Australian Open 2023: Fans kicked out of Novak Djokovic match on Rod Laver Arena
An enraged Novak Djokovic stopped his match and demanded fans dressed as Where’s Wally be kicked out of Rod Laver Arena for heckling him. Watch the video here.
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Novak Djokovic says a group of drunken fans crossed the line and should have been kicked out earlier by Australian Open officials.
The nine-time champion was forced to ask the chair umpire early in the fourth set of his match against Frenchman Enzo Couacaud to remove some spectators from Rod Laver Arena who were dressed as ‘Where’s Wally?’ cartoon characters.
They had been taunting and heckling the Serbian star for the entire match.
“What I have a problem with is when somebody’s crossing the line - numerous times,” Djokovic said.
“From the very beginning, guys that were under the influence of alcohol, it was obvious, and I was grabbing my towel very close to them, particularly one guy, you heard his voice various times tonight, was insulting me and provoking me and saying things that were not respectful at all.
“So I tolerated it for over one and a half hours, almost two hours. I was giving signs to the chair umpire, looking at the chair umpire looking at the guy.
“I think the chair umpire, supervisor, whoever is responsible for handling the crowd, should have done a bit more and anticipated me coming out to the chair umpire and looking like a bad guy because this is how I’m going to look like now in the media, in the public, because I’m the guy that kicked out some other guy.
“It’s just unnecessary because why should we as players be put in a position where we have to always react when it’s been two hours. It’s not been 10 minutes. This is what I mind, and this is why I felt the need to go out there because I had enough, you know?
“I can tolerate five, six times somebody telling me something, but there is a limit. That limit was crossed, and I stepped in and I asked the chair umpire, is he going to do something about it or not? He did, and I thanked him.
“I feel like it’s unnecessary for me or any other player to be put in this position after long time that match is already going, during of the match has already been two hours. It’s plenty of time for the supervisor, chair umpire, whoever is responsible, to react before a player.”
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley had warned in the lead-up to the tournament about a “boo ban” for fans who jeered Djokovic over last year’s Covid visa debacle.
The No.4 seed had enjoyed a positive reception until Thursday night. His first appearance at Melbourne Park was in an exhibition match with Nick Kyrgios last Friday where 20,000 fans stood and cheered when he entered the stadium.
There were also no problems in his opening round victory over Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena but things got messy during his bizarre second round encounter with Couacaud.
INJURY RED FLAGS REAPPEAR AS CONCERN FOR DJOKOVIC GROWS
After the Frenchman rolled his ankle in the first set, it was Djokovic who was hampered in the second with the left hamstring which he carried into the tournament appearing to flare up.
Djokovic admitted afterwards he was worried about the injury and the impact it would have on his chances to win a record-equalling 22nd grand slam title.
“I am worried. I mean, I cannot say that I’m not. I have reason to be worried,” he said. “But at the same time I have to accept the circumstances and try to adjust myself with my team.
#Djokovic in Serbian: Today, the intensity of the pain worsened as the match went on, especially from the middle to the end of the second set. During the medical time out, I went outside, I changed my bandage and took some medications.
— SaÅ¡a Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) January 19, 2023
“My physio and medical team have been doing everything possible so that I can be able to play every match. There’s not much more to talk about. There’s two choices: leave it or keep going. So I’m going to keep going. I’m going to try to play and compete.
“My situation with my injury is not ideal... I have to take it day by day. “I’m not practising in the days between because I’m trying to give myself more time for my leg to be in somewhat more of an ideal state.
“I know matches are only going to get tougher for me from here. Two years ago I had kind of similar circumstances here in Australia with a different muscle where I had a tear and I had to deal with that. Somehow I pushed it through and won the tournament.
But it’s different now, obviously. I don’t know how my body’s going to react. I hope for the best. I hope for a positive outcome. I’ll take it day by day, match by match, and see how it goes.”
Djokovic will take on 27th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the third round who he has a 9-1 career record over.
‘SADNESS AND DOUBT’: STAR OPENS UP ON EATING DISORDER STRUGGLES
Owen Leonard
Top French contender Caroline Garcia has every chance at progressing deep into the tournament but her tennis star status is transcending the court.
Garcia soared to world no. 4 early in her career in 2018 but was way back down the ranks at no. 74 by the end of 2021.
Springing back into grand slam contention last season, the 29-year-old opened up about the shadows of “sadness and doubt” in a recent interview with French newspaper L’Equipe, also telling the publication about struggling with an eating disorder.
Garcia said she had the condition bulimia, which includes binge eating before taking drastic measures to avoid weight gain – in Garcia’s case, she would fast.
Speaking after winning her second match of the tournament on Thursday, Garcia said opening up would help others do the same.
“When you are asked ‘How are you’, you just answer ’I’m fine’, but we don’t really know what is behind that,” she said.
“I think a lot of players now are feeling more comfortable to open about it and to express how they are.”
Garcia has a pinned post on Instagram illustrating the story of her 2022 season, with 10 photos included. In one, she has tears streaming down her face.
