That, then is us for today. But fear not, for tomorrow is a monster, our evening session featuring Barbora Krejcikova (9) v Aryna Sabalenka (2), followed by Jannik Sinner (4) v Andrey Rublev (5). So join me for that, but in the meantime, peace and love.
Dodin will rue the leg injury that hampered her, but she was well beaten tonight by a better player playing well. She tells Jelena Dokic she’s happy to be in the quarters and congratulates her opponent’s effort in reaching this stage. She thanks everyone for watching her and says representing China brings pressure and responsibility. She tries not to think too much but appreciates people watching her in China and around the world.
Li Na, a pioneer of women’s tennis in China, crashed her press conference after her last game and Zheng says she’s a very strong and powerful woman who’s more beautiful now than when she was playing. They shared a moment, Li advising her not to think too much and to keep thing simple, and it’s working. She’s into the last eight as the only seed in her half of the draw, and standing between her and a first Grand Slam final are Anna Kalinskaya then either Dayana Yastremska or Linda Nosková.
Qinwen Zheng (12) beats Océane Dodin 6-0 6-3
Another first serve, and Zheng is quickly at the net to stick away a clean-up backhand. But when Dodin gets a look at a second delivery, a backhand down the line is too good, making 15-all. A service-winner follows, though, Dodin forces to try a left-handed return because that’s the only way she can introduce racket to ball … to no avail. But another decent return earns 30-all and can Zheng find yet another first serve when she needs one? She can, but Dodin reads it and makes decent contact … only to see the ball drop long, just. Match point Zheng, but another good return, flat on the forehand, lands on the baseline to make deuce, and Dodin will be wondering what might’ve been, because this level of play throughout and we’d’ve seen a very different match. But a mistake behind hands Zheng advantage, a backhand response to a second serve thunks into the top of the net, and that is that.
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Dodin will at least want to make Zheng serve for it, and at 30-15 a decent first serve yields a netted return. Then Zheng goes long so at 6-0 5-3 must hold her nerve to progress.
There we go! Dodin, who knows what a mare she’s having, unleashes a gorgeous forehand return cross-court for a clean winner; “first one,” she tells herself. Then, not for the first time, a Zheng first serve is too good, but a long, loopy forehand brings us to 30-all … but from there, two further errors mean she’s a game away from her second consecutive Slam quarter at 6-0 5-2.
I should say that Dodin is nursing an injury – I’ve not seen her play in Melbourne until now, so I’m not sure what it is as Jo Durie didn’t specify. But she’s in trouble again when Zheng powers a forehand winner for 0-15, after which a double makes 0-30. A wrongfooting swing-volley then halves the deficit, but when Zheng lands a forehand on to the line, Dodin goes into the net and at 15-40 has two more break points. And she only needs one, a nice backhand return setting up a forehand winner, and at 6-0 4-2 she’s two games away.
Dodin isn’t giving up and a double hands her 15-30, then Zheng nets a forehand and sends another long! That’s the break back, and can Dodin find the form that brought her to this point?
At 30-all on the Dodin serve, Zheng clobbers a forehand cross-court for a clean winner and another break point. And a further barrage of forehands builds pressure that’s too much for her opponent to handle, a backhand riposte dropping long. Zheng leads 6-0 3-1, and she looks unstoppable out there.
Dodin makes 0-15 … so Zheng slams down an ace. Still, though, this is improvement, and a decent forehand lands close to the baseline, inciting Zheng to go long. And you’ve got laugh, because another ace makes 30-all, a service winner 40-30 – she’s at 100% points won behind her first serve, which is a helluva stroke – then Dodin goes long on the forehand. But it’s more of a contest now, Zheng leading 6-0 2-1.
Come on Océane! She hits some first serves, holds to love, salutes the crowd, and despite it all she’s only down a set against an opponent who will do well to sustain her level. Zheng leads 6-0 1-1.
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Women’s tennis, though. Just when we thought Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina and Gauff would give it some stability, two of them go out early and we’re back to a free-for all. I’ve never known a sport be so unpredictable, but Zheng loooks fantastic out there, holding to 15for 6-0 1-0, and if she maintains this firm she’s capable of beating anyone. She’s serving very well and her forehand is dictating points like nobody’s business.
