Australian Open 2023 day 6 live scores, results, schedule and order of play
After more than 14 hours on court in three matches, Andy Murray simply ran out of gas. But he should be fuming about how he’s been treated, writes Julian Linden.
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Andy Murray is far too polite to say it out loud, but someone needs to because he was mugged at this year’s Australian Open.
An old school brawler, the Scotsman never makes excuses when he loses, but he has every right to be fuming after his third round exit because he didn’t have a chance.
Physically exhausted after his previous match against Thanasi Kokkinakis finished at 4.05am the morning before, Murray just couldn’t muster the energy to mount a sustained challenge against the much fresher Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday.
He tried as hard as he could but the result was as predictable as everyone knew it would be, with the Spanish baseliner posting a 6-1 6-7 6-3 6-4 victory at the Margaret Court Arena.
A quarter-finalist at the Australian Open four years ago, Bautista Agut played so well that he might have won regardless, but this was not a fair fight and should never be allowed to happen again.
Aged 35 and playing with a replacement metal hip, Sir Andy is as brave as they come so refused to throw in the towel.
His performance over three and a half hours was truly inspirational stuff but the sight of him hobbling in pain around the court was also deeply distressing and hard to watch.
Australian Open officials owe Murray an apology because the farcical scheduling that led to his all-nighter ruined his title championship hopes and needs to be fixed so no-one else suffers the same fate.
Australian Open organisers love to boast about how many people go through the turnstiles each night but one statistic they keep quiet about is the devastating impact the late finishes have on the competitors involved in them.
In Murray’s case, the history books showed he was cooked even before he went on court for his third round.
There have been five matches played at the Australian Open — including Murray’s epic against Kokkinakis on Thursday – that have ended after 2.10am.
And on each occasion, the winner has fallen over in the very next round.
In 2008, Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt beat Marcos Baghdatis in a marathon match that ended at 4.34am. Hewitt lost his next match against Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
The year is 2035 and Andy Murray is limping into a fourth-set tie-break against one of Roger Federer's children.
— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) January 21, 2023
Go and exercise for 5 hours. Then have a day off. The next day exercise again for 5 hours 45 mins. Then have a day off. Then do it for 3+ hours. Then think about doing that against a top 30 ranked person in the world, also doing it with a metal hip. Andy Murray’s a freak #AusOpen
— Guy Heveldt (@GuyHeveldt) January 21, 2023
In 2007, Andreas Seppi beat Bobby Reynolds in a match that lasted until 3:34am only to lose to Florian Mayer in the next round.
Last year, Adrian Mannarino sealed his way over Asian Karatsev at 2:33am then went down to Rafa Nadal the next day.
In 2009, Djokovic defeated Baghdatis at 2:26am but couldn’t even complete his next match against Roddick, retiring in the fourth set.
Murray spent 14 hours and three minutes on court during his three matches this year so did an amazing job just to win a set against Bautista Agut, who joined in applauding the Scotsman as he trudged off court to a standing ovation.
“Always playing Andy at a Grand Slam is very tough. He knows the game very well, he knows very well how to play a Grand Slam match,” the Spaniard said.
“I‘m very happy with how I held the nerves and tension. I’m very happy with the win. There was a lot of love for Andy.”
Sitting here amazed at how @andy_murray can walk around between points looking like he needs a zimmer frame to keep mobile and yet still produce some of the most amazing tennis shots you'll ever see. The guy is superhuman #bbctennis#AusOpen
— Adam Edwards (@AdamEdw) January 21, 2023
AND THAT’S IT FOR TODAY’S BLOG
Yes, we know — signing off at midnight. Is that allowed?
The schedule has been a bit kinder tonight and will allow weary tennis fans (and bloggers) to grab an extra hour or two sleep.
But the good news is we’ll back to do it all again from the morning for another big day of tennis on Sunday. Catch you then!
12.06PM FOURTH ROUND BECKONS FOR WORLD NO. 45
Magda Linette has booked a spot in the Australian Open fourth round with a commanding 6-3 6-4 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova. She’ll next face Caroline Garcia who won a three-set match earlier tonight.
11.24PM LINETTE WINS FIRST SET
Poland’s Magda Linette takes the first set 6-3 against 19th seed Alexandrova Ekaterina.
11.20PM POPYRIN TIPS SHELTON FOR TOP 10
Alexei Popyrin has heaped praise on his Australian Open conqueror Ben Shelton, saying the American has the talent to become a top-10 player within six months.
Speaking after a straight-sets loss to the big-serving American, Popyrin said Shelton’s level could match the best players in the world.
“Yeah, well, honestly if this is the way he plays day in, day out, the guy is top 10 in six months,” Popyrin said.
“I don’t think he could have played … Maybe he could play better than the way he played today, but if he continues playing the way he played like this, then he’s a force to be reckoned with, honestly.
“He hit the lines. He averages second serves at 190. Not much you can do in terms of attacking a second serve.
“If he plays like this … It makes it even harder that he’s a lefty. I don’t think I did much wrong.
“I think when I had my chance, he played them out. Specifically I’m looking back at the three-all in the second set. He hits the net tape.
“If that had rolled onto the other side, onto his side, I think things would have been a little bit different. I probably would have relaxed a little bit, started holding my serve easier.”
