Key events
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Andreeva advances 6-3, 6-4 against Ruse
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Bublik beats Etcheverry 7-6, 7-6, 6-4
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Bublik takes the second set, leads 2-0
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Zverev defeats Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
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De Minaur defeats Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4, 7-5
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Svitolina beats Shnaider 7-6, 6-3
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Cerundolo knocks out Rublev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
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Jovic beats Paolini 6-2, 7-6
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Preamble
Tumaini Carayol
Cameron Norrie did what he could. Rather than easing into a long best-of-five-sets match, he played at full throttle from the beginning by launching into forehands and forcing himself inside the baseline at all cost. He worked through every shot in his arsenal, frequently sweeping forward to the net. He punctuated each small victory with booming cries of “allez”.
In tennis, however, match-ups are king and the past meetings between Norrie and Alexander Zverev have already illustrated how the German’s game is built to outlast and overpower the Briton. This seventh meeting between them ended no differently as Zverev, the third seed, secured a tough 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over the 26th seed to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Despite the defeat, Norrie departs Australia with another solid grand slam showing. He has enjoyed some of his best form at the elite tournaments over the past year, winning every match he has entered the court as favourite. He has been defeated by top players in each of the four majors, with Carlos Alcaraz defeating him at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic doing so at the French Open and US Open, and now Zverev following on in Melbourne. For all the grit, discipline and spirit he showcases every time he steps on the court, Norrie has simply lacked the weapons to consistently trouble the top players over the best-of-five-set matches.
Tumaini Carayol
Victoria Mboko has given herself a shot at Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, in the fourth round of the Australian Open, after the 19-year-old prodigy held her nerve at the end of an incredibly tense tussle to close out a 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-3 win over the 14th seed, Clara Tauson.
Mboko, seeded 17th in Melbourne, showed her mental toughness at the end of a quality match between two young players by playing an authoritative final set after squandering match points. The Canadian had served for the match at 7-6 (5), 5-3 before losing her service game to love. She then generated three match points at 5-4, but while Mboko was extremely tight, her Danish opponent struck the ball with total freedom to retrieve the break.
“I think it was just self-belief at the end,” Mboko said. “I had so many chances in the second set but I’ve got to give credit where it’s due, she was playing incredible tennis so I just had to lock in, in the important moments. This is my first time here so I’m really happy to go through to the fourth round.”
The victory secures her first appearance in the fourth round of a slam, her previous best being a run to the French Open third round last year from qualifying. The Canadian’s reward is a meeting with the two-time champion Sabalenka, who dragged herself into the fourth round in two tie-break sets, defeating Anastasia Potapova of Austria 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7).
That’s it for today, but do join us again for live coverage and reports tomorrow, when the action will heat up, both literally and figuratively, with a high of 37C forecast as Jannik Sinner, Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova, Ben Shelton, Jessica Pegula, Lorenzo Musetti and Jakub Mensik sweat it out in the day session. In the night action it’s Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Stan Wawrinka v Taylor Fritz, Naomi Osaka v Madison Inglis and Marin Cilic v Casper Ruud. Bye!
Could Andreeva’s time be now? Well, the 18-year-old will be the favourite against Elina Svitolina in the last 16, but Svitolina is a tough competitor. It could then be Coco Gauff in quarter-finals and Aryna Sabalenka in the semis. It’s a perilous path. But Andreeva is arguably the player who appears next in line to win a first slam, though Amanda Anisimova deserves a mention as well. The women’s game is in good health below Sabalenka and Swiatek, and Jovic’s and Mboko’s breakthroughs this week make it more interesting too.
“Thank you guys for staying so late. In the end I got a little bit tight, I started to play passive,” admits Andreeva. When told she’s reached the fourth round of a major for the seventh time, the teenager replies: “I’m super proud of myself. I’m learning how to appreciate myself more and give myself more credit. It’s a good statistic, it’s very nice to hear.” Jelena Dokic rounds off the interview by saying Andreeva wasn’t even born when Dokic reached the 2001 French Open women’s doubles final alongside Martinez. “I didn’t know that, but I guess you carried the team,” quips Andreeva.
