But otherwise, thanks all for your company – enjoy the rest of the weekend and peace out.
So what of tomorrow? Well, we’ve got plenty at which to go. Sinner v Rune stands out – Rune will expect to win, which is a lot of the battle – while Rybakina v Keys could be a lot of fun.
Otherwise, there’s Lys v Swiatek, Michelsen v De Minaur, Monfils v Shelton, Navarro v Kasatkina and Sonego v Tien, the last of those particularly exciting. Join us around 12am GMT to see how it all shakes out!
Draper has a proper head; let’s hope he gets his hip right too.
Badosa, if she turns up, if a proper threat to Gauff – she’s always had the talent and might just be ready now. But yes, this potential semi is an extremely enticing prospect.
Let’s round up today…
Stop press! Jan removes his t-shirt – he’s got a different one on underneath – and Djokovic puts it on. Great stuff.
Speaking to Eurosport, Djokovic says he felt great with a few hiccups, particularly losing his serve after breaking at the start of set three. He had chances to break thereafter noting Lehecka served big at those times, but he played the big points well.
Otherwise, he says sometimes he handles pressure well, sometimes not, and only people who’ve experienced what it’s like at the top of the game understand what you have to go through. When you’re feeling challenged you have to weather the storm and he thinks he’s handled adversity well the last couple of matches.
Asked if he notices how stressed Murray is, he says he sees the same poker face he saw on the court for 30 years. Murray understands very well what kind of pressure moments and energy you face on the court when you’re challenged and it’s great to have his energy and encouragement; he loves it.
Finally, Jan, Djokovic’s oldest fan – and his wife – come in. They saw him play at 1, spotted his potential greatness, and are wearing t-shirts showing a photo taken at that time. Ah, that’s lovely.
I don’t think this Djokovic can beat Alcaraz on this surface … but I can’t wait to see him try. They’ve not met since their Olympic-final classic and Alcaraz isn’t yet at his best; the question, I think, is whether the old man can hit his lengths as consistently as he does at his best. If he can, he’s in business.
Strange: Djokovic takes the mic from Jim Courier, says “Thank you very much for being here tonight, I appreciate your presence and your support and I’ll see you nexrt round,” then leaves. I guess the crowd have naused him up and he doesn’t want to get into it, instead preferring to nurture the sense of injustice that serves him so well.
Novak Djokovic (7) beats Jiri Lehecka (24) 6-3 6-4 7-6(4)
Lehecka swings a backhand into the net and, if we’re being real, never really threatened. Djokovic, a 10-time champ, makes a 15th quarter-final and, as so often, is improving through the rounds. That’s the first match in which he’s not lost a set, and I’m sure there’s more to come. Next up, though: Carlos Alcaraz!
Updated
Another Lehecka return flies long and I wonder if he’s struggling to moderate his emotions – he’s regularly giving his shots too much. Djokovic leads 5-2, and though the Czech soon makes it 5-4, a gorgeous volley at the net means at 6-4, we’ve two match points.
Oh that’s magical mastery from the maestro! Djokovic sticks in the next point, flipping a lob then reading an overhead, before seizing via backhand pass and clinching the mini-break with another. He soon consolidates via service-winner, and at 4-2 is three points from victory.
An error from Lehecka donates an immediate mini-break, then Djokovic ups the drama by bouncing the ball for several hours, also keeping his opponent waiting and guessing – purely by accident, I’m sure. But it’s the Serb who errs – he seems to blame the birds overhead – before making 2-1.
Lehecka unloads the suitcase at a forehand but it’s wild then, well in the next rally, he overhits again, his 41st unforced error of the match. At 40-0,he finds his range, pasting a second serve back down the line, but a better delivery out wide secures Djokovic the tiebreak. On the one hand, that might favour Lehecka because he has a big serve and is able to win single points but, on the other, Djokovic is quite good at tennis.
Lehecka is confident now, a serve-volley point taking him to 40-15, and a netted return guarantees him a tiebreaker – minimum.
Nice from Lehecka, returning well before whamming a forehand winner on to the baseline for 30-15, then Djokovic goes long, and this is a glimmer. Ahahahaha, an ace down the T follows, of course, it does, then the Serb chastises the umpire for losing control because on both his last two serves, someone’s made a noise as he’s about to deliver. But he closes out in short order to lead 2-1 5-5.
Updated
Djokovic is so quick for a 67-year-old. He dashes to the net, splits, slides and stretches, then flicks a delightful winner across the face for 30-all; Lehecka responds with an ace, then a service-winner, and at 5-4 imposes a bit of scoreboard pressure.
Coach Calv is back in front of screen following Henry Patten’s mixed doubles win earlier – he and Olivia Nicholls binned the top seeds as detailed below. On Lehecka, he says “Solid, good enough for top 20 but probably not top 10,” and that chimes with what we’ve seen. Like many on the men’s tour, he can do great stuff sometimes, but isn’t consistent enough or brilliant enough at something specific to threaten the elite of the elite. Meantime, Djokovic holds easily for 4-4 in the third…
Updated
I’ve been waiting for it and at change of ends here it comes! Banger!
Between games we see Murray, set in tracky bottoms though it’s roughly 405 degrees on court; classic Scotland. Then, when Lehecka serves, a brilliant return gives Djokovic 15-30; an ace restores parity. But another error hands over another break point … saved with an ace on to the outside of the T. And another ace, on advantage, secures a crucial hold, giving the Czech 4-3 in the third, Djoovic by two sets to love.
Lehecka makes 30-all and must take advantage of what is, by the standard, a chance. But Djokovic fires a big serve and cleans up well, then a service-winner out wide and the chance wasn’t, in fact, a chance at all. However there’s now the sense that a breaker, if we get there, could go either way.
A winner off each wing, the second a glorious forehand down the line, give Lehecka 30-0, and he soon flicks another, cross-court, to secure his hold. This is his best sustained period of the match and he has big shots, the problem is that he struggles to win points without them.
