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1. Unseeded and looming…
The upsets keep on coming at Australian Open 2018. Hot on the heels of six-time champion Novak Djokovic’s first straight-sets defeat in over a decade at Melbourne Park Monday night, Tuesday saw both Elina Svitolina and Grigor Dimitrov eliminated in the quarterfinals.

The thread linking their conquerors? All unseeded at the start of the tournament. Chung, the world No.58, did for Djokovic to reach the quarterfinals, while No.4 seed Svitolina lost the battle of the unbeaten records to Hobart champion Elise Mertens and No.3 seed Dimitrov fell to Kyle Edmund.

s a result, this year’s Australian Open will feature unseeded semifinalists in both the men’s and women’s draw for the first time since 1999. Back then, in the age of 16 seeds, Amelie Mauresmo burst onto the scene at the age of 19, beating three seeds including world No.1 Lindsay Davenport to reach the final, where she lost to Martina Hingis. There were three unseeded players in the men’s semis that year – Tommy Haas, Nicolas Lapentti and Thomas Enqvist – but it was No.10 seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov who claimed the title.

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but in case you’re wondering: the last unseeded Australian Open champion? Serena Williams, who returned after an injury-besieged 2006 season to win the 2007 Australian Open title while ranked No.81 in the world.

2. Edmund’s Gonzo figures come to the fore
One hundred and twenty-seven forehand winners: an average of 25 per match, plus change. That’s the weapon that has fired Edmund to his first Grand Slam semifinal, and those who saw the hammer blows he was striking against Dimitrov will attest: it’s got to be one of the most destructive shots in tennis.



1. Unseeded and looming…
The upsets keep on coming at Australian Open 2018. Hot on the heels of six-time champion Novak Djokovic’s first straight-sets defeat in over a decade at Melbourne Park Monday night, Tuesday saw both Elina Svitolina and Grigor Dimitrov eliminated in the quarterfinals.

The thread linking their conquerors? All unseeded at the start of the tournament. Chung, the world No.58, did for Djokovic to reach the quarterfinals, while No.4 seed Svitolina lost the battle of the unbeaten records to Hobart champion Elise Mertens and No.3 seed Dimitrov fell to Kyle Edmund.
Elise Mertens v Elina Svitolina match highlights (QF)
Video 15 hours ago

As a result, this year’s Australian Open will feature unseeded semifinalists in both the men’s and women’s draw for the first time since 1999. Back then, in the age of 16 seeds, Amelie Mauresmo burst onto the scene at the age of 19, beating three seeds including world No.1 Lindsay Davenport to reach the final, where she lost to Martina Hingis. There were three unseeded players in the men’s semis that year – Tommy Haas, Nicolas Lapentti and Thomas Enqvist – but it was No.10 seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov who claimed the title.

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but in case you’re wondering: the last unseeded Australian Open champion? Serena Williams, who returned after an injury-besieged 2006 season to win the 2007 Australian Open title while ranked No.81 in the world.

2. Edmund’s Gonzo figures come to the fore
One hundred and twenty-seven forehand winners: an average of 25 per match, plus change. That’s the weapon that has fired Edmund to his first Grand Slam semifinal, and those who saw the hammer blows he was striking against Dimitrov will attest: it’s got to be one of the most destructive shots in tennis.
Kyle Edmund def. Grigor Dimitrov match highlights (QF)
Video 12 hours ago

“I've believed always,” said the world No.49, who will face Marin Cilic in the semis. “I know I have a big shot in that. I know my game. It's nothing new to me. I know what I need to do out there: go out there and work out ways to get my forehand, work out ways best how to use it. As I get older, wiser, more experienced, I'm learning how to use it more effectively. So, yeah, I have really big confidence in it. That's the way I've played my game.”

With Edmund, it seems, it was a case of see one, hit one, hone one. Asked who his idols were growing up, the 22-year-old referenced Australian Open 2005 champion Marat Safin and 2007 finalist Fernando ‘Gonzo’ Gonzalez, the Chilean nicknamed Mano de Piedra, or Stone Hand.

“I enjoyed watching Safin just because of the way he played. He was a very explosive, powerful player. On his day, he could be really good. I like Gonzo, as well, just because of his forehand and stuff. The players I liked to watch is how I like to play, you could say.”

Perhaps Thursday night should be billed battle of the forehands: Edmund may lead the FH winners tally but second on the list is one Marin Cilic, 12 shy of the Briton’s tally with 115.

3. Painful way to go for former champ Nadal
It happened again. Rafael Nadal, in the midst of battle for a Grand Slam title, was betrayed by his body, forced to retire at the start of the final set of his quarterfinal against Marin Cilic.

And given his history of injury problems at Australian Opens of years gone by, it was a tough exit for the top seed to take.

“I am a positive person, and I can be positive, but today is an opportunity lost to be in the semifinals of a Grand Slam and fight for an important title for me, no?

“In this tournament already happened a couple of times in my life, so it's really I don't want to say frustration, but is really tough to accept, especially after a tough December that I had without having a chance to start in Abu Dhabi and then Brisbane.

“I worked hard to be here. We did all the things that we believed were the right things to do to be ready. I think I was ready. I was playing okay. I was playing a match that anything could happen: could win, could lose. I'm being honest – he was playing good too.

“I don't want to complain because it happened to me more than others. But on other hand I was winning more than almost anyone. That's the real thing. But who knows, if I didn't have all these injuries...”

Who knows indeed. Since winning his Australian Open title in 2009, the Spaniard has suffered a string of match-altering injuries at Melbourne Park:

• 2010: Forgoes title defence in quarterfinals, retiring with a knee injury against Andy Murray
• 2011: Suffers a hamstring strain early in his semifinal showdown with compatriot David Ferrer
• 2013: Misses tournament after contracting a stomach virus following six-month injury absence
• 2014: Suffers a back injury in the final that hampered his serve against Stan Wawrinka
• 2015: Arrives after off-season blighted by a wrist injury and appendicitis, falling in straight sets to Tomas Berdych in the quarters

And now this latest episode of wretched luck. Get well soon Rafa – we’ll see you in 2019.

