Australian Open 2023 day 6 reside scores, outcomes, schedule and order of play, Alex de Minaur, Novak Djokovic

An old-fashioned brawler, the Scotsman by no means makes excuses when he loses, however he has each proper to be fuming after his third spherical exit as a result of he didn’t have an opportunity.

Bodily exhausted after his earlier match towards Thanasi Kokkinakis completed at 4.05 am the morning earlier than, Murray simply couldn’t muster the vitality to mount a sustained problem towards the a lot brisker Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday.

He tried as exhausting as he may however the consequence was as predictable as everybody knew it might be, with the Spanish baseliner posting a 6-1 6-7 6-3 6-4 victory on the Margaret Courtroom Enviornment.

1 / 4-finalist on the Australian Open 4 years in the past, Bautista Agut performed so effectively that he might need received regardless, however this was not a good combat and may by no means be allowed to occur once more.

Aged 35 and taking part in with a substitute metallic hip, Sir Andy is as courageous as they arrive so refused to throw within the towel.

His efficiency over three and a half hours was actually inspirational stuff however the sight of him hobbling in ache across the courtroom was additionally deeply distressing and exhausting to observe.

Australian Open officers owe Murray an apology as a result of the farcical scheduling that led to his all-nighter ruined his title championship hopes and must be mounted so no-one else suffers the identical destiny.

Australian Open organisers like to boast about how many individuals undergo the turnstiles every night time however one statistic they preserve quiet about is the devastating affect the late finishes have on the opponents concerned in them.

In Murray’s case, the historical past books confirmed he was cooked even earlier than he went on courtroom for his third spherical.

There have been 5 matches performed on the Australian Open — together with Murray’s epic towards Kokkinakis on Thursday – which have ended after 2.10am.

And on every event, the winner has fallen over within the very subsequent spherical.

In 2008, Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt beat Marcos Baghdatis in a marathon match that ended at 4.34 am. Hewitt misplaced his subsequent match towards Novak Djokovic in straight units.

In 2007, Andreas Seppi beat Bobby Reynolds in a match that lasted till 3:34 am solely to lose to Florian Mayer within the subsequent spherical.

Final yr, Adrian Mannarino sealed his method over Asian Karatsev at 2:33 am then went all the way down to Rafa Nadal the subsequent day.

In 2009, Djokovic defeated Baghdatis at 2:26 am however couldn’t even full his subsequent match towards Roddick, retiring within the fourth set.

Murray spent 14 hours and three minutes on courtroom throughout his three matches this yr so did an incredible job simply to win a set towards Bautista Agut, who joined in applauding the Scotsman as he trudged off courtroom to a standing ovation.

“All the time taking part in Andy at a Grand Slam could be very robust. He is aware of the sport very effectively, he is aware of very effectively tips on how to play a Grand Slam match,” the Spaniard mentioned.

“I‘m very pleased with how I held the nerves and pressure. I’m very pleased with the win. There was quite a lot of love for Andy.”

11.24PM LINETTE WINS FIRST SET

Poland’s Magda Linette takes the primary set 6-3 towards nineteenth seed Alexandrova Ekaterina.

11.20PM POPYRIN TIPS SHELTON FOR TOP 10

Alexei Popyrin has heaped reward on his Australian Open conqueror Ben Shelton, saying the American has the expertise to change into a top-10 participant inside six months.

Talking after a straight-sets loss to the big-serving American, Popyrin mentioned Shelton’s degree may match the perfect gamers on this planet.

“Yeah, effectively, truthfully if that is the way in which he performs day in, time out, the man is prime 10 in six months,” Popyrin mentioned.

“I don’t assume he may have performed… Perhaps he may play higher than the way in which he performed right now, but when he continues taking part in the way in which he performed like this, then he’s a power to be reckoned with, truthfully.

“He hit the strains. He averages second serves at 190. Not a lot you are able to do when it comes to attacking a second serve.

“If he performs like this…It makes it even more durable that he’s a lefty. I don’t assume I did a lot fallacious.

“I believe after I had my probability, he performed them out. Particularly I’m trying again on the three-all within the second set. He hits the web tape.

“If that had rolled onto the opposite facet, onto his facet, I believe issues would have been somewhat bit totally different. I in all probability would have relaxed somewhat bit, began holding my serve simpler.”

STILL TO COME

Madga Linette and Ekaterina Alexandra have the late match tonight. They’re on courtroom warming up with the winner to fulfill Caroline Garcia within the fourth spherical.

10.41PM MURRAY OUT, BAUTISTA AGUT WINS!

Andy Murray’s courageous Australian Open combat is over. Roberto Bautista Agut prevails 6-1 6-7 6-3 6-4 to maneuver into the fourth spherical. Murray spent 14 hours and three minutes on courtroom in his three video games and was concerned within the two longest matches of the event so far.

10.22PM DJOKOVIC WINS

He was examined, particularly within the first set, however Novak Djokovic is off to the fourth spherical to face Alex de Minaur.

The Serbian defeated Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 6-3 6-4 in a match that spanned greater than three hours.

10.10PM RECORD ATTENDANCE

A report 93,709 spectators flooded by the gates at Melbourne Park right now, the best day/night time attendance within the historical past of the Australian Open. I knew it regarded busy exterior however wow, that’s an enormous quantity.