STILL TO COME
Madga Linette and Ekaterina Alexandra have the late match tonight. They’re on court warming up with the winner to meet Caroline Garcia in the fourth round.
10.41PM MURRAY OUT, BAUTISTA AGUT WINS!
Andy Murray’s brave Australian Open fight is over. Roberto Bautista Agut prevails 6-1 6-7 6-3 6-4 to move into the fourth round. Murray spent 14 hours and three minutes on court in his three games and was involved in the two longest matches of the tournament to date.
10.22PM DJOKOVIC WINS
He was tested, especially in the first set, but Novak Djokovic is off to the fourth round to face Alex de Minaur.
The Serbian defeated Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 6-3 6-4 in a match that spanned more than three hours.
10.10PM RECORD ATTENDANCE
A record 93,709 spectators flooded through the gates at Melbourne Park today, the highest day/night attendance in the history of the Australian Open. I knew it looked busy outside but wow, that’s a huge number.
10.08PM BAUTISTA AGUT BREAKS BACK
On serve again in the fourth set as the Spaniard rallies and immediately takes back Murray’s advantage.
10.02PM MURRAY BREAKS IN FOURTH SET
Andy Murray almost grimaced when he broke Bautista Agut just then. How is he physically doing this? He looks absolutely spent yet somehow leads 2-0 in the fourth set. If he goes to five, I’ve got no idea how he’s going to keep pushing.
9.55PM FART STOPS PLAY
Yes, you read that headline right.
Not much was going to stop Aryna Sabalenka’s charge today but she had to pause briefly after someone let one rip in the crowd.
Sabalenka was serving for the match at 5-3 in the second set against Elise Mertens when an audible fart was heard in the crowd.
There’s probably no worse time to rip one than in a silent tennis stadium.
The crowd erupted in laughter before one of the commentators described it as “someone sort of undescribable noise from the crowd”.
One fan tweeted vision of the incident and said: “nah did someone in the crowd just rip one before Sabalenka’s serve???”
Yes, we think they did.
9.45PM BAUTISTA AGUT BREAKS MURRAY RESOLVE
Bautista Agut will serve for the third set after breaking Andy Murray to take a 5-3 lead.
9.33PM GARCIA STAGES INCREDIBLE FIGHTBACK
No. 4 seed Caroline Garcia is into the fourth round of the Australian Open after staging an incredible fightback against Laura Siegemund.
After dropping the first set 1-6, Garcia rallied to take the next two sets 6-3 6-3.
She’ll next face either Magda Linette or Ekaterina Alexandrova.
9.22PM DJOKER SEALS SECOND SET
Novak Djokovic clinches the second set 6-3 against Grigor Dimitrov.
9.15PM POPYRIN OUT
Alexei Popyrin has gone down in straight sets to Ben Shelton.
9.07PM STOSUR’S CAREER OVER AFTER MIXED DOUBLES LOSS
Sam Stosur’s tennis career is officially over after the Australian great crashed out of the mixed doubles on Saturday night.
The 38-year-old took to Court 3 with Matthew Ebden – the combination that made last year’s Wimbledon mixed doubles final – but fell to Demi Schuurs and Nikola Mektic in 74 minutes.
The Aussies lost the deciding super tiebreak 10-6 after the pairs were level at one-set all.
The curtain has officially fallen on Stosur’s decorated career after she was also eliminated from the women’s doubles this week.
The Queenslander announced on the eve of the tournament that her 21st Australian Open would be her last.
Stosur bows out a singles US Open champion (2011) and with five doubles slams to her name.
“It’s hard to think that it’s over now, but just … thank you,” Stosur said.
8.59PM MURRAY OFF THE CANVAS
This is just incredible from Andy Murray. He was down a break, down several points in the tiebreak and has somehow rallied to take the second set 7-6 against Roberto Bautista Agut. The crowd on Margaret Court Arena are going absolutely wild for him too.
LFG @andy_murray SCOTLAND!! ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó ´ó ¿
— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) January 21, 2023
This is just ridiculous @andy_murray
— Marcus Willis (@Willbomb90) January 21, 2023
The fact that Andy Murray is doing what he is doing in the #AusOpen is hard to fathom! If his hip feels anything like mine then he is a deadset warrior.
— Michael Hurley (@mickhurley18) January 21, 2023
8.41PM SHELTON TAKES SECOND SET
Alexei Popyrin is in trouble after losing a second-set tiebreak to Ben Shelton.
8.36PM MEDICAL TIMEOUT FOR DJOKER
Novak’s troublesome leg is being looked at during the break. It’s heavily strapped but he'll play on.
8.32PM DJOKER TAKES FIRST SET IN 77 MINUTES
That was some finish to the first set between Novak and Grigor. If that’s what we’re in for, it’s going to be a good night. Dimitrov broke back for 5-5, saved three set points and then had chances to win the set himself. It ended up a tiebreakwhere Novak took the initiative, only for Dimitrov to bring it back to 6-6. Djokovic prevailed 9-7 and ended up on his haunches after completing a volley, which tells you all you need to know about how frantic the last 20 minutes or so have been!
8.22PM MURRAY BREAKS BACK
Where did that come from? Why would we write off Andy Murray? The Brit breaks back and it’s 4-4 in the second. Huge!
