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Medvedev (2) came back from two sets to love down and defeated Auger-Aliassime (FAA) (9) in the first classic match of the tournament. Berrettini vs Alcaraz was a great match, but this match being in the quarters and Medvedev’s status in the game elevated it into classic status.

The second seed, in effect the top seed, came back from a match point down in the fourth set to take the match to a fifth. Medvedev got an early break in the fifth set, but the set remained competitive and in the final game, with Medvedev serving, FAA kept the pressure on with his impressive and committed ball striking and had a break point. After 4 hours and 45 minutes, an FAA error meant Medvedev was through to the semi finals.

Medvedev was too solid and FAA too raw. For Medvedev, it could be the match that shakes him up, helps him let go and gets him dialled in. He seems antsy with all the pressure. For FAA, it is the match which showed him what he might be capable of and gives him the confidence he needs to keep progressing.

The match was a fitting end to the men’s quarters. The round gave us two other five setters which followed the same pattern. Nadal held a two sets to love lead over Shapovalov before the Canadian leveled the match and took it into a fifth set. However, Nadal regrouped and took the fifth set. This pattern also played out in Berrettini’s defeat of Monfils.

The Nadal match will be mostly remembered for Shapovalov drawing attention to Nadal’s time management between points. Early in the second set, Shapovalov asked the umpire why he was not warning Nadal only for the umpire to ask him why he, himself, was wasting time. Shapovalov then called the game, essentially, ‘corrupt.’ Shapovalov channeled that anger in the right way, coming back as he did and leveling the match.

To add some variety to the round, we also were treated to Tsitsipas playing probably the best tennis of the tournament as he defeated Sinner for the loss of nine games. Seasoned players don’t like to peak too soon at a tournament, and it’s hard to see Tsitsipas surpassing that level.

In the women’s game, the quarter finals saw three straight setters. Keys upset Krejcikova (4), Barty (1) defeated Pegula and Collins (27) defeated Cornet. The women also delivered a nail biter- Swiatek coming back from a set down to beat Kiai Kanepi in close to three hours of play.

The semis are now set:

Women:

Barty vs Keys

Collins vs Swiatek

Some interesting contests here with similar storylines. The all rounder versus the big hitter. I feel anything could happen in either match. It’s going to depend on what the two ball strikers can bring and how much Barty and Swiatek are feeling the pressure.

Men:

Berrettini vs Nadal

Tsitsipas vs Medvedev.

This is a nice line up. Nadal and Medvedev have convincing match ups here. However, Nadal has struggled with the heat and Tsitsipas is playing with a lot more conviction than Medvedev.

The eighth day of the Australian Open, the last day of the fourth round, had a bit of everything a slam needs- upsets, drama and feels.

The upsets were:

Kanepi defeating Sabalenka (2) in three sets, winning a final set tiebreak. This was a big one. Sabalenka has been beset with double faults and just about squeezed into round four. The veteran Kanepi made her seventh slam quarter final in her 23rd season on tour by being the one to finally remove the second seed. It was a see-saw match with Kanepi serving for the match in the third only to be broken. In the final set tiebreaker, Kanepi thought she had it won at 9-7 and gave a very mild celebration. Fortunately for her, she managed to get it done on the next point.

Cornet defeating Halep (14) in three sets. This was a tough fought battle. At the end of the match, interviewer Jelena Dokic acknowledged Cornet’s emotions at finally reaching a slam quarter final after 60 main draw appearances (3rd highest after Sugiyama and Schiavone). Dokic talked about how she herself had hoped to play Cornet in the 2009 quarters when Cornet had match points and a 5-2 lead against Safina. Cornet later paid respects to what a great player Dokic had been and how she was as great a commentator. Everyone listening went for the tissues.

Collins (27) defeating Mertens (19) in three sets. Collins came from a set down.

Though it was not an upset, the women gave us another three setter- Swiatek (7) coming from a set down to beat Cirstea.

There were no upsets in the men’s draw. There were some very competitive matches. Tsitsipas (4) and Fritz (20) gave us five set drama. Felix Auger-Aliassime (9) beat in- form Cilic (27) n four. Medvedev (2) beat Cressy in four, too, and had a little gif worthy outburst at the officials and his opponent. Medvedev was denied a toilet break in the first set and then complained the umpire let Cressy take too long on his serve and that Cressy was ‘lucky’ and the situation ‘boring’. Medvedev even admitted after the match that there had been some theatrics to get into his opponent’s head and that he regretted his behavior.