Zapraszamy do zabawy i wzięcia udziału w quizie, w którym można sprawdzić swoją wiedzę na temat Australian Open 2018. Sprawdź, czy znasz odpowiedzi na wszystkie pytania!

NADAL is OUT! Retires in 5th set versus CILIC
EDMUND shocks DIMITROV; into 1st semifinal
MERTENS crushes SVITOLINA to reach final 4
WOZNIACKI downs SUAREZ NAVARRO in late-night battle
by Leigh Walsh
6 hours ago
"SHE IMPROVED [IN THE SECOND SET], TOOK THE BALL EARLIER, MADE ME STAND BEHIND THE BASELINE A LITTLE BIT. [IN THE END] I FELT LIKE I HAD A LITTLE BIT MORE ENERGY LEFT THAN SHE DID."
- Wozniacki breaks down her battle
7 hours ago
Wozniacki battles past Suarez Navarro for semifinal berth
At 01:37am, Caroline Wozniacki books her place in Thursday's Australian Open semifinal with a 6-0 6-7(3) 6-2 win over Carla Suarez Navarro. She had a match point in the second set, but it took three to get the job done. Not that she'll mind.

Wozniacki has been waiting for this moment for seven years - it was 2011 when she last reached the final four here, and on that occasion she saw a match point come and go in a heartbreaking defeat to Li Na. Now she's back for more.

7 hours ago
*Suarez Navarro 0-6 7-6 2-4 Wozniacki
Wozniacki keeps her nose in front in the third set. She's looking the stronger player, and not just on the scoreboard. The Dane has won 68 matches since the start of the 2017 season, more than any other player in that period. She knows the way to the finish line and she's starting to see it on the horizon.

7 hours ago
Suarez Navarro 0-6 7-6 2-3 Wozniacki*
Even the seagulls want in on the post-midnight battle unfolding on RLA, as they sound in approval as Suarez Navarro paces to her chair after a vital hold - who am I kidding, they're all vital at this stage! - after she opens the court expertly, finishing with an overhead.

A reminder, Elise Mertens awaits the winner of this match in the semifinal.

7 hours ago
Suarez Navarro 0-6 7-6 1-2 Wozniacki*
This is exactly the start Wozniacki will have wanted. After saving two match points in her second round win, the Dane said she was playing on house money, and she sort of needs to channel that freedom of thought once more because it's all been a bit tight since winning that opening set.

The signs so far are positive in this set. If she can keep this early cushion she may just pull away.

7 hours ago
Carla Suárez Navarro, Women's Singles, Australian Open
SAT NAV - Suarez Navarro is finding her way
7 hours ago
Suarez Navarro 0-6 7-6 Wozniacki
It was never going to be straightforward, was it? As the clock strikes 01:02am local time, Suarez Navarro locks the second set and throws the key away. Wozniacki will be seething about her missed match point opportunity at 5-5, but will she let it linger?

The tale of the tape in that set? Suarez Navarro put the pressure on her Danish opponent more, connecting with 17 winners. She also forced Wozniacki into more mistakes, which was also a direct result of her renewed aggression.

7 hours ago
Suarez Navarro steps inside the baseline and threads a beautiful crosscourt backhand winner for 3-1 - it’s a lovely stroke when she connects with it. Wozniacki pulls it back to 3-2 and then a cheap error from Suarez Navarro levels it at 3-3.

Around the net they go.

7 hours ago
Suarez Navarro 0-6 6-6 Wozniacki
Fasten your seatbelts, tennis fans. This could get bumpy.

7 hours ago
Suarez Navarro 0-6 5-5 Wozniacki*
What's a little bit more drama in a day full of it, eh? Wozniacki, on a three-game roll, brings up a match point but she can't convert with Suarez Navarro teasing an error from the Dane. An intriguing few games coming up.

7 hours ago
*Suarez Navarro 0-6 4-5 Wozniacki
From points to go 2-5 down, to 5-4 up, this has been quite the turnaround for Wozniacki. The Dane is playing with incredible tunnel vision this tournament.

Suarez Navarro will serve to stay in it.

8 hours ago
*Suarez Navarro 0-6 4-3 Wozniacki
That’s a tough hold from Wozniacki, because Suarez Navarro really has her tail up now. In fact, the Spaniard connected with three winners alone in that last game, but Wozniacki stays strong, hitting back-to-back aces from break point down before closing out the game.

The qualit-ometer (that's a thing right?) is on the rise.

8 hours ago
Suarez Navarro 0-6 4-2 Wozniacki*
A Hawk-Eye graphic has just popped up on the screen and it explains Suarez Navarro’s second-set resurgence some what. She’s steering her shots closer to the sidelines in this set, dragging Wozniacki out of her comfort zone and she’s being rewarded in errors. The Dane, who his just three unforced errors in the first set, already has eight in this one.

8 hours ago
*Suarez Navarro 0-6 3-2 Wozniacki
A much more competitive set so far, with Suarez Navarro showing what she is capable of, breaking Wozniacki to edge ahead in the second. The Spaniard seems to be adding a bit more pop to that backhand and her grit is beginning to shine through.

Suarez Navarro should be comfortable on this stage - this is her third Australian Open quarterfinal after all. She's certainly beginning to look a lot more at home.

8 hours ago
Suarez Navarro 0-6 Wozniacki
That is just brutal tennis from Wozniacki. She rattles through the opening six games, breaking in the last when she cranks a rocket of a backhand winner - I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her hit the ball that hard! - to give her a first set point in a game that saw FOUR deuces. She only needs the one, pouncing to close out the bagel.

