Otherwise, though, that’s it from us for now. But fear not: we’ll be back very soon with the daytime shift, starting roundabout midnight GMT. It’ll be a long eight hours without all this, but together we can get through it, i promise. Otherwise, though, peace out.
Righto, some of us – me included – might still not believe what we’ve seen. As such, here’s a report to that effect.
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So the main stories today: well, until recently, the eliminations of Hubie Hurkacz by Miomir Kecmanovic and Francis Tiafoe by Fabian Maroszan were the biggest stories; there were wins for Iga Swiatek, Emma Navarro, Elena Rybakina, Ons Jabeur, Jasmine Paolini and Emma Raducanu; Katie Boulter lost; Holger rune beat Matteo Berrettini; Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur also won; and Jannik Sinner came back from a set down to beat Tristan Schoolkate. Oh yeah, and Learner Tien, a 19-year-old Vietnamese American, somehow beat Daniil Medvedev in a match breaker at the end of five of the most absorbing sets you’ll ever see. Phew, huh and wow.
Draper, meanwhile, has what should be an easier encounter against Aleksandr Vukic. He too played a five-setter in round two, knocking out the seeded Seb Korda, but Draper should have too much for him – though if he does win, Alcaraz awaits in round four.
I can’t wait to see how Fearnley does against Zverev. I mean, we know what’s likely to happen, but if he serves how he’s been serving and keeps the head as he’s been keeping it, he won’t make it easy.
I don’t know, I’m not sure i’ve ever said this is a superstar before, but I said it during Fonseca’s match with Rublev on Tuesday and I’m saying it again now. Learner Tien is a superstar.
“I’m not allowed to say that,” he replies when asked how 19-year-olds can get that good.
He’s really happy to win but reckons he made it harder than it needed to be, “But yeah, whatever.” Oh man, he knows this is him and it’s so moving to behold.
He advises that he couldn’t get a racket on the ace Medvedev served at match point in the third, then explains that in the fourth he was desperate for a pee, so wanted to get it done with, but also wanted to serve first in the decider. I guess he should’ve run harder to sweat it out; pathetic.
Finally, he’s asked about the next round – he’ll play Corentin Moutet – “that should be a fun match,” he surmises. Then he takes the mic, thanks the crowd for staying out and, wondering if his parents and family are still up, he thanks them for their support, and I’m fully gone. Imagine what they’ve sacrificed for this moment – or, indeed, not for this moment, just for their son – and how proud they are, not just of his talent, which is there, but the mentality and drive we saw on court, followed by the levity and integrity we’ve just enjoyed in interview.
Where Joao Fonseca did his thing in wiping Rublev off the court – one way of announcing yourself – Tien has done it the other way – finding a way to win after showing the full range of his brilliance. He sits in his seat and all he can do is laugh; I’m laughing with him, but not hard lest I cry. There’s little more moving than the flowering of youth, and this is that and then some. But enough from me, let’s hear from the boy of the moment!
That is just incredible. Learner Tien, aged 19, has beaten the number five seed, the former finalist, a US Open champ ,in five wondrous, inspiring, transcendental sets.
Learner Tien beats Daniil Medvedev (5) 6-3 7-6(4) (8)6-7 1-6 7-6(7)
WHAT A PLANET WE LIVE ON!
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Medvedev goes long and wide on the backhand! Tien leads 9-7, and here comes match point!
Ach, Tien goes long with a forehand again ceding the mini-break, but Medvedev is too tight with a volley, taking too much case not to send it out, and the kid runs it down before spiriting yet another forehand winner down the line for 7-7! And have a look! With Medvedev serving and again playing conservatively, Tien nails a backhand down the line then, as Medvedev just about gets it back, opens shoulders to annihilate a forehand into the opposite corner! He’s two points away, two holds way, and they’re coming up! Hold me!
Again, Tien nets, Medvedev now up 6-4, but there’s plenty in this yet and the kid dictates the next point, swinging a despicable forehand on to the line, then conjuring a drop that leaves Medvedev agape! That is, as my young daughter would say, “so slay”, and another long rally sees Tien hang tough, an error from Medvedev meaning it’s 6-6 as they change again. It’s 3.50am now, and this is not only the best tennis match I’ve seen in ages, it’s the best match I’ve seen in ages and the best anything I’ve seen in ages. Drink it in, people; this is why w’re here.
Stephen Hendry always says it’s not the big shots you make that decide a match, it’s the easy ones you miss, and Tien goes long with a slice, ceding the mini-break at 4-5. I hope that’s not the crucial point, but it might be.
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These are not real people; these cannot be real people. Real people cannot charge about through another long rally at this point in proceedings, at this time of night, and yet here they are. It’s Tien who errs, going long, but a wide serve catches Medvedev and makes 4-4.
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I want to type another hold for Tien because that’s what happens and i can hardly breathe, but I can’t ignore the lush forehand that brings it about … but then he nets when you don’t expect him to, and we change ends at 3-3.
Hello! At 1-1 in the breaker, yet another horrendous rally, then Medvedev nets and Tien has the first mini-break at 2-1. But then he finds a delicious, delectable slice-volley to seize it back immediately. Someone, please hold me.
Yes it does! A brilliant return, a brilliant backhand, a brilliant backhand! Learner Tien is brilliant! Tennis is brilliant! The world is brilliant! Here comes the match tiebreak at 6-6 in the fifth!
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At 15-all, Tien spanks yet another backhand winner down the line, then Medvedev goes long! Two break-back points and does this match have anything left to amaze us?
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Another long rally and Medvedev, a different man after the break, hauls a forehand on to the line; Tien can only net in response! Medvedev has the break and will now serve for an amazing match at 6-5 in the fifth!
Immediately, Medvedev uncorks a filthy forehand winner, then Tien strays long ceding two break-points in the process…
The rain has stopped and the court has been dried so off we go again: it’s 2-2 5-5 15-15.
What were you up to at 19? I was getting stabbed outside a club, which is, of course, all that stopped me from displaying my beautiful soul to amaze the world on a tennis court. We see excellent young players all the time – Jakub Mensik, for example, beat Casper Ruud what seems like last month but was, I think, yesterday. He may well go on to win majors too, but what’s different about Tien – and, indeed about Fonseca – is the impossibility of their game intelligence. They are going to win all sorts, and theirs could be the next great rivalry.
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Gosh, it’s absolutely teeming, and this’ ll now take a while – we’ve to cover and dry the court while, all the while these two legends stiffen and tense.
Whaaaaaat?! With Tien serving at 15-all, it’s started to rain. How dare it! Does it not know what’s going on here?!
Are you kidding me! Tien goes down the line and Medvedev, back to court, legs akimbo, somehow invents a backhand that spins him round and passes Tien for a winner! I’ve never seen anything like that before and another gorgeous backhand follows, ending a 27-stroke rally from another position that’s in no calisthenic textbook. We’re level at 5-5 in the fifth!
Here comes Medevdev, and he sends a forehand down the line wide and plenty! But Tien twice nets forehands, the second time to end another rally that has me gasping for air, then another, and this time it’s Medvedev who blinks, thwacking a backhand wide! At 30-all, Tien is two points away!
Yet another beautiful winner down the line is backed up by a forehand cross-court, and does Tien look the stronger boy man now? I think he might, but at 40-15 he nets, the pressure upped … so he spans a service-winner down the T, and at 5-4 in the fifth he’s a game away! I absolutely love the way he plays – you can almost see his brain working, he’s thinking so hard, and yet at the same time he’s also so natural. Medvedev will now serve to stay in the competition!
Medvedev opens with an ace, then another, and Tien doesn’t move. But at 40-0, he doesn’t have to, punishing a forehand return down the line for yet another winner; find you someone who loves you as much as he loves that angle. But from there, Medvedev, though he makes a further error for 40-30, closes out for 4-4 and I’ve not a clue who’s going to win this. It’s an absolute ripper.
Somehow, Tien makes 30-15, and there follows a point so disgustingly physical i feel nauseous. Then, just as it looks like it might never end, Medvedev dredges a forehand winner from the depths of his soul ... before a brilliantly cunning backhand from Tien, inventing an angle to break the sideline, earns him game-point. So a further long exchange unfolds, Medvedev hits wide, and the kid leads 4-3!
During change of ends, let’s take a moment to reflect o exactly what we’re seeing, because we shouldn’t become blasé. These two have been going more than five hours now, and the drive, love, suffering and imagination it takes to do that is something beyond the comprehension of the rest of us. I am in awe. But back they come, Tien making 0-15 before an ace and a service-winner give Medvedev the advantage, and from there he quickly closes out with a booming forehand winner down the line. He’s playing more aggressively now and looks to have assumed control … but we’ve said that before. It’s 3-3in the fifth.
My screen crashes, returning for me to see it’s 30-all and another freakishly long rally. Momentum shifts this way and that before Tien nets and break point is much shorter, Tien again netting. He still leads, 3-2 up in the fifth, but we’re back on serve.
Tien blocks back a forehand that lands close to the line, then a double makes 0-30. Pressure! For both! And again, Medvedev finds a telling serve when he needs one, high-kicking and out wide, before a lovely backhand, moving away from the ball, confuses everyone but him and that’s 30-all. But what’s this?! A rally, Tien moving nicely, and an error from Medvedev means break point! Another sapping, painful exchange follows, neither man going for too much … THEN MEDVEDEV GOES LONG! TIEN BREAKS MEDVEDEV FOR 3-1 IN SET FIVE AND HE’S THREE HOLD AWAY FROM A FAMOUS WIN!
The win-percentage-calculator has Tien at 24, which seems generous. But though the rallies are long, Medvedev isn’t sending him from corner to corner very often, so he’s not running that much or that hard. And at 15-0 a classic one-two, serve into one corner, forehand into the other, makes 30-0, and second later the love-hold is secure. I am in awe of what we’re seeing here, the desire and focus to keep at it equally as impressive as the more incendiary tennis of the first two sets. Medvedev isn’t paying that well, and Tien will, I’m sure, be fancying his chances more than 10 minutes ago; he leads 2-1.
