Key events
Djokovic and Lehecka are out; Hunbert has consolidated to lead Zverev 4-2 in the second and he’s hit a bit of a purple patch, now up 30-40. And he swings a big lefty forehand deep, Zverev just about gets it back and, pinned to the line he’s forced to go for a big forehand winner, hitting wide! Humbert has the double-break and will shortly serve to level the match at a set apiece! Is this his time?
Humbert has indeed broken Zverev and now trails 1-6 3-2. This is a proper match now; at 26, one might’ve expected Humbert to have done something by now, if he was ever going to, but he’s improved a lot the last year or two so now could be the time he breaks through.
Lehecka is a really clean ball-striker with a big serve and forehand, able to run for decades; not dissimilar to Tomas Machac, whom Djokovic battered on Friday.
Thanks Jonathan and hi everyone – I’m looking forward to this. On Cain, Humbert is making a better fist of set two against Zverev, giving him fits on serve at 1-6 2-2 while, on Laver, Djokovic and Lehecka will soon be with us. The Czech’s power-game might just cause a few problems…
Jonathan Howcroft
Thank you for joining me this afternoon. It’s been a blinding day of tennis, now to see you through the evening it’s over to Daniel Harris.
Make that 27 minutes and 6-1. Alexander Zverev is one set up over Ugo Humbert. The second seed has yet to drop a set this week and looks on course to meet Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.
It’s taken just 24 minutes for Alexander Zverev to race to a 5-1 lead over Ugo Humbert. The second seed is cruising.
In case you’re just waking up in the UK, the big news is Jack Draper was forced to retire after going two sets down to Carlos Alcaraz in their fourth round match. Tumaini Carayol was courtside in Rod Laver Arena.
Across from a special young player on the path towards an all-time greatness, Draper’s brilliant Australian Open run ended with a retirement in the fourth round as he was defeated 7-5, 6-1 ret. by Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday afternoon.
Even in defeat, Draper ends his tournament having taken one of the most significant steps forward in his young career to date. After struggling with so many physical issues throughout his short time on tour, he found a way through three consecutive five-set matches, demonstrating his improved durability and stamina in the process.
Unfortunately for Humbert fans, the Frenchman has just been broken. Alexander Zverev takes an early 2-1 lead.
Ugo Humbert (14) has just opened proceedings on John Cain Arena with a service hold to 30 against Alexander Zverev (2).
We’ll keep that one in the background as attention will soon turn to Novak Djokovic.
If you missed any action earlier on in the women’s singles, Tumaini Carayol has you covered.
On Sunday, Sabalenka extended her dominant run in Melbourne by dismantling Mirra Andreeva 6-1, 6-2. Now three wins away from becoming the first woman in 26 years to win three Australian Open titles, Sabalenka has won her last 24 sets at the tournament, a streak dating back to her three set victory over Elena Rybakina in the 2023 final.
Sabalenka has also established a remarkable level of consistency at the grand slam tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals of the last nine grand slams she has contested. The 26-year-old Belarusian will be attempting to reach her eighth semi-final during this run.
Gauff endured a considerably more challenging day on Rod Laver Arena as she recovered from a set down to defeat Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, ending the Swiss player’s brilliant run in her first grand slam tournament since giving birth to her daughter, Bella. Gauff has now won her first nine matches of the professional tennis season.
Just to put that into context, Medvedev’s career earnings before the Australian Open (prize money only) is US $45,126,978. And he earned AU $200,000 for making the second round.
This lull gives us chance to update you on some disciplinary action handed to Daniil Medvedev earlier today. Courtesy of AAP:
The three-time Melbourne Park runner-up was hit with a series of fines incurred during the first and second rounds.
Medvedev was slugged with a US $10,000 fine ($A16,000) for demolishing a tiny camera hanging in the net by repeatedly smacking it with his racquet during a surprisingly difficult, five-set, first-round win over Thailand’s world No.418 Kasidit Samrej.
