If you missed anything, here’s another recap of all today’s news:
That’s all for today – we’ll be back for more tomorrow.
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On his return to competition at the Australian Open after his deportation last year, Novak Djokovic moved into the second round with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 win over Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena in just over two hours on Rod Laver Arena.
Via the official Australian Open Twitter, some of Novak Djokovic’s reaction to his dominant first-round win:
"Definitely this court is the most special court in my life." 🫶
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2023
🇷🇸 @DjokerNole thanks the fans at Rod Laver Arena.
#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/9xLab831gB
If you missed it: Daria Kasatkina, the women’s No 8 seed, spoke to Simon Cambers:
From a tub-thumping British perspective it’s been a good start to the tournament. Emma Raducanu is through to the second round of the women’s singles and will play Coco Gauff (seventh seed) tomorrow at 8am UK time.
In the men’s draw Andy Murray, Dan Evans and Cam Norrie are all in the hat for the second round.
Harriet Dart, Jack Draper and Kyle Edmund all lost in the first round.
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In under 10 hours’ time, midnight in the UK, top seed Iga Swiatek of Poland will be back on court to play Camila Osorio of Colombia in the women’s singles. Osorio is ranked No 84.
It’s a match Swiatek is naturally expected to win, but as she pointed out yesterday, nothing can be taken for granted:
“For sure I feel the expectations, that people kind of want to take for granted that I’m going to win those first rounds,” Swiatek said. “It’s not always easy. Every match is a different story. You have to really work hard to win.”
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Casper Ruud beats Tomas Machac! 3-6, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (5), 3-6
The No 2 seed and world No 3, Casper Ruud of Norway, advances to the second round in four sets against Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic.
It was a back-and-forth, rock'n'roll kinda match, but finally @CasperRuud98 gets the job done!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2023
The Norwegian moves on to the second round 6-3 7-6(6) 6-7(5) 6-3 @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/hXPZgdsqAV
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Eurosport’s studio team now have another chat with “The Djok”. He is asked by the presenter, Alizé Lim: have the conditions changed this year?
“The balls did,” Djokovic replies. “I think they are slower than they have been in the last couple of years. I think the court speed is playing pretty much the same … but yeah, the more you play with balls, the longer the rallies, the fluffier and the bigger they become, so it becomes slower, and not easy to win some free points off the serve.
“But I served well, I think I put a lot of pressure on his service games. It took me some time to find the groove, so to say, to kind of relax into the ball, and third set was more or less flawless, so a great way to finish, in that fashion.”
Mats Wilander asks: How does he hit the ball so hard?
“A lot of strength exercises, I guess … No, I mean, joking aside, when you play against players like Carballés Baena, he is a very good defender, a counter-puncher, and likes to play deep in the court. You’ve just got to beat him with the pace, you’ve got to play fast. I knew that coming into the match, but obviously, one thing is to prepare yourself tactically, the other is to execute on the court with nerves and everything happening during the match.
“So I think I started off well, it was a close second set, especially the first five, six games of the second set, but towards the end of the second set, when I broke his serve, I was really cruising and started to swing through the ball more. But yeah, I was looking to dictate the play with the forehand …
“I heard Goran say I should open him up a bit more because he was anticipating the ball very well … [I was] just trying to make him uncomfortable on the court.”
Was he nervous about returning to play on Rod Laver Arena, asks Wilander? “It was different, but I wouldn’t say it wasn’t a nerve-wracking feeling … I was really looking forward to the match, because honestly I was a bit probably more nervous before the Kyrgios match-up that I had with him, the exhibition some days ago, as that was the first time walking on to Rod Laver Arena in front of a packed house.
“You know, I was really hoping I could get a good reception, and this is more than I hoped for, more than I dreamed of, honestly, after all that happened in the last 12 months. People were super, super nice to me, especially the Serbian community, incredible support. I’m very grateful, obviously I’m very happy to play in that kind of atmosphere, it really helps a lot with the tennis.”
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There is no longer any lingering doubt over how this Melbourne crowd will respond to Novak Djokovic, anyway. They love him, perhaps even more than they did before last year’s deportation/Covid-19 vaccination furore.
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Today’s news pieces from the Australian Open. Extreme heat, rain, and a classic win for Andy Murray to boot:
Djokovic speaks: “Unbelievable atmosphere … thank you so much for staying this late, everybody. Also thank you for giving me such a welcome and a reception I could only dream of. I really feel very happy that I’m back in Australia, back here, on the court where I had the biggest success in my career.