She said Thursday her new status as a mental health advocate was helping others negotiate their own struggles.
“You can find some messages (from people on social media), I already saw a couple … they say thank you for it. It helps them to give energy,” Garcia said.
“People can relate a little bit to your story, what you have been living.
“Everyone is going to deal with it differently. But sometimes it’s good to have an example of people who went through it and improved.”
ANGRY GERMAN’S BLUNT RESPONSE TO REPORTER
It was a day of upsets at the Australian Open as some of the biggest names in the game found themselves searching for early flights home.
But before any big names can leave Melbourne Park, they need to tick off a press conference with the waiting media.
When you’ve just had your grand slam dreams crushed, it’s not exactly a fun activity but rules are rules.
And for the media, they need to be on their toes. Any mediocre questions will be handled like a short second serve at 0-40.
Fresh from his loss to Michael Mmoh, German Alexander Zverev was in no mood for any pleasant exchanges with the media.
Here was the opening exchange following his loss:
Q. How is it going?
Zverev: How is it going? I think you can answer that.
Q. Yeah.
Zverev went down to the world number 107 in four sets, 7-6 4-6 3-6 2-6.
8.54PM DE MINAUR WINS FIRST SET
Alex de Minaur is on the board against Adrian Mannarino, taking the first set 7-6 in a tiebreak.
8.40PM GARCIA RELIEVED TO REACH THIRD ROUND
AFP
World number four Caroline Garcia admitted she was relieved to see off tricky left-hander Leylah Fernandez in straight sets Thursday and take her place in the third round of the Australian Open.
Garcia, of France, beat the 20-year-old former US Open finalist 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 in 1hr 52min on Rod Laver Arena to set up a meeting with Laura Siegemund of Germany.
“I’m pleased because she was pretty much up all the time and winning her service games very easily,” said Garcia of the world number 40 from Canada.
At the end of a high-quality first set which saw one service break each, Fernandez upped a gear at the start of the tiebreak, stretching out to a 4-0 lead.
But a double fault at 4-1 gave Garcia a sniff and she capitalised, fighting back to 6-5 and sealing the set with an ace.
Neither could make inroads early in the second set with Garcia unable to maintain pressure on Fernandez, who lost the 2021 Flushing Meadows final to Emma Raducanu.
“On the serve she was using the slice very well,” said Garcia. “So I had to make a lot of adjustments and the winner was going to be the one who was more aggressive inside the court.”
Then at 5-5, Fernandez finally cracked as Garcia finally broke and then served out for the match, celebrating with a trademark leap of joy.
Garcia roared back into the top five last year after a tough couple of years where injuries caused her form to desert her.
Since June 2022 Garcia has won 38 Tour-level matches including titles on all three surfaces — clay, grass and hard courts -— to climb back from 74th in the world at the start of last season.
8.15PM ‘NO DISRESPECT’: AMERICAN EXPLAINS ‘VAMOS’ CELEBRATION
American rising star Ben Shelton has revealed why he celebrates in Spanish after ousting Chilean Nicolas Jarry from the Australian Open.
The 20-year-old, who has qualified for the third round, was asked after his 7-6 7-6 7-5 victory whether his use of ‘Vamos’ was to throw off his opponent.
“I had a few Spanish-speaking teammates on my team at Florida who are some of my best friends, and it kind of just became a thing for all of us on the University of Florida team,” he said.
“That was what we said when we won points, vamos. I’ve been saying it for years. Probably two years now that’s kind of been my go-to on court. It didn’t really haveanything to do with who I was playing today.
“If you watch my first round match, I was doing that a lot as well, and that’s kind of why I posted the “vamos” because that’s my kind of go-to line. Nothing to do with the guy that I was playing today, and I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
DJOKER CHALLENGER HURT IN OPENING SET
Qualifier Enzo Couacaud’s mammoth task against Novak Djokovic has become even tougher after a rolled ankle required a first-set medical timeout.
The match was only four games in when Couacaud landed awkwardly at the end of a rally, rolling his ankle while moving at speed.
The Frenchman immediately grimaced and has his head in his hands, leaving fans fearing a walkover for Djokovic.
But after six minutes of treatment and heavy strapping for his ankle, Couacaud was able to return to court.
Djokovic took little time stamping his authority, opening a 4-1 lead in the first set.
#Couacaud is down 3-1 Vs #Djokovic but his biggest worry is the injury. He has turned his ankle at the net as Novak passed him down the line. Very unlucky for the French qualifier #AusOpen
— SportsTalk (@rajeshworld) January 19, 2023
8.02PM DJOKER ON COURT
Novak Djokovic has won the first game of his second-round match against Enzo Couacaud to love. Ominous. Meanwhile, over on John Cain Arena de Minaur v Mannarino is on serve at 2-2.
7.52PM WHAT CRAZY DAY MEANS FOR MEN’S TITLE RACE
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic are the highest seeds left in a men’s draw which has been decimated on the opening four days of the Australian Open.
Five of the top-13 seeds — Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev and Mario Berrettini — failed to reach the third round.
