Australian Open 2022: Recap a massive day 7 from Melbourne Park
Ash Barty has every trick in the book. But the one on display against Amanda Anisomova wasn’t pretty. And that’s just the way she wanted it.
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Ash Barty wants to junk it around. Her words, not mine.
It’s a great self-description of her playing style. Self-deprecating and apt. For the uninitiated, when you play tennis with angles, different speeds, high balls, low balls, dinks, donks, lobs, drop shots, flat balls, moonballs, topspin and slice, you’re known to be junking it around. One-dimensional players roll their eyes and blast away with metronomic power while the junk artist gets her running shoes on, tries her guts out, chases every ball and drives an opponent stir crazy with prods and pokes and any other variation she can think of.
Barty’s junk gets its just desserts in her fourth-round victory at the Australian Open on Sunday night. Amanda Anisomova is dispatched 6-4, 6-3. The American’s victory over defending champion Naomi Osaka hasn’t been remotely shocking to anyone who’s seen her crush a ball. Barty knows she won’t beat Anisimova at her own game – the toe-to-toe baseline blows – and so she plays a different game. Her own game. Junk.
It’s not all pitter-patter from Barty. Far from it. She can smoke a forehand winner with the best of them. She does so whenever the opportunity arises against Anisimova. But there’s an abundance of prods and pokes in between. The sliced backhand. Sidespun forehands. It’s such old-fashioned tennis. She rarely serves at full speed, swinging it around like Meghan Schutt with a pink ball under lights. The ball is on a string.
You know how Rod Laver won his grand slams? By junking it around a bit. It’s the old-school method that Australian tennis was built on. Rod Laver, John Newcombe, Ken Rosewall, Evonne Goolagong, Margaret Court, they all junked it around. Barty is proving you don’t need a wooden racquet to do it.
Anisimova has gone into the match with advice from Australia’s Darren Cahill in her ear. The esteemed former mentor of Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi and Simona Halep has been in Anisimova’s during the Australian summer. If Cahill can’t plot Barty’s demise, it’s difficult to imagine who can. She plays World No.21 Jessica Pegula in Wednesday’s quarter finals after the American upset World No.8 Maria Sakkari 7-6 (7-0), 6-3.
Barty is introduced to a young girl called Willow at the toin coss. Barty says, “Lovely to meet you!” Choosing her side of the coin she says, “Please, sweetie!” The on-court announcer does such a lavish introduction – she’s the World No.1! The Wimbledon champion! She’s on a 14-set winning streak!
Anisimova is grimacing in Cahill’s direction as early as the first game. Barty is chopping backhand returns that throw her off balance. Barty’s run of unbroken service games, stretching back to the Adelaide International, extends to 62 games. An extraordinary streak ends early in the second set. No matter. We’re into the business end of Barty’s campaign. She’s three wins from the title. It’s getting down to the nitty gritty. It’s good stuff.
Barty is in trouble at 1-2. A break point down. She sneaks through the game and the relief is palpable. Anisimova winces. A massive opportunity has slipped through her fingertips. Barty is being tested for the first time in the tournament. Anisimova is nothing if not match-hardened after her marathon against Osaka. But she’s also looking sore and increasingly sorry, carrying some sort of leg muscle strain.
Niggling injuries are exacerbated by junk. You have to reach for balls outside of your comfort zone. Lunge forward. Scamper from one side to the other. At three-all, Barty plays a consummate point. Rolling forwards to the corners. Sliced backhands to the other wings. Soft shots, really, but carrying a plan. Only the genii can play junk this well. She gets the job done and the Melbourne Park crowd goes up like Michelle Payne is moving into position to win the Melbourne Cup again.
Barty is oozing self-belief. It’s the result of winning Wimbledon. Nothing can faze her as much as the nerves associated with realising that childhood dream. By comparison to The All England Club, there’s little to fear here. She’s looking more and more like the Open champion. My words, not hers.
