Australia’s singles hopes on the 2024 Australian Open have been dashed after Alex de Minaur misplaced in a five-set thriller to Russian world No. 5 Andrey Rublev.
The Aussie raised native hopes of a deep run at Melbourne Park after coming into the match with 4 straight wins over the likes of Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Rublev and Carlos Alcaraz — 4 gamers who’re nonetheless alive within the match.
However de Minaur met his match within the large hitting Russian, falling 6-4 6-7 6-7 6-3 6-0 in a wild four-hour and 14-minute thriller on Rod Laver Area.
The match was given the primary billing of the Sunday matches with all the opposite singles matches primarily over by the point the pair bought on court docket — and it lived as much as the hype.
Neither man gave an inch, chasing each ball down with some balls stored alive that had completely no proper to be stored in play.
“It’s not a match I assumed I misplaced bodily. It’s identical to the racquet was taken out of my hand,” de Minaur mentioned post-match.
The match may dwell on for de Minaur as a “what may have been” after he failed to interrupt Rublev from the very opening recreation of the match, a recreation that might have set him up for the match.
De Minaur’s incapacity to interrupt was in the end the distinction within the match, incomes 16 break level alternatives, however solely changing three.
Rublev, however, transformed eight from 13 for the match.
“He ruins Alex de Minaur’s dream of reaching a quarterfinal right here at Rod Laver Area, with a number of the greatest ball placing you’ll ever see,” Todd Woodbridge mentioned summing up the match.
It’s a heartbreaking second for the Aussie, who got here into the match with the expectation of a nation on his shoulders after changing into the primary Aussie man to crack the highest 10 since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006.
And regardless of shedding the ultimate set 6-0 with the Russian battling cramp notably after taking the second break at 4-0, 1987 Wimbledon champion and Aussie legend Pat Money mentioned there was not a lot de Minaur may do.
“It was an exceptional closing set from Andrey Rublev,” Money mentioned on the BBC.
“Alex de Minaur didn’t actually do a lot mistaken. It’s simply that Rublev was so, so good.”
Talking on court docket after the match, Rublev gave de Minaur big raps for his efficiency.
“It’s at all times powerful to play towards Alex,” he mentioned.
We performed a few occasions and all of them have been dramatic. So I don’t know, he’s one of many quickest gamers, the best way he strikes with the legs, and takes the pace, it’s loopy.
“You might see it was tremendous powerful to play. 4 hours, not sufficient to say that it’s tremendous powerful to play towards him! So it’s simply good to be in a quarterfinal and we’ll see what occurs.”
Rublev strikes onto the quarterfinal the place he’ll play fourth seed Jannik Sinner, who had a straight units win over fifteenth seed Karen Khachanov.
For de Minaur, the hits will hold coming as he’ll drop out of the highest 10 to eleventh after Australian Open after Taylor Fritz made his first Australian Open quarterfinal.
11pm – And we’re going to a fifth
De Minaur and Rublev can’t be break up after 4 units so now it’s winner-takes-all within the fifth.
Rublev broke twice within the fourth set, whereas de Minaur may solely claw one again.
Whereas it appeared a reasonably routine set for the Russian, it wasn’t straightforward as each males have been chasing every little thing down.
“In my eyes, De Minaur is extra energised than Rublev and let’s see if that’s the distinction on this one,” Jim Courier mentioned in commentary.
10.24pm – de Minaur wins the third
Alex de Minaur has claimed the third set and is one away from reserving a quarterfinal conflict with No. 4 seed Jannik Sinner.
De Minaur claimed an early break within the third however Rublev bought it again on serve when the Aussie was meant to be serving for the set.
It meant the pair needed to go the good distance, going to a tie-break, with de Minaur profitable it at 7-4.
Nothing has come straightforward for the Aussie however Rublev as soon as once more bought pissed off throughout the tie-break.
9.38pm – ‘Can’t consider’: Rublev imploding
Andrey Rublev is imploding earlier than our very eyes on Rod Laver Area with the Russian going from cool calm and picked up all through many of the opening two units to screaming at himself within the third.
De Minaur opened a 3-0 with an early break within the third and though Rublev held his second service recreation to go 3-1, he was nonetheless fuming.
John McEnroe mentioned the blow up was as a result of he “can’t consider” he misplaced the second set tie-break, which is an effective signal for de Minaur if Rublev can’t transfer previous it.
9.15pm – ‘Shot of the match’ blows AO away
Alex de Minaur has levelled it up at one-set apiece, taking the second set tie-break in what has been a wild conflict.
The pair’s health is actually insane as they’re chasing down each single shot.
Nevertheless it’s been a single level that has seemingly turned the match on its head because it utterly modified the momentum.