Suarez Navarro did have a chance to get on the board in that last game, but she fluffed an overhead when it seemed easier to put it in the court.

8 hours ago
*Suarez Navarro 0-5 Wozniacki
This scoreline is perhaps a touch harsh on the Spaniard, who is not playing poorly. Yes, she's hitting some loose shots (13 so far), but it's more her depth of ball that's causing the issues, with Wozniacki's height and placement giving her control over the baseline, which in turn is opening up the court for her.

8 hours ago
"START TO FEEL THE MUSCLE LITTLE BIT TIRED IN THE THIRD, BUT PLAYING NORMAL, NO LIMITS, NO LIMITATION. THEN IN THE FOURTH AT ONE MOVEMENT, ONE DROPSHOT I THINK, I FELT SOMETHING. AT THAT MOMENT I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAPPENED, BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW BAD.

"I AM A POSITIVE PERSON, AND I CAN BE POSITIVE, BUT TODAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY LOST TO BE IN THE SEMIFINALS OF A GRAND SLAM AND FIGHT FOR AN IMPORTANT TITLE FOR ME, NO?"
- Nadal chats to the media after his disappointing retirement
8 hours ago
*Suarez Navarro 0-3 Wozniacki
This is an excellent start from Wozniacki who is at her stingy best from the off. Just the one unforced error in the opening three games. She didn't have everything her own way in the last game, however, almost getting in her own way as she stopped a point mid-rally thinking Suarez Navarro's shot was out. It wasn't. She brushes it off though, holding in a lengthy nine-minute game while saving one break point.

Suarez Navarro will really need to pick her times to pull the trigger wisely today. She won't want to be sucked into this mini battles of attrition with one of the best in the consistency business.

9 hours ago
LIVE! Suarez Navarro v Wozniacki
If Carla Suarez Navarro needed any inspiration heading into this match, she need only look at what's come before on Rod Laver Arena today. Elise Mertens, Kyle Edmund and Marin Cilic *all* pulling off upset wins, and she'd do well to channel their belief against the world No.2 Caroline Wozniacki.

The duo meet for the seventh time with the Dane leading their head-to-head 4-2. Suarez Navarro did win their most recent meeting in Madrid last year but like her other victory in Stuttgart, it came on her favourite surface, clay.

9 hours ago
Rafael Nadal, Men's Singles, Australian Open
A WARM EMBRACE - Nadal bows out early in the fifth
9 hours ago
“HE HAS HAD AN AMAZING RUN. A GREAT MATCH TODAY. BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM. FOR ME, I HAVE TO KEEP GOING WITH MY OWN GAME, DEAL WITH MY OWN COURT IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.”
- Cilic on his next opponent, Kyle Edmund
9 hours ago


#AusOpen

@AustralianOpen
Unfortunate scenes here with the world No.1 Rafael #Nadal retiring hurt in the QF @Cilic_Marin progresses through to the SF. #AusOpen

1:13 PM - Jan 23, 2018
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9 hours ago
Nadal retires, sending Cilic into the semifinal
A sad end to what looked set to be another Australian Open classic. Thoughts with Rafael Nadal at this time. He called the trainer at 4-1 down in the fourth set for treatment on his upper thigh/hip area and he struggled there after.

A gruelling contest comes to an early end, but Marin Cilic is into the semifinal with a 3-6 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 2-0 ret. And it really was a super human effort from the Croat to even get to that point, so bravo to him.

9 hours ago
We're going five!
At that last change of ends, Nadal winced slightly walking to his chair, and had a slight limp in his gait. Maybe Cilic noticed because he lets rip on a forehand return upon the restart, letting out a roar that most certainly reached his opponent's end of the court.

The game works its way to deuce and Nadal mishits a midcourt forehand - usually a banker for him - and Cilic has set point. He only needs a sniff, because he smacks down his 77th winner of the match to force a decider.

“This has escalated quickly,” says Jim Courier on Channel 7. Indeed it has.

9 hours ago
*Nadal 6-3 3-6 7-6 2-5 Cilic
Tennis and its momentum swings, eh? After coming within a point of landing a fourth-set knock out punch, Cilic opens his own service game with a double fault and suddenly he’s at risk of being reeled in. He takes his time between points - perhaps too much? He needs to be careful of the 25-second rule as he’s already been called up on it - and fires off FOUR winners in the next five points to hold.

9 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 3-6 7-6 2-4 Cilic*
Nadal drops 0-40 down on his own serve. It’s worrying times for the world No.1 as he stretches out his leg between points. Cilic is sensing the kill here but the Spaniard - he’s just so resilient! - claws his way back through sheer force of will, winning five points in a row to hold.

10 hours ago
*Nadal 6-3 3-6 7-6 1-4 Cilic
Cilic is flying now and he holds with help from an incredible volley. He struts to his chair - has he got taller in the last 30 minutes or does it just seem that way?

Meanwhile, Nadal calls for the trainer. He’s lying on his back, getting his upper thigh rubbed out courtside. Hopefully it's not too serious - I can't say I noticed him being inhibited at all.

10 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 3-6 7-6 1-3 Cilic*
Nadal comes out on top of a 23-shot rally, the type of rally that can wear down an opponent both physically and mentally. But Cilic refuses to be broken by it, staying tough to win the next two points to open up an early break point chance and he takes it, unleashing a forehand winner down-the-line, his 66th of the match.

In a match of twists and turns, we've just seen another one.

10 hours ago
Rafael Nadal, Men's Singles, Australian Open
LA FURIA ROJA - Nadal breaks away
10 hours ago


#AusOpen

@AustralianOpen
.@RafaelNadal takes a sets to lead!

6-3 3-6 7-6(5) #AusOpen

12:09 PM - Jan 23, 2018
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10 hours ago
Nadal clinches the third set
At 4-4 in the breaker, Nadal chips a backhand tantalising short, inviting Cilic to go big. He does, but the backhand crashes into the net and Nadal is fist pumping. Can he pull away? Not just yet. The Croat digs out a lovely volley which the Spaniard can barely get a racquet to.