Er, no. Djokovic holds to love for 6-3 6-4 2-2, but Lehecka looks a little more ocnfident out there.
And from there, Lehecka closes out for 2-1 in the third, seizing the game with a forehand winner. He might just be starting to relax, but can he make an impression on the Djokovic serve?
Down 40-30, Djokovic unfurls forehands that take him to deuce, the sense that he can do whatever he needs to do to sort this. A double donates advantage … but a better delivery sees a return float long, and back to deuce we go.
Djokovic nets a backhand, and well played Jiri Lehecka! He breaks back for 1-1 in the third, and that was something you don’t often see: the greatest of all time removing toe from trachea.
A brutal rally, then Lehecka raps the net-cord giving Djokovic time to spank a backhand to the corner, finishing off with two overheads. One break-point saved.
Down 0-15, Djokovic is soon berating himself and his bench because Lehecka lays a lovely drop that he can’t run down. And what’s this?! A double follows, cut of course to an agape Andrew Murray, and here come three break points! Not over after all!
Updated
Djokovic gets advantage on the Lehecka serve; he’s 2/8 on break points. And guess what happens next: yup, as he did in set one, the Czech sends down a double, and that’s the brain-scrambling pressure of playing Djokovic, who leads 6-3 6-4 1-0. This feels over.
Djokovic makes 40-0 then smokes an ace down the T. After 89 minutes he leads 6-3 6-4 and is just a bit too good for Lehecka, who can’t string together a good enough returning game to seriously threaten.
Lehecka holds, “forcing” Djokovic to serve for set two at 6-3 5-4.
Zverev is in the bottom half of the draw and there’s a fair bit going on there; the winner of him and Paul will play Alcaraz or, assuming he finishes Lehecka off, Djokovic. The top half has Sinner, Rune, Michelsen and De Minaur competing for one semi-final berth; the other will go to one of Monfils, Shelton, Sonego and Tien.
Zverev notes that his interviewer, whose name I missed, has lost her voice – “I think you party too much,” he says; she explains she was yelling at him; “At me, or for me,” he laughs. Yeah.
On the match, he says Humbert’s taken steps forward recently, making the finals of his first Masters 1000 event; “Who did he lose to,” comes back at Zverev; “OK, yes, he lost to e but that was not the point, why are making it awkward? I don’t know, I don’t want to talk to you.” More laughter. Yeah.
Back to Humbert, Zverev thinks he can break the top 10, then on himself is happy to reach the last eight having dropped just one set. A week ago he was unsure of his tennis having returned from a bicep injury, so he’s extra happy to be playing as he is.
Finally he explains that he’s a pretty laidback person, has a date with the practice court (not his girlfriend) and he’s quick around the court but nowhere else. Yeah.
He’s never beaten Tommy Paul but he wants to play three more matches and love being in Australia.
Alexander Zverev (2) beats Ugo Humbert (14) 6-1 2-6 6-3 6-2
A good win for Zverev, who was given a bit of a test; he meets Tommy Paul (12) next.
Updated
Lehecka hangs in there, holding to trail Djokovic 3-6 2-3; Zverev has two match points, Humbert just unable to play well enough for long enough.
Ooooh, Humbert is on the brink at 15-40, the match disappearing quickly now. He saves the first double-break point with a service-winner, but returning from way out of court, having stood there to welcome precisely this delivery, Zverev creams a backhand winner down the line and bellows his enthusiasm. He leads 6-1 2-2 6-3 5-2 and will now look to close out.
And have a look! Zverev runs around his backhand to punish a forehand winner down the line, an ace on to the T follows, and at 4-2 he’s two holds away from victory. Humbert’s given him a decent workout but just hasn’t been able to sustain the level that enables him to compete and threaten. His second-set purple patch was good and encouraging but, by the looks of things, ultimately insignificant.
At 3-6 1-2, Lehecka makes 15-30, so Djokovic engages him in another rally, hitting length, and shonuff the inevitable error arrives. The difference in this match is of consistency, and it’s incredible to think we had this freak of nature at the same time as Nadal and Murray, two other ludicrously cruel hitters. The fitness and mentality required to keep going as they do and did, I can’t even begin to explain it. Djokovic holds for 6-3 3-1 but, on Cain, a lefty forehand cross raises break-back point for Humbert … and of course Zverev nails a service-winner down T.
That’ll teach em.
Lehecka goes hard at Djokovic’s serve – he needs to – but having raised break point he hits a forehand long, presumably seeking to shorten the rally. Problem being his eagerness means he gives the shot too much, the ball falls out, and from there the consolidation is soon secured. Djokovic leads 6-3 2-0.
Zverev is getting after Humbert now and, fun though today’s matches have been, it’s not been tricky to predict their outcomes. As I type, the German unleashes a forehand winner for 15-40, Humbert then goes long on the forehand, and at 6-1 2-6 6-3 2-1, this match feels almost over. Four holds and Zverev is home.
Djokovic has got Lehecka, who can’t hit with consistency necessary to trouble him. At 30-40, a forehand wafts long, and a break at the start of set two means Andy Murray’s boy leads 6-3 1-0.
Zverev also serves out comfortably to lead Humbert 6-1 2-6 6-3. In both our matches, the underdogs have been found wanting at the crucial moments.
I mentioned Henry Patten earlier, the Wimbledon men’s doubles champ. Well, he and Olivia NIcholls have beaten Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, the no 1 seeds in the mixed doubles, 6-3 6-4.
Yup, Djokovic makes 40-15, Lehecka goes long on the forehand, and that’s a 6-3 first set for the young Serb.
…and though Humbert saves one, a backhand return from out wide, zoning cross-court, he can only net in response and Zverev will now serve for 2-1, also at 5-3.