12th seed Zverev lost in four sets to America’s Michael Mmoh, joining Ruud on te Australian Open scrapheap on Thursday.
Throw in 17th seed Lorenzo Musetti, who lost in the opening round to Lloyd Harris, and more than a third of the top-17 seeds have already been eliminated in four days of carnage.
Outside Djokovic and Tsitsipas, who will now be overwhelming favourites, it’s a wide open race.
7.24PM POPYRIN: ‘I DON’T WANT TO WAKE UP’
Alexei Popyrin says he’s living a dream after ousting No. 8 seed Taylor Fritz is an epic five-set match.
The world No. 113 produced a stirring win, recovering from the disappointment of losing a fourth-set tiebreak to take the decisive set 6-2.
An emotional Popyrin was in disbelief post-match after clinching one of the best wins of his career.
“I love this feeling and I want more of this feeling. I want you guys to have this feeling more. Man I love you guys so much,” he said.
“This is a dream for me and I don’t want to wake up at all.”
One of these dudes will make the #AusOpen semifinals:
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 19, 2023
Popyrin
Shelton
Wolf
Mmoh
Murray
Kokkinakis
Holt
#24 Bautista Agut
Paul
Brooksby
Five of the top-13 seeds and six of the top-17 seeds are already out of the men's draw #AusOpen
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) January 19, 2023
LIVE: https://t.co/dQjuwnZ6qcpic.twitter.com/1GO4I4hql2
7.18PM POPYRIN WINS
Alexei Popyrin has capped a day of Australian Open boilovers with a rousing five-set victory over American Taylor Fritz.
The Australian had the John Cain Arena crowd on its feet as he rallied from a set down to claim a famous five-set victory.
Popyrin appeared set to seal his passage to the third round when he broke the No. 8 seed in the fourth set.
But Fritz pushed the match into a decider by winning the third tiebreak of a match dominated by serve.
Popyrin prevailed 6-7 7-6 6-4 7-6 6-2 as thousands of fans packed around screens in Melbourne Park to roar him home.
“You guys (crowd) were just incredible, oh my god this is crazym” Popyrin said.
“I really couldn’t have done it without you guys. This win means so much to me.
“I had the toughest year last year … I’ve won as many matches this year as I won the whole of last year.”
The sort of cheering and singing that is normally reserved for Nick Kyrgios on his favourite court could be heard from outside John Cain Arena.
The world No. 113 has defied the odds to reach the third round after being granted a wildcard into this year’s Open.
Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud and Fritz are now gone from the top eight seeds in the men’s draw as Stefanos Tsitsipas or Novak Djokovic will become the World No. 1 if they win the Australian Open.
Popyrin has been on court for eight hours and 28 minutes across his opening two matches, which have both gone to five sets.
The 23-year-old said he used all of Wednesday to recover from his five-set win over Tseng Chun-hsin and credited that preparation with his ability to outlast Fritz.
“That’s how I’ve managed to play eight hours in four days,” he said.
7.13PM ONE GAME AWAY
Popyrin leads 5-2 in the fifth set with a break of serve.
7.07PM POPYRIN CONSOLIDATES BREAK
Alexei Popyrin is two games away from the Australian Open third round after opening a 4-1 lead in the fifth set against Taylor Fritz.
The noise on John Cain Arena is incredible!
The level in Fritz-Popyrin is really, really good, y’all.#AusOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 19, 2023
7.05PM RED FLAGS IN RUUD’S AUS OPEN PREPARATIONS
Sam Landsberger
Casper Ruud has raised the alarm over his Australian Open preparation – after injured star Nick Kyrgios was lashed for a similarly soft lead-in to Melbourne Park.
The best three men’s players in the world have failed to reach the third round at a tournament that continues to lose marquee names after Ruud was ousted 6-3 7-5 6-7 6-2 by Jenson Brooksby on Thursday.
American mates Mackenzie McDonald and Brooksby have eliminated the No. 1 seed (Rafael Nadal) and No. 2 seed (Ruud) on back-to-back days at Rod Laver Arena, while world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew with injury.
Suddenly, Novak Djokovic (No. 4 seed) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (No. 3 seed) are the highest-ranked players left.
If either Djokovic or Tsitsipas win the championship they will become the new world No.1.
Ruud only needed to reach the final to dethrone Alcaraz as world No. 1 unless he was defeated by Tsitsipas in the final.
But the Norwegian revealed, who struggled on court for more than three hours in his round 1 win against world No. 110 Tomas Machac, that he would review his December preparation.
“December 5th I left for some holidays for around 7-8 days,” Ruud, 24, said.
“I went to the Maldives, and so on the way back I stopped in Abu Dhabi because it’s not that far away.
“I practised for 3-4 days there and played the Mubadala tournament.
“That week in Abu Dhabi … it’s not the right thing to say pre-season, but there were great players there. I practised with (Cameron) Norrie, Tsitsipas, Alcaraz.
“I played two matches. It was sort of a mini week of preparation.