“Definitely this court is the most special court in my life, and I couldn’t ask for a better start in the tournament. So thank you for your support, I appreciate it, thank you very much.”
The crowd cheers loudly.
“I guess the more you win on a certain court, the more comfortable and confident you feel every next time you step on it.
“That’s probably one of the reasons I’ve been fortunate to win a lot of matches on this court, particularly in the night sessions. If I have to choose one court, and conditions it would be the night session on Rod Laver Arena, all night long, definitely.
“I’m very, very pleased with the way I played in the third set. You know, I didn’t give him too much chance to breath from the back of the court. I served very well. Second set was kind of going up and down, but credit to him for fighting, he’s a great guy, we train a lot in Spain, and it was his first match on Rod Laver so he deserves a big round of applause.”
There is, on cue, a big round of applause for Carballés Baena.
“Thank you so much. I just want to say I love my parents and my brother. They are here after 15 years … They’ve been here, last time, when I won in 2008, my first slam. So hopefully they will bring me luck once again.”
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Reaction from Djokovic coming up.
Carballés Baena and Djokovic share a warm greeting at the net. Carballés Baena smiles, but he does look a bit shocked to have been on the end of such a drubbing.
Djokovic was really in the mood in that final set.
Djokovic beats Carballés Baena! 3-6, 4-6, 0-6
Final-set destruction.
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Carballés Baena 3-6, 4-6, 0-5 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
You feel for Carballés Baena, who ekes out two points on this occasion, but the Serb’s progress to the second round is inexorable.
He will serve for a straight-sets win, and a third-set bagel.
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*Carballés Baena 3-6, 4-6, 0-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
You know the drill. Again the Spaniard does muster one point but Djokovic steams relentlessly to his latest comfortable hold of serve, throwing in a serve-volley at the end for good measure.
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Our latest write-up from Melbourne Park, courtesy of Simon Cambers:
Carballés Baena 3-6, 4-6, 0-3 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Bish, bosh, bash, the 15th consecutive point for Djokovic makes it 0-40. The Serb is clearly in no mood to get to bed any later than strictly necessary.
Carballés Baena does finally win a point, but on the next, Djokovic charges in behind an imperious forehand to the corner and clips a measured angled volley at the net. Carballés Baena gamely tries to run it down, but it’s no use. A double break up for Djokovic now.
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*Carballés Baena 3-6, 4-6, 0-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
That is 12 points in a row for Djokovic who races to hold serve comfortably.
Carballés Baena has reached that point of confusion where he feels like he’s playing decent tennis, and yet cannot win a point, no matter how hard he tries.
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Carballés Baena 3-6, 4-6, 0-1 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
A perfect – and I mean perfect – backhand winner to the corner sets up 0-30. Ivanisevic, Djokovic’s coach, pumps a fist from the stand at Rod Laver Arena. Another textbook point from the Serb and it’s 0-40.
Yes, poor old Carballés Baena has his work cut out in this third set. Djokovic can scent blood, and he rounds of a break to love with a consummate cushioned volley.
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It’s STILL not too late to email me or tweet @LukeMcLaughlin with your thoughts on today’s action.
Djokovic wins the second set against Carballés Baena: 3-6, 4-6
Crash, bang, wallop, it’s the second set for Djokovic. He holds to love. Carballés Baena has never won a match from two sets behind, we are informed by the Eurosport commentator, and Djokovic is gathering the kind of momentum that may see the Spaniard steamrollered in the third set.
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It’s 12.15am in Melbourne.
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Carballés Baena 3-6, 4-5 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
A solid hold for Carballés Baena, as solid as can be expected with Djokovic in this kind of form.
The nine-times Australian Open champion will now serve for a two-set lead. Don’t bet against it.
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*Carballés Baena 3-6, 3-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Spirited defence again from Carballés Baena, but it still isn’t enough. Djokovic marches to 40-0 and promptly closes out a love hold.
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Carballés Baena 3-6, 3-4 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
At 15-15 there is an absolutely mad, attritional, seemingly endless rally that Djokovic finally wins by running down a drop shot and belting a powerful double-handed backhand down the middle. Even then, Carballés Baena gets a racket on the ball after a gargantuan effort to stay in the point. It was one of those jaw-dropping rallies when a murmur in the crowd gradually grows into a roar as the players continue to defy the laws of physics to somehow keep the ball in play. It was also one when all the commentator can say at the end is: “Wow.”
