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Recap of Australian Open Day Six at Melbourne Park

CENTRE court was packed to see Roger Federer but the most memorable moment involved Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth.

Tyson Otto and James Matthey
16 min read
January 21, 2018 - 12:14AM
You can’t keep Lleyton Hewitt down.
You can’t keep Lleyton Hewitt down.

Live Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios is the sole Aussie left standing in the singles draws after Ash Barty lost to Naomi Osaka on Saturday, but Lleyton Hewitt’s doubles run with Sam Groth continues.

ASH Barty had never made it through to the final 16 at the Australian Open and she wasn’t able to change that trend as she lost to Naomi Osaka on Saturday.

Novak Djokovic defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas on Saturday night while Tomas Berdych advanced to the fourth round after overcoming Juan Martin Del Potro.

Angelique Kerber demolished Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer outclassed Richard Gasquet.

Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth also starred, defeating the third seeded doubles pairing in a stunning boilover in front of an adoring crowd.

ROD LAVER ARENA

11am

(1) Simona Halep (ROU) defeated Lauren Davis (USA) 4-6 6-4 15-13

Hyeon Chung (KOR) defeated (4) Alexander Zverev (GER) 5-7 7-6 2-6 6-3 6-0

7pm

(21) Angelique Kerber (GER) defeated Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-1 6-3

(2) Roger Federer (SUI) defeated (29) Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-2 7-5 6-4

MARGARET COURT ARENA

11am

Madison Keys (USA) defeated Ana Bogdan (ROU) v (17) 6-3 6-4

6-Karolina Pliskova (CZE) defeated (29) Lucie Safarova (CZE) 7-6 7-5

(5) Dominic Thiem (AUT) defeated (26) Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 6-4 6-2 7-5

Naomi Osaka (JPN) defeated (18) Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 6-4 6-2

7pm

(14) Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated (21) Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) 6-2 6-3 6-3

Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) defeated (26) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-2 7-5

HISENSE ARENA

12.30pm

(8) Caroline Garcia (FRA) defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) 6-3 5-7 6-2

(25) Fabio Fognini (ITA) defeated Julien Benneteau (FRA) 3-6 6-2 6-1 4-6 6-3

5pm

(19) Tomas Berdych (CZE) defeated (12) Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 6-3 6-3 6-2

11.30pm

Hewitt, Groth are ‘un-bloody-believable’

Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth pulled off a minor tennis miracle by knocking out the third seeded pairing of Horia Tecau and Jean-Julien Rojer in the second round of the men’s doubles draw.

The unseeded Aussies did the damage with an unexpected 7-6 4-6 7-5 win in front of a packed crowd on Court 2.

Groth is playing his final tournament before hanging up the racquet and convinced Hewitt to come out of retirement and partner him at Melbourne Park. The 36-year-old has lost none of his touch nor his fighting spirit.

“This is amazing,” Groth said of the parochial home support. “This is for sure what I’ll miss.”

11.05pm

Fed Express rolls on

He may have defeated Richard Gasquet in straight sets but the Frenchman made life difficult for Roger Federer on Saturday night.

The World No. 2 outclassed Gasquet 6-2 7-5 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena to advance to the fourth round, where he’ll meet Hungarian Marton Fucsovics.

Dominant in the first set, the going only got tougher from there for Federer. The second went on serve and looked like heading towards a tiebreak until the Swiss broke late in the set and showed why he’s a 19-time grand slam winner, icing the set by upping the ante in a clutch period.

The third set followed a similar pattern as Gasquet tried desperately to keep pace. But as well as he played, Federer was always able to bounce ahead when it mattered most and so it was as he closed out the final set 6-4.

10.25pm

‘Pathetic’ fault ruins Gasquet

Roger Federer cruised through the first set 6-2 against Richard Gasquet.

The Swiss maestro was aggressive on Saturday night, meeting the ball early from close to the baseline and often inside it, while at 3-2 up in the second he had already been to the net 17 times.

Midway through the set the umpire told both players Hawkeye was down and with Federer serving at 30-30 at three-all, the technological breakdown came back to haunt Gasquet.

A Federer ace off his second serve was called out but the chair umpire overruled the call. Gasquet was distraught, certain it was wide.

Jim Courier said in commentary the Channel Seven team had seen a replay and believed it “certainly looked wide”.