RECAP ALL THE DAY 7 NEWS BELOW
MONFILS KNOCKS OUT KECMANOVIC IN STRAIGHT SETS
Flashy Frenchman Gael Monfils warned that “I’m not quite finished yet” after winning a drawn-out battle with unfancied Miomir Kecmanovic to reach his second quarter-final at the Australian Open on Sunday.
The 17th-seeded Monfils carved out a torrid straight-sets win over the 77th-ranked Serb 7-5, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in 2hr 34min on John Cain Arena.
Monfils, yet to drop a set in his four wins at the year’s first major, will face either Italy’s seventh seed Matteo Berrettini or 19th-seeded Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the last eight.
It is 35-year-old Monfils’s first quarter-final appearance in Melbourne since 2016 when he lost to Canada’s Milos Raonic.
“It was really tough. He passed me on both sides. I tried to be very aggressive,” Monfils said.
“I tried not to let him dictate the points and that went well. It was just a battle.” Monfils does not intend to go home any time soon.
“I want to do better and I will try to play this quarter-final not like the last time... I’m not quite finished yet.”
DJOKOVIC ROASTED IN BRUTAL SNL INTERVIEW
The Australian Open might be about to hit its second week but Novak Djokovic is still the biggest story in world tennis.
In fact, the magnitude of the Serbian’s deportation from Melbourne is so big, it was even given its own segment on Saturday Night Live.
Comedian Pete Davidson played the Djokovic role in the skit, with fellow SNL star Kate McKinnon conducting the interview.
“I went to Australia and my visa was denied, but then I appealed to the judge and this was his ruling...” Davidson said before a hawkeye review showed a ball being “out”.
Not done there, Davidson went back for more, taking a swipe at Djokovic after it emerged he attended events while knowing he was Covid positive.
“People love to tear you off your pedestal just because you’re really rich or you’re the best at tennis or you go to a charity event with 200 kids even though you’re dripping with Covid.
“But in my heart I know that one day people will look back on this moment in history and think who cares!”
With the interview winding up, McKinnon closed things by saying, “see you at Wimbledon.”
To which Davidson quickly replied, “Probably not”.
9:15PM: ALCOTT’S FIGHTING QUALITIES SHINE IN COMEBACK
Dylan Alcott’s fairytale of farewelling Melbourne Park by winning a magical eighth consecutive Australian Open is just four sets away.
But it was hard work for the No.1 seed and popular 31-year-old, who was down a set and a break before showing the fighting qualities that have endeared him to Australia and throughout the world.
Alcotts’s amazing sportsmanship was also on show early on in the tense final set. At 30-30, Alcott lost a point due to “hindrance” because he called out when mistakenly believing a ball from opponent Niels Vink was going long.
But instead of protesting the umpire’s decision or remonstrating, Alcott said: “Sorry, mate” to his opponent and got on with it, breaking straight back to level the third set at 1-1 before storming to a 6-7 6-4 6-2 victory.
It happened for a second time when Alcott “got a bit over excited” at 5-1, with the free point helping Vink win his second game of the set.
But the Dutchman then called for the physiotherapist clutching his left forearm in agony.
It appeared severe cramps had set in for the teenager, who suffered meningococcal when he was one year old and lost both legs and several phalanges.
With fellow Australian No.1 seed Ash Barty steamrolling another opponent, fans from Rod Laver Arena trickled over to Kia Arena to ensure Alcott buried his Dutch opponent in front of a healthy crowd.
Alcott was on court for 164 minutes, which almost matched Barty’s 167 minutes in her first three rounds at Melbourne Park.
Alcott will meet Andy Lapthorne in the semi-finals.
‘UNBEATABLE’: LEGEND WAS RIGHT ABOUT BARTY
Labelled “unbeatable” by Rod Laver this week, Ashleigh Barty has done right by the all-time great with another stunning performance on Rod Laver Arena.