10.08PM BAUTISTA AGUT BREAKS BACK

On serve once more within the fourth set because the Spaniard rallies and instantly takes again Murray’s benefit.

10.02PM MURRAY BREAKS IN FOURTH SET

Andy Murray virtually grimaced when he broke Bautista Agut simply then. How is he bodily doing this? He seems completely spent but in some way leads 2-0 within the fourth set. If he goes to 5, I’ve received no concept how he’s going to maintain pushing.

9.55PM FART STOPS PLAY

Sure, you learn that headline proper.

Not a lot was going to cease Aryna Sabalenka’s cost right now however she needed to pause briefly after somebody let one rip within the crowd.

Sabalenka was serving for the match at 5-3 within the second set agianst Elise Mertens when an audible fart was heard within the crowd.

There’s in all probability no worse time to tear one than in a silent tennis stadium.

The group erupted in laughter earlier than one of many commentators described it as “somebody type of undescribable noise from the group”.

One fan tweeted imaginative and prescient of the incident and mentioned: “nah did somebody within the crowd simply rip one earlier than Sabalenka’s serve???”

Sure, we predict they did.

9.45PM BAUTISTA AGUT BREAKS MURRAY RESOLVE

Bautista Agut will serve for the third set after breaking Andy Murray to take a 5-3 lead.

9.33PM GARCIA STAGES INCREDIBLE FIGHTBACK

No.4 seed Caroline Garcia is into the fourth spherical of the Australian Open after staging an unimaginable fightback towards Laura Siegemund.

After dropping the primary set 1-6, Garcia rallied to take the subsequent two units 6-3 6-3.

She’ll subsequent face both Magda Linette or Ekaterina Alexandrova.

9.22PM DJOKER SEALS SECOND SET

Novak Djokovic clinches the second set 6-3 towards Grigor Dimitrov.

9.15PM POPYRIN OUT

Alexei Popyrin has gone down in straight units to Ben Shelton.

9.07PM STOSUR’S CAREER OVER AFTER MIXED DOUBLES LOSS

Sam Stosur’s tennis profession is formally over after the Australian nice crashed out of the combined doubles on Saturday night time.

The 38-year-old took to Courtroom 3 with Matthew Ebden – the mix that made final yr’s Wimbledon combined doubles ultimate – however fell to Demi Schuurs and Nikola Mektic in 74 minutes.

The Aussies misplaced the deciding tremendous tiebreak 10-6 after the pairs have been degree at one-set all.

The curtain has formally fallen on Stosur’s embellished profession after she was additionally eradicated from the ladies’s doubles this week.

The Queenslander introduced on the eve of the event that her twenty first Australian Open can be her final.

Stosur bows out a singles US Open champion (2011) and with 5 doubles slams to her title.

“It’s exhausting to assume that it’s over now, however simply….thanks,” Stosur mentioned.

8.59PM MURRAY OFF THE CANVAS

That is simply unimaginable from Andy Murray. He was down a break, down a number of factors within the tiebreak and has in some way rallied to take the second set 7-6 towards Roberto Bautista Agut. The group on Margaret Courtroom Enviornment are going completely wild for him too.

8.41PM SHELTON TAKES SECOND SET

Alexei Popyrin is in bother after shedding a second-set tiebreak to Ben Shelton.

8.36PM MEDICAL TIMEOUT FOR DJOKER

Novak’s troublesome leg is being checked out throughout the break. It’s closely strapped however he’ll play on.

8.32PM DJOKER TAKES FIRST SET IN 77 MINUTES

That was some end to the primary set between Novak and Grigor. If that’s what we’re in for, it’s going to be a superb night time. Dimitrov broke again for 5-5, saved three set factors after which had probabilities to win the set himself. It ended up a tiebreakwhere Novak took the initiative, just for Dimitrov to deliver it again to 6-6. Djokovic prevailed 9-7 and ended up on his haunches after finishing a volley, which tells you all you must learn about how frantic the final 20 minutes or so have been!

8.22PM MURRAY BREAKS BACK

The place did that come from? Why would we write off Andy Murray? The Brit breaks again and it’s 4-4 within the second. Large!

8.20PM STOSUR IN BOX SEAT TO CONTINUE CAREER

Sam Landsberger

There may be life left in Sam Stosur’s skilled profession with the Aussie nice on monitor to progress to the second spherical within the combined doubles.

Stosur, 38, introduced final week that her twenty first Australian Open can be her final and after falling within the first spherical of the ladies’s doubles her final hope was with Matthew Ebden.

Stosur and Ebden reached the Wimbledon combined doubles ultimate collectively final yr and lead Demi Schuurs and Nikola Mektic 6-4 on Courtroom 3.

8.15PM ‘HARD TO WATCH’: FANS WORRY FOR MURRAY

After spending greater than 10 hours on courtroom within the first two rounds, the indicators are displaying for Andy Murray.

He isn’t transferring with the identical vitality as he did towards Thanasi Kokkinakis which you’ll perceive after yesterday’s 4am end.

Emma Fory tweeted Murray’s efficiency was “exhausting to observe”, whereas one other mentioned: “The late schedule has ruined this for him.”

Murray misplaced the primary set 6-1 and is down a break 4-3 within the second.

8.10PM DIMITROV BREAKS BACK

Novak Djokovic fails to transform three set factors and Gregor Dimitrov ranges at 5-5 within the first set. Wow!

