Australian Open 2022: Stefanos Tsitsipas wins epic match with Taylor Fritz, women’s No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka knocked out
Comebacks, missed match points, early celebrations and violations. This Australian Open night session had everything – including a massive upset.
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Good luck trying to top night eight of the Australian Open for drama.
The women’s draw has been rocked by the exit of the number two seed Aryna Sabalenka, who was knocked out by a 36-year-old tour veteran who is currently ranked 115 in the world.
Kaia Kanepi recovered from giving up a 5-4 40-love lead in the third set of her match to snatch victory in a final set tiebreak.
Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled off the great escape against American Taylor Fritz.
The Greek star trailed by two sets to one and looked to be down and out at times, only to somehow pull out the fourth set and then muscle his way to victory in the fifth.
Also, there were code violations, premature celebrations and plenty more.
Recap the drama here.
HOW THE GREEK GOD PULLED OFF AN EPIC
Stefanos Tsitsipas has risen from the dead to become Melbourne Park’s ironman.
The Greek God avoided joining the mass exodus of men’s seeded stars by once again pulling off a monster five-set victory, twice battling from a set down, to take his title hopes off life support and deny young American Taylor Fritz a quarter-final berth.
Instead it was Tsitsipas who booked a spot in the final eight for the third time, where he will face Italian 11th seed Jannik Sinner after his straight-sets demolition of Australian Alex de Minaur earlier on Monday night.
Tsitsipas prevailed 4-6 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-4 in a mighty three hours and 23 minutes.
The match turned midway through the fourth set when Tsitsipas was handed a coaching violation as he battled to save his tournament, with father Apostolos singled out for giving sideline advice to his misfiring son.
Whether harsh or not, the coaching or the violation did the job – lighting a fire under Tsitsipas as Fritz was soon broken and a deciding set forced.
It was Fritz who blinked first, broken in the 11th game of the fifth set after his forehand was forced long to send the largely pro-Tsitsipas crowd into raptures.
Tsitsipas closed out the win with a clean service, with his experience on the big stage shining through.
MATCH POINTS, EARLY CALLS IN WOMEN’S EPIC
World number two Aryna Sabalenka was sent crashing out of the Australian Open in an epic fourth-round clash Monday by veteran Kaia Kanepi to end her hopes of a maiden Grand Slam title.
The Belarusian second seed saved four match points before losing 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (10/7) to put the unseeded Estonian Kanepi into her first quarter-final at Melbourne Park.
When quizzed about the missed chances, Kanepi said:
“I was really tight, yeah. My hand was shaking when I started serving. I didn’t make any first serves in, and that added to the pressure.”
As well as the almost blown match points, Kanepi had to endure another awkward moment when she celebrated victory a point early.
Did you notice I celebrated to soon? 😜@AustralianOpen#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/uB3f1jt6RK
— Kaia Kanepi (@KanepiKaia) January 24, 2022
The Estonian began to cheer at 9-7 in the super-tiebreak (which is played to 10), only to find out she still needed one more point.
Luckily for Kanepi, she managed to regroup in time to secure the win only moments later.
RECAP A BIG DAY 8 BELOW
UPSET ALERT: SABALENKA KNOCKED OUT OF OPEN
The women’s draw has been rocked with no.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka knocked out of the Australian Open.
The huge upset came at the hands of 36-year-old Kaia Kanepi, who recovered from an almost epic meltdown.
Kanepi led 5-4 40-love in the third set before failing to cash in on four match points. All were lost with errors.
However, she was able to get back on track, winning a match tie-break 10-7 to send Sabalenka packing.
SABALENKA SAVES FOUR MATCH POINTS
Incredible scenes here.
Aryna Sabalenka is somehow still in this match after saving four match points.
Serving for the match, Kaia Kanepi led 40-love.
She then produced three unforced errors in a row.
Kanepi had one more match point and made another error to keep Sabalenka in the match.
It is now locked at 5-5.
UPSET ALERT 2: SABALENKA IN SERIOUS DANGER
The Australian Open could be about to lose another massive name.
