Australian Open Day 5: Wild 3.40am AO thriller is ’utter madness’
It’s clear the Australian Open has not learned its lesson after another farcical late night finish that still had more than a set to go at 3am.
For the second year in a row, the Australian Open has seen a match finish past 3.30am.
In 2023, it was Thanasi Kokkinakis and Andy Murray; in 2024, it’s No. 3 seed Daniil Medvedev vs Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori.
The only reason it didn’t finish closer to the 4.15am time of the Kokkinakis-Murray match was that Medvedev blew the Fin away to love in the fifth set, winning 3-6 6-7 6-4 7-6 6-0.
Before the Australian Open, the ATP and WTA introduced new rules that would force night sessions to begin prior to 7.30pm and prevent matches from going on court after 11pm.
However, the Australian Open is not bound by these rules meaning that when Medvedev and Ruusuvuori stepped on court at 11.15pm, there was little chance of them finishing anytime but the wee hours of the morning.
The issue is that it was already a four-hour match before the fifth set began, at nearly 3.20am AEDT.
Mercifully it was a speedy fifth set as Ruusuvuori faded quickly in the final set.
Speaking after the match, Medvedev paid tribute to the fans who stuck around, saying he wouldn’t be among them if he didn’t have to play.
“Honestly guys, I would not be here,” Medvedev said. “Thanks for staying.
“If I’d have been a tennis fan and I had come, at 1 I’d be ‘okay, let’s go home, we’ll catch the end of the match on the TV, we’ll watch 30 minutes and then go to bed’.
“So I guess thanks guys, you are strong.”
Medvedev said his biggest issue was that he warmed up too early and had already tired himself out after the Anna Blinkova tiebreak against Elena Rybakina went for over 30 minutes.
Medvedev said he wouldn’t go to bed until about 6.30am, having to go to the physio after the match before waking up at midday before an easy practice tomorrow before his next match against 27th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday.
The late night finish comes after organisers had hoped to fix the late nights with an extra day at the beginning of the tournament, but on that Sunday, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka didn’t get on court until 11.41pm.
Thankfully it was a dominant victory for Sabalenka who took care of business in less than an hour but the move exposed it for little more than John McEnroe called it out for before the tournament — a “money grab”.
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley claimed the move had “taken the edge off having the possibility of late finishes”.
But he later admitted the moves wouldn’t stop the long nights.
Fans are not happy however, hitting out at the ludicrous scenes which happened just last year.
Sports scientist Ross Tucker tweeted: “Medvedev vs Ruusuvuori, 5th set is about to START, at 3.15am. Tennis needs a time policy (eg: “At 1am, finish the current set, then resume play the next day”). These guys will be eating breakfast before going to sleep, then one of them plays best of 5 again in 24h.”
Sports journalist Ryan Sidle tweeted: “Daniil Medvedev and Emil Ruusuvuori have just started the fifth set of their match at the Australian Open. It’s 3.15 am in Melbourne! That is utter madness.”
Another ridiculous end time of 3:40am for a tennis match. This must be sorted out for the sake of the players staff & audience. Well done Medvedev 💪🎾
— Jo Durie (@Jodurie) January 18, 2024
AO has to have a time curfew. 220am and were probably going to a 5th set between Medvedev and Ruusuvuori. Match might not be over closer to 330/4am🎾
— Corey (@C0rey02) January 18, 2024
After 3 hours and 55 minutes and at 3.11am local time, Medvedev and Ruusuvuori are into a 5th set 😨#AusOpen
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 18, 2024
Tennis is so stupid lol. It’s 3:11 am in Melbourne and they haven’t even started a 5th set in Medvedev Ruusuvuori
— Dan DeRosalia (@DanDeRosalia) January 18, 2024
Daniil Medvedev forces a deciding set with Emil Ruusuvuori, winning the fourth 7-6.
