‘Unserious’ Aus Open slammed for Kyrgios-Djokovic interview

Kyrgios, who known as Djokovic’s conflict with Taylor Fritz on ESPN, got here out to interview the King of Melbourne Park, who known as for the group to cheer on the Aussie.

“Good to see you man, nice to see you. You’re wanting good in that sales space however higher right here,” Djokovic mentioned.

“Hopefully with a racquet quickly. We miss Nick. Come on guys. Present him some love.”

Kyrgios requested Djokovic’s ideas on the match to determine his opponent within the last 4, however when the Serbian returned the favour, the Aussie in all probability echoed the emotions of followers.

“Are you doing that match?”

“No, no, I’m going to mattress.”And whereas the pair have been capable of safe some laughs from the group, some followers of tennis have been lower than amused.

Famend tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg slammed the spectacle, labelling it “unserious.”

Because of Coco Gauff’s marathon, each following recreation has been pushed again, with Janik Sinner and Andrey Rublev not stepping on the court docket till near 11pm AEDT.

11.25PM: SINNER DRAWS FIRST BLOOD LATE ON ROD LAVER ARENA

Janik Sinner has struck first on this intriguing encounter at Melbourne Park, taking the primary set over Andrey Rublev 6-4 in 37 minutes.

Sinner has set the early tempo on the court docket, working at will together with his serve and forcing his Russian opponent into some essential errors.

Ultimately, just one break was sufficient for the Italian to take management and declare the opening stanza.

10.25PM: QUEEN ARYNA DOMINATES RLA AGAIN

– Scott Gullan

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has been compelled to attend loads at this 12 months’s Australian Open and her opponents are paying for the inconvenience.

After beginning her opening spherical match simply earlier than midnight, Sabalenka waited two hours over the scheduled time for her quarter-final match-up with Barbora Krejcikova.

One other horrible piece of scheduling by Open organisers noticed the day session prolong to eight.27pm which meant the opening evening recreation on Rod Laver Area, slated to start out at 7pm, was placed on ice.

Sabalenka appeared lower than impressed when she lastly walked out right into a half-empty stadium as workers frantically tried to get the group changeover occurring as rapidly as doable.

When Krejcikova lastly obtained proceedings underneath manner at 9.09pm, it was evident her opponent was in a rush.

Sabalenka rapidly raced to a 4-1 lead earlier than a uncommon discover her personal service recreation. That was rapidly rectified with the opening set going to the No. 2 seed in simply 33 minutes.

Other than a few seagulls forcing her to once more wait to start out her first service recreation of the second set, the Belarusian star continued steamrolling Krejokova, the 2021 French Open champion, who had no solutions to the facility of the match favorite.

The 6-2 6-3 carnage was over in 71 minutes – though it was her longest match of the match.

9.45PM: SABALENKA HEARS THE CALLS OF THE MASSES!

Clearly, the reigning ladies’s champion at Melbourne Park loves her followers, blitzing the primary set of her QF conflict.

Sabalenka dominated proceedings from the beginning, though had a slight blip when her serve was damaged by her opponent.

A simply over half an hour set was precisely what the followers (and Tennis Australia) have been after!

9.15PM: SABALENKA AGAIN VIEWS AN EMPTY STADIUM

The marketing campaign of Aryna Sabalenka began in entrance of an empty Rod Laver Area, so it should have been deja vu for the Belarus star as she walked out to “kick off” the evening session.

Sabalenka’s conflict with Barbora Krejcikova was supposed to start out at 7pm, however because of some poor planning, right here we’re.

Andrey Rublev and Janik Sinner can be praying this can be a fast one.

8.30PM: HEAT, ANGUISH NOT ENOUGH TO DERAIL DJOKOVIC’S AUS OPEN

– Callum Dick

An Australian Open semi-final on Rod Laver Area.

For Novak Djokovic it’d as properly be simply one other Friday.

For the eleventh time in his illustrious profession, the world No. 1 will function within the last 4 at Melbourne Park after surviving a brutal four-set battle 7-6(3) 4-6 6-2 6-3 in opposition to a gusty Taylor Fritz on Tuesday.

A match that was meant to be beamed into the US at prime time as a substitute began at nearly 10pm on the West Coast and after midnight in New York.

After an 84-minute opening set, it had five-hour epic written throughout it.