Aryna Sabalenka is in all sorts of trouble in her match with Kaia Kanepi.
After winning the opening set, the number two seed has had no answers for the big hitting Kanepi.
Ranked 115 in the world, Kanepi is up a break in this final set and doesn’t look like going away.
CONFUSION SURROUNDS STAR’S MID-MATCH TWEET
Stefanos Tsitsipas is no stranger when it comes to quality social media content.
But tonight he is entering areas few have seen before.
Tennis fans have been left confused after a bizarre tweet was sent from the Greek star’s official account while he was on court.
“This is the Mondayest Monday that ever Mondayed,” the tweet said.
Given he was losing at the time the tweet went live, it may have been an accurate reflection of how he was feeling.
Tennis fans were then left to guess whether his account had been hacked, if it was a scheduled tweet or if someone else with access to his account sent it.
Stay tuned for the post-match as we are sure to have the mystery solved.
10:45PM: TSITSIPAS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE
The Australian Open could be about to lose another big scalp.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is on the verge of being knocked out of the men’s tournament by American Taylor Fritz.
The Greek star, who made the semi-finals at Melbourne Park last year, dropped the third set 6-4 and now trails two sets to one.
Fritz has been clubbing winners off his serve and from the back of the court.
The 24-year-old is hoping to make his first Grand Slam quarter-final.
KYRGIOS’ BIZARRE TAUNT THAT SPARKED DOUBLES FURY
Is this the moment that sparked a furious reaction from the world No.1 doubles pair?
New crowd vision has emerged of Nick Kyrgios taunting Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic by imitating the bobbing tennis movements from renowned sports game Wii Sports.
This is believed to be the action which tipped the Croatian duo over the edge, arguing with the chair umpire after the incident.
Pavic was heard on the on-court microphone telling the umpire, “This is p***ing me off … don’t let that happen.”
Later, the situation boiled over when Kyrgios and his doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis were allegedly threatened by the coach and trainer of their opponents in the Melbourne Park gym.
“Me and Nick are trying to be professionals so we went into the gym after our doubles match maybe for one of the first times ever,” Kokkinakis said of the altercation on Sunday.
“I’m going to be honest – it was Pavic’s fitness trainer who came up and he smashed a foam roller against a pole as hard as he can and I thought he was kind of joking.
“I wasn’t sure if he was about to berate his players, and he came up to Nick and said we were being disrespectful.
“They said we were showboating, but I’m sure if we played away in Croatia it would’ve been the same thing.
“I think they were a bit salty they lost.”
9:15PM: UPSET ALERT ON ROD LAVER ARENA
Could there be an upset on the cards on Rod Laver Arena?
American Taylor Fritz has got the early jump on No.4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, taking the opening set 6-4.
There has been a lot of talk about Tsitsipas’ fitness this Australian Open and it is going to be put to the ultimate test now.
Does he have enough in the tank to fight his way back from a set down?
So far it is the serve of Fritz that is doing all the damage. He is winning 87 per cent of points when he gets his first serve in.
‘STAR’S FURY OVER RULES, SCHEDULE SNUB
Daniil Medvedev has apologised after an on-court meltdown threatened to blow up his march into the last eight of the Australian Open, and questioned why he’s been snubbed from Rod Laver Arena.
The Russian top seed raged at officials over not being able to use a toilet break after the first set of the three-hour-and-30-minute clash, and ranted about rival Maxime Cressy’s “boring” serve-volley style as well as ruing the American’s good fortune during the game.
Medvedev also queried why he’d been put on the second show-court, rather than Rod Laver Arena, for his past two matches.
“What should I do to play on centre courts in grand slams? Because I won the last grand slam (2021 US Open), I’m the highest seed here,” he said.
“I usually don’t (ask for a specific court). Maybe I have to ask every time.
“But I don’t really want to be the guy who asks every time ‘put me on Rod Laver or I’m gonna be unhappy’.”
Medvedev, who was heard complaining “this is so boring” during a Cressy service game, apologised after the match for overstepping the line with his unconventional serve-volley opponent.