Zheng takes the first set against Dodin 6-0
She cannot, saluting the crowd ands smiling when she makes 30-all with a serve out wide and forehand putaway … only for Zheng to stretch out wide to land a fine backhand return on to the line, before cleaning up point and set with a punishing forehand down the line. She is doing everything she can not to let slip the chance of her career so far.
Zheng holds to love for 5-0 and she’s playing really well here. Dodin will have to console herself with the knowledge that she can only improve, and the French in the crowd try to rouse her as she returns from change of ends to try and save the bagel.
I nip off for a quick comfort break and return to see Dodin down game point at 30-40. Zheng’s played the bigguns well so far, and another wild backhand hands her this one too. Down 0-4, Dodin has a lot of thinking to do with the set near-enough gone.
I can’t see the name Océane without my internal voice singing Oceanic’s rave classic and she’s into the match now, making 30-all then cracking a flat backhand winner down the line. Zheng, though, finds a first serve when down break point and uses the momentum to seize deuce, and on advantage a service winner gives her a 3-0 lead.
A booming inside-out forehand earns Zheng 15-30 and when Dodin swipes wildly wide she has two break points. And she only needs one, a fantastic crouching backhand down the line securing the break and 2-0.
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Zheng, who’s beaten Amanda Krueger, Katie Boulter and Yifan Wang to get to this stage, holds through deuce for 1-0; Dodin has seen off Zhu Lin, Marta Trevisan and Cara Burel.
Earlier today
Dayana Yastremska, a qualifier, beat Victoria Azarenka, seeded 18, in two sets
Elina Svitolina (19) retired against Linda Nosková, who earlier beat Iga Swiatek (1)
Daniil Medvedev (3) beat Nuno Borges in four sets
Hubert Hurkacz (9) beat the qualifier Arthur Cazaux in three
And away we go, Zheng to serve.
“I did almost everything perfectly,” Alcaraz tells Eurosport. Imagine saying that of yourself at work! Anyroad, Zheng and Dodin are on court, so let’s move over to them – both will be sensing the opportunity of their lives, given the former is the only seed remaining in the top half and the latter is already celebrating her best Slam performance.
But but but but what about our working-day sport fix? I can’t lie, not much makes me happier, but it is of course ridiculous to see huge matches played in front of empty seats, with players given just a day to recover from them.
Carlos Alcaraz, though. It’s actually pretty rare to see someone as good as he is enjoy competing as much as he does because the pressure of talent is intense. Off the top of my head, George Best and Ronaldinho spring to mind, Harry Brook too. But there aren’t many.
Coming up next: Qinwen Zheng (12) v Océane Dodin
“I think everything,” Alcaraz says when asked what’s working for him – without the slightest trace of arrogance. Every ball he pushed Kecmanovic to the limit, he explains, moving him side to side, and he’s feeling better and better every day he plays on Laver. It’s a pleasure to play on an amazing court, the people in Australia are so kind – I take it he’s not met any England cricketers – and he hopes to keep feeling better and better every day.
Asked about his routine for the day, he says he eats sushi the night before a match – “I love it” and told how much other players enjoy watching him, he explains that he’s “a huge fan of tennis” so tries to watch every match he can. But he namechecks Medvedev, Djokovic and Sinner as they deliver their best level every time they step on the court and asked about WTA, he says he watches that too but doesn’t specify any players.
Finally, he says he loves playing Zverev because it’ll be high quality and intensity, so he’ll try to play his best tennis and see what happens.
Carlos Alcaraz (2) beats Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4 6-4 6-0
Yet another inspirational performance from the barely believable bundle of joy, aggression and invention that is the boy Carlitos. It’s still shocking how brilliant he is, and he meets Zverev next, with the sense that he’s still improving through the rounds.
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I say Kecmanovic is wilting, but he’s not giving up, making 30-all from 30-0 only to be left marooned at the back by another lush drop. Match point Alcaraz after just one hour and 49 minutes.
Kecmanovic has played well today but he’s wilting in the third set. I don’t see precisely what happens as my computer crashes, but Alcaraz breaks for a third time and will now serve for the match at 5-0.