Fritz fended off a ridiculous 15 factors earlier than Djokovic lastly broke via within the third set – and even then it got here solely after the American was clearly hobbled by a foot criticism.

That ailment finally cruelled any actual probability Fritz had at ending his shedding run in opposition to Djokovic, who it should be mentioned appeared a stage beneath his greatest. However nonetheless it was sufficient.

EARLIER: DJOKOVIC EXPLODES AS SPICY AUS OPEN CLASH HEATS UP

Issues are heating up on Rod Laver Area, together with defending champion Novak Djokovic, who appears to be struggling within the solar in his conflict with Taylor Fritz.

Djokovic has been locked in a back-and-forth affair at Melbourne Park, sweating via the day as he performs within the uncommon daytime slot for him.

The defending champion has taken the primary set 7-6 (3), after saving a number of set factors earlier, then instantly rushed off the court docket, with bag in hand.

The primary stanza took an exhausting 84 minutes.

The Serbian exploded at his camp throughout a change of ends, determined to get his field’s consideration as he looked for one thing in his bag to assist together with his vitality ranges.

Djokovic had earlier requested for a number of towels to be introduced out for him, as he tries to remain cool.

The King of Melbourne Park was earlier this week bumped out of the evening session, however performed underneath the roof in opposition to Adrian Mannarino, who he defeated with ease.

7.45PM: NOLE CHANTS EXPLODE AS DJOKER PUSHES AHEAD

Now that set appeared extra just like the Novak Djokovic we all know!

The group of Djokovic supporters have burt to life as their hero raced to a 6-2 set win.

The reigning champion took simply 38 minutes to take a two units to at least one lead, and is now one set nearer to his twenty fifth Grand Slam title.

Djokovic dominated the rallies in that set, working Fritz over and gaining steam as we get additional into the trenches, as he so typically has accomplished.

7.10PM: FRITZ FIGHTBACK PUSHES NIGHT SCHEDULE FURTHER AWAY

Nicely, the one saving grace of this late begin to proceedings was a straight-sets win for both man, however that gained’t be the case.

Taylor Fritz is properly and really again into this one, claiming the second set 6-4, as his opponent continues to turn into agitated.

Djokovic has been at odds together with his personal field and even the group at instances, as this one pushes the evening session additional away.

Aryna Sabalenka’s conflict with Barbora Krejcikova was meant to kick off round now, with Andrey Rublev and Janik Sinner nonetheless to come back after that.

EARLIER: LATE AUS OPEN NIGHT AWAITS AS NOVAK REIGNITES FEUD

Three years after he was accused of faking an harm, en path to the 2021 Australian Open title, Novak Djokovic will get an opportunity to precise revenge on American Taylor Fritz.

Nonetheless, his match appears prone to create a late evening in Melbourne, showing on court docket greater than two hours after it was scheduled because of Coco Gauff’s epic win.

Gauff’s conflict with Marta Kostyuk lasted 3hr and eight minutes – the third-longest ladies’s match of the Open thus far.

Djokovic battled an stomach tear through the 2021 match, which he suffered throughout his third-round win over Fritz, and which left him in appreciable and apparent ache throughout that match.

In opposition to a hobbled Djokovic, Fritz got here again from two units right down to power a decider, solely to fall flat because the Serbian star delivered a knockout blow.

Instantly afterwards, Djokovic revealed he thought his title defence could possibly be over – and refused to substantiate whether or not he’d be match to play his fourth spherical match. Although finally he was capable of energy via the ache and win his 18th grand slam title.

However his post-match phrases fell flat with Fritz, who inferred the Australian Open king was faking the severity of his harm.

“If he was actually, actually injured, he wouldn’t have saved enjoying,” Fritz informed reporters.

“He appeared like he was struggling within the third and fourth, he didn’t seem like he was struggling within the fifth.

“Possibly he fought via it. I’m blissful for him he had such a great restoration.

“Fifth set, he appeared fairly good to me! I’ve to provide credit score within the fifth set, he was actually good. Nothing just like the third and fourth set.”

The pair will resume hostilities on Rod Laver Area this afternoon, with Djokovic aiming to proceed his 8-0 domination of Fritz at ATP stage.

5.00PM: A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME?

Nicely, for these hoping to keep away from a late evening could also be fearing what might happen on Rod Laver Area this night.

Novak Djokovic’s conflict with Taylor Fritz already began late, and a 16 minute opening recreation with 9 deuces was in all probability not the recipe followers have been hoping for.