“Then I spent Christmas home, continuing to train, and then I was hoping to use United Cup period and Auckland to sort of train well and play a couple of matches before coming into this.
“So maybe it was not enough to be able to perform well here.
“So it will be considered by me and my team what we will do in December this year, and if this was the right way to prepare for Australian Open or not.”
On Kyrgios, Todd Woodbridge said: “If you were looking back at his schedule you would say that it was difficult to see that prep (same as Wimbledon last year) when he was flying around the world playing exhibition events”.
6.46pm FRITZ TAKES THE FOURTH SET
Tiebreak disappointment for Alexei Popyrin who had Taylor Fritz on the ropes deep in the fourth set.
He’ll have to win in five sets if he's going to reach the third round.
The scoreboard reads 6-7 7-6 6-4 6-7 after Fritz took the tiebreak 8-6.
The crowd watching Popyrin is amazing @AustralianOpen#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/Y1meLd9PEM
— Luke Dennehy (@LukeDennehy) January 19, 2023
6.23PM POPYRIN BREAKS BACK
This is huge from the Aussie.
Taylor Fritz looked to have the fourth set sewn up but Popyrin breaks back and puts scores on serve at 5-4.
5.55PM BIRRELL’S AUS OPEN RUN OVER
Scott Gullan
She knocked out the oldest player in the opening round but on Thursday it was the youngest woman in the draw who ended Kim Birrell’s fairytale comeback.
Czech teenage sensation Linda Fruhvirtova continued to enhance her growing reputation with a clinical 6-3 6-2 over the local hero on KIA Arena.
Birrell was on the back foot from the start, losing the opening three games of the match before fighting back to get the set back on service at 4-3.
Unfortunately she then lost her serve again with 17-year-old Fruhvirtova running down every ball to continually frustrate the Australian.
The second set followed a familiar path with Birrell losing her service in the opening game and from there she struggled to make up ground.
While disappointed with her performance, given what the 24-year-old has been through in recent years through injury it has been a significant week.
Birrell rose to prominence at the 2019 Australian Open when she made the third round before her career was sidetracked by two elbow operations.
She was in the wilderness for a long time and doubted whether she still had it to get back to the top level before a stroke of luck got her a spot in this year’s Open.
An injury to Venus Williams meant the wildcard she’d been awarded was reallocated to the Australian who “cried like a baby” when she was told because she’d hadn’t been expecting it.
Her victory against Kanepi – the 31st seed who had served for the match in the second set – in extreme heat said everything about Birrell’s fighting qualities.
While Birrell has taken the long and winding road to the top, her second round conqueror is on the fast track to stardom.
Fruhvirtova and her 15-year-old sister Brenda are already being compared to the Williams dynasty.
Brenda won her way into the main draw through qualifying before losing in the first round to Russian Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
The two prodigies hail from Prague but train at the French academy of Patrick Mouratoglou, who was Serena Williams’ coach for a long time.
Mouratoglou has already anointed Linda as a potential No.1.
“A lot of players say they want to become world No 1 but only some players believe it deep inside and Linda is one of them,” he said.
“She has one main quality, which is the mental side. She’s an incredible competitor. She’s an incredible fighter.”
Linda was hailed as one of the breakthrough players of 2022 after she scored her first win over a Top 10 opponent, won on her grand slam debut at the US Open and then claimed a WTA singles title in Chennai in September.
She soared from outside the Top 275 to a career-high ranking inside the Top 80, supplanting Coco Gauff as the youngest player in the Top 100 in the process.
5.53PM FRITZ PLAYING ON
After receiving treatment for an ankle issue, Taylor Fritz is back on court for the fourth set of his match against Alexei Popyrin.
5.45PM POPYRIN TAKES THIRD SET
Alexei Popyrin is on fire!
The crowd at John Cain Arena is on its feet as the Aussie takes a two sets to one lead over American eighth seed Taylor Fritz.
Can he complete the job?
Popyrin now leads 6-7 7-6 6-4.
An unhappy Fritz is receiving treatment on his right ankle after calling a medical timeout following the set.
Fritz has a major task on his hands to dismantle Popyrin’s serve – the Australian has won 85 per cent of points off his first serve so far and has belted nine aces.
5.10PM POPYRIN LEVELS AT A SET APIECE
Ed Bourke
Alexei Popyrin has pulled level in his second round clash with eighth seed Taylor Fritz, winning a tiebreak to roars of approval from the crowd at John Cain Arena.
Popyrin threatened to bust the second set wide open on Fritz’s serve but failed to convert three break points, although he swatted away back-to-back winners off his American opponent in the tiebreak to seize a 3-0 lead.
The Australian wildcard has not yet given Fritz a break point in his service games despite four double faults, and is showing no signs of tiring as the match heads into the third set.
The winner will take on American Ben Shelton in the third round, who beat Nicolas Jarry in straight sets on 1573 Arena earlier today.
Shelton, 20, is the reigning NCAA champion from Florida, and this trip is his first overseas.