“I was quite mad because of a few things,” Medvedev said.
“To be honest, I’m working on myself, and that’s why I managed to win and still kept my composure, as much as I could, because sometimes I go much crazier than I did today.
“I’m really sorry to Maxime about it.”
- Joe Barton
TA RESPONDS TO GLOBAL OUTRAGE OVER CONTROVERSIAL GAGGING
Tennis Australia has responded after the tennis community reacted in anger over a decision to remove clothing and a banner bearing the words “Where is Peng Shuai?” at Melbourne Park.
Video of security confiscating a banner and asking fan Max Mok, a pro-democracy campaigner from Hong Kong, and another activist to remove the t-shirts featuring a message of support for Peng went viral amid ongoing concerns for the player’s welfare.
TA claimed the shirts and banners were in breach of their rules over political messaging.
There have been concerns over Shuai’s safety since she made allegations on social media last November that she had been sexually assaulted by a top Chinese government official.
TA has been accused of bowing to its sponsors with tennis legend Martina Navratilova describing the stance as “pathetic”.
In its statement, Tennis Australia said:
“We understand and appreciate that people have strongly held personal and political views on a range of issues.
“Peng Shuai’s safety is our primary concern. We continue to work with the WTA and the global tennis community to do everything we can to ensure her wellbeing. Our work is ongoing and through the appropriate channels. Today we have again reiterated our strong support to the WTA and we extend this to all the players.
“To ensure that the Australian Open remains a welcoming, safe and inclusive event for everyone, we have a longstanding policy of not allowing banners, signs or clothing that are commercial or political.
“On this occasion, the security guard was simply enforcing this policy and while we have reviewed this and are happy to welcome the patron back to Melbourne Park, the policy will continue to be applied in relation to any items that compromise the safety and comfort of AO fans.”
8:00PM: DE MINAUR’S OPEN DREAM OVER
Australia will have to wait at least another year for a shot at the men’s Australian Open title, but Alex De Minaur remains primed for 2022 despite a disappointing end to his home major campaign.
For De Minaur, the dream became a demolition at the hands of 11th seed Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
It was the battle of the young bucks – a combined age of just 42 years – but the Italian delivered a near-perfect showing to land his second quarter-final spot at a major and his first at Melbourne Park.
De Minaur had few answers, under the watchful eye of Australian champion Rod Laver.
Sinner was seamless.
And despite a late fight, Italian Sinner – who is lauded as one of the sport’s emerging stars – advanced to the final eight in blistering fashion 7-6(3) 6-3 6-4.
- Lauren Wood
7:50PM FRENCH STAR CALLS OUT TA’S BANNER DECISION
French star Alize Cornet described the decision to remove banners and clothing as “surprising”.
“It makes me feel a little bit surprised, to be honest,” she said after reaching her first grand slam quarter-final.
“But I don’t know how it happened, and I don’t want to judge a situation that I don’t know.
“I think that everybody should be able to manifest their support to Peng Shuai.”
When pressed on why she’s been outspoken on the topic, the 32-year-old explained it was because it was so out of character for the Chinese star to go silent.
“Because this was not a normal situation at that time when it happened, and I felt like it was my duty as a player, as a fellow tennis player, that knew her for a long time to just ask what’s going on,” she added.
“At that moment, I remember I was on holiday in Portugal, and I’m, like, What’s going on? Should we do something? Should we say something?
“The answer was definitely yes.
“It’s still very unsure how she’s doing, but I think the fact to put some lights on this story was good for her overall.
“Yeah, now we are of course all waiting for more details that we don’t have so far, but we keep our fingers crossed.”
6:35pm MEDVEDEV MELTDOWN
Danil Medvedev has generally been able to keep his cool out on the court this Australian Open — even if he has caused controversy in interviews — but the Russian reached breaking point in his fourth-round win.
American opponent Maxime Cressy was getting under the skin of Medvedev, taking the third set off the world No.2 in a tiebreak and making it tough for him in the sweltering conditions.
