The Daily Serve: All the key moments and highlights of Day 6 from Melbourne Park

Danielle Collins made herself the villain of Melbourne Park when she gave the crowd at Kia Arena a serve. Now her Australian opponent Destanee Aiava has given her opinion on the American.

The Australian Open is in full swing and there was plenty more to discuss from day six.

We look at some highlights, lowlights and things you may have missed.

EXCLUSIVE: DESTANEE DEFENDS AUS OPEN VILLAIN

Destanee Aiava has leapt to the defence of Australian Open villain Danielle Collins, describing the American as a “lovely person” and saying she has no hard feelings about her post-match antics on Thursday night.

Collins scored a three-set win over local hope Aiava before raising eyebrows as she gave the crowd at Kia Arena a serve.

USA's Danielle Collins celebrates victory over Australia's Destanee Aiava. Picture: AFP

The 10th seed – who had been constantly heckled and booed throughout the match –held her hand to her ear as the boos continued following her victory, before going on to blow kisses to fans and slap her backside.

Collins also told spectators “thanks for the pay cheque”, saying she would enjoy a luxury holiday.

Aiava said on Friday that she had not seen all the antics in the moment but held nothing against Collins.

“I was just trying to get my AO towels, to be honest,” Aiava told this masthead.

“But I know the crowd gave her a lot of grief. She did have some supporters as well, which was nice. But I can only say positive things about her. She said some really nice things at the net and she messaged me after as well.

“She’s a lovely person. I just don’t think the public gets to see that. She’s being her authentic self.”

Aiava, 24, said the message from Collins post-match had been one of encouragement.

“She just said good luck and I hope to see you on tour and you’re playing really well,” Aiava said.

“It was really nice. She’s lovely.”

ACES

AIR ALCARAZ

Tennis doesn’t get much better than watching Carlos Alcaraz in full flight – and he was quite literally in full flight on Friday.

The Spaniard won a captivating four-set match against Portugal’s Nuno Borges, putting his body and racquet on the line in the process.

Alcaraz produced a stunning dive near the net in a rally during the third set, making a successful return before losing his racquet as his hand hit the ground.

He also appeared to stun himself in the same set with a long lob which landed in and won a point.

Alcaraz in full flight. Picture: Michael Klein

CLINICAL TOMMY

He might still be a long-shot for the men’s singles crown, but Tommy Paul is playing some terrific tennis.

The American moved through to the fourth round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena.

Remarkably, Paul won the final 10 games of the match, including taking the third set 6-0.

The world No.11 entering the tournament, live ATP rankings had Paul at a career-high No.8 on Friday afternoon.

FAULTS

SCHEDULING ISSUES

As much as we love a five-set thriller, it is not good for anyone when matches finish at 2.55am in the morning.

Learner Tien and Daniil Medvedev did not begin their second-round match on Margaret Court Arena on day five of the Australian Open until after 10pm and finished it on day six 4 hrs 48min later.

It was not the first time Medvedev has played that late, having ended a match against Emil Ruusuvuori at 3.39am a year earlier at Melbourne Park.

We’re not sure what the solution is, but such late finishes seem to be happening too often.

OSAKA OUT

More sad than a serve, but just when we thought Namoi Osaka was on the comeback trail injury forced her out of her third-round clash.

The two-time champion at Melbourne Park — and fan favourite around the world — was forced to retire after losing a first-set tiebreaker.

It was the first time she had made the third round of a Grand Slam since the 2022 Australian Open.

We’ve got our fingers crossed that the 27-year-old can return to fitness and form in the not-too-distant future.

A sad ending to a great contest.

Naomi Osaka is forced to retire against Bencic.

We wish you a speedy recovery, and we can't wait to see you back on the court soon, Naomi 💙#AusOpen • #AO2025pic.twitter.com/HeWQA07Jg2

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2025

EYES ON THE GROUND

COURTSIDE VAPE?

Maybe one day it will look the same way smoking looked in the 60s or 70s, when it was everywhere, but it was truly a sign of the time to see Matteo Berrettini’s dad Luca vaping courtside at the Australian Open.

We’re pretty sure you wouldn’t be allowed to smoke courtside and we’re sure the rules around vaping are similar.

COUPLE TROUBLE

There’s never a good moment to tell your spouse to calm down, and Stefanos Tsitsipas found that the middle of Kia Arena may be the worst spot.

Tsitsipas was in the crowd to watch his partner in her third-round clash against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, with the Spaniard visibly frustrated during a break in play.

Tsitsipas, who shockingly lost his first-round match, urged Badosa to “calm down” from his seat in the crowd.

Badosa was … not impressed.