5PM RUUD SHOCK: SECOND SEED BOMBS OUT
The top-two seeds in the Australian Open men's draw are out.
Rafael Nadal went down in straight sets on Wednesday and Casper Ruud has crashed out today.
Ruud had to to stave off three match points in the third set against Jenson Brooksby but capitulated on serve in the fourth, bombing out 3-6 5-7 7-6 2-6.
UGLY SCENES AS STAR GOES BERSERK AT UMPIRE
Should tennis players cop audible obscenity penalties if they swear in their mother tongue?
That’s the issue that’s arisen at the Australian Open with Russia’s Andrey Rublev furious he copped a sanction from the chair umpire.
“Are you from Russia? Do you speak Russian?” he asked while insisting he had not sworn.
“You have to take this back. There are so many similar words.”
The umpire said he had understood the word to have been swearing.
“So now you are telling me this, I’m understanding ‘f*** you. It’s exactly the same.
“So why you don’t give me warning now when I say f**k you? That’s what I hear.”
Rublev was break point down in the third set having won the first two when it all kicked off.
Andrey Rublev isn’t happy 🤬
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) January 19, 2023
↳ Australian Open 2023. Every Match. Ad-free. Centre Court coverage in 4K UHD on Stan Sport.#StanSportAU#AO2023#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/vB0XlzlXRV
Commentators on Channel 9 were less than impressed.
“Self-imposed loss in the end. For a player of this caliber to let himself down like that he put himself into a shocking state of mind at a crucial stage.
Like a volcano bubbling at the surface.
It’s an emotional sport, you’re out there on your own. But he’s experienced and if he’s going to get further than quarter-finals he’s got to be better than that.
In the end it affected him in a way he shouldn’t’ have allowed.
4.40PM ‘WOULDN’T SEE ME IN IT’: RIVAL’S TAKE ON TIAFOE OUTFIT
Frances Tiafoe’s colourful outfit has been the talk of Melbourne Park in the early days of the Australian Open.
Tiafoe’s Nike print has been worn by other players during the opening week at Melbourne Park, but only the American has so far gone the whole hog by wearing both the top and shorts which have been described as “psychedelic”.
Britain’s Daniel Evans, who takes on fifth seed Andrey Rublev in the third round on Friday, has taken a much more muted approach.
Evans said he wasn’t sure there were many others who could pull off the Tiafoe look.
“I think Frances pulls it off pretty well. He definitely has the physique to pull it off, but you wouldn’t see me wearing a singlet or whatever they’re called, vest, I don’t know what people call them now,” he said.
“Yeah, he does it pretty well, I think. You’ve got to back it up if you wear something like that, and he’s definitely doing that.
“I think, yeah, it suits him, his personality, and how he plays the game. He’s great for the game. He’s always, you know, pretty positive, smiling, and good character.”
4.15PM RUUD TAKES THIRD SET AFTER FACING EXIT
We had so many Ruud pun headlines ready to go!
But alas, they won’t see the light of day — at least yet.
After saving three match points, the No. 2 seed takes the third set against Jenson Brooksby.
After dropping the first two sets he still faces a tall order to stay alive, but has kept his Australian Open dream alive for now.
4.07PM POPYRIN LOSES FIRST SET
Ed Bourke
Australian wildcard Alexei Popyrin has dropped the first set of his second round clash against American eighth seed Taylor Fritz.
The big-serving Sydneysider failed to capitalise on a break point midway through the set as Fritz held his nerve to win a tiebreak 7-4.
Popyrin showed positive signs though, hitting cleanly with only 10 unforced errors to Fritz’s 15 as he vies to overcome the American for a spot in the third round.
The 23-year-old has advanced to the third round twice before at Melbourne Park, in 2019 and 2020.
He has the heavy backing of the crowd at John Cain Arena, with fans chanting “you can’t stop the Pop” between points.
4PM RUUD STAYS ALIVE – FOR NOW
Second seed Casper Ruud has saved three match points to avoid following Rafael Nadal out of the Australian Open.
American Jenson Brooksby had three chances to serve out a straight-sets victory but could not convert to set up a dramatic finish to the third set.
The set is still going on but momentum has definitely shifted.
3:05PM PLAYERS SWITCH OFF TENNIS
By Sam Landsberger
English ace Daniel Evans has rubbed salt into the wound that is Channel 9’s Australian Open ratings fall by declaring even he is watching the Big Bash League over the tennis.
The No. 25 seed – who is through to the third round at Melbourne Park – has attended two BBL games this season and already knew who was in action on Thursday night.
“It’s Thunder-Renegades today. I’ll probably watch that tonight,” Evans said.
Evans was right, with the Thunder slated to host the Gades at a sold-out Manuka Oval in Canberra.
But that Twenty20 clash also clashes with the marquee tennis match between British veteran Andy Murray and Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Evans was then pressed by British journalists on whether he would really watch a domestic T20 league over local hero Murray.
“No, I’ll watch a bit of Andy, obviously,” Evans responded.
