Canadian tennis player Denis Shapovalov says he misspoke when he called chair umpire Carlos Bernardes "corrupt", but has taken aim at umpires for what he says is the "preferential treatment" Rafael Nadal receives.
Ash Barty booked a place in the Australian Open semifinals on Tuesday night with a brilliant victory over Jessica Pegula.
Look back at the day's play as it happened in the blog below.
Key events
- 'It's unfair': Shapovalov doubles down, takes aim at Nadal and double standard
- Berrettini books Nadal showdown
- Demolition job complete for Barty
- Stomach illness, heat leave Nadal 'destroyed' even in victory
- Kyrgios and Kokkinakis cut loose in interview
- 'You guys are all corrupt': Shapovalov to chair umpire
Live updates
By Paul Johnson
'It's unfair': Shapovalov doubles down, takes aim at Nadal and double standard
If you thought Canadian star Denis Shapovalov was going to back down over comments he made during his quarterfinal loss to Rafael Nadal and the Spaniard's pace of play, you'd be wrong.
During the match Shapovalov complained about Nadal stretching time limits and told chair umpire Carlos Bernardes "you guys are all corrupt" after Bernardes did not give Nadal a time violation.
In his press conference Shapovalov somewhat backed down on the "corrupt" claim and said he chose his words poorly.
"I think I misspoke when I said he's corrupt or whatever," he said before he turned his attention to the legendary Spaniard and a continued attack on Bernades.
Nadal has long been known for being meticulous. The drink bottle regimen, the pre serve set up and despite the introduction of a shot clock for serving, the time he takes to play.
Shapovalov took aim at the latter and what he perceives to be the special treatment Nadal gets.
"I think it's unfair, you know, how much Rafa is getting away with," Shapovalov said.
"I'm completely ready to play and the clock is ticking 3, 2, 1, clicking towards zero, and I'm looking at the ump, and obviously I'm going to speak up and say something.
"I've been ready to play for a minute and a half, and he tells me he's not going to give him a code violation because I'm not ready to play.
"To me, it's a big joke if somebody says that."
"Then after the fourth set ... he was getting medically evaluated — that's what the ump said after the fourth set — getting medically evaluated, and after the evaluation the guy goes and takes a toilet break.
"Where is the line?
"I respect everything that Rafa has done and I think he's an unbelievable player but there's got to be some boundaries, some rules set.
"You feel like you're not just playing against the player; you're playing against the umpires, you're playing against so much more."
Asked if he thought Nadal gets preferential treatment, the Canadian 14th seed did not mince his words.
"100 per cent he does," Shapovalov said.
"Every other match that I have played, the pace has been so quick because the refs have been on the clock after every single point.
"This one, I mean, after the first two sets it was like an hour and a half just because he's dragged out so much after every single point.
"He's given so much time in between sets and all this."
By Paul Johnson
What an epic day thanks for joining
Could you ask for more tennis fans on an amazing day of action — Here are the key moments.
- Ash Barty cruised into the semifinals on day nine with a victory over Jessica Pegula
- Rafael Nadal won a 5-set epic over Denis Shapovalov during and after which the Canadian dished it out to umpires and Nadal verbally
- Matteo Berrettini prevailed in 5 sets over a spirited Gael Monfils
- Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis stirred more controversy as they made the men's doubles semifinals
I'll be back tomorrow to bring you all the action from Melbourne Park. Please join us then.
By Paul Johnson
Berrettini books Nadal showdown
It took him longer than he would have liked but Matteo Berrettini has advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Frenchman Gael Monfils.
Awaiting him there is Spanish legend Rafael Nadal, who also took 5 sets to make the semifinals earlier on Tuesday when he defeated Canada's Denis Shapovalov.
Berrettini had been cruising at two sets to love up but Monfils upped his game in the third and fourth sets as he ratcheted up the power, clocking winners all over the place.
Berrettini seemed beaten.
But as he did a handful of days ago against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, Berrettini rallied in the 5th set and broke Monfils twice early in the set to take control before serving out the match.
By Paul Johnson
Umpire admonishes the crowd as Berrettini takes control
The crowds at this Australian Open have been something else... and definitely poorly behaved at times.
They're getting rowdy now and with Monfils down two double break points they are admonished by the chair.
"If you don't want to watch, please leave."
The offending fans were seen to by security but stayed and Berrettini got the double break as Monfils netted a forehand.
Berrettini leads 3-0 in the final set.
By Paul Johnson
Berrettini with the break
I did not see that coming.
Monfils too seems shocked as Berrettini takes a 1-0 lead in the 5th and final set.
By Paul Johnson
We're going the distance
Gael Monfils has broken to send this match into a 5th set.
The Frenchman has some serious momentum now with wife Elina Svitolina cheering him on from the stands.
Berrettini on the other hand looks bereft of ideas and his shots are lacking their previous zip.
Scoreline 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6.
By Paul Johnson
Monfils breaks to lead in 4th
Get ready for a 5th set people.
Berrettini is flagging and Gael Monfils is well.... doing Gael Monfils things.