8.20PM STOSUR IN BOX SEAT TO CONTINUE CAREER
Sam Landsberger
There is life left in Sam Stosur’s professional career with the Aussie great on track to progress to the second round in the mixed doubles.
Stosur, 38, announced last week that her 21st Australian Open would be her last and after falling in the first round of the women’s doubles her last hope was with Matthew Ebden.
Stosur and Ebden reached the Wimbledon mixed doubles final together last year and lead Demi Schuurs and Nikola Mektic 6-4 on Court 3.
8.15PM ‘HARD TO WATCH’: FANS WORRY FOR MURRAY
After spending more than 10 hours on court in the first two rounds, the signs are showing for Andy Murray.
He isn’t moving with the same energy as he did against Thanasi Kokkinakis which you can understand after yesterday’s 4am finish.
Emma Fory tweeted Murray’s performance was “hard to watch”, while another said: “The late schedule has ruined this for him.”
Murray lost the first set 6-1 and is down a break 4-3 in the second.
When #AndyMurray loses this match he is rightly going to be very angry because the ridiculous scheduling meant he had very little chance today. If anyone can make some noise about an issue, Andy can. Play until midnight or something & make it fair to all #AusOpen#AustralianOpen
— Heather Penny 🇪🇺 (@reelofthe51st) January 21, 2023
8.10PM DIMITROV BREAKS BACK
Novak Djokovic fails to convert three set points and Gregor Dimitrov levels at 5-5 in the first set. Wow!
8.10PM POPYRIN MAKES CRUCIAL HOLD
Ben Shelton squanders three break points in the fifth game of the second set and Alexei Popyrin holds to keep in at 3-2 on serve. Jim Courier says on Channel 9 it could be a “kickstarter” for the Aussie.
8.05PM AROUND THE COURTS
Novak Djokovic serving for the first set against Gregor Dimitrov, Andy Murray is down a break in the second set after dropping the first and Caroline Garcia is fighting back in the second set against Laura Siegemund after losing the first 6-1.
8PM THE 210KM/H PROBLEM FACING POPYRIN
Already regraded as one of the biggest servers left in the Australian Open men’s draw, Ben Shelton has cranked it up several notches tonight.
The American’s average serve in the tournament has been 198km/h but tonight he has averaged an electric 210km/h tonight.
In commentary on Channel 9, Jim Courier said: “I mean this guy has won of the big deliveries on tour and he is bringing it today.
“So, look, for Popyrin he had his chance early. He didn’t get it. The thing he should remember, this guy Shelton is playing out of his mind.
“His average serve speed today compared to his first two rounds is up 12km. Just to put that in context, last year on tour the fastest serve in men’s tennis across the year’s average was 209km. That guy is seven feet tall Reilly Opelka.
“And he’s not a leftie which also makes it tougher. So, if you’re Alexei you have to just be patient and wait for your chances, wait for Shelton’s level to come off. That’s what best of five allows you.”
FAN COLLAPSE HALTS POPYRIN BLOCKBUSTER
Sam Landsberger
Alexei Popyrin’s serve was briefly disrupted by a spectator collapsing in the crowd before he collapsed to a 6-3 deficit against little-known American Ben Shelton.
Play was halted when Popyrin was ready to serve because directly behind his opponent ushers hurried down the aisle, sitting on the steps for multiple games.
The delay was brief and staff on the radio were told the spectator was OK. But Popyrin’s game was ill compared to his breakout victory against No. 8 seed Taylor Fritz two days earlier.
Shelton was booed on to John Cain Arena and had to make his own noise. He did just that, letting out a yell and a fist pump after saving a break point and then bringing up game point in the first game.
As noisy helicopters circled overhead and a crying baby served as distractions, Shelton made his serve.
The parochial crowd let rip five laps of the wave after the first service game, but they were quickly silenced by the big-serving American who has never previously played in Australia.
7.50PM SHELTON TAKES FIRST SET
Ben Shelton has mixed power with finesse to take the first set against Alexei Popyrin 6-3.
“He just seems a little bit tight and tense at the moment," said Lleyton Hewitt earlier in commentary.
7.45PM SACKED COACH HELPS REVITALISE STAR
AFP
Former world number ones don’t normally go under the radar at the Australian Open, but Karolina Pliskova has cruised into the last-16 at Melbourne Park almost unnoticed — and is yet to drop a set.
The 30-year-old Czech served up a 6-4, 6-2 demolition of 97th-ranked Russian Varvara Gracheva on Rod Laver Arena in the third round on Saturday.
It was a vintage performance from the 30th seed, a two-time Grand Slam finalist. She sent down six aces and lost just 11 points in her nine service games and, on this form, must be rated a danger to any of the top seeds.
It was a marked contrast to last season when she plummeted from fourth in the world at the start of the year to 31st, her lowest year-end ranking since 2013.
Along the way she was bundled out of the French Open in the second round by a 277th-ranked qualifier as her fortunes on court hit rock bottom.
Another second-round exit at Wimbledon prompted her to sack coach Sascha Bajin, the German who had guided Naomi Osaka to back-to-back Grand Slam titles at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open.
In December she rehired Bajin. “Thank you for having me back,” the coach tweeted. “Let’s go get it.”
The reunion has lit a spark inside the Czech, who rose to world number one back in July 2017.
Pliskova has hardly been under threat all tournament in Melbourne, losing just 15 games in six sets so far.