With Rublev up 3-2 within the tie-break, a internet twine noticed de Minaur chase down the ball, hitting it across the internet with an excessive amount of energy for the Russian to deal with, skewing the ball huge regardless of the open court docket.
Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt was shocked by the second, claiming it may very well be decisive.
“All of it actually got here down to 1 extraordinary level within the tie-break when Alex was in a position to combat it off there,” Hewitt mentioned on 9. “He pulled out the shot of the match across the internet you actually flip the tide within the tie-break there.”
“It’s in a match the place one shot can flip every little thing round however it certain appears to be like like that wraparound forehand was the shot,” John McEnroe agreed.
Whereas it was one level that introduced the pair degree, it allowed frustration to creep into the match and de Minaur pounced, going up 5-3 earlier than holding on to assert the tie-break 7-5.
Rublev has performed subsequent to nothing mistaken however nonetheless finds the rating degree.
However de Minaur shall be ruing not delivering the killer blow thus far within the match.
Within the second set to 4-all, de Minaur has had 5 break factors, changing none of them, whereas he’s claimed only one from eight in your entire match.
3 times de Minaur has been 15-40 on Rublev’s serve however he hasn’t be capable of discover the killer blow.
“Alex can’t complain about not some probabilities,” Todd Woodbridge mentioned on 9.
Jim Courier agreed: “Eight break level probabilities and solely been in a position to convert one. A few of these Rublev simply performed too nicely, and he’s had a pair that have been, nicely they have been in attain and he didn’t fairly get them.”
However with the burden of a nation on his again, Courier added it wasn’t by means of lack of making an attempt.
“One factor you don’t have to fret about Australia, he’s giving his all. He’s not leaving any stones unturned,” he mentioned.
A minimum of it’s again to even so if he can discover the killer blow, it might simply slay his opponent.
8.06pm – De Minaur blows golden first set alternative
Aussie Alex de Minaur had the proper likelihood to get off to an ideal begin in his conflict with Russia’s Andrey Rublev however finds himself a set down.
De Minaur had two break factors within the opening service recreation however wasn’t in a position to convert, in the end giving up a break of his personal quickly after.
Whereas the Aussie was in a position to break again when down 4-2 to get it again on serve, the Russian broke once more at 5-4 to wrap up the set.
“However for that missed volley at break level within the opening Rublev service recreation, Demon may very well be serving to shut this set out relatively than to remain in it,” Jim Courier mentioned in commentary.
It’s an enormous if solely now that the Demon has to return again from a set down.
In the end he couldn’t put it aside, freely giving the break with a double fault.
There have been swirling windy situations within the first set and it appears to win, de Minaur’s going to want to profit from the wind at his again.
7.30pm – 16-year-old’s marketing campaign is over
Mirra Andreeva might have been knocked out of the Australian Open, however the teen has already received over the gang.
In her first Australian Open, the Russian teen was knocked out within the fourth spherical by ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova, however gave one hell of a combat.
Andreeva took it to three- profitable the primary set 6-4, earlier than Krejcikova fought again to win the following two 6-3 6-2 and e-book her place within the quarterfinals.
It’s a day that has gone to the upper ranked gamers with Krejcikova becoming a member of No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, No. 4 seed Coco Gauff and world No. 35, who defeated world No. 170 Maria Timofeeva in straight units.
Within the males’s, the most important shock thus far was 12 seed Taylor Fritz’s win over seventh seed and 2023 AO finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in 4 units.
In any other case high seed Novak Djokovic and fourth seed Jannik Sinner, who will play the winner of Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev within the quarterfinals, each cruised into the following spherical in straight units.
5.14pm – ‘Don’t do it’: WAG’s gross act after AO stunner
America’s highest ranked man Taylor Fritz has moved into the quarterfinals, downing 2023 AO finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in a 7-6 5-7 6-3 6-3 win.
It’s the primary time he’s made it to the quarters on the Australian Open, the place it is going to get no simpler as he comes up towards Novak Djokovic.
However submit match, the discuss instantly turned to a wager his girlfriend Morgan Riddle promised ought to he get the win.
For the win, she promised by way of Instagram that she would eat a jar of Vegemite on Dwell if he received the match.
Fortunately for her, they occurred to have a 560g model of the product — probably she was that means a 150g model.
Followers instantly suggested her to not — and to be sincere, she ought to have held out for him profitable the entire thing earlier than taking the Vegemite problem.
One fan wrote: “Don’t do that. I like marmite (the English one) and significantly a teaspoon covers two slices of toast.”
Fritz was undoubtedly happy, saying he’d informed his staff he was going to win.
“My girlfriend thought I used to be too assured going into the match,” he mentioned.
“This can be a large jar however I’ll give it to her.”
Fritz promised to ensure he lived as much as her aspect of the wager however wouldn’t take part himself.