Medvedev screamed after another Cressy serve got the better of him, saying:
“This is so boring!” Medvedev screamed after another serve got the better
Medvedev then took his anger out on the chair umpire at the change of ends, believing there were time allowances made on Cressy’s on his serve.
"THIS IS SO BORING!" 🗣ï¸
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 24, 2022
Daniil Medvedev is getting frustrated here! 😡😡😡#AusOpen - Live on 9Gem and 9Now pic.twitter.com/p6c7gvTQQa
"THIS IS SO BORING!" 🗣ï¸
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 24, 2022
Daniil Medvedev is getting frustrated here! 😡😡😡#AusOpen - Live on 9Gem and 9Now pic.twitter.com/p6c7gvTQQa
He questioned “who makes these rules” and argued it was unfair that Cressy wasn’t being penalised when he was not allowed to go to the toilet.
“I freaking cannot go pee, and you’re going to wait seven seconds and then zero and you don’t say anything, rules are for who?
5:51pm DE MINAUR PLAYING LIKE A ‘VIDEO GAME’
Alex De Minaur has looked comfortable against Jannik Sinner — as the Aussie has all tournament.
Former world No.1 and expert commentator Jim Courier likened it to watching a video game.
“That’s outrageous. That is like watching a video game,” he said on commentary.
“It is amazing, the speed of the shots and then the quickness to get to the next one.
“That kind of intensity, that’s why these players need to spend so much time warming up and cooling down and doing all the things they do to keep their bodies finally tuned. Because they’re asking a lot of them.”
First break point saved. 💪#AusOpen - Live on Channel 9 and 9Now pic.twitter.com/DJbaCsMyEE
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 24, 2022
5:45pm JUNIOR SILENCES DOUBTERS TO CREATE HISTORY
In the melting Melbourne heat, there’s been one young star making a serious impression – for more than just her tennis.
Becoming the first player in history to compete in a hijab at a grand slam, and the first Iranian to win a grand slam junior’s match, 17-year-old Meshkatolzahra Safi is proving a genuine trailblazer at this year’s Australian Open.
The determined young star, who spent her childhood being told that her dreams of playing at a grand slam were “impossible”, has taken great pride in silencing her doubters to reach the second round this week – where she will face Belgian eighth seed Sofia Costoulas.
ICYMI, history for Iran 🇮🇷
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2022
Meshkatolzahra Safi is the first girl from her country to win a junior Grand Slam match 👠#AusOpen · #AO2022pic.twitter.com/N0EoSPqEKO
“When I started my journey, everybody in Iran was saying, ‘this is impossible, playing grand slams is impossible, you cannot do that’; especially to my mum,” she said this week.
“So I didn’t say my dream to anyone anymore and I just kept pushing.”
The soaring Melbourne temperatures rattled some of the tour’s most experienced players over the weekend, but Safi – in full-length leggings and a long-sleeved shirt as well as a headscarf – was untroubled.
“I love the sun, but not this much,” she added.
“But I’m used to this hijab and this covering. This is part of me now because I was playing with this since I was nine until today, in any tours, in any weather, cold or hot. I’m used to it.”
5:09pm DOKIC, STAR IN TEARS AFTER STUNNING UPSET
— Lauren Wood
Frenchwoman Alize Cornet chose her moment of glory to deliver an emotional message of support for Australian former player Jelena Dokic.
Dokic opened up this week about the vicious “fat-shaming” she had received during the Australian Open.
And Cornet - who had just saluted in a three-set epic over Simona Halep - moved to support her former opponent.
“You were an amazing player and now you’re an amazing commentator,” she said.
The pair then shrugged covid protocols aside to share an on-court embrace, with Dokic in tears.
THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL! ðŸ˜â¤ï¸ï¸@alizecornet and Jelena Dokic in one of the most emotional moments you'll see. #AusOpen - Live on Channel 9 and 9Now pic.twitter.com/YS3fmw4VnZ
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 24, 2022
“You just made me cry, I can’t believe I’m crying, thank you,” Dokic said.
he match against Halep proved that 63rd time was indeed the charm for Cornet, who has played in every grand slam main draw since 2007 but made her first quarter-final with the victory.