The 2021 US Open champion was also penalised a point during his second-round loss to 19-year-old American qualifier Learner Tien for showing similar signs of frustration. He was fined US $66,000 ($A106,500) for second-round code violations.
After being broken to trail 4-3 in the second set, when Tien delivered a lob that landed at the baseline, Medvedev threw his racquet toward the sideline, skidding it across the court until it reached an advertising panel near his bench. At other moments of anger, Medvedev hit a ball against the back wall, toppled a camera behind a baseline and punched his racket bag. He also voiced displeasure about being called for two consecutive foot-faults, resulting in a double-fault, during the second-set tiebreaker.
His fines totalled $US76,000 ($A122,500).
Runner-up to Novak Djokovic in 2021, to Rafael Nadal in 2022 and to Jannik Sinner last year, Medvedev was seeded fifth this campaign. But the former world No.1 never came close to finding his best form, in his first tournament of the season after his wife recently gave birth to their second child.
With The AP.
We are briefly singles-less at Melbourne Park, with Djokovic not on Rod Laver Arena until 7pm, and the next match on Margaret Court Arena still a few minutes away. That will be Ugo Humbert (14) v Alexander Zverev (2).
Next up for Alcaraz is the winner of Novak Djokovic (7) v Jiri Lehecka (24). If it is the Spaniard v the Serbian it will be the first real blockbuster of the men’s draw, and perhaps the most eagerly anticipated match-up in men’s tennis.
The third seed will likely need to play more controlled tennis as the stakes rise. Physically he looks in incredible shape, and his movement all week has been breathtaking, but his new serve was unreliable in the first set against Draper, and many of his 28 unforced errors were the product of rash decisions in a bid to shorten points that were always his for the taking.
Alcaraz has shared his thoughts on court:
It’s not the way I want to win. I’m just happy, obviously, to play a quarter final here in Australia. But a little bit sad for Jack. He doesn’t deserve to get injured. He couldn’t prepare at the start of the season. I couldn’t because of an injury as well. I’m sad for him. I’m pretty sure he’ll come back stronger. I just want to wish him a speedy recovery.
I’m just happy with the level I’m playing on the court and feeling really comfortable here in Australia. Physically I’m feeling great, you know, coming to the second week of the Grand Slam.
Carlos Alcaraz (3) beats Jack Draper (15) 7-5 6-1 Ret
Two sets to love down, and having called the trainer after the first set, Jack Draper calls it quits. You can hardly blame him. Three five-setters in a row, and facing Alcaraz in these conditions is a punishing assignment.
The third seed marches on.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (5-7, 1-6, 0-0): The first set took an hour, the second half that, but the outcome of both is the same. Carlos Alcaraz looks destined for the quarter finals.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (5-7, 1-5): For the first time this set Draper looks weary. Alcaraz moves up 0-30 with ease then 15-40 with a wicked forehand crosscourt pass. The double break is inevitable as Draper pulls up short. The 15th seed is stiff legged as he retrieves his towel.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (5-7, 1-4): Alcaraz’s unforced error count does not make for pretty reading. A tighter performance and the Spaniard may already be into the quarter finals, but as it is he’s forced to grind from 15-30 for the hold. His serve has returned this second set though, up to 83% first serves in for the third seed with 80% of points won behind it.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (5-7, 1-3): Draper staggers to 30-30, then has Alcaraz on the ropes, only to slap a forehand into the net. A well constructed point behind a rare first serve brings deuce but a crisp backhand winner earns Alcaraz a second break point. Draper saves it again, with a massive amount of fortune as a drop shot lands on the net and dribbles into his opponent’s court.
He looks set to serve out the hold but Alcaraz’s athleticism denies him. Following a strong wide serve, Draper comes into the net and has a put-away volley, only to watch the Spaniard dash and retrieve the shot and place it agonisingly out of reach. The Briton sticks to his guns though and finds a backhand overhead to kill the game.