Tien is moving better than in the fourth set but not as well as in the third, and he’s not giving out the same grief on second serve. So Medvedev makes 40-0 … but then a terrific return and long forehand give him something to ponder. Another revolting rally ensures, but then the youngster slices long and that’s 1-1 in the fifth.
You’d think Tien needs to try and hit winners, assuming his mobility isn’t what it was. He looks alright enough at the moment, playing his normal game, but the kind of forehand that was going in earlier on his just long now, handing Medvedev 30-all, then a slice also drops long. And I guess tennis is a mentally as well as physically sapping endeavour, the concentration that keeps balls in play fading alongside the ability to hit and run as hard. Still, Tien saves break point only to immediately face another; a brutally long rally unfolds, he sticks in it, and it’s Medvedev who blinks first, hitting long! Goodness me, I don’t know about them but I’m exhausted, and after yet another extended exchange we’re back at deuce. And I don’t even know what to tell you any more, 33 strokes before Medvedev errs, and this might be a glitch in his system; he’s not winning all the long rallies, maybe not even half of them, and at the end of another, he nets! Tien holds for 1-0 in the fifth, and what does he have left to give on return?
So for anyone coming late, this is the score: Tien 6-3 7-6 6-7 1-6 Medvedev.
Medvedev is back and off we go; let’s see what the kid has left, for we know the older man has plenty.
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I say that, but of course Medvedev disappears, leaving Tien on court to stiffen yet further. I’m not ruling him out because I’ve seen enough to know he can confound us all, but his speed is a crucial part of his game and if it’s gone, he’s relying on serving like God.
Medvedev wins the fourth set to level at 2-2
What a fantastic match this has been. We saw Medvedev outlast Kasidit Samrej in round one, and in prolonging the rallies in set two, that was probably on his mind. But to attribute the entirety of how he was playing to tactics does Tien’s brilliance a disservice – he was so patient and decisive, such that Medvedev didn’t know what to do with him. But the no 5 seed is in charge now, holding to love, and here comes a decider!
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Tien finds himself down 30-40 and will want to serve first in the fifth, so hits consecutive winners because the ball arrives at where he happens to be; he’d not have chased them down. Then Medvedev drags a return wide, so will now have to serve for the set at 5-1.
Medvedev quickly consolidates to 15 and leads 5-0 in the fourth. Tien isn’t giving this his all, I don’t think – I underestimated him when i said he’d just do his best – but will he be able to get himself going again after steeping off the gas?
Thanks Jim and hi again everyone. The question for Tien, I guess, is whether to tank this set given he’s a break down, saving gas for the fifth, or keep himself ticking over and hope for an opportunity. I say it’s a question, but at 19 there’s not a chance he does anything but his best on every point, so we’re going back and forth from deuce to advantage, Medvedev now in the ascendancy … and shonuff he secures the double-break and 4-0 in the fourth. For the first time, Tien looks weary.
Medvedev holds comfortably to go 3-0 up with some big serving, saving himself some energy for what looks like an inevitable fifth set. Tien’s silky smoothness has deserted him a little in this set. Talking of silky smooth, here’s a rested Daniel Harris back on the tools. Bye!
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Medvedev curls a forehand onto the tramline to go 0-30 up. He smiles a little ruefully as he didn’t get it cleanly but he’ll absolutely take it. Tien is broken! A tired looking service game and a few unforced errors creeping in.
Medvedev senses blood in the water, he’d love a quick fourth set here.
Medvedev holds serve without complication. Tien will serve with new balls. Will this be the time we see the teenager wobble?
The match ticks into its fourth hour and into its fourth set. Medvedev will serve first. Fresh shirt on, Tien is keeping his sweaty togs on, *typical teenager.
*He really isn’t your typical teenager.
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Medvedev takes the third set 7-6 (10-8)
Both players have raised their game in the breaker, Medvedev needed to but Tien is a sensation! He saves match point on his own serve with another punishing forehand onto the baseline.
Medvedev then unfurls his own piledriver to go 9-8 up… There it is! Medvedev avoids defeat and takes the set, his team get to their feet and give it some proper Mark Corrigan style ‘Henmania’ fist pumping.
What a thrilling tie-break, it had the lot, winners, errors, guts and glory. Medvedev is back in the match and all eyes will be on Tien to see how he responds after coming so close to taking the match in three.
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Tien gets MATCH POINT on Medvedev’s serve at 7-6… the big man finds the ACE! On we go…
WHAT. A. RALLY! Tien saves a set point with an epic rally that culminates in him opening his body up and showing true steel as a full blooded forehand clips the corner of the court and wins him the point! That took some bottle, the teenager roaring back!
Eeeeesht! Tien plays a beautiful point, pushing Medvedev to the corners and getting the chance for a big forehand finish but he puts too much juice on it! Both players showing sign of nerves at 5-5 but Medvedev finds the ace down the T to bring up set point on Tien’s serve…
Now then! Medvedev shanks a forehand into the net. Tien grabs an energy gel and a swig of something luminous as they cross. He’s 4-2 up with the mini break and on the verge of the biggest moment in his career!
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Tien isn’t going away though, a big serve out wide sees him go to 2-2 and then a trebuchet backhand skims the back corner and leaves Medvedev blowing his cheeks. 3-2 to the American teenager!
Medvedev goes 2-1 up in the breaker. An error from each player and then Medvedev shows lightning hands to pick up a half volley by his feet and somehow manages to get it back into the open court.
Third Set Tie Break Time
Medvedev holds without any further points lost though, a tie-breaker it is! 6-6 in the third. Tien to serve first…
Yes please! Medvedev forces Tien wide on the forehand side but the 19 year old American unfurls a laser guided forehand on the run to make it 15-15!
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Here we go, a reminder that this is Tien’s first time on a show court in a Grand Slam. He’s got Medvedev serving to stay in the tournament. Remarkable.
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Tien hits right back with three quick points to go to 40-0 up on his own serve. The teenager holds with ease and heads to his chair for a slurp of electrolytes. he’ll have one more chance to win the match on his opponents serve otherwise it is tie breaker time.
Medvedev plays the daintiest of drop shots to go 30-0 up. It just creeped over the net by this much. Experience shows as Medvedev closes out the game to love in no time at all. 5-5 in the third. On we/they go!
Tien has found another gear as the match nears the nitty gritty. A confident service game sees Tien pulls Medvedev from corner to corner like a master-puppeteer and goes to within one game of dumping the number five seed and 2021, 2022 and 2024 Aussie open finalist out in the second round!
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Both players feeling the tension now, unforced errors creeping up as it goes to 30-30. Foot fault! Another one! Medvedev’s size 13s overstepping and being called by the technology. If looks could kill… TIEN BREAKS BACK! Remarkable. Medvedev tightens right up on the break point and shanks a backhand well long of the baseline. The teenager bloodies the nose of the big man and we’re back on serve at 4-4!
Tien has a habit of breaking right back after being broken, can he dig deep here? Medvedev is 4-3 up and has a service game to get him within touching distance of this crucial third set.
Tien is still serving languidly and hurtling along the baseline and across the court like a… well like a 19 year old. Medvedev is making him work harder for his points now though, sensing now could be the time. Not to be, Tien hollers a “Let’s go” for good measure as he saves a break point with a big first serve.
Crikey! An amazing rally sees Medvedev throwing himself around at the net like a lanky Becker as Tien throws the kitchen sink, kettle and toaster at him in an attempt to pass… BIG MISS! Tien goes too long with the court wide open and is then BROKEN as another unforced error flies into the tramline off his forehand. Medvedev has his chance, can he consolidate?
The clock ticks past 1am local time and the commentators debate the cut off time, would it be better for both players to come back in the morning? For Medvedev probably, he’s on the ropes. Not teenage Tien though, he wants to finish this game and chalk up the biggest win of his career tonight. He’s playing some delicious tennis, peeling off an inch perfect lob to take his opponent to 30-30… Medvedev shows his class with a sonic-booming second serve followed by a deft pick up on the backhand by his toes to take the game when he was feeling the heat. 3-3! Who’s gonna blink first in the third?
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Now then, Tien sends down his fourth double of the match to go 0-30 down… pressure what pressure? Two big serves get the youngster back to 30-30 all. Break Point! Tien shonks a forehand into the net post to give Medvedev a sniff but then raises his game immediately with a winner down the line. Oh to be young. Tien holds his nerve and takes the game by foxing his big opponent with a well placed serve out wide. Medvedev had his feet in cement and heads to his chair trailing 3-2 and by two sets to love.
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Thanks Daniel, go and ice those retinas. Couple of cucumber slices perhaps? Speaking of slice, Medvedev hits a huge slicing serve wide to the right that sends Tien off court and almost into the hoardings. The 19 year old shrugs it off and then comes up with a delightful slice of his own to drop shot his lissom but seemingly weary limbed opponent. Medvedev seems to be hoping the youngster will fade but he ain’t going nowhere. A serve-volley gets Medvedev to 40-30 and he finds the big first serve to kill the game.
On we go! 2-2 in the third!
Thing is, if Tien serves well there’s not that much Medvedev can do … but as I type, he shanks a swing-volley that means deuce. No matter! Yet another winner down the line – and on to the line – raises advantage, and from there he serves out! Thien leads 2-1 2-1 and that’s me off for a break; here’s Jim Wallace to … call him home?!
And Medvedev holds to love, trailing 2-0 1-1. I wonder if he’ll play more aggressively now.
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A really slack game from Medvedev, who doesn’t appear to have got what he needed from the khazi. Tien holds easily and quickly, to 15, and this next game will be very interesting.
Learner Tien, though. What I’m most enjoying about him, so far, is his tennis brain: Medvedev doesn’t know quite what to do with him, because of how well he varies pace and angle … before pasting a winner down the line.
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Medvedev nips out for a bathroom break. Given his demeanour, I fear for the porcelain.
