieh Su-wei 1-2 Naomi Osaka* (denotes server) Osaka holds again without too much ado, to love, and we’re still on serve early on this opening set. Remember, Osaka has the edge on head-to-heads: the Japanese leads 4-1 in the pair’s previous five meetings. But, the results mask how close those matches were.
First set: Hsieh Su-wei* 1-1 Naomi Osaka (denotes server) Hsieh, who has never before been this deep at a grand slam, is known for her unpredictability and she throws up a bit of funky stuff on her first service game today. All good for the Tawainese so far.
First set: Hsieh Su-wei 0-1 Naomi Osaka* (denotes server) Okey dokey, here we go then. And it’s not an ideal start for No 3 seed Osaka, who is forced to save an early break point (with a well-timed ace), but she gets there in the end thanks to a couple of wayward baseline shots from Hsieh. Hsieh, at 35, is not the oldest player left in the draw (Serena Williams is 39) but she is an experienced campaigner who should give Osaka plenty to think about today.
Of course, there are still no fans in the stands today – and at least until Thursday – as we await clearance from the Victorian government to lift the snap lockdown imposed from Friday last week. And with two new locally acquired cases reported today, things it would seem are still very much in the balance. We shall see.
To the action! Osaka will serve first. Ready? Play.
Here come the players onto Rod Laver Arena, both sporting hats and face masks. Osaka supplements her headgear with a pair of headphones. There’s a high of 27C in Melbourne today and it’s partially cloudy over Melbourne Park. In short, more perfect playing conditions.
Day nine at Melbourne Park and that can only mean one thing: quarter-finals! Four of them to be exact, two in the women’s singles and two on the men’s side.
First up, Naomi Osaka, the third seed, gets another chance to display her title credentials. But it won’t be plain sailing into the last four – evergreen dangerwoman Hsieh Su-wei lies in wait first up on Rod Laver.