It’s just nuts how good Alcaraz is really, and nutser still that he’ll probably lose the final to Djokovic. Looking ahead again, I’d actually prefer Medvedev v Djokovic and Sinner v Alcaraz semis because those would, I think, give us better contests – Medvedev can hang in rallies with Djokovic and Sinner can hit through Alcaraz – but I’ll cope. Alcaraz holds for 4-0, and he’s coming to a rolling boil at just the right time.
Excellent from Kecmanovic, who sweeps a nails backhand cross to save double-break point. But Alcaraz raises another … then mistimes a forehand, so we’re back to deuce. Not for long, his speed along the baseline inciting his opponent to go for too much, and this time on advantage he invents a forehand of shocking speed and angle for a 6-4 6-4 3-0 lead. The energy, invention and zest he brings to the court is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before and, at 44, I’m sad to say I’ve seen a bit.
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Alcaraz consolidates easily and leads 2-0 in the third. It’s very hard to see how Zverev beats him, but his potential semi with Medvedev could be a lot of fun – likewise, if it works out, Djokovic v Sinner.
Immediately in set three Alcaraz forces break point at 30-40, but Kecmanovic isn’t going away, sending him haring to hither and yon before the number two seed finds a cunning looping volley that forces the error and he leads 6-4 6-4 1-0. Kecmanovic is not long for this match.
Carlos Alcaraz wins the second set against Miomir Kecmanovic to leads 6-4 6-4
Kecmanovic is doing all he can, but it’s not enough.
Zverev says it’s a Grand Slam, everyone’s playing their best tennis and Cam played great. Asked what makes the AO so special, he offers the crowd, saying though people says New York is the most energetic, the Melbourne crowd is the best because they’re both energetic and respectful. Asked to give tips on how to hit backhands like him, he advises “close your hands and swing”, then says all his family, his dad, mum and brothers, have great backhands. They can’t hold a racket on the fore nor serve, he’s just lucky to be 6”6 “or two metres, whatever you say here,” which helps.
Discussing the next round, he jokes that he’s Kecmanovic’s biggest fan now, then says Alcaraz has already had a more successful career than most players, and though the Aussie Open crowd don’t really know him yet, they will over the next 25 years. Finally, asked to sing happy birthday to his dad, he admits he forgot then leads the crowd in a rendition.
Alexander Zverev (6) beats Cameron Norrie (19) 7-5 3-6 6-3 4-6 7-6(3)
Zverev is now 5-0 on breakers this tournament and he played this one superbly, attacking judiciously and serving as ever. Norrie, though, will take plenty of positives – he came back from 1-0 and 2-1 down, from a break down in the decider, and he did it by playing brave, attacking tennis having beaten Casper Ruud in the previous round. But it’s the number six seed who perogresses and he’ll meet Kecmanovic or Alcaraz next.
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Zverev goes long on the forehand and Norrie isn’t giving in, celebrating the point like he’s just levelled things. He has not. He nets a forehand, and at change of ends is facing six match points at 3-9.
Yup, throughout this set it’s been Norrie pushing the pace, but with victory in sight Zverev opens up, booming backhands making 7-2 and a netted forehand 8-2. This is over, but what a match it’s been.
Again, Zverev nudges in front via mini-break and again Norrie tries a drop, but he gets his angles wrong and the ball bounces out; 4-2 to the German, and when he yanks his man to the net, Norrie misses with his get, slicing just wide. Ach, a double follows, just his second in over four hours, and down 2-6 this looks very close to over.
Immediate mini-break for Zverev when Norrie nets, but yet another gorgeous drop quickly restores parity. His touch is sensational, likewise his disguise, and his desire to play the right shot not the safe shot is so impressive; we wind up at 2-2 while, on Laver, Alcaraz breaks Kecmanovic for 6-4 4-3.
Kecmanovic is playing really well now – he’s enjoying himself and it shows. He’s about to serve trailing 4-6 3-3 and you assume that at some point Alcaraz will do enough to take the set, but it’s an enjoyable tussle. Meantime, Zverev holds to love and we’ve ourselves a 10-point breaker! Here it comes!