Then at 40-30, Djokovic crashes a fantastic angled backhand which turns into a point-winner, despite the continued best efforts of his Spanish opponent.
There is a deuce battle which takes the game past the six-minute mark. An unreturnable serve from Carballés Baena gives him another game point, but again Djokovic fights back to deuce … and he eventually grinds his opponent down to take the second break of the match.
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*Carballés Baena 3-6, 3-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
A hold for the Serb that the Eurosport commentator correctly dubs “businesslike”.
Carballés Baena 3-6, 3-2 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
At deuce, Djokovic hits a forehand a touch long. On advantage to Carballés Baena and second serve, the Serb tries to end a lengthening rally by whipping an ambitious double-handed backhand across court. It’s wide, and Carballés Baena, who hails from Tenerife in the Canary Islands, is back in front at 3-2. You do sense that the Spaniard is having to give it all he’s got just to keep pace with his rival, however.
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Djokovic has never been in bad shape, but he looks particular lean out on court today. He has traditionally never lacked motivation, either, but perhaps last year’s farrago has made him that bit more determined to remind everyone that he remains the best in the business. Ominous scenes for the others in the men’s draw.
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*Carballés Baena 3-6, 2-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
The Serb has to work hard to hold in the fourth game of the second set. His coach, Goran Ivanisevic, gestures at him to use the width of the court more and get his opponent on the run. Regardless, a mishit from the Spaniard gives Djokovic the service hold and we’re all square again. Can Carballés Baena find a way to put his iconic opponent under some kind of meaningful pressure?
It looks like business as usual for Djokovic, on and off the court.
Tumaini Carayol wrote this a few days back, about the contrast between last year’s circus, and Djokovic’s return to normality this year:
Carballés Baena 3-6, 2-1 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
The Spaniard quickly makes it to 40-0 on his own serve … Djokovic then gets on the board with an imperious cross-court smash, but Carballés Baena closes out the hold and leads in the second set.
Thanks Will. Here we are again.
Right, it’s the lunchtime swapover. I’ll hand back to Luke McLaughlin, who’ll see you through the rest of the match.
Carballés Baena* 3-6, 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic wins the first point, but Carballés Baena comes back at him with a crackling cross-court winner. Djokovic powers his way to 40-15, but his opponent then wins a lightning rally with a screamer down the line. At 40-30, Djokovic comes to the net to deliver the coup de grace but Carballés Baena defends magnificently to take it to deuce. Djokovic ups the tempo again, taking advantage before finishing off with a thumping ace.
Carballés Baena 3-6, 1-0 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Having gathered himself, Carballés Baena claws his way to a hold. Djokovic takes him to deuce, but the Spaniard produces two strong serves to see things out.
Djokovic wins the first set v Carballés Baena: 3-6
With a merciless look in his eye, Djokovic wins the last game to love. Carballés Baena had an opening at 2-2 when he earned three break points on the trot, but that seems like a lifetime ago now.
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Carballés Baena 3-5 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
It’s not over quite yet. Carballés Baena shows great determination to hold, leaving Djokovic to serve for the set.
Carballés Baena* 2-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic gallops to 40-0, meaning he’s won the last 12 points in a row. Poor shot selection lets him down as he goes for 13, before he drops another point. No bother, though. Carballés Baena is helpless in the face of a huge serve, leaving Djokovic on the verge of winning the first set.
Carballés Baena 2-4 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic gives Carballés Baena a taste of his own medicine, dragging him about the court on the way to winning the first two points before his opponent produces a double fault. Djokovic has three break points, but only needs one, lashing another unstoppable shot down the line.
Djokovic rushes off for a quick bathroom break. We’ll be back in action shortly.
Carballés Baena* 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
The pair open with a spirited rally, which Djokovic loses after making another unforced error. The Serbian seems to lose his range and, suddenly, Carballés Baena has three break points. Djokovic defends all three, leaving Carballés Baena with a rueful grin on his face. Djokovic wins a 17-shot rally at deuce, before his opponent places a shot just beyond the baseline.
Carballés Baena 2-2 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
It looks like a relatively straightforward hold for Carballés Baena, who strolls to 40-0. Djokovic, Terminator-like, refuses to be beaten, skimming the corners again and again on his way to deuce. He gets the first break point of the match, but Carballés Baena salvages the situation with a belting ace. Djokovic makes an unforced error on the ensuing rally, before Carballés Baena, covered in beads of sweat, finally wraps things up.