Each had a number of possibilities to say the opener, however Fritz finally holds serve to seize the primary recreation of the match.

Is it too late to speak about that curfew once more?

4.35PM: COCO CLAIMS EPIC THREE SETTER TO MAKE FINAL FOUR

– Rebecca Williams

Teenage star Coco Gauff has emerged triumphant following an epic three-hour quarter-final battle in opposition to Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk on Rod Laver Area.

The No. 4 seed booked herself a spot in her first Australian Open semi-final after combating off a spirited Kostyuk in three units on centre court docket.

After being compelled into tie-breakers within the first two units, Gauff saved her composure to storm previous the world No. 37 within the deciding set, securing the win 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (7-3) 6-2.

Main 5-0 within the last set, Gauff appeared like allotting a bagel earlier than Kostyuk took one last swing.

The match lasted 3hr and eight minutes – the third-longest ladies’s match of the Open thus far – forcing a really late begin for the afternoon conflict between Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz.

Defying the spate of fallen seeds within the ladies’s draw, the 19-year-old American needed to dig deep to maintain her marketing campaign for a second grand slam crown alive.

Gauff needed to battle again from 5-1 down within the opening set and was unable to shake off the 21-year-old within the second.

Whereas Gauff largely saved her composure all through the match, Kostyuk let her feelings spill out on court docket on a number of events, shouting at herself and throwing her racquet.

4.00PM: TOP 20 STAR ‘TOO OLD’ FOR BRAND DEAL

– Callum Dick

The highest 20 tennis star who knocked two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka out of this 12 months’s match is outwardly “too outdated” to land a model deal.

Former WTA Finals winner Caroline Garcia, 30, took to social media on Tuesday with the tongue-in-cheek declaration after apparently being turned down by a possible sponsor.

“Good morning everybody!” Garcia wrote on X.

“Simply obtained my first ‘you might be too outdated for us to signal you’ … welcome to the 30 membership group! The onerous reality behind the game business.

“However I’ll at all times worth extra reality and honesty.”

The Frenchwoman defeated Osaka in straight-sets within the opening spherical of this 12 months’s Australian Open, earlier than bowing out two days later in opposition to Magdalena Frech of Poland.

The 2022 US Open semi-finalist additionally misplaced her ladies’s doubles quarterfinal conflict on Tuesday.

Garcia is one in every of simply two ladies aged 30 or older within the WTA high 20, alongside 33-year-old Czech star Petra Kvitova.

3.40PM: EMOTIONS HIGH IN OPEN EPIC

American Coco Gauff is dealing with an enormous battle in her quarter-final on Rod Laver enviornment after Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk compelled the match right into a deciding set.

After combating again from 5-1 right down to take the opening set in a tie break, the No. 4 seed was unable to fend off the spirited Kostyuk within the second set.

Gauff held a 5-3 lead within the second set earlier than Kostyuk fought again to power one other tie breaker, happening to take the second set 7-6 (7-3).

Kostyuk confirmed her feelings early within the set when she screamed “silly” at herself as she sat on the bottom after sliding for a shot after which threw her racquet on the finish of the purpose.

However she discovered her composure to place Gauff on the again foot once more to power the match right into a decider.

In a battle which has already lasted two and half hours, it’s the first time Gauff has been pushed past two units throughout this match.

It additionally means a really late begin for the following match scheduled on Rod Laver Area between Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz.

3.00PM: GAUFF ON VERGE OF SEMI-FINALS

Coco Gauff has one foot within the semi-finals after securing the essential break within the second set in opposition to Ukranian Marta Kostyuk.

Gauff has had her possibilities to take management of the second set, and secured them with a second break level within the sixth recreation to take a 4-2 lead.

After stealing a gruelling first set tie-break, having fought again from 1-5 down, Gauff is simply two video games away from a maiden look within the Australian Open semi-finals.

2.30PM: GAUFF ROARS BACK AFTER HORROR START

– Rebecca Williams

It appeared like one other upset could possibly be brewing early within the first of the ladies’s quarter finals.

However then Coco Gauff discovered her groove.

The No. 4 seed was in hassle early within the opening set in opposition to Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk on Rod Laver Area earlier than staging an aggressive fightback to take the primary set in a tie break 7-6 (8-6).

Kostyuk, the world No. 37, obtained the primary break then opened up a 5-1 lead over the American earlier than Gauff pushed again.

