Australian Open 2023 LIVE updates: Barty back in Melbourne as jam-packed day three looms

The clouds are hanging low and soft rain is falling around Melbourne Park this morning which could again play havoc with the round one schedule.

There were 11 matches that didn’t get completed yesterday due to the rain including nine which didn’t start at all.

Those matches were worked into the schedule of play for today, which is day three of the tournament, as they have to be completed to sort out which players will progress to the second round.

But the early morning showers could see more issues for officials as they try to give players as much rest of possible before their second-round matches.

The courts around the stadium have a covering of water on them from the early morning rain so will need to be cleaned and dried before play can begin at 11am AEDT.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a top of 23 degrees today with cloudy conditions and showers less likely to continue late this afternoon and this evening.

Australian star Thanasi Kokkinakis saw his Tuesday night match against Italy’s Fabio Fognini suspended in the third set when he was just two games from a straight-sets victory.

Kokkinakis is scheduled to resume today in the second game on Kia Arena, that game can start no earlier than 12.30pm AEDT.

Ash Barty has delighted tennis fans and children with a return to Melbourne Park to launch First Nations Day at the Australian Open.

A year after breaking the country’s near-half-century Australian Open singles title drought, Barty was back – not on Rod Laver Arena but the neighbouring Margaret Court Arena, hitting with the First Nations ball kid squad.

The 26-year-old former world No.1 was chuffed to be back at the scene of her momentous final triumph over American Danielle Collins 12 months ago.

Barty was joined by her idol and mentor Evonne Goolagong Cawley to launch First Nations Day at Melbourne Park, a celebration of Indigenous art, culture and sport.

“It’s so nice to be back here again,” said Barty, a proud Ngarigo woman.

“To see plenty of good kids coming out, kids from all over the country.

“A day like today brings people together and I am happy to be here back on court hitting with yellow fluffy balls. It is few and far between these days.”

Now mentoring Gold Coast prodigy Olivia Gadecki, Barty will no doubt be a keen observer when the 20-year-old wildcard plays Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the Open’s second round later on Wednesday.

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Andy Murray turned back the clock on Tuesday and didn’t need his Zimmer frame when he upset Matteo Berrettini in a five-set marathon. However, at 35 he’ll need to come back for a couple more summers if he wants to attempt to be the oldest grand slam title winner. That honour is held by the mighty Ken Rosewall who was aged 37 years, 2 months and 1 day when he won the Australian Open in 1972. And Kenny hardly broke a sweat, beating Malcolm Anderson 7-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Read Greg Baum’s take on Murray’s stirring victory here.

Good morning and welcome to day three of our live coverage of the Australian Open from Melbourne Park.

It promises to be another big day, not least after Melbourne’s fickle weather played havoc with Tuesday’s schedule. And we don’t have to wait too long for the big names; first-up on Rod Laver Arena at 11am is world No.1 and tournament favourite Iga Swiatek.

Poland’s reigning French and US Open champion faces Colombia’s Camila Osorio in the second round as she chases one of the two major trophies to elude her to date.