“That’s what I really like about here and US Open. You get to watch the night matches, a lot of sport on the television. That’s why I love both the tournaments.”
Evans hasn’t picked a BBL team but is enjoying English opener Joe Clarke’s form for Melbourne Stars.
“I’ll watch pretty much any of it. It’s good viewing,” he said.
2:15PM DON’T WRITE ME OFF
Aryna Sabalenka showed why she should be taken seriously as an Australian Open contender by powering into the third round past a tricky opponent in straight sets.
The Belarusian swept past 51st-ranked American Shelby Rogers 6-3, 6-1 in an hour and 27 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
The pair had clashed twice previously, both last year, with Sabalenka edging each — the most recent a three-set, 2hr 35min epic on hard courts in Cincinnati.
“She’s such a great player, always tough matches against her,” said fifth seed Sabalenka.
“I expected a great level from her. That’s why I said to myself to stay focused from the beginning to the end and probably that’s why I was able to win this one in two sets.” There was little between the pair again in a 54-minute opening set on Thursday with only a pivotal eighth game separating them.
It went to five deuces on Shelby’s serve before a rasping crosscourt forehand and a scream of “Come on!” from Sabalenka brought up a third break point.
She converted for a 5-3 lead and served out the set to love. Sabalenka kept up the pressure on Shelby’s serve at the start of the second set, breaking for a 2-1 lead.
The Belarusian was now on a confident roll, peppering Shelby with winners off both wings as she broke twice more before ripping home a backhand crosscourt pass on her first match point.
Sabalenka, who reached the semi-finals at the US Open last year, extended her 2023 unbeaten record to six matches after winning the recent Adelaide International without dropping a set.
1:30PM ‘SHE’S LYING’: STAR’S ASTONISHING UMPIRE BLOW UP
Frenchman Jeremy Chardy has unloaded on the chair umpire in his second round clash with Britain’s Dan Evans.
Over on Court 3 a ball dropped out of Chardy’s pocket mid-point in the first set while he was down break point. Chardy missed a forehand and the point went to Evans.
The Briton neither saw or complained about the incident so the umpire elected not to replay the point.
Cue French fury.
“We play with someone who cannot umpire,” he said to chair umpire Miriam Bley.
“In my life, 20 years I’ve never had one umpire bad like you.
“Where are you looking? You looking at the birds? The clouds?
“It’s the biggest mistake of the Australian Open.
“There’s not one umpire on tour that does this mistake, not one.”
Chardy then called for the supervisor a number of times and continued his petulant behaviour towards Bley pointing at her and referring to her as “she” throughout the conversation with head official.
“If you don’t confirm that I called let I lose all respect for you.
“She’s lying.
“Can she have a fine? When we do something bad we are fined, can she have a fine?
“It’s a huge mistake, we play with someone who cannot umpire?”
12:45PM STOSUR BOWS OUT
By Ed Bourke
Australian tennis champion Sam Stosur has bid an emotional farewell to fans at Melbourne Park following her first round loss in the women’s doubles on Thursday.
Stosur bowed out of doubles tennis following her and French partner Alize Cornet’s 3-6, 4-6 loss to 11th-seeded pair Chan Hao-ching and Yang Zhaoxuan.
The 2011 US Open champion was able to have the moment to herself on Kia Arena after her farewell from singles tennis on the same court last year was marred by the crowd booing Australian Open boss Craig Tiley as he made a presentation to her.
“(Retiring) was a really hard decision,” Stosur said.
“I love playing and I love competing. You get to a point where the other things become a little more difficult.
“I’ve loved my run travelling, playing, doing everything I wanted to do, but I wanted to finish here in Melbourne.”
Stosur thanked her family for supporting her long career, which will officially draw to a close when her mixed doubles campaign with fellow Australian Matt Ebden ends.
“It’s incredible to play in a home tournament, and we’re very lucky to have a home Grand Slam. I’ve now been here 21 times, so I can’t complain,” she said.
“My family made lots of sacrifices when I was younger to allow me to follow my dreams, I couldn’t ask for anything more from my mum and dad.
“They’ve been my biggest supporters, and I thank them for everything that I’ve been able to do.”
12:15PM KYRGIOS CAUGHT GROPING GIRLFRIEND’S BREASTS ON CAMERA
There are cameras everywhere at the Australian Open – Nick Kyrgios should know that by now.
Vision of the Australian megastar filmed in the player warm-up area at Melbourne Park groping his girlfriend’s breasts has emerged on social media with fans grossed out by the footage.
Kyrgios, who withdrew from the tournament due to a knee injury, is seen walking the corridors at Melbourne Park with his partner Costeen Hatzi.
She is walking with a coffee while Kyrgios follows before throwing his arms around her and fondling her chest.
“Why is he doing that in the middle of the hallway why is he even at the tournament?” one observer commented.
“Like the most annoying couple in a high school hallway,” another said. “Also get outta here. Why is he still here?”
A devastated Kyrgios announced his withdrawal for his home grand slam 24 hours before he was due to take to the court for his opening round clash.