And it wasn’t easy, with on-court temperatures soaring.
Cornet, who famously collapsed on court due to heat in 2018, said she felt like she was “dying”.
“After 30 minutes of playing, my brain was already overloaded,” Cornet said.
“My vision was not clear anymore, my hands were shaking, and I was like ‘how am I going to do (if I am like this) after only 30 minutes?’.
“But I thought that on the other side of the court I thought that (Halep) was not feeling much better than me, and my box helped me so much.”
The enormity of her win spilled over after match point.
“That’s why we play tennis, that’s why I keep playing tennis - it’s for this moment where I can share all these emotions on the court with you,” Cornet said.
“The journey goes on and I still can’t believe it.”
4:11pm HALEP’S RIDICULOUS TURNAROUND
Simona Halep looked to be down and out in the second set, visibly in distress in sweltering conditions.
But Halep bounced back against the odds down 1-3 to win the next 16 straight points and five games to take the set 6-3.
Halep’s ridiculous turnaround
Pretty wild that Halep did not lose another point in the second set from this position.
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 24, 2022
In fact, she won the last 5 games and the last 16 points!
Huge effort in completely gruelling conditions. How much will both players have left for the decider? #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/00i0FtqY2N
From 4-6, 1-3 down, Simona Halep takes the 2nd set vs. Alizé Cornet, 6-3.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 24, 2022
Won the last 5 games and the last 16 (!) points.
2:59pm MOST ABSURD SHOT OF AUS OPEN
We have a new clubhouse leader for the most absurd shot of this year’s Australian Open.
Doubles specialist Joe Salibury stunned Aussie pair Dane Sweeny and Li Tu with a ridiculous leaping return from deep in the court.
The point looked over when Sweeny smashed a backhand volley from the net. Enter Salisbury.
The star sprinted and launched towards the ball into the air, with a wild swing — while airborn — flying over the top of the Aussie pair, watching in awe as the ball pitched narrowly inside the baseline.
Salisbury wasn’t even in the TV frame and ended up on top of the time clock in the corner of the court, highlighting just how freakish the shot was.
Un. Real. 🤯 @joesalisbury92 · #AusOpen · #AO2022
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2022
🎥: @espn · @wwos · @eurosport · @wowowtennispic.twitter.com/bAWprkTZ21
And of course, the craziest shot of the open came against the craziest hairstyle, with Sweeny’s flowing mullet on show on John Cain Arena.
Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram, world No.2 in men’s doubles, knocked off the Aussie wildcards 6-4, 6-4.
2:05pm COLLINS UPSETS MERTENS
Danielle Collins has taken out a thriller!
The American has come from a set down to upset Elise Mertens 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 51 minutes in intense heat
Mertens saved two match points as her opponent closed in on the win, but Collins kept the pressure to win the ntext two points and the match.
And she’s up again very soon in the doubles!
“I think today was mentally physically tough for me. I played a long match 2.5 hours, played doubles for 1.5 hours, spent about five hours on court,” Collins explained post-match.
“I had to make a lot of technical adjustments to be able to get myself moving around and especially serving. That was a big challenge.
“Now I need to focus on getting ready for doubles again in the next 1.5 hours.
“I hope we can kick some butt out there in doubles this afternoon.”
Not enough tennis today 🤷â€â™€ï¸ðŸ˜‚
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2022
🇺🇸 Danielle Collins is heading back out for doubles after a nearly three-hour win 💪 #AusOpen · #AO2022pic.twitter.com/tIRK3H8Z8C
1:52pm BARTY BLOCKBUSTER IN DRAW
For those wondering when Ash Barty’s next match is, she will take on another American on centre stage on Tuesdaay night.
Barty will face the Jessica Pegula after 7:00pm on Rod Laver Arena, following her straight sets win over American Amanda Anisimova.
In fact, the Aussie hasn’t lost a set so far in her dominant Australian Open campaign, with her recent match her longest time on court — and it only took her 74 minutes.