We’ve seen this before haven’t we? Three unforced errors give Djokovic 15-40 … and Lehecka promptly sends down a double! An absolute disaster of a game and at 5-3, the greatest of all time will serve for the first set while, on Cain, Humbert is doing the same thing down 6-1 4-3 15-40…
I am not, now that you ask, altogether enamoured of Humbert’s rig. Nevertheless he holds for 3-3 in the third and is still the better player – can he make it count while the going’s good? – while, on Laver, it’s 3-3 in the first.
In both our matches, the contests are even. It does look like Zverev has righted himself following a wobble, and in these kinds of situations you expect him to, at worst, win a set via breaker. But Djokovic and Lehecka is a slightly different thing because if they make 6-6 it’d be tempting to favour the bigger server even if, in his 30s, the goat sneakily became one of the best in that department.
Djokovic is hitting nicely from the back and, at 2-1, earns deuce with a gorgeous backhand which breaks the sideline. And Lehecka is chuntering when his nets a forehand … before smiting a serve down the T to restore parity in the game. Then, a nasty forehand is backed up by slam-dunk overhead and it’s soon 2-2; well played Lehecka.
Meantime on Cain, two swift holds and we’re on serve at 2-1 Zverev in the third.
Humbert starts set three as he ended two, giving Zverev all he can handle on the first point by pushing him back with groundstrokes then finishing at the net. And when Zverev overhits a forehand for 0-30, you sense a vulnerability that we’ve not seen from the no 2 seed in quite some time. We do wind up at 30-all, but the rally which takes us there ends when Humbert misses a backhand winner by inches; he does so again to hand the German game point, and the opportunity to nudge in front is gratefully accepted, a forehand winner down the line sealing a crucial hold. Zverev leads 1-1 1-0, while on Laver, we’re on serve at 2-1 Djokovic.
Djokovic opens with a double and the feeling persists that, after 593 decades at the top, he’s not quite the metronome of old. He does, though, finish with an ace for a hold to 40; Humbert serves out to 30 to level his match with Zverev at a set apiece; and on 1573, Henry Patten and Olivia Nicholls – the former coached by Calvin Betton, this blog’s resident expert – lead Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, the no 1 seeds in the mixed doubles, 6-3 0-1.
Djokovic and Lehecka are out; Hunbert has consolidated to lead Zverev 4-2 in the second and he’s hit a bit of a purple patch, now up 30-40. And he swings a big lefty forehand deep, Zverev just about gets it back and, pinned to the line he’s forced to go for a big forehand winner, hitting wide! Humbert has the double-break and will shortly serve to level the match at a set apiece! Is this his time?
Humbert has indeed broken Zverev and now trails 1-6 3-2. This is a proper match now; at 26, one might’ve expected Humbert to have done something by now, if he was ever going to, but he’s improved a lot the last year or two so now could be the time he breaks through.
Lehecka is a really clean ball-striker with a big serve and forehand, able to run for decades; not dissimilar to Tomas Machac, whom Djokovic battered on Friday.
Thanks Jonathan and hi everyone – I’m looking forward to this. On Cain, Humbert is making a better fist of set two against Zverev, giving him fits on serve at 1-6 2-2 while, on Laver, Djokovic and Lehecka will soon be with us. The Czech’s power-game might just cause a few problems…
Thank you for joining me this afternoon. It’s been a blinding day of tennis, now to see you through the evening it’s over to Daniel Harris.
Make that 27 minutes and 6-1. Alexander Zverev is one set up over Ugo Humbert. The second seed has yet to drop a set this week and looks on course to meet Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.
It’s taken just 24 minutes for Alexander Zverev to race to a 5-1 lead over Ugo Humbert. The second seed is cruising.
In case you’re just waking up in the UK, the big news is Jack Draper was forced to retire after going two sets down to Carlos Alcaraz in their fourth round match. Tumaini Carayol was courtside in Rod Laver Arena.
Across from a special young player on the path towards an all-time greatness, Draper’s brilliant Australian Open run ended with a retirement in the fourth round as he was defeated 7-5, 6-1 ret. by Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday afternoon.
Even in defeat, Draper ends his tournament having taken one of the most significant steps forward in his young career to date. After struggling with so many physical issues throughout his short time on tour, he found a way through three consecutive five-set matches, demonstrating his improved durability and stamina in the process.
Unfortunately for Humbert fans, the Frenchman has just been broken. Alexander Zverev takes an early 2-1 lead.
Ugo Humbert (14) has just opened proceedings on John Cain Arena with a service hold to 30 against Alexander Zverev (2).
We’ll keep that one in the background as attention will soon turn to Novak Djokovic.
Updated
If you missed any action earlier on in the women’s singles, Tumaini Carayol has you covered.
On Sunday, Sabalenka extended her dominant run in Melbourne by dismantling Mirra Andreeva 6-1, 6-2. Now three wins away from becoming the first woman in 26 years to win three Australian Open titles, Sabalenka has won her last 24 sets at the tournament, a streak dating back to her three set victory over Elena Rybakina in the 2023 final.
Sabalenka has also established a remarkable level of consistency at the grand slam tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals of the last nine grand slams she has contested. The 26-year-old Belarusian will be attempting to reach her eighth semi-final during this run.
Gauff endured a considerably more challenging day on Rod Laver Arena as she recovered from a set down to defeat Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, ending the Swiss player’s brilliant run in her first grand slam tournament since giving birth to her daughter, Bella. Gauff has now won her first nine matches of the professional tennis season.
Just to put that into context, Medvedev’s career earnings before the Australian Open (prize money only) is US $45,126,978. And he earned AU $200,000 for making the second round.
This lull gives us chance to update you on some disciplinary action handed to Daniil Medvedev earlier today. Courtesy of AAP:
The three-time Melbourne Park runner-up was hit with a series of fines incurred during the first and second rounds.
Medvedev was slugged with a US $10,000 fine ($A16,000) for demolishing a tiny camera hanging in the net by repeatedly smacking it with his racquet during a surprisingly difficult, five-set, first-round win over Thailand’s world No.418 Kasidit Samrej.