— Ben Lewis (@BenLewisMPC) January 18, 2024
It's 3:09 AM in Melbourne right now.#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/0jF5Kxrh6x
It was a stacked day at the Australian Open with upsets aplenty, including women’s World No. 3 Rybakina, World No. 5 Jessica Pegula and men’s No. 8 Holger Rune crashing out of the tournament.
12.24am — Tomljanovic out of Aussie Open
Ajla Tomljanovic’s Australian Open has ended at the hands of rival Jelena Ostapenko.
The 11th seed was too strong in the end despite a strong fightback from the Aussie, eventually taking the result 6-0 3-6 6-4.
Tomljanovic was blown off the court in the opening set but battled back in the second to even the match up at one set apiece after two.
But Ostapenko came home strong, hitting back at Tomljanovic’s break early in the third with two of her own to close out the win.
The pair have a history together after Tomljanovic accused Ostapenko of faking an injury at Wimbledon in 2021.
Ostapenko was down 4-0 in the third set and called for a medical timeout, claiming the injury required immediate treatment rather than waiting for the change of ends.
Tomljanovic told the umpire: “You know she’s lying right?” but Ostapenko was allowed to leave the court to get treatment.
In a frosty exchange at the net, Ostapenko said: “If you think I am faking, you can talk to the physio.”
Tomljanovic answered: “I hope you feel better”, and Ostapenko replied: “Your behaviour is terrible. You have zero respect.”
Tomljanovic hit back: “You’re one to talk.”
Ostapenko then labelled the Aussie “the worst player on tour.”
However, Tomljanovic is far from the only person Ostapenko has had run ins and blow ups on the tour, including calling an umpire “blind” at the Brisbane International.
But she’s into the third round and Tomljanovic’s comeback tour will have to continue at the next tournament.
10.54pm — Insane record epic blows Aussie Open away
Russian World No. 57 Anna Blinkova has pulled off one of the wildest victories seen at the Australian Open, defeating World No. 3 and 2023 Australian Open Finalist Elena Rybakina in a 31-minute super tiebreaker.
Blinkova eventually won 6-4 4-6 7-6 with the tiebreak going to 22-20.
“Have you seen anything like this?” one of the commentators said as it got to 17-all final set tie breaker.
“The absoulte insanity of this match will be talked about for days.”
Read more here.
Australian Open Day 5 schedule and results
Rod Laver Arena from 12pm (AEDT)
Iga Swiatek (POL) [1] defeated Danielle Collins (USA) 6-4 3-6 6-4
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) [2] defeated Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) 6-4 6-7 6-3 7-6
From 7pm
Anna Blinkova (RUS) defeated Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [3] 6-4 4-6 7-6
Daniil Medvedev (RUS) [3] defeated Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) 3-6 6-7 6-4 7-6 6-0
Margaret Court Arena from 12pm
Casper Ruud (NOR) [11] defeated Max Purcell 6-3 6-7 6-3 3-6 7-6
Clara Burel (FRA) defeated Jessica Pegula (USA) [5] 6-4 6-2
From 7pm
Arthur Cazaux (FRA) defeated Holger Rune (DEN) [8] 7-6 6-4 4-6 6-3
Victoria Azarenka (RUS) [18] vs Clara Tauson (DEN)
John Cain Arena from 11am
Alexander Zverev (GER) [6] defeated Lukas Klein (SVK) 7-5 3-6 4-6 7-6 7-6
Sloane Stephens (USA) defeated Daria Kasatkina (RUS) [14] 4-6 6-3 6-3
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [13] defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4
From 7pm
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) [11] defeated Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) 6-0 3-6 6-4
10.45pm — 21yo World No. 122’s stunning upset
French 21-year-old Arthur Cazaux has stunned World No. 8 Holger Rune in a four-set boilover on Margaret Court Arena.
The 20-year-old Dutch World No. 8 was expected to make short work of the World No. 122 but the Frenchman shocked Rune in a 7-6 6-4 4-6 6-3 stunner.
