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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Joey Lynch

Alcaraz beats Paul and Sabalenka defeats brave Mboko as top seeds march into quarter-finals – as it happened

Aryna Sabalenka Victoria Mboko Melbourne the Australian Open
World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz hits his trademark forehand
World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz hits his trademark forehand against Tommy Paul in their round four match on Sunday. Photograph: Fred Lee/Getty Images

Summary

We will leave it there for today’s live coverage of the day session at Melbourne Park. Thank you for joining me this afternoon.

We’ll have another liveblog happening for this evening’s session, as rivals Alex de Minaur and Alexander Bublik meet on Rod Laver before Elina Svitolina v Mirra Andreeva.

Enjoy the rest of your day and I’ll see you next time.

Meanwhile on Margaret Court Arena, third seed Coco Gauff is battling it out with 19th seed Karolína Muchová in a see-sawing clash. Gauff got off to a strong start to take the first set 6-1 but Muchová is leading 4-2 in the second and is up two breaks.

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And here is Tumaini Carayol’s report on Alcaraz’s win:

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He had to dig deep against Paul but Alcarez has made it to the quarter-finals without dropping a set.

He will next play the winner of tonight’s match between Alex de Minaur and Alexander Bublik. Alcarez will be looking break new ground by reaching the semi-finals at Melbourne Park for the first time in his career.

Here’s the final point as Alcaraz marches into the quarter-finals for the third year in a row.

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Carlos Alcaraz (1) defeats Tommy Paul (19) 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, 7-5

Paul takes the first point of the game but that proves to be his final bit of resistance: Alcaraz taking the next four and advancing into the quarter-finals with a venomous serve Paul cannot return.

It will go down as a straight sets win for the Spaniard but that won’t tell the tale of just how spirited the resistance from Paul was. Nonetheless, against a world number one increasingly growing into himself as the tournament progresses, the American was ground down and dispatched.

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Carlos Alcaraz (1) 6-5 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 Tommy Paul* (19) Alcaraz finally secures the break and will now serve for a spot in the quarterfinals.

A run of 12 straight points to the player on serve is broken when Alcaraz fires a brilliant forehand return back past Paul to take the opening point of the third set’s eleventh game.

Paul claims the next point when the Spaniard’s backhand return goes long but falls behind once more when a 12-shot rally ends with Alcaraz whipping down a forehand that Paul can only return into the net with a backhand. That has to be a blow to morale.

An unforced error from Paul then gives Alcaraz two break points. He’s only converted two of nine thus far but on this occasion he gets it when Paul, who was none too impressed with a let call to start the point, sends a shot long.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 5-5 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 Tommy Paul (19) Love is all around us, on Rod Laver Arena as it’s now three straight games without a point being dropped by the player on serve – Alcaraz holding to love once again.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) 4-5 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 Tommy Paul* (19) Paul, however, continues to refuse to go down easily, holding to love himself and placing the onus back on Alcaraz. Two and a half hours into this one a lot of players would have been resigned to their fate but, if he is, it’s not reflected in his tennis.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 4-4 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 Tommy Paul (19) We don’t have a break in this third set but Alcaraz is looking increasingly assured. The top seed holds to love and will once again go in search of the break he needs to wrap this match up in three sets.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) 3-4 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 Tommy Paul* (19) Paul moves ahead 40-15 but a disappointing unforced backhand error and then a double fault brings up deuce.

Is this the crack in the American's mindset on a difficult afternoon? Not yet, it appears, as Paul responds strongly to take the next two points and hold serve.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 3-3 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 Tommy Paul (19) Alcaraz holds once more. The American is still fighting but Alcaraz, even without a break, continues to forge ahead. And when you need some kind of spark, down two sets, that’s got to be its own kind of dispiriting.

Out on Margaret Court Arena, Aussie women’s double pairing Storm Hunter and Maya Joint have fallen to seventh-seeded duo Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic, meaning Coco Gauff (3) will soon commence her fourth round clash with Karolina Muchova (19).