8.10PM POPYRIN MAKES CRUCIAL HOLD

Ben Shelton squanders three break factors within the fifth sport of the second set and Alexei Popyrin holds to maintain in at 3-2 on serve. Jim Courier says on Channel 9 it might be a “kickstarter” for the Aussie.

8.05PM AROUND THE COURTS

Novak Djokovic serving for the primary set towards Gregor Dimitrov, Andy Murray is down a break within the scond set after dropping the primary and Caroline Garcia is combating again within the second set towards Laura Siegemund after shedding the primary 6-1.

8PM THE 210KM/H PROBLEM FACING POPYRIN

Already regraded as one of many greatest servers left within the Australian Open males’s draw, Ben Shelton has cranked it up a number of notches tonight.

The American’s common serve within the event has been 198km/h however tonight he has averaged an electrical 210km/h tonight.

In commentary on Channel 9, Jim Courier mentioned: “I imply this man has received of the massive deliveries on tour and he’s bringing it right now.

“So, look, for Popyrin he had his probability early. He didn’t get it. The factor he ought to keep in mind, this man Shelton is taking part in out of his thoughts.

“His common serve pace right now in comparison with his first two rounds is up 12km. Simply to place that in context, final yr on tour the quickest serve in males’s tennis throughout the yr’s common was 209km. That man is seven ft tall Reilly Opelka.

“And he’s not a leftie which additionally makes it more durable. So, for those who’re Alexei you must simply be affected person and wait in your probabilities, watch for Shelton’s degree to come back off. That’s what greatest of 5 permits you.”

FAN COLLAPSE HALTS POPYRIN BLOCKBUSTER

Sam Landsberger

Alexei Popyrin’s serve was briefly disrupted by a spectator collapsing within the crowd earlier than he collapsed to a 6-3 deficit towards little-known American Ben Shelton.

Play was halted when Popyrin was able to serve as a result of straight behind his opponent ushers hurried down the aisle, sitting on the steps for a number of video games.

The delay was temporary and workers on the radio have been instructed the spectator was OK. However Popyrin’s sport was in poor health in comparison with his breakout victory towards No.8 seed Taylor Fritz two days earlier.

Shelton was booed on to John Cain Enviornment and needed to make his personal noise. He did simply that, letting out a yell and a fist pump after saving a break level after which mentioning sport level within the first sport.

As noisy helicopters circled overhead and a crying child served as distractions, Shelton made his serve.

The parochial crowd let rip 5 laps of the wave after the primary service sport, however they have been rapidly silenced by the big-serving American who has by no means beforehand performed in Australia.

7.50PM SHELTON TAKES FIRST SET

Ben Shelton has combined energy with finesse to take the primary set towards Alexei Popyrin 6-3.

“He simply appears somewhat bit tight and tense in the mean time,” mentioned Lleyton Hewitt earlier in commentary.

7.45PM SACKED COACH HELPS REVITALISE STAR

AFP

Former world quantity ones don’t usually go beneath the radar on the Australian Open, however Karolina Pliskova has cruised into the last-16 at Melbourne Park virtually unnoticed — and is but to drop a set.

The 30-year-old Czech served up a 6-4, 6-2 demolition of 97th-ranked Russian Varvara Gracheva on Rod Laver Enviornment within the third spherical on Saturday.

It was a classic efficiency from the thirtieth seed, a two-time Grand Slam finalist. She despatched down six aces and misplaced simply 11 factors in her 9 service video games and, on this kind, should be rated a hazard to any of the highest seeds.

It was a marked distinction to final season when she plummeted from fourth on this planet initially of the yr to thirty first, her lowest year-end rating since 2013.

Alongside the way in which she was bundled out of the French Open within the second spherical by a 277th-ranked qualifier as her fortunes on courtroom hit all-time low.

One other second-round exit at Wimbledon prompted her to sack coach Sascha Bajin, the German who had guided Naomi Osaka to back-to-back Grand Slam titles on the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open.

In December she rehired Bajin. “Thanks for having me again,” the coach tweeted. “Let’s go get it.”

The reunion has lit a spark contained in the Czech, who rose to world primary again in July 2017.

Pliskova has hardly been beneath menace all event in Melbourne, shedding simply 15 video games in six units thus far.

She blew away the harmful Gracheva, who had shocked eighth seed Daria Kasatkina within the first spherical.

It put Pliskova into the Australian Open final 16 for the fourth time, the place she’s going to meet twenty third seed Zhang Shuai of China who beat American qualifier Katie Volynets 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday.

Pliskova misplaced within the third spherical at Melbourne Park in each 2020 and 2021, and missed final yr due to harm.

Bajin, the 2018 WTA Coach of the 12 months, has additionally labored with Serena Williams, Kristina Mladenovic and Dayana Yastremska.

“It takes an enormous individual to confess one thing and it could’t be simple to ask your outdated coach again,” the WTA web site quoted Bajin as saying. “For that, I’m grateful.

7.40PM MURRAY BROKEN AGAIN

Andy Murray trails 5-1 towards Roberto Bautista Agut and has been damaged twice. After which in simply 29 minutes, the primary set is over. You’ve received to marvel now how a lot these two marathons within the first and second spherical took out of him as that was a really sluggish set the place Murray solely received 11 factors.