Andreeva advances 6-3, 6-4 against Ruse
Andreeva is up against it at 0-30, but recovers and gets to 30-all. Ruse nets a routine backhand to hand Andreeva a match point at 40-30. But maybe it was a, erm, ruse, because now the Romanian is dictating the point and Andreeeva is there for the taking and Ruse charges forward to settle it … but nets her volley! That was an up and down performance, but the relieved Russian is through. Her coach, the 1998 finalist Conchita Martinez, nods approvingly.
Service order has been restored on Rod Laver. Andreeva finally backs up the break with a hold for 5-3, and Ruse then takes care of her own serve for 5-4. And just before the clock strikes midnight, Andreeva steps up to try to book her place in the last 16 for the third successive year. And she’s only 18. It’s prodigious stuff.
Bublik beats Etcheverry 7-6, 7-6, 6-4
Etcheverry holds, to at least ask the question of Bublik. But Bublik serves it out to 15, and into the last 16 he goes for the first time in Melbourne. The 28-year-old is playing the best tennis of his career and will meet the home favourite Alex De Minaur next. De Minaur leads their head-to-head 3-2, but Bublik has won their past two meetings. With his unorthodox style, Bublik is a player no one wants to face. “He’s a great player, we’ve faced each other a lot and I can’t wait to share a court with him,” says the Kazakhstani.
Andreeva and Ruse, though, just can’t hold serve right now, and a fourth successive break, this one going in Ruse’s favour, means they’re back level at 3-3. And now Andreeva has points at 15-40 for a fifth break on the spin. Ruse makes a mess of her backhand and Andreeva edges ahead to 4-3. But can she now shake Ruse off? Andreeva didn’t do too much to win that game, in truth, Ruse just made too many errors.
Both have been flying of late, with Andreeva winning the warm-up event in Adelaide and Bublik taking the title in Hong Kong. Andreeva has got her mojo back after crashing towards end of last season, after her breakthrough runs to the French Open and Wimbledon quarter-finals, while Bublik has won five titles since last summer. The man who once said he hated tennis “with all my heart” is now loving it. And he’s a game away, at 7-6, 7-6, 5-3, after a hold apiece.
Thanks John. So both our remaining protagonists are well on course, with Andreeva leading 6-3, 3-2 with the break and Bublik 7-6, 7-6, 4-2 ahead.
Ruse is showing real fight. Just when it looked as if Andreeva was cruising and had the key to her opponent’s serve, she’s having to fight for that crucial break. An unforced error lands Andreeva a break point, only for Ruse to take command of the next rally, it goes back to deuce after a cross-court volley. No respite, though, another error and it’s break point again, saved by a big, skidding serve. And then comes another break point. This game lurches towards nine minutes but eventually, another error, and it’s 3-2 in the second set.
Bublik has meanwhile held his serve, and it’s 4-2. Now, back to Katy Murrells in the chair.
Bublik attempts another drop shot. And misses it. He’s better on the forehand than backhand, the mistake takes Etcheverry to deuce. There’s rage when the Argentinian sees a winning chance then makes a mess of it. Then, as both players charge to the net, Bublik misses another chance to drop shot. He does, though, hold and leads 3-1. Some missed opportunities from Etcheverry to think on when this game is analysed afterwards. Bublik has been better when it matters.
Andreeva has a break in the second set, but is taken to a break point at 2-1 up. Ruse clatters a winner to break back; she’s not done yet, you know.
Bublik takes a bow after a tweener pays off, the tennis rabona, if you will. He’s really enjoying himself now, though Etcheverry shows fight to hold. It’s 2-1 in the third set, Bublik leading 2-0 on sets.
Andreeva and Ruse is going with serve in the second set. Bublik has meanwhile broken Etcheverry’s serve in the third set and is on course for victory. He then holds his serve for 2-0 up.
Ruse holds her service, and Andreeva is asked to serve out the first set. She makes very short work of it, and serves to love, and claims it 6-3. What was previously an even contest is running away from Ruse.