She blew away the dangerous Gracheva, who had stunned eighth seed Daria Kasatkina in the first round.
It put Pliskova into the Australian Open last 16 for the fourth time, where she will meet 23rd seed Zhang Shuai of China who beat American qualifier Katie Volynets 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday.
Pliskova lost in the third round at Melbourne Park in both 2020 and 2021, and missed last year because of injury.
Bajin, the 2018 WTA Coach of the Year, has also worked with Serena Williams, Kristina Mladenovic and Dayana Yastremska.
“It takes a big person to admit something and it can’t be easy to ask your old coach back,” the WTA website quoted Bajin as saying. “For that, I’m thankful.
7.40PM MURRAY BROKEN AGAIN
Andy Murray trails 5-1 against Roberto Bautista Agut and has been broken twice. And then in just 29 minutes, the first set is over. You’ve got to wonder now how much those two marathons in the first and second round took out of him as that was a very sluggish set where Murray only won 11 points.
7.35PM WOMEN’S FOURTH SEED ON THE ROPES
Germany’s Laura Siegemund has dominated the opening set against fourth seed Caroline Garcia, opening a 5-1 lead.
Siegemund is ranked 24th in the world.
7.28PM DJOKER RACES TO EARLY LEAD
Ominous signs for Grigor Dimitrov with Novak Djokovic already up 2-0 in the first set.
7.19PM MURRAY BROKEN IN FIRST SERVICE GAME, NOVAK BREAKS
A worrying start for Andy Murray after his 4am epic against Thanasi Kokkinakis.
He’s been broken in his first service match against Roberto Bautista Agut who leads 2-0 in the opening set. Novak Djokovic has broken Grigor Dimitrov in the first game of their match too.
7.10PM OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR POPYRIN, SHELTON
Alexei Popyrin and Ben Shelton's match is underway and tennis legend Todd Woodbright says a huge opportunity is ahead for both players.
“In your career, you do not get many draws that open up like this for somebody like Ben or Alexei,” Woodbridge said in commentary.
“You just have to be ready to take it. That’s why you do all the work get prepared. He being Alexei had the big win in the previous round in Taylor Fritz took out the No. 8 seed.
“That’s when you open it up. What’s happened in the rest of that section, boy … The thing he can’t do Alexei is get ahead of himself. There is a quarterfinal looking there.”
7.05PM HEWITT ON POPYRIN
Lleyton Hewitt says Alexei Popyrin’s serve was “out of the world” in Round 2 and hopes the Aussie can deliver something similar tonightagainst Ben Shelton.
It’s the first time he’s been outside of the USA to come and play this tournament here this year. Alexei has gone from strength to strength,” Heweitt said on Channel 9.
“He’s got better over the last two matches. He played some of his best tennis in that last match. His serving display was out of the world. So, hopefully he can go out there and be very confident tonight.”
6.45PM AUS OPEN’S ‘FRUSTRATING’ SCHEDULE LASHED
Tennis journalist Ben Rothernberg has questioned the Australian Open’s “frustrating” schedule with three of the biggest matches of the tournament set to overlap tonight.
Novak Djokovic’s match against Gregor Dimitrov, Andy Murray’s clash with Roberto Bautista Agut and Alexei Popyrin’s must-watch (or read in our case) game against Ben Shelton are all on tonight from 7pm. And right now, there’s no tennis at Melbourne Park.
Meanwhile, commentator David Law questioned why Iga Swiatek’s match against Elena Rybakina had been scheduled for the daytime slot (not before 12.30pm).
Frustrating #AusOpen schedule today.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 21, 2023
No competitive matches on for the last hour, and now an hour to wait for three very exciting matches (Dimitrov-Djokovic, Murray-RBA, Popyrin-Shelton) which will all start simultaneously and overlap with each other maximally.
Shame World No.1 vs. Wimbledon champion isn’t given the 7pm primetime RLA slot tomorrow.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) January 21, 2023
6.25PM RUSSIAN STAR'S TAKE ON SEEDS FALLING
Ten of the top 20 seeds in the Australian Open men’s draw have fallen already, but one of the top contenders says it doesn’t make his path to glory any easier.
Andrey Rublev, who is through to the round of 16, said after his win over Daniel Evans: “I feel a bit, I don’t know, just not thinking, I don’t know, just matchby match, because there were some moments before when I feel there is opportunity to go to semis or even final maybe, and in the end, nothing happen.
“So this time I just don’t want to even try to think about opportunity or something. I have next match, and I will try to do my best. If not, nothing happen, I go home, practice and prepare for the next tournaments. It’s just beginning of the season.”
6.10PM DEMON’S POPYRIN RALLY CRY
After reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, you couldn’t blame Alex de Minaur for being focused on a match up against either Novak Djokovic or Gregor Dimitrov.
Instead, the Aussie urged fans to get behind Alexei Popyrin as he tries to join de Minaur in the round of 16.
Popyrin faces Ben Shelton tonight for a spot in the fourth round.,” de Minaur said after his victory over Benjamin Bonzi.
“I hope everyone that was on this court right now is going to go and support Alexei Popyrin
I mean, let’s go. That’s what we do. Us Aussies we stick together. We’ve got a bright future ahead and let’s get Pop over the line today.”