Gasquet pleaded with the umpire but there was nothing she could do and Gasquet went on to lose the game.

Had the ball been called out, it would have been a double fault and handed the Frenchman his first break point opportunity of the match.

To make matters worse, Hawkeye was back in action just a few minutes later, but it was too late.

“Wow. With no Hawkeye, this — oh, this is hard to take for Gasquet,” Courier said of the incident.

The tables were turned when Federer broke Gasquet just as the set looked to be he headed towards a tiebreak, then showed his class to close it out 7-5 and go two sets to love up.

“He (Federer) was lucky in that set that Hawkeye was broken,” Courier said. “I’m not saying he would have been broken but he would have been in an uncomfortable position he hasn’t had yet.”

9.40pm

Djokovic wins through

Six-time champion Novak Djokovic has struck form to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open, looking in excellent touch during a straight-sets routing of Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

The Serbian took a medical time-out during Saturday night’s second set for treatment of an apparent hip complaint, but regrouped to claim a 6-2 6-3 6-3 victory in two hours and 21 minutes.

He will face world No. 58 Hyeon Chung in the fourth round after the South Korean youngster’s five-set defeat of fourth seed Alexander Zverev.

— AAP

9pm

Kerber’s demolition job complete, Berdych ousts del Potro, Djokovic on top

Angelique Kerber completed her rout of Maria Sharapova, dismantling the Russian 6-1 6-3 in just over an hour.

The 2016 Australian Open champion was near flawless as she never gave Sharapova a sniff.

Kerber has been impressive every time she’s stepped on court this tournament as she tries to bury the demons of a horror 2017.

“Everybody who know me knew I would come back after 2017. I work so hard,” she told Channel Seven’s Rennae Stubbs in her post-match interview.

Sharapova was running hot this week but was stopped in her tracks by the German, who must now surely be favourite to take out the women’s title.

Out on Hisense Arena Tomas Berdych cleaned up Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets 6-3 6-3 6-2.

Novak Djokovic edged closer to toppling Albert Ramos-Vinolas when he fought through injury issues to claim the second set 6-3 after winning the first.

8.10pm

Djokovic scare, Sharapova steamrolled

Novak Djokovic strolled through the first set of his match against Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2 but the physio was called early in the second to perform treatment on the Serbian.

The six-time Australian Open winner appeared to be suffering in the hip/lower back region. He has had hip concerns in the past.

Meanwhile, Angelique Kerber steamrolled Maria Sharapova 6-1 in the first set of their match on Rod Laver Arena.

7.20pm

Berdych blows up deluxe

Berdych couldn’t believe what was happening.
Berdych couldn’t believe what was happening.

Tomas Berdych was leading Juan Martin del Potro 4-2 in the first set and had a game point at 40-30 before what he perceived to be a dud call caused him to unleash on the umpire.

Returning a ball on his forehand wing, a linesperson called del Potro’s shot out, yelling as Berdych made contact with his racquet. His shot hit the net and that would have been OK, except the chair umpire overruled the linesperson, saying the Argentine’s shot was good.

That meant Berdych lost the point. He was furious, saying that linesperson’s call put him off.

The Czech challenged the decision but the umpire’s overrule was correct and the game went to deuce. The main official said the linesperson’s call was late and therefore couldn’t have impacted Berdych’s shot, whch he angrily disagreed with.

“No, no, no — why deuce?” Berdych, who believed the point should have been replayed, said. “No, no, no, no, no.

“There is no way that this ball is a late call. She did it exactly when I hit the ball.

“How can you tell me that is a late call? How can I know this is a late call?

“I’m right on the ball, she called it exactly when I hit the ball.

“I don’t know what else I have to do.”

Berdych then took his anger beyond the umpire, having an ugly confrontation with grand slam supervisor Soeren Friemel. The crowd was really ripping into Berdych, jeering him throughout his rant.

6.35pm

Barty outclassed

Nick Kyrgios is Australia’s last remaining singles hope after Naomi Osaka decimated Ash Barty 6-4 6-2.

After having her match moved from Rod Laver Arena to Margaret Court Arena it didn’t take long to see Barty was going to struggle against the hard-hitting Osaka.

The Japanese star was near flawless as she wrapped up the match in one hour and 13 minutes.