A very strong eighth day at the Australian Open and the perfect lead in to tomorrow’s quarter finals.

Here are the QFs for the men and women’s games.

Men:

Monfils (17) vs Berrettini (7)

Shapovalov (14) vs Nadal (6)

Two veterans versus young players.

Sinner (11) vs Tsitsipas (4)

FAA (9) vs Medvedev (2)

Old next gen vs new next gen.

It’s a very good line up- two slam champs (Nadal, Medvedev) and two runner ups (Berrettini, Tsitsipas), three players widely tipped to be future slam champs (Shapovalov, FAA and Sinner) and one of the game’s most popular, entertaining athletes (Monfils).

Women’s.

Barty (1) vs Pegula (21)

Krejcikova (4) vs Keys

Collins (27) vs Cornet

Swiatek (7) vs Kanepi.

This is not as random as QF line ups can get on the WTA.

We have three former Australian Open semi-finalists (Barty, Keys, Collins). Three former grand slam champs (Barty, Swiatek, Krejcikova, two of them reigning) and a slam runner up (Keys). Two vets (Cornet, Kanepi), one of them a multiple slam quarter finalist.

The next two days could be something special.

The Australian Open took off on day 5. There were two tiebreak final sets in both the men and women’s draw.

Matteo Berrettini (7) defeated Carlos Alcaraz (31) 6-2, 7-6 (3), 4-6, 2-6, 7-6 (5).

Amanda Anismova upset defending champion Naomi Osaka 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

These are the matches a slam needs to get it going. They show how much the tournament means to the players and also that the tennis is competitive. These two matches could be the fire starters to what has been a slowburning event.

Other upsets:

Mannarino beat Karatsev (18) in four sets.

24th seed Azarenka beat 15th seed Svitolina 0 and 2.

Not really an upset, as the seeds are so close, but 17th seed Monfils beat 16th seed Garin in straights.

Kecmanovic defeated Sonego (25) in four. Talk about taking a chance and running with it.

Breaking away from the pack

The tournament’s biggest star, Rafa Nadal (6) surprised even himself with the conviction of his four set win over Karen Khachanov (28). Nadal won the first two sets and then recovered from dropping the third in commanding fashion, winning the fourth 6-1.

A statement win from one of the game’s greatest added some glamor to the day.

Competitive encounters

Shapovalov (14) beat Opelka (23) in four. As did Busta (19) in his match versus Korda.

In the women’s, Badosa (8) beat Kostyuk in three and Krejcikova came back from a set down to defeat Ostapenko.

A worthy first day of the third round. Here’s to day six!

Muguruza (3) was the biggest casualty of the Australian Open women’s draw after being upset by Cornet 3 and 3.

Raducanu (17) was also upset by Kovinc in three sets. The US Open champion struggled with an injury throughout the match.

Kontaveit (6), who had such a strong finish to 2021, was knocked out by Tauson in straights.

I am not sure Murray losing to Daniel 4-6, 4-6, 4-6 is necessarily an upset, but he is a big name in a draw feeling the loss of a few stars.

Other upsets were:

Paire beating Dimitrov (26).

O’Connell beating Schwartzman (13).

Rybakina (12) who had been injured in the run up to the tournament, retired a game down in the second set versus Zhang.

Noteable results.

Stosur’s singles career ended at the hands of Pavlyuchenkova. The Australian won a grand slam, was a runner up, and was one of the most athletic and sportsmanlike competitors in the game.

Going into the third round, in the men’s draw, a total of 22 of the 31 seeds made it through. In the women’s, it’s 20.

Day four was a little underwhelming, and the tournament still hasn’t really taken off. There hasn’t been that match to get everyone buzzing. Nick Kyrgios did his best versus Daniil Medvedev and that encounter did bring things to life, but Kyrgios is not match fit and the result never seemed in doubt. A lively encounter between Kyrgios and a top seed in the early round of the Australian Open on Rod Laver under the lights has become a trope now rather than a genuinely thrilling unpredictable highlight.

Day 5 could provide it with Nadal vs Khachanov, Azarenka vs Svitolina, Krejcikova Vs Ostapenko, Korda vs Busta, Barty vs Giorgi and Alcaraz vs Berrettini all on offer. I think that’s a line up any slam would be happy for.

Still, while the tournament is slow, there is a mystery at least. There’s no clear winner in either draws as yet and it feels like as the tournament progresses, it becomes more and more a free for all. Worth tuning in to see how all that unfolds.

