The Australian Open quarter-finals are here, with just four matches taking place on Tuesday at Melbourne Park.
In the day session, it’s the Wimbledon champion against the controversial ex-French Open winner, before two young guns including the son of an ex-Aussie champion collide.
Follow Day 9 at the Australian Open in our live blog below!
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Kyrgios offers knee surgery update | 00:34
WILL TENNIS VILLAIN BE UP TO HER OLD TRICKS?
One of the sport’s most controversial figures is back in the spotlight as Jelena Ostapenko eyes an upset of Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
But it’ll be a tough task given Rybakina knocked world No.1 and red-hot tournament favourite Iga Swiatek out in straight sets on Sunday.
The big-hitting Ostapenko has the game to do it, but all eyes will be on how she goes about it, given how often she draws attention for the wrong reasons.
Tennis great Caroline Wozniacki revealed she’s no fan of hers during the Latvian’s fourth-round win over Coco Gauff, saying on ESPN: “Let’s just say I practised with her once and chose not to do so again.”
Croatia’s Donna Vekic, who remains in the Australian Open, replied to a tweet of Wozniacki’s quote with: “Hahahahah I love you @CaroWozniacki”.
Ostapenko was involved in an infamous dispute with Ajla Tomljanovic during the third round of Wimbledon in 2021, in which the Aussie claimed the Latvian was “faking” an injury.
“You know she’s lying, right? We all know,” the Aussie said, calling for the supervisor.
“You know you can also make your own call, and take your own view on this situation?
“Are you taking into any consideration that she looked fine for an hour and 30, and now there’s an acute injury?”
World Number One Iga Swiatek knocked out | 01:09
After the match-ending handshake the despite continued.
“If you think I’m faking, you can talk to the physio,” Ostapenko said.
Tomljanovic replied: “I hope you feel better.”
Ostapenko: “Your behaviour is terrible, terrible. You have zero respect.”
Tomljanovic: “You’re one to talk.”
Ostapenko said Sunday she never doubted she could win another major as she reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final since 2018.
The 2017 Roland Garros winner last reached the last eight of a Slam at Wimbledon four and a half years ago and has been clawing her way back into the elite after dropping outside the top 40 in 2019.
Asked by reporters if she had ever thought a second Grand Slam title was beyond her, the Latvian world number 17 said: “I honestly haven’t really doubted it.”
She added: “I always knew and believed in my game. If I play well, I can beat almost anyone.”
What a way to lose a marathon… | 00:41
SON OF A GUN TRYING TO MATCH DAD 25 YEARS ON
With Novak Djokovic rampaging towards the final in the bottom half of the draw, the top half is considerably more open.
And it means American young gun Sebastian Korda, who held a match point over Djokovic just two weeks ago at the Adelaide International, could end up getting another crack at the king of Melbourne Park.
Korda faces Russian 18th seed Karen Khachanov on Tuesday afternoon in a battle of men making their first appearances in the last eight of the Australian Open.
But the family name has certainly been that deep before – Korda’s dad Petr won the title in 1998.
Last week the 22-year-old produced one of the performances of his career to upset two-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev in the third round.
After more heroics against Poland’s 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz on Sunday, Korda said his displays were down to learning from previous blockbuster matches he had lost, including to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
“I think I’m really good at just kind of moving forward, learning from my mistakes, what I’ve done in the past, then using them in matches like this,” he said.
“I’ve had a tough match with Rafa, serving for it a couple times. Match point with Djokovic. I think that really helped me, especially in the last match (in Melbourne) with Medvedev.
“Then today as well. I think all those little moments that I’ve gone through, kind of learning from them, staying patient, staying positive, going through the process, I think have really helped me going forward.”
Djoker receives message in a bottle? | 00:50
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 9 – ORDER OF PLAY (All times AEDT)
Quarter-finals
Rod Laver Arena
Not before 12:30pm
[22] Elena Rybakina (KAZ) v [17] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)
Not before 2pm
[18] Karen Khachanov (RUS) v [29] Sebastian Korda (USA)
Night session from 7pm
[3] Jessica Pegula (USA) v [24] Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
[3] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) v Jiri Lehecka (CZE)
Follow the Australian Open in the live blog below!