TILEY RESPONDS TO PLAYERS’ CROWD ANGST
Players have been pleading with chair umpires for unruly fans to be ejected but Australian Open boss Craig Tiley doesn’t believe there has been an overwhelming fan behaviour issue at this year’s tournament.
The first week saw nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic rage to the chair umpire in his second round victory as one fan he labelled “drunk out of his mind” taunted the Serbian star before his group was escorted from the court.
Other players including Brit Cam Norrie faced taunting from fans while Canada’s Denis Shapovalov had a heated exchange with one spectator who he accused of “had a beer too much and now they’re fooling around”.
“Shut up,” Shapovalov demanded of the fan.
Tiley maintained that fans who crossed the line would not be welcome but that rowdy behaviour was in the minority so far.
“We’re going to get probably 800,000-plus fans in the two weeks, and I think for the most part, the fans have been great,” he said.
“It only takes one or two to be unruly, but if you come on-site and you’re going to be disruptive to the enjoyment of the other fans, we really don’t want you here. We’d rather you stay at home or we’ll kick you out.
“The fans know that. I don’t have to keep repeating that.
“I think the fan behaviour has been good so far.”
5.25PM ‘CONTROL THIS CROWD’: STAR BLOWS UP
American Michael Mmoh has labelled the Kia Arena crowd a “circus” as he pleaded with the chair umpire to take greater control of his match against compatriot JJ Wolf.
Mmoh led the first set 4-2 before dropping four consecutive games to allow Wolf to seize the advantage in their third round match.
Mmoh’s frustrations boiled over at the change of ends at the end of the first set as he asked the chair umpire: “Are you doing a good job controlling this crowd? Are you doing a good job? Yes or no? Yes or no? Are you doing a good job controlling this crowd, yes or no? Control this crowd. Where’s the supervisor?”
He later said: “Control the damn crowd” and was still agitated as he returned for the second set, which is when he unleashed the “circus” description.
Before the set started, the umpire pleaded with the crowd: “I could kindly ask that the conversation level be lowered please as both players can hear what you’re saying. Thank you.”
The commentators explained: “It can be a challenge no doubt controlling the crowd as they have that opportunity to come in. I don’t know that there’s much that (the chair umpire) can do. But I think more than anything that’s just the fact that the set got away from him there.”
The issue clearly affected Mmoh who lost the second set 6-1.
5PM DE MINAUR PROGRESSES
Well, that was a fair bit quicker than most matches at this year’s Australian Open.
Alex de Minaur is through to the fourth round after a 7-6 6-2 6-1 win over Benjamin Bonzi.
The Demon will face either Gregor Dimitrov or Novak Djokovic in the Round of 16 and says he’ll have the popcorn ready tonight.
“It’s going to (be one) … hell be a hell of a match, both Novak and Grigor, hell of competitors,” he said.
Alex De Minaur looks like he could get his best grand slam result yet here.
— Andrew James (@WardenAJames) January 21, 2023
You love to see it!#AusOpen
Alex De Minaur v Djokovic/Dimitrov is gonna be such a good watch 🔥🔥🔥
— itsJesseB (@itsJesseB_) January 21, 2023
4.38PM DE MINAUR WINS SECOND SET
Things are looking very good for Alex de Minaur who cruised to the second set against Benjamin Bonzi, taking it out 6-2.
He produced several eye-catching crosscourt efforts during a dominant set.
4.30PM SABALENKA CRUSHES MERTENS
Aryna Sabalenka has sent a powerful message to her Australian Open title rivals by steamrolling Elise Mertens 6-2 6-3.
Sabalenka will next face 12th seed Belinda Bencic.
4.18PM TENNIS UPDATE
One of the remaining top-10 seeds in the men’s draw Holger Rune is through to the fourth round.
He’ll face Andrey Rublev in the round of 16 after defeating Ugo Humbert 6-4 6-2 7-6.
And the good news for Aussie fans is Alex de Minaur has consolidated a break in the second set against Benjamin Bonzi and leads 4-1 after taking the first set.
Aryna Sabalenka looks set to cruise into the fourth round too, leading Elise Mertens 6-2 5-3.
4.15PM EVANS EXPLAINS BANANAS GESTURE
Sam Landsberger
Daniel Evans says it’s a case of apples and oranges when deciding which opponent he will donate bananas to mid-match.
The Englishman was happy to split with one of his bananas when Andrey Rublev wanted some replenishment – but only because they are mates off the court.
In one of the more humorous moments this tournament, Evans hurled a banana his way at a change of ends.
“I asked the ball boy for a banana but Danny asked for bananas earlier and he had two so he threw me one,” Rublev smiled after winning 6-4 6-2 6-3.
“He helped me with some energy for sure – I win an extra two games because I eat the banana.”
Evans declared: “No, no” when asked if he would’ve been so generous against a foe.
Why did he have spare bananas?
“They actually asked for four bananas, and I quite like him, so I shared with him,” Evans said.
“That was about it. They only brought two, so I donated (them) so he could have one.”
Rublev will need to really go bananas on Monday if he wants to advance to the quarter-finals with a match-up against teenager Holger Rune ahead.
Asked about the banana gesture, he said: “It was just a fun moment,” Rublev said later on.
“Obviously even if he wouldn’t give it to me, if he wouldn’t share the banana with me, obviously I will have banana anyway because the ball boy will bring it to me.