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Two unforced errors from Norrie and suddenly he’s facing 0-30 – he’s made 20 unforced errors in this set, to Zverev’s six. But that’s mainly because he’s the player trying to win this, looking to dominate rallies and hit winners, and at 15-30 he plays a fantastic point, dominating with forehands, then conjures a glorious drop for 40-30. And look at that! A wrongfooting backhand arranges a simple net putaway – thanks to Zverev’s wonderful dive and get – and Norrie is doing absolutely everything to try to win this. He leads 6-5 in the fifth.
Kecmanovic, meanwhile, is doing all he can, battling through deuce to hold and lead Alcaraz 2-1 in the second, Alcaraz havbing taken the first 6-4.
Zverev doubles for 0-15; not what you need serving to stay in the competition. But after yet another to-ing and fro-ing rally, Norrie nets, then goes wide on the forehand when well in the next. But after a blocked return loops out, he sticks in the game with a backhand winner on to the sideline … only to go long with a forehand, and that’s 5-5 in the fifth. A breaker looks inevitable; lucky us.
Zverev holds to 15 and looks pretty good in the process. I guess at this point you generally back the bigger server and it is the number six seed looking more secure, but as I type, Norrie plays a gorgeous overhead drop when down 0-15 that reminds us he’s feeling pretty good. A sense intensified by a terrific forehand-backhand combo-move, and he closes out for 5-4; Zverev must now serve to stay in the match!
Excellent work from Norries, who serves out for 4-3 in the fifth having saved three break points. His ability to execute under pressure is very impressive and does, I guess, help explain how he’s got so good because be very sure, when he was developing, no one saw him getting as good as he is.
Carlos Alcaraz (2) takes the first set against Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4
Kecmanovic is playing pretty well, but Alcaraz broke early and was never really threatened thereafter.
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Superb from Norrie, that backhand cross-court taking the edge of the sideline. He’s got some serious stones, and when Zverev sends a backhand of his own wide, we’re at 3-3 and deuce. A big forehand on to the line follows – he’s doing a great job of playing freely despite the pressure, looking for his shots – and Zverev’s return lob drops long. An insane rally follows, both players winning it a couple of times, Zverev bending a shot around the net-post then blocking a stop-volley when targeted at the net. And he quickly makes advantage too, settling into the next rally … only to go long again, So we’re back at3-3 and deuce.
At 3-3 in the fifth, Norrie finds himself down 0-30, a fine backhand cross-court – the shot he missed for 0-15 – zoning low over the net and breaking the sideline for a winner. But a forehand that flies long hands Zverev two break points while, on Laver, Kecmanovic holds for 4-5, forcing Alcaraz to serve for the first set.
Back on Court, Zverev holds comfortably for 3-3 in the fifth, and this is getting tense. There are, though many empty seats – I’m not sure why, but there’s surely got to be a way of getting people in for free.
Anna Kalinskaya beats Jasmine Paolini (26) 6-4 6-2
The top half of the women’s draw now contains just one seed: Qinwen Zheng (12), who faces Océane Dodin after Alcaraz v Kecmanovic is over.
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Alcaraz is so much fun to watch, creativity and showmanship wrapped up in son-in-law vibes. Watching someone who so clearly loves what they do, enjoying process not outcome, is obviously a facility of being as good as he is, but he could just as easily be a joyless killer rather than a smiling assassin. He’s Léon, but after he meets Mathilda, and he leads Kecmanovic 4-3 having just missed a point for double break.
Norries plays a gorgeous drop-shot across the face of the net for 30-15, but a decent return from Zverev incites an error. Norrie, though, plays a commanding next point, heavily spun forehands raising game point, Zverev then goes wide, and Norries leads 2-1 in the decider.
Meantime on Laver, Alcaraz consolidates for 3-1 while Kalinskaya now leads Paolini 6-4 2-2.
Norrie is such a competitor, and a winner then another groundstroke into the ankles as Zverev comes in makes 0-30. And have a look! At 15-30, he attacks the second serve with a backhand, then pastes a forehand winner, raising two break points; he burns the first by straying long at the end of a rally he dominated. But then Zverev nets a forehand, and we’re back on serve at 1-1 in the fifth!