The 2021 US Open champion was also penalised a point during his second-round loss to 19-year-old American qualifier Learner Tien for showing similar signs of frustration. He was fined US $66,000 ($A106,500) for second-round code violations.
After being broken to trail 4-3 in the second set, when Tien delivered a lob that landed at the baseline, Medvedev threw his racquet toward the sideline, skidding it across the court until it reached an advertising panel near his bench. At other moments of anger, Medvedev hit a ball against the back wall, toppled a camera behind a baseline and punched his racket bag. He also voiced displeasure about being called for two consecutive foot-faults, resulting in a double-fault, during the second-set tiebreaker.
His fines totalled $US76,000 ($A122,500).
Runner-up to Novak Djokovic in 2021, to Rafael Nadal in 2022 and to Jannik Sinner last year, Medvedev was seeded fifth this campaign. But the former world No.1 never came close to finding his best form, in his first tournament of the season after his wife recently gave birth to their second child.
With The AP.
We are briefly singles-less at Melbourne Park, with Djokovic not on Rod Laver Arena until 7pm, and the next match on Margaret Court Arena still a few minutes away. That will be Ugo Humbert (14) v Alexander Zverev (2).
Next up for Alcaraz is the winner of Novak Djokovic (7) v Jiri Lehecka (24). If it is the Spaniard v the Serbian it will be the first real blockbuster of the men’s draw, and perhaps the most eagerly anticipated match-up in men’s tennis.
The third seed will likely need to play more controlled tennis as the stakes rise. Physically he looks in incredible shape, and his movement all week has been breathtaking, but his new serve was unreliable in the first set against Draper, and many of his 28 unforced errors were the product of rash decisions in a bid to shorten points that were always his for the taking.
Alcaraz has shared his thoughts on court:
It’s not the way I want to win. I’m just happy, obviously, to play a quarter final here in Australia. But a little bit sad for Jack. He doesn’t deserve to get injured. He couldn’t prepare at the start of the season. I couldn’t because of an injury as well. I’m sad for him. I’m pretty sure he’ll come back stronger. I just want to wish him a speedy recovery.
I’m just happy with the level I’m playing on the court and feeling really comfortable here in Australia. Physically I’m feeling great, you know, coming to the second week of the Grand Slam.
Sights we never want to see 💔
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Jack Draper is forced to retire against Carlos Alcaraz.
Wishing you a quick recovery and see you soon, Jack 💙#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/UuetJeEfw0
Updated
Carlos Alcaraz (3) beats Jack Draper (15) 7-5 6-1 Ret
Two sets to love down, and having called the trainer after the first set, Jack Draper calls it quits. You can hardly blame him. Three five-setters in a row, and facing Alcaraz in these conditions is a punishing assignment.
The third seed marches on.
Updated
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (5-7, 1-6, 0-0): The first set took an hour, the second half that, but the outcome of both is the same. Carlos Alcaraz looks destined for the quarter finals.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (5-7, 1-5): For the first time this set Draper looks weary. Alcaraz moves up 0-30 with ease then 15-40 with a wicked forehand crosscourt pass. The double break is inevitable as Draper pulls up short. The 15th seed is stiff legged as he retrieves his towel.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (5-7, 1-4): Alcaraz’s unforced error count does not make for pretty reading. A tighter performance and the Spaniard may already be into the quarter finals, but as it is he’s forced to grind from 15-30 for the hold. His serve has returned this second set though, up to 83% first serves in for the third seed with 80% of points won behind it.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (5-7, 1-3): Draper staggers to 30-30, then has Alcaraz on the ropes, only to slap a forehand into the net. A well constructed point behind a rare first serve brings deuce but a crisp backhand winner earns Alcaraz a second break point. Draper saves it again, with a massive amount of fortune as a drop shot lands on the net and dribbles into his opponent’s court.
He looks set to serve out the hold but Alcaraz’s athleticism denies him. Following a strong wide serve, Draper comes into the net and has a put-away volley, only to watch the Spaniard dash and retrieve the shot and place it agonisingly out of reach. The Briton sticks to his guns though and finds a backhand overhead to kill the game.
Draper is fighting hard just to stay in this contest. Alcaraz looks like he could rip it open any moment.
Breaking news: Supernatural activity has occurred at RLA 📰🚨
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Carlos Alcaraz is out of this world 🌍
@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/0eHViDUdZf
Updated
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (5-7, 0-3): The first real enforcing service hold of the match from Alcaraz consolidates the break. Draper is up against it.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (5-7, 0-2): There’s a fine line between assertiveness and recklessness, and Alcaraz is perhaps on the wrong side of it as Draper moves up 30-0 with his opponent swinging for the fences. The Briton makes a couple of soft errors to bring Alcaraz back into the game, then overhits a backhand crosscourt for break point. Again the Spaniard is desperate to force proceedings instead of letting the point unfold and a rash forehand leads to deuce.
A much better rally draws an error from Draper for a second break point, and this time a couple of fearsome forehands – the first inside-out, the second across the body – convert the opening. Alcaraz has taken an early stranglehold on this set.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (5-7, 0-1): There’s little evidence yet of Draper’s specific ailment, but Alcaraz is determined to test it out, moving him side to side, but a couple of soft unforced errors keep things alive at 30-30. Deuce emerges blinking into the light without any great intent, before Alcaraz finds his first serve to hold and resume his ascendancy following the break in play.
Nearly ten minutes between points, but Draper is back on court.
You spin me right round 🌪️#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/GMC89uwMmw
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Updated
Tommy Paul (12) beats Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1 6-1 6-1
Meanwhile, Tommy Paul is the first man through to the quarter finals with a cakewalk over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The 12th seed will face the winner of Ugo Humbert v Alexander Zverev, which gets underway shortly.
That first set lasted bang on an hour, and in searing dry heat, which is not what Draper needed following his three consecutive five-set matches.
