Key posts
Key matches
Here is a look at today’s key matches:
Jelena Dokic on abuse and resilience, body positivity and trolls
By Konrad Marshall
Jelena Dokic arrives at the Melbourne Park studio mid-morning, midweek, in a billowing blue dress, hair pulled back, camera make-up done, and smiling widely. Beaming, really.
She’s in her element, having just joined The Morning Show for a chatty guest spot, then a warm radio interview with 2GB Sydney, the former player revelling in her role as a tennis commentator and personality.
Former tennis player, and now author and commentator, Jelena Dokic.Credit: Eddie Jim
She settles in now for a deep conversation on a balcony, with Rod Laver Arena looming at her back. A decade ago, when the former world No.4 retired from the game, such easy, breezy confidence would have been unthinkable. Back then, she says, her anxiety was so toxic she could barely leave her bedroom.
“If you saw me 10 years ago, you would say, ‘This is not the same person’. No way. I was someone that couldn’t look people in the eye. I couldn’t string two sentences together. Now I clearly can’t shut up,” she adds, with an eye roll and a grin. “If I can inspire someone, and give them something that they need for today, or for this week, to get them through it, then yeah, I’m the happiest person.”
What’s on today
It’s Aussie men’s doubles day with two pairs back on the court.
First, the dynamic duo Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler will take on German pair Yannick Hanfmann and Dominik Koepfer on Court 3 to kick off the day at 11:00am.
Then, Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson are to face Monaco’s Hugo Nys and Poland’s Jan Zieliński on Court 2 just after noon, 12:20pm.
Jason Kubler and Rinky Hijikata in men’s doubles on day six of the Australian Open.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Across the courts, big names will reappear, including reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz on Rod Laver Arena to face China’s Shang Juncheng after lunch.
And at night, the women’s world No.1, Polish Iga Swiatek, against Czechia’s Linda Noskova on centre court.
In the afternoon, there’s an intruding match up on the cards with Latvia’ Jelena Ostapenko up against two-time Open champion Victoria Azarenka.
About last night: De Minaur storms into fourth round as Hunter’s fairytale run ends
ICYMI: Let’s take a look at how our Aussies fared last night.
‘Feels different this time’: our senior tennis reporter Marc McGowan reports on Alex De Minaur storming into fourth round, while Storm Hunter’s fairytale run ends.
De Minaur believes his Australian Open begins now after he stormed into the last 16 again ahead of his bid to reach a maiden quarter-final at his home grand slam.
By ending Italian qualifier Flavio Cobolli’s impressive run in Melbourne with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 cakewalk on Friday night, de Minaur becomes the first Australian man to reach at least the fourth round in three consecutive years since Lleyton Hewitt between 2003 and 2005.
Happy days: De Minaur won comfortably in the end.Credit: Eddie Jim
He is the last Australian standing after qualifier Storm Hunter’s gallant upset bid fell just short, going down to ninth-seeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in an absorbing two-hour, 30-minute contest.
De Minaur was expected to make it at least this far, particularly after taking three top-10 scalps at the United Cup at the start of the month, and has reached that point in his career where the bar has been raised.
Key matches
Here is a look at today’s key matches:
Good morning
Good morning, tennis fans, and welcome to another day at the Open.
We’ve now hit day seven – much like Alex de Minaur on the court, the time is absolutely flying this tournament – and there are plenty of Aussies back in action.
You’ve got me again, Marnie Vinall, for today’s day movements and drama before the incredible Roy Ward takes over for the night sessions.
Grab a coffee, put on the sunscreen and let’s get to it.
