Clueless Ash Barty makes first blunder of the year in rare interview oversight

Ash Barty has been in remarkable form on the court but even the world No. 1 can’t do — or indeed remember — everything perfectly.

Rafael Nadal won through to the Australian Open quarterfinals and Alexander Zverev bombed out of yet another grand slam before Ash Barty capped off the night in style.

The Aussie beat young gun Amanda Anisimova on Rod Laver Arena while everyone’s favourite doubles pairing of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis kept their campaign alive too.

‘Not sure’: Forgetful Barty’s rare mistake

Ash Barty is into yet another Australian Open quarterfinal in a bid to end Australia’s 44-year drought at the tournament with a 6-4 6-3 win over American Amanda Anisimova.

Coming into the match, Barty was well aware the American was a tough customer, having defeated defending champion Naomi Osaka in the last round. But the Aussie had little trouble ousting the 20-year-old.

The pair had previously played in the French Open semi-final on the way to Barty’s maiden grand slam victory in 2019, and once again the Queenslander came out on top.

Barty will now play 21st seed Jessica Pegula in the quarters, and had high praise for the 27-year-old.

“Jess was on fire today, able to really control the baseline,” Barty said after Pegula toppled fifth seed Maria Sakkari. “She was able to put Maria under the pump, take balls on the line, stay on top, stay in centre of the court and control it.

“I think she did a really good job of fighting out some tough games, so it will be another awesome match-up. Not sure if I played her before, but definitely practised together before. No secrets, come out here, compete and enjoy it.”

But during the on-court interview Nine commentator Jim Courier immediately informed the top seed she and Pegula had played before — on Barty’s way to her French Open crown, Pegula was her first round match.

Barty had a sheepish chuckle at forgetting that match and the crowd laughed too at the only mistake she’s made all year.

Ahhh Ash, funny. She plays Jessica Pegula. "I'm not sure if I've played her before, we have practiced a lot..." Jim Courier: "You played her en route to that French Open title".

— Craig Gabriel (@crosscourt1) January 23, 2022

We’ll forgive you Ash! Photo by Michael Klein

Day seven results

Rod Laver Arena

Madison Keys defeated Paula Badosa (8) 6-3 6-1

Barbola Krejcikova (4) defeated Victoria Azarenka (24) 6-2 6-2

Rafael Nadal (6) defeated Adrian Mannarino 7-6 6-2 6-2

Ash Barty (1) vs Amanda Anisimova 6-4 6-3

Matteo Berrettini (7) defeated Pablo Carreno Busta (19) 7-5 7-6 6-4

Margaret Court Arena

Kudermetova/Mertens (3) defeated Xu/Yang (14) 7-6 6-4

Jessica Pegula (21) defeated Maria Sakkari (5) 7-6 6-3

Denis Shapovalov (14) defeated Alexander Zverev (3) 6-3 7-6 6-3

John Cain Arena

Peers/Polasek (5) defeated Krawietz/Mies (12) 6-1 6-2

Puetz/Venus (6) defeated Kubler/O’Connell (WC) walkover

Gael Monfils (17) defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 7-5 7-6 6-3

Kia Arena

Kyrgios/Kokkinakis (WC) defeats Behar/Escobar (15) 6-4 4-6 6-4

Superstars set up quarterfinal stunner

Flashy French 17th seed Gael Monfils warned “I’m not quite finished yet” after he surged past Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia to set up an encounter with Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini.

The 35-year-old Monfils is yet to drop a set in Melbourne.

Big-serving Berrettini sent down 28 aces to blow away Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in three sets.

“He’s feeling good, I’m feeling good,” he said of his clash with Monfils. “It’s going to be a fight.”

AFP

World No. 3 knocked out in huge upset

In a huge upset, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev has been knocked out in the fourth round by Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, who qualifies for the top eight at Melbourne Park for the first time in his career.

Shapovalov claimed a 6-3 7-6 6-3 straight sets victory on Margaret Court Arena to secure his place in the quarter-finals, where he will face Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal.

It’s the Canadian’s first win against a top five player since he trumped Nadal in Montreal five years ago.

Zverev, who was considered one of the favourites to win the singles title, was far from his best on Sunday, with multiple unforced errors hindering his performance.