Gael Monfils and Matteo Berrettini will do battle after Barty’s clash in what shapes as a blockbuster night session.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal clashes with Denis Shapovalov after 2:00pm.
#AusOpen Order of Play Tuesday 25 January pic.twitter.com/KJHK96dw4u
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2022
1:29pm SANDERS STORMS INTO QUARTERS
Aussie Storm Sanders and her American doubles partner Caroline Dolehide are through to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
The pair knocked off Ukranian pairing Marta Kostyuk and Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-4 on Margaret Court Arena.
“This is absolutely unreal,” Sanders said post-match.
“There was such a great atmosphere today. Being into the quarters is a career-best for me here at home and we want to keep going.”
Cruising 🚢
— The First Serve (@TheFirstServeAU) January 24, 2022
🇦🇺 Storm Sanders and 🇺🇸 Caroline Dolehide are through to the quarters of the #AusOpen after a big win over 🇺🇦 pair Marta Kostyuk and Dayana Yastremska ðŸ¤#TheFirstServepic.twitter.com/mghVlWowHT
1:01pm ALCOTT SPILLS ON LOCKER ROOM EXCHANGE
Dylan Alcott and Gael Monfils are adored by tennis fans, but they are the first to admit they aren’t getting any younger.
That was abundantly clear in the conversation between the two ageing tennis stars after their respective wins on Saturday.
Alcott, in his final grand slam, took us into the locker room following his win over Niels Vink, where he and Monfils were “cooked.”
The 31-year-old remarked at how the high-energy Frenchman was still going at 35 as he detailed the humorous exchange.
Age isn't just a number for everyone 😂 @DylanAlcott · @Gael_Monfils · #AusOpen · #AO2022pic.twitter.com/KmgU8S1XHo
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2022
“I was in the locker room with Gael Monfils, he won in straight (sets) we’re both like, cooked,” Alcott said with a smile.
“I was like ‘We are old!’
“And he’s like 35. We were both like this (hands on hips), ‘Oh my God. I’m the oldest man in the world!’
“And he wants to keep playing. What is he doing! Good on him, he’s a weapon. But I’m done.”
12:20pm COLLINS FUMES AFTER MERTENS COMEBACK
Elise Mertens is on a roll!
The Belgian was on the ropes in the first set down 0-1 to American Danielle Collins.
That was before she was six of the next seven games to take the first 6-4.
As the mercury climbed over 30 here in Melbourne, Collins took her anger out on her racquet as Mertens worked her way back into the set, dropping her racquet on the ground in frustration after losing a point.
Game on 🥊
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 24, 2022
Elise Mertens breaks back into the set as Danielle Collins takes her frustrations out on her racquet 😡#AusOpen - Live on Channel 9 and 9Now pic.twitter.com/RwmEGSp4Oq
Elise Mertens REFUSED to lose set point 😤
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 24, 2022
The Belgian comes back from 0-3 to win the opener! 🇧🇪#AusOpen - Live on Channel and 9Now pic.twitter.com/ufeGYOdGlE
11:01am OPEN SLAMMED OVER SHUAI GAG
The Australian Open’s is bowing to corporate China. That’s the reason for banning fans from carrying messages of support for Peng Shuai, according to players who are disgusted by the move.
French tennis player Nicolas Mahut and former grand slam champion Martina Navratilova have slammed Tennis Australia’s decision to gag spectators from carrying messages of support for the Chinese player whose disappearance made headlines around the world in 2021.
On Saturday, video emerged showing two spectators approached by security and told to remove clothing that featured a message supporting Shuai amid ongoing concerns for her welfare.
The video sparked fury among fans and the playing group after TA claimed the shirts and banners breached their rule of “no political messaging”.
Mahut accused organisers of bowing to their sponsors and calling their stance cowardly while Navratilova dismissed it as pathetic.
“What’s going on!?” Mahut posted on social.
“What lack of courage! What if you did not have Chinese sponsors #1573.”
Martina Navratilova has also added her voice to those slamming the censorship.
“That’s just pathetic. The @wta stands pretty much alone on this!!!” she tweeted.