Barty survived her toughest examination of the week to reach a fourth-straight Australian Open quarter-final.
Barty burned through her first three rounds 60 minutes or less, but at the hour-mark of a Sunday special the world No.1 was well and truly in a dogfight against rising American star Amanda Anisimova.
Barty had her astonishing serving streak ended after 63-straight holds, but recovered to close out the straight sets win 6-4 6-3 to set up a final-eight showdown with another American, Jessica Pegula.
With her streak broken, Barty dialled up the pain on her serve – firing down seven aces and her fastest serve of the tournament, a 182 bullet.
A blown overhead smash by Anisimova in the seventh game of the second set proved incredibly costly – triggering a double break as Barty sealed an impressive win.
It’s the third year in a row Barty has arrived at Melbourne Park as the top seed.
That alone brings with it a certain amount of added pressure – no top seed has won since Serena Williams in 2015 – but throw in Australia’s 44-year hoodoo at the event and it’s a giant gorilla on the back for one of Queensland’s finest ever.
With her performance on Sunday, she’s just six sets from ending yet another drought.
8:15PM: BARTY’S SERVING STREAK BROKEN
Ash Barty’s epic serving streak has finally come to an end.
The world No.1 had held serve 63 games in a row dating back to her title in Adelaide last week.
However, the staggering run ended in her first service game of the second set as American Amanda Anisimova struck.
It’s not all bad news for Barty though. She took the opening set 6-4.
8:00PM: BARTY TAKES OPENING SET 6-4
If you need any reminder that Ash Barty is facing her toughest test of the tournament to date – know that in all three of her previous matches, she was on the verge of victory after 37 minutes.
Tonight, that’s how long it’s taken her to grind out the first set.
Barty sealed the first set 6-4 with a hold to love, among her most impressive of the match, against American giant-killer Amanda Anisimova.
But Anisimova, who fought back from a set down against Naomi Osaka to reach the fourth round, has shown she can trouble the world No.1 with some bruising play.
The 20-year-old has matched Barty for winners (11 each) and aces (three each).
- Joe Barton
‘UNBEATABLE’: LEGEND’S STUNNING BARTY CALL
Ash Barty has been praised as “unbeatable” by Australia’s greatest ever tennis player as she looks to end a 44-year local drought at Melbourne Park.
Rod Laver, the only person in history to twice win all four grand slams in a calendar year, said Barty was on the verge of taking her game to “another level” at this year’s Australian Open following a blistering start to the tournament.
Barty has breezed through to the fourth round in under three hours – boasting the three fastest match times of the entire tournament.
“She’s doing great already. Ash has got a lot of potential and she’s showing it this particular time,” Laver said.
“It would be great for me if she won the Australian. I know the competition is pretty strong out there.
“But she’s beaten most of these players on the circuit. It’s just a matter if she can play her game when the chips are down. When she’s playing her great tennis, she’s unbeatable.
“She’s ready to say something big – and I think this particular tournament might be the one that could bring her to another level.”
Barty has made a solid start to her fourth round match tonight against Amanda Anisimova.
The match is on serve early in the first set. Barty has not been broken this tournament.
7:15PM: NADAL BACKS NEXT OPPONENT FOR BIG FUTURE
History-chasing Spaniard Rafael Nadal believes the next opponent in his pursuit of a second Australian Open title could win multiple grand slams.
The former world No.1 moved into the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park for a 14th time with an at-times wild 7-6 (16-14) 6-2 6-2 triumph over veteran Frenchman Adrian Mannarino on Sunday.
Mannarino sent a scare through the Nadal camp in an 81-minute opening set that extended to a 30-point tiebreaker – but it was smooth sailing once the Spaniard clinched it.
With dual champion Victoria Azarenka exiting the tournament earlier in the day, Nadal is the last-standing Australian Open singles winner.
But he must get through 14th seed Denis Shapovalov to keep his hopes alive, after the Canadian upset one of the title favourites, Alex Zverev.