Bublik takes the second set, leads 2-0
Bublik, with another piece of net play, a lovely stop volley is 5-3 up, and has the serve. Only to double fault, which takes it back to going on serve. What can Etcheverry do? He lands a beauty of a counter punch, just when Bublik’s volley looked to have taken the point. 5-5, it continues to be tight as a drum. Bublik scrapes the ball to the very depths of the court, and at 6-5, has set point. An ace lands it.
Wonderful rally in the tie-breaker and just when it looks as if Bublik has landed a drop shot winner, the ball drops down the net. Both he and Etcheverry were going for broke. Huge cheers as the Argentinian gets to 2-1. Bublik lands the drop shot this time for 2-2. Then Bublik forces an error to lead 3-2. This is tight. 3-3 comes next.
Andreeva, by the way, leads 5-2 in the first set, and looks to be sailing towards winning it.
The deadlock between Ruse and Andreeva is broken, as Andreeva breaks to lead 4-2 in the first.
Bublik v Etcheverry is hurtling towards a second tie-break. It’s 6-5 on serve, lots of grunts and big hits. And it comes as little surprise as Etcheverry serves to reach 6-6. So back we go into the tie-breaker.
Ruse is making inroads into the Andreeva serve, making her opponent work but no break as yet. That said, Andreeva seems to have the Romanian’s measure on serve. Each service game has been a battle. This is a contest of fine margins, both having to play big shots. Ruse is delighted to level at 2-2, and nods in self-congratulation.
Bublik and Etcheberry, at 4-3 in the second set, takes a turn, Bublik suddenly striking back from 40-0 down, only for the Argentinian to hold at deuce. He’s got a couple of rowdy fans watching on, both wearing the national football team shirt.
G’day. The news so far from Rod Laver is Andreeva holding her first service game, and Ruse having a few problems holding hers, double-faulting on game point but then clattering a winner home to level at 1-1. On Margaret Court, er, court Bublik and Etcheverry is battle of service power. Two big lads, these.
Right, I’m off for a breather, so John is here to take you through the start of Andreeva v Ruse and the second set of Bublik v Etcheverry, after Bublik took the first on a tie-break. Over to you John …
It’s interesting to see Zverev so relaxed, given he has a tendency to be perfectionistic and hard on himself, and if he can continue that mindset he’s got a chance of finally going further than his three grand-slam runner-up spots. Though it would take something remarkable to deny Alcaraz (who’s in his half of the draw) and Sinner. Such is their supremacy that Zverev, the world No 3, is closer in ranking points to the world No 1,000 than he is to Sinner, the world No 2.
“I thought Cameron’s level today was the best when we’ve played. I was up for the task today,” says Zverev, who’s also up for some banter. He’s asked by Barbara Schett if he prepared for the left-hander Norrie by hitting with his brother, who’s also a lefty and is courtside. Zverev says Mischa refuses to play with him now, and grabs the mic to go and ask him why. “I destroy your rhythm, I shank too many balls,” is the response. Zverev then tells Schett that if he wins the Australian Open they’re both cutting their hair at the barbers. “I’m not so sure about that,” she says.
Zverev defeats Norrie 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
A final flourish from Norrie as he gets two chances to break, first at 30-40 and then at his advantage. But Zverev calmly restores order and brings up his first match point. And he seals it with an ace. A fine performance from last year’s runner-up to extend his supremacy over Norrie to seven successive wins. It means there are no Brits left in the singles. Zverev will play Rublev’s conqueror Cerundolo next.
De Minaur speaks:
Frances is a hell of a competitor. Huge respect to him. I played some of my best tennis for two and a half sets and then he lifted it, started going big and taking the racket out of my hand. I just had to manage it. It was quite stressful at the end. I’m very relieved to get over the line. I don’t associate playing in Australia with pressure. I associate it with excitement. I’m truly fortunate to be in this position. I want it so bad.