Medical Timeout: The trainer has been called to assess Draper at the change of ends. The 15th seed is pointing to both his right quad and left hip, and leaves the court for a full assessment. Alcaraz wanders over to his box to chat to his four-strong coaching panel, led by Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (5-7, 0-0): Alcaraz is profiting from his drop shots. He’s used the tactic often already, testing out Draper’s five-set legs, and it helps him to move up 0-30 before an unnecessarily aggressive forehand brings his opponent into the game. Draper returns the gift, hammering a routine forehand miles long to bring up two set points.
He saves the first with a rare venture to the net, but he’s powerless against one of the shots of the match so far, a running forehand pass that curves and dips wickedly past the advancing Briton. It took a couple of games longer than expected, but Alcaraz has his nose in front on Rod Laver Arena.
Update from MCA.@TommyPaul1 leads Davidovich Fokina 6-1 6-1 3-0, and is only three games away from a spot in the last 8.#AO2025 ⋅ #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/P1VfOPQBNc
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (5-6): Coming into this game Alcaraz has 19 unforced errors to Draper’s six, and it becomes 21 when a wild forehand goes wide for 0-30. This has been a rapid descent from the Spaniard.
Two big first serves level the scores, then Draper sends a framer high up into the bleachers and misses a second serve return. Alcaraz lets out a hearty roar in recognition of a necessary hold.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (5-5): At the change of ends Alcaraz has a whinge at the chair umpire about when he’s starting the shot clock, complaining Fergus Murphy is pushing the button too soon considering the need to find towels in the hot conditions. His mood isn’t improved as Draper holds to 30. From 2-5 to 5-5 and now all the pressure on the Alcaraz serve.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz* (3) (4-5): Serving for the set, Alcaraz lobs down his fourth, and then fifth, double faults of the match to fall 15-30 behind. Another drop shot gets him out of jail, but an unforced error on his forehand side gifts Draper an unlikely break point. AND DRAPER BREAKS BACK when Alcaraz slices a backhand weakly into the net. That was not what I expected, but both men are serving so poorly I guess anything can happen.
Both seeds are hovering around 50% for first serves, with Alcaraz also contending with five double points.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (3-5): Alcaraz returning serve is more aggressive and threatening than Draper serving – even with new balls. The Spaniard moves up 15-30, moving his opponent around with ease, but a couple of big first serves rescue the 15th seed. Deuce beckons with Alcaraz advancing to the net behind a powerful groundstroke, only for Draper to pull out a wonder shot, on the stretch wide to the forehand side, that becomes a crosscourt passing shot winner. He’s a fighter.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (2-5): Alcaraz moves up 30-0 with a blistering inside-out forehand, a fluid stroke that shows he’s finding his rhythm. Draper responds with a clean forehand return winner to stay in it at 40-15, then repeats the trick on the backhand side for 40-30. It’s all in vain though as the latest put-away volley consolidates the earlier break.
Alcaraz is moving through the gears. Draper has his work cut out keeping pace.
Draper* (15) v Alcaraz (3) (2-4): This match is definitely on Alcaraz’s racket. He is so aggressive returning serve and so good at moving Draper around the court, looking smooth and powerful in the process, compared to Draper’s reactive scurrying. 15-40 arrives in a flash with the third seed going through his repertoire – especially at the net – before Draper slashes a forehand wide to concede the break. This looks ominous, especially if the Spaniard can find his first serve.
Tommy Paul (12) won the opening set against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1, and he’s taken the second by the same scoreline.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (2-3): This is not Ivo Karlovic v John Isner. Both men are serving under 50% at the start of this contest.
Alcaraz sends down a double fault to slide to 0-30, then another to drop to 15-40. He recovers behind a heavy first serve then a controlled baseline exchange before moving ahead. The Spaniard is eager to dominate the court, happy to come into the net and look to assert himself on his opponent. It allows him to time a beautiful drop shot, too good for Draper’s weary quads, and secure an awkward hold.
Draper* (15) v Alcaraz (3) (2-2): The Briton is really struggling to find a first serve, so he can do without Alcaraz benefitting from a net cord to move up 0-15. Then a couple of unforced errors gift the Spaniard two break points. Draper saves the first, then Alcaraz is millimetres out with an aggressive backhand return down the line.
An ace at deuce steadies the ship then a forehand winner behind the third seed confirms the second tricky hold.
Updated
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (1-2): Alcaraz holds to 15. I fear for Draper and his heavy legs.
Updated
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (1-1): Draper gets to 30-15 but it could easily be 0-40 with Alcaraz on the attack from the off, only to miss his targets with a couple of near-winners. But that intensity tells on Draper who doubles faults and looks off the pace in a long rally only for Alcaraz to hit a drop shot into the net. Draper’s first first-serve doesn’t arrive until his sixth effort, but Alcaraz is ready and pounds a clean return winner, then earns break point with some beautiful hands at the net.
Draper saves the break with a high bouncing second serve, but he’s soon up against it again with Alcaraz turning defence into attack on the backhand side before thumping a forehand winner down the line.
Draper saves a second time, executing a beautifully disguised drop shot to catch Alcaraz off guard, then benefits from a couple of cheap points to exit the game. That was a real statement of intent from the third seed, but Draper gets through unscathed.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (0-1): The third seed holds to 30 in his opening service game. Draper’s first point came courtesy of a rally repeatedly targeting the Spaniard’s backhand until he forced an error. Something to keep an eye on. There’s a double fault from Alcaraz, who wins 100% behind his first serves, but only lands 3/6.
Tommy Paul (12) has cruised to the opening set against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1.
Draper and Alcaraz are out on Rod Laver Arena warning up. Draper is all in white, Alcaraz is in teal with his massive guns out, both are sporting lemon yellow kicks that I would very much enjoy wearing.
Just a reminder that Draper has spent over six hours on court more than Alcaraz this week. All three of the 15th seed’s victories have been in five sets, whereas the third seed barely broke sweat for a couple of rounds before Nuno Borges pinches a tiebreak a couple of days ago.