“When I played against him (in 2017), after the match I said he is going to be a potential multi-grand slam winner,” Nadal said.
“I still think that if he’s able to keep improving; he will be a multi-grand slam winner. He has a lot of amazing things in his game, and his results say that.
“When he’s playing well; it’s very difficult to stop him.”
- Marc McGowan
6:45PM: WATCH NICK’S EPIC ERROR
There are unforced errors and then there was this.
Nick Kyrgios produced one of the worst fresh air swings the Australian Open has seen in his doubles match with Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Late in the third set, the Aussie showman was looking to hit a smash winner into next week.
The only issue was, he got nothing but air.
Both Kyrgios and Kokkinakis couldn’t believe the error.
Watch it below.
BIG swing and an even bigger MISS 💨
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 23, 2022
Thanasi's reaction to this was PRICELESS 😂#AusOpen - Live on Channel 9 and 9Now pic.twitter.com/neXwcXXSCc
Luckily it didn’t come back to haunt the Aussies, with Kyrgios and Kokkinakis continuing their winning run with a 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory over Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escobar.
6:15PM SHAPOVALOV’S SHOCK WIN OVER ZVEREV
The Canadian stampede continues.
Denis Shapovalov – one of two Canadian men inside the top 15, along with Felix Auger-Aliassime – has ousted Alex Zverev in straight sets in a result with major Australian Open title ramifications.
Shapovalov’s 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 defeat of the third-seeded German, in their first grand slam clash, was his third win in their past four meetings.
Auger-Aliassime will attempt to emulate his countryman’s effort when he locks horns with 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic on Monday.
Only Milos Raonic and Michael Belkin had ever reached the last eight in Melbourne among Canadian men in the Open Era before 14th-seeded Shapovalov matched them on Sunday.
With Novak Djokovic not in the tournament, this was supposed to be a major opportunity for Zverev to break his grand slam duck after a six-title season in 2021 that included the ATP Finals.
Russian Daniil Medvedev now looms as the clear player to beat after his US Open breakthrough last September, even with former world No.1 Rafael Nadal still in the draw.
Nadal is Shapovalov’s quarter-final opponent.
-Marc McGowan
SECOND AUS OPEN STAR TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID
Another Australian Open competitor has tested positive for Covid 19.
Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck’s exit PCR test returned a positive result and the world No 55 is said to be in isolation.
The 27-year-old posted an update to her Instagram followers.
“My exit test in Melbourne to go back to Belgium came back positive. I am isolating and following all requirements. I have very mild symptoms and am looking forward to coming back even stronger.”
Van Uytvanck is the latest in a list of players to have contracted Covid while in Australia.
Last week Ugo Humbert revealed he was positive shortly before taking to the court for his round three clash with Dan Evans.
During qualifying, Australia’s Bernard Tomic told a chair umpire mid match he thought he had Covid.
Two days later his premonition came true.
“I’m sure in the next two days I’ll test positive, I’m telling you,” Tomic said before having a crack at the lack of testing on site.
“I’ll buy you dinner if I don’t test positive in three days. Otherwise, you buy me dinner.
“I cannot believe nobody’s getting tested. They’re allowing players to come on the court with rapid tests in their room. Come on.
“No official PCR testing.”
5:37PM AUSSIES DROPS SECOND SET
Things have taken a turn for our Special Ks.
After an epic first set, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have dropped the second and are now in a do-or-die third set.
The Aussies gave up an early break and despite breaking back late, were unable to come through at the business end.
5:19PM NADAL THROUGH AFTER EPIC FIRST SET
History-chasing Spaniard Rafael Nadal refused on Sunday to become the latest victim of Melbourne’s heat wave.
With dual champion Victoria Azarenka exiting the tournament earlier in the day, Nadal remains the last-standing Australian Open singles winner from either gender.