I say that because it does seem like Medvedev is looking to let rallies play out rather than end them. But it’s also the case that Tien is giving him almost nothing with which to work, pushing him back, unexpectedly and intelligently upping the pace, and showing great hands and imagination at the net. We’re witnessing something here, mates, as we did the other night when Fonseca thrashed Rublev.
Oh my complete and utter absolute days! Learner Tien learns fast! He again gives as good as he gets in the rally, but the second he sots Medvedev coming in, he sets to unleash a glooorious forehand pass down the line! He loves those shots of both wings, he leads 6-3 7-6(4), and the no 5 seed seems to have gambled an awful lot on a younger athlete in peak condition getting tired before he does.
Tien makes 5-4 then again is the man left standing at the end of a brutal rally! He leads 6-4 and has two points for 2-0!
Eeesh, Medvedev is called for a foot-fault double – I’m not sure i’ve ever seen one of those! – which should improve his mood, then a fantastic point from Tien, a big backhand backed up by forehands, makes 4-2. As you might imagine, Medvedev has some words for the umpire at change of ends, but he’s work to do on court, playing a much better point to bring us back o to serve at 4-3 Thien. This is both tense and intense, another immersive trip into joy and pain, and as I type Tien smacks a forehand into the net-post when there was room for a winner; 4-4.
Another sapping stinker of a rally, 45 shots all told, and it’s Medvedev who errs, dropping long. But he then snatches back the mini-break, upping the forehand power and coming in to put away a volley.
Tien nets when Mevedev pushes him back, then again when caught by an excellent lob, and a ball on to the paint forces him to stray wide. Three break-back points, and though the first is saved, another shot into the net means it’s a breaker. That’s probably the best game Medvedev has played all match, and what happens next might just be decisive … Tien landing the first blow when a long forehand hands him a mini-break at 1-0! what an absorbing, intense, unusual set (of tennis) this has been – and still is!
Medvedev opts to let the 30-40 rally happen, leaves a space on the backhand side, and Tien finds it with maximum prejudice, pasting a backhand winner down the line. He’ll now serve for a two-set lead at 6-3 6-5, and this is fantastic stuff.
Jasmine Paolini (4) beats Renata Zarazua 6-2 6-3
She meets Svitolina (28) next and that should be a blockbuster.
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Learner Tien! Very quickly, he makes 0-40, break-point seized with more net excellence. His all-round game is so mature, likewise his tennis brain and general demeanour, but Medvedev ups it to make 30-40. Big moments coming…
No one can play at their best for the entirety of a five-set match and Tien has dropped. What he needs to do, though, is keep focused, not do anything silly, and make sure he gets to 6-6. And as I type, he ends another long rally with a mahoosive forehand, Medvedev again curiously shot-shy. He might be looking to wear his opponent down, but if he goes 2-0 down in the process, will it be worth it? Tien holds for 5-5, and it feels like the match is right here, in the denouement to this set. Meantime, Paolini breaks again so is now serving for the match against Zarazua at 6-2 5-3.
Oh, Zarazua breaks Paolini back to trail 2-6 3-4, while Tien has unwittingly popped his bubble, down 0-40. He responds with an ace, then outlasts an increasingly irascible Medvedev in another longer rally … only to respond to fine return with a netted forehand. That’s our sixth break in eight games this set, and a lesson for Learner: in professional sport you’re never cruising, all the more so when on the other side of the court is one of the most stubborn men in the world.
Learner Tien is amazing! Medvedev plays a lovely drop, with disguise, which Tien chases down, and he calmly directs his man about the net, in total control, before a winner makes break point … and then a delectable, audacious, perfect lob bounces just inside the baseline! Tien breaks for the third time in a row and leads 6-3 4-3, while Medvede frisbees his racket into the barrier behind him. I pontificated on Tuesday, while Fonseca was diddling Rublev, at the joy of watching a proper talent announce itself to the world, and this too is that.
Medvedev makes 0-30 on the Tien serve but it’s soon 30-all and an ace follows, his fifth of the match. Then a big first serve zooms down the T, and a sizeable forehand secures a sizeable hold. Tien leads 6-3 3-3 and as well as ending points quickly with power, he’s also winning a lot of the longer ones and is one of few able to outrun the no 5 seed. Which is to say Medvedev has a problem.
Paolini breaks Zarazua again to lead 6-2 3-1; it’s a matter of when not if.
Medvedev just can’t get it going! Tien breaks him back again and, like Fonseca, he’s got learning – geddit? – and improving to do, but he’s already a really, really good player.
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Tien loses focus and Medvedev is waiting for precisely that eventuality, breaking to 15. A hold here and he’ll feel he’s seized back control of things, but Tien isn’t the sort to just allow that.
Paolini breaks Zarazua at the first time of asking in set two. She leads 6-2 2-0 … but as I type, Zarazua breaks back. She’s still in the match.
Of course, as I type, Tien makes 0-30, then Medvedev goes wide on the backhand and here come three break-back points. The first is saved, but the second? Forget about it! I’m especially enjoying Tien’s sudden increases in pace and it’s those which dominate another long rally, Medvedev allowing him to dictate. Perhaps he’s wearing him down, hoping to beat him over the stretch, but he’ll not want to do that from two sets behind, and Tien is still bouncing about the court. The youngster leads 6-3 1-2.
Medvedev is taking it a little earlier now, I think, and after holding for 1-0 earns a break point at advantage then Tien tamely nets a backhand. He’s cooled a little, which makes sense: he’s not used to the undulations of five-set matches and isn’t ready to maintain his best level for as long as one lasts. The question is whether he can play well enough when he dips, or rediscover close to his best when he’s tired.
Yeah, Paolini is too good for Zarazua, breaking again fo ra 6-2 set. There’s work to do, of course, but it’s hard not to salivate at the thought of a third-round tussle with Elina Svitolina.
I was wondering if Learner was the latest wrinkle in the American surname-as-firstname tick; not so! He’s named after his mum’s profession – she’s a maths teacher – while his sister is called Justice because his dad’s an attorney. I love that! What a great reminder to do the right things.
Tien rushes to 30-0 and has got Medvedev down, while Medvedev is yet to work him out. 40-0 soon come, then a ninja-star of a forehand down the line and into the corner seals the set! In particular, he’s victimising Medvedev’s second serve, and the number five seed needs to come up with something because his usual method isn’t working.
And have a look! Back at deuce, Tien almost toys with Medvedev, softening him up with forehands before bringing him in then waiting at the exact spot the pick-up lands to deflect a winner down the line for advantage! Medvedev, though, quickly regains deuce … but not for long, Tien tucking right into a second serve and lashing a backhand winner down the line. I’m sure he has a weak point, but going on what we’ve seen so far it’s not obvious, and another forehand to the corner elicits the error! From a break down, Tien has won four games in a row and will now serve for the set at 5-3! He’s dictating! Sorry, dictating.
Paolini breaks Zarazua then consolidates for 4-1, and her forehand has taken over this match; meantime, Medvedev doubles so now serves at 3-4 and deuce. Tien is in the ascendancy here, but must capitalise because it’s unlikely he’s ready to sustain this level across five sets. For now, though, he’s playing beautifully.
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Superb hitting from Tien, forced to unleash a succession of big shots to win a single point, makes 30-all from 0-30. You can see his tennis IQ is serious – his shot-selection is, at least to untrained eye, excellent, and after suddenly upping the power on a forehand, a backpeddling overhead is splattered over the net and he now leads 4-3. Might he have Medvedev’s timing down?
Now then! Tien forces break-back point, into the match now, and two terrific forehands, one into each corner seal the deal! We’re back on serve at 3-3 in the first while, on Court, Paolini and Zarazua swapped breaks before a hold gave the former a 2-1 advantage.
The crowd jeer Collins, who says she and Coco Wandeweghe, her doubles partner, love an expensive vacation and during the match she was thinking about spending some of the money she was earning on that. As for the next round, she notes that she and Madison Keys used to be pen pals, which is a lovely detail.
The interview is then cut short, given the tone of things, so she takes the mic and finishes with a cheery “Love ya!”, but really I don’t know. On the one hand, she was playing an Aussie in Australia, what did she expect – and most seem to enjoy it; on the other, she beat an Aussie in Australia, the crowd oiught to be able to take a bit back if they’ve spent two hours giving it out.
Danielle Collins (10) beats Destanee Aiava 7-6(4) 4-6 6-2
Collins celebrates wildly, cupping ear, blowing kisses, and I’m not sure the crowd like it. The 2022 runner-up meets Madison Keys next and will have to play better than she did tonight.
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…and Aiava comes in so Collins looks to pass … only to net. To deuce they and we go.
Aiava’s mum, by the way, is a former kickboxer who played rugby union for Australia, while her dad was a powerlifter. But as I type, she finds herself 30-40 and match-point down…
On Court, Zarazua and Paolini are out; on Laver, Medvedev breaks Tien for 3-1, so let’s take a proper look at this match-up.
Margins! Collins raises break point and Aiava strays fractionally but definitely long. The American leads 4-2 in the third, but up 40-15, sends down a double … only for Aiava to net when in the next rally. Collins is a game away.
Email! “Madison Keys regrettably had her best chance in the US Open final of 2017,” reckons Victor K. “For all her easy power and serve, I don’t think another comes around again, not with Sabalenka and Swiatek dominating on hard and clay surfaces as they are. Would have bagged a hard-court slam in a weaker era for sure.”
I don’t think beating Swiatek on hard is beyond her – Pegula did it in New York – but as per the below, I agree she’d need someone else to sort Sabalenka for her because she’s a less good version of similar.
While, on Kia, Collins leads Aiava 3-2 in the third, as the crowd enjoy more change-of-ends karaoke. But there’s been nothing yet to match the inspired choice of You’re the Voice.
We’re under way on Court, Tien and Medvedev each holding for 1-1.
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Next on Laver: Renata Zarazua v Jasmine Paolini (4).