“I received’t be partaking however I’ll be sure it occurs,” Fritz mentioned.
Requested if he’d tried it earlier than, he mentioned he: “wasn’t the most important fan”.
3.35pm – Djoker marches on in commanding trend
No matter might have been ailing Novak Djokovic – and we all know he retains all his playing cards near his chest – he was in ruthless kind on Sunday.
A record-breaking efficiency appeared on the playing cards when he marched to a 6-0 6-0 lead over outclassed Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
Luckily the Twentieth-seed prevented a disastrous ‘triple-bagel’, with Djokovic rounding off the third set 6-3 for a dominant victory in simply 1 hour, 44 minutes.
Requested about his efforts afterwards, Djokovic mentioned he was truly relieved when Mannarino bought his first recreation on the board.
“The primary two units have been a number of the greatest units I’ve performed shortly,” the highest seed mentioned.
“I actually wished to lose that recreation within the third set, the strain was build up a lot within the stadium, I wanted to get that out of the best way to refocus on what I wanted to do to shut out the match.”
Djokovic was additionally requested in regards to the truth he was demoted to a daytime match for the primary time since 2021, with Aussie Alex de Minaur handed the coveted 7pm slot for his quarter-final towards Andrey Rublev on Sunday.
Djokovic’s response to the minor kerfuffle was about as chilly and calculating as we’ve come to count on from the Serbian celebrity.
“The way in which I performed right now, I don’t thoughts taking part in within the day, to be sincere,” he fired again.
“Thanks, thanks guys for exhibiting up additionally.
“I do know it’s early within the day, however it’s Sunday, non-working day, thanks for exhibiting up.
“It’s no secret I like to play at 7pm, however it wasn’t dangerous in any respect right now. Not too dangerous.”
2.45pm – Djokovic in ‘misery’ amid pure domination
Novak is blowing his fourth spherical opponent Adrian Mannarino away on Rod Laver Area, nonetheless commentators have noticed the world No. 1 is struggling bodily as he battles sickness.
The Serb has taken each units with out conceding a single recreation to his French rival, nonetheless commentators have heard him grunting throughout factors.
“Djokovic is among the most silent assassins we now have seen in tennis. He doesn’t grunt till late within the match or if the purpose will get actually lengthy,” Jim Courier mentioned.
“He’s grunting till the final (stroke) on each level. He’s with out query bodily wounded for the time being.
“He’s sick. He informed us he was sick 5 days earlier than the match. Would have thought by now he would have healed up.
“One thing remains to be not proper inside his physique as a result of his power ranges aren’t what we’re used to seeing.”
Commentator Brenton Pace mentioned his followers could be involved.
“One other double … That’s about 10 or 15 metres away from our commentary place and Djokovic followers could also be apprehensive, he appears to be like in actual misery,” mentioned Pace.
2.40pm – Second seed cruises by means of to quarters
Girls’s second seed Aryna Sabalenka has made mild work of American qualifier Amanda Anisimova to advance to the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka overpowered her opponent with a 6-3 6-2 victory on Margaret Court docket Area – persevering with her dominant kind this 12 months at Melbourne Park.
She’s but to drop a set in her 4 matches.
2.30pm – Djokovic’s ruthless opening set
Novak Djokovic appears to be like to be in scary kind with the Serbian high seed taking his first set towards Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-0.
Djokovic truly appeared to have a problem on his palms within the opening recreation as he needed to save two break factors towards the skilful Frenchman.
Nevertheless he by no means appeared troubled from there as he rapidly confirmed he’s on one other degree to his opponent.
“That is an train in effectivity,” Jim Courier mentioned in commentary.
It’s a uncommon early outing on Rod Laver Area for Djokovic who’s made his stance clear that he prefers evening video games at Melbourne Park.
1.40pm – Rain stops play at Melbourne Park
Play has been suspended on account of rain in second seed Aryna Sabalenka’s fourth spherical match towards Amanda Anisimova.
Sabalenka is presently up 4-1 within the first set because the gamers watch for the roof to be closed on Margaret Court docket Area.
1.20pm – Teenage celebrity powers into quarter-finals
American star Coco Guaff has demolished her fourth spherical opponent Magdalena Frech 6-1 6-2 in a 63-minute massacre to advance to the quarter-finals.
The 19-year-old paid credit score to tennis legend Rod Laver after her dominant efficiency within the enviornment named after him.
“Fortunately after I observed he got here I used to be up so much, so I wasn’t too nervous,” Guaff mentioned.
“You guys have been clapping and I used to be like I do know it’s not for us, it’s solely the primary set
“Then I noticed the display screen and I used to be like ‘oh it is smart’.
“So actually actually thanks for coming to my match and it’s not solely you, there’s numerous legends within the field so thanks all for coming.”