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Carlos Alcaraz (1) 2-3 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 Tommy Paul* (19) Paul takes the opening three points to move into a commanding position, giving him the scope to absorb Alcaraz’s overhand smash winner from the baseline before taking the game with a wicked serve sent down the T that Alcaraz can’t return.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 2-2 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 Tommy Paul (19) Stung by the missed opportunity to break Paul early in the third set, Alcaraz takes the opening two points. A backhand error sees Paul get on the board but the top seed quickly re-gathers and takes the next two points.

There’s an advertisement playing in the Australian coverage of this tournament featuring the sound of a phone call. The sound they’ve used for a ringtone, though, is the same sound effect for the Codec in the Metal Gear Solid games, so all I now want to see if Solid Snake sneaking around in the background of Rod Laver Arena.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) 1-2 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 Tommy Paul* (19) Paul is able to take the first point but Alcaraz smells blood, taking the next three to bring up two break points.

Paul earns a reprieve, however, forcing a backhand error with a big serve to erase the first and then watching on as an unforced Alcaraz forearm error gets rid of the second. Another break point is seen off in deuce before the American takes the advantage by forcing Alcaraz wide on his serve before getting forward and smashing a forehand winner behind the Spaniard.

A 212 km/h serve then allows Paul to force Alcaraz very deep and eventually take the game.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 1-1 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 Tommy Paul (19) A roar from the crowd greets Paul getting to the net and dropping a cross-court shot well away from Alcaraz. The crowd loves the entertainment that Alcaraz provides, but they also love and underdog. And they’ve also already paid for their seats so they might as well root for as much tennis as possible.

Unfortunately for their hopes of an epic, Alcaraz takes the net four points to get on the board in the third set.

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Carlos Alcaraz (1) 0-1 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 Tommy Paul* (19) The third set commences just as we’re about to hit two hours of match time. And Paul, who entered the fourth round with the fewest time spent of the court of any of the remaining men in the singles draw, is now staring down the barrel of producing a mammoth, five-set come-from-behind win if he’s to keep his tournament alive.

Unlikely? Probably, especially against an increasingly ascendent Alcaraz. But he holds serve in the opening game of this third set.

Carlos Alcaraz takes the second set and leads 7-6 (8-6), 6-4

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 6-4 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul (19) Paul steps up, knowing that he needs to break Alcaraz to keep this second set alive.

The Spaniard takes the first point when he sends in a forehand that Paul can only send into the net and then moves to 30-0 when he forces his opponent into an error. The American gets up to the net – what is happy proven a happy hunting ground for him today – and gets on to the board and then moves level when a baseline exchange ends with Alcaraz looping a backhand long.

But Alcaraz reclaims the initiative with a 212 km/h ace – his fastest serve of the match – to bring up set point and then takes it when Paul lifts a forehand long. The top seed lets out a massive “¡Vamos!” as he watches the ball sail beyond him – a spot in the quarter-finals of the only grand slam that has so far eluded him in his career in his sights.

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Carlos Alcaraz (1) 5-4 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul* (19) Paul steps up needing a hold to keep the set going. Hi fires down his sixth ace of the game to start that process will but slices a backhand wide to go back level with Alcaraz.

But the American bounces back quickly, forces Alcaraz into an error and then delivering two successive forehand winners – getting to the net for an easy win on the second of those – to take the game.

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Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 5-3 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul (19) Coming up against a top seed that is clearly growing into this tournament, Paul is refusing to wilt and exchanges points with Alcaraz to start this game.

The Spaniard, however, then takes the next three points and holds serve with a 201 km/h serve that Paul is unable to return.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) 4-3 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul* (19) Alcaraz forces Paul into a backhand error to take the first point but the 19th seed responds by claiming the next four and holding serve.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 4-2 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul (19) A 25-shot rally to open the game gets the crowd to its feet, Alcaraz taking the point when he answers a drop shot with one of his own, inducing a weakly hit lob he dispatches with an overhead smash.

Paul sends a forehand into the net to fall further behind but the American is able to get on the board when he sends in a drop shot that Alcaraz returns but which also leaves him exposed for a follow-up passing shot. The game is tied at 30-30 when Paul somehow produces a backhand cross-court return winner after being sent super wide.