Draper is fighting hard just to stay in this contest. Alcaraz looks like he could rip it open any moment.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (5-7, 0-3): The first real enforcing service hold of the match from Alcaraz consolidates the break. Draper is up against it.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (5-7, 0-2): There’s a fine line between assertiveness and recklessness, and Alcaraz is perhaps on the wrong side of it as Draper moves up 30-0 with his opponent swinging for the fences. The Briton makes a couple of soft errors to bring Alcaraz back into the game, then overhits a backhand crosscourt for break point. Again the Spaniard is desperate to force proceedings instead of letting the point unfold and a rash forehand leads to deuce.
A much better rally draws an error from Draper for a second break point, and this time a couple of fearsome forehands – the first inside-out, the second across the body – convert the opening. Alcaraz has taken an early stranglehold on this set.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (5-7, 0-1): There’s little evidence yet of Draper’s specific ailment, but Alcaraz is determined to test it out, moving him side to side, but a couple of soft unforced errors keep things alive at 30-30. Deuce emerges blinking into the light without any great intent, before Alcaraz finds his first serve to hold and resume his ascendancy following the break in play.
Nearly ten minutes between points, but Draper is back on court.
Tommy Paul (12) beats Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1 6-1 6-1
Meanwhile, Tommy Paul is the first man through to the quarter finals with a cakewalk over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The 12th seed will face the winner of Ugo Humbert v Alexander Zverev, which gets underway shortly.
That first set lasted bang on an hour, and in searing dry heat, which is not what Draper needed following his three consecutive five-set matches.
Medical Timeout: The trainer has been called to assess Draper at the change of ends. The 15th seed is pointing to both his right quad and left hip, and leaves the court for a full assessment. Alcaraz wanders over to his box to chat to his four-strong coaching panel, led by Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (5-7, 0-0): Alcaraz is profiting from his drop shots. He’s used the tactic often already, testing out Draper’s five-set legs, and it helps him to move up 0-30 before an unnecessarily aggressive forehand brings his opponent into the game. Draper returns the gift, hammering a routine forehand miles long to bring up two set points.
He saves the first with a rare venture to the net, but he’s powerless against one of the shots of the match so far, a running forehand pass that curves and dips wickedly past the advancing Briton. It took a couple of games longer than expected, but Alcaraz has his nose in front on Rod Laver Arena.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (5-6): Coming into this game Alcaraz has 19 unforced errors to Draper’s six, and it becomes 21 when a wild forehand goes wide for 0-30. This has been a rapid descent from the Spaniard.
Two big first serves level the scores, then Draper sends a framer high up into the bleachers and misses a second serve return. Alcaraz lets out a hearty roar in recognition of a necessary hold.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (5-5): At the change of ends Alcaraz has a whinge at the chair umpire about when he’s starting the shot clock, complaining Fergus Murphy is pushing the button too soon considering the need to find towels in the hot conditions. His mood isn’t improved as Draper holds to 30. From 2-5 to 5-5 and now all the pressure on the Alcaraz serve.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz* (3) (4-5): Serving for the set, Alcaraz lobs down his fourth, and then fifth, double faults of the match to fall 15-30 behind. Another drop shot gets him out of jail, but an unforced error on his forehand side gifts Draper an unlikely break point. AND DRAPER BREAKS BACK when Alcaraz slices a backhand weakly into the net. That was not what I expected, but both men are serving so poorly I guess anything can happen.