5-5. Massive point, and Cilic comes out swinging. He plays a lovely point, setting up the forehand put-away and he overcooks it! Wow. Set point for Nadal on his own serve, and the tension rises with Cilic asking him to wait as the umpire requests the crowd to turn off their flash. The world No.1 takes his time, and produces some excellent tennis, putting away a smash for the set.

That is MASSIVE by Nadal and he stands still facing his box, muscles flexed by his side before pulling out the double fist pump. Safe to say he enjoyed that.

10 hours ago
From a mini-break down, Cilic dials it up a few notches, steering a lovely backhand passing shot crosscourt before edging 3-2 ahead with yet another backhand winner.

Nadal crosses the net at 3-3, however, with the Croat miscuing a loose shot. Not many points going the way of the server so far.

10 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 3-6 6-6 Cilic
Cilic holds in a game that lasts just one minute and one second. Tidy.

Into a breaker we go. Hold onto your hats.

10 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 3-6 6-5 Cilic*
That’s exactly what Nadal needed - an effortless hold. Now the Spaniard has a game to swing freely, because he has nothing to lose.

10 hours ago
*Nadal 6-3 3-6 5-5 Cilic
Two super forehand winners from Nadal - both passing shots - help him to 30-30 and it’s suddenly all got a bit tense for Cilic, who really has been the better player this set. Then the Croat overcooks a backhand and he’s looking panicked, summoning Hawk-Eye to confirm the inevitable - he has no challenges remaining.

Set point Nadal, but Cilic calms the nerves with an excellent point, attacking the net and stabbing away a volley. A loose error from Nadal follows and Cilic holds with some more excellent play, stretching Nadal, spotting his open racquet face and sneaking to net to pop away the volley. Clean.

10 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 3-6 5-4 Cilic*
Nadal with another hold but again he’s made to work for it and there’s an air of confidence around Cilic now. You feel he’s expecting to break rather than hoping to, and that makes a big difference when the margins are this fine.

He needs to keep protecting his own serve though. Nadal will pounce on any slip up.

10 hours ago

Matt Trollope
@MattyAT
Is there anyone in the game who plays break points better than Nadal?

11:33 AM - Jan 23, 2018
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11 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 3-6 4-3 Cilic*
Cilic can really arrow those winners when he goes after the ball, and back-to-back shots fizz past Nadal to give the Croat break point. But Nadal rises to the occasion, fending off one break point with some aggressive tennis and a second moments later with a backhand winner. He goes on to close, and how often do we see him rescue those situations? Just bruising tennis.

That’s three break points in total he has saved this set. Just so clutch from the world No.1, but he’ll be wary of the read Cilic is starting to get on the return.

11 hours ago
*Nadal 6-3 3-6 3-3 Cilic
Both players clicking comfortably through the gears here, exchanging relatively comfortable holds. For Cilic, you feel if he can step up in the court and dictate the rallies more, he could start to punish Nadal who is often guilty of dropping deep behind the baseline. Having said that, the Spaniard has set up his battle ground there throughout his career and if he can keep the depth behind his shots, he's usually fine.

11 hours ago
*Nadal 6-3 3-6 2-2 Cilic
Four games in, four holds of serve, but it's Cilic who has had the better of things so far. He had a look at break point at 1-1, which went begging, but he has that look in his eyes. He's zoned in.

11 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 3-6 Cilic
Nerves? “What are they?”, laughs Cilic (maybe) as he closes out the third set with an ace. He ends Nadal’s seven-set streak against him, and crucially so.

It's heating up inside Rod Laver Arena.

11 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 3-5 Cilic*
The fist pumps are becoming more frequent. Cilic is feeling it now. A forehand winner - he’s really starting to strike that shot well - brings him to 30-30 and then at deuce he takes a return early, catching Nadal off guard and the Spaniard nets. It’s break point for the Croat, and he converts with a smart forehand angle which Nadal cannot return. Such a clever shot-selection with the world No.1 so far back in the court.

From a break down to a break up, Cilic has flipped this set on its head.

11 hours ago
Marin Cilic quarterfinals Rod Laver Arena
ON THE MARCH - Cilic is working his way into this
11 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 3-3 Cilic*
Sometimes Cilic will play a point so aggressively, you wonder where that intensity is on every point. And I don’t mean mental intensity, but physical intensity. He’s at his energetic best, however, when a Nadal double fault at deuce gives him a break point chance. The Spaniard wins that battle, but a miscued forehand gives Cilic another go and he takes it, with both hands, whacking an inside-out forehand return winner for his first break of the match.

12 hours ago
*Nadal 6-3 3-2 Cilic
Well, there goes that lull! Nadal gets out wide to a forehand, arcing a splendid winner past Cilic to bring up 15-40. As Cilic bounces the ball on the baseline, getting set to serve, umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore hands down a time violation and he’s not best pleased. They exchange words and when Cilic steps back to the line he misses both serves, handing Nadal the break. Ouch.

12 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 2-2 Cilic*
Nadal came out gunning for the early break in this set, but it’s Cilic who very nearly sneaks through, getting a look at break point. He can’t convert, however, falling to 0-2 on break point chances.

There's a slight start-of-set lull happening right now.

12 hours ago
*Nadal 6-3 1-2 Cilic
The serve-followed-by-a-big-forehand combo is Nadal’s bread and butter, and he uses it to perfection once more to hold for 1-1.

The errors are creeping into Cilic’s game now, and when he finds himself at 30-40 concern mumbles around Rod Laver Arena. The Croat responds well, however, pinging off a forehand winner and an ace before stepping in again to force Nadal into an error.

12 hours ago


#AusOpen

@AustralianOpen
First set goes the way of @RafaelNadal!

He leads 6-3.