In a large momentum swing, Gauff then went on to win the following 5 video games to take the lead earlier than Kostyuk compelled the set right into a tie break.

Kostyuk known as for a medical day out proper simply earlier than the tie break to take care of blisters on her left foot.

Gauff needed to maintain combating within the tie break, however finally wrapped it up in 76 minutes – longer than most of her matches have been thus far this fortnight.

Gauff has thus far had a cushty path via the match at Melbourne Park, but to drop a set in her first 4 matches.

She is aiming so as to add the Australian Open crown to the maiden grand slam title she gained on the US Open final 12 months.

2.20PM: NADAL’S RETURN REVEALED

Rafael Nadal will return to the ATP Tour subsequent month on the Qatar Open in Doha, protecting alive the potential of a last French Open run for the tennis megastar.

Nadal, 37, was compelled to withdraw from the Australian Open because of a micro tear in a muscle sustained throughout his loss to Aussie Jordan Thompson on the Brisbane Worldwide on January 5.

The 22-time grand slam champion was simply three matches into his comeback from a 12-month harm lay-off when he was damage through the quarter-final conflict on Pat Rafter Area.

He withdrew from the Australian Open days later, earlier than flying again to Spain to obtain remedy.

Nadal declared earlier than the match that it could seemingly – however not positively – be his final time enjoying in Australia.

It’s anticipated that he’ll retire on the finish of this 12 months.

He mentioned well being and his capacity to bodily compete on the ATP Tour can be the deciding components for whether or not 2024 is his last 12 months {of professional} tennis.

Nadal will use his protected rating to enter the February 19 ATP 250 occasion in Doha, which may even function Australian Open quarter-finalists Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev.

It’s anticipated Nadal will focus his consideration on the French Open and a doable last run at a record-extending fifteenth title at Roland Garros.

Aussie followers might not have had an opportunity to say goodbye to the tennis legend Melbourne, however we might a minimum of get to see the grasp of clay in his ingredient for one last time.

2PM: KOSTYUK BLOWS 5-1 LEAD AGAINST GAUFF

Armed with a double break, Ukranian Marta Kostyuk was not so way back serving for the primary set.

But it surely has all blown up in her face, with American fourth seed Coco Gauff securing an important break of serve to avoid wasting the primary set – and earlier than rattling off the following three video games to attract stage at 5-5.

1.30PM: KYRGIOS REVEALS ‘SECRET’ NOVAK TACTIC IN GRAND SLAM PURSUIT

Nick Kyrgios admits has hasn’t at all times put within the onerous yards throughout his tennis profession.

However he says that’s all about to alter.

The Wimbledon finalist, at present sidelined via harm that has prevented him from enjoying this 12 months’s Australian Open, jokingly mentioned he’ll begin to put within the onerous work to win his first grand slam.

However he’s going to attend till Novak Djokovic retires.

Djokovic is a heat favorite to win an astonishing eleventh Australian Open this month – which is able to take his profession grand slam tally to a document 25 titles.

“I believe when Novak decides to pack all of it up you’ll see a bunch of fellows profitable Slams,” Kyrgios mentioned.

“Secretly that’s my tactic, I’m simply ready for Novak to go, then I’ll go into hibernation, get in the very best form of my life, protected rating.

“It’s been my plan all alongside. Go away me alone Novak.”

1PM: PHILIPPOUSSIS STILL BRINGING THE HEAT

It’s that point of the match, when the legends mud off their tennis racquets and make a return to the court docket.

Former Aussie tennis star Mark Philippoussis and Cypriot Marcos Bagdhatis had a first-up win of their legends’ doubles match on Rod Laver Area.

The pair defeated Swedish duo Thomas Johansson and Robert Lindstedt 6-2 6-3.

“Any time we will stroll off court docket and never be limping, it’s a win,” Philippoussis quipped after the win.

Bagdhatis admitted his “lack of health” was a difficulty, however he was excited to be sharing the court docket with Philippoussis.

“It’s an unbelievable pleasure to be again right here in Melbourne,” the previous Australian Open runner-up mentioned.

“I’ve such nice reminiscences on this metropolis, on this court docket and enjoying with Mark, we all know one another the previous few years … and it’s an absolute pleasure to play with him.”

The all-Australian mixture of Alicia Molik and Casey Dellacqua additionally had a first-up win of their legends doubles match on Kia Area.