It the highest ranked men’s player to be eliminated from the tournament as yet.
Coming into the tournament as a wildcard with just two tour-level victories, Cazaux blew the Australian Open wide open with the win.
“It was a crazy match, it was a big fight… sorry my voice is gone!” Cazaux said in an emotional post-match interview. “Holger is a wonderful player and I’ve known him for a long time. I knew I had to be ready.
“Thank you everyone for a good atmosphere. The atmosphere was crazy! Merci beaucoup!”
It comes just days after Holger Rune hit out at the Netflix Curse.
“I think it’s stupid, to be honest. No offence,” he said.
10.22pm — One Aussie man left
Thanasi Kokkinakis has joined the long line of Aussies who have been so close but so far in this Australian Open so far.
Kokkinakis fell to No. 3 seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4 as the lastest Aussie to take it to his much more fancied opponent.
The Aussie blew the roof off John Cain Arena when he broke Dimitrov to claim the third set but he was broken at 4-all in the fourth, with the Bulgarian serving out the match to move into the third round.
While Alex de Minaur is the only Aussie male left, the Aussie men have painted themselves in glory this Australian Open, with many of them taking sets off, or pushing rivals right to the limit.
Unfortunately, they just haven’t been able to get over the line.
10pm — Emma Raducanu’s Aussie woes continue
2021 Wimbledon champion Emma Raducanu’s Australian Open woes have continued, suffering another second round loss at the years’ first open.
The former World No. 10, who is currently ranked No. 296 after an injury lay off, has been knocked out in the second round for the third straight year.
Raducanu, who was battling soreness before the tournament, fell to China’s Wang Yafan 6-4 4-6 6-4 to be bundled out of the tournament.
9.35pm — Thanasi Kokkinakis resurrection blows roof off AO
Australia, there’s still hope.
Down 6-3 6-2 to 13th seed Grigor Dimitrov, it appeared Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis was heading for the exit.
The Aussie was trying hard but the Bulgarian appeared to have all the answers in their second round clash.
But the 27-year-old Aussie has bounced back with a vengeance, breathing new life into John Cain Arena after taking out the third set 6-4.
“What a set from Thanasi Kokkinakis. Hung around long enough,” John Millman told Channel 9.
“Fought off a lot of early pressure from Dimitrov, especially with his own service games. And that serve, it was an improved serving performance from Kokkinakis which kept his nose in front. That’s the advantage of serving first.
“Because then, out of nowhere, gets the vital break of serve. And more importantly, extending this match into a fourth set. And doesn’t he like that?”
While there’s still a long way to go for Kokkinakis, the Aussie crowd is right behind him.
With Ajla Tomljanovic’s match still to play after this, it could be a late night for Australian tennis fans.
7.20pm — Carlos Alcaraz survives scare
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz is into the third round of the Australian Open after edging past Lorenzo Sonego in a hard-fought four-setter.
It was a tiebreak from going to a fifth setter but the 20-year-old held his nerve to claim a 6-4 6-7 6-3 7-6 win.
7pm — Monster upset shakes up AO
American world number five Jessica Pegula Thursday became the highest seed to depart the Australian Open, upset by young French star Clara Burel 6-4 6-2.
The fifth seed had no answers to the 22-year-old, who set up an all-French third-round clash with Oceane Dodin, conqueror of Italy’s Martina Trevisan.
“I’m still shaking,” Burel said, who has never gone beyond a Grand Slam second round before. “I’m just really happy to be through.
“That’s nice that I play Oceane, because it means one of us will be in the fourth round. I’m sure it will be a great match.”
Pegula won the Montreal WTA 1000 trophy last season as well as a title in Seoul.
It’s been a tough old day for the Americans with Pegula’s shock upset, former World No. 12 Jennifer Brady revealing she would be taking time away after a long injury lay off and would help coach the UCLA women’s tennis team as she recovers, and the shock reveal Danielle Collins would retire this season.