“But it was a fun moment. It was just a nice and fun moment between us. We have a great relationship between each other.
“We played great matches. I think we played quite a lot already, and he win some matches and I win some matches. Yeah, but I won the last one now (smiling). Next time he will need to take revenge.”
CHEAT STORM ROCKS AUS OPEN AS STAR LASHES OUT
Fiery American Alison Riske-Amritraj has revealed she received an apology in the wake of her doubles tirade at an umpire, but doubled-down on her assertion that her opponent was in the wrong.
Riske-Amritraj hit out for the second time in as many days on Saturday, in a bid to highlight what she called “poor sportsmanship and cheating”.
The American launched a take-down at the chair umpire in her doubles clash with Linda Fruhvitova against Natela Dzalamidze and Alexandra Panova, after she believed she had hit her opponent with the ball.
Her opponent didn’t volunteer any contact, and chair umpire Nico Helwerth didn’t agree with Riske, prompting a blow-up from the American.
“That’s f … ing ridiculous … is he sleeping?,” she fumed to a supervisor.
Riske said on Saturday that she was “passionate about helping tennis’ future”.
“She (the opponent) should have called it on herself & the umpire apologised for his incorrect ruling after, which I accepted,” Riske said.
“Poor sportsmanship and cheating happens all the time, especially at the junior
level. Parents/players spend too much time, money & mental energy for that experience.
“As you can tell, I am extremely passionate about helping tennis’ future here. If you’re working on a compelling piece of line calling or VAR tech and need help funding/scaling please DM me.”
She should have called it on herself & the umpire apologized for his incorrect ruling after, which I accepted. Poor sportsmanship and cheating happens all the time, especially at the junior level. Parents/players spend too much time, money & mental energy for that experience. 1/2 https://t.co/BJ4WzST7iu
— Alison Riske-Amritraj🇺🇸🇮🇳 (@Riske4rewards) January 20, 2023
3.58PM DEMON TAKES FIRST SET
Alex de Minaur is on the board against Benjamin Bonzi, taking the opening set in a tiebreak.
The Aussie 22nd seed only served a 50 per cent on his first serve but found his groove when it mattered most, nailing an ace to blitz the tiebreak 7-0.
2:15PM DAYS ARE NUMBERED: BECKER’S SAD NADAL PREDICTION
Six-time grand slam winner Boris Becker has warned Rafa Nadal’s days are numbered amid growing fears the Spanish legend is set to retire.
Looking to defend his title at the Australian Open, Nadal was instead ousted in the second round by world No 65 Mackenzie McDonald.
It was no straight forward defeat however with Nadal pulling up injured at 6-4 5-3 in the second set. While he completed the match, the 22-time slam winner has since confirmed he will be sidelined for a few months with a hip issue.
While he dismissed talk of retirement from the sport in his press conference after his early Melbourne exit, Becker said the Big 3 era is closing.
“We’ve been talking about the change of generation for a long time, and then Nadal comes along last year and wins not only in Melbourne but also Paris,” Becker said on Eurosport.
“The question was: Will he play until he’s 40? I don’t think so. Yesterday (Nadal losing) was already the first step towards his retirement.
“An injury like that is hard, and at this age, it takes even longer to get back into shape. I hope and pray that he will get well soon and that we will see him looking fresh again in Paris at the latest, but I think his days are numbered.
“He is not only a tennis legend, he is a sports legend. He is one of the most important sportsmen of the last 25 years. He has changed tennis and made it even more popular in his home country of Spain.
“He can become the president if he wants to. I think there would be a big gap if Rafa doesn’t play anymore, but I think he will pick up a racquet again.
“The clay court season will be his priority. If he is fit, he is still my favourite for the French Open, but even Rafael Nadal gets older eventually.”
1:45PM ‘VERY SCARED’: OPEN STAR’S SERIOUS HEALTH DIAGNOSIS
Head spinning, weak muscles, mum’s tears and bullies.
Tennis star Alexander Zverev has opened up on the impact of Type 1 diabetes on his game – and how he is determined to show others that it doesn’t have to put a stop to ambition.
Zverev, 25, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was three years old, only revealing he was living with the condition last year.
The German Olympic gold medallist said the diagnosis had come as a shock, “especially to my parents”.
“My parents were very scared, obviously very worried, mum was crying a lot,” he told Nine. “A lot of parents get intimidated by a lot of doctors who say ‘your kid is very limited’, which is not the case.
“I would say to the doctors, ‘well yeah, I want to play tennis. That’s the only thing I really care about’.
“Some of them said ‘no, you have to stop, you cannot (play) … there’s no way you can be a professional athlete with this kind of illness, there’s no way you can play such a hard, physical sport’.
“This is what really stuck into my mind. It made me quite upset, as well, to be honest, because I don’t think you should set any limits to kids. It’s just not fair to them.”
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition where the body cannot produce insulin. It is managed with insulin injections and monitoring blood sugar level.
Zverev revealed he had spent many years feeling “very uncomfortable with it”.
The grand slam finalist would leave the court to monitor his insulin levels, and when a monitor was kept in his tennis bag, social media even suggested he was attempting to cheat.
“Kids at the age of 9, 10, 11 – at times my devices were broken, my insulins were smashed,” Zverev said. “I was just uncomfortable with it. I was always trying to hide it. I wasn’t checking my insulin levels in public.
