Key posts
Today’s highlights
Why sponsors are lining up for Demon
What is not to love about Alex de Minaur?
As he prepares to do battle in the third round on Rod Laver Arena from 2pm today against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo, it is worth pointing to Marc McGowan’s feature story about the grounded nature of the top Aussie and tournament’s No.8 seed.
“When Alex works with people, he doesn’t view them as sponsorships – they are partnerships,” according to de Minaur’s manager, 72 Sports Group’s John Morris.
“That’s gold to me because not many people take that mindset. We were approached by brands at the end of last year coming into this summer that wanted to work with him, but he said no.
“Alex didn’t feel he could get behind them, and they were not representative of who he is and what he stands for. I can absolutely guarantee you that 95 per cent of the draw here would have taken the deals because it meant cash in the pocket.”
If de Minaur wins today, as expected, he would play the winner of American Alex Michelsen and 19th seeded Russian Karen Khachanov in the fourth round.
Read Marc McGowan’s full feature story on de Minaur here.
The Djoker and the queen of controversy
Australia’s new public enemy No.1, the feisty Danielle Collins, has an unlikely supporter in 24-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic.
The ten-time Australian Open winning Serb, who had some crowd interaction of his own last night, backed American Collins’ much-talked-about behaviour after he cruised into the fourth round with a straight sets victory over Czech Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
“I loved her response. I loved it, everything she said on the court, off the court,” said the 37-year-old.
“[I’m] big fan of Danielle Collins after that. I was before, but now, big fan – I love it.
“I think she handled it really well. I don’t think I would be that polite, and I know exactly the feeling. So I think she was funny, smart, and [I’m] just big fan of what she did.”
For those of you who had your heads buried under a rock in the past 48 hours and missed Collins’s performance during her victory over Australian Destanee Aiava, here’s the catch-up video below.
The tenth-seeded Collins is back on court tonight, taking on compatriot Madison Keys on Rod Laver Arena, following the men’s clash between Jannik Sinner and American Marcos Giron.
Other key women to advance after yesterday were: Belarusian No.1 seed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets over Dane Clare Tauson 7-6 (7-5), 6-4; and, American No.3 seed Coco Gauff in straight sets over Canadian Laylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-2.
Heartbreak for gutsy Vukic
Brit Jack Draper has become the big-time party pooper, bundling two Aussies out of the open in back-to-back five-set marathons.
Last night he came from two-sets-to-one down to topple brave Sydneysider Aleks Vukic – 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (10-8) – in a match lasting almost four hours on Margaret Court Arena. It followed Draper’s five-set win over Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Vukic, 29, had never advanced beyond the second round in 10 previous grand slams, so he broke new career ground at Melbourne Park this week.
“[It is] very bittersweet, but I have nothing to be ashamed of. I played a really good match from my end and left it all out there,” Vukic said.
He pushed 15th seed Jack Draper to the limit, and even forced the British left-hander into a mini meltdown, with footage showing him taking his frustrations out on his racquet. What is it with these tradesmen blaming their tools?
Draper faces No.3 seed Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round on Sunday.
Recapping some key men who also advanced yesterday: German No.2 seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets over Scot Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 6-4; No.3 seed Carlos Alcaraz in four sets over Nunos Borges, of Portugal, 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (7-3), 6-2; Serbian No.7 seed Novak Djokovic in straight sets over Czech Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4; and, American No.12 seed Tommy Paul in straight sets over Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6 (7-0), 6-2, 6-0.
Today’s highlights
Welcome to day seven
Good morning and welcome to day seven of the 2025 Australia Open.
As the morning unfolds, all eyes will start to drift towards Rod Laver Arena where lone Aussie Alex de Minaur faces Argentine Francisco Cerundolo in the third round. The match is scheduled to start from 2pm onwards. Go Demon.
My name is Danny Russell and I am steering today’s blog. Stick with us, it will be a blockbuster day of action, including appearances from Iga Swiatek, Jannick Sinner and our new public enemy No.1, Danielle Collins.