Carballés Baena* 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Carballés Baena wins the first point but Djokovic shuts him down with an imperious backhand to the far corner. His next serve is too powerful for his opponent to deal with. As the game heats up, they become embroiled in a fierce rally which Djokovic wins after coming to the net and battling at close quarters. From there, Djokovic sees things out with a cool head.
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Carballés Baena 1-1 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Carballés Baena holds his own in a cagey rally, Djokovic hitting the net with an attempted slice. Djokovic roars back with a fizzing backhand which zips down the line. Carballés Baena keeps his nerve, reeling off three points in a row to clinch the game. Liquid tennis!
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Carballés Baena* 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic starts as he means to go on, opening with a big ace before breezing through his first service game with a series of pinpoint shots.
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Will Magee here, feeling nimble, headband firmly on. The Djokovic ultras are out in force at Melbourne Park. The Serbian and his opponent, Roberto Carballés Baena, are warmed up and we’re about to get under way.
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I’m off for a coffee and a bite to eat, although I think I will pass on the ice bath, given the state of the weather in the UK … Will Magee is here to guide you through the next hour.
Alex de Minaur was in Nick Kyrgios’s house, making himself at home, wooing the crowd as his own. One quiet Australian replacing another, very loud one, and finally having his time in the sun. It has been more than 24 hours since Kyrgios withdrew from the Australian Open injured, yet still he is somehow here, commanding the airwaves and column inches. Tuesday’s headlines were about the so-called feud between Kyrgios and De Minaur. Or, more accurately, Kyrgios’s denial that there is a feud, that they are “close mates on tour and he always will be”.
Jabeur speaks on court: “It was a very tough match, I wasn’t playing very well. She was putting a lot of pressure on me, she is a player that doesn’t give up, and brings every ball in.
“I was pretty frustrated, but I’m glad that I let it out, in the second set … I just told myself to be No 2 in the world, and win this match.
Jelena Dokic asks: during the break before the third set, what was she thinking? “I was just trying to follow what my coach told me … because I wasn’t really doing that and he’s going to probably kill me after the match.
“It’s a tough sport. You definitely don’t want to play three sets here, but I tried to keep it clean at the end, and I was just playing nice tennis.”
Asked about her plans for recovery, Jabeur replies: “Ice bath, and I’m going to make my husband work tonight … [the crowd begins to laugh] A lot of massage and good recovery. Massage, guys, massage! For those who don’t know, my husband is also my fitness coach, and does everything for me.”
Everyone’s laughing at this stage, Jabeur included.
“I’m glad you clarified that,” says Dokic. “Anyway, congratulations.”
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Reaction coming up – Jabeur will be having a chat shortly.
Jabeur defeats Zidansek! 6-7 (8), 6-4, 1-6
A superb drop shot to start from Jabeur, just to remind her opponent of the variety of attacking weapons she has in her arsenal … the Tunisian speeds to 0-40 and three match points, and batters a brilliant winner into the corner. Zidansek eventually crumbled at the end there, but it was a fine effort to win the second set.
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*Zidansek 6-7 (8), 6-4, 1-5 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Jabeur falls 0-30 down, but battles back to 40-30, and a decent second serve down the middle helps to set up a hold of serve. She’s a game away.
Zidansek 6-7 (8), 6-4, 1-4 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Whoah! Jabeur breaks to love. Suddenly she has all the answers. It does seem as if Zidansek’s rhythm was interrupted by taking that break before the final set. But I am still working on the basis that she did actually need a break, rather than taking it because it might play mind games with her opponent.
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In the mens’ draw, Kokkinakis v Fognini have started. Kokkinakis leads 3-1 in the first. The winner of that match will face Andy Murray in the second round.
*Zidansek 6-7 (8), 6-4, 1-3 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Jabeur’s ship has been well and truly steadied. She looks calm and in control after those bursts of anger and frustration a few minutes ago. Zidansek has faded.
Unforced error count: 47 for Jabeur, 33 for Zidansek.
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Zidansek 6-7 (8), 6-4, 1-2 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Suddenly, Jabeur wins eight out of 10 points, and storms to a break of Zidansek’s serve, which may prove crucial in this final set.
Insert cliche here along the lines of “that’s what the top players do when the pressure’s on” … Zidansek noticeably dropped her level there, though.
