Key posts
Matches to watch for today
American blows up at umpire
American tennis player Michael Mmoh has blown up at the chair umpire in his game against J.J Wolf.
Mmoh trails by a set and is staring down a two-sets-to-love deficit.
De Minaur interview following his win on Rod Laver
Aussie star Alex De Minaur is into the fourth round of the Australian Open.
He spoke with Alicia Molik after his straight sets win on Rod Laver Arena.
Handing over
That’s all from me for today but our live blog will be going right through the evening with the great Damien Ractliffe leading the way.
Thanks for all the interactions and comments, please enjoy the night to come.
de Minaur into fourth round
UPDATED: Alex de Minaur is into the fourth round for the second time at the Australian Open after a straight sets win over Benjamin Bonzi of France.
The No. 22 seed won the match 7-6, 6-2, 6-1 in just over two hours and eight minutes.
He has praised the crowd at Rod Laver Arena and let out a “C’mon” as he took in the celebrations.
Alex de Minaur.Credit:AP
He will face either Grigor Dimitrov or Novak Djokovic next match, those two play tonight on RLA.
“I’m very happy, I can’t lie. Look, honestly, as a kid, this is what you train for, to be playing on that court in front of you guys, on the biggest stages in the world,” de Minaur told Nine.
“Every time I get out here I have to pinch myself and I just enjoy what I do each day, so thank you guys for making it so special.”
Alex de Minaur serving for the match
de Minaur just needs to hold serve and he will be into the fourth round for the second time.
Sabalenka beats her doubles championship partner in straight sets
By Angus Dalton
Aryna Sabalenka has set up a fourth-round clash against 12th seed Belinda Bencic after overcoming friend and 2021 doubles partner Elise Mertens in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.
Sabalenka and Mertens won the 2021 Australian Open doubles championship together.
Aryna Sabalenka.Credit:AP
Sabalenka, the fifth seed and most recent Adelaide International champion, hasn’t dropped a set all year.
“That’s a great stat,” Sabalenka said in the post-match interview.
“But I don’t focus on that, I focus on myself. I’m just enjoying being here and enjoying the atmosphere.
“The Belarusian is looking very strong heading into her fourth round, but opponent Bencic has also played consistently strong tennis and has won every set she’s played this tournament.
‘He stepped it up in the second set’: Hewitt
Australian great Lleyton Hewitt has praised Alex de Minaur’s ability to put pressure on Bonzi in the second set.
Hewitt is in the de Minaur’s box and he told Nine the young Aussie was doing well to keep his attitude positive in front of a big home crowd.
de Minaur has a 2-0 lead in the third set and is powering towards victory.
“He really stepped it up in the second set,” Hewitt told Nine.
“He started looking to dictate play a lot more, take the ball on the rise. Looked to come forward and build some pressure against Bonzi, try to get him on the back foot more.
“He’s freed up a lot, as well Alex. So, he’s serving a lot better. He has good rhythm on his serve and getting a lot more cheap points.”
Second set goes to de Minaur
Alex de Minaur has extended his lead to two sets to love with a 7-6, 6-2 advantage over Bonzi on Rod Laver Arena.
de Minaur broke Bonzi to seal the second set with the Frenchman beginning to look defeated.
The third set will be a test of the Australian No. 22 seed’s ability to close out the match.
Alex de Minaur.Credit:Eddie Jim
de Minaur closing on second set
Alex de Minaur has a 7-6, 4-2 lead in the second set but Bonzi refuses to go down easily.
He needs two more wins to take the set but Bonzi looks to be giving his all to stay in this match.
Breakpoints aplenty from de Minaur, Bonzi
Both men have dropped service games early in the second set with de Minaur up 7-6, 3-1 over Bonzi.
But his serve and shots after his serve has been off the mark in the second set.