7.35PM WOMEN’S FOURTH SEED ON THE ROPES

Germany’s Laura Siegemund has dominated the opening set towards fourth seed Caroline Garcia, opening a 5-1 lead.

Siegemund is ranked twenty fourth on this planet.

7.28PM DJOKER RACES TO EARLY LEAD

Ominous indicators for Grigor Dimitrov with Novak Djokovic already up 2-0 within the first set.

7.19PM MURRAY BROKEN IN FIRST SERVICE GAME, NOVAK BREAKS

A worrying begin for Andy Murray after his 4am epic towards Thanasi Kokkinakis.

He’s been damaged in his first service match towards Roberto Bautista Agut who leads 2-0 within the opening set. Novak Djokovic has damaged Grigor Dimitrov within the first sport of their match too.

7.10PM OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR POPYRIN, SHELTON

Alexei Popyrin and Ben Shelton’s match is underway and tennis legend Todd Woodbright says an enormous opporrtunity is forward for each gamers.

“In your profession, you don’t get many attracts that open up like this for someone like Ben or Alexei,” Woodbridge mentioned in commentary.

“You simply must be able to take it. That’s why you do all of the work get ready. He being Alexei had the massive win within the earlier spherical in Taylor Fritz took out the No. 8 seed.

“That’s while you open it up. What’s occurred in the remainder of that part, boy…The factor he can’t do Alexei is get forward of himself. There’s a quarterfinal trying there.”

7.05PM HEWITT ON POPYRIN

Lleyton Hewitt says Alexei Popyrin’s serve was “out of the world” in Spherical 2 and hopes the Aussie can ship one thing related tonightagainst Ben Shelton.

It’s the primary time he’s been exterior of the USA to come back and play this event right here this yr. Alexei has gone from power to power,” Heweitt mentioned on Channel 9.

“He’s received higher over the past two matches. He performed a few of his greatest tennis in that final match. His serving show was out of the world. So, hopefully he can go on the market and be very assured tonight.”

6.45PM AUS OPEN’S ‘FRUSTRATING’ SCHEDULE LASHED

Tennis journalist Ben Rothernberg has questioned the Australian Open’s “irritating” schedule with three of the most important matches of the event set to overlap tonight.

Novak Djokovic’s match towards Gregor Dimitrov, Andy Murray’s conflict with Roberto Bautista Agut and Alexei Popyrin’s must-watch (or learn in our case) sport towards Ben Shelton are all on tonight from 7pm. And proper now, there’s no tennis at Melbourne Park.

In the meantime, commentator David Regulation questioned why Iga Swiatek’s match towards Elena Rybakina had been scheduled for the daytime slot (not earlier than 12.30pm).

6.25PM RUSSIAN STAR’S TAKE ON SEEDS FALLING

Ten of the highest 20 seeds within the Australian Open males’s draw have fallen already, however one of many prime contenders says it doesn’t make his path to glory any simpler.

Andrey Rublev, who is thru to the spherical of 16, mentioned after his win over Daniel Evans: “I really feel a bit, I don’t know, simply not pondering, I don’t know, simply matchby match, as a result of there have been some moments earlier than after I really feel there’s alternative to go to semis and even ultimate perhaps, and in the long run, nothing occur.

“So this time I simply don’t wish to even attempt to consider alternative or one thing. I’ve subsequent match, and I’ll attempt to do my greatest. If not, nothing occur, I am going house, observe and put together for the subsequent tournaments. It’s simply starting of the season.”

6.10PM DEMON’S POPYRIN RALLY CRY

After reaching the fourth spherical of the Australian Open, you couldn’t blame Alex de Minaur for being targeted on a match up towards both Novak Djokovic or Gregor Dimitrov.

As a substitute, the Aussie urged followers to get behind Alexei Popyrin as he tries to hitch de Minaur within the spherical of 16.

Popyrin faces Ben Shelton tonight for a spot within the fourth spherical.,” de Minaur mentioned after his victory over Benjamin Bonzi.

“I hope everybody that was on this courtroom proper now could be going to go and help Alexei Popyrin

I imply, let’s go. That’s what we do. Us Aussies we stick collectively. We’ve received a shiny future forward and let’s get Pop over the road right now.”

TILEY RESPONDS TO PLAYERS’ CROWD ANGST

Gamers have been pleading with chair umpires for unruly followers to be ejected however Australian Open boss Craig Tiley doesn’t imagine there was an amazing fan behaviour situation at this yr’s event.

The primary week noticed nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic rage to the chair umpire in his second spherical victory as one fan he labelled “drunk out of his thoughts” taunted the Serbian star earlier than his group was escorted from the courtroom.

Different gamers together with Brit Cam Norrie confronted taunting from followers whereas Canada’s Denis Shapovalov had a heated alternate with one spectator who he accused of “had a beer an excessive amount of and now they’re playing around”.

“Shut up,” Shapovalov demanded of the fan.

Tiley maintained that followers who crossed the road wouldn’t be welcome however that rowdy behaviour was within the minority thus far.

“We’re going to get in all probability 800,000-plus followers within the two weeks, and I believe for probably the most half, the followers have been nice,” he mentioned.

“It solely takes one or two to be unruly, however for those who come on-site and also you’re going to be disruptive to the enjoyment of the opposite followers, we actually don’t need you right here. We’d somewhat you keep at house or we’ll kick you out.