Excited is an understatement 🤩
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
It's time for Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz...#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/sl3dQI1F4F
Updated
The top half of the women’s draw is now down to four seeded players:
Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (27)
Coco Gauff (3) v Paula Badosa (11)
I’ll keep that one simmering in the background, but my main focus soon will be Jack Draper (15) v Carlos Alcaraz (3). It’s a match-up Tumaini Carayol is all over.
Draper’s determination and guts have earned him a meeting with the Spaniard on one of the sport’s biggest stages. As he has shown in their previous matches, there is no doubt Draper has the weapons and athleticism to challenge Alcaraz. In 2022, a lifetime ago for both players, Alcaraz defeated Draper 7-5 in the third set indoors in Basel. After retiring from their match at Indian Wells a year later, Draper toppled Alcaraz at Queen’s last year. Draper has been the favourite in his first three matches but in Melbourne he must try to play with more freedom against the number three seed.
The only singles match on court for the time being is Tommy Paul (12) v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Margaret Court Arena. The American has broken the Spaniard’s opening service game to take the early ascendancy.
“Leave it all out there on the court,” is Coco Gauff’s parting message, and one she lived up to this afternoon.
Reflecting on the opening set the third seed was phlegmatic, focussing on the process and speaking to her box that they acknowledge she isn’t going to win every set or every match even if she plays well.
Down a set, Coco Gauff reminds everyone why she needs to be feared 👏👏
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
The American is through to the #AusOpen quarterfinals 5-7 6-2 6-1!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • @CocoGauff • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/ysNQrkfYYx
Coco Gauff (3) beats Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1
Coco Gauff finishes in style, winning one of the points of the match with a mesmerising all-volleyed rally at the net after showing off her incredible speed to reach a drop shot. It’s been a superb recovery since dropping the opening set, powering over the top of the tiring Bencic, who has given this tournament so much on her return from maternity leave.
Gauff will play Paula Badosa in the next round, with a mouthwatering clash against Aryna Sabalenka the likely prize.
Updated
Gauff (3) v Bencic* (5-7, 6-2, 5-1): Bencic is broken to 15. Her spirit is all but extinguished. Gauff’s endurance is telling late on in these conditions.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (27) beats Donna Vekic (18) 7-6 [7-0] 6-0)
The 33 year old veteran is through to face Aryna Sabalenka. It’ll be her ninth major quarter final, but she’s only passed that stage once before.
Gauff (3)* v Bencic (5-7, 6-2, 4-1): Coco Gauff’s court coverage is unbelievable. Not for the first time today she is quickly onto a backhand crosscourt that would ordinarily be a clean winner, wrapping her racket around the ball and sending it back in court outside the net post, inside the umpire’s throne. Bencic can only rest her forehead on her racket and suck in the hot air, disbelieving of the athleticism on the other side of the net. The third seed holds to 30.
Gauff (3) v Bencic* (5-7, 6-2, 3-1): Both women are happy to trade forehands, unfamiliar in a tournament with a strong strategic lean to targeting the backhand wing. Each stumble in their own ways to 30-30, then Bencic swipes long to concede a break point. Jelena Dokic on commentary is concerned the Swiss is losing pace in her groundstrokes, which is not a good sign against a player with Gauff’s court coverage.
She escapes the break after Gauff fails to execute the forehand winner after a blistering backhand return, then wins the next point cheaply behind a strong first serve. An agonising net cord lands on the server’s side with a backhand down the line winner begging to be struck, and the misfortune tells a point later when Bencic this time fails to fully commit to an inside-out forehand that lands wide. Gauff is jigging on the baseline ready for the moment – and a third unforced error in a row hands the third seed the break.
That felt significant. Bencic needs a burst of energy from somewhere.
Paula Badosa (11) beats Olga Danilovic 6-1 7-6 [7-2]
The 11th seed recovers from 2-5 down in the second seed to reach the quarter finals in straight sets. The former world No 2 will face the winner of Gauff v Bencic.
Gauff (3)* v Bencic (5-7, 6-2, 2-1): Gauff moves to 0-30 with a magnificent point. Both players trade heavy forehands before the American finds an angle acuter than Moo Deng. Bencic scampers to force an extra shot in the rally but the third seed is ready to pounce. At 40-0 Gauff serves her seventh double fault of the afternoon then seals the deal behind a second serve.
Gauff (3) v Bencic* (5-7, 6-2, 1-1): Bencic holds from 30-30. This is one is a coin toss.
Thank you Angus. What a day! The quintessential Australian summer experience. Hot, dry, and amazing live sport to enjoy.
I’m going to remain focussed on Gauff v Bencic until its conclusion, then Draper v Alcaraz afterwards. I’ll drop in other news as it happens. Let’s go!
With temperatures climbing into the mid-30s in Melbourne it’s time for me to apply some ice to my typing digits and hand over to the Bjorn Borg of blogging, Jonathan “Iceman” Howcroft. Thanks for your company this morning and enjoy your afternoon!
On-court chill 🥶 #KiaAustralia • #AustralianOpen • #KiaEVrange pic.twitter.com/p5TIK54AiJ
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Meanwhile, on Margaret Court Arena, Olga Danilovic has staged a remarkable recovery after losing the first set 6-1 against 11th seed Paula Badosa. The Serbian fought back and broke early to lead the second set 5-2 only for Badosa to then turn the tables on her rival again, winning back the break. Badosa is now serving for 5-5.
Over on KIA arena 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has taken the first set in a tiebreak - where she did not lose a point - against 18th seed Donna Vekic.
One away, one to go. @NastiaPav wins the first set tiebreak to love!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
She leads Donna Vekic, who is currently receiving medical attention on what looks like a knee complaint.#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/9HBmEbxycp
Updated
Coco Gauff has done it! She serves out the second set 6-2.