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If you are just tuning in, Andy Murray pulled off an exceptional five-set win against Matteo Berrettini earlier:
*Zidansek 6-7 (8), 6-4, 1-1 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Jabeur steadies the ship with a comfortable enough hold. Zidansek can smell a huge chance here though, no question about that. Her more illustrious opponent is not comfortable.
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Zidansek 6-7 (8), 6-4, 1-0 *Jabeur
Zidansek serves up the first double fault of the match, having gone off for a ‘comfort break’, for 0-30.
Durie, on commentary, wonders why Zidansek chose the moment before this game to take a break as she had the momentum, and Jabeur was on the back foot. I am guessing the answer is that she needed the toilet? Not all ‘comfort breaks’ are gamesman- or gameswomanship, after all.
Anyway, Jabeur earns a break point, but then dumps a slice into the backhand into the net and throws her racket to the floor in frustration. Zidansek plays another very solid point to win a game point of her own, and Jabeur then hoicks a terrible forehand into the net, and again slams her racket to the floor in frustration. She’s far from happy.
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Second set to Zidansek! 6-7 (8), 6-4
It’s a scruffy, scratchy service game from Jabeur, who simply doesn’t look comfortable, and Zidansek closes out the break of serve, and wins the second set to take it to the decider that she so richly deserves.
Nothing, but nothing comes for free at the grand slam events and this is a classic example. Early in the first set, Jabeur looked capable of overpowering her opponent, but Zidansek has dug in and has earned a glimpse of glory on Rod Laver Arena.
Nearly 10pm – and Novak Djokovic’s wait continues …
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Bencic (12) beats Tomova: 6-1, 6-2
The Swiss world No 10, seeded 12, eases into round two in the women’s singles.
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Zidansek 6-7 (8), 5-4 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
At 15-30 Zidansek finds a wonderful wide forehand for 30-30 … and then another, for 40-30 and set point.
Jabeur defends it well, taking it to deuce with some solid defence … and an awkward looping forehand from Zidansek bounces long, bringing up break point for Jabeur in a ding-dong game.
True to form, Zidansek defends well, and brings an error from her opponent for deuce.
A limp ending, though, Zidansek flopping an attempted drop shot into the net after coming forward. Jabeur has a chance to serve and make it back to 5-5 in the second set.
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Jabeur has 42 unforced errors to her name. Zidansek 23.
*Zidansek 6-7 (8), 5-3 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Zidansek breaks!
Jabeur clumps down the first ace of the match for 30-0. Again Zidansek gets back in her face … a deep, powerful return forces it to 30-30.
On second serve, a careless error by Zidansek, hitting a forehand wide, lets her opponent off the hook and gives Jabeur a game point. But Jabeur replies in kind, hitting a powerful double-handed backhand wide in going for a spectacular winner …
Zidansek fashions a break point, finds another deep return on to Jabeur’s toes, and she has a break when the Tunisian can only return it into the net!
The time in Melbourne is 9.38pm.
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Zidansek 6-7 (8), 4-3 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Zidansek hurries an attempted forehand, nets it, and it’s 30-30. It’s a chance for the Tunisian, but Jabeur then nets what looks a regulation backhand, and angrily speaks to her coach in the stand, berating herself. Zidansek closes out the game.
Jabeur, while showing flashes of her customary brilliance, is yet to hit top gear – partly down to the fact, of course, that she’s being frustrated by a steely performance from Zidansek on the other side of the net.
Zidansek leads 4-3 in the second and it’s with serve.
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Elsewhere in the women’s singles, Bencic won the first set against Tomova, 6-1, and is 4-1 up in the second.
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*Zidansek 6-7 (8), 3-3 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Jabeur speeds to a love hold. Can she put Zidansek’s serve under pressure now?
Zidansek 6-7 (8), 3-2 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
At 40-30, Jabeur attempts one of those powerful whipped forehands to the corner that have brought her plenty of success today, but hits wide and Zidansek is back in front. It’s with serve in the second set.
In the “Points won” column, it’s 66 to Zidansek, and 67 to Jabeur. This is a tight affair and Zidansek is competing with her opponent’s superior power admirably.
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*Zidansek 6-7(8), 2-2 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
A crushing forehand winner sets up 40-0 for Jabeur, and she holds comfortably for 2-2 despite one error that allows Zidansek to get a point on the board.
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Zidansek 6-7 (8), 2-1 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
An error by the Slovenian brings deuce … but she holds firm under pressure and an unreturnable serve, hit into the net by Jabeur, puts the world No 98 back into the lead.