Adrian Mannarino sent a scare through the Nadal camp in an 81-minute opening set that extended to an incredible 30-point tiebreaker – but it was smooth sailing once it went the Spaniard’s way.
Mannarino’s excellent early play waned in the following sets, with Nadal eventually breezing to a 7-6 (16-14) 6-2 6-2 triumph to book his 14th career quarter-final at Melbourne Park.
The French veteran physically wilted, grabbing at his left knee during the marathon tiebreak and later calling for the trainer for what looked a separate issue.
Nadal last won the Australian Open 13 years ago, but was runner-up in 2012 (Novak Djokovic), 2014 (Stan Wawrinka), 2017 (Roger Federer) and 2019 (Djokovic), so there is unfinished business.
Neither Djokovic (vaccine-related deportation) nor Federer (knee injury) is in Melbourne, meaning Nadal is the only one who could break their record-smashing grand slam men’s singles title deadlock.
- Marc McGowan
4:55PM: SPECIAL KS TAKE OPENING SET
The good times keep coming for the Special Ks.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have taken the first set of their match with Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escobar on a rocking Kia arena.
The first set was anyone’s at 4-4 but some thunderous returns from Kyrgios helped the Aussies secure the vital break.
4:45PM: SPECIAL KS RETURN TO COURT AFTER FIGHT DRAMA
They’re the rock stars of the tennis circuit - the Special Ks who have turned the tennis world on its head this week.
But can their epic Australian Open run continue?
Fresh off beating the No.1 seeds, Nick Kyrgios and great mate Thanasi Kokkinakis hit Melbourne Park again as they look to run through the men’s doubles.
It is the duo’s first time back on court since being caught up in an almost locker room fight following their victory last round.
Tennis Australia is now investigating the incident.
So far it doesn’t appear to have had an impact. Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have taken the first set.
RIDICULOUS TENNIS: LEGEND ‘BEFUDDLED’ BY NADAL EPIC
Rafa Nadal is locked in an insane battle on Rod Laver Arena. An 81 minute opening set in blistering heat has left one of the world’s greatest gobsmacked.
The Spanish great is up against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino and the showdown is not disappointing.
With temperature in Melbourne hitting over 34 degrees, what both players would have hoped would be a fast affair is a slugfest.
The first set alone went longer than any of Ash Barty’s entire matches.
Mannarino had seven attempts to close it out but it finally went Nadal’s way 7-6(14).
It was absurd tennis.
“That was a ridiculous win,” Jim Courier said on commentary during the first set tiebreak. “What a terrific shot and point for Mannarino. Boy, that point, watching those 25 shots develop, Nadal was playing cat and mouse with the guy who loves to play cat and mouse. Nadal didn’t play his style.
“I don’t know if you can tell at home I’m enormous fan of Rafael Nadal. Nothing against Adrian Mannarino. I’m just befuddled by a lot of what we’ve seen out here from Rafa. I don’t know why he’s making some of these choices.”
4:10pm THAT NADAL MANNARINO SET BROKEN DOWN
81 minutes
7-6 (14)
Nadal points won 49
Nadal aces 8
Mannarino points won 47
Mannarino aces 4
Longest rally 25 shots
By comparison to the 81 minute set, Ash Barty’s longest match lasted 61 minutes
2:41pm FAN FORCED TO TAKE SHIRT OFF
By Jasper Bruce
Tennis Australia is standing by its decision to order an Australian Open spectator to remove a shirt that featured a message in support of Peng Shuai amid ongoing concerns for the Chinese tennis star’s welfare.
On Sunday morning, footage emerged of security and police at the Australian Open requesting a spectator remove her shirt, which featured an image of Peng on the front and the message “Where Is Peng Shuai?” on the back.
The video ends with police saying that Tennis Australia was permitted to confiscate any paraphernalia that referenced Peng.
Tennis Australia told News Corp Australia that it feared for Peng’s safety but that fans were not permitted to make political statements with their clothing at the Australian Open.