He's done it! Denis Shapovalov is in the AO quarterfinals for the first time! 🇨🇦#AusOpen - Live on 9Gem and 9Now pic.twitter.com/JIMk5P7Ldq

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 23, 2022

‘Insane’: Nadal’s thrilling 28-minute tiebreak

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal secured the opening set of his fourth round encounter against France’s Adrian Mannarino in thrilling scenes on Rod Laver Arena.

The 20-time grand slam champion won an intense 28-minute tiebreak that featured 30 points, finally getting the job done with his seventh set point.

Nadal celebrated by triumphantly pumping his fists, presumably out of relief more than anything else.

The opening set between Nadal and Mannarino went for 81 minutes — in comparison, Ash Barty only needed 52 minutes to secure a straight sets victory over Lucia Bronzetti in the second round.

The rest of the contest was smooth sailing for Nadal, who claimed a 7-6 6-2 6-2 straight sets victory to book his spot in the quarter-finals, where he will play Canada’s Denis Shapovalov.

First set went for 81mins… TB 28mins

11 set points overall - 4 to Mannarino and 7 to Nadal.

Wow.

— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) January 23, 2022

Insane pic.twitter.com/gZJCcMubYr

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 23, 2022

Another Aus Open star tests positive to Covid

A second player at the Australian Open has tested positive to Covid-19.

Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck returned a positive result to her exit PCR test, confirming on social media that she was isolating in Melbourne.

“My exit test in Melbourne to go back to Belgium came back positive,” she wrote on Instagram.

“I am isolating and following all requirements. I have very mild symptoms and am looking forward to coming back even stronger.”

Earlier this week, France’s Ugo Humbert tested positive to Covid-19 just a few hours after his first-round defeat at the Australian Open.

On Thursday, Germany’s Alexander Zverev said it was inevitable there would be more cases among players.

“Look, I think this year in Australia is a lot more cases than last year, simple as that,” he said.

“And we are allowed to go outside to eat, allowed to do whatever we want, so I think it’s natural that more people get Covid.

“Quite a few players I think have it now. We are not getting tested, so I think if we would get tested there would be probably more positives than there are now, in a way.”

Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium. Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua via Getty Images

Loophole opens door for Djokovic return

A fresh loophole in France’s Covid-19 protocols could see world No. 1 Novak Djokovic granted an opportunity to defend his Roland Garros title this year, despite not being vaccinated.

Djokovic, who has refused to get the Covid-19 jab, was expected to be stymied by France’s vaccine pass law which was approved by parliament last week.

The “no jab no play” policy meant people need to have a vaccination certificate in order to enter places such as restaurants, cafes, cinemas and long-distance trains.

“The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be imposed, as soon as the law is promulgated, in establishments that were already subject to the health pass,” the French sports ministry said.

“This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice.”

However, according to recent reports in Europe, France’s vaccination passports will provide exemption to athletes who have contracted the virus in the last six months.

Djokovic tested positive to the deadly virus in December, and the French Open gets underway on May 22, ending in early June.

However, it remains unclear whether Djokovic will be permitted to compete at Wimbledon and or the US Open this year.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Alarming claim about Kyrgios fight threat

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley made an alarming claim after Nick Kyrgios revealed on Saturday members of his opponents’ entourage threatened to fight him.

The Aussie star was reportedly “accosted” in the locker room after he and Thanasi Kokkinakis stunned top seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic in the second round — with Pavic in particular critical of the way the raucous Aussie crowd behaved during the match.

Asked about the alleged confrontation on Weekend Today, Tiley attempted to play down the incident and said it was “not unusual” when there is so much “passion”.

“There was a lot of passion and a lot of energy in the stadium and I think that carried over beyond the stadium,” Tiley said. “I have spoken to Nick and the team and this is not unusual.

“It’s not uncommon … when you have a situation like this and players are beaten and they are expected to win the match and there’s so much passion from the fans.”

Tiley’s response stunned Weekend Today presenter Charles Croucher. “Don’t doubt the passion, but are you saying it’s not unusual that a coach would threaten a player after a match?” Croucher asked.

Tiley clarified his position, adding: “No. We’ll look closely at that, we’ll continue to look closely at that. As I said I’ve spoken to Nick and Thanasi.