The top seed, though, is up for the challenge, and takes the game with two big forehand winners.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) 3-2 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul* (19) A devastating cross-court forehand return sees Alcaraz take the first point but Paul is able to steady and take the next three points, winning the latter two with ace and forehand winner. The American then produces an important hold when he forces Alcaraz deep with a serve-and-forehand combination and the Spaniard can’t send get a return back over the net.

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Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 3-1 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul (19) Paul takes the first point as he tries to answer back with a break of his own, only for Alcaraz to rattle off three straight points to take control. The Spaniard then pulls away with a 212 km/h ace down the T.

Alcaraz has an astounding 93% success rate when it comes to winning sets after securing the early break, showing the mountain the American is now going to have to climb.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) 2-1 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul* (19) Paul falls behind early only to answer back with the next two points thanks to some big serving. Alcaraz, however, responds with a return that stretches Paul too far for him to keep a forehand inbound and then brings up break point when he pushes Paul wide and his subsequent cross-court shot goes out.

Paul rallies back and brings up deuce with a big serve that allows him to move to the net – Alcaraz just unable to keep his attempted passing shot in. But the American surrenders another break point when he gets to the net and slices a volley attempt into the net and then can only watch when a lengthy exchange ends with Alcaraz pounding a venomous forehand winner beyond him.

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Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 1-1 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul (19) After being broken in his opening service game of the first set, taking the first two points. The Spaniard fires a backhand into the net to give Paul a sniff but he quickly moves to stamp that out – getting to the net to make it 40-15 and then taking the game when his second serve is returned long.

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Carlos Alcaraz (1) 0-1 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul* (19) The pair exchange points to open the second set but Paul is able to compose himself and takes out the next two. A 211 km/h serve then comes upon Alcaraz too fast to get behind it and his backhand return finds the net, giving the game to the American.

Carlos Alcaraz wins the first set 7-6 (8-6)

Carlos Alcaraz (1) 7-6 (8-6) Tommy Paul (19) Alcaraz serves first, whipping down an effort that forces Paul to lunge at and send into the net. A baseline rally ensues from Paul’s first serve, one that ends when Alcaraz fires a forehand into the net.

A stretched Alcaraz just sends a shot long at the end of a nine-shot baseline rally as Paul moves ahead but he constructs a point well, utilising a drop shot to then set up an overhand winner, to level things up. Another big hitting rally ends when Paul sends its 13th shot just long but the American levels thing when he gets to the net and Alcaraz loops a lob just beyond the baseline.

Momentum, however, comes to a screeching halt when play is paused for a medical issue in the crowd. A lengthy break eventuates, taking this contest over the hour mark, and the players are off the court for 12 minutes before they’re allowed to return to the court for a brief warm-up.

Eventually, 14 minutes after the last point, Paul serves and moves ahead 4-3 in the tiebreak when Alcaraz sends a forehand from the baseline long. Alcaraz responds with a clean serve-and-forehand that gives the American no chance but Paul responds with a drop slice that, likewise, gives Alcaraz no chance.

Paul serves but Alcaraz is able to respond when he forces the American into an error that ends a 12-shot baseline rally and the Spaniard then gets set point when his foe delivers an unforced error.

Alcaraz’s second serve, however, is met well by Paul and after a short exchange he fires a winning backhand down the line. An overhead smash from Alcaraz brings up another set point as serve shifts back to Paul, who ends things rather anti-climactically with a double fault.

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Iva Jovic beats Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1

It’s all over on John Cain Arena, 18-year-old Iva Jovic (29) seeing off Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1 to set up a quarter-final meeting with Aryna Sabalenka (1)

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Carlos Alcaraz (1) 6-6 Tommy Paul* (19) Alacaraz comes up to the net and takes the opening point but a good first serve from Paul induces the Spaniard to send his subsequent return wide.

Alcaraz moves back ahead when he rockets a cross-court forearm away from Paul but another response is delivered via a 206 km/h ace. Paul gets to the net and seizes the imitative with a forehand that wrongfoots Alcaraz and then forces the tiebreak with another powerful serve unable to be returned.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 6-5 Tommy Paul (19) After being broken in the match’s opening game, it looks like Alcaraz is going through the gears now.