Previously, I’ve heard Sinner – and others – explain that he’s from the very north of Italy, near the Austrian border, and though of course there are no rules to this kind of thing, the general energy is more calm and reserved than elsewhere. It’s working for him!
Asked by Mac if he was familiar with Schoolkate’s game from the juniors, he laughs that he didn’t play much juniors. He says it’s hard to play an opponent you don’t know and that Schoolkate served well, so he’s happy with his performance.
He feels that in every tournament, there are players who come in and play well, but everyone who’s in the draw deserves to be there and he only lost a set. He was struggling a bit with the wind too, but it’s an honour to play the night session on such a beautiful court.
Otherwise, conditions can change from day to day but he hopes he can raise his level. He’s had so any beautiful moments happen to him on and off the court in this beautiful place, but he takes it day by day, knows he can improve, and is hoping this is a great tournament for him.
Fially, Mac notes that he’s emotional and in Italy he finds Italians express themselves; “We can say we are a bit different, me and you,” he laughs. “Everyone has their different mentality, I am quite happy ith my one!”
“What are yo saying?1” laughs Mac; “I think we finish here,” replies the champ.
Jannik Sinner (1) beats Tristan Schoolkate 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-3
He meets Marcos Giron next and it’ll be interesting to hear how he reviews his performance. But in the meantime, congratulations to his opponent, who gave a great account of himself and must now go on from here.
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At 5-3 in the fouth, Sinner is serving for the match.
Here come Tien and Medvedev. I’ve not seen the former before, but I know he’s meant to be special – he’s only 19, but his reputation precedes him. Unlike most of the kids coming through, and I do have friends with kids of that age, where did my life go, he doesn’t have a massive game. But he does have a lefty angle with a winner’s mentality and composure, losing the Next Gen final to … Joao Fonseca.
Back on Laver, Sinner is a game away. He leads Schoolkate 5-2 in the fourth and will be better for this workout.
Aiaiva serves out against Collins and they’re going into a decider, the crowd absolutely into this. They’re the voice, try and understand it; they’re making a noise and making it clear!
And while we wait for Medvedev, we learn that the fine being touted for him smashing racket and camera in his last match is in the region of £80,000. My sense is that he’ll cope, but if not, I can sub him a tenner.
Back on Kia, Aiava is serving for the second set against Collins at 5-4…
Next on Court: Learner Tien v Daniil Medvedev (5).
Of course, it’s unlikely Keys wins a major – it feels like she missed her chance in those years they were going to all sorts of weird and wonderful places. But if someone else can beast Sabalenka for her, because I’m not sure she could do that, you never know; I’d not be shocked if she wins her next match and then beat Rybakina in round four.
Keys says she feels good, saying the tennis wasn’t the prettiest but Ruse played to a high level … “Cool.”
“I’m glad you guys enjoyed it,” she continues. “Makes one of us.” She had to dig deep and keep adjusting what she was doing because she wasn’t dictating as she wanted to.
She’s always loved playing in Australia, and played her maiden Slam in Melbourne. She was sad to miss it last year and is happy she gets to play another match.
Madison Keys (19) beats Elena-Gabriele Ruse 7-6(1) 2-6 7-5
Maddy gets there in the end, Ruse slicing wide. She meets Aiava or Collins next and the quest for a grand slam title … continues.
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Oh dear. I fear Ruse has gone, and a double hands over two match points…
But back on Court, Ruse goes long with a forehand and again, Keys is two points from victory; she’s by far the better player now.
Meantime Collins takes a medical timeout, so the audience enjoy some Melbourne-based karaoke.
Keys quickly holds for 6-5 and we’re at 15-all as Ruse sees a match tiebreak…
And from deuce, Ruse, two match-points saved, closes out for 5-5! That’s a great effort and though it feels like Keys will eventually do whatever it is she needs to do, she’s never too far away from an unforced error.
She does, but two shots in her eyes light up when she sees a lane to a winner, the forehand down the line falling long; we’re back at deuce while, on Laver, sinner is cruising, up 2-1 3-0. Schoolkate is not long for this match, but excuse me while i interrupt myself, a ridiculous net-exchange between Ruse and Keys ending when the latter spirits a winner across the face of it. Here comes another match point, which looks to be Keys’ when she strokes a backhand into the corner. But Ruse retrieves superbly, making her play one more shot, and the attempted winner is again long! Hold tight Elena-Gabriela!
Well, she goes long on the backhand, and surely even Keys, up match point, will just look to get the ball back in play and see …?
Back on Court, Keys might just be finding a way, up 5-4 in the third and spanking a forehand winner for 0-15. She’s been a little more patient since losing the second set, and when she makes 30-all, she’ll feel she’s a chance, two points from victory. Can Ruse hold it down?
Destanee Aiaiva, an Aussie qualifier, secures another hold to lead Danielle Collins 3-1 in the second, Collins having taken the first via breaker. She actually retired at the end of last season, eager to have kids and knowing her endometriosis might compromise her fertility. But she changed her mind, explaining as follows:
“In addition to managing some lingering health challenges the past few months, I’ve recently been seeing a handful of specialists to better understand what my best path forward is to achieve my ultimate dream, starting a family.
“Dealing with endometriosis and fertility is a massive challenge for many women and something that I am actively traversing, but I am fully confident in the team I am working with. It is just going to take longer than I thought.
“So, the DANIMAL story has not reached its conclusion. I will be back on tour in 2025. While there are no guarantees in life, I hope to build on my 2024 momentum and keep playing until there is more certainty around my personal fertility journey. The only guarantee for now will be some more epic matches.”
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Sinner breaks Schoolkate again and now leads 4-6 6-4 6-1. This feels very over, the cleanliness of the champ’s hitting too much for him – and pretty much anyone else – to handle.
Schoolkate wins his first game in time but Sinner is all over him now, up 5-1 in the third. The Aussie can take heart from how hard he’s made the champ work – and think – to get on top of him.
Now that’s wa Maddy (no offence Elena-Gabriela)! She opens shoulders, raises break-back point, and creams a gorgeous inside-out backhand winner into the corner. We’re back on serve at 3-3 in fifth.
Oh Maddy. Oh mate. She saves one break point, then sends down a double, and at 2-3 in the fifth is directly under the pump.
But what’s this? I nip downstairs to get some water and delay my ageing process, returning to see Aiava has broken Collins to lead 1-0 in the second and Ruse has three break points to lead Keys 3-2 in the third.
Time’s up? It seems so. Sinner breaks Schoolkate again for 1-1 3-0, and he’s got the Aussie’s measure now. Otherwise, Keys leads Ruse 2-1 in the third, on serve, and in our only other singles match still in progress, Collins leads the local girl Aiava, 7-6(4).
I’ve saved Rune’s post-match interview, so getting that on now, he says it was a great match and thanks the crowd for creating the atmosphere. He’s trying to play his best tennis and stay focused and though some moments had a lot of tension, he enjoyed all of them, some more than others. But that’s life.
Indeed it is, Holger old china, indeed it is. I say this a lot to my daughter, niece and nephew: if it’s happening, ad it is, you may as well make the most of it.
Phew! That was a lot of behaviour, one of the many beauties of the first week of a Slam: so much going on it’s hard to know what do with oneself, except it’s obvious what to do with oneself: absorb oneself into as much of it as possible and to the fullest extent, to the point of deploying two colons in the same sentence.
In all the excitement, we’re a bit late to announce that Sinner levelled his match with Schoolkate at a set apiece, before breaking at the first time of asking in set three. It’s hard to see a way back for the young Aussie from here, but we shall see.
Veronika Kudermetova beats Katie Boulter (22) 7-6(3) 2-6 6-2
A brilliant win for Kudermetova, who’s been as high as no 9 in the world. She started well and finished brilliantly, a devastating backhand return flying cross-court for a winner. And that, I guess is the difference: Boulter doesn’t quite have power-shots like that in her armoury, so it’s the Russian who’ll meet Bea Haddad Maia (15) in round three. That will be worth a look-in.
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Kudermetova has hit a streak and the perfect time. She’s up 15-40 on the Boilter serve, so has two match points….
I said Maddy Keys was a favourite band she is, but with all that’s been going on I’ve neglected her. Well, after winning the first set against Ruse 7-6 – she threatened to run away with it – she lost the second 6-2 and, by the looks of things, momentum is with the qualifier.
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Brilliant from Kudermetova, who seals a love-consolidation – something for all of us to bear in mind, on which point I recommend The Love Prescription by John Gottman and Julie Gottman – with an ace. She leads Boulter 5-2 in the fifth.
On Court 3, Boulter is break-point down against Kudermetova … and she nets a forehand! The Russian leads 4-2 in the third, the GB no 1 needing something and fast.
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Lorenzo Sonego beats João Fonseca (6)6-7 6-3 6-1 3-6 6-3
A massive win for Sonego, who earns himself a winnable third-round match with Maroszan. But Joao Fonseca is coming, and I cannot wait to see him again; we’re on notice, all of us.
Holger Rune (13) beats Matteo Berrettini 7-6(3) 2-6 6-3 7-6(6)
Again, Berrettini is asked to play a drive-backhand on a big point and cannot. He’ll have regrets, burning set points in the fourth, but Rune did the right things at the right times and it’s great to see him back enjoying his tennis and playing as we know he can. Next for him it’s Miomir Kecmanovic, who beat Hubie Hurkacz earlier.
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Rune earns another mini-break and now has match point on his own seve…
Back on Cain, Rune has found something, clawing back the mini-break and holding for 6-5 in the breaker; his first match point coming up, Berrettini serving … and he saves it nicely, winning a net exchange. Meantime on Laver, Sinner raises his first break points of the match, three of them, and only needs one. He trails Schoolkate 4-6 4-3, and this is a big test for the Aussie, whose composure and precision until this point suggest he won’t simply wily.
Serving at 30-all, Fonseca steps forward and pounds a forehand towards the baseline … and from behind his ear, Sonego conjures a wondrous forehand winner cross-court! It’s always in the last place you look! Break point to the Italian, and when Fonseca thunders a forehand into the net, he’ll shortly serve for the match at 5-3 in the fifth.
