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Australian Open Day 10: Live coverage from Melbourne park

Kei Nishikori has been forced to withdraw from his quarter-final, handing world No.1 Novak Djokovic a passage into the last four.

Courtney Walsh and Adrian McMurray
15 min read
7:38AMJanuary 23, 2019.
Updated 8:55PMJanuary 23, 2019
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Kei Nishikori of Japan during the men's singles quarter final match. Picture: AAP
Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Kei Nishikori of Japan during the men's singles quarter final match. Picture: AAP

Welcome to live coverage of Day 10 of the Australian Open from Melbourne Park.

8.53pm: Nishikori forced to withdraw

Kei Nishikori has been forced to withdraw from his Australian Open quarter-final, handing world No.1 Novak Djokovic a passage into the last four.

Djokovic will face unlikely French semi-finalist Lucas Pouille for the chance to return to the final for the first time since 2016.

Nishikori was heavily troubled by a thigh injury, retiring with the score 6-1 4-1.

7.48pm: Djokovic v Nishikori

Novak Djokovic has an impressive 15-2 head to head record over Kei Nishikori.

Will he extend that lead tonight, or can Nishikori cause an upset?

7.04pm: Pouille defeats Raonic

Frenchman Lucas Pouille has earned his first grand slam semi-final appearance, downing Milos Raonic in their Australian Open quarter final.

The 28th seed will play world No.1 Novak Djokovic or Japan’s Kei Nishikori on Friday night for a place in the final after downing the booming Canadian 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.

Pouille, who knocked young Australian Alexei Popyrin out in the third round, hadn’t won a match prior to 2019 at Melbourne Park in five appearances.

AAP

Adrian McMurray 6.05pm: ‘You’re incapable’: Raonic lets rip

Neither player let the other into the contest in the third, a huge ninth game the chance for Pouille to take the advantage but Raonic manages to hold on.

Drama in a weird service game from Pouille. He produces a double fault in between two aces. A Raonic shot is called out at the baseline, he challenges and it’s clearly in, which forces the point to be replayed.

Raonic isn’t happy, telling the umpire: “You don’t watch, because you’re incapable.”

We’re off to another tie-break then … which the Canadian wins in emphatic fashion! Pouille still leads 7-6 (4) 6-3 7-6 (2).

5.26pm: ‘She played her best tennis ever’

Williams refused to blame either an untimely foot-fault called on her first match point, nor an ankle injury suffered midway through the third set, for her crushing loss to Pliskova.

“My ankle seems to be fine. I usually don’t know until the next day, so I think she just played lights out on match point, literally, hitting lines. Just went crazy,” Williams said.

Serena Williams. Picture: AP
Serena Williams. Picture: AP

“I can’t say that I choked on those match points. She literally played her best tennis ever on those shots.” The seven-times Open champion’s exit comes after she also lost to Angelique Kerber in last year’s Wimbledon final.

But still only 10 months into her comeback after giving birth to daughter Olympia in September, 2016, Williams remains confident a 24th career major will happen.

“The big picture for me is always winning. I’m not going to sit here and lie about that,” Williams said.

Karolina Pliskova. Picture: AFP
Karolina Pliskova. Picture: AFP

“But it hasn’t happened yet, but I feel like it’s going to happen. I’ll just keep taking it one match at a time, just keep soldiering on.”

Also claiming to be as hungry as ever, Williams pointed out how difficult it had been to firstly match the long-time benchmark of 18 slams of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, then Steffi Graf’s open-era record of 22 majors. “Twenty-three wasn’t close, but 22 was close for a long time,” she said. “Eighteen was close forever. Yeah, we’ll see.”

AAP

Adrian McMurray 5.15pm: Pouille powers through second

Pouille is on fire, taking the second to lead 7-6 (4) 6-3. After breaking early he served out the set, finishing with a 200km/h ace to leave Raonic with it all to do.

Meanwhile, Nishikori is finalising preparations for his quarter-final against Djokovic later tonight.

