Australian Open 2024

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121633166#Comment_121633166

It's well into night time over there, can't be that hot.

Wang looks like she's getting annoyed by all the dramatics, hopefully she can channel that in a positive way and not let it distract her.

She still has a break in this set, just needs to hang grimly on!

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121633186#Comment_121633186

Ah yeah temp more relevant for the Draper match I think it was 30c+. I think Wang will see it out now.

HeidiHeidi

Delighted for Wang! Not impressed that ES didn't show the interview with her (I hate all those stupid interviews, but that's one I was actually looking forward to).

Back to Rybakina now, who's not having it all her own way at all 😳

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121633319#Comment_121633319

Rybakina match is tight alright!

After all the hype about the British players before the tournament...a grand total of one (in singles) has made the third round.

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121633412#Comment_121633412

The pair of them are all over the shop!

I'm not surprised at Blinkova, this would be a huge scalp for her - but I thought Rybakina was made of pure steel!

yerwanthere123

At work so only watching live scores, but hoping Rybakina can survive here. Would be some recovery!

HeidiHeidi

Uh oh......

HeidiHeidi

20 minutes and counting for the tie break.

I've seen sets won quicker than that!

HeidiHeidi

At this stage I'd say matches have been won quicker than this tie break!

Royale with Cheese

Jaysus, 3.30 in the morning in Melbourne and Medvedev is still out there.

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121633640#Comment_121633640

I didn't get to watch it all live but yikes!

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/68019520

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121635200#Comment_121635200

😳😳

The Golden Miller

Medvedev shown up again as the absolute donkey he is, like Zverev. These tall players can get nearly the top of the game by size alone, but are limited. For a time a few years ago, it seemed like this new generation would be dominated by 6'5 donkeys. Thankfully the likes of Alcaraz and a few others have come through.

Nothing worse than watching a game played out by two limited players over circa 6'4, only there as they bullied their way up the rankings on serve and size. Granted Medvedev and Zverev would have a bit more about them than the likes of your Isners of this world, but still limited, as we've repeatedly seen since

HeidiHeidi

A qualifier giving Haddad Maia a big fright .... she came out like a rabbit in headlights for the first 3 games, but has her tail properly up now after winning the first set on a tie break, and a break up in the second.

Be very interesting to see if she can hold her nerve!

HeidiHeidi

And she did.

I think the commentators said the winnings for this match alone are more than her career winnings so far!

It took 5 match points, but fair dues to her, she hung in.

A right little pocket rocket (she came up to about Haddad Maia's elbow).

gmisk

Norrie v Ruud is a decent contest...Norrie two sets to one up! He has had to save a lot of break points!

gmisk

Norrie through in 4 sets, he is limited but makes things tough and really battled in that one fair play.

Royale with Cheese

Norrie actually played pretty well there 😒

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121642630#Comment_121642630

Very much so, really fought and saved a lot of break points, he has plenty of heart and doesn't tend to roll over, he came into this tournament with a bit of a wrist problem as well.

lbunnae

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121637294#Comment_121637294

You talk some amount of brown.

gmisk

Yikes just seeing Swiatek knocked out by Noskova!

yerwanthere123

Surprised but not shocked about Swiatek losing, hasn't looked too sharp here in Melbourne and should've lost to Collins. The wheels have come off somewhat, she's lost to Svitolina, Ostapenko and Noskova at the last three grand slams. No shame in losing to any of them, but all players you'd have expected her to beat. She'll surely get the better of Ostapenko some day though.

Hoping for any one of Noskova, Zheng or Svitolina to make the final from the top half.

Sabalenka should be the favourite to win it, but she's got Anisimova (1-4 h2h) and potentially Gauff to navigate before the final, so she'll have her work cut out for her.

gmisk

Djokovic looking ominously good now (cobwebs from first two matches well and truly gone), can anyone bar maybe Alcaraz or maybe Sinner give him a real challenge?!

josip

Mens QF line up going pretty much according to script with the top 6 seeds all there and Hurkacz (9) and Fritz (12) taking the other spots. .

Royale with Cheese

Was just looking at the ATP rankings there, does Alcaraz go back to no.1 if he can beat Djokovic in the final? Looks like it to me.

Probably won't happen anyway 😒

josip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121653202#Comment_121653202

Yes he will and Alcaraz only has to get further than Djokovic to get No. 1. So if Djokovic goes out at the quarters and Alcaraz wins his, he's No. 1

HeidiHeidi

Just caught up on the Alcaraz match this evening - my God, but he's just a joy to watch!

mzungu

Some great hitting from both Alcaraz and Kecmanovic in that match.

Royale with Cheese

9pm in Melbourne, two more matches and potentially 8 sets of tennis to get through. What are they at.

yerwanthere123

Hopefully Sabalenka blitz's Krejcikova quickly, but have a feeling Rublev could drag his match to five sets.