“Under our ticket conditions of entry we don’t allow clothing, banners or signs that are commercial or political,” a Tennis Australia spokesperson said.
“Peng Shuai’s safety is our primary concern. We continue to work with the WTA and global tennis community to seek more clarity on her situation and will do everything we can to ensure her wellbeing.”
A GoFundMe page seeking to distribute Peng Shuai shirts at the Australian Open raised $6,500 within one 24 hours of being uploaded this weekend.
Victoria Police did not immediately return News Corp Australia’s request for comment.
In November, Peng, 36, made a social media post that accused former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexually assaulting her in 2017.
“Why did you come and look for me again, take me to your house, and force me into sex? I have no proof, and it would be impossible for me to keep any evidence. You denied everything afterwards,” Peng is quoted as having written.
The post was deleted within half an hour and Shuai was not heard from for weeks afterwards, prompting #WhereisPengShuai to trend on Twitter.
1:45pm IT’S HOT, AZARENKA OUT
Barbora Krejcikova is into the quarter-finals of the Aus Open after toppling two-time champion Victoria Azarenka.
It means that for the first time in a while, week two of the women’s draw has no defending champions competing.
Victoria Azarenka update: pic.twitter.com/23ipEPJrJ5
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 23, 2022
1:30PM NO 1 OF THE FUTURE HAS NO SPONSOR
Tennis players are selfish and a bit egotistical by nature, they have to be, according to Herald Sun columnist and former player Sam Groth.
It’s true. The majority of the world’s best always speak in the singular; I, I, I, me, me, me.
It’s a solitary sport for the most part. A lot of solo travelling. You have to have self-belief.
Up and coming men’s star Maxime Cressy is certainly not lacking in that department.
The young American, who is single-handedly trying to bring back the serve and volley, is confident he can topple Novak Djokovic. And attracting a sponsor along the way wouldn’t be the worst thing.
Ranked 70th in the world, now would be the time to get your name on his clothing, because world domination won’t take long.
Asked if he saw himself becoming a top 10 player, Cressy said: “Yeah, even No. 1, yeah, I’m very confident. My game style can beat anyone, so starting this year I’m very confident.
“I played Nadal and I really believe that it really put him in an uncomfortable position so I really stick to my routines and to a very disciplined mindset I can do it, yeah.”
We will get a pretty accurate reading on the American’s claims on Monday when he faces world No 2 and tournament favourite Danil Medvedev.
He just needs some logos to add to his shirts.
“I wait (for sponsors), I’m patient, I wait until I have a major breakthrough and I have a leverage to negotiate, especially during the COVID and everything it’s much tougher to have a great deal with a sponsorship, so I prefer really breaking through to the top 50, top 10 and then I negotiate.”
12:23pm QUARTER FINALIST
Madison Keys is the first player into the last eight of the Aus Open after beating world No 6 Paula Badosa in a massive upset.
It’s the first time Keys has made the last eight since 2018.
12:15pm LOOPHOLE WILL SEE DJOKOVIC RETURN
Just days after new laws were introduced that would see Novak Djokovic banned from the French Open, a loophole has been discovered.
The world No 1, who was deported from Australia a week ago, immediately saw the door slammed on his aspirations to win a 21st grand slam title when Emmanuel Macron changed the vaccination policy in France.
It was widely reported that the no jab no play approach in France would effectively rule Djokovic out of the May slam.
However, according to reports in Europe, France’s vaccination passports will provide exemption to those who have contracted the virus in the last six months.
Djokovic claims he tested positive on December 16 2021 which would see him squeeze Roland Garros into the 26 week window.
The French Open is scheduled to begin on May 22nd and end on June 5th.
Djokovic is the defending champion.
It remains unclear at this stage if Djokovic will be able to contest Wimbledon and or the US Open.
11:15AM: STAR DOESN’T REALISE HE HAS WON
There’s a lot going on when you’re playing for a spot in the fourth round of a grand slam.