Adrian McMurray 4.34pm: Momentum shifts in the first

It appeared as though Raonic had it in the bag at 4-1, moving to 5-2 at one point … before Pouille won three straight games to remain in the hunt. The set eventually went to a tie-breaker, with the Frenchman completing his stunning comeback with a forehand screamer to take a one-set advantage. Let’s see how Raonic responds …

Adrian McMurray 3.50pm: Raonic, Pouille vie for semi spot

With the women’s singles semis set, we now turn to the penultimate men’s quarter-final. Milos Raonic has started in powerful fashion, taking the first three games against France’s Lucas Pouille.

Adrian McMurray 3.20pm: Pliskova takes down Williams

Pliskova races to 40-0, but Williams saves two match points … before an unforced error hands victory to the Czech 6-4 4-6 7-5 in a 2hr 10min epic!

Serena’s injury proved to be the turning point, unable to win a game after that occurred at 5-1.

Speaking after she progressed to her first ever Australian Open semi-final, Pliskova said her entire team would be joining her in an ice bath.

“I think they’re more tired than me,” she quipped.

“That’s our routine, and then we go to the same restaurant, we try to keep the things that are working.

“Hopefully it’ll work tomorrow.”

Serena Williams leaves Rod Laver Arena. Picture: AFP
Serena Williams leaves Rod Laver Arena. Picture: AFP

Trailing 5-1 in the third, Pliskova said she was “mentally down”.

“My mind was in the locker room, I was still here,” she said, laughing.

“It was tough, she was really playing well, I didn’t have many chances in the third set, I was a little bit too passive, obviously mentally down.

“I just said ‘let’s try this game’, at 5-2 maybe I’m going to have a couple of chances. She got a little bit shaky in the end. I took my chances.”

She’ll face Osaka for a place in the final.

Adrian McMurray 3.16pm: Pliskova back on top

Pliskova saves three match points and holds her serve … and then wins a Serena service game to love! She’s serving for the match now at 6-5. Wow!

Adrian McMurray 3.07pm: Pliskova back on serve

Pliskova holds, Williams back serving for the match … and drops it! We’re back on serve! Williams leads 4-6 6-4 5-4. This match has been incredible, are we set for another twist or two? That ankle injury could prove to be the turning point.

Adrian McMurray 2.57pm: Serena hit by ankle injury

Another twist in this intriguing match, as Williams fails to serve out the match. The seven-time champion was hampered by an ankle injury late in the game, moving gingerly after changing direction across the baseline.

Pliskova is now on serve at 2-5, but assuming Serena gets through here, that injury could be the bigger talking point.

Serena Williams hurt her ankle in the third set. Picture: AFP
Serena Williams hurt her ankle in the third set. Picture: AFP

Adrian McMurray 2.55pm: Can’t stop Serena

We begin the third with three fairly routine service games, but the momentum well and truly shifts to Williams from there. The American breaks in dominant fashion, before a blistering service game — featuring three aces — takes her to 4-1. Pliskova provides little resistance in her next service game, Serena now serving for the match at 5-1. This turnaround has been incredible!

Adrian McMurray 2.35pm: Williams takes second set

Williams holds her service game to move to within a game of the set, and then in an epic sequence of play, where Pliskova served three aces, Williams broke again to seal the set 6-4. We’re headed to a third!

Adrian McMurray 2.21pm: Williams bounces back

Hah, remember what I mentioned a few minutes ago we shouldn’t write off Williams just yet? Down in the second, she wins a Pliskova service game to love, holding her serve (including a first-point ace) to move to a 4-3 advantage.

The Czech returns in kind with a service game to love — including two aces — and we’re locked up at 4-all. This is gripping stuff.

Adrian McMurray 2.15pm: Pliskova’s huge break

Well, this could be the beginning of the end for Williams’s tournament, Pliskova taking a break in the second to lead 6-4 3-2. It’s hard to see the American returning from here, but you can never count out one of the game’s all-time greats.

Serena Williams lost the first set of her quarter-final against Karolina Pliskova. Picture: AP
Serena Williams lost the first set of her quarter-final against Karolina Pliskova. Picture: AP

Meanwhile, around Melbourne Park, Aussie John Peers and Finland’s Henri Kontinen knocked off third seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares to progress to the semi-finals of the men’s doubles.

Dylan Alcott breezed through his opening clash in the wheelchair singles, winning 6-3 6-2 over Heath Davidson.

