Key matches on day eight of the Australian Open
By Jon Healy
By Jon Healy
Aussies in action:
- Kim Birrell/John-Patrick Smith (WC) vs Demi Schuurs/Tim Pütz (7) fourth on 1573 Arena
- Luke Saville/Li Tu (WC) vs André Göransson/Sem Verbeek last on Rod Laver Arena
Centre court matches:
- Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs Mirra Andreeva (14) from 11:30am on Rod Laver Arena
- Coco Gauff (3) vs Belinda Bencic second on Rod Laver Arena
- Jack Draper (15) vs Carlos Alcaraz (3) not before 3:30pm on Rod Laver Arena
- Novak Djokovic (7) vs Jiří Lehečka (24) not before 7pm on Rod Laver Arena
Can Mirra Andreeva spring an upset and end Aryna Sabalenka’s stunning run?
By Jon Healy
By Jon Healy
On today’s ABC Tennis Podcast, John Millman says Mirra Andreeva is “a very tough match-up” for world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka has only lost one set in her past 17 matches at the Australian Open but was pushed into a tiebreak by Clara Tauson in the third round and is facing 17-year-old Andreeva, who challenged her at the Brisbane International a couple of weeks ago.
“It was straight sets [to Sabalenka] but that first set, to my eye, Mirra was the better player for most of it. She just couldn’t convert those break point opportunities,” Millman said.
“That’s gonna be a fun one today and I hope we see the best version of Andreeva because if we do, I’m not calling an upset, but she might give the top seed a scare.
John Alexander, reluctantly, picked Andreeva for an upset.
“It’s a very awkward match for Sabalenka, very awkward.”
25m agoSun 19 Jan 2025 at 12:00am
No sponsor, no problem for Aussie qualifier
By Jon Healy
By Jon Healy
If you thought some of Destanee Aiava’s on-court looks were familiar, you’d be right.
The world number 195 is without an apparel sponsor and thrifted her kit online, emulating outfits worn by former Australian Open champions Caroline Wozniacki and maria Sharapova, which even caught the eye of Vogue.
“I just loved what [Wozniacki and Sharapova] wore,” Aiava told BBC Sport, adding she prefers older designs compared to what is in stores now.
“I didn’t really think it would make any impact at all, me wearing the dresses. But I’m glad I did. It’s been fun bringing them back,” she added.
“I think even if you lose, it’s still kind of a fashion runway when you’re on the court.”
Here are all today’s singles matches
By Jon Healy
By Jon Healy
42m agoSat 18 Jan 2025 at 11:43pm
ICYMI: Here’s what happened on day seven
By Jon Healy
By Jon Healy
It started with a stirring win by Alex de Minaur and ended with public enemy number one Danielle Collins being sent packing.
Elsewhere, grand slam champions Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner coasted through, while husband and wife Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina advanced into the fourth round together for the first time in six years.
Check it all out in yesterday’s blog.
54m agoSat 18 Jan 2025 at 11:30pm
We’re into the pointy end of the Australian Open
By Jon Healy
By Jon Healy
It’s day eight at Melbourne Park and that means we’re approaching the halfway mark of the Australian Open.
The men’s and women’s singles fourth rounds start today, with top seed and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka up first on Rod Laver Arena against 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva.
Let’s get into it!
dan