“The followers know that. I don’t must preserve repeating that.

“I believe the fan behaviour has been good thus far.”

5.25PM ‘CONTROL THIS CROWD’: STAR BLOWS UP

American Michael Mmoh has labelled the Kia Enviornment crowd a “circus” as he pleaded with the chair umpire to take higher management of his match towards compatriot JJ Wolf.

Mmoh led the primary set 4-2 earlier than dropping 4 consecutive video games to permit Wolf to grab the benefit of their third spherical match.

Mmoh’s frustrations boiled over on the change of ends on the finish of the primary set as he requested the chair umpire: “Are you doing a superb job controlling this crowd? Are you doing a superb job? Sure or no? Sure or no? Are you doing a superb job controlling this crowd, sure or no? Management this crowd. The place’s the supervisor?”

He later mentioned: “Management the rattling crowd” and was nonetheless agitated as he returned for the second set, which is when he unleashed the “circus” description.

Earlier than the set began, the umpire pleaded with the group: “I may kindly ask that the dialog degree be lowered please as each gamers can hear what you’re sayng. Thanks.”

The commentators defined: “It may be a problem little doubt controlling the group as they’ve that chance to come back in. I don’t know that there’s a lot that (the chair umpire) can do. However I believe greater than something that’s simply the truth that the set received away from him there.”

The problem clearly affected Mmoh who misplaced the second set 6-1.

5PM DE MINAUR PROGRESSES

Properly, that was a good bit faster than most matches at this yr’s Australian Open.

Alex de Minaur is thru to the fourth spherical after a 7-6 6-2 6-1 win over Benjamin Bonzi.

The Demon will face both Gregor Dimitrov or Novak Djokovcic within the Spherical of 16 and says he’ll have the popcorn prepared tonight.

“It’s going to (be one)…hell be a hell of a match, each Novak and Grigor, hell of opponents,” he mentioned.

4.38PM DE MINAUR WINS SECOND SET

Issues are trying excellent for Alex de Minaur who cruised to the second set towards Benjamin Bonzi, taking it out 6-2.

He produced a number of eye-catching crosscourt efforts throughout a dominant set.

4.30PM SABALENKA CRUSHES MERTENS

Aryna Sabalenka has despatched a strong message to her Australian Open title rivals by steamrolling Elise Mertens 6-2 6-3.

Sabalenka will subsequent face twelfth seed Belinda Bencic.

4.18PM TENNIS UPDATE

One of many remaining top-10 seeds within the males’s draw Holger Rune is thru to the fourth spherical.

He’ll face Andrey Rublev within the spherical of 16 after defeating Ugo Humbert 6-4 6-2 7-6.

And the excellent news for Aussie followers is Alex de Minaur has consolidated a break within the second set towards Benjamin Bonzi and leads 4-1 after taking the primary set.

Aryna Sabalenka seems set to cruise into the fourth spherical too, main Elise Mertens 6-2 5-3.

4.15PM EVANS EXPLAINS BANANAS GESTURE

Sam Landsberger

Daniel Evans says it’s a case of apples and oranges when deciding which opponent he’ll donate bananas to mid-match.

The Englishman was completely happy to separate with considered one of his bananas when Andrey Rublev needed some replenishment – however solely as a result of they’re mates off the courtroom.

In one of many extra humorous moments this event, Evans hurled a banana his method at a change of ends.

“I requested the ball boy for a banana however Danny requested for bananas earlier and he had two so he threw me one,” Rublev smiled after successful 6-4 6-2 6-3.

“He helped me with some vitality for certain – I win an additional two video games as a result of I eat the banana.”

Evans declared: “No, no” when requested if he would’ve been so beneficiant towards a foe.

Why did he have spare bananas?

“They really requested for 4 bananas, and I fairly like him, so I shared with him,” Evans mentioned.

“That was about it. They solely introduced two, so I donated (them) so he may have one.”

Rublev might want to actually go bananas on Monday if he desires to advance to the quarter-finals with a match-up towards teenager Holger Rune forward.

Requested concerning the banana gesture, he mentioned: “It was only a enjoyable second,” Rublev mentioned afterward.

“Clearly even when he wouldn’t give it to me, if he wouldn’t share the banana with me, clearly I’ll have banana anyway as a result of the ball boy will deliver it to me.

“However it was a enjoyable second. It was only a good and enjoyable second between us. We now have an awesome relationship between one another.

“We performed nice matches. I believe we performed rather a lot already, and he win some matches and I win some matches. Yeah, however I received the final one now (smiling). Subsequent time he might want to take revenge.”

CHEAT STORM ROCKS AUS OPEN AS STAR LASHES OUT

Fiery American Alison Riske-Amritraj has revealed she obtained an apology within the wake of her doubles tirade at an umpire, however doubled-down on her assertion that her opponent was within the fallacious.

Riske-Amritraj hit out for the second time in as many days on Saturday, in a bid to focus on what she referred to as “poor sportsmanship and dishonest”.

The American launched a take-down on the chair umpire in her doubles conflict with Linda Fruhvitova towards Natela Dzalamidze and Alexandra Panova, after she believed she had hit her opponent with the ball.

Her opponent didn’t volunteer any contact, and chair umpire Nico Helwerth didn’t agree with Riske, prompting a blowup from the American.