Adrian McMurray 1.50pm: Pliskova takes the first

The pair trade service games, with Pliskova serving for the set … and she finishes it in style, a 153km/h ace sealing the opening set 6-4 in her favour. It hasn’t all been one-way traffic, but it’d be a long way back for Williams from here.

Adrian McMurray 1.34pm: Williams stands firm

A double break for Pliskova looked well and truly on the cards at 0-40, but Williams battled back in a game that went to deuce three times, the American eventually holding her serve. Big moment for Serena, who’s nowhere near done with yet. The Czech leads 3-2 in the first.

Adrian McMurray 1.24pm: Williams in strife early

Williams was looking sharp early, but it’s Pliskova who grabs the first break, holding her serve to lead 3-1. Incredibly Serena won just two points in the last two games … danger signs early for the seven-time champion.

Adrian McMurray 12.30pm: Osaka cruises into semis, dodges Serena grilling

Svitolina provides some resistance — holding her serve — but Osaka takes the set, and the match, the very next game. She wins it 6-4 6-1 in an emphatic result sure to put either Williams or Pliskova on notice.

When asked about her next opponent, Osaka seemed more concerned with the Melbourne sun rather than her semi-final.

Naomi Osaka following her straight-sets win over Elina Svitolina. Picture: AFP
Naomi Osaka following her straight-sets win over Elina Svitolina. Picture: AFP

“I’ve played them both, they’re both very great players … I know it’s going to be tough no matter who I play. Honestly, I’m just trying to go inside because it’s a little bit hot right now.”

Adrian McMurray 12.24pm: Play resumes

Svitolina returns to the court, but promptly drops her service game. It looks as though she’s really struggling out there. Double break for Osaka now, who’s serving at 4-0. She takes the game, and runs to her chair swatting at what looks to be a bug. That’s the only thing that’s troubling her at the moment, just one game away from a semi-final berth.

Adrian McMurray 12.09pm: Svitolina down for the count?

Some big news on centre court: someone’s held their serve! Osaka starts the second set with a positive service game, with consecutive double faults from Svitolina allowing the 21-year-old to break.

She holds her serve, and Svitolina calls for medical attention down 0-3 in the second. She’s gesturing to her shoulders and back … and calls for an injury time-out. Let’s see how she responds to treatment. Osaka, meanwhile, has left the court.

Adrian McMurray 11.53pm: Osaka takes first set

Both players are still seemingly incapable of holding their serve, and it works in favour of the Japanese star, who takes the set 6-4 despite 19 unforced errors (to Svitolina’s seven).

Naomi Osaka. Picture: AAP
Naomi Osaka. Picture: AAP

She almost lost her cool, dropping three set points and letting out a shriek before finally finishing it off.

Adrian McMurray 11.47pm: What is happening?

Well, this is getting ridiculous now — it seems no one can hold their serve. Svitolina saves the set with the fourth straight break, unforced errors hurting the US Open champion, who’s still up 5-4.

Adrian McMurray 11.44pm: Breaks ahoy

Some sublime tennis early in this one, and Osaka takes the first break at 4-2. Svitolina hits right back with one of her own … before Osaka makes it three consecutive breaks. The fourth seed’s serving for the first set at 5-3.

Adrian McMurray 11.10am: Ladies take to centre court

Here we go! Osaka and Svitolina are out on Rod Laver Arena now, the winner to face either Williams or Pliskova. We’ll keep an eye on the outside courts as well as Dylan Alcott begins in the men’s wheelchair singles, a title he won three times between 2015-17.

Adrian McMurray 10.45am: ‘I wouldn’t be here right now’

Frances Tiafoe has won plenty of admirers at this year’s Open after he made it all the way to the quarter-finals, losing in straight sets to Rafael Nadal.

When quizzed post-match on rumours none other than NBA megastar LeBron James had been in touch to congratulate the World No 39, Tiafoe‘s response was refreshingly frank.

“If he texted me, I wouldn’t be here right now,” Tiafoe said, prompting laughter from the assembled media. “I’d be FaceTiming him right now if he had my number.”

Daniel Sankey 9.45am: Barty’s on the rise

She wasn’t able to overcome Czech powerhouse Petra Kvitova last night, but a grand slam quarterfinal appearance is a major milestone for Australia’s Ash Barty.