“What’s not unusual and what’s not uncommon is the passion, but certainly there are rules and there’s conditions around how you respond at the end of the match.”

Tempers threatened to boil over after the match. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Top 10 seed knocked out

World No. 6 Paula Badosa has been knocked out in the fourth round of the Australian Open, suffering a straight sets defeat to American Maddison Keys 6-3 6-1.

Keys, who was ranked No. 87 in the world two weeks ago, dominated the contest on Rod Laver Arena, cruising through to the quarter-finals where she will face either Czech star Barbora Krejcikova or two-time grand slam champion Victoria Azarenka.

It will be Keys’ first hardcourt grand slam quarterfinal since 2018.

“I think I served really well and returned really well and I think I had the advantage in a lot of the points and I thought I was able to dictate and I knew I would have to take my chances and go for it because if I gave her a chance, she would take it,” Keys told Channel 9 post-match.

“My team has been amazing and my coach said he wanted me to enjoy competing and being in the tough moments and embracing those instead of getting panicky in those moments and I’m enjoying playing tennis and being on the court and in front of fans. It is all good.”

Madison Keys utterly thwomps #8 Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-1 to reach #AusOpen quarterfinals.

Keys, who was ranked 87th earlier this month, has been soaring back up the charts, continuing her hot streak from her Adelaide title into the Last 8 in Melbourne. Will reenter Top 40 at least.

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 23, 2022

Day seven preview

Giant-killer Amanda Anisimova, fresh from knocking out defending champion Naomi Osaka, will have world number one Ash Barty in her sights as the Australian Open hits the last-16 stage today.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, who says he is having “a very special week” after coming back from an injury-ravaged 2021, is one win away from the men’s quarter-finals and a potential last-eight showdown with world number three Alexander Zverev.

But the whole of Australia will be watching Barty to see whether she can keep the Melbourne Park party going in search of a maiden triumph to add to her Roland Garros and Wimbledon crowns.

The fearless 20-year-old Anisimova will be out to gatecrash the night-time festivities on Rod Laver Arena by claiming another famous win against Barty, who has only dropped eight games as she inches towards a maiden Grand Slam crown on home soil.

The top seed is now 7-0 for the season after winning the Adelaide warm-up event and in irresistible form. She has not lost her vaunted serve for 57 games over six matches.

Anisimova also sprang an upset with a second-round victory over Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic and goes in buoyed by a famous come-from-behind win over Osaka.

Also in action is Victoria Azarenka, the Australian Open champion in 2012 and 2013, who will go up against world number four Barbora Krejcikova after the Belarusian turned back the clock to brush aside 15th seed Elina Svitolina in the third round.

Ash Barty is on a roll in Melbourne. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Azarenka, after taking time away to have a baby, is aiming for a first quarter-final since 2016, but the 24th seed is not getting ahead of herself.

Krejcikova, the French Open champion, overcame a big fright against 2017 Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko and then declared her never-say-die attitude meant her rivals should now be afraid of her.

“I hope they are scared of me,” said the 26-year-old, who was one of the standout players of 2021, winning three titles as she soared more than 50 places up the rankings.

Other women’s last-16 matches on Sunday see unseeded American Madison Keys, in form after her win in a Sydney warm-up event, eyeing an upset of eighth seed Paula Badosa of Spain.

And fifth seed Maria Sakkari of Greece faces another American, Jessica Pegula. In the men’s draw, Nadal, who dropped a set for the first time in the tournament before powering past Russia’s Karen Khachanov, faces unseeded Adrian Mannarino.

The Frenchman will need to recover from a 4hr 38m marathon third-round 7-6 (7/4) 6-7 (4/7) 7-5 6-4 win against Russia’s Aslan Karatsev that did not finish until 2:32am on Saturday.

The winner will face either Olympic champion Zverev, yet to drop a set, or 14th seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada in a signature quarter-final on Tuesday.

Other men in action include Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini against Spanish 19th seed Pablo Carreno Busta.

Flamboyant 17th seed Gael Monfils, unbeaten this year after winning a warm-up event in Adelaide, is yet to drop a set and comes up against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.

The ageless 35-year-old Frenchman is targeting a second quarter-final appearance at Melbourne Park and the first for six years.

AFP