Both seeds are hovering around 50% for first serves, with Alcaraz also contending with five double points.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (3-5): Alcaraz returning serve is more aggressive and threatening than Draper serving – even with new balls. The Spaniard moves up 15-30, moving his opponent around with ease, but a couple of big first serves rescue the 15th seed. Deuce beckons with Alcaraz advancing to the net behind a powerful groundstroke, only for Draper to pull out a wonder shot, on the stretch wide to the forehand side, that becomes a crosscourt passing shot winner. He’s a fighter.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (2-5): Alcaraz moves up 30-0 with a blistering inside-out forehand, a fluid stroke that shows he’s finding his rhythm. Draper responds with a clean forehand return winner to stay in it at 40-15, then repeats the trick on the backhand side for 40-30. It’s all in vain though as the latest put-away volley consolidates the earlier break.
Alcaraz is moving through the gears. Draper has his work cut out keeping pace.
Draper* (15) v Alcaraz (3) (2-4): This match is definitely on Alcaraz’s racket. He is so aggressive returning serve and so good at moving Draper around the court, looking smooth and powerful in the process, compared to Draper’s reactive scurrying. 15-40 arrives in a flash with the third seed going through his repertoire – especially at the net – before Draper slashes a forehand wide to concede the break. This looks ominous, especially if the Spaniard can find his first serve.
Tommy Paul (12) won the opening set against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1, and he’s taken the second by the same scoreline.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (2-3): This is not Ivo Karlovic v John Isner. Both men are serving under 50% at the start of this contest.
Alcaraz sends down a double fault to slide to 0-30, then another to drop to 15-40. He recovers behind a heavy first serve then a controlled baseline exchange before moving ahead. The Spaniard is eager to dominate the court, happy to come into the net and look to assert himself on his opponent. It allows him to time a beautiful drop shot, too good for Draper’s weary quads, and secure an awkward hold.
Draper* (15) v Alcaraz (3) (2-2): The Briton is really struggling to find a first serve, so he can do without Alcaraz benefitting from a net cord to move up 0-15. Then a couple of unforced errors gift the Spaniard two break points. Draper saves the first, then Alcaraz is millimetres out with an aggressive backhand return down the line.
An ace at deuce steadies the ship then a forehand winner behind the third seed confirms the second tricky hold.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (1-2): Alcaraz holds to 15. I fear for Draper and his heavy legs.
Draper (15)* v Alcaraz (3) (1-1): Draper gets to 30-15 but it could easily be 0-40 with Alcaraz on the attack from the off, only to miss his targets with a couple of near-winners. But that intensity tells on Draper who doubles faults and looks off the pace in a long rally only for Alcaraz to hit a drop shot into the net. Draper’s first first-serve doesn’t arrive until his sixth effort, but Alcaraz is ready and pounds a clean return winner, then earns break point with some beautiful hands at the net.
Draper saves the break with a high bouncing second serve, but he’s soon up against it again with Alcaraz turning defence into attack on the backhand side before thumping a forehand winner down the line.
Draper saves a second time, executing a beautifully disguised drop shot to catch Alcaraz off guard, then benefits from a couple of cheap points to exit the game. That was a real statement of intent from the third seed, but Draper gets through unscathed.
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (0-1): The third seed holds to 30 in his opening service game. Draper’s first point came courtesy of a rally repeatedly targeting the Spaniard’s backhand until he forced an error. Something to keep an eye on. There’s a double fault from Alcaraz, who wins 100% behind his first serves, but only lands 3/6.
Tommy Paul (12) has cruised to the opening set against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1.
Draper and Alcaraz are out on Rod Laver Arena warning up. Draper is all in white, Alcaraz is in teal with his massive guns out, both are sporting lemon yellow kicks that I would very much enjoy wearing.
Just a reminder that Draper has spent over six hours on court more than Alcaraz this week. All three of the 15th seed’s victories have been in five sets, whereas the third seed barely broke sweat for a couple of rounds before Nuno Borges pinches a tiebreak a couple of days ago.
The top half of the women’s draw is now down to four seeded players:
Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (27)
Coco Gauff (3) v Paula Badosa (11)
I’ll keep that one simmering in the background, but my main focus soon will be Jack Draper (15) v Carlos Alcaraz (3). It’s a match-up Tumaini Carayol is all over.
