Novak Djokovic has decimated Andrey Rublev to move into the Australian Open semifinals after an at times fiery encounter.
And last year it was Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, but now another Australian underdog pair are one match away from the men's doubles final after stunning the top seeds.
Check out the day as it unfolded below.
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Total dominance from Djokovic
By Paul Johnson
It was fast and fiery but Novak Djokovic has once again showed he is a class above to defeat world number six Andrey Rublev in straight sets and advance to the Australian Open semifinals.
Djokovic took the heavy-hitting match 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in a performance that was almost as dominant as his fourth round demolition of Alex De Minaur.
Djokovic described the win as the second best performance he has had on Rod Laver Arena, after the fourth round match.
"I would rank it as number two," the 35-year-old star said.
"Very close to two nights ago, I am playing very solid tennis."
The major difference was that Rublev had more power to hurt Djokovic with, although he could only do that occasionally.
The victory served as a reminder that no one turns defence into attack quite like the former world number one, who extended his winning streak at the Australian Open to 26 matches.
A streak that equalled that of Andre Agassi for the longest in men's singles at the tournament.
For his part Rublev could do little more, he red-lined his game and clocked the ball as hard as he can — as is his style — but against the depth and power of Djokovic it was the 25-year-old Russian who got bullied.
So often he looked to be in points, before one shot from Djokovic would turn it around.
And every time he had a break point, five times in fact, Djokovic slammed the door shut.
In one such game Rublev fumed at chair umpire James Keothavong after the shot clock expired on the Djokovic serve.
An irate Rublev, fraying at the edges, railing as Denis Shapovalov did at last year's tournament, about double standards being in play for the sport's biggest stars.
"It's a ***ing time violation," Rublev said as he walked towards the umpire's chair.
"That time was already minus 10."
Keothavong then said something inaudible, before Rublev insinuated a double standard.
"Yes man, only exceptions", he said as he pointed to the Djokovic end of court.
It did not help the Russian.
He lost the game to go down 2-4 in the second set and he then was broken again as his concentration waivered, before Djokovic went up two sets to love.
Rublev to his credit did not shirk the task at any point.
Down a break early in the third he kept coming at Djokovic in what was a physical encounter, during which Djokovic dispelled any doubts about his still heavily strapped hamstring as he ran out the victor.
Though he said he was still rehabbing it.
With the win Djokovic booked a Friday semifinal against American Tommy Paul, a man he has never before played.
Djokovic gave Paul a wrap for his excellent performance in the last 12 months before stating a simple truth.
"If I play this way, I think I am a good chance to go through."
'Only exceptions': Rublev fuming over Djokovic, who takes second set
By Paul Johnson
Having missed a break back opportunity in the second set, Andrey Rublev has had a crack at the umpire about the time it takes Novak Djokovic to serve and implies there is a double standard.
Djokovic, who does take his time to serve, seemed to have the shot clock expire and Rublev lost it at chair umpire James Keovathong.
"It's an ***ing time violation, Rublev said as he walks to the umpire's chair.
"That time was already minus 10", Keothavong then says something inaudible before Rublev insinuates a double standard.
"Yes man, only exceptions", he said as he pointed to the Djokovic end.
Djokovic then held his serve before the Russian lost his composure completely and threw in a loose service game, ending on a double fault, to see Djokovic up 5-2.
Rublev then turned to his box and screamed "so bad, so bad" at the top of his lungs.
Rublev continued to fight but Djokovic staved off more break points to take the set 6-2.
Djokovic rips through opening set
By Paul Johnson
Novak Djokovic has picked up where he left off with Alex De Minaur and sprinted through the first set against Andrey Rublev 6-1.
Djokovic won five games straight after the pair traded holds in the first two games, leaving the fifth-seeded Russian stunned.
Truth be told, Rublev isn't even playing that badly, Djokovic is just on another planet right now.
The Serbian has just bullied his younger opponent hitting the ball so deep that the free-swinging Russian isn't able to attack often.
And when he does, Djokovic defends like only he can.
The first set was not without drama though.
Both players dropped in a couple of doubles and Djokovic looked like he felt his hamstring on occassions.
