Key posts
Matches to watch for
The agent behind the greats of women’s sport
By Marc McGowan
Agent-to-the-stars Nikki Mathias (nee Craig) was one of the busiest women in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Mathias’ boutique management company looks after some of the biggest names in Australian sport, including eight-time world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore, but two star clients were front and centre on this day.
Ash Barty back at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.Credit:Getty Images
Former world No.1 and last year’s retired Australian Open champion Ash Barty was hitting balls again at Melbourne Park – not on Rod Laver Arena but at nearby Margaret Court Arena – to help launch this year’s First Nations Day at the Australian Open. Mathias then dashed across the footbridge to be with another client, Melbourne Demons AFLW superstar Daisy Pearce, who announced her retirement after a sensational playing career.
Advantage big stars as Open schedule struggles with wild weather
By Courtney Walsh and Scott Spits
Australian Open favourite Iga Swiatek has expressed surprise that tournament organisers did not act more quickly to move delayed matches indoors as wild weather caused scheduling mayhem at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.
One of Swiatek’s rivals said the washouts handed a clear advantage to top-ranked players as the Open suffered another blow with the exit of reigning champion and fan favourite Rafael Nadal, who injured his hip before bowing out in straight sets to American Mackenzie McDonald.
Iga Swiatek of Poland in action duing her second-round win over Camila Osorio of Colombia on Wednesday.Credit:AP
The championship had already been rocked by the withdrawals of drawcards Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios and Carlos Alcaraz, and lacked the star power of retired trio Ash Barty, Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Tournament boss Craig Tiley and his team were scrambling to reschedule the matches wiped out by rain when Nadal, a 22-time grand slam champion, departed Rod Laver Arena, potentially for the last time.
Australian Open organisers described the conditions so far as “challenging”.
Matches to watch for
Watch: Kubler clinches longest rally of the tournament
Jason Kubler might’ve lost the match last night but he thrilled spectators with this spectacular 70-shot rally with Karen Khachanov.
The majority of rallies in men’s singles go for less than five shots. About one in five rallies go between 5-8 shots and just 10 per cent feature more than nine. As for how many reach 70? It’s gotta be the highest outlier.
The duel ended with a twist – and a bellow from green-and-gold spangled Australians in the crowd – after a backhand from Kubler clipped the net and snuck over. Take a look.
ICYMI: What happened late on Wednesday
By Angus Dalton
If you resisted the urge to cull your beauty sleep and stay up watching the blockbusters on court late on Wednesday night, here’s what you might’ve missed at Melbourne Park.
Young-gun Coco Gauff set up an all-American showdown with fellow US player Bernarda Pera in the third round by beating British player Emma Raducanu. Seventh-seeded Gauff hasn’t dropped a set in the tournament so far.
Jason Kubler fought hard but went down in four sets to Russian Karen Khachanov.Credit:Eddie Jim
Australian wildcard Jason Kubler lost to Karen Khachanov, but not before the Australian won that 70-shot rally by accidentally clipping the net with a shot that dropped over into the Russian’s court.
Marta Kostyuk ousted Olivia Gadecki in straight sets and men’s third-seed Stefanos Tsitsipas ended the Rinky Hijikata party in just 92 minutes.
Last year’s runner-up Danielle Collins celebrated too early in her fight with Karolina Muchova before managing to seal the deal for real in three sets.
Victoria Azarenka dispatched fellow former champion Sofia Kenin in under an hour, setting up a blockbuster third round against 10th seed Madison Keys.
Polish 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz survived a five-set challenge against Italian Lorenzo Sonego and Brit Cameron Norrie won against France’s Constant Lestienne.
What to watch today
By Angus Dalton
Welcome to day four of our Australian Open coverage.
Contenders are being treated to another cooler, cloudy day after Tuesday’s scorcher. This morning could see some showers but the rest of the day is looking clear, with a maximum temperature of 19 degrees.
We lost top-seed Rafael Nadal and four Australians from the tournament yesterday but another four locals face down international challengers today. There’ll also be plenty of Aussie action in the doubles, which start today.
World No. 5 and Adelaide International champion Aryna Sabalenka in on court at Rod Laver Arena at 11am AEDT against American Shelby Rogers. Following that match, world No. 3 Casper Ruud – now the highest-seeded player after Nadal’s departure – will play Jenson Brooksby at Rod Laver.
No. 30 Dan Evans from the UK faces off against France’s Jérémy Chardy at 11am on Court 3 and 25th seed, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, is up on Court 7 against Tommy Paul from the US.
Here are the matches to follow later on today.