Projected to rise to a career-high ranking of no.14 in the world, Barty can now focus on improving her record at the other grand slams. She’s not been beyond the second round of the French Open in her career, with her best result a second round appearance in both 2013 and last year. A third-round appearance in 2018 is her best Wimbledon performance, while her best US Open result of a fourth round appearance also came last year.

Improvement in each of the grand slams will have her primed for a push for a top 10 ranking later this year.

For Kvitova, there’s more at stake than just a first Australian Open title to add to her Wimbledon crowns from 2011 and 2014.

If she wins this tournament, she’s guaranteed to leave Australia as the no.1-ranked player in the world.

9.30am: Williams, Osaka rematch looms

Serena Williams is aiming to follow up her dismissal of top seed Simona Halep by beating Karolina Pliskova to make the Australian Open semi-finals as a showdown against her US Open conqueror Naomi Osaka looms.

Despite being seeded 16, American great Williams reminded world number one Halep who’s boss and she is looking to give the same treatment to seventh seed Pliskova.

“I think overall I’m solid. I can definitely go to a new level. I have to if I want to stay in the tournament,” said the 37-year-old, who is gunning for an eighth Melbourne Park crown and a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

Naomi Osaka (left) is congratulated by Serena Williams following her US Open victory last year. Picture: AFP
Naomi Osaka (left) is congratulated by Serena Williams following her US Open victory last year. Picture: AFP

Japan’s fourth-seeded Osaka is attempting to win back-to-back Grand Slams following her victory over Williams at the US Open, but is wary of dangerous Ukrainian Elena Svitolina, the sixth seed, in the first match on Rod Laver Arena at 11am AEDT.

“I have played her multiple times now, and I know she’s a very consistent player and when she has the chance she does liketo attack,” Osaka said of Svitolina.

“I think playing her is going to be very difficult for me.”

7.30am: Australia’s new-look Davis Cup team

Alex de Minaur is in. Nick Kyrgios is out. Bernard Tomic was not even a consideration.

There were no surprises in the team Lleyton Hewitt picked for Australia’s Davis Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina next month.

The squad was published in a news release last night after the last of the local players in the men’s and women’s singles draws were ousted from the Australian Open.

Alex de Minaur and (inset left) Alexei Popyrin are in Australia’s Davis Cup team, but Nick Kyrgios and (inset right) Bernard Tomic are not.
Alex de Minaur and (inset left) Alexei Popyrin are in Australia’s Davis Cup team, but Nick Kyrgios and (inset right) Bernard Tomic are not.

Bitter feuding within Australian men’s tennis was exposed during the season’s first major, when Bernard Tomic — at one time Australia’s top player — and Davis Cup captain Hewitt traded personal criticisms.

Tomic said former no.1-ranked Hewitt, a two-time major champion, was favouring certain players and called for him to quit because he was unpopular. Kyrgios also posted a swipe about Hewitt watching de Minaur’s match while two other Australians were also in action, but later removed it.

Not selected … Bernard Tomic. Picture: Michael Klein
Not selected … Bernard Tomic. Picture: Michael Klein

Hewitt last week said players would be picked on rankings and their ability to fit in with a team “culture.” Hewitt said at the time that Tomic would not be selected on his watch as captain.

Teenager Alexei Popyrin, who reached the third round as a wildcard entry at the Australian Open, and John Millman, who beat Roger Federer at the last U.S. Open, were also picked for the February 1-2 match in Adelaide along with Jordan Thompson and doubles specialist John Peers.

Australia's Alex de Minaur. Picture: AFP
Australia's Alex de Minaur. Picture: AFP

“De Minaur has had an incredible start to the year winning his maiden ATP title in Sydney and making the third round of the Aussie Open,” Hewitt said in a news release.

De Minaur, who improved his ranking from No. 208 to No. 31 in 2018, lost to no.2-ranked Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the third round at Melbourne Park.

“Popyrin showed us he can match it with the top players and it was pleasing to see him do so well in only his second appearance at a Grand Slam,” Hewitt said. “John Millman and Jordan Thompson will bring experience to the team.”

Nick Kyrgios. Picture: AAP
Nick Kyrgios. Picture: AAP

Kyrgios and Tomic, both former Wimbledon quarterfinalists, lost in the first round of the Australian Open. Kyrgios lost to 2016 Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic and Tomic lost to sixth-seeded Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion and a runner-up at the 2018 Australian Open.