STAT - #Nadal has a 40-15 record against Top 10 seeds in Grand Slams#AusOpen

10:09 AM - Jan 23, 2018
15 15 Replies 152 152 Retweets 354 354 likes
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12 hours ago
Nadal 6-3 Cilic
A forehand return winner from Cilic is punctuated with a roar of “COME ON!” and at 30-30 he is sensing a chance. Nadal dampens that hope on the next point, once more summoning the one-two punch, but another Cilic winner off the forehand wing brings us back to deuce. He lets out another shout, which is quickly quietened by a Nadal ace but a second set point disappears with a Cilic backhand winner.

Nadal is born for these situation though and he’s not going to let a third opportunity go, bending a serve out wide before popping a forehand down the channel.

12 hours ago
*Nadal 5-3 Cilic
And just like that, Nadal breaks. Cilic sets the tone at the start of the game with a double fault, before shanking a forehand into the evening sky. The Spaniard heaps the presure on in the next point, bringing up three break points with a backhand passing shot winner. He needs just two of those when the Croat sprays another forehand.

Advantage, Nadal, and Cilic will be furious for throwing in a cheap game like that.

12 hours ago
Nadal 4-3 Cilic*
After holding in a mammoth sixth game, Cilic very nearly breaks in the next off the back of some loose errors from Nadal. But from break point down, the Spaniard sends down back-to-back service bombs to wrestle back control of the game and he closes with another big out-swinging lefty serve into the ad side.

13 hours ago
*Nadal 3-3 Cilic
Nadal is facing something different tonight in Cilic. The Croatian is the first player he has played this tournament who can rely on his serve to get him out of danger, to give himself a few free points. Typing that, I’ve just gone and jinxed it as Cilic chucks in a double fault to give Nadal a look at break point. That disappears, as does a second, and a third, and a fourth, AND A FIFTH, before Cilic holds, smashing an overhead past a scrambling Nadal.

13 hours ago
Nadal 3-2 Cilic*
Nadal's one-two punch is dialled in tonight. Big serve, big forehand - it's his go-to play so often and sometimes near impossible to defend against. He holds to 30, and it wasn't just the game he won. The Spaniard also managed to get a call overturned after his serve was called out.

Cilic needs to find a way to get those returns into Nadal's backhand. While also pretty lethal when clicking, he's less punishing off that wing.

13 hours ago
View image on Twitter
View image on Twitter

#AusOpen
@AustralianOpen
.@RafaelNadal has not lost to a Top 10 seed at a Grand Slam since falling to No.1 seed Djokovic in the quarterfinals at 2015 Roland-Garros. #AusOpen

9:27 AM - Jan 23, 2018
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13 hours ago
*Nadal 2-2 Cilic
Cilic’s serve is so fluid and simple, yet so effective. A high first-serve percentage will be key for him today, because Nadal will be waiting to pounce behind the second. Signs of that already at 30-15 in the last game with Nadal stepping in on the return, before working his way into net to finish the point.

The Spaniard gets to deuce, but Cilic snuffs out the danger with a high volley which flirted ever so dangerously with the baseline before pinging down an ace to hold.

13 hours ago
Nadal 2-1 Cilic*
The birds are singing, the sun has set and there’s a cool breeze blowing across the court… it’s all rather pleasant out on RLA at the moment. Meanwhile, Nadal and Cilic have hit the ground running with three comfortable service holds. We may not see too many breaks tonight.

13 hours ago
It's go time: Nadal v Cilic
The warm-ups are done, the music has faded out and the cheers have fallen silent. We're up, up and away on Rod Laver Arena.

13 hours ago
Just when you thought you’d had enough drama for one day, along come Rafael Nadal, Marin Cilic, Caroline Wozniacki and Carla Suarez Navarro to create some more. How much? The next five or six (or nine) hours shall reveal all.

First up, it’s the men. Nadal and Cilic meet for the seventh time, with the Spaniard leading the head-to-head 5-1. In fact, it’s been nearly nine years since the Croat last emerged victorious against the 16-time Grand Slam champion.

Cilic will take some confidence from Nadal's quarterfinal record here, however. Of the six losses he has suffered in the last eight at Grand Slams, four have come in Melbourne.

The players are going through final preparations behind the scenes at Melbourne Park and, as they do, I’m going to duck into Rod Laver Arena to take up position for what should be an intriguing match.

14 hours ago
Kyle Edmund
THAT WINNING FEELING - Edmund pulls off the upset
14 hours ago
What a day, eh? Two quarterfinals, two big upsets, with Belgium's Elise Mertens and Britain's Kyle Edmund advancing.

This marks the first time there have been unseeded men's and women's semifinalists at the Australian Open since 1999 (Amelie Mauresmo; Tommy Haas, Thomas Enqvist, Nicolas Lapentti).

And there are still SIX spots to fill, with Hyeon Chung v Tennys Sandgren guaranteeing another unseeded player in the final four.

We're going to take a brief break here at Tennis HQ, but we'll be back at 1900 AEDT for another big night session: Rafael Nadal v Marin Cilic and Carla Suarez Navarro v Caroline Wozniacki.

14 hours ago

GREAT BRITON - Edmund is into the final four
14 hours ago

Andy Murray
@andy_murray
Wow! @kyle8edmund

7:39 AM - Jan 23, 2018
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14 hours ago
More from Edmund, after a very composed interview on court with Jim Courier:

“It’s obviously great [becoming the sixth British man in the Open Era to reach a major semifinal]. You don’t think of those things as you play. You’re playing tennis trying to do your best. As a kid, you are looking at idols and guys you are aspiring to be, and when you’re on this stage at one of the best tournaments in the world, it’s very pleasing. I just want to keep going.”

“Now I know what it feels like to be Andy Murray for the last eight years! The better you do the more attention you get. It’s probably the first time I have done well on my own, so there is more attention there. It’s a good problem to have when you’re winning.”