This was a bad day for American women’s tennis: Collins’ news, Brady’s latest injury & Pegula’s loss. #ugh
— Rick Hammerly (@RickHammerly) January 18, 2024
Pegula lost to a barrel? ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ people were saying she’s winning AO ðŸ˜
— High Blood Pressure (@thetwinkwolff) January 18, 2024
With AFP
6pm — Alexander Zverev fumes up at journo
Sixth seed Alexander Zverev has been left fuming over a reporter’s question after he booked his place in the third round.
Zverev needed four hours and 40 minutes to claim a 7-5 3-6 4-6 7-6 7-6 thriller against Lukas Klein in the Australian Open second round.
But in his post-match press conference, Zverev has raged after a reporter asked about his ongoing legal issues.
Zverev is set to go on public trial in May over allegations he allegedly assaulted former partner Brenda Patea in 2020.
He has been “accused of physically abusing a woman and damaging her health during an argument” in Berlin over three years ago.
The former world number two was ordered to pay fines of 450,000 euro ($A750,000) over the alleged assault in October. He contested the ruling which meant the case now goes to trial.
He has continually denied the allegations being levelled against him. The case against the tennis star will commence on May 31.
In a 90 second press conference, where just two questions were asked, one reporter asked “Regarding your upcoming trial, do you plan to attend in person?”
It was obviously not a question Zverev wanted to answer.
“Wow. That’s a question. I just played four hours, 40 minutes,” Zverev said.
“That’s not the first question I really want to hear, to be honest.
“I’ve got no idea. It’s in May.”
It’s the second straight match which has been dominated by the upcoming court battle, who gave an icy display after his first match as well.
Even before the date was made public, Zverev was under-fire after he starred in Netflix’s Break Point documentary, which didn’t even brush on the issue.
4pm - Another agonising Aussie defeat
A number of Australia’s male players have demonstrated enormous fight in recent days, sadly without much to show for it.
While Alex de Minaur marches on, the likes of Jordan Thompson, Alexei Popyrin and Chris O’Connell all fell short in combative matches against much higher ranked opponents.
Now we can add Max Purcell’s name to the list.
The 25-year-old Sydneysider was far from intimidated in his clash with world No. 11 Casper Ruud, forcing the match all the way to a fifth set tiebreak.
But it wasn’t to be, ultimately falling 6-3 6-7 6-3 3-6 7-6, including a 10-7 scoreline in that deciding tiebreak.
“It’s relief for Casper Ruud as he was in serious, serious danger in this match,” Jim Courier said in commentary.
Purcell has spent much of his career in the mid-200s, having seemingly focused on his doubles career.
But since cracking the top 100 in March last year, Purcell hasn’t looked back, creeping up into the 40s, where he’s stayed since August.
If his performance against Ruud is anything to go by, higher honours are on the cards.
Not only will Purcell rise to be Australia’s second ranked men’s player behind Alex de Minaur unless Thanasi Kokkinakis makes the semi-finals, Courier also paid the 25-year-old the ultimate compliment.
“A 45th-ranked player in the world played like a top tenner out there. There was all kinds of disruption coming Casper Ruud’s way,” Courier said on Nine.
“There were 101 net approaches in that match from Max Purcell. That was old-school, classic tennis and it would have scared the daylights out of Casper Ruud.
“I tell you what, we might not see too many matches with higher consistent quality in this tournament than that. That was incredible. That is not hyperbolic.
“You look at winners to unforced errors, the service percentage, the style of play, it had just about everything.”
At exactly the same time as Purcell was in that fifth set tiebreak, sixth seed Alexander Zverev was involved in another against little known Serbian Lukas Klein.
Klein, playing in only his second major draw, stole the second and third sets off the German and almost had him in the fourth.
But Zverev persevered and took the fourth in a tense tiebreak to send it to a fifth.