Under the revamped Davis Cup format, Australia will feature in one of 12 qualifying matches in a bid to join Croatia, France, Spain, Britain, the United States and Argentina in the 18-team finals in Madrid from November 18.

Courtney Walsh 7am: Australian Open Day 10 preview

4-NAOMI OSAKA (Japan) v 6-ELENA SVITOLINA (Ukraine)
When: 11am on Rod Laver Arena
Head-to-head: 2-3
Preview: Both women came through testing fourth round matches and it will be interesting to see whether fitness plays a hand as the temperature starts to heat up ahead of what is tipped to be a scorching finish to the Australian Open. The Ukrainian claimed both their encounters last year in convincing fashion. Interestingly, both of those encounters were on hard court in Dubai and Miami. But Svitolina is yet to carry the outstanding form she has shown in WTA events through to success in a grand slam, though she is a quality player. Osaka’s ability to back up in Melbourne after her success in New York last year is further evidence that she is a player likely to contend repeatedly in coming years. This is something first-time major winners often struggle to do. It shapes as an intriguing match.

Japan's 2018 US Open champion Naomi Osaka faces Ukraine’s Elena Svitolina for a spot in the Australian Open semi-finals. Picture: AFP
Japan's 2018 US Open champion Naomi Osaka faces Ukraine’s Elena Svitolina for a spot in the Australian Open semi-finals. Picture: AFP

—

16-SERENA WILLIAMS (USA) v 7-KAROLINA PLISKOVA (Czech Republic)
When: Not before 1pm on Rod Laver Arena
Head-to-head: 2-1
Preview: This shapes as another intriguing quarterfinal. Williams fought particularly hard to overcome world no.1 Simona Halep on Monday night, with a key to her success the aggression she showed when in a perilous position midway through the third set. Pliskova has rolled through the Australian Open in sound form, but has remained under the radar to date. The Czech has shaped as a likely grand slam champion for the past three years and did defeat Williams in a US Open semi-final in 2016. The 23-time major winner avenged that loss in a quarterfinal in New York last September, but this does shape as a particularly difficult test in her bid for an eighth Australian Open success.

Serena Williams plays Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinals today. Picture: AFP
Serena Williams plays Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinals today. Picture: AFP

—

16-MILOS RAONIC (Canada) v 28-LUCAS POUILLE (France)
When: Third match on Rod Laver Arena
Head-to-head: 3-0
Preview: The Canadian has come through a particularly difficult draw to reach the last eight, having ousted Nick Kyrgios, Stan Wawrinka, Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Alexander Zverev for the loss of just one set. He appears back to the form that took him to the Wimbledon final in 2016, where he shaped as a likely grand slam champion before injuries stalled his progress. Should he serve well, he shapes as an extremely difficult man to beat. Pouille, too, is back to the form that saw him reach quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2016. Coached by former Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo, the Frenchman has rallied for strong wins over Next Gen stars Alexei Popyrin and Borna Coric, but faces another significant test here. The Canadian is yet to drop a set in their three outings to date, the most recent on grass in Stuttgart last year.

Back to his best … Canada's Milos Raonic. Picture: AP
Back to his best … Canada's Milos Raonic. Picture: AP

—

1-NOVAK DJOKOVIC (Serbia) v 8-KEI NISHIKORI (Japan)
When: 7.30pm on Rod Laver Arena
Head-to-head: 15-2
Preview: The six-time Australian Open champion looked completely cooked after beating Russian Daniil Medvedev in a testing encounter on Monday night. But there was good news for him when Nishikori again went the distance when edging Pablo Carreno-Busta in a deciding set tie-breaker. Djokovic dominates the head-to-head between the pair, with their most recent encounter a straightforward effort in a semi-final of the US Open last September. Before that he defeated Nishikori in a tough four-set match at Wimbledon. The Japanese star has beaten Djokovic at major level before, upsetting him in New York to make the US Open final in 2014, which is his best effort at major level to date. He is unbeaten this year and will fancy his chances should it be a tight encounter given the problematic areas he has worked out of so far.

Tournament favourite and world no.1 Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images
Tournament favourite and world no.1 Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images

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