“During matches, you never saw me do a shot or anything, I was always going to the bathroom to do it which is not the right thing to do.
“Maybe I have all of that trauma from back in the days, but you should never be embarrassed of it.”
12:15PM VEKIC IS THOUGH
Donna Vekic has beaten Nuria Parrizas Diaz 6-2 6-2 to reach round 4.
A far happier end to her time on Margaret Court Arena than last time she was here.
“I am really happy with my match today,” she said. “I love this court, but last time I was here two years ago, I had a lot of pain in my knee, so I am happy to be walking out of this court playing free today.
“She is a very tricky player. I knew how I had to work very hard for every point, so I was really ready from the first point, making a lot of balls and making my way towards my game.”
This equals Vekic’s equal best ever performance at the Aus Open.
11:45AM ‘NOT SEEN SINCE HEWITT’: AUSSIE’S EPIC 18-YEAR FIRST
Alexei Popyrin is doing the unthinkable at the Australian Open and he’s back on court this evening looking to book a 4th round berth for the first time in his career.
Not since the C’mon’s of another famous Australian have we seen someone rip through the draw like this.
He’s drawing high praise.
“He’s the first Aussie since 2005 to knock out a top 10 player and a seed. Since Lleyton Hewitt. It’s quite remarkable,” Jelena Dokic says of the 23-year-old.
“It’s just a way that he’s almost been able to reinvent himself as a person and player this year. He’s won more matches this year than he did all of last year. He’s worked so hard, changed the people that he works with.
“He’s now a favourite in the next match. That is very, very different than going out and swinging freely against someone like Taylor Fritz. The mindset changes.”
10:45AM STARS CRASH OUT ON NIGHT OF SHOCKS
The Netflix curse reared its ugly head once again on Friday night with sixth seed Maria Sakkari knocked out by little-known Chinese competitor Lin Zhu.
Sakkari was the only woman left of those who featured on the first series of the new show Break Point, leaving Felix Auger-Aliassime as the last player standing.
The Sakkari boilover came on the same day last year’s finalist Danielle Collins was sent packing and a night after no. 2 seed Ons Jabeur was also stunned.
It means only two of the top six seeds have advanced to round four, with Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia a chance to make that three when she faces Laura Siegemend on Sunday.
In a field already missing last year’s winner Ash Barty, as well as others due to injury, the race for the women’s crown has burst wide open.
No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek continues to look a class above, but Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka and boom teen Coco Gauff now all have serious cases for a maiden grand slam triumph.
Following her 7-6 1-6 6-4 shock loss, Sakkari said she felt like it was hard to relax during the tournament and would have to analyse why she felt an inflated sense of pressure.
“Obviously, this is a grand slam, but at the same time … you have to start feeling better, and that’s something that I didn’t feel personally,” she said.
“It’s something rare because it’s different if I was, you know, at the US Open.
“I don’t know why I didn’t let myself play my game.
“I could picture myself going deep in this tournament, but for some reason things went the wrong way.”
Daniil Medvedev on Friday became the latest title contender to crash out of the men’s draw at the Australian Open, but Iga Swiatek led a charge of the women’s seeds into the last 16. Russia’s Medvedev was runner-up at the last two Grand Slams in Melbourne but his tournament ended with a whimper in round three at the hands of Sebastian Korda.
Seventh seed Medvedev followed defending champion Rafael Nadal and world number three Casper Ruud in exiting in the first week while world number one Carlos Alcaraz withdrew before the tournament began.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is now the highest remaining seed at three and the Greek star stretched his unbeaten streak this year to set up a last-16 clash with Italian Jannik Sinner.
The 24-year-old Tsitsipas, who is yet to drop a set, clinched his seventh straight win of 2023 by beating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.
Tsitsipas is refusing to get carried away as he chases a first major title. “There are no presents,” he warned.
“You should be going after it, you should be creating those opportunities and aiming big within yourself, sometimes surpass your own abilities.” Also into the last 16 are sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and 18th seed Karen Khachanov.
10:17AM AUSSIE STAR’S SURGERY
Ajla Tomljanovic’s career-high ranking won’t go to use in the short-term, with the top-ranked Australian female sidelined for at least a few months following knee surgery.
The 29-year-old was forced to withdraw from her home grand slam on the eve of the Australian Open and revealed on Saturday that she had gone under the knife.
“This morning I had a minor procedure done on my knee that went very well,” Tomljanovic said.
“Sadly I won’t be around the next few months, but I’m happy I did the necessary steps to get fully healthy. Great things take time and rehab starts very soon!
“I can’t wait to get back out there. Appreciate all your sweet messages and words of support, doesn’t go unnoticed.”
Despite not playing at the Australian Open, Tomljanovic is on track to be ranked 32nd in the world after this tournament.
9:36AM WORST IN THE FAMILY
His own worst critic and way too hard on himself.
Sebastian Korda’s prodigious sporting family has a rich history in Australia.
As well as Petr winning his only major 25 years ago and mum Regina Rajchrtova being a Czech tennis Olympian, Sebastian claimed the junior title in 2018 and both his sisters, Jessica and Nelly, have both won the Australian Open in golf.
“It’s a special place for us. We’ve had some really great results,” Korda said.