Berrettini is attacking everything now and he makes 4-2 then clobbers a fantastic clean-up forehand after a fine, deep return. Rune is not enjoying this, and the Italian is two points away from forcing a decider.
I don’t want to say Sinner’s losing because he’s turned up for work in primrose, but I can’t imagine it’s helping.
Ach, Rune goes wide looking for a forehand winner, misses, and sarcastically congratulates himself, but again then he asks Berrettini to do what he cannot, hit a telling drive-backhand. On 1573, though Fonseca blazes a sensational forehand return cross-court for a clean winner that raises break point; I can’t get my head around how good he is, which is odd given we’re in the Alcaraz era. Sonego, though, isn’t giving owt for nowt, and from there he makes deuce then closes out for 4-3. Back with Berrettini now, Rune hangs on to force a fourth-set breaker, Kudermetova leads Bolter 2-1 on serve in the third, and and Schoolkate holds again, this time through deuce, to lead Sinner 6-4 3-2. His serve isn’t weapons-grade or anything similar, but his accuracy is very impressive, and bespeaks a repeatable action that ought not to break down under pressure. And make no mistake, if he keeps playing like this, that is coming.
Sinner just can’t get himself going, working hard for the hold that gives him 2-2 in the second; meantime, on Cain, Berrettini makes to go down the line then hooks a forehand cross and it’s too good for Rune, giving him set point at 6-5 30-40. But asked to find a drive backhand down the line, he cannot, so to deuce we go. Otherwise, Sonego and Fonseca are at 3-3 in the fifth, Kudermetova and Boulter 1-1 in the third.
Boulter holds for a 6-2 second set; her return was particularly effective and she seems to have Kudermetova’s number. Back on Laver, Schoolkate hangs tough, also holding to lead Sinner 6-4 2-1; Sonego leads Fonseca 3-2 in the fifth; and Berrettini leads Rune 6-5 in the fourth – trailing 2-1, but with momentum now in his favour. If there’s any justice in the world (there isn’t), we’ll get a decider there too, for we deserve it.
There’s so much going on that, not for the first time, I could use more eyes if anyone has any going spare. I should note that Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara, men’s doubles Wimbledon champs and coached by Calvin Betton, our blog’s resident expert, are into round two; Luke Johnson, his other charge, is on court at the moment and up a break in set three with his partner, Sander Arends.
Back with Boulter, she creams a gorgeous backhand down the line to make deuce and sees that out to break Kudermetova as second time. She leads 5-2 in the second and is a game away from forcing a decider. She lacked a bit of consistency in the first set which, when you lack a concussive weapon, is a big problem. But she’s much looser now, and that’s made all the difference.
With Berrettini in the ascendancy, Rune takes a medical timeout, having his wrist worked on. I don’t know if it’s tactical, but it’d make sense if it was given his opponent’s growing momentum. He leads 2-1 3-4.
Tristan Schoolkate is a tremendous, almost Dahlian name. I really like the way he’s addressing this match – his body language is so positive and he’s acting like he belongs. He thinks he can do something here, you can tell, and so far he is.
Schoolkate only needs one! Sinner nets a forehand and the Aussie wildcard leads the champ and world no 1 by a set! Incredible scenes on Laver, and doesn’t he enjoy them!
Fonsecsa makes 40-30, nails a backhand down the line, and that’s a 6-3 set! He and sonego will now play a fifth, while on laver, Schoolkate has 0-40 at 5-4 in the first! That pressure is telling and here come three set points!
Elsewhere, Boilter is up 3-1 in the second against Kudermtova and is holding easily enough, while Fonseca is serving for a decider against Sonego at 5-3 in the fourth; they’re at 30-all. And on Cain, it turns out that Berrettini has been reading the bog at change of ends because he’s absolutely nailing his forehand now, breaking Rune back to trail 1-2 3-3.
Schoolkate is another youngster enjoying the crowd’s support, but he’s being forced to fight for his latest hold at 4-4, in and out of deuce. His first serve is a pretty decent shot – as I type, he sends down his first ace of the match for advantage – but Sinner likes the look of his second. No matter, he serves out for 5-4 and the champ must now deal with a bit of scoreboard pressure.
Fonseca absolutely loves it – none of this in my bubble stuff from him. He’s got the crowd behind him and he’s enjoying every bit of interaction and adulation, noising them up when he secures his hold for 5-2 in the fourth. He’s a game away from forcing a decider, and whatever happens from here, we’ve a new superstar to nourish us. Everything is in place, and he’ll be contending for the big pots very soon.
On Laver, Schoolkate remains solid on serve, and when sinner, down 3-4, serves a double at 40-15, he has the sniff of a sniff. Er, or not, a flat ace out wide securing the hold for the champ at 4-4.
Talking of whom, Fonseca now leads 4-1 in the fourth, and looks good to force a decider; likewise Boulter, who breaks Kudermetova in the first game of set two.
Fabian Marozsan beats Francis Tiafoe (17) (3)6-7 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-1
I remember someone messaging me a few years ago saying they’d seen the next big thing, and they were talking about Francis Tiafoe. He’s not quite developed in the way that seemed likely, though, and it’s looking like he never will, good though he is. Maorszan meets Fonseca or Sonego next.
…and Rune does indeed break Berrettini for a 2-1 1-0 lead. His forehand has taken the match over, and the Italian needs to change something because what he’s doing for the now isn’t working.
On Kia, Tiafoe is in huge trouble; Maroszan is serving for the match at 5-1 in the fifth…
Excellent work from Kudermetova, who plays a fine tiebreak despite ceding a 5-1 lead and needing on-court treatment. She takes it to three to lead by a set, and Boulter has work to do.
Rune is all over Berrettini now, making 15-40 in the first game of set four; the Italian responds with an ace, then takes over the next rally with forehands and that’s much more like it. If he waits for Rune to do the same, he’ll lose; if he’s brave i seeking to dictate, he’s a chance. They’re at deuce.
Kudermetova hangs on for a tiebreak, then secures an immediate mini-break before consolidating for 3-0. What a topsy-turvy set this has been, Boulter needing to find something once again. Otherwise, Schoolkate has made a solid start against Sinner – it’s 2-2 in the first there – and there are queues of people trying to get on to 1573 for a look at the young maestro, who’s consolidated for 3-0 in the fourth.
Back on Cain, Rune has closed out to take the third set against Berrettini 6-3 and lead 2-1. Like his opponent, he will have dreams of winning a Slam – in fact his self-confidence is such that he knows he’s going to – but it’s hard to envisage the circumstances in which that happens, the sense that hell never get quite as good as the best few, one of whom will always plas well enough to beat him at some point
I said “yet” and I meant it! Down break point, Sonego sends down a double, and Fonseca, trailing 2-1, leads 2-0 in the fourth! He couldn’t, could he?
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On Court, Madison Keys – a longtime favourite of this blog – leads Elena-Gabriela Ruse 4-0. Surely she hasn’t run out of ideas already, etc etc. And on 1573, though the Brazilians are absolutely having it, Sonego has closed out a 6-1 third set to lead Fonseca, Tuesday’s hero, 2-1 0-1. The youngster can’t quite find the consistency he showed in tousing Rublev – yet, at least.
Boulter makes 15-all, then sticks in a rally and Kudermetova nets; has momentum switched? Well, a forehand return sails just long for 30-all but then the Russian sticks one of her own into the net, handing over break point. Here it comes, and when Boulter sticks a backhand on to the tape, the bounce deceives Kudermetova – I think – and she shanks her riposte way wide! We’re back on serve at 5-5 in the fifth!
We’re under way on Laver, Schoolkate holding for 1-0. He beat Taro Daniel in round one, no small achievement, and with the home crowd behind him will fancy making a name for himself. Otherwise, Kudermetova is back serving at 15-0.
There’s a break on Court 3 while Kudermetova takes a medical timeout – she’s currently flat on her front having her back massaged – not exactly what you want when preparing to serve for a set. Meantime, Maroszan has taken the fourth set against Tiafoe, the no 17 seed, so they’ll now player a decider.
Back on Cain, Rune has broken Berrettini to lead 1-1 3-1, and he properly enjoys the moment; Boulter holds and, from 1-5 down, she’s now got Kudermetova under pressure.
Oh, and Boulter has taken a break back off Kudermoetova to trail 3-5 in the first. It may still be too late for her to salvage the first set, but it’ll do her no harm in her bid to win the second.
On Court 3, Kudermetova has set point at 5-2, but she nets so must now go through deuce. On Laver, Sinner and Schoolkate have just come out, and I’m going to watch that, while on my fourth screen I’ve gone for Fonseca v Sonego; the Italian is now in control, up 4-1 with two breaks in the third set.
As well as Boulter v Kudermoetova I’m watching Berrettini (3)6-7 6-2 0-1 Rune (13). That looks like the match of the session, and I hope one day we get to a point at which we’re not saying “Eeee, it’s good to see Berrettini competing again.” But it is, and though his lack of a drive-backhand is likely to stop him winning a Slam, he’s great to watch and seems a sound lad. Rune can consider himself unlucky to be drawn against him so early on.
Thanks Jonathan and hi everyone. Let’s get right into it!
To keep check on Boulter’s progress and update you on the form of Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, I’ll hand you over to Daniel Harris. See you back here tomorrow.
… actually, make that two breaks. Kudermetova now serving up 4-1. The Russian former world number nine is dominating the Boulter second serve.
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Bad news for Katie Boulter (22) who is an early break down to Veronika Kudermetova.
Matteo Berrettini does not let a second early break go to waste, evening his contest with Holger Rune (13) at one set all. This is a high-quality, highly entertaining match.
Apropos of nothing, Berrettini is the most handsome man I have ever stood next to. Zoolander-levels of really really good looking.
And Elina Svitolina (28) has converted her strong start against Caroline Dolehide into a 6-1 opening set.