32 - With Alexander Zverev and Cameron Norrie going to a fifth set in their R16 matchup, it will be the 32nd five-set match at this year's AO, breaking the Open Era record for five-setters at the event - 31, 1998. Marathons.#AusOpen | @AustralianOpen @TennisAustralia @atptour pic.twitter.com/eW7SD23sPq
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 22, 2024
Down 0-30, Norrie lands a forehand on to the outermost fibre of the line, then Zverev goes long and he finds another winner; effort, because the rush of winning set four must be somewhat distracting. He can’t, though, see out the game and soon finds himself facing advantage, then dumps a forehand. All that effort, and Zverev earns an immediate advantage in set five while, on Laver, just what you need break-point down against Alcaraz: he somehow guides a slices into the net cord that flops over for a winner. The number two seed leads 2-1 in the first.
We’re away on Laver, Kecmanovic holding for 1-0, and he isn’t scared of Alcaraz. He was a really good junior and though he hasn’t put it together yet on the main tour, he’s got the power and hands to make a match of this.
Cameron Norries takes the fourth set against Alexander Zverev 6-4
Oh I say! Norrie plays a terrific forehand to the corner andm by the time Zverev retrieves, he’s at the net playing a lovely drop-volley from below the tape to take the fourth set and force a decider!
I’d wondered if Norrie might be a tricky match-up for Zverev, principally because he’s a tricky match-up for anyone. His combination of lefty top-spin, pace off, is impossible to replicate, so facing him is unlike facing anyone else and, as I type, he plays a backhand on to Zverev’s tootsies that raises two set points at 15-40….
Thanks Joey and hi everyone. Carlos Alcaraz and Miomir Kecmanovic are on court now, and of course we’ll be bringing you details of that match too – in addition to the one women’s singles match still in progress; Anna Kalinskaya leads the number 26 seed, Jasmine Paolini, 6-4.
Norrie holds to 30, forcing Zverev into a backhand error to move to a 3-4 lead in this fourth set.
Daniel Harris will be taking you through the rest of this one, it’s currently 7-5 3-6 6-3 3-4 in favour of Zverev.
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Who will blink first? Neither man has yet as Zverev responds to Norrie with another strong service of his own, holding to 15.
And as the tension mounts, Norrie produces the best service of the game thus far, holding to love and taking a 3-2 lead.
And now it’s the turn of Zverev to hold to 30 and keep things locked up. There’s a lot of tension building up in this one, 7-5 3-6 6-3 2-2 in the fourth set.
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Norrie holds to 30, forcing an error from Zverev to keep things rolling.
Zverev responds, surviving a break point to rally back and level the fourth set up at a game apiece.
Norrie holds to 15 to open the fourth set, he’ll need to work that serve to get back into this one.
Commentators observing that Zverev is beginning to feel it, growing in confidence with his serve and making only four unforced errors in that set.
Zverev takes the third set 6-3!
Zverev keeps his foot on the pedal and takes out the third set. Norrie battled hard to face down three set points and bring it back to deuce but Zverev doesn’t let him escape and takes out the set with some devastating baseline play that forces a backhand error.
A good response from the German, who bounces back convincingly after looking like he was being put back on his heels in that second set, he leads 7-5 3-6 6-3.
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Norrie holds to 15… just, with his forearm effort collecting the top of the net before it bounces into Zverev’s side of the court.
Back on Margaret Court Arena, Zverev holds to 15 and takes a commanding in the third-set. He leads 7-5 3-6 5-2.
16th seed Jasmine Paolini and Anna Kalinskaya will soon begin their fourth round meeting on John Cain Arena, Kalinskaya downing former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the third round to advance to this point.
After seeing off break point and bringing it back to deuce, Norrie gets an important hold, avoiding the double break and bringing this third set back to 4-2.
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Norrie has advantage but there’s some kind of disruption in play, a collection of leaflets has been thrown out onto the court and are being rapidly cleared. Can’t see what’s on them but they’re quickly cleared and play will resume with Norrie serving with advantage.