6pm

Barty’s fashion problem

Ash Barty had to change her shoes late in the first set after damaging the ones she was wearing as commentators suggested she had broken a lace.

Few players carry spare runners with them onto the court but luckily the Queenslander was well prepared.

“Thank goodness she had an extra pair in her bag,” Rennae Stubbs said. “Some players do it (carry an extra pair) and some don’t.

“I would say the majority of players don’t have an extra pair of shoes in the bag. They have them in their locker. This is highly unusual.”

Barty was unable to recover from being broken earlier in the set as Naomi Osaka took the first set 6-4.

5pm

Barty burnt in Open backflip

Ash Barty was snubbed in favour of Roger Federer.
Ash Barty was snubbed in favour of Roger Federer.

Ash Barty — the only remaining Aussie in either singles draw along with Nick Kyrgios — has been shafted from Rod Laver Arena after Simona Halep’s record-breaking win over Lauren Davis.

The three-hour and 45 minute epic on centre court has caused scheduling headaches for tournament organisers. Alexander Zverev and Hyeon Chung have only just started their third set while Maria Sharapova vs Angelique Kerber and Roger Federer vs Richard Gasquet are scheduled to play on Rod Laver in prime time.

To ensure that timeslot remains open and to avoid seeing Federer possibly step on court after midnight, Barty’s clash against Japan’s Naomi Osaka has been moved to Margaret Court Arena.

Former tennis star and now Channel Seven commentator Rennae Stubbs said the move benefits Osaka because it takes Barty away from the familiar surroundings of where she’s won her previous matches this tournament.

“Ash has handled herself so beautifully on Rod Laver. If it is anything about moving the court, it certainly helps Osaka more than Ash,” Stubbs said.

All Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena day session ticket holders are able to watch the match live on a first come, first served basis.

5pm

Thiem cruises through

Austrian Dominic Thiem is through to the fourth round after defeating Adrian Mannarino of France 6-4 6-2 7-5.

Thiem broke to take a 6-5 lead then served out the match.

He will face either Tennys Sandgren or Maximilian Marterer in the round of 16.

3.15pm

Record tumbles in Open epic

An unforgettable classic has unfolded at Rod Laver Arena with World No. 1 Simona Halep and American Lauren Davis delivering one of the greatest matches ever seen at the Australian Open.

The match equalled the record for most service games played in a women’s singles draw match at 48 — equalling Chanda Rubin’s 1996 quarter final 6-4 2-6 16-14 win over Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.

After serving for the match three times earlier in the set, Halep got a fourth opportunity when she broke to go ahead 14-13.

She got her first match point opportunity at 40-30 in the next service game and took it, collapsing after moving through to the fourth round with a 4-6 6-4 15-13 victory.

The three-hour and 45 minute match is one of the longest ever witnessed at Melbourne Park, but was still short of the 4-hour-44-minute classic between Francesca Schiavone and Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2011.

“I’m almost dead,” Halep told Channel 7 after the match.

Halep now has a potential final 16 meeting with top Aussie Ashleigh Barty.

The Romanian saved three match points at 11-10 in the deciding set of the instant classic, overcoming Davis after the unseeded American lost a toenail in the marathon third set.

“I feel that my muscles are gone. My ankle, I don’t know how it is because I don’t feel it any more,” Halep said.

“I’ve never played a third set so long. I’m very happy I could stay and win it ... it was very nice we could show such good tennis.” The match had everything.

Davis showed her intent with a barnstorming first set, unleashing her powerful backhand to the delight of the Rod Laver Arena crowd.

Halep responded in the second set, showing the consistency that’s made her world No.1 - hitting just two unforced errors.

The third was simply out of this world.

The 142-minute decider lasted longer than all but six matches so far in the tournament.

2.40pm

‘Nuts’ epic goes past three-hour mark

World No. 1 Simona Halep and American power-hitter Lauren Davis’ third-round epic has stretched beyond the three-hours and 30-minutes mark on Rod Laver Arena.

Halep had three chances to serve for the match in the final set — and was broken on all three occasions.

After being broken in three of her past four service games finally held serve to go ahead 9-8.

Even with Davis ahead 10-9, there had still been no match point opportunities for either player.

As the match ticked over three hours, Davis’ powerful backhand continued to fire as she took an 11-10 lead.