14 hours ago
"IT’S AN AMAZING FEELING, I AM VERY HAPPY. WITH THESE SORT OF THINGS, YOU ARE SO EMOTIONALLY ENGAGED, YOU DON’T REALLY TAKE IT IN. SO I JUST TRIED TO ENJOY THE MOMENT [SITTING ON MY BENCH]. IT’S MY FIRST MATCH ON THIS COURT, AND IT WAS VERY SPECIAL."
- Edmund takes it all in
15 hours ago
Edmund stuns world No.3 Dimitrov in four
He’s done it! Kyle Edmund becomes just the SIXTH British man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in the Open Era, shocking world No.3 Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-4. Dimitrov sails a shot long on match point, but summons Hawk-Eye to confirm the upset. Edmund has his hand on his mouth, and quite possibly his heart is on the ground at this stage, but there it is, it is in fact out, and the British No.2 is into the final four at the Australian Open.

Extraordinary.

15 hours ago

Christopher Clarey
@christophclarey
Forehand winners 2018 #AusOpen - Men

Edmund 127
Dimitrov 93
Seppi 90
Cilc 88

7:33 AM - Jan 23, 2018
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15 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 3-6 4-5 Edmund*
My word, Hawk-Eye adds to the drama. 15-30 down, Dimitrov pastes a stunning backhand winner down-the-line but was it in?! Edmund challenges, Hawk-Eye zooms in and freezes, with no IN or OUT showing up on the screen. The crowd wait. And wait. And it is out! The faces on those in Edmund's box are an absolute picture. This is entertainment at its best.

That gives the Brit two break points, and he clinches the second. He'll serve for a spot in the Australian Open semifinal.

15 hours ago
*Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 3-6 4-4 Edmund
Edmund holds and as he does, a quick reminder of what's at stake for the youngster. Just three British men have reached the Australian Open semifinal in the Open Era - Andy Murray, John Lloyd and Roger Taylor.

15 hours ago

Tumaini Carayol

@tumcarayol
Some of Edmund's FH returns have literally been 20mph faster than Dimitrov's 2nd serves.

7:21 AM - Jan 23, 2018 · Melbourne, Victoria
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15 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 3-6 4-3 Edmund*
Edmund’s box are on their feet as their charge rips a 158km/h winner past Dimitrov to get a look at 15-30. A big serve from the world No.3 levels at 30-30, and he needs another huge delivery to fend off a break point. The noise levels climb inside RLA, with Dimitrov's Bulgarian fans in full voice.

Dimitrov holds and utters his three go-to words: "come on now!"

15 hours ago


#AusOpen

@AustralianOpen
Dimitrov digs in!

He breaks back to get it on serve. This is tense. #AusOpen

7:18 AM - Jan 23, 2018
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15 hours ago
*Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 3-6 3-3 Edmund
That break seemed to kick Dimitrov into gear, and he hits right back. How much is he willing to fight? Well, he very nearly won a point in which he hit the deck midway through, rising to play a few more shots before overcooking a lob.

It felt like the penny dropped with Dimitrov in that last game, the intensity lifting. He's not going anywhere just yet.

15 hours ago
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#AusOpen

@AustralianOpen
All over @Melbourne.#AusOpen

7:09 AM - Jan 23, 2018
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15 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 3-6 2-3 Edmund*
Edmund breaks! Rod Laver Arena has played host to its fair share of upsets this week, but this one may be the biggest *if* the Brit can pull it off. On break point, he floats a high, slow backhand return down the centre of the court off the return. Dimitrov tees off on it, but catches the ball all wrong and it sails wide.

Dimitrov is a battler, that we know. He will compete. But he needs to get his game clicking, because no amount of fight will help if his shots aren't landing.

15 hours ago
*Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 3-6 2-2 Edmund
The weight Edmund gets behind his groundstrokes is something else, and a few thunderous blows secure another hold for the Brit, who has started this set very well. He just looks so composed out there. Emotion-less in some ways, expressive in others.

Dimitrov needs to make Edmund play balls. The Bulgarian is coming out on top in rallies of 4+ shots, with his consistency and superior fitness levels shining through. But he's not seeing enough of them.

15 hours ago
Grigor Dimitrov
ON THE RUN - Dimitrov has work to do
15 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 3-6 Edmund
You got to give it to the kids this week. In the big moments, they have produced some big tennis, and Edmund has just pulled off a MASSIVE hold from 30-30 to take the third set from an out-of-sorts Dimitrov. The Brit's enthusiasm right now is in stark contrast to the way the Bulgarian must be feeling. After seemingly finding his A-game in a breathtaking win over Nick Kyrgios, he has returned to the Dimitrov of the first three rounds today - error-prone and nervy.

15 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 3-5 Edmund*
My oh my. Dimitrov throws in a seventh double fault of the match on break point and Edmund will serve for the set.

Not sure how to sum up what's happening out on RLA, but it's all a bit turbulent on Dimitrov's end of the court at the moment.

16 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 2-2 Edmund*
Down 30-40, Dimitrov’s superior defence keeps him in the vital point, before he shifts into attack mode with the flick of a switch. He goes on to hold, but he's still yet to catch fire.

One hour and 44 minutes on the clock. I tell you this because the clock could become a factor today - both players have featured in some gruelling encounters, and you'd have to fancy Dimitrov if it goes the distance. Does that make this set more important for Edmund? Possibly.

16 hours ago
*Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 1-2 Edmund
Grigor Dimitrov
Three games into the third set, three holds of serve
16 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-6 6-3 Edmund
It’s still not quite flowing for Dimitrov but he’s on the board, taking the second-set to level the match. That last game wasn’t without its hiccups - Edmund plays a solid point, cracking a few groundstrokes to get to 30-30. Then the Brit drags Dimitrov out wide on the backhand, but the Bulgarian pings a lovely slice back at Edmund and he nets the forehand - with that grip, it’s a struggle for Edmund to get under the ball when Dimitrov cuts under it.