Draper’s determination and guts have earned him a meeting with the Spaniard on one of the sport’s biggest stages. As he has shown in their previous matches, there is no doubt Draper has the weapons and athleticism to challenge Alcaraz. In 2022, a lifetime ago for both players, Alcaraz defeated Draper 7-5 in the third set indoors in Basel. After retiring from their match at Indian Wells a year later, Draper toppled Alcaraz at Queen’s last year. Draper has been the favourite in his first three matches but in Melbourne he must try to play with more freedom against the number three seed.
The only singles match on court for the time being is Tommy Paul (12) v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Margaret Court Arena. The American has broken the Spaniard’s opening service game to take the early ascendancy.
“Leave it all out there on the court,” is Coco Gauff’s parting message, and one she lived up to this afternoon.
Reflecting on the opening set the third seed was phlegmatic, focussing on the process and speaking to her box that they acknowledge she isn’t going to win every set or every match even if she plays well.
Coco Gauff (3) beats Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1
Coco Gauff finishes in style, winning one of the points of the match with a mesmerising all-volleyed rally at the net after showing off her incredible speed to reach a drop shot. It’s been a superb recovery since dropping the opening set, powering over the top of the tiring Bencic, who has given this tournament so much on her return from maternity leave.
Gauff will play Paula Badosa in the next round, with a mouthwatering clash against Aryna Sabalenka the likely prize.
Gauff (3) v Bencic* (5-7, 6-2, 5-1): Bencic is broken to 15. Her spirit is all but extinguished. Gauff’s endurance is telling late on in these conditions.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (27) beats Donna Vekic (18) 7-6 [7-0] 6-0)
The 33 year old veteran is through to face Aryna Sabalenka. It’ll be her ninth major quarter final, but she’s only passed that stage once before.
Gauff (3)* v Bencic (5-7, 6-2, 4-1): Coco Gauff’s court coverage is unbelievable. Not for the first time today she is quickly onto a backhand crosscourt that would ordinarily be a clean winner, wrapping her racket around the ball and sending it back in court outside the net post, inside the umpire’s throne. Bencic can only rest her forehead on her racket and suck in the hot air, disbelieving of the athleticism on the other side of the net. The third seed holds to 30.
Gauff (3) v Bencic* (5-7, 6-2, 3-1): Both women are happy to trade forehands, unfamiliar in a tournament with a strong strategic lean to targeting the backhand wing. Each stumble in their own ways to 30-30, then Bencic swipes long to concede a break point. Jelena Dokic on commentary is concerned the Swiss is losing pace in her groundstrokes, which is not a good sign against a player with Gauff’s court coverage.
She escapes the break after Gauff fails to execute the forehand winner after a blistering backhand return, then wins the next point cheaply behind a strong first serve. An agonising net cord lands on the server’s side with a backhand down the line winner begging to be struck, and the misfortune tells a point later when Bencic this time fails to fully commit to an inside-out forehand that lands wide. Gauff is jigging on the baseline ready for the moment – and a third unforced error in a row hands the third seed the break.
That felt significant. Bencic needs a burst of energy from somewhere.
Paula Badosa (11) beats Olga Danilovic 6-1 7-6 [7-2]
The 11th seed recovers from 2-5 down in the second seed to reach the quarter finals in straight sets. The former world No 2 will face the winner of Gauff v Bencic.
Gauff (3)* v Bencic (5-7, 6-2, 2-1): Gauff moves to 0-30 with a magnificent point. Both players trade heavy forehands before the American finds an angle acuter than Moo Deng. Bencic scampers to force an extra shot in the rally but the third seed is ready to pounce. At 40-0 Gauff serves her seventh double fault of the afternoon then seals the deal behind a second serve.
Gauff (3) v Bencic* (5-7, 6-2, 1-1): Bencic holds from 30-30. This is one is a coin toss.