Laver is predicted to be a daily face on the Australian Open for the ultimate seven days of the match because it reaches its closing levels.
12pm – Hewitt to make Aussie Open debut
Aussie tennis nice Lleyton Hewitt has revealed he’s ‘unbelievably proud’ as his son Cruz prepares to make his Aussie Open debut on Sunday afternoon within the junior boys’ singles occasion.
Cruz gained entry to the match by means of a wildcard, and can tackle sixth seed Alexander Razeghi later right now.
“Simply unbelievably proud, to be sincere,” Lleyton Hewitt mentioned on Channel 9.
“They requested me late final evening if I might exit and heat him up this morning on Present Court docket 3. Only a actually particular second.
“My first ever fundamental draw match on the Australian Open was truly out on Present Court docket 3 as nicely.
“Just a few nice reminiscences coming again of me taking part in right here. He’s been across the traps, however he’s labored extraordinarily arduous to get this chance. He’s taking part in nicely.
“He’s nonetheless very younger. That is all a studying expertise. That’s what the junior occasion is all about.
“You need to get the chance to play right here in seniors sooner or later. He’s been lucky sufficient to get a wildcard and hopefully goes out, has numerous enjoyable.”
11am – Aussie star caught up in ‘regarding’ meltdown
Aussie star Storm Hunter got here to the assist of her distressed doubles accomplice Katarina Siniakova on Saturday throughout a ‘regarding’ incident of their doubles match towards fellow Aussie pair Maddison Inglis and Destinee Aiava.
Siniakova misplaced her cool after double-faulting within the second set at hand a break again to her opponents.
The Czech star smashed her racquet earlier than returning to her seat and yelling out at her staff in her supporter’s field.
The clear emotional misery on her face led to some concern from Hunter and the commentators.
“There’s one thing happening isn’t there?” Abigail Johnson mentioned in commentary.
“I feel that is one thing deeper than a match.
“She’s been in more durable conditions than this.
“It’s regarding to be sincere as a result of we don’t know these gamers as folks … something may very well be occurring off the court docket and we do not know.”
Siniakova quickly recovered with the assistance of Hunter and the pair went on to win the match in three units.
10.45am – Djokovic opponent doesn’t know who he’s taking part in
Novak Djokovic is the heavy favorite to make it by means of to the quarterfinals towards Adrian Mannarino, who apparently doesn’t even know he’s taking part in the Serbian champion.
John Millman defined on 9: “Adrian Mannarino doesn’t know who he’s taking part in. He doesn’t test the draw forward of time.
“Tries to maintain it a secret. Actually powerful left-handed participant although.”
Djokovic, who prefers the night situations at Rod Laver Area, will play his first day session match since 2021.
10.30am – Laver needs extra from Demon
Australian tennis legend Rod Laver has touched down in Melbourne and has given his predictions for the match.
Laver believes Novak Djokovic is timing his run to perfection and remains to be the person to beat regardless of dropping some units in his early rounds.
“It’s virtually to me like he’s priming himself to get by means of to the ultimate. He’ll lose a set someplace in these five-setters and I’m pondering ‘Is he having us on’ as a result of he may win this in two and two and two (6-2 6-2 6-2).
“He serves nicely, his groundstrokes are unbeatable so I’ve to consider except somebody miraculously performs their greatest tennis to knock him off, they’ll begin placing a part of his initials on the trophy now.”
Whereas Laver believes Djokovic shall be virtually not possible to beat, he declared now could be time for Alex de Minaur to make a serious breakthrough.
“Alex de Minaur is a good participant,” Laver mentioned.
“He must be doing greater than he’s doing as a result of he’s bought an incredible recreation.
“However there’s 10 or 15 gamers who’re so proficient now that there’s no straightforward matches.
“Alex is hard, but additionally all the opposite gamers have improved and the competitors is getting a lot greater now.”
John Millman believes the house crowd benefit may give de Minaur the sting over Rublev, who he has overwhelmed earlier than.
“It’s well worth the win,” Millman mentioned on 9.
“I actually the best way he performs and the power that Alex makes use of from that crowd, it lifts him one other couple of ranges.”
Australian Open Day 8 schedule of play
Rod Laver Area
Magdalena Frech (POL) vs. [4] Coco Gauff (USA) — 12pm
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [20] Adrian Mannarino (FRA) — not earlier than 1.30pm
[10] Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs. [5] Andrey Rublev — 7pm
Margaret Court docket Area
Amanda Anisimova (USA) vs. [2] Aryna Sabalenka — not earlier than 1pm
[4] Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs. [15] Karen Khachanov — not earlier than 4pm
John Cain Area
Mirra Andreeva vs. [9] Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) — 4pm
[12] Taylor Fritz (USA) vs. [7] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
KIA Area
Marta Kostyuk (UKR) vs. [Q] Maria Timofeeva