Zverev is zooming away from Norrie now. 3-0, 4-0, 5-0. A misguided fan is still chanting “let’s go Norrie, let’s go”. Norrie perhaps hears the call though because he does at least prevent a fourth-set bagel. But Zverev is about to serve for the match at 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 5-1 …
De Minaur defeats Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4, 7-5
De Minaur has a match point at 40-30, but Tiafoe saves one of his best plays until last, sending De Minaur one way with the forehand and then putting the Australian away with a backhand winner into the other corner. De Minaur gets another chance at his advantage … and hits long! Now Tiafoe has the opportunity to break. But nothing about this game is straightforward. Until De Minaur saves the break point, sends down his eighth ace of the evening and draws the Tiafoe error on his third match point! For the fifth straight year De Minaur is into the last 16, where he’ll face Bublik or Etcheverry. They’re in a first-set tie-break.
Norrie’s race could be run. Another double fault gives Zverev a look at an early fourth-set break and Norrie can barely rouse himself to say a meek “come on”. He usually gets in the face of his opponents with all his fist pumping and vamosing and allezing, but there’s no sign of that now. Zverev breaks for 2-0 and backs it up for 3-0.
Tiafoe’s fightback is on the ropes at 5-5, 15-40. The first break point is a 21-shot blockbuster, and Tiafoe emerges victorious. And he saves the second too. But De Minaur isn’t going away and has a third BP at advantage. The Australian’s backhand slice falls agonisingly long. And a fourth BP comes and goes too. But here’s a fifth. De Minaur spins to return the serve … his shot has absolutely nothing on it and Tiafoe has the whole court to aim into … but blazes into the tramlines! An ugly miss. And it leaves De Minaur serving for the match at 6-3, 6-4, 6-5.
Zverev has kept hold of his third-set break and leads 5-3, after a little interruption to clean up a deposit on the baseline from some birds overhead. And he doesn’t even need to serve the set out, because Norrie stumbles on serve at the worst possible time, dropping 15-40 behind, having won his previous two service games to love. And Norrie disappointingly surrenders with a double fault. Zverev leads 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 and is well on course for his seventh successive take down of the British No 2.
But having worked hard to get back on level terms, Tiafoe tanks with three errors, and it’s 15-40. He fends off the first BP … and just catches the baseline on the second! That was close. The pair engage in a gruelling exchange on deuce, Tiafoe then ups the ante by hitting deep to De Minaur’s forehand corner … and the Australian can’t get the ball back into court. Advantage Tiafoe. Game Tiafoe. He’s pumping his fist repeatedly and soaking in an applause from the crowd which is surprisingly loud given he’s now asking serious questions of their man. Tiafoe takes his third game on the spin and leads 5-4 on serve.
De Minaur has perhaps let his mind wander, thinking about the victory line, because here’s a loss of concentration and it’s 30-40. Tiafoe jumps on the return on break point, De Minaur gets it back … but Tiafoe goes on to extract the error! They’re back on serve. And that’s De Minaur’s first real blip. It’s 4-4.
De Minaur has Rod Laver in raptures (the arena I should stress, I don’t think the great man is there tonight) as he somehow retrieves Tiafoe’s smash and pulls off the winner! He’s like a backboard from the baseline. Now the generous Aussie fans are hailing Tiafoe, as the American gets on the match highlights reel after running to De Minaur’s drop volley and somehow threading a forehand pass down the line! Tiafoe holds from there but still trails 6-3, 6-4, 4-3.
Norrie, after all of his fine work in the second set, throws in a loose forehand and Zverev has two break points at 15-40, 1-1 in the third. Zverev needs only one. It’s Norrie 5-7, 6-4, 1-2 Zverev. Make that 1-3 as Zverev consolidates the break.
After the interruption on Rod Laver, they’re back under way. 2-0 soon enough becomes 4-2. De Minaur’s getting closer.
Just getting going on Margaret Court: the one-of-a-kind Alexander Bublik against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who’ll be hoping he can follow his Argentinian compatriot Francisco Cerundolo’s lead by taking out a Russian-born enigma. Cerundolo defeated Andrey Rublev earlier.
Zverev is serving to stay in the second set, with Norrie leading 5-4. It’s crunch time at 30-all. Will it be set point or game point? Break point, because Norrie nails a return which skids past the 6ft 6in Zverev’s feet! Another strong return from Norrie and Zverev nets! Norrie takes the second set 6-4 having lost the first 7-5. Game on!