Question: Is Svitolina (WTA Finals champion, Olympic bronze medallist, 17 WTA titles, 17th in all-time earnings) the best player never to make a grand slam final? 11 times she’s made the quarters or better, but never made it to the decider.
Francis Tiafoe (17) has wrestled back momentum, winning the third set, to put him 2-1 up over Fabian Marozsan.
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Any British fans waking up and tuning in may like to know that 22nd seed Katie Boulter has stepped on court for her second round clash with Veronika Kudermetova. Boulter is bidding to join Emma Radacanu in the third round after the former US Open champion defeated Amanda Anisimova in straight sets.
Speaking of nip-and-tuck, Marcos Giron and Tomas Martin Etcheverry are going the distance as they compete for a probable third round exit at the hands of Jannik Sinner (1).
There are four nip-and-tuck men’s singles matches out there at the moment, and one solitary women’s singles contest. In that, Elina Svitolina (28) has started strongly against Caroline Dolehide.
Alex Michelsen backs up his upset of Stefanos Tsitsipas to ease past Australian wildcard James McCabe in straight sets. Next up for the rising American is a date with 19th seed Karen Khachanov.
Jaqueline Cristian has beaten Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets. The 82nd ranked Romanian will now meet 128th ranked lucky loser Eva Lys in the third round.
Likely fourth round opponent Iga Świątek will be thrilled by how her section is unfolding.
Holger Rune (13) has recovered from 2-5 down to pinch the opening set from Matteo Berrettini in a tiebreak.
It’s now one set all in the battle of the highlighters with Fabian Marozsan levelling things up against Frances Tiafoe (17).
French tennis player-cum hip hop wannabe Corentin Moutet has beaten American qualifier Mitchell Krueger in four sets. His next opponent is likely to be Daniil Medvedev.
Fight back, game on!@holgerrune2003 saves two set points, BREAKS Matteo Berrettini and gets this first set back on serve after an absorbing six-and-a-half minute back-and-forth.#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/KaoEWKdJfe
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Tonight’s evening session begins at 7pm local time, which is just over an hour away. It’s another example of how the odd numbered days at this year’s tournament have lacked firepower.
From 7pm on Rod Laver Arena the No 1 seed Jannik Sinner will expect to breeze past local wildcard Tristan Schoolkate. While over on Margaret Court Arena Madison Keys (19) takes on qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania.
Elsewhere around that time 10th seed Danielle Collins meets Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava, and 22nd seed Katie Boulter faces Veronika Kudermetova.
However, the loudest noise will be coming from John Cain Arena where the always rowdy “people’s court” has an all-Australian men’s doubles contest to sink its teeth into with Kokkinakis & Kyrgios taking on Duckworth & Vukic.
Second up on RLA we have Jasmine Paolini (4) against Renata Zarazua, and second on MCA we’ll have another glimpse of the madcap Daniil Medvedev (5). He meets teenage qualifier Learner Tien.
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Alex Michelsen is now two sets to the good over Australian wildcard James McCabe.
The highlighter pink clad Frances Tiafoe (17) took that opening set tiebreak against the highlighter yellow bedecked Fabian Marozsan. I’m a big fan of the bold colour choices. The Penguin branded stripy numbers in the women’s draw have really caught the eye.
22 year-old German Eva Lys is through to the third round of a grand slam for the first time after outlasting Varvara Gracheva 6-2 3-6 6-4. It is a remarkable story. Having lost in qualifying, Lys entered the main draw as a lucky loser after 13th seed Anna Kalinskaya withdrew just minutes before her opening match. Lys went on to defeat Kimberly Birrell and has now guaranteed herself at least $200k prize money.
There are now two seeded players in action.
Frances Tiafoe (17) is into a first set tiebreak against Fabian Marozsan.
While Holger Rune (13) has just begun his clash against former World No 6 Matteo Berrettini.
Back to the action…
Alex Michelsen, fresh from upsetting Stefanos Tsitsipas, is a set and a break up on Australian wildcard James McCabe.
Corentin Moutet is two sets to one up over Mitchell Krueger.
Marcos Giron and Tomas Martin Etcheverry are locked at one set apiece.
Eva Lys and Varvara Gracheva are deep into a deciding third set. The winner of that clash will face the winner of Jaqueline Cristian v Lucia Bronzetti. Cristian has taken the opening set.
In the normally unpredictable women’s draw only four of the top 20 seeds are on their way to Tullamarine airport. The biggest loser has been fifth seed Zheng Qinwen, who is in Diana Shnaider’s (12) section, and Aryna Sabalenka’s (1) quarter, which augurs well for the two-time defending champion.
Sabalenka’s semi-final opponent is scheduled to be Coco Gauff (3) but elsewhere in her section loom the dangerous unseeded pair of Belinda Bencic and Naomi Osaka, while in section four Paula Badosa (11) and Jessica Pegula (7) have yet to concede a set.
The bottom half of the draw remains a work in progress, but Iga Świątek (2) is in control of her section, with Elena Rybakina (6) a potential semi-final opponent. As with the top half, Ons Jabeur floats as a dangerous landmine for any unsuspecting seeds.
An hour and 21 minutes is all Beatriz Haddad Maia needed to breeze through to the third round in straight sets, 6-2 6-3😍#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/SnVkdygpaP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
This gives us a chance to take a closer look at how the draws are unfolding.
In the men’s draw, Jannik Sinner’s (1) progress has been helped by upsets to Hubert Hurkacz (18) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (12) in his quarter, but he will be wary of the form of likely quarter-final opponent Alex De Minaur (8), who has cruised through his opening two rounds.
Taylor Fritz (4) has also made progress look effortless, and he is the standout so far in sections three and four, although Daniil Medvedev has only made one erratic appearance and has plenty of time to find his feet.
Novak Djokovic (7) and Carlos Alcaraz (3) remain on course for a blockbuster quarter-final with the younger of the pair looking as strong as anybody so far in these early rounds.
While at the bottom of the draw Alexander Zverev (2) is watching things unfold with a grin as Ugo Humbert (14) is not the most intimidating fourth round opponent and Tommy Paul (12) the highest remaining potential quarter-final rival now that Casper Ruud is out.
The only singles seed in action at the moment is Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia (15) and she has taken the opening set against Russia’s Erika Andreeva.
Ben Shelton (21) beats Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3 6-3 6-7 6-4
American rising star Ben Shelton has finally put away the nuggety Pablo Carreno Busta. The Spaniard kept the contest alive in a third set tiebreak but Shelton prevailed in the clinch moments, winning 10 of 11 break points for the match.
Shelton will face Lorenzo Musetti (16) in round three.
After that rush of results we’re entering the afternoon lull at Melbourne Park with no further singles action on the two main stadium courts until 7pm and an hour or so to wait before John Cain Arena welcomes Matteo Berrettini and Holger Rune (13).
Taylor Fritz (4) beats Cristian Garin 6-2 6-1 6-0
America’s brightest star Taylor Fritz continued his blistering start with a quick fire victory over Cristian Garin. The fourth seed has dropped only eight games in two rounds, and has handed out two bagels.
The veteran Gaël Monfils is next.
Karen Khachanov (19) beats Gabriel Diallo 7-6 4-6 6-3 6-3
De Minaur remains on track to meet the 19th seeded Russian Karen Khachanov after the 2023 semi-finalist overcame Canada’s Gabriel Diallo in four sets.
Alex De Minaur (8) beats Tristan Boyer 6-2 6-4 6-3
That was reassuringly routine for the Australian number one, who has yet to drop a set in Melbourne Park. He dropped his opening service game but never looked rattled and powered home with plenty to spare.
Francisco Cerúndolo (31) from Argentina awaits in round three.
Lorenzo Musetti (16) beats Denis Shapovalov. 7-6 7-6 6-2
Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian 16th seed has passed a stern test in the form of Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons but is a tricky customer. The Paris 2024 bronze medallist moves on to face the winner of Shelton v Carreno Busta.
De Minaur forces Boyer to work harder than he’d prefer to hold his serve. The Australian will serve at 4-3 in the third set with progress to the third round on his racket.
Elsewhere, Taylor Fritz (4) is now two sets and a break up on Cristian Garin.
Lorenzo Musetti (16) is two sets and two breaks up on Denis Shapovalov.
Ben Shelton (21) remains in control two sets to one up over Pablo Carreno Busta but he failed to win a third set tiebreak that would have secured progress to round three.
Updated
De Minaur’s court coverage in defence is magnificent. He is moving freely and sliding with Djokovic-like rubbery ankles, rebounding to face the next shot with the merriment of a border collie puppy. It earns him two break points, but he can’t convert either. The second went begging after a backhand cracked into the modernist frame protecting umpire James Keothavong.
Boyer holds but De Minaur leads 6-2 6-4 3-2.
I’ve just been digging around for a link to a column about the economics of professional tennis to add some more context to Boyer’s financial situation. This from Greg Jericho in 2018 is a good explainer, set against the backdrop of Novak Djokovic’s presidency of the ATP Player Council and the push for a new union.
De Minaur exhorts the crowd to enjoy the moment as he breaks Boyer in game three of the third set. Australia’s number one is well on his way to a third round meeting with Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndolo.
The 😈 makes his move - and doesn't the RLA crowd love it!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
He leads Boyer 6-2 6-4 2-1#AO2025 • @alexdeminaur pic.twitter.com/BPcocHHcT9
Updated
Thanks Martin. On centre court Boyer has just taken a comfort break, which is always a smart decision at 0-2 down. Shortly after the resumption of play one of his sneaker’s blows out so he’s forced into another quick wardrobe change. It prompts an interesting discussion on the host broadcaster about how the Stanford grad is part-financed by GoFundMe / Patreon support. It’s a stark reminder of the gulf between the haves and have-nots in professional tennis.
Updated
Thanks for following along across the day five morning and into the early exchanges of Alex de Minaur’s second round clash with Tristan Boyer. Jonathan Howcroft will cover the rest of the action from RLA as the Australian closes in on a spot in the third round, but here is a snapshot of what else has been happening in men’s singles around the grounds.
