The Australian Open continues as Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley look to proceed a robust begin for British gamers by reaching the third spherical.
British No 1 Draper faces a blockbuster conflict with Australian house favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis, whereas Fearnley – who beat Nick Kyrgios in his opening match – goals to proceed his rise towards Arthur Cazaux.
In the meantime, Jodie Burrage faces a tricky check towards World No 3 Coco Gauff, whereas Harriet Dart may even be the underdog when she performs Olympics runner-up and 18th seed Donna Vekic.
Elsewhere, there was a significant shock as final yr’s runner-up and Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng was knocked out by Laura Siegemund. Aryna Sabalenka continued her title defence with a sixteenth win in a row at Melbourne Park.
Novak Djokovic dropped a set to Portuguese qualifier however the 10-time Australian Open champion recovered to win in 4. It was extra straight-forward for Carlos Alcaraz, who breezed previous Yoshihito Nishioka in 81 minutes.
Observe all the newest motion from Melbourne Park under:
Australian Open: Jacob Fearnley 0-2 Arthur Cazaux*
The rain is again at Melbourne Park and Fearnley and Cazaux go away the court docket, which is now very moist certainly.
The few spots within the air have changed into a bathe. There can be no play on the surface courts till 8am GMT.
Jamie Braidwood15 January 2025 06:54
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic sees off qualifier to advance
Novak Djokovic noticed off the problem of Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria to succeed in the third spherical of the Australian Open, in what was the 37-year-old’s 430th grand slam singles match.
Djokovic takes the file forward of Roger Federer for all-time grand slam singles matches however the 21-year-old Faria made life tough for the 24-time grand slam champion.
Djokovic prevailed 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2 and was stuffed with reward for his younger opponent, ranked a hundred and twenty fifth on this planet.
“I believe I responded nicely within the third set and significantly the fourth. He was enjoying lights-out tennis on the finish of the second set and begin of the third and I needed to climate the storm.
“I informed him on the web, ‘the long run is brilliant for you so keep on’.”
Jamie Braidwood15 January 2025 06:53
Australian Open: Jacob Fearnley 0-2 Arthur Cazaux*
Break! Not the beginning Jacob Fearnley needed as Arthur Cazaux lands a deep return after which vegetation a backhand winner down the road to deliver up two break factors.
A double fault from Fearnley arms Cazaux the opening break.
Jamie Braidwood15 January 2025 06:49
Australian Open: *Jacob Fearnley 0-1 Arthur Cazaux
The rain has handed over Melbourne Park and we’re underway on Courtroom Six within the match between Fearnley and Cazaux.
Cazaux is being roared on by a contingent of French followers within the nook and holds his opening service recreation to like.
Jamie Braidwood15 January 2025 06:45
Australian Open: ‘Serve bot’ Carlos Alcaraz breezes by way of
Carlos Alcaraz required simply 81 minutes to thrash Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0 6-1 6-4 and attain the third spherical of the Australian Open.
The four-time grand slam champion, who’s making an attempt out a brand new service movement this season, thundered down 14 aces in the course of the straight-sets win.
“Am I a serve bot?” Alcaraz wrote on a digicam lens as he left the Margaret Courtroom Enviornment,
“I felt extra snug on it, sure. I believe the serve’s about confidence and emotions,” Alcaraz later mentioned.
“Right now I felt nice. The throw of the ball was nice at this time, which it helps so much within the serve at this time.”
Jamie Braidwood15 January 2025 06:43
Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka battles by way of to 3rd spherical
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka got here by way of a scare to beat Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and attain the third spherical, extending her successful run on the Australian Open to 16 matches.
The World No 1 made a comeback from 5-2 down within the second set and Bouzas Maneiro saved two match factors however Sabalenka finally closed out the 6-3 7-5 victory to succeed in the third spherical.
“She performed unimaginable tennis at this time and it was a very robust one,” Sabalenka mentioned. “I imply, I anticipated this tennis from her, so I’m actually glad that I used to be capable of win this match.
“I’m tremendous proud of the win in straight units, particularly towards somebody like her, who makes you’re employed for each level.”
Jamie Braidwood15 January 2025 06:40
Australian Open: Naomi Osaka passes large check with win over Karolina Muchova
Naomi Osaka handed certainly one of her largest checks since returning to tennis with a 1-6 6-1 6-3 victory over twentieth seed Karolina Muchova.
Osaka, who beat Caroline Garcia within the first spherical, got here from a set right down to beat a participant in Muchova who knocked her out of the US Open.
“It took all the pieces, I left all the pieces on the market on the court docket,” Osaka mentioned.
However the four-time grand slam winner’s draw doesn’t get any simpler and he or she performs former top-10 participant Belinda Bencic, who can be returning to tennis after giving beginning, within the third spherical.
Jamie Braidwood15 January 2025 06:36
Australian Open: Jacob Fearnley vs Arthur Cazaux
Sadly, it’s raining in Melbourne so there can be a delay to the beginning of Jacob Fearnley’s match towards Arthur Cazaux.
Each gamers have remained on court docket, so it appears to be like as if it is going to simply be a quick delay.
Jamie Braidwood15 January 2025 06:33
Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng crashes out in second spherical
Final yr’s overwhelmed Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng suffered a shock second-round exit.
The Chinese language star reached her first grand slam showpiece right here final yr earlier than occurring to win Olympic gold and set up herself as among the finest gamers on this planet.
However she got here unstuck towards German Laura Siegemund, a 36-year-old higher identified for her prowess in doubles, taking place 7-6 (3) 6-3.
“I believe not a lot to say as a result of I attempted what I can do throughout this match,” mentioned Zheng. “I really feel possibly at this time is just not my day. There’s lots of particulars in the details. I didn’t do the precise alternative.”
Jamie Braidwood15 January 2025 06:33
Who’s Jacob Fearnley? Stage-headed Scot continues unimaginable rise at Australian Open
Jacob Fearnley returns to motion because the 23-year-old Scot faces Frenchman Arthur Cazaux for a spot within the third spherical.
Fearnley was the World No 646 this time final yr however shot up the rankings after turning skilled final season, breaking into the world’s high 100 to qualify for the Melbourne grand slam.
Jamie Braidwood15 January 2025 06:23