He just broke the Italian with a massive forehand that kissed the back edge of the baseline.
And if you were wondering is it was close, as Berrettini was....
By Paul Johnson
Monfils is doing ridiculous things
Here's one he prepared earlier tonight.
By Paul Johnson
Monfils surges to take match into 4th set
A sudden barrage of unforced errors from Berrettini and this match has flipped on tis head.
Early on it was Monfils screaming at himself in frustration but now he looks in control.
Conversely Berrettini, while stoic has gone a little bit defensive and Monfils is making him pay.
Whether that's just a slight dip for Berrettini or his legs getting to him after a tough third round examination from Carlos Alcaraz and a physical three-setter against Pablo Carreno Busta remains to be seen.
Monfils though is flying and this crowd is cheering him on.
By Paul Johnson
Monfils breaks
The Monfils momentum has been building for a while now and he finally has the break after squandering a few chances.
With his first break of the Berrettini serve for the match Monfils has a 4-2 lead in the 3rd set but is down 2 sets to love.
By Paul Johnson
Here's a bizarre statistic
For the entirety of this Australian Open, no men's player has come back from two sets to love down to win.
Usually at least one player does and the Herculean effort is trumpeted.
Gael Monfils would be hoping to change that here but as Denis Shapovalov learned earlier today, achieving that is not easy.
He was 2 sets down to Rafael Nadal before his run faltered in the fifth set.
Facundo Bagnis got into a 5th against Chilean seed Cristian Garin from 2-0 down but fell short in Rd 1
John Isner fell short at the same stage against eventual 4th rounder Maxime Cressy.
And in the third round teenage gunslinger Carlos Alcaraz almost came from two sets down to beat Berrettini, falling just short in a final set match tiebreak.
By Paul Johnson
2-0 Berrettini
If you're Matteo Berrettini you can almost taste a semifinal showdown with Rafael Nadal.
The Italian held his serve to love to take a 6-4, 6-4 lead over Gael Monfils.
The reality now is the Italian is looking strong and Monfils a little sloppy.
The unforced errors are piling up form the Frenchman, while Berrettini has just been a little too strong in all facets of the game so far.
By Paul Johnson
Berrettini breaks
Tough to be Gael Monfils right now.
Berrettini has broken him again for a 4-3 lead and with his serve firing a break back doesn't exactly seem likely for the flashy Frenchman, who is also down a set.
By Paul Johnson
19 minute service game
Well that was insane.
Matteo Berrettini just held serve in a mammoth 19-minute game ... more than half the time of the opening set.
The Italian faced three break points from Monfils early in the game only to save them but could not put the Frenchman away.
The game went for 10 Deuces as well as 26 points as the Italian sent the scoreline to 6-4, 2-2.
Monfils then held his serve in quick fashion for a 3-2 lead in the second set.
By Paul Johnson
Berrettini takes opening set
Matteo Berrettini has taken the first set against Gael Monfils as he tries to make his maiden Australian Open semifinal.
The 2021 Wimbledon finalist belted down 5 aces in an impressive first set display against the Frenchman.
Berrettini broke Monfils in the fifth game before serving out the set 6-4.
By Paul Johnson
Barty will play Keys on Thursday night
For those wondering the Barty v Keys semi-final will take place on Thursday night.
Should Barty advance from that match the women's final will be played on Saturday night.
By Paul Johnson
Berrettini gets the break
Which is par for the course after saying how well they were both serving.
He leads 3-2 in the first set.
By Paul Johnson
Berrettini v Monfils underway
There wasn't much of a break between the end of the Barty match and this men's quarterfinal but so far it's been a case of serving dominance.
That's no surprise for a Berrettini match. The Italian possesses a huge serve and plays a lot of tiebreaks, while Monfils is in some of his best form.
He was a dominant title winner in Adelaide and has been charging through the Australian Open draw so far.
By Paul Johnson
Pegula brought out the best in Barty
Ash Barty may have decimated Jessica Pegula at the Australian Open but she believes the challenge presented by Pegula may have helped her up her game in the quarterfinals.
Barty won the match 6-2, 6-0 in fast time but said she knew she had to up her level.
"I was able to serve well and take a lot of forehands in the centre of the court," Barty said before she paid tribute to Pegula.
"Jess is an incredible person she is a brilliant girl and made me play my best tennis this week.
"She definitely is a top 20 players and deserves to be in this end of the slams and has a few more to come as well."
Earlier in the day Melbourne's hot weather nearly ended Rafael Nadal's run but for Barty it felt just like being home in Queensland.
"This is Brisbane weather," Barty said.
"There has been plenty of heat throughout the day and to have a bit of heat in the court helps my game.
"But I love playing at the Australian Open, it doesn't matter what time."
On her match with Keys Barty said she respects her opponent and the best player will win.
"I know she had a really rough trot last year but it is so nice to see her back here," Barty said.
"It's amazing to see her do what she does best and loving it.
"I can't wait I know it will be a good one and whoever can execute better will be in a final. How good."
