Key posts
Today’s highlights
Demon’s post-match bolt to see Boulter win
By Selma Milovanovic
Alex de Minaur is known for his dazzling on-court speed, but it was another mad dash the world No. 8 had to make after his first-round Open victory.
The Aussie star’s fiancee, Katie Boulter, was due to play at 3.30pm on Tuesday, but her match was delayed until 8.30pm, 1½ hours after de Minaur’s had started.
Alex de Minaur watches Katie Boulter’s first-round match.Credit: Getty Images
The Demon first disposed of Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-1, 7-5 6-4, before rushing from Rod Laver Arena to Kia Arena, where Boulter was in battle against Canadian Rebecca Marino.
De Minaur’s arrival may have been the lucky charm. The first-round clash was a marathon effort for his British fiancee.
Boulter had dropped the second set but came back in the third to claim victory, 4-6, 6-3, 5-7.
After the match, asked about if she knew of de Minaur’s match result, Boulter said:
“I kind of figured if he’d lost, he might not be [sitting] there, so I went with the win and I heard a massive roar, so I figured that was an Aussie win, so I’m so happy to see him through.”
Tennis fans are keen to adopt Boulter as “Aussie Katie” and she told the crowd it was because of their support she had got through the tough first-round clash.
“This is the closest I’ve ever felt to home, it’s all because of you guys. From the moment I landed here in Australia … I’ve felt the love. I can’t tell you how much it means to me, so thank you so much.”
Weather wrap: High chance of rain this morning
By Roy Ward
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a high chance of rain this morning and afternoon, but it should only be between 0-5 millimetres, so hopefully it won’t interrupt play too much today.
It’s quite humid once again, and while the high is 27 degrees, if the clouds clear, that temperature will rise as it has in previous days.
I just stuck my head outside at Melbourne Park, and it’s still overcast with a few dark clouds hanging around.
‘Shot of the year’ from Botic van de Zandschulp
Botic van de Zandschulp couldn’t find a way to upset Alex de Minaur in their opening round clash, but he did come up with a contender for shot of the tournament.
The Dutchman was fighting to keep the match alive in the first set when he scrambled to chase down what looked to be a winner from de Minaur on Rod Laver Arena last night.
Instead, van de Zandschulp cracked an amazing shot through his legs that flew across court for a winner.
The crowd roared and even de Minaur gave him rich applause. Van de Zandschulp himself looked both stunned and tired.
“Oh my goodness,” player-turned-commentator John Millman said on Channel Nine.
“Shot of the year. The crowd are up on their feet. What have I just seen?
“We see tweeners, but that thing was an absolute rocket ship. Elon Musk would’ve been proud.”
Sabalenka, Djokovic lead day session
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic are scheduled to play their second-round matches during the day session at Rod Laver Arena.
The top-ranked Sabalenka takes on Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the day four opener at 11.30am AEDT.
Aryna Sabalenka in practice.Credit: Eddie Jim
Djokovic’s quest for a 25th grand slam title continues with a match against 21-year-old qualifier Jaime Faria of Portugal, starting some time after 2pm.
“Playing against the greatest of all time will be a unique experience,” Faria said.
Carlos Alcaraz, who won two grand slam singles titles last year, is featured in the second match at Margaret Court Arena, playing Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan.
Novak Djokovic is all focus during his practice.Credit: Eddie Jim
Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, is scheduled to face British player Jodie Anna Burrage on Rod Laver Arena at 7pm.
That will be followed by second-seeded Alexander Zverev’s match against Pedro Martinez.
Also, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka faces 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova in an afternoon match on Kia Arena.
AP
Today’s highlights
Good morning
G’day everyone. It’s Roy Ward here, and I’ll be on the blog to open day four of our Australian Open live coverage.
We have another brilliant day to come, and then another cracking night session, so please enjoy the hours to come.
And don’t forget you get watch a five-minute segment of play, courtesy of Channel Nine, by clicking on the link at the top of the blog.
Enjoy the day.