The duo defeated Iva Majoli and Andrea Petkovic 6-4 6-2.

12.20PM: GAUFF V KOSTYUK QUARTER-FINAL NOTES

The primary of the quarter-finals is sort of right here – with fourth seed Coco Gauff up in opposition to Ukranian Marta Kostyuk on Rod Laver Area, after 1pm.

It will likely be an intriguing match-up, with the 2 having confronted simply as soon as earlier than – with Gauff prevailing on the hardcourts of Adelaide in 2022.

Gauff is aiming to turn into the primary participant since Naomi Osaka, in 2019-20, to win the US Open and Australian Open back-to-back.

However each are in unfamiliar territory, with in the present day’s match their first look within the Australian Open quarter-finals, and each will fancy their possibilities after watching the carnage of the ladies’s seeds over the previous 10 days.

Gauff can be a agency favorite, however don’t low cost Kostyuk, who owns three victories over high 10 gamers.

11.45AM: AUSSIE ICON’S CHEEKY SOCIAL MEDIA JAB

Morgan Riddle’s Vegemite wager has taken on new life, with the long-lasting Australian model reaching out to the girlfriend of Taylor Fritz.

Riddle had pledged to eat a jar of the unfold ought to Fritz take down Stefanos Tsitsipas and win via to the quarter-finals.

When he wrapped that problem up in straight units, Riddle tried to remain true to her phrase – and began out with a teaspoon of the black gold.

As anticipated, it didn’t go down properly, with Riddle heard dry-heaving within the background after rapidly shifting off digicam.

However Vegemite, noting {that a} spoonful of their product isn’t the proper option to eat it, reached out on Instagram.

“When you’re going to do it, a minimum of do it proper,” the model wrote.

“Australia, ideas?

11.10AM: ZVEREV FUMES OVER RUN-IN WITH SECURITY

Males’s sixth seed Alexander Zverev had some alternative phrases concerning the Australian Open safety – and never simply due to a pro-Palestine protester who dumped pamphlets throughout Margaret Courtroom Area throughout his fourth-round win over Cameron Norrie.

Zverev was particularly irritated by the strictness of safety within the gamers’ space, after being denied entry to the participant fitness center after his gruelling four-hour victory.

One of the recognisable gamers on the planet, Zverev was knocked again as a result of he had forgotten his participant accreditation.

“I went to the locker room, and the fitness center space is true subsequent to the locker room – they wouldn’t let me into the fitness center as a result of I forgot my credential within the locker room,” Zverev mentioned.

“What are you doing? You’re defending gamers from gamers. That’s not likely the entire level.

“It must be the place it’s already the quarterfinals and the gamers.

“Particularly there’s clearly screens and TVs all over the place in entrance of all the safety guys, in the event you’ve seen any person play for 4 and a half hours, it’s okay to go stretching within the fitness center, even in the event you forgot your credential.

“That’s not sounding boastful. I perceive they’re all doing their job.

“However I believe when one thing like this occurs, it shouldn’t be one other fan dragging the opposite individual out.

“It must be the safety guys that must be there fairly rapidly. It shouldn’t take them three, 4 minutes, that lengthy.”

10.30AM: ‘WORST ROOMMATE EVER’: FRITZ SPILLS THE BEANS

Forward of his huge quarter-final showdown with Novak Djokovic, American star Taylor Fritz has spilt the beans on the essential questions at this Australian Open.

Particularly, who’s the roommate of your nightmares?

Fritz – talking with Collingwood’s US-born star Mason Cox – had sort phrases for powerhouse Tommy Paul, who he described as a ‘clear freak’ in addition to being one in every of his shut mates.

However fellow American Francis Tiafoe was proven no mercy.

“He’s hilarious, at all times a great time,” Fritz mentioned of Tiafoe.

“However I’ve roomed with him many instances earlier than …. One of many worst roommates ever. He’s not the roommate you need.”

10.00AM: LIGHT AT END OF TUNNEL AFTER DEMON HEARTBREAK

– Rebecca Williams

Former Australian gamers John Millman and Alicia Molik stay assured Alex de Minaur has the sport to be a grand slam challenger as they predicted he might produce his greatest on grass at Wimbledon following his heartbreaking exit at Melbourne Park.

After de Minaur’s fourth-round exit in opposition to No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev on the Australian Open on Sunday, the Australian star nonetheless has simply the one quarter-final look to his title at grand slams.