Gael Monfils has just defeated Daniel Altmaier in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(3).
Ben Shelton (21) has one foot in the third round while leading Pablo Carreno Busta at 6-3, 6-3, 5-4.
Lorenzo Musetti (16) and Denis Shapovalov are proving all but impossible to split at 7-6(3), 7-6(6).
Taylor Fritz (4) leads Cristian Garin 6-2, 3-0.
Enjoy the afternoon and what already looks like another cracking evening …
Updated
Alex de Minaur wins the second set from Tristan Boyer and is perhaps just one more away from booking his place in the third round. Even when Boyer has been able to test De Minaur, the Australian is pulling out stunning volleys. He looks in fine form and will now hope to close this out in under two hours.
🔒'd in.@alexdeminaur is all business as takes the second!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
He leads Tristan Boyer 6-2 6-4#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/2b0nM0HtGf
Updated
Alex de Minaur and Tristan Boyer both hold as the Australian takes a 5-3 lead in the second set and prepares to serve.
Elena Rybakina (6) beats Iva Jovic 6-0 6-3
Elena Rybakina is through to the third round with a straight-sets victory over Iva Jovic after doing much the same to emerging Australian Emerson Jones.
The 2023 finalist will next face 32nd seed Dayana Yastremska.
Both De Minaur and Boyer have impressed at the net on RLA with the American particularly keen to surge forward at any opportunity. But those opportunities have dried up in the second set with De Minaur hitting deeper and seemingly harder. The Australian pulls out a perfectly-placed volley that almost spins on a top to stay out of Boyer’s reach, then cleans up another service game to love.
Boyer has had to fight for every service game since his first start but finally cruises through another to love to keep pace with De Minaur in the second set at 3-2. Now the American just needs to test the eighth seed who it must be said is serving with the power and precision you’d expect from such a highly-ranked player.
De Minaur holds to love with his first serve humming. The Australian sends in an ace and keeps Boyer deep enough on the return on a couple more to race through the game in barely three minutes.
Fine tennis from Boyer as he pushes De Minaur deep then bursts forward towards the net to win back-to-back points, the first with a cross-court volley and the next with a powerful smash. The American gets back on the board but is still down a break as De Minaur leads 6-2, 2-1.
De Minaur is running hot on his service games, this time only dropping the one point and finishing with an ace as Boyer. The American hasn’t challenged De Minaur on his serve since breaking him at the start of the clash on RLA.
Alex de Minaur picks up where he left off in the first set against Tristan Boyer although the American doesn’t look like giving up without a fight. Boyer saves a couple of break points but lacks the consistency of his opponent on the backhand to match De Minaur for longer.
Relentless. @alexdeminaur • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/HmDf3Tl1fz
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Updated
A couple of women’s singles results have landed while we have eyes firmly on Alex de Minaur and Tristan Boyer on RLA.
Emma Navarro (8) survives a scare with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win over Xiyu Wang.
Yulia Putintseva (24) breezes past Shuai Zhang 6-2, 6-1.
Updated
Alex de Minaur keeps rolling along and holds serve to love to win the first set from Tristan Boyer 6-2 in 34 minutes.
Updated
Five-in-a-row for De Minaur as he moves to a 5-2 lead and prepares to serve for the first set. Boyer keeps coming to the net and saves a break point with a pinpoint volley but then nets much the same stroke in the next point. De Minaur’s cross-court backhand holds firm as he forces an error from the American to seal the break.
Australian tennis great Lleyton Hewitt is courtside as part of De Minaur’s camp. The former world No 1 sums up what he has made of the clash with Boyer so far.
It would have been nice to get the early break in the first game especially playing with the wind. But Boyer has played pretty well, especially down the far end. He is trying to take it on. We did know he likes to come in but he is taking his chances and he looks very comfortable at the net. He likes going for the drop volley a lot so Alex has to be ready for that.
After an early scare De Minaur has found his rhythm now. The eighth seed breezes through his serve to love even with a 19-shot rally on the third point.
Power, precision and poise wins the point.@alexdeminaur • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/AmuDBV1tMX
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Updated
De Minaur holds serve as he works Boyer around the court with clever ground strokes. The eighth seed then breaks Boyer to take a 3-2 lead in the first set.
De Minaur gets the first set back on serve as he breaks Boyer to love. The Australian forces a series of errors from Boyer with his own exquisite ground strokes.
Danger signs early for Alex de Minaur as Tristan Boyer breaks the eighth seed at the first attempt. The Australian has been matched by Boyer’s athleticism across the opening two games while the American has started with more control and power from the baseline.
Tristan Boyer holds after fighting off an early break point for Alex de Minaur. The eighth seed had his chances but some questionable shot selection at the net – including going cross-court when the door was open for a winner down the line at deuce – allows the American to make a reasonably steady start.
Updated
Alex De Minaur bounces around Rod Laver Arena as he quickly takes a 0-30 lead over Tristan Boyer. After a couple of errors at the baseline the American tries coming to the net and angles a volley across court that De Minaur is somehow able to chase it down. The return goes long but De Minaur’s speed will now be most apparent to Boyer, if it wasn’t already.
Tristan Boyer will serve first in the second-round match with Australia’s only remaining singles seed in Alex de Minaur.
While we wait for Alex De Minaur and Tristan Boyer to finish their warm-up on Rod Laver Arena, a quick wrap of where we’re at with more second round singles clashes around the grounds.
Francisco Cerundolo (31) has just progressed to the third round as Facundo Diaz Acosta retires while trailing 6-2, 1-0.
Xiyu Wang is closing in on an upset win over Emma Navarro (8) while serving at 3-6, 6-3, 4-3.
Yulia Putintseva (24) is within reach of the third round while up 6-2, 4-1 against Shuai Zhang.
Elena Rybakina (6) is off to a fast start against Iva Jovic with a pair of early breaks and a 4-0 lead.
Gael Monfils takes the first set from Daniel Altmaier 7-5.
Lorenzo Musetti (16) and Denis Shapovalov are locked on serve at 5-5.
Ben Shelton (21) and Pablo Carreno Busta are also on serve at 2-2.
Updated
Alex de Minuar is completing his initial warm up inside the locker room before carrying the hopes of the home nation onto Rod Laver Arena to face American qualifier Tristan Boyer.
The eighth seed was in fine touch as he brushed aside a dangerous first-round opponent in Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets. Perhaps most importantly, de Minuar is showing no signs of the injury concerns that have plagued him since reaching the last eight at three consecutive grand slams.
The body is exactly where I wanted it to be. I put in countless hours over the better part of six months to get to this point and be feeling good, feeling comfortable, moving, sliding from one side to the other, and not really thinking about my hip.
Emma Navarro (8) has her work cut out against Xiyu Wang after dropping the second set. It’s all even at 6-3, 3-6, 2-2 as the American looks to match her efforts in reaching the third round at Melbourne Park last year.
Emma Raducanu looks relieved as she talks about beating her good friend Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, continuing her journey back from an injury layoff and facing second seed Iga Swiatek in the third round.
This is a slam I love playing at so to make it to the third round means a lot to me. It’s incredibly difficult whenever you play a friend but I had to put that aside today. It was tricky today, it was a little bit windy, but we both had to deal with that. We both, in patches, had moments with out serve, but I was proud to get in back on track.
It’s difficult. The way I play is pretty athletic. I was feeling it but the way I recovered, I was pretty proud of.
It’s a good match for me. Every match I can play against a tough opponent is good for me. We’ve played twice before on clay but this will be the first time on a hardcourt. I have nothing to lose.
Updated
Emma Raducanu beats Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-5
Emma Raducanu is through to the third round at the Australian Open for the first time after shaking off soreness and her good friend Amanda Anisimova.
The former US Open champion took some time to find her touch but soon outplayed Anisimova as the American too often went searching for winners rather than playing a more patient game against a seemingly wounded opponent.
Anisimova had 39-12 winners but paid a heavy price for 44-17 unforced errors while Raducanu looked more comfortable rallying from the baseline or when approaching the net.
Next up for Raducanu … a certain Iga Swiatek.
Relentless Raducanu ⚔️@EmmaRaducanu defeats Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-5, advancing to a maiden third round berth at the #AusOpen.#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/cqLMQl97pk
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Updated
Miomir Kecmanovic beats Hubert Hurkacz (18) 6-4 6-4 6-2
We have our first upset of the day as Miomir Kecmanovic knocks out 18th seed and last year’s quarter-finalist Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.
It was an impressive performance from Kecmanovic and the Serb should hold few fears coming up against Holger Rune (13) or Matteo Berrettini in the third round.
Emma Raducanu is showing few signs of the injury concerns that called for a medical timeout at the start of the second set as she holds serve against Amanda Anisimova. The American pulled out three backhand winners to take the game to deuce but Raducanu holds her nerve with her agility around the court telling as the game edges towards the two-hour mark. Anisimova to, once again, serve to stay alive.
The 18th seed is on the ropes on John Cain Arena as Miomir Kecmanovic again breaks Hubert Hurkacz. The Pole is serving to try to find a way back into the contest at 6-4, 6-4, 4-2.
He's got the first two sets in the bag, and now he's added a break.@MioKecmanovic leads Hubert Hurkacz 3-2 in the third.#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/Mk3j6rak9s
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
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Emma Raducanu can’t quite seal the match as Amanda Anisimova has the Brit scurrying around the court at 40-30. Raducanu fights to stay in the point until Anisimova sends a forehand return long to give up an 18-shot rally that she controlled throughout. The game twice goes to deuce before the American blazes a forehand winner then Raducanu goes long off from well behind the baseline on a backhand return.
Ons Jabeur beats Camila Osorio 7-5 6-3
Ons Jabeur overcomes illness and Camila Osorio to move into the third round.
The three-time grand slam finalist will face the winner of the ongoing match between Emma Navarro and Xiyu Wang. The eighth seed Navarro currently leads 6-3, 2-4.