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*Zidansek 6-7 (8), 1-1 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
All square again in the second set. Jabeur, despite winning the first set, has made 33 unforced errors so far, to Zidansek’s 17.
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Zidansek 6-7 (8), 1-0 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
A steady hold from Zidansek to start the second set.
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In the men’s singles, De Minaur is two sets (6-2, 6-2) and 5-3 up against Yu Hsiou Hsu.
Jabeur wins the first set v Zidansek: 6-7 (8)
That was intense!
Jabeur is visibly frustrated with the unforced errors that she keeps producing, especially on her backhand side … nevertheless she initially takes control of the tiebreak at 2-1, but then cracks an overhead volley a smidgen wide for 2-2. Both the players are feeling the Melbourne heat, that is for sure.
Zidansek puts away a fine down-the-line winner after running down a Jabeur drop shot for 3-3 in the tiebreak. Next up, the Tunisian capitalises on her opponent’s second serve, finishing the point with another brilliant low spinning forehand to the corner, and goes a mini-break up again at 4-3.
Zidansek isn’t done yet – not by a long way – and forces her way back in front at 5-4 with two points against serve. Jabeur looks hot and bothered. And she nets a first-serve return to set up two set points for her opponent … A powerful stroke to the corner from Jabeur forces an error for 6-5, still a set point for the Slovenian, but then Jabeur drags her opponent all over the court, tucking away a volley for 6-6. Huge missed chance for the world No 98! … But at 5-6 for Jabeur, Zidansek hammers an inside-out forehand for 6-6! Massive!
It turns into an epic tiebreak with a punishing rally won by Jabeur, unafraid to go for a wide forehand winner under pressure. Zidansek then hits a cross-court forehand wide for 8-9 to Jabeur, and the world No 2 finally closes out the set!
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First-set tiebreak: Zidansek 6-6 Jabeur
Jabeur again unloads a number of big forehands, at 30-30, looking to overpower her opponent, but seems to get caught in two minds and hands Zidansek a break point with another unforced error. No such error on the next point, she crafts a brilliant point by sending her opponent deep on the Slovenian’s forehand side and then putting away a powerful volley into the opposite corner.
At deuce, Zidansek targets Jabeur’s backhand and eventually brings the error for game point … but brilliant mobility and shot-making by Jabeur drags it back to deuce once more. Zidansek holds her nerve, though, wins a couple of points in a row, and we move into a tiebreak, first to seven.
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Belinda Bencic (12) has begun her first-round women’s singles match against Viktoriya Tomova on Margaret Court Arena, and has an early break, leading 2-0 in the first.
*Zidansek 5-6 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
At 15-15, a fairly wild forehand from Zidansek hands the initiative to Jabeur. Zidansek then looks to have hit a brilliant winner down the line, but it’s fractionally wide, and Jabeur converts the first of two break points to edge into the lead again.
Zidansek 5-5 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
At 15-15, Jabeur unleashes a succession of punishing strokes from the baseline, including a double-handed backhand that she leaps into, drawing a gasp from the crowd. But Zidansek stands firm, and defends brilliantly, and eventually wins the point when Jabeur hits long. That was incredibly impressive.
Jabeur crushes a brilliant return, a clean winner, on her backhand side for set point, but Zidansek again does not fade and sets up deuce with a deep angled forehand to the corner. Jabeur hits long not once, but twice, and it’s all square. That was a sensational game from Zidansek.
*Zidansek 4-5 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Now it’s Jabeur’s turn to race to 40-0 in double-quick time, mustering up a few unreturnable first serves. Zidansek gets a point on the board when Jabeur flops an unforced error into the net. And then a carbon copy brings 40-30. But Jabeur closes it out due to a mistake by Zidansek. The Slovenian, ranked 98 (96 places below her opponent), must serve to stay in the first set.
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Zidansek 4-4 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
As Jo Durie points out on commentary for Eurosport, Jabeur was 4-1 and 30-0 up, seemingly cruising to the first set. Zidansek has roared back, and she chalks up the first love-game of the match, drawing level at 4-4.
*Zidansek 3-4 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Zidansek has done exceptionally well to regain a foothold in this set … from 30-0, she fights back to 30-40 and a break point. Suddenly seeming to feel the pressure, the unforced errors from Jabeur appear again: the 28-year-old slices a backhand into the net, and hands a break of serve to Zidansek, who momentarily looked at risk of being overwhelmed, but we are now back on serve.