“That’s f … ing ridiculous … is he sleeping?,” she fumed to a supervisor.

Riske mentioned on Saturday that she was “keen about serving to tennis’ future”.

“She (the opponent) ought to have referred to as it on herself & the umpire apologized for his incorrect ruling after, which I accepted,” Riske mentioned.

“Poor sportsmanship and dishonest occurs on a regular basis, particularly on the junior

degree. Dad and mom/gamers spend an excessive amount of time, cash & psychological vitality for that have.

“As you may inform, I’m extraordinarily keen about serving to tennis’ future right here. In case you’re engaged on a compelling piece of line calling or VAR tech and need assistance funding/scaling please DM me.”

3.58PM DEMON TAKES FIRST SET

Alex de Minaur is on the board towards Benjamin Bonzi, taking the opening set in a tiebreak.

The Aussie twenty second seed solely served a 50 per cent on his first serve however discovered his groove when it mattered most, nailing an ace to blitz the tiebreak 7-0.

2:15PM DAYS ARE NUMBERED: BECKER’S SAD NADAL PREDICTION

Six-time grand slam winner Boris Becker has warned Rafa Nadal’s days are numbered amid rising fears the Spanish legend is about to retire.

Seeking to defend his title on the Australian Open, Nadal was as a substitute ousted within the second spherical by world No 65 Mackenzie McDonald.

It was no straight ahead defeat nevertheless with Nadal pulling up injured at 6-4 5-3 within the second set. Whereas he accomplished the match, the 22-time slam winner has since confirmed he might be sidelined for just a few months with a hip situation.

Whereas he dismissed speak of retirement from the game in his press convention after his early Melbourne exit, Becker mentioned the Large 3 period is closing.

“We’ve been speaking concerning the change of technology for a very long time, after which Nadal comes alongside final yr and wins not solely in Melbourne but in addition Paris,” Becker mentioned on Eurosport.

“The query was: Will he play till he’s 40? I don’t assume so. Yesterday (Nadal shedding) was already step one in direction of his retirement.

“An harm like that’s exhausting, and at this age, it takes even longer to get again into form. I hope and pray that he’ll get effectively quickly and that we’ll see him trying recent once more in Paris on the newest, however I believe his days are numbered.

“He isn’t solely a tennis legend, he’s a sports activities legend. He is likely one of the most necessary sportsmen of the final 25 years. He has modified tennis and made it much more widespread in his house nation of Spain.

“He can change into the president if he desires to. I believe there can be an enormous hole if Rafa doesn’t play anymore, however I believe he’ll decide up a racquet once more.

“The clay courtroom season might be his precedence. If he’s match, he’s nonetheless my favorite for the French Open, however even Rafael Nadal will get older finally.”

1:45PM ‘VERY SCARED’: OPEN STAR’S SERIOUS HEALTH DIAGNOSIS

Head spinning, weak muscle mass, mum’s tears and bullies.

Tennis star Alexander Zverev has opened up on the affect of Sort 1 diabetes on his sport – and the way he’s decided to indicate others that it doesn’t must put a cease to ambition.

Zverev, 25, was identified with Sort 1 diabetes when he was three years outdated, solely revealing he was dwelling with the situation final yr.

The German Olympic gold medallist mentioned the prognosis had come as a shock, “particularly to my dad and mom”.

“My dad and mom have been very scared, clearly very frightened, mum was crying loads,” he instructed 9. “Plenty of dad and mom get intimidated by quite a lot of docs who say ‘your child could be very restricted’, which isn’t the case.

“I’d say to the docs, ‘effectively yeah, I wish to play tennis. That’s the one factor I actually care about’.

“A few of them mentioned ‘no, you must cease, you can’t (play) … there’s no method you is usually a skilled athlete with this sort of sickness, there’s no method you may play such a tough, bodily sport’.

“That is what actually caught into my thoughts. It made me fairly upset, as effectively, to be sincere, as a result of I don’t assume you need to set any limits to children. It’s simply not truthful to them.”

Sort 1 diabetes is an autoimmune situation the place the physique can not produce insulin. It’s managed with insulin injections and monitoring blood sugar degree.

Zverev revealed he had spent a few years feeling “very uncomfortable with it”.

The grand slam finalist would go away the courtroom to watch his insulin ranges, and when a monitor was saved in his tennis bag, social media even advised he was trying to cheat.

“Youngsters on the age of 9, 10, 11 – at occasions my gadgets have been damaged, my insulins have been smashed,” Zverev mentioned. “I used to be simply uncomfortable with it. I used to be all the time attempting to cover it. I wasn’t checking my insulin ranges in public.

“Throughout matches, you by no means noticed me do a shot or something, I used to be all the time going to the lavatory to do it which isn’t the best factor to do.

“Perhaps I’ve all of that trauma from again within the days, however you need to by no means be embarrassed of it.”

12:15PM VEKIC IS THOUGH

Donna Vekic has crushed Nuria Parrizas Diaz 6-2 6-2 to succeed in spherical 4.

A far happier finish to her time on Margaret Courtroom Enviornment than final time she was right here.

“I’m actually pleased with my match right now,” she mentioned. “I like this courtroom, however final time I used to be right here two years in the past, I had quite a lot of ache in my knee, so I’m completely happy to be strolling out of this courtroom taking part in free right now.

