Key posts
Today’s schedule
Birrell-Smith close out opening set
Aussie duo Kim Birrell and John-Patrick Smith have taken the first set in the all-Australian mixed doubles finals on Rod Laver Arena.
They pinched an early break against Olivia Gadecki and John Peers, and closed out the set 6-3.
It was a bad early drop from Peers, who handed up his serve in the second game of the match. Birrell and Smith went from 1-0 to 2-0 and then Birrell held serve to go 3-0.
From there, they just had to play safe, solid tennis to maintain the lead.
Jones on a grand slam mission
Rising Australian star Emerson Jones is now on 1573 Arena for her Australian Open juniors semi-final clash against Japanese No. 4 seed Sonobe Wakana.
World No.1 Jones, 16, is aiming to lift her first grand slam junior singles title. She finished runner-up at the Australian Open and Wimbledon last year.
Emerson Jones is into the Australian Open juniors semi-final.Credit: Getty Images
She also played in the women’s draw of this year’s Australian Open after being granted a wildcard into the main draw. She was beaten 6-1, 6-1 by sixth seed Elena Rybakina.
Secret whispers of the mixed doubles final
We love the player interaction in mixed doubles. There is constant fist-bumping, hand slapping and covert messages muttered between teammates with their hands covering their mouths.
We are seeing plenty of the above right now on Rod Laver Arena, as the Australian pair of Kim Birrell and John-Patrick Smith snatch an early break and take a 3-0 lead over fellow Aussies Olivia Gadecki and John Peers.
We would love to know what the server says to their partner standing at the net before deciding a point.
Is it something tactical like: “I will bang this one wide, they will return down the line, you chop it off at the net. Bingo-bango, point done.”
Or is it something completely removed from tennis, such as: “I don’t like beer any more.”
We reckon it is the former, rather than the latter, but we’d love an up-close microphone to gain a deeper insight.
For those who don’t know, scoring is slightly different in the Australian Open mixed doubles. When points hit 40-40 – or deuce – the next point wins the game.
Sabalenka on track for historic victory
American Madison Keys stands between Aryna Sabalenka and a historic third consecutive Australian Open title after upsetting Iga Swiatek in a three-set nail-biter.
Swiatek served for a final spot in the 12th game of the third set – and had a match point – before Keys triumphed 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) in the most thrilling contest of the tournament to date.
Swiatek’s defeat means Sabalenka, who beat her best friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 to book her berth in the final, will remain as world No.1. Swiatek will have to wait at least one more year to claim her maiden Australian Open title.
Now, the world No.1 is one win away from making history, as she bids to win a third consecutive women’s singles title in Melbourne. It would be the first time anyone has achieved that feat since Martina Hingis from 1997-99.
The only other women to win three straight Australian Open women’s singles titles are Margaret Court (1969-1971), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1974-1976), Steffi Graf (1988-1990) and Monica Seles (1991-1993).
Check out Marc McGowan’s full wrap of the women’s semi-finals here.
Court all for Djokovic breaking her record
Australian tennis hall of famer Margaret Court says she is comfortable if Novak Djokovic breaks their grand slam singles titles deadlock of 24 apiece.
Equally, Court says, she would have also been content if Serena Williams, who finished with 23 majors, had caught her at the finishing post before the American great’s career ended in 2022.
Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.Credit: AP
“I think I always said, even when Williams was trying, I’ve always said that one [24 majors] is there to be beaten,” Court said.
“I think it’s a goal for somebody to go to.”
Djokovic is just two wins away from a historic 25th grand slam singles title. He takes on German No.2 seed Alexander Zverev on Rod Laver Arena from 2pm.
Waiting on the other side of the draw will be the winner of the Jannik Sinner-Ben Shelton semi-final, which starts on centre court at 7.30pm.
Players behind the mixed doubles clash
If you are tuning into today’s all-Australian mixed doubles final and don’t know which side to support, let us give you a helping hand. Here’s a brief bio on the teams.
We’ve got to say, though, John-Patrick Smith wins our early vote for his Blue Steel-like stare. Let’s hope we see plenty of this intensity out on court.
Melbourne Park weather watch
There should not be any melting moments at Melbourne Park today. The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a mild top of 23 degrees. There is also a slight chance of showers.
It will be interesting to see if the roof comes into play on Rod Laver Arena for either of the men’s singles semi-finals.
Today’s schedule
Men’s semi-finals day
Hello, and welcome to men’s semi-finals day at the Australian Open. I’m Danny Russell.
We are 13 days into the event and hurtling towards the end of the championships.
First-up on Rod Laver Arena today, we have the all-Australian mixed doubles final: Kim Birrell and John-Patrick Smith take on Olivia Gadecki and John Peers. Then we are into the men’s singles.
Can German No.2 seed Alexander Zverev stop veteran Novak Djokovic’s path towards a historic 25th grand slam title on centre court this afternoon? Or can young American Ben Shelton do the unthinkable and beat world No.1 Jannik Sinner tonight?
Stick with us, and our team of experts will bring you all the news from Melbourne Park and beyond as this spectacular day unfolds.