The Bulgarian closes out from there with little fuss. It's now a best-of-three set match.

16 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-6 5-2 Edmund*
There’s been so much talk about this Dimitrov ball toss - his contact point is further behind and he’s just miscuing so many of them. Three more double faults in that last game bring his tally to six for the match, yet he still ekes out the hold. Testament to his mental strength and ability off the ground that he can still win games in a situation like that.

16 hours ago
*Dimitrov 4-6 4-2 Edmund
Dimitrov misses a few chances to open up a double break lead at 3-0, seeing two break points come and go. Other than that, little to report from the last few games with both players exchanging comfortable holds.

16 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-6 3-0 Edmund*
That’s really smart serving from Dimitrov. He cuts the 0-40 deficit to 30-40 and misses his first serve. Edmund’s proven ability to step in and crack his return may have rattled the Bulgarian, but he’s learned from the opening set, steering the second delivery down the tee and Edmund can only stretch, blocking the ball into the net. From there, Dimitrov holds, and that is pretty crucial.

16 hours ago
*Dimitrov 4-6 2-0 Edmund
There it is. Dimitrov strikes first in the second set, drawing the error from Edmund to break. The Bulgarian has more to his game than his opponent, and given his consistency and feel he’ll thrive in the longer rallies. He's drawing on that slice backhand quite frequently at the moment.

17 hours ago
Kyle Edmund Round 4 AO2018
PUMPED UP - Edmund bulldozes his way through the first
17 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-6 Edmund
Edmund varies the pace of his shot a lot, switching from a rally ball to all-out whack-bang-wallop at times. He tends to live and die by his own big strokes and he is living at the moment.

He serves his way out of a 15-40 hole, and then again when Dimitrov gets a look at a third break point. You have to give the Brit credit, he’s not shirking from the pressure here, and he closes on his second set point, forcing his opponent into an error.

17 hours ago
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#7TENNIS

@7tennis
@GrigorDimitrov's 2nd serve ball toss has gone back 23cm this AO... perhaps the reason for his poor 2nd serve showing this tournament?

5:25 AM - Jan 23, 2018
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17 hours ago
Dimitrov 4-5 Edmund*
Holy smokes. Dimitrov finds himself in trouble once more, dropping to 15-40 on his own serve, with another double fault - his third of the match - striking at the wrong time. Is there ever a right time? He rescues the first break point - just! - when Edmund creams a forehand that misses by a centimetre. There was no Hawk-Eye needed on the next point, however, with the Brit running around a Dimitrov second serve and returning a forehand rocket down-the-line to break.

He'll serve for the first set.

17 hours ago
*Dimitrov 3-3 Edmund
Edmund is so good when he has time on the ball, so Dimitrov will be hoping to disrupt his rhythm as much as possible. In order to do that, the Bulgarian will look to the backhand slice and a particularly biting effort into Edmund's forehand sees the Brit miscue his shot. That gives the world No.3 a break back point chance and his younger opponent sprays another forehand.

17 hours ago

WTA Insider

@WTA_insider
Svitolina understandably disappointed in press. Had been coy about injury concerns all tournament but when pressed revealed she’s been managing left hip injury since Brisbane. Also struggled w/ it during pre-season. Couldn’t push off on serve, but gave lots of credit to Mertens.

5:02 AM - Jan 23, 2018
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17 hours ago
Dimitrov 0-2 Edmund*
Dimitrov’s run in Melbourne has been emotional. You can see it in his post-match celebrations - he has really had to work for his wins. What he needs today is a drama-free straight sets win, something he is more than capable of when at his best.

But it’s not off to a great start, with Edmund breaking in the opening game and holding to love in the next. Dimitrov has hit 37 double faults this tournament, with only Andrey Rublev hitting more, and he’s miscued another in his opening service game.


17 hours ago
Coming up: Dimitrov v Edmund
Grigor Dimitrov up against a Brit in the Australian Open quarterfinal. Pretty predictable, right? Wrong. The identity of the player with the Union Jack alongside his name is not Andy Murray, but 23-year-old Kyle Edmund, who is playing in a major quarterfinal for the first time.

If Edmund is to pull off the upset, he would become just the sixth British male to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in the Open Era, joining Roger Taylor, John Lloyd, Greg Rusedski, Tim Henman and Murray.

Dimitrov is the heavy favourite - he leads the head-to-head 2-0. But Edmund will have taken confidence from their clash in Brisbane earlier this month. The duo were locked at 4-4 in the deciding set when Edmund went down heavy on his ankle, sparking the now-viral clip of Dimitrov leaping the net to check on him. They played on, and Dimitrov closed out the win, but the young Brit was with him every step of the way.

18 hours ago
"HELLO KIM, THANKS FOR WATCHING. I KNOW YOU SENT ME A MESSAGE BEFORE THE MATCH. DON’T BE TOO STRESSY! SHE SAID SHE HAD SO MUCH STRESS IN MY LAST MATCH. I AM TRYING TO BE IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS THIS WEEK."
- Mertens addresses her compatriot, Kim Clijsters
18 hours ago
Elise Mertens
BEL OF THE BALL - Mertens' dream week continues
Mertens bounces Svitolina to reach final four
On her Australian Open main draw debut, Elise Mertens is into her first ever Grand Slam semifinal with a brutal 6-4 6-0 win over one of the pre-tournament favourites, Elina Svitolina.

The Ukrainian will need to wait a while for her Grand Slam breakthrough, but for now it’s all about the Belgian, who extends her unbeaten streak in 2018 to nine matches. She was brilliant today, steering 26 winners past her hapless opponent with the majority coming off that exquisite backhand wing.

She awaits the winner of Carla Suarez Navarro or Caroline Wozniacki.