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Norrie has requested something be removed from the court by a ball-kid, some kind of black string, maybe a metallic hair tie that’s been pulled apart looking at the close-up on the telly.
Commentators observing how he needs to stay focused in such a big game, it now 30-all.
Masterclass: Return of serve with @DaniilMedwed 🎾#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/9oqSKPxbIf
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
Great serving from Zverev as he holds to love and move to a 4-1 lead in the third set, sealing it with a big forehand winner. Just like that, the momentum that Norrie had built up feels like it’s disappearing.
A big break for Zverev, with an unforced error from Norrie handing him the game and a 3-1 ascendancy in this third set.
Hurkacz (9) beats Cazaux 7-6(6) 7-6(3) 6-4
Hurkacz was forced to battle for it by Cazaux, who twice took him to tie breaks and sent in 18 aces to 11, but the ninth seed was able to see off the French wildcard and advance in straight sets.
Hubi marches into the final 🎱#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/g1r2O0oTDf
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
More comfortable for Zverev in that game as he holds to 15, finishing it off with a sweet passing shot that Norrie can only watch sail beyond him. It’s now 7-5 3-6 2-1.
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Make that 2️⃣5️⃣ career Melbourne wins for Medvedev!#AusOpen • #AO2024@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/gWFt65GxiY
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
A big backhand winner sees Norrie hold to 15 with his first service game of the third set. You’d still be backing Zverev at this point but his British opponent is giving him a test.
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Ninths-seed Hurkacz is about to serve for the match on John Cain, he leads Cazaux 7-6(6) 7-6(3) 5-4.
Zverev holds to 30 to open the third set, taking the game with a devastating 205 km/h ace.
Norrie takes the second set 6-3!
A titanic struggle eventually sees Norrie see of Zverev and take out the second set. All the wind is behind the British No 1, who took out the last four games of that set to resort parity. It’s 7-5 3-6 heading into the third set.
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Medvedev (3) beats Borges 6-3 7-6(4) 5-7 6-1!
After being denied his straight sets progression by the battling Borges, Medvedev made quick work of his Portugese opponent in the fourth, dropping just a single game as he advances into the final eight in Melbourne!
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Neither man is giving an inch as this game swings back and forth, Zverev has brought up three break points only for Norrie to persevere but the German has seen off a set point as well! It’s still 7-5 3-5.
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Norrie gets another break to take a 3-5 lead in the second set and well and truly grab momentum.
Zverev double-faults into two break points and though he’s able to answer back and send it to deuce but Norrie seizes the advantage and then forces him to send a lob long after some powerful baseline play.
After being forced into a fourth set by Borges, Medvedev doesn’t look like he’s in the mood for much more messing about, already up a break in the fourth set and leading 3-0.
Norrie looks as if he’s growing in confidence as he holds serve to 15 and takes a 3-4 advantage in this second set.
Força 💪@nunoborges97 saves 2️⃣ match points and takes the third set 7-5 over Medvedev!#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/fEpE2bMaCy
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
The perfect response from Norrie, who breaks straight back and brings it to 3-3!
With two break points in hand the Brit works Zverev around the court before delivering a strong backhand winner.
Borges survives and takes out the third set against Medvedev!
After seeing off two match points before breaking his opponent to make it 5-6, he holds serve to 15 and takes out the third with a 180 km/h ace! It’s now 6-3 7-6(4) 5-7 in Medvedev’s favour headed into the fourth set.
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Zverev gets the first break of the second set, forcing Norrie into back-to-back errors, the first forced the second not-so, to take a 3-2 lead and with the chance to streak clear.
Norrie has had just one break point to this point, and the commentators are observing how he’s been struggling to make Zverev feel uncomfortable.
Hurkacz has taken out the tie break on John Cain with a big forehand winner and now leads Cazaux 7-6(6) 7-3(3).
Borges is refusing to go away on Rod Laver, now having saved two match points to force it to 5-5 in the third set, Medvedev taking the first two 6-3 7-6(4).
Zverev has held serve to love on Margaret Court, making it 2-2 in the second.