Davis then had three match points on the next service game after taking a 0-40 lead on Halep’s serve — she lost all of them.

Then, with the match at fever-pitch, Davis sensationally called for a trainer and medical time-out at 11-11 in the third set.

Davis complained that one of her toe nails had come off during the previous game — and asked the chair umpire if she could receive treatment.

The controversial time-out clearly frustrated Halep at the other end of the court.

“If we have a shot of Halep — Halep’s face. She is disgusted with having to wait at 11-11 in the third,” a Channel 7 commentator said.

Davis then had to defend five break-point opportunities in her next service game to go ahead 12-11 as the drama reached ridiculous levels.

At 12-12 in the third set, the final set time elapsed ticked over two hours.

2.40pm

Pliskova squeezes past Safarova

Karolina Pliskova outmuscled fellow Czech Lucie Safarova to make the Australian Open fourth round on Saturday in a testing two-set encounter.

The tattooed sixth seed, looking to win her first Grand Slam, came through the tight match on Margaret Court Arena against her 29th seeded compatriot 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 in 1hr 37mins.

“It was a tough match, it always is against Lucie,” said Pliskova, who made the quarter-finals last year.

“I’m happy I held my serve in the last game, It’s a good sign because my serve is the most important key for me.”

She will next play either American Bernarda Pera or another Czech Barbora Strycova who clash later.

— AFP

1.35pm

Kyrgios drops out of doubles dilemma

Nick Kyrgios has reportedly dropped out of his doubles match with Matt Reid.

The Herald Sun reports Reid has told Kyrgios he needs to give up on their doubles campaign to focus on his fourth round singles match against Grigor Dimitrov on Sunday.

The Aussie duo’s withdrawal means French pair Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin progress straight through to the third round of the doubles draw.

1.10pm

‘Unbelievable’ freak out-powers entire men’s tennis field

Freak.
Freak.

American freak Lauren Davis is sensationally rocking the fastest backhand at the Australian Open — including the men’s field.

Davis, 24, blasted a searing backhand during her third-round match against World No. 1 which took her average backhand speed for the tournament to more than 126km/h.

Channel 7 commentators said the world No. 76’s two-handed backhand has the highest average speed at this year’s tournament.

Before the average speed of Davis’ rocket rose above the 126km/h mark during her third round epic against Halep, men’s No. 5 seed Dominic Thiem had the fastest recorded backhand at 125km/h.

“It’s the fastest backhand here at the Australian Open,” Channel 7 commentator Sam Smith said.

“I think at 126km/h, Dominic Thiem is even 1km/h slower. That’s unbelievable, the pace she’s getting off that shot.

“There is the shot, though, that’s been doing the damage for Davis. That backhand. Extraordinary pace.”

12.35pm

Keys cruises into fourth round

US Open finalist Madison Keys has sent a message that her 2017 season-end form was no fluke, running roughshod over Romanian Ana Bogdan at the Australian Open.

The 20-year-old Keys, the highest-seeded American remaining in the women’s draw, didn’t drop a single service game against the 102-ranked Bogdan in the 6-3 6-4 demolition on Saturday.

Returning to Melbourne Park after wrist surgery sidelined her from last year’s Open, the 17th seed blasted her way into the fourth round with 29 winners and six aces on Margaret Court Arena.

12.20pm

Serena throws shade at Maria Sharapova

Serena Williams isn’t competing at the Australian Open and Maria Sharapova isn’t seeded — still their rivalry is castling a large shadow over the year’s first grand slam.

With Sharapova preparing to take on former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber in a blockbuster third-round match, Serena Williams couldn’t help but come out and publicly declare she wants the Russian star to get punted from the Open.

Williams responded to a tweet publicly supporting Sharapova against Kerber with a frown emoji.

It’s not personal at all between them.

10.30am

Awful marketing cheek flops badly

Yikes.
Yikes.

Aussie footwear icon Volleys appear to have been just as caught out as the rest of Australia by Nick Kyrgios’ new leaf displayed at Melbourne Park this week.

It’s left the tennis shoe company with egg all over their face.

22-year-old Kyrgios has been widely praised for his behaviour and calm temperament this week, highlighted by his third round win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday night — Volleys must have missed the memo.