The men’s event was lifted by several five sets matches. Three seeds managed to survive into the last 32- Shapovalov (14) defeated Kwon; Busta defeated Griekspoor and Garin defeated Martinez.

Unseeded Seb Korda also won a five setter over Moutet, 7-6 (6) in the fifth. He’s had two very different victories now this event. Wonder what round 3 will bring him- he faces Busta. That could be some match.

Upsets.

Hurkacz (10) was defeated in straights by Mannarino.

Other notable results were:

Alcaraz (31) beating the experienced Lajovic in straights. Alcaraz reaching his seeded position after his breakout US Open ’21 is a very positive sign. He can clearly handle the pressure. Would anyone be shocked if he defeated Berrettini (7) in round 3?

Meanwhile, Kecmanovic has taken good advantage of Djokovic being removed from his path- he beat Paul in straights. In the third round, he’ll face 25th seed Sonego. What is interesting for me about Kecmanovic, for reasons of nostalgia, is that’s he is coached by David Nalbandian. It’ll be fascinating to see how that pairing plays out once Kecmanovic starts going deep in draws. Is he going to be a big match player- we don’t know just yet, but the match versus Sonego could give us a glimpse.

In the women’s game, Anismova defeated Bencic (22) in straights.

Madison Keys continues her unseeded journey through the draw. I’m always tipping her to win a slam. I wonder, now that she’s going under the radar, if she’ll be able to do it here. She has Gauff’s conqueror Qiang Wang in round three and then potentially Badosa (8) in round 4.

Sorribes Tomo (32) went down in straights to the dangerous Kostyuk.

26th seed Ostapenko came back from a set down to beat Riske. Could be interesting there. The 2017 Roland Garros champ will face the 2021 one, Krejcikova, in the third round. Both were shock winners. Will they bring out the best in each other for a place in the fourth round?

I’d say things were getting more interesting at the Australian Open. It seems to be a slow burner, but going in the right direction.

Here’s to day 4!

Well, I seem to have jinxed Sloane Stephens with my Sloane watch. Raducanu played much better than I expected, taking the first set to love. Stephens did well to come back and take the second set 6-2. Raducanu then took the third set 6-1.

Day 2 was a little more exciting than day 1. Andy Murray, a wild card, ‘upset’ Nicoloz Basilashvili in five sets. In the fifth, the two exchanged breaks before Murray prevailed 6-1, 3,6, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4. It was Murray’s second defeat in a week over the Georgian and his variety and nuances were too much for the inconsistent 21st seed.

Other highlights of the day were:

de Minaur defeating Musetti in four sets. I was cheering for Musetti, but it’s hard not to like de Minuar’s tenacity and smarts.

Kanepi doing what Kanepi does- knocking a seed out of a slam. This time, Kerber (16).

FAA and Ruusuvuori going five sets and FAA winning.

I was disappointed to see Fernandez went down in straights to Inglis. I could happily take a Fernandez run to a final every slam.

Cressy nudging out Isner in five.

Gasquet knocking out Humbert (29) in four. Humbert continues to flatter to deceive, performing well before a slam and then getting knocked out in the first rounds. Maybe it was the pressure of facing his very talented countryman?

Other seeds out:

Kvitova (20) went down in straights to Cirstea.

Here’s to day 3 tomorrow!

Reader, I ask you, what was your headline on day 1 of the Australian Open?

I struggled.

I know the headline we would have had if Novak Djokovic were playing:

Novak Djokovic wins opener on march to historic 21st slam

or

Boos and an inspired Kecmanovic bust Djokovic in shock upset for top seed.

Rafa Nadal did return, but I wonder if anyone seriously believes he will win. His quarter final defeat to Sascha Zverev seems inevitable.

There were no huge upsets. Cam Norrie is about as lowkey a name as it gets for an ATP 1000 winner and he could win only several games in his defeat to young Seb Korda.

Other upsets were:

18th seed Coco Gauff, to Wang Qiang.

11th seed and 2020 champion Sofia Kenin went down in straights to Madison Keys.

30th seed Lloyd Harris went down in four to Aleksander Vukic.

Replacement top seed Caruso went down to Kecmanovic in straights.

Most sad of all, recent Adelaide Champ Thanassi Kokkinakis was beaten in straights by Yannick Hanfmann, meaning we won’t get the second round meeting with Rafa. Now that would have been headline making.

Let’s see what day 2 brings.