The world No 21 was visibly distraught with the decision but insisted that undergoing a small procedure to fix the issue would effectively be crucial to prolonging his career.
Asked for an update on her partner’s condition, Hatzi spoke with Channel 9 to say he was coping.
“He loves representing Australia,” she said. But it was a tough decision.
“He tried to give himself the best chance to make the right decision, but unfortunately his knee just wasn’t 100 per cent and he couldn’t perform to the best of his ability.
“It was a very tough decision.
11:30AM PLAY IS STARTING
Here’s something I haven’t written for a few days. Play on the outside courts is under way!
And there is early drama on Court 3 where Chardy and Evans are locked in their second round clash.
A ball dropped out of Chardy’s pocket mid-point while down break point, then Chardy missed a forehand.
The point went to Evans who did not see or complain about the aforementioned ball. The umpire elected not to replay the point.
Chardy not happy about this and the supervisor was called out.
Issue wasn’t called out at the time so it shouldn’t be replayed.
Now Chardy has a right mardy on, grumpy as can be and being somewhat rude to the chair umpire.
“Don’t talk to me just ask,” he said when inquiring about the follow up to the point.
“I just want an answer, just because you didn’t see this thing, it’s nothing against you but I want an answer.”
Drama in Chardy vs Evans. A ball dropped out of Chardy’s pocket mid-point while down BP, then Chardy missed a FH.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 19, 2023
Evans argued that he didn’t see/complain about the ball, and umpire decided not to replay point. Point Evans, Chardy angry and supervisor out. pic.twitter.com/P7nEStVEMc
10:30AM KOKKINAKIS ROASTS JOURNALIST
The Australian Open is certainly missing Nick Kyrgios.
But some maybe missing him more than others.
Fresh off a round one win over Fabio Fognini, local fan favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis was hit with a very unexpected start to his press conference.
“Hi, Nick,” said the reporter.
To which all Kokkinakis could muster in return was a “Wow.”
The reporter tried to soldier on, getting back on track by firing out this question.
“Nick is out, so you are the favourite for the Greek Aussies. Tell us, what do you think about your message to them? How much support do you need from them, and if you have anything to say to them in Greek?”
Taking the absolute piss😂 https://t.co/UmtAqu40w1
— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) January 18, 2023
10:15AM C-bombs, foul chants: ‘Drunk louts’ kicked out of Aus Open
Cameron Norrie was sledged by foul-mouthed louts before finally making the Australian Open third round at 1.28am local time.
The British No. 1 played into the small hours of Thursday morning before he prevailed 6-3 3-6 7-6 6-3 against Frenchman Constant Lestienne.
The match on Court 13 – which had been pushed by the heavy rain in the afternoon – was watched by some rowdy punters.
One wag sang at Norrie: “You’re just a s*** Andy Murray.”
Others start singing “Lestienne’s going home” and “Enger-land”.
Another one shouted: “You’re world No. 12 – show the c***.”
Those making the most disruption were asked to leave by security in the second set and three noisy culprits scuttled off with beer cans in their hands.
Norrie, 27, will now face unseeded Czech Jiri Lehecka in the last 32 on Friday and he said: “In was the first set there was a lot of English fans actually.
“And they had the football chants going which was good fun, then obviously they got kicked out.
“I could still hear them in the second set, like over here somewhere. But it was a great atmosphere.”
Lestienne was less impressed.
“This is all a bit awkward with spectators heckling Lestienne after he refused to play, BBC commentator David Law said during the match.
“Lestienne’s irritation is there for all to see, he is jabbering away at the umpire, and I don’t think he wants to be out there.
“‘Somebody in the crowd has just shouted “Come on mate, we’ve waited all day for this”. The locals are not happy. Lestienne is fuming and his bad mood is about to get worse.”
9:45AM DRIVEN TO DRINK
Andy Murray had us all on the edges of our seat in his opening round blockbuster with Matteo Matteo Berrettini.
No one suffered more than his poor mum Judy who, after 18 years on tour with two sons playing around the world, said she was forced to the bar to gather herself as the veteran stunned the world No 14.
Judy, 63, was in the Rod Laver Arena, and was sat close to Eurosport presenter Barbara Schett who shared an encounter afterwards.
“I spoke to Judy Murray who was sitting in the stands right behind Ivan Lendl and I,” she explained. “I told her congratulations, well done, that must have been tough. Any more grey hairs on your head?
“She said ‘I went straight to the Champagne bar. Why is he doing this to me? I’m a nervous wreck!’ So she had a few champagnes and felt better. She said ‘Having two boys playing on tour for 18 years, this is taking a toll’.”
8:30AM MORTIFUING MOMENT OYU CELEBRATE TOO SOON
A few things you need to be a pro tennis player right?
Fitness – lots of it. Got to be the best to beat the best.
Bit of cash – flying around the world isn’t cheap, physio, manager, coach and all that, it adds up.
Know the rules. It helps of course.
So Danielle Collins’ brain fart was something of a “please ground come swallow me up moment” as she forgot the rule change to deciding set tie-breaks and celebrated a third round berth too early.