🎾 Breaks Medvedev at 3-5
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
🎾 Saves 2 match points at 4-5@nunoborges97 is not 👏 done 👏 yet 👏#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/kPfWo2Z87w
Tiebreak time AGAIN 🍿
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
Can Cazaux level this match?#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/r7yzYbSIi4
Norrie holds serve to 30 and grabs a 2-1 second set lead, using a gorgeous drop shot to get ahead before a Zverev error gives him the game.
Big serving Zverev holds to 15 to make it 1-1 in the second. We’re also headed to another tie break on John Cain, as Cazaux serves to love to make it 6-6 in the second set after Polish opponent Hurkacz took the first 7-6(6).
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Norrie holds serve to love in the first game of the second set, a strong response after falling behind.
It ended the same way all his other sets against Zverev has, by Norrie can build upon that first set, landing four aces to Zverev’s three and landing 79% of his first serves to 74%.
Zverev takes the first set 7-5!
Norrie made him work for it but Zverev takes out the first set!
A 20 shot rally on 30-30 ends with Zvarev being forced to send a backhander into the net to bring up break point, only for the German to respond with a strong forearm winner and send it to deuce. Norrie survives one set point but can’t find a way past the second, sending Zvarev’s second serve into the net to end the first set after 40 minutes.
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Meddy liked that one 😏@daniilmedwed • #AusOpen • #AO2024@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/QyffC5WY93
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
We have a break, Zverev will now serve for the first set!
Norrie comes to the net down 15-30 but the German responds with a fantastic passing shot to bring up two break points. A Zverev error saves one but then Norrie sends a forearm into the net!
Medvedev is beggining to run away from Borges on Rod Laver, now leading 6-3 7-6(4) 4-2 after twice breaking his opponent in this third set.
Norrie takes the first point but Zverev responds and goes on to hold to 30 and make it 5-5, taking the game when Norrie sends a return serve just beyond the baseline. Wouldn’t be surprised if this first set is headed for another tie break.
Norrie holds serve to 30 and make it 5-4 in the first. Both men are being really strong on their first serve to start this one, Norrie sending 86% to this point, with four aces, and Zverev 73%
Zverev serves to 30 to make it 4-4 and ensure that neither man has dropped a service game in this opening set.
On Rod Laver, Medvedev has again been taken to deuce but this time holds against Borges to move to a 2-1 lead, Hurkacz leads Cazaux on John Cain 7-6(6) 3-2.
Borges can’t seize upon his early break of Medvedev, committing a series of errors and being broken himself, 1-1 in the third on Rod Laver.
Norrie holds serve to make it 4-3 in the opening set. The commentators are pontificating that Norrie needs to commit to coming to the net against Zverev, trying something new to overcome the advantage that the German’s undefeated record against him would suggest he holds.
A tense tiebreak. But the first set is in the Pole's pocket 🔒 @HubertHurkacz leads 7-6(6). #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/WLhd0QJMjF
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
Borges takes Medvedev to deuce in the opening game of their third set on Rod Laver and then holds on and breaks him! Important one for the Portuguese as he attempts to overturn a two set deficit.
Zverev, meanwhile, has held serve to lock it back up at 3-3.
Another ace from Norrie to hold serve to 30, neither man is blinking yet in the early stages of this one – yet to allow a break point.
Updated
A solid response from Zverev as he holds to 15, double-faulting on his first attempt to serve the game out before seeing it out with a powerful ace.
Updated
🐙🐙🐙🐙🐙🐙
The octopus has his tentacles wrapped around this match 🐙@DaniilMedwed leads Borges 6-3 7-6(4).#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/8ccDyRKmjD
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
The tie breaker out on John Cain has also concluded and it’s Hurkacz that has rallied down from an early break to take out the first set over Cazaux, winning the tie breaker 8-6.
Zverev comfortably holds serve but Norrie responds and holds to love himself.
Medvedev has taken out the second set over Borges on Rod Laver after winning the tie-breaker 7-4, moving out to a 6-3, 7-6 lead after two sets.
Updated
Norrie is first to serve and holds to 30, getting to the net and forcing Zverev to scramble and lob up an easy return to take out the first game.
Meanwhile, we’re off to a tie break in the first set of Cazaux and Hurkacz on John Cain Arena and now there’s going to be one on Rod Laver as Medvedev holds to make it 6-6 against Borges.