Peng — a two-time major champion in doubles — made allegations on social media against China’s former vice-premier, Zhang Gaoli, last year.
Despite numerous videos purporting to show her out in public being released by Chinese state media, there have been serious concerns for her wellbeing from across the tennis and wider sporting world ever since.
That’s just pathetic. The @wta stands pretty much alone on this!!!#WhereisPengShuaihttps://t.co/V9g2GZh5Px
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) January 23, 2022
10:30am WORST OF MY CAREER
A dejected Alexander Zverev labelled his straight sets exit to Denis Shapovalov as one of the worst of his career where “everything” went wrong.
The world number three was dumped out of the Australian Open by Canada’s 14th seed 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in 2hr 21min in a display Zverev termed “just awful”.
The 24-year-old’s quest for a maiden grand slam continues despite having arrived in Australia as one of the tournament favourites.
“Everything,” Zverev said. “Maybe since Wimbledon, one of the worst matches I have played. It’s just tough.
“I give credit to Denis. It’s incredible he’s in the quarters. I think he deserves it.
“But today, in my opinion, was just awful from my side.
“It’s no one else’s fault. It’s purely me. At the end of the day, as the world number three, I have to take responsibilities for the things I do and don’t do.”
9:04am TOMIC SLEDGED IN BRUTAL WAY
He may no longer be at Melbourne Park but Bernard Tomic hasn’t been forgotten.
The controversial Aussie became a talking point on social media during Rafael Nadal’s epic fourth round tie-breaker against Adrian Mannarino.
In an absolute brutal display of tennis, the first set breaker took 28 minutes and 40 seconds as Nadal secured the 30-point decider, 16-14.
But why were those last 20 seconds important?
As tennis writer Ben Rothenberg mentioned, it made the tie-breaker longer than one of Tomic’s entire matches.
In 2014 Tomic set a then record for the shortest tennis match in history when he lost to Jarkko Nieminen 6-0 6-1.The match took 28 minutes and 20 seconds.
It’s fair to say Nadal and Mannarino were working a little bit harder than that on Sunday.
8:52AM TIME FOR TENNIS TO CHANGE
Tennis is paying the price for embracing Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and nobody else, with the game’s No.1 entertainer Nick Kyrgios hoping his charge towards a shock Australian Open doubles title helps breathe fresh life into a “dying” sport.
The Kyrgios-Thanasi Kokkinakis pairing has evolved into must-watch viewing after the unlikely stars stunned the No.1 seeds and No.15 seeds inside three days to charge into the quarter-finals as the tournament’s giant killers.
Lines snaked outside a capacity Kia Arena on Sunday afternoon, with all 5000 seats gone long before the Aussie baseline bandits hit the court.
“I saw the TV ratings up like 45 per cent, mate, let’s just get this clear,” Kyrgios said.
8:40am DYLAN REVEALS STRUGGLES
A bout of depression sitting in hotel quarantine when Dylan Alcott flew home after completing the Golden Slam last year triggered an intense training program that has the champion on the verge of a fairytale farewell.
The retiring legend is just four sets away from bowing out with an eighth consecutive Australian Open, and 16th grand slam overall, after fighting back against teenager Niels Vink at Kia Arena.
The No. 1 seed was stunned to be playing a Dutchman who is about to be named the sport’s No. 2 player in the first round, and told Vink at the net after his gutsy 6-7 (1) 6-4 6-2 victory that he would win 20 slams.
Alcott, 31, watched on enviously from his 14 days locked in isolation as good mate Max Gawn partied for days on end after captaining Melbourne to the AFL premiership.
7:30am GOOD MORNING
It was a day for the veteran battlers yesterday with rafa nadal and Gael Monfils winning through to the last eight.
W could see more of the ‘oldies’ follow suit today as Alize Cornet and Marin Cilic look to achieve the same.
Monfils, who 12 months ago left the Open in tears as he battled his demons, was righfully thrilled on Sunday warning “I’m not quite finished yet” after winning a drawn-out battle with unfancied Miomir Kecmanovic.
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 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.”
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