But not realising you have won? That’s something we haven’t seen before.
World number four Stefanos Tsitsipas did not drop a service game, despite losing a set, as he overpowered Benoit Paire to reach the fourth round.
And while everyone celebrated for him, it took the Greek ace a while to realise it was over.
Heretreated to the baseline to prepare for the next point, that was until the umpire announced “game, set, match.”
“Guys that was wild, Stefanos literally did not know that he had won the match there,” Brad Stine said in commentary.
“It was funny because Benoit was staring him down, it looked like he (Tsitsipas) was going to go get his towel before he came to shake hands and Benoit actually looked a little irritated like, ‘Come shake hands, man, what are you doing?’
“Then he turned around and saw Benoit at the net and realised what was happening.”
Tsitsipas was on course for a straight-sets win but decisively lost a tiebreak to the Frenchman, before going on to see out victory 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4 in 2hr 42min on a steamy Rod Laver Arena.
Tsitsipas will face Taylor Fritz for a place in the quarter-finals after the American overcame Spanish 15th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-0, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Tsitsipas is a two-time semi-finalist in Melbourne but is yet to win a Grand Slam title.
.
1015am SERENA’S COACH WEIGHS IN ON KYRGIOS
Tennis needs Nick Kyrgios more than Nick Kyrgios needs tennis.
Love him or loathe him, you can’t argue with the statement.
The NK effect has been on show at tournaments around the world for years. But the Aus Open has seen it in full swing with more young men sitting in the stands than ever before.
Irrespective of the Aussie’s world ranking he will be a top choice for wildcards - should he need them - for years to come.
He puts bums on seats and he turns televisions on.
While he continues to divide opinion, he’s getting support from all the right place.
Most recently from Serena Williams’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou who says Kyrgios is “everything tennis that needs.”
Let’s go âš¡ï¸ https://t.co/ZUof43GYJ6
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 22, 2022
9:45am TILEY DODGES QUESTIONS
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley has again dodged questions about Novak Djokovic and the handling of the deportation fiasco.
A week after the world No 1 was booted out of the country after having his visa cancelled for a second time, plenty of questions remain unanswered.
Djokovic has been seen in public on multiple occasions since he arrived back in Serbia, but Tiley had little to say when asked if he would have done anything differently.
“Just prior to Novak leaving we did talk and have a conversation as well as during the period of it,” Tiley told Channel 9.
“There are reports that he is having some quiet time with his family and where we are today is that we’re focused on delivering a great event.”
It is the second time this week the CEO has sidestepped questions regarding the global circus that was Djokovic’s time in Australia.
On Thursday, Tiley said he believed tennis authorities had “already addressed those questions” surrounding whether either he or Tennis Australia had done anything outside of the guidelines provided to them by the federal and state governments.
9:20am ALCOTT GETS GOING
Dylan Alcott’s phone doesn’t stop pinging with Instagram direct messages.
With more than 187,000 followers, that’s probably to be expected.
Say “Dylan” around town and everyone knows who you mean.
But instead of the typical messages of support – or the occasional sledge – there’s something deeper.
It never ceases to surprise him.
Or stump the man who is rarely lost for words.
“I don’t really know how to reply,” Alcott told News Corp ahead of his final tilt at an Australian Open title.
“Some people are like ‘I have a disabled child, and I didn’t really know how to go about it, and now I’ve seen you and it’s changed my own perception of my kid – now I have hope for them’.
9am GOOD MORNING
We are at the halfway point of the Aus Open! What a week it has been. Good news for Aussie fans: we are alive in the singles, doubles and wheelchair competition.
Ash Barty and Alex De Minaur are safely through to round four, Dylan Alcott gets his campaign underway today and the Special K’s are also in action.
I tell you, if there’s one place to be today (besides following this coverage) it’s on the Kia Arena where the Special Ks play ahead of Alcott.
Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Recap a massive day 7 from Melbourne Park
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