“She is a really difficult participant. I knew how I needed to work very exhausting for each level, so I used to be actually prepared from the primary level, making quite a lot of balls and making my method in direction of my sport.”

This equals Vekic’s equal greatest ever efficiency on the Aus Open.

11:45AM ‘NOT SEEN SINCE HEWITT’: AUSSIE’S EPIC 18-YEAR FIRST

Alexei Popyrin is doing the unthinkable on the Australian Open and he’s again on courtroom this night trying to e book a 4th spherical berth for the primary time in his profession.

Not for the reason that C’mon’s of one other well-known Australian have we seen somebody rip by the draw like this.

He’s drawing excessive reward.

“He’s the primary Aussie since 2005 to knock out a prime 10 participant and a seed. Since Lleyton Hewitt. It’s fairly outstanding,” Jelena Dokic says of the 23-year-old.

“It’s only a method that he’s virtually been in a position to reinvent himself as an individual and participant this yr. He’s received extra matches this yr than he did all of final yr. He’s labored so exhausting, modified the folks that he works with.

“He’s now a favorite within the subsequent match. That could be very, very totally different than going out and swinging freely towards somebody like Taylor Fritz. The mindset adjustments.”

10:45AM STARS CRASH OUT ON NIGHT OF SHOCKS

The Netflix curse reared its ugly head as soon as once more on Friday night time with sixth seed Maria Sakkari knocked out by little-known Chinese language competitor Lin Zhu.

Sakkari was the one lady left of those that featured on the primary collection of the brand new present Break Level, leaving Felix Auger-Aliassime because the final participant standing.

The Sakkari boilover got here on the identical day final yr’s finalist Danielle Collins was despatched packing and an evening after no. 2 seed Ons Jabeur was additionally shocked.

It means solely two of the highest six seeds have superior to spherical 4, with Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia an opportunity to make that three when she faces Laura Siegemend on Sunday.

In a discipline already lacking final yr’s winner Ash Barty, in addition to others resulting from harm, the race for the ladies’s crown has burst vast open.

No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek continues to look a category above, however Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka and growth teen Coco Gauff now all have severe circumstances for a maiden grand slam triumph.

Following her 7-6 1-6 6-4 shock loss, Sakkari mentioned she felt prefer it was exhausting to chill out throughout the event and must analyse why she felt an inflated sense of strain.

“Clearly, it is a grand slam, however on the similar time … you must begin feeling higher, and that’s one thing that I didn’t really feel personally,” she mentioned.

“It’s one thing uncommon as a result of it’s totally different if I used to be, you recognize, on the US Open.

“I don’t know why I didn’t let myself play my sport.

“I may image myself going deep on this event, however for some motive issues went the fallacious method.”

Daniil Medvedev on Friday turned the most recent title contender to crash out of the lads’s draw on the Australian Open, however Iga Swiatek led a cost of the ladies’s seeds into the final 16. Russia’s Medvedev was runner-up on the final two Grand Slams in Melbourne however his event ended with a whimper in spherical three by the hands of Sebastian Korda.

Seventh seed Medvedev adopted defending champion Rafael Nadal and world quantity three Casper Ruud in exiting within the first week whereas world primary Carlos Alcaraz withdrew earlier than the event started.

Stefanos Tsitsipas is now the best remaining seed at three and the Greek star stretched his unbeaten streak this yr to arrange a last-16 conflict with Italian Jannik Sinner.

The 24-year-old Tsitsipas, who’s but to drop a set, clinched his seventh straight win of 2023 by beating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

Tsitsipas is refusing to get carried away as he chases a primary main title. “There aren’t any presents,” he warned.

“Try to be going after it, you have to be creating these alternatives and aiming huge inside your self, typically surpass your personal talents.” Additionally into the final 16 are sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and 18th seed Karen Khachanov.

10:17AM AUSSIE STAR’S SURGERY

Ajla Tomljanovic’s career-high rating received’t go to make use of within the short-term, with the top-ranked Australian feminine sidelined for no less than just a few months following knee surgical procedure.

The 29-year-old was pressured to withdraw from her house grand slam on the eve of the Australian Open and revealed on Saturday that she had gone beneath the knife.

“This morning I had a minor process finished on my knee that went very effectively,” Tomljanovic mentioned.

“Sadly I received’t be across the subsequent few months, however I’m completely happy I did the mandatory steps to get absolutely wholesome. Nice issues take time and rehab begins very quickly!

“I can’t wait to get again on the market. Recognize all of your candy messages and phrases of help, doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Regardless of not taking part in on the Australian Open, Tomljanovic is on monitor to be ranked thirty second on this planet after this event.

9:36AM WORST IN THE FAMILY

His personal worst critic and method too exhausting on himself.

Sebastian Korda’s prodigious sporting household has a wealthy historical past in Australia.

In addition to Petr successful his solely main 25 years in the past and mum Regina Rajchrtova being a Czech tennis Olympian, Sebastian claimed the junior title in 2018 and each his sisters, Jessica and Nelly, have each received the Australian Open in golf.

“It’s a particular place for us. We’ve had some actually nice outcomes,” Korda mentioned.

“Hopefully I can do one higher than the juniors and do it within the professionals.”