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Zidansek 2-4 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Nowhere to hide for Zidansek on the first point, Jabeur climbing into a succession of big forehands, ending with an unconventional but highly effective half forehand/half smash that her opponent can only pat back into the net. Jabeur executes a lovely bit of defence next, clipping a backhand volley, swivelling backwards and then running down a forehand from Zidansek that she cracks back with interest and wins the point.
But Zidansek does well to claw it back to 30-30, and then an entertaining rally ends when Jabeur tries a volleyed lob with Zidansek at the net, but hits long. It ends up being a good hold by the Slovenian, from 0-30 down.
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*Zidansek 1-4 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
This is more or less one-way traffic now. After some even rallies in the first couple of games, Jabeur looks superior in every facet of the game, with more power allied to superior shot-making and imagination. She is fully in control.
Zidansek 1-3 *Jabeur (*denotes next server)
Jabeur buys herself a couple of break points at 15-40. She is starting to strike the ball with real authority. On the first break point she hits wide and hops up and down in frustration, but no matter, Jabeur nails a forehand smash on the next point to make it three games in a row.
In the men’s singles, Alex de Minaur (seeded 22) is a set up (6-2) and 2-2 with Yu Hsiou Hsu, the Taiwanese player ranked 209.
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*Zidansek 1-2 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
The No 2 seed edges in front. Zidansek takes her opponent to 30-30 but Jabeur closes out a service hold comfortably. It’s 8.15pm in Melbourne now, so if this is turns into a close match, it’ll be a late finish with Djokovic coming next.
Zidansek 1-1 Jabeur* (*denotes next server)
At 40-30 and game point, Zidansek misjudges a backhand and flops it into the net. But she wins the point on deuce to set up another game point … Suddenly Jabeur starts to time the ball, and whips a lovely forehand winner into the corner to drag it back to deuce.
There is another powerful baseline exchange and when Jabeur hits fractionally long, there is a third game point for Zidansek, but again Jabeur pegs her back, this time with an inside-out forehand hammered cross-court, another clean winner.
A long rally, Jabeur again hitting it well, but then the Tunisian tries a drop shot and hits it short … back to deuce, but Jabeur wins the necessary two straight points to grab a break back. After an indifferent start Jabeur is definitely beginning to warm up.
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*Zidansek 1-0 Jabeur (*denotes next server)
An early break for Zidansek in an error-strewn opening. Jabeur hits powerfully wide to begin, and on the next point, her opponent hits into the net … Jabeur then scuffs a forehand into the net for 15-30, a horrible shot, and soon slices another forehand long for 15-40 … Another unforced error by Jabeur, and Zidansek is off to the best possible start.
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After the intense heat, it’s been raining in Melbourne, and the roof is closed. Here we go for Ons Jabeur’s assault on the year’s first grand slam.
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All the day-two results from Melbourne Park can be seen here, on the official tournament site. But do stay here for Jabeur v Zidansek.
What are your own thoughts on Murray? You can email me or tweet @LukeMcLaughlin
Plenty of people in the UK will be waking up and checking what time the highlights are on later today, because that was an unmissable win.
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For nearly four hours under the glaring spotlight of Rod Laver Arena, Andy Murray had weaved together a joyful, vintage performance that positioned him on the verge of his best result in the past five years of his career. First he established an emphatic two-set lead over Matteo Berrettini, then in a breathless tie-break Murray stood two points from victory.
Even as it all seemed to be coming undone, as Berrettini dragged Murray back to a fifth set and stood even closer to victory, at no point did Murray allow his intensity to drop. He fought with everything he had until the death and at the end of a brilliant, rousing and high quality match, Murray closed off his best performance in half a decade with a classic victory.
Up next on Rod Laver Arena: Ons Jabeur (2) meets Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia, who is ranked No 98.
On Eurosport they are running some interview footage with Novak Djokovic, who is reflecting on last year’s furore. He says that it was a very difficult time for him and his family, but that his positive experiences in Australia far outweigh the negative.
Seems a fair point, considering he’s won the men’s singles at the Australian Open no fewer than nine times. He will be on court after Jabeur’s match, and faces Roberto Carballés Baena, ranked No 75, who I think is more a doubles specialist.
Zverev beats Varillas! 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, 6-7(3), 4-6
Zverev seals his win, and points an index finger to his temple, presumably denoting his mental strength … he then roars with delight and relief after coming through a five-setter on his comeback.