He, too, races to a 40-0 lead and while Paul prevents the hold to love when he ends a 12-shot rally by getting forward and finishing things with a backhand, a second serve from Alcaraz tucks the American up and secures the hold.

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Carlos Alcaraz (1) 5-5 Tommy Paul* (19) Knowing that a break will see him drop the opening set, Paul races out to a 40-0 lead. A beautiful forehand return down the line sees Alcaraz drag a point back but the American then secures the hold when he cramps Alcaraz with a second serve and induces a long return.

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Over on John Cain Arena, Yulia Putintseva has claimed the first game of her clash with Iva Jovic (29) but still trails that one 6-0, 5-1.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 5-4 Tommy Paul (19) There’s a real, intense feeling to this one – we’re seeing less of the showman out of Alcaraz than we did in his previous matches with Corentin Moutet (32) and Yannick Hanfmann.

After the pair exchange points to open an extended baseline rally sees Paul fire long, inducing a big fist-pump and “C’mon!” from Alcaraz as he moves to 30-15. An unforced error from the Spaniard brings Paul back into it, though, and break point is then brought up when a super backhand from Paul wrongfoots the advancing Alcaraz and induces him to send a backhand of his own long.

Deuce is brought up when Alcaraz fires down an ace. The Spaniard then takes the advantage when Paul’s return of a big serve goes long, before then claiming the game in similar fashion.

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Carlos Alcaraz (1) 4-4 Tommy Paul* (19) Alcaraz takes the first point to ensure we’ll break the run of holds to love and then goes to 0-30 for good measure. On a big point, a 15-shot baseline battle ends with the Spaniard firing a forehand into the net and Paul then brings it back level when Alcaraz’s attempted backhand return of his second serve slices out.

Alcaraz constructs a point that ends with him getting to the net and smashing an overhand winner to bring up break point but Paul rallies and forces deuce with a really well-placed backhand down the line. A magnificent return on second serve sends Paul super wide and unable to keep a forehand in, bringing up a second break point. This one is secured when Paul fires a forehand into the net from the baseline, drawing a “vamos” from the top seed.

So uuhhhh, I’ve blinked and Iva Jovic (29) has only gone and won nine straight games out on John Cain Arena. She leads Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 3-0 after just over half an hour in their fourth round meeting.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 3-4 Tommy Paul (19) Powerful forehands from Alcaraz eventually force Paul into an error and hen then moves ahead 30-0 with a deftly-placed drop shot. A second serve cramps Paul and compels him to send a backhand return into the net, with a delivery that sends him wide producing the same outcome on the next serve.

A few hold to love in succession, in this one.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) 2-4 Tommy Paul* (19) A big ace down the T opens the game for Paul, with his advantage pressed further after Alcaraz ends a baseline exchange with a backhand that goes long. Alcaraz just drops a powerful forehand out to fall further behind and Paul gets a hold to love of his own with another ace.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 2-3 Tommy Paul (19) Alcaraz gets a much-needed and comfortable hold: securing a hold to love via a serve-and-forehand combination smashed beyond Paul’s reach.

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Carlos Alcaraz (1) 1-3 Tommy Paul* (19) A double fault gets Alcaraz ahead but Paul answers back when his second-serve cramps the Spaniard and induces a long forehand return. Another second serve leads to an extended baseline rally, one that ends with Paul sending a forehand into the net.

Another second serve sends Alcaraz wide but he does well to fire it back and set him up to whip a backhand winner down the line following Paul’s tepid return. Starring down two break points, Paul survives the first when Alcaraz can’t keep a forehand sliced down the line from straying out and then sees off the second with a serve-and-forehand combo.

Another serve-and-forehand gives Paul the advantage and he then gets the hold when he cramps Alcaraz with a serve and induces a long backhand return.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 1-2 Tommy Paul (19) Stretching, Paul falls behind when he sends a baseline forehand long and then follows that up with a backhand that lands beyond the baseline. Alcaraz constructs a strong point that ends with him getting forward and Paul firing into the net, but can’t hold to love after getting to the net and firing a volley long. A forehand looped long by the American, however, sees the world number one get on the board.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) 0-2 Tommy Paul* (19) An ace moves Paul ahead but a good second serve return from Alcaraz induces him to fire into the net with a backhand that levels things.