The company on Saturday morning launched a new marketing campaign linking their brand of shoe with Australia’s past success at our home grand slam.

The campaign which featured an open letter addressed to Kyrgios in a full page ad in a Melbourne newspaper as part of a wide-ranging marketing reach, also included a video which took a cheap pot-shot at the Australian star.

The video voiced by comedian Lawrence Mooney impersonating Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on Kyrgios to get his act together with some slightly cheesy lines and out-dated criticisms.

The open letter has been criticised for missing the mark “big time” in its attempt to poke fun at Kyrgios.

The letter publicly called on Kyrgios to ditch his Nike sponsorship and lace up a pair of volleys.

“Dear Nick, mate, we need to talk,” the ad said.

“We’re big admirers. You’ve got a big game, an attitude to match and, hey, you’re doing it for the kids. We’re even fans of your feistiness (we like a bit of sizzle on our barbecue, if you get the drift).

“But it’s time for a serve of our own - hear us out - the last time an Aussie bloke won the Australian Open, he did it in Volleys.

“In 1976, outsider Mark Edmondson stormed to victory in our classic design. And tennis legends Rod Laver, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ken Rosewall all laced their Volleys before lifting their Open trophies high.

“In fact, we’ve done a bit of digging and it turns out no Aussie has ever won the Men’s Singles while wearing Nikes. Disadvantage, Kyrgios.

“We may be low on bling, but the numbers don’t lie: Aussies win in Volleys. Plus, our clever herringbone grip always helps champion athletes like yourself stay truly grounded.

“It’s time to lace on a pair of the green and golds and join the leagues of Australians who have fought and triumphed in the comfort of our humble canvas embrace.

“Sure, we can’t pay you as well as some, but we’ll be the first to buy you a cold slab on your winning night.

“We’ve waited 42 years for the perfect match. All good, mate – Volley is in it for the long game. Play on.”

The stunt divided opinion with other commentators agreeing with the ad’s public address to the No. 17 seed.

WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE

10am

Kyrgios’ still undecided about doubles committment

Play on.
Play on.

It’s a question that both Nick Kyrgios and Jim Courier asked, in different tones, on Friday night.

Why is Kyrgios playing in the doubles tournament?

Kyrgios has linked up with his self-described “coach and best friend” Matt Reid at Melbourne Park this week, a decision he regretted during his third-round singles win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday night.

The daunting schedule saw the 22-year-old take to the court in the blazing sun on Thursday, playing a three-set affair with Reid as the mercury soared into the high 30s.

On Friday night, despite the arrival of a cool change, Kyrgios was feeling it. “Why the f*** am I playing doubles,” he spouted towards his box during a change of ends.

“Hours in 50 degree heat ... really good management,” he continued, sarcastically.

Taking a more considered tone after the win, Kyrgios said he “felt heavy” on court.

“My legs felt a little bit heavy. Yesterday was hot,” he said. “It took a lot out of me.

“I think the adrenaline kicked in the third and fourth sets (against Tsonga). I had a couple bananas, started to feel better, got a bit of a second wind.” Kyrgios’ next singles clash is with third seed Grigor Dimitrov on Sunday night. Before his clash with Dimitrov, he’s got a date with Reid against another two Frenchmen, Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin on Saturday afternoon. Courier, a two-time winner at Melbourne Park, urged the Australian No.1 to ditch the doubles if he wants to progress deeper into the singles event. “If Nick thinks he has a serious chance to win a major, he does need to stop playing doubles,” the American told Channel Seven.

“It is a mistake to play ... (and) get stuck in a 40 degree day like he did yesterday.

“It is not like they are going to win the doubles ... all the players who think they have a serious chance to win majors in singles skip the doubles. “They just do it because you can get caught out best of five and then you are backing that up.” Only two players ranked higher than Kyrgios, Sam Querrey and Pablo Carrena Busta, are in both the singles and doubles events.

Kyrgios and Reid played doubles at several tournaments in 2017 - including the prestigious Miami Masters where he progressed to the semi-finals of the singles, beaten by Roger Federer in an epic third-set tiebreak.

He said he wouldn’t make a decision on his doubles at Melbourne Park until Saturday night.

“I’ll have some food, have a good night’s rest, see how I feel,” he said.

— AAP

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