Meanwhile, reports are emerging of a strange and scary experiences France’s Corentin Moutet suffered before his third-round loss to American qualifier Learner Tien yesterday. Apparently the Frenchman fainted in the shower before taking the court at Kia Arena and woke up dazed in the dark. No wonder he went down in straight sets!
Corentin Moutet fainted in his shower 45 minutes before playing against Learner Tien at the Australian Open.
— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) January 18, 2025
"I was in the shower, I woke up on the floor. I was in the dark, I couldn't see anything. I don't know what happened. I just know I spent 15 minutes in the dark."
Updated
Coco Gauff is really unloading on Belinda Bencic’s second serve. It’s not working all the time but when it does it’s damaging the Swiss on the scoreboard and, one senses, psychologically.
In the first set, the 2020 Olympic champion outplayed Gauff with patience and power. But the second set has been a different story. The precocious talent and confidence of the 20-year-old American is now coming to the fore. She takes the fourth game of this second set to love to lead 4-1.
In our other women’s singles match, Paula Badosa has taken the first set 6-1 against Olga Danilovic. The winner of that match will meet this morning’s winner Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter final.
Making an early statement.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Paula Badosa charges into a 4-0 lead against Danilovic! 🇪🇸#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/JPsycyImAx
Updated
Great hustle from Coco Gauff! Bencic had her pinned in the corners but the American lunged for the last and snapped her wrists across it to deliver a superb crosscourt winner against the run of play. She ices that moment by getting her serving radar back on track, recovering from a double fault to ace the last and make it 3-0 in this second set.
Can Belinda Bencic rediscover her mojo? Or will Gauff go all the way?
Updated
Coco Gauff has dropped her first set of the tournament (and the year) and the upset is on at Rod Laver Arena as unseeded Swiss Belinda Bencic continues her surge back up the ratings after taking maternity leave with her first child. What a scalp this would be!
Gauff isn’t done yet though. She wins her first service game to lead the second set 1-0 and then attacks Bencic’s serve to win a 0-30 advantage. The Swiss rips a riposte down the line but Gauff has steel in her eyes and kryptonite in her racquet. She seizes on a Bencic error to make it 15-40 then crashes a winner to win the game.
Coco Gauff has the break and leads the second set 2-0!
Updated
Belinda Bencic has a second chance to wrap up this set on serve. Can she do it? Gauff’s return finds the tape for 15-0. Coco Gauff, sensing the peril, digs deep on the next point. But she can’t find the corners like the Swiss and after a 20+ shot rally, sends a backhand wide. 30-0. Make that 40-0! Bencic calmly rallies down the middle before Gauff catches some frame. The Swiss swoops on the space and thunders a forehand down the line.
But Gauff fights back! First with a crashing diagonal backhand and then a thunderous 137kph forehand down the line. But again Bencic stays calm, finds the corners and seizes on the space as Gauff tires. She angles the winner and takes the set 7-5!
Belinda Bencic becomes the first player this season to win a set off Coco Gauff 🤯👏
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
First set goes to Bencic 7-5.#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/c13gVNTcSz
Updated
Belinda Bencic is pressing hard against Coco Gauff. This eleventh game of the set has again gone to deuce and, with Bencic ripping a backhand return to win advantage, Gauff has to conjur her fastest serve of the match – 189kph – to win back parity. She fritters it by netting the next but quickly regains composure with an ace. Or does she? A double fault puts her back in the hole. That’s her second double fault for the set…
Oh dear, make that her third. A second straight double fault delivers Bencic the break. The Swiss will now serve for the set at 6-5.
Just when Belinda Bencic looked to have an upset brewing on Rod Laver Arena, Coco Gauff breaks back! That was wonderful stuff by the young American. The Swiss star was starting to win the grind, converting 55% of her second serves to Gauff’s 40%. But Gauff upped the ante in that game and lashed two explosive backhands from 30-all to win the game. We are 5-5 in the first set and back on serve.
In the other women’s singles match on Margaret Court Arena, Spain’s No 11 seed Paula Badosa has won her first service game against Serbia’s Olga Danilovic.
Updated
Now it’s Coco Gauff under pressure! Down 30-40 she has to scythe a backhand crosscourt to save deuce. She gets advantage with a delicate drop shot but loses it with a lazy mid-court forehand into the net. Belinda Bencic does the same to concede advantage but wins the next by pounding a return down the line. What a shot!
The two players walk the tightrope, trading winners and errors to take it to a fourth deuce and make this the longest game of the set so far. Bencic swoops on a drop shot to lash it into the corner and advances on Gauff’s reply to take advantage. She presses on the next, pinning Gauff on the baseline and forcing a looped forehand that falls long.
Bencic has the break and will serve for the set at 5-4!
Bencic hangs on again, fighting back from 0-30 to hold serve and take this first set to 4-4. The Swiss is in good form and Gauff senses she is is in a real fight here.
Bencic is on the attack 💥@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/042abRkSgA
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Coco Gauff is yet to drop a first serve in this first set of this fourth round encounter. The 2023 US Open champion – a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park last year – now leads 4-3 and is turning up the heat on Belinda Bencic who was taken to deuce in her last service game and only narrowly avoided being broken.
Updated
It’s punch for punch and still on serve in the first set of the Coco Gauff v Belinda Bencic clash on Rod Laver Arena. Gauff has had an impressive start to 2025, winning eight matches and 16 sets straight. She takes a 3-2 lead here.
The 27-year-old Bencic is no easybeat. She may be unseeded at this Australian Open but the Swiss star rose to a career-high ranking of world No 4 in February 2020 and has won eight career singles titles, including the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Updated
The fourth round clash between America’s No 3 seed Coco Gauff and unseeded Swiss veteran Belinda Bencic is under way, with Gauff serving first in 32C heat.
Gauff is yet to drop a set at this tournament and early signs are good as the 20-year-old wins the first game to love with an on-song serve doing the damage.