A great backhand to send the top seed very wide and unable to keep his attempt return in returns the American to the ascendency and he races through for a big hold.

Carlos Alcaraz* (1) 0-1 Tommy Paul (19) Yew, Paul breaks Alcaraz in the opening game of the match! The American goes down a point early but is aggressive with his shot selection and approach and takes the next three to give himself a pair of break points.

He only needs one: a backhand return sent deep getting Alcaraz off balance and setting him up to blast a backhand winner to secure the early break.

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Alcaraz and Paul have met seven previous times, with the American winning two of the opening three meetings but the Spaniard winning the past four -- most recently in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.

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Both Alcaraz and Paul are now out on the court, with Paul set to receive.

In the return of our Fashion Files, Alacaraz is back out in his lime-green ensemble, while Paul is looking downright royal in donning a spiffing purple top, darker purple shorts and cap, and then a lighter shade of purple socks and shoes.

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Alcaraz advanced past drop-shotting Frenchman Corentin Moutet (32) to advance into the fourth-round, winning a highly-entertaining match 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.

Paul, for his part, was rolling against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (14), winning the opening two sets 6-1, 6-1 in less than an hour before the Spaniard retired ahead of the third.

As Alcaraz and Paull complete their final warm-ups backstage before heading out on to Rod Laver Arena, Aussie women’s doubles duo Storm Hunter and Maya Joint have begun their fourth round clash with seventh-seeded duo Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic on Margaret Court Arena – holding serve in the opening game.

On the Kia Arena, 12th seeds Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul have just gone to a third set against Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Camilo Ugo Carabelli, with both of the opening two sets in that one having gone to tiebreaks.

On John Cain, Yulia Putintseva and Iva Jovic (29) are under way.

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Up next on Rod Laver will be Carlos Alcaraz (1) up against Tommy Paul (19), all the action from which we’ll bring you right here.

Elsewhere on Olympic Boulevard, no other men’s or women’s singles have gone final as of yet but in the men’s doubles, third seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos have defeated 14th seeded American duo Robert Cash and JJ Tracy in three sets.

Women’s top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend received a walkover aagainst Miyu Kato and Fanny Stollar. Unseeded duo Eri Hozumi and Fang-Hsien beat eighth seeds Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs in straight sets, as did fifth-seeded pairing Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani against ninth seeds Cristina Bucsa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.

So, after a regulation first set it looked like Sabalenka was going to cruise to a regulation win.As she is wont to do, however, Mboko got going after falling behind: breaking back twice after being broken on two occasions to start the second set, before then then saving three match points.

Once it went to a tiebreak, however, the class of Sabalenka shone through. The world number one’s powerful serve set her up with six match points, teeing her up to win her 20th straight tie break and punching her ticket to the quarterfinals.

She’ll face either Yulia Putintseva or Iva Jovic (29) in the final eight, with those two set to commence their fourth round meeting any moment now.

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Aryna Sabalenka defeats Victoria Mboko 7-6 (7-1) 6-1

Sabalenka* (1) 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 Mboko Mboko serves first and appears set to take the first point, only for her to misjudge her approaching forehand and send it long. Now serving, a rocket of a forehand is deployed by Sabalenka to press further ahead and she then fires down a perfectly-placed ace.

All the momentum Mboko had just moments ago seems to have abandoned her as Sabalenka whips a backhand down the line to take the next point and she then makes it 5-0 with an advancing forehand well out of the teen’s reach. The writing is then placed on the wall when a powerful serve sends Mboko wide and she can’t return it – bringing up six match points.

Mboko survives the first when Sabalenka can’t properly dig the ball out from underneath her at the baseline but not the second – Sabalenka sending a forehand long to go down in straight sets.

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Sabalenka* (1) 6-6 6-1 Mboko In a remarkable turnaround, it’s now Sabalenka who needs the hold to keep the set alive. She exchanges back-and-forth points to open the game before moving to 40-30 with a driven serve that Mboko did well to get a racquet on, let alone return. But the Canadian finds a way to respond again, driving a forehand winner past her foe to bring up deuce.