De Minaur reached the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2020, however has since suffered 5 fourth-round exits, together with three at his dwelling grand slam at Melbourne Park.

Questions stay over whether or not the 24-year-old has the weapons in his recreation – significantly together with his serve – to match the gamers on the pointy finish of the world high 10 and put himself in rivalry to win a significant.

However former Billie Jean King Cup captain Molik, a quarter-finalist on the Australian Open in 2005, was adamant world No. 10 de Minaur was able to profitable a grand slam.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

9.30AM: TENNIS GOLDEN BOY ROASTED OVER AWKWARD INTERVIEW GAFFE

Rising celebrity Carlos Alcaraz got here underneath fireplace from ‘tennis Twitter’ after essentially the most awkward of post-match interviews seemingly uncovered his lack of information concerning the ladies’s tour.

After dispatching Miomir Kecmanovic in straight units, the world No. 2 was discussing his love of watching tennis – and made observe of present rivals Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev.

However when pressed by Jim Courier on which of the tour’s feminine stars he watches, Alcaraz was instantly stumped.

“I’m going to place you on the spot although, what about WTA?” Courier requested.

Alcaraz was much less forthcoming.

“I watch WTA as properly. I imply, once I can clearly,” Alcaraz mentioned.

“After I flip the TV on if it’s WTA, ATP, no matter. I like to observe it clearly.”

Social media was not sort to the younger star, with followers mocking the 20-year-old’s incapability to call one feminine star.

Later, in his official press convention, Alcaraz mentioned his favorite ladies’s participant was Emma Raducanu – and mentioned he’d fumbled in his on-court interview as a result of he’s ‘shy with women’.

“I used to be too shy to say it however my favorite participant is Raducanu,” he mentioned.

“I watched her first spherical match, it’s so good to see her again. I used to be afraid of the response from the general public. I’m shy with women.”

9.00AM: SABALENKA EAGER TO EMERGE FROM CARNAGE

Within the ladies’s draw, whereas many seeds have fallen by the wayside, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka’s title cost stays firmly on observe.

The Belarusian world quantity two tackles ever-consistent Czech star Barbora Krejcikova.

Sabalenka was ruthless in her fourth-round match and has conceded simply 11 video games thus far to place herself because the red-hot title favorite.

However she too is anticipating a extra thorough examination from ninth seed Krejcikova.

“Barbora, we performed a variety of matches. She performs rather well. I believe she’s coming again after accidents, so additionally super-motivated. All the time a troublesome battle,” she mentioned.

Awaiting the winner can be both US Open champion and fourth seed Coco Gauff or unseeded Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.

Like Sabalenka, Gauff is one other in participant in type and mentioned she had discovered from her expertise of profitable at Flushing Meadows final 12 months.

“Tremendous-happy to be on this place and be right here. Hopefully I can maintain going for extra,” she mentioned. – AFP

8.30AM: DJOKOVIC SET TO SWEAT IN TRICKY QUARTER-FINAL

Novak Djokovic will take the following step in his bid to win a rare eleventh Australian Open title in the present day, with a tough quarter-final to barter in Melbourne.

Serbian high seed Djokovic faces American twelfth seed Taylor Fritz in one of many day matches on Rod Laver Area – and will probably be on one of many hottest days of the match, with temperatures set to rise to 30 levels.

Djokovic, gunning for an eleventh title and document twenty fifth grand slam crown, ran rings round fourth-round opponent Adrian Mannarino, shedding simply three video games.

However he’s anticipating a tougher check from Fritz, who beat final 12 months’s finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas to arrange their afternoon showdown at Rod Laver Area.

“I’m actually excited to enter the second week. I look ahead to the battles as a result of clearly the opponents are higher-ranked,” mentioned the 36-year-old.

“I play Fritz. There’s no simple matches, little question about that.

“However the expertise of realizing what I have to do with my very own physique, with my coaching, with the sustaining of the type of stage, I suppose tennis-related specifics that I have to work on, and in addition restoration has been on level.”

The winner will meet both in-form Italian fourth seed Jannik Sinner or Russia’s fifth seed Andrey Rublev, who face off within the night.

Each are focusing on their first style of a Melbourne Park semi-final. – AFP

Initially printed as Australian Open day 10: Stay scores, all the most recent information from Melbourne Park