He had the group in stitches as he added: “I don’t know what I’m going to be ranked now however my mum’s profession [high] rating was 26, my dad’s was two, my sister Nelly was primary, my older sister Jessica was sixth … so I’m positively the worst athlete within the household thus far”

8:45AM PLAYERS STILL TICKED OFF

Jamie Murray has all the time been vocal about his opinions and this yr’s Australian Open isn’t any totally different.

Very similar to his brother, Jamie has used his platform to again requires a curfew on the slam after Thursday night time’s 4am end.

“Aus Open has 4 courts that they use for night time classes with a 7pm begin,” he wrote.

“Begin a type of courts at 8pm (ideally a ladies’s match because it’s shorter) after which if somebody will get injured inside an hour on RLA you may transfer the 8pm match to RLA and also you don’t have a problem with refunds.”

8AM: SECRET BOND DRIVING AUS OPEN’S US REVOLUTION

There isn’t a escaping the Individuals at Melbourne Park – and a collection of bonding visits to flee rooms throughout Australia is perhaps behind the USA’ tennis resurgence.

For the primary time since 1996, a dominant 14 stars from the US progressed into the third spherical on the Australian Open and — as evidenced by their padlock scribbles on TV digital camera lenses post-victories — they’re “locked in”.

The unity was born on the United Cup, the place Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe spearheaded Staff USA’s unstoppable cost to the inaugural title.

When Fritz sealed the crown he was headbutted by an overzealous Tiafoe.

“It was superior till Frances headbutted me,” Fritz mentioned.

“I’ve a bump on my head.”

Whereas Fritz was the shock casualty at Melbourne Park – Alexei Popyrin turned the primary Aussie to beat a top-10 participant since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005 – there are stars and stripes all over the place within the draw.

“Simply have to remain locked,” Tiafoe mentioned.

“It’s the entire thing with the United Cup guys. I made a joke about it with the fellows, the United Cup asking them earlier than the march, ‘Are you locked?’

“It’s positively change into a factor. I’ve been type of dwelling by that for somewhat bit.”

Tiafoe’s psychedelic ensemble has stolen headlines this week and it’s one his rivals admit they couldn’t pull off.

“Do you assume I’d put on that?” Englishman Daniel Evans joked this week.

“I believe Frances pulls it off fairly effectively. He positively has the physique to tug it off, however you wouldn’t see me sporting a singlet or no matter they’re referred to as.”

Tiafoe has revved up the rowdy crowd at John Cain Enviornment and began requesting the venue for matches – similar to Nick Kyrgios has beforehand.

However over on Rod Laver Enviornment two lesser-knowns took down main contenders. For the primary time in 29 years American males defeated each the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds on the similar main.

Again in 1994 it was Jim Courier eliminating No. 1 Pete Sampras and Aaron Krickstein eliminating No. 2 seed Michael Stich.

This time round it was Mackenzie McDonald sending No. 1 seed and defending champ Rafael Nadal packing earlier than Jenson Brooksby turfed No. 2 seed Casper Ruud.

McDonald took notes from his countrymen’s current wins towards Nadal.

“I thought of Taylor taking him out, and Foe (Tiafoe),” McDonald mentioned.

“I talked to Tommy (Paul) about it too final night time. That positively gave me some extra confidence.”

Tiafoe tickled McDonald’s ego earlier than he pulled off the shock of the event … in straight units.

“I believe it’s been a query mark how Rafa has been feeling for somewhat bit now,” Tiafoe mentioned.

“I instructed Mackey, hear, you might be a part of the three amigos: me, Fritz, and Tommy (Paul). All of us received him (Nadal).

“Additionally, I instructed him, you’re going to be ready to win right now. GOAT wins don’t come simple. One thing to inform his grandkids in the future.”

Then it was Brooksby’s flip. Craig O’Shannessy – a former strategist for Novak Djokovic – liked the ways from the 22-year-old.

“Brooksby simply performed 68 lengthy rallies of nine-plus … and received FIFTY of them. Whaa?” O’Shannessy mentioned on social media.

“He completely chopped Casper within the lactic-acid lengthy rally stakes.”

On the camerarderie, Brooksby mentioned: “I believe all of us push one another to actually get higher, no matter every man’s scenario. I believe that’s proven in quite a lot of the fellows having sturdy outcomes currently”.

Within the males’s facet they entered with simply two gamers ranked within the prime 30 (No. 9 Fritz and No. 17 Tiafoe) whereas the ladies’s facet was far stronger, with 4 stars inside the highest 15 (No. 3 Jess Pegula, No. 7 Coco Gauff, No. 11 Danielle Collins and No. 13 Madison Keys).

In each the States are taking pictures the lights out. On Friday it was a Pegula pasting as she took simply 65 minutes to beat Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-2.

It was the same story for Gauff, who received 6-3 6-2 towards fellow American Bernarda Pera.

Even “fortunate loser” Michael Mmoh remains to be alive – and can face one other American, JJ Wolf, on Saturday.

“I don’t assume I’m ever going to say I’m an unfortunate individual for the remainder of my life,” Mmoh mentioned of his run.

As for the escape rooms? Properly, Pegula is the captain behind the bonding.

“We did one other escape room,” she mentioned this week.

“We did boys versus women and women received, so go women.

“It was type of like an anti-team constructing expertise as a result of we type of all needed to kill one another on the finish, however hopefully it brings us collectively right now.”

Initially printed as Australian Open 2023 day 6 reside scores, outcomes, schedule and order of play