Mortifying.
At 7-2 up in the third set tiebreak the American dropped her racquet to the ground, arms into the air and then reality hit.
“Danielle it’s 10 points,” the chair umpire said.
The American looked confused. She didn’t understand.
And then the light bulb moment.
She saw the funny side and thankfully closed it out a few hits later.
Danielle Collins drops her racket on the floor and starts thanking God because she thought she won the match when she got to 7 in the final set 10 point tiebreak 😂
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 18, 2023
Gotta love her
pic.twitter.com/aD68MHAY9y
7:45AM MEDVEDEV IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR
Back-to-back Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev is out to have the last laugh with the Aussie crowd he says he has a “strange relationship” with after a searing start to his campaign.
The Russian fell to Rafael Nadal in last year’s final but is paving an ominous path to redemption with a pair of straight-set victories including Australian John Millman on Wednesday night.
Medvedev has been seriously challenged in only one of his six sets of the tournament so far, with Millman claiming five games in the first on Wednesday.
The no. 7 seed has been dominant otherwise, but with all the fanfare so far directed at Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, it’s fair to say he’s flown under the radar.
He didn’t last year, though, particularly after sledging the Aussie crowd when he said some spectators had a “low IQ”.
Asked on Wednesday night whether he was back with a point to prove, Medvedev said: “To the crowd, maybe, because, yeah, it was a strange relationship last year. Let’s call it this way,” he laughed.
“So (I’m) really happy to be here this year. Played against an Aussie (Millman) today and it was a great atmosphere.”
Medvedev conceded the way he lost last year’s final after starting two sets up had played on his mind through a 2022 season that included a forced layoff due to a hernia procedure and being sidelined for Wimbledon because of his Russian nationality.
“I think it did affect me in a negative way,” he said.
“It’s not that you lose motivation. I was really motivated to continue doing well, but I think you lose – how to say it in English – you lose the connection, and that’s what happened a little bit to me.”
7AM PENIS-DOODLE UPDATE
Anyone paying close attention to the American contingent at Melbourne Park probably has one big question after three days of action.
What’s with the locks?
After their wins, a host of American players have been signing the broadcast cameras by drawing a “lock” on the screen.
Now we finally have answers.
Frances Tiafoe has explained exactly what is going on inside Team USA, taking credit for starting the trend that caught fire during the United Cup.
“It’s the whole thing with the United Cup guys. Just staying locked in,” he said after his round two win.
“I made a joke about it with the guys, the United Cup asking them before the march, ‘are you locked?’
“I’ve been kind of living by that for a little bit.
“I think you’ve seen the shift in myself in being more, you know, just locked in everything you’re doing, staying super present, staying in the moment, staying locked in.
“It’s funny coming from me because everyone knows how I go about my business.
“I’m very, you know, open and just joking around. When I’m saying it, it just sounds funny. So then it became a thing where if Frances can lock, everyone has got to lock. That’s kind of, like, how it all came around.”
For ur information i was trying to draw a 🔒 emoji.... I just forgot the very important fact that I suck at drawing
— Taylor Fritz (@Taylor_Fritz97) January 17, 2023
Taylor Fritz, what is this? pic.twitter.com/BVxSH9b03J
— Lee S (@underarm_ace) January 17, 2023
But not all locks are created equally, as Team USA United Cup member Taylor Fritz found out on Tuesday.
The No. 8 seed drew a picture on that camera that was certainly not safe for work.
And Tiafoe didn’t miss it, roasting his teammate for his lack of artistic skills.
“It’s funny because they’re all saying it,” he said.
“Fritz’s dumb arse drew a penis the other day trying to draw a lock sign. That’s Fritz being Fritz.”
6:15AM SOME GOOD NEWS
Tennis icon Chris Evert says she is “well on the road to recovery” and “cancer-free” following six rounds of chemotherapy. The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion shared an update on her health in a first-person piece published on the ESPN website.
The 68-year-old was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer when a malignant tumour was discovered during a preventive hysterectomy in December 2021.
But Evert – who before Christmas underwent a double mastectomy – now claims “there’s a 90 per cent chance” it will never come back.
Her younger sister Jeanne died from the same disease in February 2020 aged 62.
Evert, who is an established TV sports pundit, said: “I have one more surgery left to complete reconstruction.
“They say this part is easy but I can assure you, the last five years have not been.
“As relieved as I will be to get to the other side of this, I will always have a heavy heart.
“I’ll never heal from losing Jeanne, and I will never take for granted the gift she gave me in the process.
“My sister’s journey saved my life, and I hope by sharing mine, I just might save somebody else’s.”
‘Very frustrating’: Demon’s injury cloud lingers
Slow progress recovering from a hip injury is threatening to derail Alex de Minaur’s aspirations ahead of the Australian Open next year.
‘Believe he will’: Massive Kyrgios return clue
While Nick Kyrgios has been busy commentating and promoting his new beer, he’s also been getting ready for a comeback to the tennis court.