“Hopefully I can do one better than the juniors and do it in the pros.”
He had the crowd in stitches as he added: “I don’t know what I’m going to be ranked now but my mum’s career [high] ranking was 26, my dad’s was two, my sister Nelly was number one, my older sister Jessica was sixth … so I’m definitely the worst athlete in the family so far”
"I'm definitely the worst athlete in the family so far." 😂
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2023
The Korda family are pretty incredible!#AusOpen • #AO2023pic.twitter.com/fAwqWJuBb6
8:45AM PLAYERS STILL TICKED OFF
Jamie Murray has always been vocal about his opinions and this year’s Australian Open is no different.
Much like his brother, Jamie has used his platform to back calls for a curfew at the slam after Thursday night’s 4am finish.
“Aus Open has 4 courts that they use for night sessions with a 7pm start,” he wrote.
“Start one of those courts at 8pm (ideally a women’s match as it’s shorter) and then if someone gets injured within an hour on RLA you can move the 8pm match to RLA and you don’t have an issue with refunds.”
8AM: SECRET BOND DRIVING AUS OPEN’S US REVOLUTION
There is no escaping the Americans at Melbourne Park – and a series of bonding visits to escape rooms across Australia might be behind the United States’ tennis resurgence.
For the first time since 1996, a dominant 14 stars from the US progressed into the third round at the Australian Open and — as evidenced by their padlock scribbles on TV camera lenses post-victories — they are “locked in”.
The unity was born at the United Cup, where Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe spearheaded Team USA’s unstoppable charge to the inaugural title.
When Fritz sealed the crown he was headbutted by an overzealous Tiafoe.
“It was awesome until Frances headbutted me,” Fritz said.
“I have a bump on my head.”
While Fritz was the shock casualty at Melbourne Park – Alexei Popyrin became the first Aussie to beat a top-10 player since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005 – there are stars and stripes everywhere in the draw.
“Just have to stay locked,” Tiafoe said.
“It’s the whole thing with the United Cup guys. I made a joke about it with the guys, the United Cup asking them before the march, ‘Are you locked?’
“It’s definitely become a thing. I’ve been kind of living by that for a little bit.”
Tiafoe’s psychedelic ensemble has stolen headlines this week and it’s one his rivals admit they couldn’t pull off.
“Do you think I would wear that?” Englishman Daniel Evans joked this week.
“I think Frances pulls it off pretty well. He definitely has the physique to pull it off, but you wouldn’t see me wearing a singlet or whatever they’re called.”
Tiafoe has revved up the rowdy crowd at John Cain Arena and started requesting the venue for matches – just like Nick Kyrgios has previously.
But over on Rod Laver Arena two lesser-knowns took down leading contenders. For the first time in 29 years American men defeated both the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds at the same major.
Back in 1994 it was Jim Courier eliminating No. 1 Pete Sampras and Aaron Krickstein eliminating No. 2 seed Michael Stich.
This time around it was Mackenzie McDonald sending No. 1 seed and defending champ Rafael Nadal packing before Jenson Brooksby turfed No. 2 seed Casper Ruud.
McDonald took notes from his countrymen’s recent wins against Nadal.
“I thought about Taylor taking him out, and Foe (Tiafoe),” McDonald said.
“I talked to Tommy (Paul) about it too last night. That definitely gave me some more confidence.”
Tiafoe tickled McDonald’s ego before he pulled off the shock of the tournament … in straight sets.
“I think it’s been a question mark how Rafa has been feeling for a little bit now,” Tiafoe said.
“I told Mackey, listen, you could join the three amigos: me, Fritz, and Tommy (Paul). We all got him (Nadal).
“Also, I told him, you’re going to be in a position to win today. GOAT wins don’t come easy. Something to tell his grandkids one day.”
Then it was Brooksby’s turn. Craig O’Shannessy – a former strategist for Novak Djokovic – loved the tactics from the 22-year-old.
“Brooksby just played 68 long rallies of nine-plus … and won FIFTY of them. Whaa?” O’Shannessy said on social media.
“He absolutely chopped Casper in the lactic-acid long rally stakes.”
On the camerarderie, Brooksby said: “I think we all push each other to really get better, regardless of each guy’s situation. I think that’s shown in a lot of the guys having strong results lately”.
In the men’s side they entered with just two players ranked in the top 30 (No. 9 Fritz and No. 17 Tiafoe) while the women’s side was far stronger, with four stars inside the top 15 (No. 3 Jess Pegula, No. 7 Coco Gauff, No. 11 Danielle Collins and No. 13 Madison Keys).
In both the States are shooting the lights out. On Friday it was a Pegula pasting as she took just 65 minutes to beat Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-2.
It was a similar story for Gauff, who won 6-3 6-2 against fellow American Bernarda Pera.
Even “lucky loser” Michael Mmoh is still alive – and will face another American, JJ Wolf, on Saturday.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to say I’m an unlucky person for the rest of my life,” Mmoh said of his run.
As for the escape rooms? Well, Pegula is the captain behind the bonding.
“We did another escape room,” she said this week.
“We did boys versus girls and girls won, so go girls.
“It was kind of like an anti-team building experience because we kind of all wanted to kill each other at the end, but hopefully it brings us together today.”
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Originally published as Australian Open 2023 day 6 live scores, results, schedule and order of play
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