Updated
Borges holds to 30 to make it 6-5 against Medvedev in the second set on Rod Laver.
Zverev and Norrie are making their way onto Margaret Court Arena, the action set to begin shortly.
Zverev has returned to the top of the tennis world since recovering from tearing ligaments in his right ankle back in June of 2022 but his presence in Melbourne has been largely overshadowed by news he will face a public trial in Germany over allegations he physically abused his ex-girlfriend in 2020, allegations he denies.
Tumaini Carayol has more.
Norrie caught a few off-guard in deviating from his usual baseline game against Ruud, instead looking to aggressively get to the net often as he took the Norwegian down in four sets.
Count Zverev, however, as someone who wasn’t surprised by the change in approach, having trained with his fourth-round during their preseason in Monte Carlo.
“I actually thought he played exactly what he was working on in the off-season,” said Zverev.
“We obviously spent the off-season together in Monaco, so I’ve seen him every single day. This is exactly what he was working on.”
“When you think of Cameron Norrie, you normally think of somebody who grinds a lot, a big fighter. But in the off-season, he really worked on his game and he really worked on the aggressive style of play. He really worked on coming forward.
“It was very noticeable in December, and you can see it on the court now. The work is paying off for him.”
Alex de Minaur has said he is devastated after losing to Andrey Rublev last night in a tense five-set match.
Hopes of local glory at the Australian Open were blown away on a windy Sunday evening in Melbourne after a late barrage from the No 5 seed, Rublev, jettisoned De Minaur in the last 16.
“Night and day, I’m a different player,” De Minaur said after the match.
Maybe a couple years ago or even last year, I would be sitting here, maybe even happy with the result, saying, I probably shouldn’t have won, he’s higher ranked than I am, I took him to five sets, pretty decent effort.
But it’s completely changed because now I’m sitting here and I’m absolutely devastated because I saw it as a great opportunity and a match I strongly believed I could have won. But it just slipped away.
Here’s Jack Snape’s full report from Rod Laver Arena:
Linda Nosková through after Elina Svitolina (19) retires hurt
It was a sad finish to Elina Svitlona’s Australian Open campaign with a painful back injury forcing her to retire from her fourth-round match against Ukraine’s Linda Nosková.
“Obviously today was not the way I had planned to win,” Nosková said.
“I feel sorry for Elina, I hope she gets very well soon.”
A sad end to the action on MCA as Elina Svitolina retires with injury at 0-3.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
Linda Noskova advances to the quarterfinals.
Speedy recovery, Elina 💙#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/mFcJuu7GAX
Dayana Yastremska beats Victoria Azarenka (18) 7-6 (8-6), 6-4
Belarusian veteran and former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka was knocked out earlier this afternoon by 23-year-old Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska in straight sets.
“It feels like my heart is going to jump out of my body,” Yastremska said after her victory.
From qualifying to QUARTERFINALS 🙌@D_Yastremska delivers her best-ever Grand Slam result!#AusOpen • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/wCR1plg9Ea
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024
Preamble
Howdy one and all, welcome to the Australian Open 2024, day nine – afternoon session.
In singles action already under way in Melbourne, Daniil Medvedev is up a set over Nuno Borges on Rod Laver Arena, while Arthur Cazaux and ninth-seed Hubert Hurkacz are locked in a tight battle in the first set of their meeting on John Cain.
But the main focus at the commencement of this afternoon’s blog will be on Margaret Court Arena, where Germany’s Alexander Zverev will be taking on British No 1 Cameron Norrie with a spot in the quarter-finals on the line.
Norrie downed Casper Ruud in the third round on Saturday to book a place among the last 16 for the first time in his career, but he’s working against an even greater weight of history in this one; not only has the 19th seed fallen to defeat the last four times he’s faced off with Zverev, but he’s also done so without taking a set off him.
Zverev, for his part, dispatched American teenager Alex Michelson in straight sets on Saturday to advance to the fourth round, a mercifully straightforward affair after being forced to come from a set down against countryman Dominik Koepfer in the first round and needing nearly five hours to get past Slovakian qualifier Lukas Klein in the second.