He also got upset by the crowd.
A fan shouted out "send him home Andrey".
That was met with Novak complaining to the umpire.
"Can you get that guy to shut up? Every single point, every single point!"
Didn't really seem to bother Djokovic that he got booed for that either he just went on with the clinical job.
He did restart the conversation again with chair umpire James Keothavong, saying the fan had "been saying things to provoke me, three or four times".
Djokovic upset at the crowd
By Paul Johnson
That didn't take long.
Djokovic has gone off at the umpire.
"Can you get that guy to shut up? Every single point, every single point!"
And the crowd gives him some boos in response.
Djokovic gets the break
By Paul Johnson
That was tough for Rublev.
He hit two bomb serves in that game and they got smoked back deep, the returns setting Djokovic up for some quick rally wins as he enforced his will on the Russian.
Then down break point a double fault came as he pushed it long.
Novak taking the 3-1 lead in a match that has been high quality so far before he consolidated to lead 4-1.
Weird to say this but Rublev is being bullied.
Bizarre start to this one
By Paul Johnson
In something you don't see too often both men started the match with a double fault on their opening service game.
They both then steadied but Rublev had to survive a break point in his opener after Djokovic used his awesome anticipation skills to force the game to deuce.
Rublev saved it though with a forehand winner.
Djokovic now leads 2-1 but for those of you on hamstring watch, the Serb has already come up a little proppy once — after his second double fault of the match.
Warm reaction for both players
By Paul Johnson
Both players walked onto the court to a bit of a reasonably warm reaction from the crowd.
Seems Melbourne Park is split on this one as Djokovic wins the toss and elects to serve.
Rublev already has one big win over Djokovic
By Paul Johnson
Who have you got tennis fans?
I'll predict Novak in four sets in this one — but I would love to know your thoughts on this match. So please comment away.
One of the big issues of the summer has been the Djokovic hamstring but against Alex De Minaur that wasn't a problem for the rampant former world number one.
It's hard to see it being a factor here now.
But what will be a power is the greater power that Rublev has in his arsenal.
The Russian has more on all his shots than De Minaur and can hurt Djokovic with any of them.
Having said that Djokovic looked untouchable last round and has now won an astonishing 25 straight matches here.
Rublev has beaten Djokovic though, albeit on the Serb's worst surface, downing him on his hometown court in the final of Belgrade last year in three sets.
That will surely sting Djokovic, who is yet to drop a set to Rublev on hardcourt, trouncing him at the two latest versions of the ATP Finals in Italy.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Djokovic leads 2-1
- 2021 ATP Finals hard Djokovic def Rublev 6-3, 6-2
- 2022 Belgrade Final Rublev def Djokovic 6-2, 6-7(7/4), 6-0
- 2022 ATP Finals hard Djokovic def Rublev 6-4, 6-1
AUS OPEN SO FAR DJOKOVIC
- Rd 1 def Carballes Baena 6-3, 6-4, 6-0
- Rd 2 def Couacaud 6-1, 6-7(7/5), 6-2, 6-0
- Rd 3 def 27 Dimitrov 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 6-4
- Rd 4 def 22 De Minaur 6-2, 6-1, 6-2
AUS OPEN SO FAR RUBLEV
- Rd 1 def Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
- Rd 2 def Ruusuvori 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (7/2), 6-3
- Rd 3 def 25 Evans 6-2, 6-2, 6-3
- RD 4 def 9 Rune 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (11-9)
Tommy Paul into semifinals
By Paul Johnson
America's Tommy Paul has booked his place in a first ever grand slam semifinal.
The 25-year-old advancing past countryman Ben Shelton 7-6(8/6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Paul had looked to be in cruise mode when leading two sets to love but nerves and an all-or-nothing approach from Shelton saw him strike late in the third set to take it.
Shelton even rattled down a 207kph second serve to save a break point late in the third set.
Paul, who was the more consistent player of the two, eventually closed out the match but not before the 20-year-old Shelton saved a match point with a massive serve, with Paul leading 5-3 in the fourth set.