But Sabalenka’s powerful serve comes to her aid – Mboko able to return neither of her efforts after deuce. We’re off to a tiebreak.

Sabalenka (1) 5-6 6-1 Mboko* A well struck backhand winner from Mboko and an unforced error from Sabalenka sees the teenager move ahead quickly. The top seed is able to get on the board but Mboko gets right back on top of her – the crowd well and truly behind her as she fires a backhand winner and an ace to take the game.

Sabalenka* (1) 5-5 6-1 Mboko Now needing a break to keep the match going, Mboko moves ahead when she constructs an eight-shot rally that ends when she smashes an overhead forehand away from her opponent. Sabalenka responds by whipping down an unreturnable serve and then moves ahead when the bounce on a second serve gets away from Mboko and she sends a forearm return long.

The next serve from Sabalenka forces Mboko wide, allowing her to construct a point she ends with a devastating forehand – bringing up two match points. The Canadian sees off the first with a forehand that just stays inbound and then survives the second when the top seed sends a backhand long.

Mboko brings up a break point with a magnificent forehand return sent down the line, momentarily leaving Sabalenka rooted to the spot talking to herself, but deuce is restored when the teen sends a shot wide. Mboko gets forward and brings up another break point but Sabalenka once again recovers, bringing up the third deuce of the game with a forehand winner.

The teen sends a forehand from the baseline into the net to bring up the third match point but yet again can’t see things out – letting out an “oh my god,” as she sends a forehand long. A third break point of the game is delivered by another backhand return sent down the line and this time Mboko converts it, staying alive!

Sabalenka (1) 5-4 6-1 Mboko* Needing a hold to stay in the match, Mboko quickly moves ahead to a 40-0 lead, giving her the buffer she needs to absorb Sabalenka taking the next two points. The teenager then ensures this match will continue when she whips down a second-serve that cramps Sabalenka and induces her into sending her forearm return into the net.

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Sabalenka* (1) 5-3 6-1 Mboko The pair exchange points at the start of what feels like a match-defining game. An unforced error on second-serve – Sabalenka not winning those at her normal high clip in this one – sees Mboko move back ahead but the top seed responds by forcing her opponent very deep and then getting to the net and sending an overhand out of Mboko’s reach.

Sabalenka lets out a roar as she thunders down an ace to move back ahead and Mboko can’t return her next serve – bringing the world number one within a game of the quarterfinals.

Sabalenka (1) 4-3 6-1 Mboko* The momentum from that break threaten not to last long, as two unforced errors from Mboko put her back into a hole. A well-placed ace down the T and an unforced error from Sabalenka gets the Canadian back into the game and she then presses ahead with a backhand that leaves her opponent scrambling and unable to get a return over the net. An important hold is then secured when Mboko ends a baseline exchange by getting forward and smashing a forehand into the open court.

Sabalenka* (1) 4-2 6-1 Mboko Mboko gets an important break back in her attempts to keep this one alive!

A powerful backhand return down the line sees Mboko gets her ahead and she then presses her opening after a baseline exchange that ends when Sabalenka fires into the net.

Another baseline exchange ends when Sabalenka gets to the net and fires across a backhand winner but Mboko brings up two break points when the top seed fires into the net once mroe. The Canadian only needs one of those, though, boosting her confidence and letting Sabalenka know she’s still got a match to win.

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Sabalenka (1) 4-1 6-1 Mboko* The match is really getting away from Mboko. Sabalenka brings up two break points and while the Canadian is able to see of the first of those, she double faults to fall behind a second break in the second.

Sabalenka* (1) 3-1 6-1 Mboko Sabalenka goes ahead when she fires down another powerful serve that proves unreturnable, but then double faults. The top seed gets to the need and stretches to prod across a volley that Mboko can’t reach to move back ahead, only to double fault yet again. There will be no third-chances for Mboko, though, who commits an unforced error to make it 40-30 and then is seen off by a forehand winner.

Sabalenka (1) 2-1 6-1 Mboko* Mboko gets forward and whips down a forehand to move ahead, setting herself up for an important hold to love – secured when Sabalenka sends her attempt to return a second-serve return that cramped her long.