The pair, both sweltering even with the roof closed, both broke each other’s serve in the fifth but it was Zverev who eventually reigned supreme.
A ridiculous passing shot after chasing down an impossible drop shot from Zverev had the crowd screaming for the underdog.
But it wasn't to be, Zverev taking the final tiebreak 10-7 for a 7-5 3-6 4-6 7-6 7-6 victory.
ðŸ—£ï¸ "You are KIDDING!"
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 18, 2024
Max Purcell pulls off 'one of the shots of the tournament' against Casper Ruud! 🤯🔥#AO2024#AusOpen#Tennis#9WWOSpic.twitter.com/F5Arj4qg9w
2.55pm - Zverev takes it to five sets, Aussie staying alive
Alex Zverev has fought back at the death as Lukas Klein threatened to send him tumbling in the fourth set. The pair went to a tense tiebreak and were even at 5-5 until the Slovakian hit two unforced errors into the net and gave Zverev the upper hand.
He took the fourth set and the pair now enter a fifth for a chance to enter the third round.
Meanwhile, Aussie Max Purcell has taken his own match against Casper Ruud to five sets, surging back to take the fourth set 6-2.
2.20pm - Zverev being put through the ringer
We could be witnessing the biggest upset of the tournament here.
World No. 6 Alex Zverev got off to a solid start against Lukas Klein, taking the first set 7-5. But he’s quickly began to fall apart as the Slovakian roared back to take the next two sets 6-3 6-4.
Klein, who is playing in his second grand slam draw, has won more break points this afternoon and is in the hot seat to make his first ever appearance in the third round.
Olympic champ and World #6 Alexander Zverev, who had a great start of the year at the United Cup, now two sets to one down to #163 Lukas Klein, who is playing just his 2nd career Grand Slam main draw.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 18, 2024
5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
That would be the biggest upset of the event so far. pic.twitter.com/dMGJyjSr0U
1.50pm - Aussie fighting for third round spot
Aussie Max Purcell has begun his match against World No. 11 Casper Ruud but has got off to a shaky start. The Norwegian secured an early break and had him down 4-1 early in the piece.
Purcell has been serving well to kick off the second round clash, smashing four aces and hitting his first serve at an 80 per cent success rate.
A brief rain delay stalled the match, but Ruud broke through immediately after and ran away with the first set 6-3.
Purcell reemerged in the second set, forcing his higher ranked opponent to a tiebreak.
The Aussie sealed the deal in the tight square-off, taking the set 7 (7) -6 (5).
12.20pm - Zverev takes the first set
Alex Zverev is continuing his Australian Open campaign today and is off to a great start against Lukas Klein in their second round match. The Slovakian No. 163 showed some promise against the sixth seed Zverev, but was eventually cut down to size.
Zverev has got a lot of negative attention this week surrounding domestic violence accusations. He has been “accused of physically abusing a woman and damaging her health during an argument” in Berlin over three years ago.
He has continually denied the allegations being levelled against him and will begin his case on May 31.
12pm - Ugly tennis feud set to reignite
A Wimbledon feud from over two years ago could be set to reignite this week as an Aussie goes head to head with an old rival.
In their 2021 match, Ajla Tomljanovic was furious that opponent Jelena Ostapenko had called for the trainer but did not appear to be hampered by injury whatsoever.
“If you think I am faking, you can talk to the physio,” Ostapenko said.
Tomljanovic answered: “I hope you feel better”, and Ostapenko replied: “Your behaviour is terrible. You have zero respect.”
Ostapenko then labelled the Aussie “the worst player on tour.”
But Tomljanovic, who goes head to head with Ostapenko at 7pm tonight, poured cold water on rumours the pair still had beef.
“What happened happened. It’s been a while. I think we played each other after once more, and she beat me,” Tomljanovic said.
“Look, I have respect for her as a player. What happened, that was just in that moment. I just reacted. We never spoke about it.