Paul though would eventually serve it out 6-4 in a final game where chair umpire Carlos Bernardes wore a sliced return attempt from Shelton.
The pair then embraced at the net as Paul gets to look forward to taking on Novak Djokovic or Andrey Rublev.
Paul was full of praise for Shelton, who had never left the USA before this.
"It's Ben Shelton's first time leaving the States, I think he had a pretty good trip as well," Paul said.
"Ben is a very tough player to play against and he is going to be in many more matches like this."
Shelton forces a fourth set
By Paul Johnson
Throughout the bulk of the second and third set Tommy Paul seemed in complete control of this match.
But then his level dropped, unforced errors came and Ben Shelton went for broke.
So much so that on a break point towards the end of the set Shelton rocketed down a 207kph second serve.
It was a zero sum game for Shelton and it worked as serving at 5-6, Paul sent a backhand long to drop the set and keep the 20-year-olds's dream of a semifinal at just his second slam alive.
Paul leads two sets to one.
Special Ks version two as Kubler and Hijikata stun top seeds
By Paul Johnson
Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler's chase for a second Australian fairytale in the men's doubles, in as many years is looking red hot.
The wildcard pair have stunned top seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the semifinals.
The Australians, who have had to come from behind in their last two matches came out swinging today and broke the serve of Koolhof in the opening game.
They would break him again to take the set as the crowd on Kia Arena went wild.
That wasn't the end of it though as the Australians let rip with a few "c'mons" — clearly breaching Lleyton Hewitt's unofficial trademark on the word —as they again broke Koolhof early in the third and raced to a 3-0 lead.
They then had several break points for a 4-0 lead but could not break Skupski but another hold later and they victimised Koolhof once more, breaking him again for a 6-3, 5-1 lead..
The 21-year-old Hijiikata then served it out and was particularly impressive throughout the victory, unleashing a barrage of winners off the ground, while Kubler was incredibly sharp at the net.
Hijikata acknowledged that post match.
"Kubes brought it from the first point and he played unbelievable today," Hijikata said.
They will face the pair of Spaniard Marcel Granollers and Argentine Horacio Zeballos in the semis.
Tommy Paul goes up a set
By Paul Johnson
We said this one would be a shootout and so it has been.
There was only one break point in the entire first set as Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton duked it out in a tiebreak.
Paul, the more experienced of the two, eventually took it 8-6 by forcing a backhand error from Shelton.
This one could be quite a long match.
'All over the place': Vekic bemoans 13 double faults
By Paul Johnson
A disappointed Donna Vekic has lamented her quarterfinal performance against Aryna Sabalenka.
The Croatian failed to convert her opportunities against Sabalenka, missing out on 12 of 14 break points but said it was her serve that ultimately let her down.
Vekic gave up 13 points with double faults during the 6-3, 6-2 loss.
"I don't think I can be disappointed or think too much about the break points because she played them really well," Vekic said.
"The only thing I can be disappointed about is that my serve let me down today.
"First serve, second serve ... I had a lot of double faults as well.
"It was all over the place but mostly in the net.
"My serve is one of my biggest weapons, so if that's not working it's very tough."
Asked why her serve was so off Vekic said the pressure from the big-hitting Belarusian was a major factor.
"I thought 'if I don't have a great serve she is going to crush it, so that is one of the reasons as well.
"If you don't have a good first shot you are in trouble against her."
'Crazy' duo down Aussie women's doubles seed and her star partner
By Paul Johnson
Australia's Storm Hunter and her Belgian partner Elise Mertens have been shocked in the women's doubles quarterfinals.
The fourth seeds exiting the tournament in three sets at the hands of unseeded pair Romania's Elise Gabriela Ruse and Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk.
Down 5-2 in the final set Mertens and Hunter broke the serve of Kostyuk but under pressure Ruse closed it out two games later for a 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-4 victory.
"I can't believe we are in the semifinals," Ruse said before being asked how they did it.
Her response on why the team gels well, a little bit surprising.
"Both of us are very crazy ... also in Paris we played really good and were very close to the semifinals there," she said of their performance at the slam.
Kostyuk too was a little stunned and in part chastised herself for her attitude towards doubles.