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Also in the men’s singles, Alexander Zverev (12) is being taken all the way by the world No 103 Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru, but now has a couple of match points …
Varillas 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, 6-7(3), 4-5 Zverev
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Stunning victory for Murray. Great to see him playing so well. Now, what else is going on?
Speaking to Eurosport’s studio team, Murray says: “Amazing win. To stay with in that fifth set, when he was playing and serving as well as he was, was a great mental effort. Physically, obviously at the end, both of us are tired and I have really put a lot of work in the last three months. I have been playing well in practice. But in the last couple of years, I’ve lost a few of these matches in slams … that one could have got away from me, but I think all the work I’ve put in these last few months paid off there at the end. Yes, I was a little bit lucky on the match point … but I earned that.”
“I stayed remarkably calm at the end. Obviously I got a really good start in the tiebreak, which helped me … I felt like in the [final-set tiebreak] rallies I took the initiative when I could … I think I served quite smart throughout the match.
“He hit a pretty bad shot on the match point. I was lucky there, for sure. But I served smart, I played every point, and thankfully it was enough. I don’t know what the final points total was. But through the match it must have been unbelievably close. There must have only been one or two points in it.”
Lightheartedly, Tim Henman asks Murray if he should be diving on a hard court with a metal hip, referring to one specific volley.
“I’ll probably find out tonight or tomorrow whether that was the right move,” Murray says. “I was so close to the finish line there … it feels all right, just now, but let’s see in a few hours.”
“Amazing win. Get a good rest,” Henman says at the end.
Murray is correct regarding the closeness of points won: 166 to him, 161 to Berrettini.
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“Tennis fans have been spotted hoisting a Russian flag at the Australian Open despite a ban introduced by Tennis Australia earlier on Tuesday in response to strong criticism from the Ukrainian ambassador.”
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Earlier, play was suspended due to extreme heat in Melbourne, with temperatures climbing to 36C and above:
Murray speaks, standing on Rod Laver Arena, after a titanic battle with an opponent nine years his junior. The interviewer starts by pointing out that the 35-year-old Murray has not lost from two sets up for 18 years. Was Murray aware of that?
“I didn’t know that, no …”
Next question: Murray must be tired?
“I’ll be feeling this this evening and tomorrow. But right now I’m just unbelievably happy, very proud of myself. I’ve put a lot of work into the last few months with my team who are here, to give me the opportunity to perform in stadiums like this, in matches like this, against players like Matteo. And it paid off tonight.”
Berrettini had won his previous nine tiebreaks at the Australian Open, the interviewer points out.
“I didn’t know any of these stats – which probably helped,” Murray chuckles.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever played one of those 10-point tiebreakers. It’s a bit different. When you’re up 6-1, 7-1 or whatever, it feels like you’re still quite far away. I was a bit lucky at the end with the net cord.
“Some of the tennis at the end was really good. It felt like that, playing. I don’t know what it looked like. He was serving unbelievable. He’s one of the best competitors on the tour. Yeah, I did well to get through … Thanks very much, thanks everyone.”
The crowd roars. Wonderful stuff.
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Murray will meet either Athanasios Kokkinakis or Fabio Fognini in the second round.
Murray defeats Berrettini! 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7, 7-6 (6-10)
Berrettini dumps a poor shot into the net! After a massive, massive struggle, he hands Murray his match point, and a place in the second round.
“Absolutely phenomenal,” observes the commentator on Eurosport. Another Murray classic … what a win! Melbourne Park is the place where his colleagues on the tour effectively tried to retire him with that farewell video. And yet here he is. Murray applauds generously as Berrettini walks off.
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Berrettini 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-6 (6-9) Murray
Murray hits long for 6-8, then nails a couple of smashes to set up three match points!
Berrettini 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-6 (5-8) Murray
Berrettini bites back in a quite amazing point that Murray seems to have control of with a great forehand down the line … then a big serve from the Italian and it’s 5-8 to Murray. The Scot can serve for the match and a place in the second round.
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Berrettini 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-6 Murray
Two points away for Murray … 8-3.
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Berrettini 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-6 Murray (final set tiebreak)
It’s 3-6 for Murray now as the Scot sends a forehand wide. A glimmer of hope for the Italian … first to 10.
Berrettini 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-6 Murray
Berrettini finally gets on the board. 5-1 in the final-set tiebreak.
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Murray on cusp of victory against Berrettini
Hello everyone. Andy Murray currently leads a final-set tiebreak against Matteo Berrettini, 4-0 … and it’s first to 10. Make that 5-0! Can Murray close this out?
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