Alize Cornet, world no.59, criticised the decision to postpone this year’s Roland Garros tournament by a week – now starting on May 30 – given the impact it will then have on the rest of the tennis calendar: which includes shortening this summer’s grasscourt season by a week.
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Naomi Osaka (#3) clinched her fourth Grand Slam title and second Australian Open triumph with a 6-4, 6-3 win against first-time finalist Jennifer Brady (#22), while extending her win streak to 21 straight. As a result, she becomes the first female to win four singles titles since Maria Sharapova in 2012, and youngest to do so since Monica Seles won the Australian Open in 1992.
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Naomi Osaka (#3) recovered from a sluggish start, down an early break and needing to save points to avoid a 3-0 deficit, to beat Serena Williams 6-3, 6-4 in an hour 15 minutes as fans returned, watching in awe as the 23-year-old once again put her idol’s aspirations for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title on ice – booking another Final appearance this weekend. Continue reading
World number one Ashleigh Barty was stunned in three sets against Karolina Muchova (#25), second seed Rafael Nadal relinquished a two-set advantage as Stefanos Tsitsipas (#5) ended his tournament after a gruelling four-hour battle, while there were big wins for Daniil Medvedev (#4) and Jennifer Brady (#22) elsewhere on another unpredictable day of tennis in Melbourne.
A Naomi Osaka vs Serena Williams semi-final is set in stone for Thursday after both were comfortable winners during their respective matchups, Aslan Karatsev’s record-breaking run in Melbourne has continued at an injured Grigor Dimitrov’s expense while defending champion Novak Djokovic recovered from a set down to beat Alexander Zverev in a chaotic four-set clash.
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Casper Ruud was forced to retire midway through his first fourth-round match at a Grand Slam, no. 9 seed Matteo Berrettini didn’t take to court against Stefanos Tsitsipas (#5) with a worsening abdominal strain while Karolina Muchova (#25) recovered from 5-2 down in the first set to stun Belgium’s Elise Mertens – but also has a pre-existing ab injury and was wincing mid-match.
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Naomi Osaka (#3) saved two match points, world no. 2 Simona Halep set up an exciting quarter-final clash vs. Serena Williams after both earned gritty three-set wins over Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka respectively. Elsewhere, Aslan Karatsev’s historic run continued against all odds while Novak Djokovic continued his unbeaten H2H streak at Milos Raonic’s expense.
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There were routine victories for Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev, Matteo Berrettini had an injury scare but managed to outlast Karen Khachanov in three tight sets. That was before Rafael Nadal and world number one Ashleigh Barty found ways to grit past tricky challenges in the night session, booking their respective places into the second week in Melbourne. Continue reading
Day 5 was one not to be missed, as Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams and more navigated past potentially tricky matchups while there were surprises on the men’s side of the draw as Aslan Karatsev was ruthlessly efficient in toppling Diego Schwartzman (#8), Kyrgios-Thiem certainly lived up to the hype and an injured Novak Djokovic closed the show in dramatic circumstances. Continue reading
Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas needed all five sets to outlast home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis, who again proved he can hang with the world’s best at this level – despite his injuries. Before, there was a tearful exit for defending champion Sofia Kenin while top seed Ashleigh Barty survived a scare to beat wildcard Daria Gavrilova and Elina Svitolina beat teenager Cori Gauff. Continue reading
Day 3 was eventful: defending champion Novak Djokovic was pushed in a memorable first encounter against Frances Tiafoe, while world no. 2 Simona Halep and hometown favourite Nick Kyrgios produced gutsy comebacks to cap an action-packed night session after more seeded players fell, including Slam champions Bianca Andreescu (#8) and Petra Kvitova (#9). Continue reading
Defending champion Sofia Kenin wasn’t satisfied but crucially got the job done, while there were comfortable wins for Cori Gauff, Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nadal and some surprising results too – David Goffin, Victoria Azarenka and Johanna Konta all crashed out on Day 2. Continue reading