Sabalenka* (1) 2-0 6-1 Mboko Mboko tries to rally back and is able to bring the game to 30-30 but Sabalenka’s powerful serve allows her to turn on the jets and secure the hold.

Sabalenka (1) 1-0 6-1 Mboko* Mboko has made a habit of rallying back after dropping the opening set across her short career but this one looks like it’s in danger of rapdily getting away from her. Sabalenka breaks her in the opening game of the second set without dropping a point; seeing things off with an almost casual slice behind her foe.

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Sabalenka was taken to tie breaks in both sets of her win over Anastasia Potapova in the third round, so she and her team will welcome the quick work she made of that one.

Aryna Sabalenka takes the first set 6-1

Sabalenka* (1) 6-1 Mboko An ominous show of force from the world No 1 as she takes out the first set in all of half an hour.

She commences her attempts to serve out the opening set by racing to a 30-0 lead – the second point secured with an ace. Mboko can’t get control of her attempt to return the high bounce of a second serve and sends her backhand attempt well out, before the world No 1 gets to the net to conclude a dominant opening set by holding to love.

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Sabalenka (1) 5-1 Mboko* A deftly hit drop shot moves Sabalenka ahead after the first change of ends but Mboko forces Sabalenka deep and wide and levels things up when the top seed sends a shot long. Working the angles, the Canadian takes the next two points to move into a strong position but is quickly pegged back as Sabalenka forces deuce.

The top seeds brings up another break point with a backhand down the line and then secures a second break when she loops back a return of serve that Mboko can’t get a handle on – committing an unforced error.

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Sabalenka* (1) 4-1 Mboko A good return from Mboko puts Sabalenka into a position where her shot can’t and the teenager builds on that with a great forehand sent well away from her foe and threaded down the line.

Mboko just can’t thread the needle on a forehand return and Sabalenka grabs the foothold and builds on it with two serves that the Canadian can’t return. The top seed tries to end a baseline exchange with a drop shot but can’t clear the net, bringing up deuce, but rebounds with a deftly placed backhand that Mboko can only watch bounce just inbounds. A big forehand from Sabalenka then secures the hold.

Sabalenka (1) 3-1 Mboko* (17) The early break goes to Sabalenka.

Mboko fires into the net to fall behind early and then Sabalenka storms to the net and sends down a forehand winner to move further ahead. The teenager then sends a backhand wide to bring up three break points but Sabalenka only needs the one.

Sabalenka* (1) 2-1 Mboko (17) Sabalenka quickly moves ahead but opens the door for Mboko when she double faults to make it 30-15. That door, however, is promptly slammed shit: the top seed firing down an ace and then a gorgeous drop shot to hold.

Updated

Sabalenka (1) 1-1 Mboko* (17) A long return gets Mboko ahead and then puts a forehand winner deep and wide to go up 30-0. Sabalenka gets on the board when Mboko misfires with a backhand and is then back level when her teenage opponent double faults.

A rocket of a backhand from Mboko is placed well away from Sabalenka to get her back ahead, followed by a serve the top seed can’t return to bring up the hold.

Sabalenka* (1) 1-0 Mboko (17) Sabalenka faces down two break points but takes the opening service.

A solid return from Mboko sees Sabalenka send a backhand long, but a really well hit forehand on the next exchange gets her back level. A few feathers start to descend from the roof as Sabalenka gets ahead with another forehand but a good return from Moboko on second serve sets up a rally ended when the world number one fires into the net.

Targeting Mboko’s forehand, Sabalenka whips down a second-serve the Canadian can’t return to move it to 40-30 but is pegged back to deuce when a sweetly hit backhand from the teenager leaves her almost rooted to the spot. A forehand return down the line then brings up a break point for Mboko but Sabalenka responds by drawing her opponent in with a drop shot and then blasting a forehand beyond her.

Mboko pounces on yet another second serve to bring up a second break point only for her foe to once again see off the threat. A long return brings up the advantage for Sabalenka and she sees things out with an ace.

Updated

Aryna Sabalenka v Victoria Mboko begins

We are under way on Rod Laver Arena. The world No 1 and top seed will serve first.

Updated

Mboko has won the toss and elected to receive first-up. She and Sabalenka are exchanging their final warm-up shots and the start of this one is just three minutes away.