Next up on the RLA - Coco v Bencic 🤩#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/HavBNamnoP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Updated
While Team GB fans await the Draper v Alcaraz monster match this evening, they can lick their wounds over yesterday’s 6-1, 6-0 demolition of women’s singles hope Emma Radacanu by Iga Swiatek in their third round clash. It was the heaviest defeat of the young Briton’s career but, despite the setback, she showed the class we love her for.
As we await the arrival of America’s No 3 seed Coco Gauff – who will fight it out on Rod Laver Arena with Switzerland’s unseeded veteran Belinda Bencic – let’s prime ourselves for the big men’s singles showdown tonight: Jack Draper v Carlos Alcaraz.
Updated
That round four victory over Mirra Andreeva makes it 18 wins in a row for Aryna Sabalenka at Melbourne Park. She has now reached the most women’s singles quarter finals (10) at grand slam events since 2020.
ᴇxᴄʟᴜsɪᴠᴇ: a snapshot of Aryna at 🏠
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
The winning streak at Melbourne extends to 18 matches for @SabalenkaA 🫶#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/N8WfzvsAGn
Updated
Aryna Sabalenka beats Mirra Andreeva 6-1, 6-2
And just like that, the two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is into the quarter finals. What a clinical destruction it was. Ultimately, the No 1 seed conceded just three games to her young opponent Mirra Andreeva, cleaning her clock inside an hour and marching into another Australian Open final eight.
If Sabalenka’s rivals in this tournament weren’t already frightened… they are now.
Updated
Aryna Sabalenka is in for the kill. After losing the opening point of the seventh game, she chastised herself, went within and unleashed an explosive return that drew gasps from this near-capacity crowd. It was a shot that hurt Andreeva beyond the scoreboard. Shaken, the Russian teenager double faulted on the next and the defending champion takes the next two points with ease.
Sabalenka will now serve for the match and a spot in the quarter final.
Three break point opportunities and four deuces later, Mirra Andreeva has failed in her first genuine chance to break Aryna Sabalenka. Again, despite the teenager returning with precision, she’s undone by the guile of her older rival, a drop shot sealing it.
Sabalenka retains the break advantage and now leads this match 6-1, 4-2.
Over on Margaret Court Arena, the Italian stallions Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori have Spanish pair Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar on the rack after taking the first 6-3 in their third round game.
Mirra Andreeva has her first break point of the game against Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16 women’s singles match on centre court. Can she convert?
Andreeva strikes back! Sabalenka was going for the throat in that game, pummelling returns in a bid to break the teenager a second time. Instead Andreeva stayed calm and made it five points in a row to get things back to 3-2 in the second set. That was the Russian’s best game of the match so far. Is it a turning point?
Updated
Double trouble for Mirra Andreeva. She has lost her second serving game and is unravelling on Rod Laver Arena with even foot faults creeping in.
Two unforced errors gift Aryna Sabalenka an early 30-0 lead in this fourth game of the second set but swinging big for the corners, she gets things back to 30-30. Sabalenka, serving at 72%, crashes a second serve to get to 40-30 but Andreeva hangs tough, a looping return eluding Sabalenka’s backhand.
But just when the teenager forces the longest game of the match so far, she sends two returns wide to concede the game. Sabalenka leads 6-1, 3-1.
Updated
Where to now for Mirra Andreeva? She was mauled in that first set and must change things up and start swinging for the fences if she’s to trouble Sabalenka. Showing composure, Andreeva serves out the first game – a nice start. Can she go on with it?
DO NOT blink because Aryna is rushing through this Round of 16 match - first set goes to the defending champion 6-1 in 24 minutes👏@SabalenkaA #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/c77rOYyYF5
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Updated
With utter ruthlessness Aryna Sabalenka takes the first set 6-1.
That set was a 24-minute demolition of Mirra Andreeva and the 17 year old will have to find something very special if she’s to fight her way into this match.
Updated
Oh no. Mirra Andreeva has been broken again on centre court. She’s now 5-1 down after just 20 minutes. Aryna Sabalenka has served up a potent brew of power and finesse to completely overwhelm her teenage rival so far. On the final shot of this game, a flurry of bludgeoning baseline shots softened Andreeva up before the No 1 brought the velvet hammer down with a sublime drop shot.
Updated
The 17-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva is under early pressure after losing an early break to Aryna Sabalenka who has defied crowd distractions and even a low-flying airplane to surge to a 4-1 lead. The No 1 seed has dropped only one point so far.
Power 🤝 finesse 🤝 Sabalenka
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • @SabalenkaA • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/x5evl2UL6g
Updated
No 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka and No 14 Mirra Andreeva are into it on Rod Laver Arena. Servers are dominating so far with both players winning their opening games to love and Sabalenka just taking the second to lead 2-1 in the first set.
Updated
Preamble
Hello tennis fans and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the 2025 Australian Open. Angus Fontaine here guiding you through the early follies and volleys before Jonathan Howcroft picks up the cudgels in the afternoon session.
We are into round four and the action is heating up. Temperatures are set to reach 30C+ in Melbourne today and the first stars into the pressure cooker of Rod Laver Arena will be the No 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka taking on 17-year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva (seeded 14). That match commences shortly.
That tussle will be followed by another women’s single showdown when America’s No 3 seed Coco Gauff’s clashes with Switzerland’s unseeded veteran Belinda Bencic.
Our death in the afternoon duel today is between Great Britain’s No 15 seed Jack Draper and Spain’s smiling assassin Carlos Alcaraz, seeded No 3 and popular favourite to take the men’s singles title this year.
The night arrives in style with No 7 seed Novak Djokovic taking on Czech Republic’s No 24 seed Jiri Lehecka. On the doubles court Australian hopes will rest with Luke Saville and Li Tu who face off with the pair of Goransson and Verbeek.
There’s doubles about to get under way on Margaret Court Arena too so buckle ‘em up and batten ‘em down, we’re about to light the fuse on day eight…
Updated