"Singles players don't take doubles very serious .... and I am one of those people," she said.
Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul underway
By Paul Johnson
It's a little bit hard to get hyped for this one but these young Americans have been setting the tournament alight with some good play that has gone unnoticed.
For Shelton the tournament has in many ways been a charmed run and he has not faced a single seed on his way to the quarters in just his second slam.
For Paul he has managed good wins over seeded Spaniards Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Roberto Bautista Agut.
This is also the furthest he has ever gone at a slam.
The pair have never played each other but expect a lot of big serving.
Sabalenka wins as shonky serving comes to the fore
By Paul Johnson
Aryna Sabalenka is into her fourth career grand slam semifinal and first at the Australian Open after defeating Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-2.
While the scoreline did not reflect the closeness of the match, with many games going to Deuce it did mean Sabalenka has now won 18 straight sets in an undefeated Australian summer.
But this performance was in some ways less about Sabalenka and more about her opponent.
While Sabalenka served up 9 double faults to go with her 7 aces, the serving of Vekic was woeful.
The Croatian gave up 13 points courtesy of double faults — and failed to convert her opportunities — winning just 2/14 break points.
Despite the serving woes from both players the battle from the back of the court was quality, with several excellent rallies finished with powerful winners.
38 of them from the Sabalenka racquet.
The Belarusian said being able to hang in the match was vital for her against a player, who has in the past had her measure.
"It feels really special to be in the semifinals it was a tough match," Sabalenka said.
"I was able to stay in the game no matter what, I think this was the key."
Sabalenka will next play Magda Linette in the semifinals, who the Belarusina has dominated in both their career meetings.
Storm brewing in women's doubles
By Paul Johnson
Australia's Storm Hunter and her Belgian partner Elise Mertens were the favourites going into their women's doubles quarterfinal but are now staring down the barrel of defeat.
The pair led 5-2 in the opening set tiebreak before their unseeded opponents Marta Kostyuk and Elena Gabriela Ruse came roaring back to take the opening set.
Sabalenka takes opening set
By Paul Johnson
The Sabalenka show is rolling once again on Rod Laver Arena.
The Belarusian is yet to lose a set this year, in this her 9th match.
She's taken the opener against Donna Vekic 6-3 in an hour of heavy-hitting.
But don't let the scoreline fool you, this match has been tight.
Both players have been under siege on serve, trading three breaks in the set, but ultimately it was the Vekic serve that wilted under pressure.
A whopping 9 double faults cruelling the Croatian's chances.
The stat would be sweet relief for Sabalenka, who's own serve has been a struggle over the last few years with double faults routinely creeping into her game at key moments.
Unseeded players to have won a grand slam
By Paul Johnson
Want to know how rare it is for an unseeded player to win a grand slam in the Open era?
Well here we go with the full list:
Linette's 'dream' run continues to semis
By Paul Johnson
Could Magda Linette become the first unseeded woman to win the Australian Open women's singles title since Serena Williams in 2007?
Well, she only needs two more victories and has just stunned two-time grand slam finalist Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 7-5 to book her place in the final four.
Linette, 30, made the crucial break in the 11th game of the second set and held her nerve to serve out the match.
In her previous 29 grand slam appearances, Linette had never advanced further than the third round.
"It's so emotional; I can't really believe it," she said.
"Dreams come true.
"I don't want to get too excited because we're still in the tournament but I'm super grateful and happy."
All five of Linette's scalps at Melbourne Park this year have been ranked inside the top 50 and included in-form Frenchwoman Carolina Garcia.
And as an unseeded player she has a real chance of doing something that has only been done twice before in the Open era, win the tournament as an unseeded woman.
Serena did it in 2007 when coming back from injury and a sabbatical from the sport.
Before that Australia's Chris O'Neil achieved the feat in 1978 and was much more of an upset winner than Williams was.
The loss means Pliskova's long wait for a maiden grand slam title continues.
The 30-year-old Czech has lost both of her major finals - at the 2016 US Open to Angelique Kerber and at Wimbledon two years ago to Ash Barty.
With AAP