“Yeah, we’re both going to be competitive. That’s for sure. I do think at least from my side I respect her as a tennis player, yeah. In that moment, I wasn’t happy.”
11am - Aussies face tough task to stay alive
There are three Australians playing in singles action on Thursday, but it would be impressive if any of them progress to the next round.
Ajla Tomljanovic takes on 11th seed Jelena Ostapenko tonight and will rekindle their rivalry after a frosty exchange at the net following the Aussie’s win over the Latvian at Wimbedon two years ago.
On the men’s side it’s even tougher, with all three Aussies facing seeded players.
Max Purcell plays 11th seed Casper Ruud and Thanasi Kokkinakis will need to be at his best against Grigor Dimitrov, who is enjoying some strong later career form.
10:30am - Kyrgios offers to ‘sort out’ Djokovic heckler
The Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic bromance has reached new heights with the injured Aussie star jokingly offering to ‘sort out’ the person heckling the Serbian.
Djokovic fumed at a rowdy fan over a sledge that went too far during his win over Aussie Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday night.
In a post-match segment on Eurosport, where Kyrgios is working in commentary, Djokovic said it was not a nice atmosphere to play in.
Kyrgios then jumped in to show his support for the world No. 1.
“I’m ready. Let’s do WWE in the crowd. I’ll jump in for you, I’ll go first. I’ll get that guy out of here!” Kyrgios jokingly siad.
“If you want me to jump into the crowd and sort him out, I’ll do it for you bro. I got your back 100%.”
Nick Kyrgios tells Novak Djokovic he would’ve dealt with the heckler for him:
— Danny 🊠(@DjokovicFan_) January 17, 2024
“If you want me to jump into the crowd and sort him out, I’ll do it for you bro. I got your back 100%.†ðŸ˜@DjokerNole@NickKyrgiospic.twitter.com/mTyroOBpxT
9.45am - Djokovic’s mystery illness
Novak Djokovic has lost a set in both the first and second round for the first time since 2018, and eagled eyed viewers suspect the World No. 1 is carrying a mystery illness.
Djokovic struggled with a wrist complaint during the United Cup and said he was “a bit under the weather” during the early stages of his campaign at Melbourne Park.
“I’m definitely not playing or feeling my best,” Djokovic said.
Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg tweeted: “Djokovic admitted after his first round that he wasn’t feeling great. And if I saw correctly, I think a tissue fell out of his pocket during that last game?”
The Serbian got into a fiery exchange with a fan in the crowd before he closed out his victory over Alexei Popyrin.
“There were a lot of things that were being told to me on the court... I was tolerating it for most of the match,” he said.
“At one point I had had enough, and I asked him whether he wants to come down and tell it to my face.
“When you confront somebody, unfortunately for him, he didn’t have the courage to come down.
“That’s what I was asking him. If you have courage, if you’re such a tough man, tough guy, come down and tell it to my face, and let’s have a discussion about it.”
9.30am - Tsitsipas sledges ‘selfish’ Djokovic
Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to the third round as he continues his quest for a maiden grand slam title.
The Greek star was outclassed by Novak Djokovic in last year’s Australian Open final but kept his dream alive with a four-set win over Australia’s Jordan Thompson.
Djokovic has never lost a final or semifinal at Melbourne Park, and Tsitsipas joked the reason he hadn’t won a grand slam yet is because the Serbian is too selfish to let anyone else win.
“Numbers don’t lie,” Tsitsipas said.
“Novak has been able to win here 10 times, he’s a very selfish person!
“I think if he wakes up one day feeling less selfish, a ‘sharing is caring’ type of vibe...There are two scenarios: if someone is to beat Novak that isn’t me, or it has to be me. We have to find a way.
“I know that I’m capable of pulling off certain things and having a deep run at the Aussie Open, it’s one of my favourite tournaments. I used to skip school to watch it. It definitely means a lot to me. The whole climate, I feel like I’m back in Greece, the climate is very similar to where I come from.”
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