Ons battled it out to go through to the third round winning 7-5 6-3. 🙌#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/V0xPGqvHFR
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Emma Raducanu is improving as the match against Amanda Anisimova carries on and the American will now serve to stay alive. Raducanu leads 6-3, 5-4.
Iga Swiatek (2) beats Rebecca Sramkova 6-0 6-2
Iga Swiatek surges into the third round with victory over Rebecca Sramkova in bang on an hour.
The second seed will face the winner of the ongoing battle between Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova, while Alex de Minaur is next up on Rod Laver Arena.
The topsy-turvy clash on Kia Arena keeps rolling with Amanda Anisimova breaking Emma Raducanu. This is turning into a battle between Anisimova’s impatience and Raducanu’s injury concerns.
Daria Kasatkina (9) beats Yafan Wang 6-2 6-0
Daria Kasatkina is yet to drop a set as she cruises out of the second round with an emphatic victory over Yafan Wang.
The ninth seed is yet to pass the third round in nine previous attempts at the Australian Open and this time will face the winner between Yulia Putintseva (24) and Shuai Zhang.
Stirring work from Emma Raducanu as the Brit breaks back immediately after a medical timeout. She seals it with a sublime cross-court forehand that Amanda Anisimova doesn’t even bother chasing down. Raducanu then holds serve and is right back in the second set while trailing 2-3.
Ons Jabeur seems to be suffering from illness rather than injury and has had to head to the locker room a couple of times during her second round match against Camila Osorio. The three-time grand slam finalist is shaking off any ailments to open up a 7-5, 3-2 lead, but it looks like she’d ideally finish this quickly.
Emma Raducanu calls for a medical timeout and receives some assistance to stretch out the hip, groin and back regions. Hopefully the Brit is just a bit tight rather than suffering anything too serious but she has looked restricted in her movements through this second set. Amanda Anisimova serves while up 3-0.
An upset is well and truly brewing on John Cain Arena as Miomir Kecmanovic takes a two sets lead over 18th seed Hubert Hurkacz at 6-4, 6-4. Last year’s quarter-finalist has sent down nine aces as his serve looks in fine touch but the ground play is off the mark with 22 unforced errors to Kecmanovic’s eight critical at this stage.
Emma Raducanu is subtly grabbing at what appears to be a hip concern. No double faults this time but Amanda Anisimova breaks again and is up 3-0 in the second.
Iga Swiatek races through the first set to love against Rebecca Sramkova in 26 minutes as the Slovak can only claim 10 points. The second seed is in imperious form early in this tournament.
The opening set is in the bag for Swiatek, packed in at 6-0 👌 #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/WR77RVuGj7
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Amanda Anisimova starts the second set with a break as Emma Raducanu takes the game to deuce despite a pair of double faults. But the Brit pays the price for another double fault on break point. Anisimova then finishes with a couple of aces to hold serve and take a 2-0 lead.
Dayana Yastremska (32) beats Danka Kovinic 6-0 6-1
The first singles result of day five sees the Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska breeze past Danka Kovinic to take another step towards matching her semi-final appearance at the Australian Open last year.
Next up for Yastremska in the third round will be sixth seed Elena Rybakina or Iva Jovic.
Emma Raducanu wins the first set against Amanda Anisimova 6-3 in 54 minutes. It has been an even tussle with the American making the early running before Raducanu slowly wrestled back the momentum. The Brit has benefited from having more patience and perhaps trust in her groundstrokes, while Anisimova has a significant lead for both winners (21-7) and unforced errors (20-9).
Emma Raducanu fights off a break point for Amanda Anisimova to hold serve and take a 5-3 lead. The American’s number of errors are climbing as she looks to rush through the rallies
Emma Raducanu breaks Amanda Anisimova to edge in front for the first time today. But neither player has the momentum with that the fourth game in a row to go to deuce.
Emma Raducanu is right back in the match against Amanda Anisimova under now sunny skies on Kia Arena. Once again the Brit is made to work hard to hold serve as the game goes to three deuce but Anisimova pays the price for her backhand weapon suddenly misfiring. It’s all square at 3-3.
Play is under way on Rod Laver Arena and second seed Iga Swiatek is off to a blistering start against Rebecca Sramkova. The clay court specialist is already up 2-0 after an immediate break.
Headphones ✅
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Rock music (probably) ✅
Swiatek is here at the RLA 😍#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/M9SThIC9Ql
On court 3, Ons Jabeur is fighting soreness as much as Camila Osorio as the three-time grand slam finalist attempts to crawl into the third round. Jabeur leads the first set 4-3 but is mostly hanging on at the moment.
She may be facing medical issues but that isn't stopping her from playing some terrific tennis 😍@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/ojRZ42IkBF
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Miomir Kecmanovic holds serve to take the first set against Hubert Hurkacz 6-4. The 18th seed didn’t give up on the set without a fight as he twice took the game to deuce but is still to set up a break point against the big-serving Serb.
An early break is all that Kecmanovic needed to seal the first set 6-4 vs no.18 Hurkacz 🙌#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/SDAr36zsu5
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Updated
Emma Raducanu breaks Amanda Anisimova as the American double faults twice. There is a bit of wind around that seems to be affecting the ball toss but that was still a lacklustre service game from Anisimova.
Hubert Hurkacz fights back to hold serve to 30 but Miomir Kecmanovic will now serve for the first set. The Pole needs to at least find a first break point against Kecmanovic.
Updated
Emma Raducanu is broken for a second time after fighting back in a service game that went to deuce five times across almost 14 minutes. Amanda Anisimova’s power on the backhand is proving the difference so far but the American is also looking to get to the net at any opportunity. She leads 3-1 in the first.
Early danger signs for 18th seed Hubert Hurkacz who is serving to stay in the first set against Miomir Kecmanovic at 3-5 and now down 0-30. The Pole reached the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park last year but is quickly in a spot of bother on John Cain Arena today.
Updated
Amanda Anisimova is the first to hold serve as a pair of powerful forehand winners are too much for Emma Raducanu. The American leads 2-1.
Updated
Over on John Cain Arena, Hubert Hurkacz (18) has been broken by Miomir Kecmanovic as the Serbian opens up an early 3-1 lead in the first.
Updated
Emma Raducanu gives up her early advantage with a limp service game as Amanda Anisimova breaks back. Both players are still finding their range from the baseline on the short rallies, but this time Raducanu nets on a pair of simple returns.
Amanda Anisimova takes the balls in hand but it is Emma Raducanu with the fast start. A pair of sloppy forehands from the American – the first across court, the second a simple return down the line – sail wide to set up two break points. Raducanu only needs one as Anisimova sends a backhand too long.
Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova are just completing their warm-up and both should have little to hide ahead of their second-round clash after being regular practice partners and becoming good friends in recent times.
The former US Open winner told Tumaini Carayol what it will mean to play Anisimova for the first time.
I think we’re going to be playing each other many more times in the future. This is the first time. And it’s gonna be a good match. I think she’s a tough opponent. She took some time out, obviously, off the tour, for sort of mental health reasons and just to find herself again.
The Australian contingent has seen better days at their home grand slam, with Jordan Thompson and Ajla Tomljanović among the locals to exit the tournament along with Thanasi Kokkinakis.
If you missed out on the five-set thriller between 15th seed Jack Draper and Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis last night, fret not as we have you covered.
Tumaini Carayol was at Melbourne Park to cover the match of the tournament thus far.
While Jack Snape sat in an at times emotional press conference with Kokkinakis, who was one game away from progressing to the third round but in the end succumbed to injury and an equally determined opponent in Draper.
I know I don’t have forever left, so I don’t know how long I’m going to be out [injured], or what the future holds, even if I can get back to this point if I get [surgery] done. So I’m just [in] a lot of doubt and pretty upset. One thing’s for sure I can’t keep doing what I’m doing, it’s mental torture and physical torture.
Now for the weather. The clouds have returned after rain interrupted day four – at least on the outside courts – on a confusingly wintery summers day. The forecast is only slightly better for today but the eye-test tells us that we should get a lot more tennis in.
Isolated showers on and south of the ranges, remaining dry and sunny in the north. A cool to mild day with temperatures below average. Fresh south to southwesterly winds, through north central districts and along the Gippsland coast during the afternoon.https://t.co/UYVuRwgKlp pic.twitter.com/lb5tSbjK98
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) January 15, 2025
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of day five at the 2025 Australian Open. The second round in the men’s and women’s singles continues while there is plenty of doubles action kicking off on the outside courts.
Day four pushed into the wee hours as Great Britain’s Jack Draper overcame local hero Thanasi Kokkinakis in five gruelling sets, but as is the way at Melbourne Park the punters have popped off for a nap and are back into it again.
Great Britain’s other high-profile hope Emma Raducanu is one of the first to step onto the hardcourts today with the 2021 US Open winner hoping to pass the second round in the singles for the first time at Melbourne Park. The 22-year-old won’t have a free pass against American Amanda Anisimova. Women’s second seed Iga Swiatek will face Rebecca Sramkova on Rod Laver Arena shortly, with Alex de Minaur to follow on the main court against American qualifier Tristan Boyer.
We’ll have our eyes peeled on Raducana, Swiatek and de Minaur to start with, but here are the tastier match-ups to fill our afternoon with:
11am: Emma Raducanu v Amanda Anisimova
11am: Hubert Hurkacz (18) v Miomir Kecmanovic
11.30am: Iga Swiatek (2) v Rebecca Sramkova
11.30am: Emma Navarro (8) v Xiyu Wang
1pm: Taylor Fritz (4) v Cristian Garin
1.30pm: Alex de Minaur (8) v Tristan Boyer
1.30pm: Elena Rybakina (6) v Iva Jovic
I’ll be with you until 3pm AEDT when Jonathan Howcroft will take the reins. Let me know your thoughts and predictions on email or @martinpegan on Bluesky or X. Let’s get into it!
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