Updated

This is the first-ever meeting between Sabalenka and 19-year-old rising star Mboko.

“I think it’s super cool,” Mboko said in the build-up. “I’ve never played a current number one in the world. That’s going to be a very different experience. I assume we’d be playing on Rod Laver, as well. I’ve never played on a Grand Slam centre court either. A lot of firsts. I’m just really excited. It’s something not many people get to experience. To be doing that on Sunday is, I think, really cool. Just to show what I got.”

We’re nearing the start of the match we’ll first be following along with this morning, with both Aryna Sabalenka (1) and Victoria Mboko’s (17) going through their final warm-ups before they emerge out onto Rod Laver Arena.

Novak Djokovic (4) moved past Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets yesterday evening, claiming a historic 400th Grand Slam win as he did. But the Serb flirted with controversy as he did, lucky to dodge a code violation after narrowly missing the head of a ball girl at the net in the second set.

Now, if you’re like me, you prefer to see Djokovic working as a heel rather than a face -- Yulia Putintseva’s dance moves as she was booed after beating Zeynep Sönmez another one of my tournament highlights. The legend, however, was a bit more sanguine after his win, remarking that the advice he’d give his younger self was: “Calm down, you jerk.”

Updated

Dissipating heat, however, doesn’t mean that the environmental challenges are completely absent today. A smoke haze has blanketed Melbourne since yesterday, as winds blew down the smoke from a fire in the Otway ranges which has grown to about 8,000 hectares overnight.

Air quality alerts have been issued across Melbourne, Geelong and the surrounding regions, while a total fire ban remains in place for the Northern Country, North Central, North East, and Gippsland fire districts.

Updated

Tennis fans not fortunate enough to be in Melbourne are no doubt feeling the FOMO of missing out on the Australian Open. But having had to swelter through it, I can tell you day seven probably wasn’t too bad a day to miss.

Play on the outside courts was paused and arena roofs were closed as the Heat Stress Scale moved above 5.0, as players, officials, and fans alike scrambled for shade, fluids and any kind of relief they could find.

Jack Snape recounted a sweltering day Down Under.

Tumaini Carayol, meanwhile, has dived into how those tasked with playing in these conditions tried to beat the heat.

Updated

The other contender for yesterday’s biggest story came later in the evening, when Naomi Osaka (16) withdrew from the Australian Open just hours before she was set to face Aussie qualifier Maddison Inglis, citing an abdominal injury linked to body changes from her pregnancy.

We had a big few stories yesterday but a contender for the biggest fortune, and a enforced heat break, coming to the aid of Jannik Sinner (2) as he struggled with full-body cramps in the stifling conditions against 85th-ranked American Eliot Spizzirri.

Tumaini Carayol was there for that one and recapped what became a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win for the Italian.

Updated

Preamble

Howdy, y’all. It’s ya boi Joey Lynch here, and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of a mercifully cooler day eight of the Australian Open. After yesterday’s stifling conditions the mercury has dipped significantly ahead of today’s action: highs of more than 40C yesterday giving way to forecast a top of 25C today, with it currently sitting at 19.7C as we prepare for the morning’s action.

Aryna Sabalenka (1) and Victoria Mboko’s (17) meeting on Rod Laver Arena is the pick of the early matches, and we’ll follow along with that one when it gets under way at 11.30.

Carlos Alcaraz (1) and Tommy Paul (19) are then scheduled to follow on Rod Laver, that one starting no earlier than 1.30pm, and we’ll be following along with that one, too. Alex de Minaur (6) and Alexander Bublik’s (10) meeting and Elina Svitolina (12) and Mirra Andreeva’s (8) clash will then follow in the evening session.

Coco Gauff (3) is set to face off with Karolina Muchova (19) out on Margaret Court Arena no earlier than 2.30pm, and the prospect of another marathon between Daniil Medvedev (11) and Learner Tien (25) awaits when they take the court following that contest.

Yulia Putintseva and Iva Jovic (29), as well as Alexander Zverev (3) and Francisco Cerundolo (18) will also be in action on John Cain.

So, let’s do it, to it. It being tennis, that is.

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