18 hours ago
*Mertens 6-4 5-0 Svitolina
At this point, all that's left to do is sit back and admire. Mertens is dancing in the Rod Laver Arena spotlight, and Svitolina has just not been able to stamp her authority on this encounter at all.

The world No.37 will serve for a place in the semifinal.

18 hours ago
Mertens 6-4 4-0 Svitolina*
Mertens comes out on top of a 28-shot rally to bring up game point. Another lengthy brawl ensuesm and it's the Belgian once more celebrating, letting out a roar as Svitolina dumps a forehand into the net.

Mertens' timing of the ball has been exceptional today. Playing up on the baseline, she is taking Svitolina's time away and without time the world No.4 is struggling to dictate.

18 hours ago

Rob Koenig
@RobKoenigTennis
Elise Mertens = Great TennisIQ!
What’s it about a small country like Belgium that they consistently produce good tennis players....@AustralianOpen

3:55 AM - Jan 23, 2018 · Melbourne, Victoria
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18 hours ago
*Mertens 6-4 3-0 Svitolina
That’s just super from Mertens, who is arrowing the ball around the court with pinpoint accuracy. Svitolina did have a game point, but Mertens chases down a drop shot, flicking a delicious angled backhand past the Ukrainian to bring it back to deuce. From there, she broke.

Now then, when's the magnitude of what she's about to achieve going to hit Mertens? You got to think it will, but does she already have enough of a cushion? She's a double break to the good.

18 hours ago
Mertens 6-4 2-0 Svitolina*
There's a Rod Laver quote that greets the players as they walk onto the main stage at Melbourne Park. "The time your game is most vulnerable is when you're ahead; never let up."

Well, Mertens must have heeded those words because she has began this second set like a train, and Svitolina is looking puzzled. There was a time when a racquet would've been sent crashing at this stage but the Ukrainian is holding it together still.

18 hours ago
Mertens 6-4 Svitolina
Following the recent trend, Mertens once more sees a break slip away but refuses to lose her composure, closing out the set when Svitolina gets in a right muddle, spraying a wild forehand wide. Brilliant tennis from the Belgian.

18 hours ago
*Mertens 5-4 Svitolina
Those last two games were in stark contrast to the opening seven, with Svitolina taking the play to Mertens, and suddenly there’s hope for the Ukrainian. It’s worth pointing out that there have been big swings in some of Mertens’ recent matches. Here’s a look at how five of her last six sets have played out at Melbourne Park:

4-2 up, won it 7-5
4-0 up, won it 7-6
5-2 up, won it 6-4
4-1 up, won it 7-5
0-5 down, won it 7-5

She’s managed to win all of them - will it be the same here?

18 hours ago
*Mertens 5-2 Svitolina
Casual tennis fans who may not have known a huge amount about Mertens' talent before today must be sitting back in open-eyed wonderment right now. Dare we say it in the land that adopted her as their own, but this is Clijsters-esque from Mertens so far.

Speaking of “Aussie Kim”, Mertens trains at Clijsters’ academy in Belgium, and sometimes hits with the former Australian Open champion.

19 hours ago
Mertens 4-2 Svitolina*
It's as though Mertens is playing in her 10th Grand Slam quarterfinal rather than her first, such is the ease she has dealt with this spotlight so far. She's playing some superb first-strike tennis, and Channel 7 back this up with an interesting Hawk-Eye graphic. Mertens hit an average of 28 per cent of her groundstrokes inside the baseline coming into this match. Today? 47 per cent.

19 hours ago
Mertens 3-1 Svitolina*
Mertens breaks to love to go 2-1 up, and she's jogging to her chair. The Belgian has been so so impressive this tournament. Scratch that, she's been so so impressive for 12 months. Since this time last year, she has jumped from No.127 to No.37 in the world, and a semifinal run here may just see her into the Top 20.

She follows the break with a comfortable hold, and that net cord may be Belgian today judging by that last point. She crashes a shot off the tape, it flips into the air, comes back down, hits the tape again and drops on Svitolina's side.

19 hours ago
Mertens 1-1 Svitolina*
Expect a lot of balls to be hit in this one. Both Elise Mertens and Elina Svitolina play with plenty of margin, move extremely well and are full of confidence. Neither player has suffered a Tour-level defeat this year, with Svitolina opening her year with a title in Brisbane and Mertens doing the same in Hobart.

Two games in and the level is already very high in this one, with each player forced to fend off break points.

19 hours ago
Ball kids
Ready for more? Of course you are
Welcome to Day 9 at Melbourne Park. After eight days of action-packed, drama-filled tennis, we're down to just 16 players - eight men and eight women. Half the quarterfinals will be played today, with half tomorrow, and boy do we have some cracking match-ups in store. Here's what's coming up on a sunny Tuesday...

DAY SESSSION
Elise Mertens v Elina Svitolina
Grigor Dimitrov v Kyle Edmund

NIGHT SESSION
Rafael Nadal v Marin Cilic
Carla Suarez Navarro v Caroline Wozniacki

We've seen this movie before,” one colleague was heard to note as Roger Federer set another Grand Slam clash with Tomas Berdych at the Australian Open – and it was true a sense of déjà vu existed.

Among 25 clashes between these two popular veterans are nine at Grand Slam level, with four of them in Melbourne.

MORE: Day 10 schedule of play

Several standout performances are woven into their long history, which started almost 14 years ago when the young Czech stunned Federer at the 2004 Athens Olympics. At Wimbledon in 2010, Berdych upset the Swiss on the way to his only Grand Slam final, and he secured another win over the prolific champion at the US Open two years later.

For many spectators, however, the lingering memory will be Federer’s demolition of the then higher-ranked Berdych in the third round of last year’s Australian Open. “I would rather be sitting in the stands watching than on the court,” said the shell-shocked Czech, after managing just 10 games in a quick loss to the superstar. “This was an absolute lesson.”

MORE: Which six stars need to go back to the drawing board?

The pair went on to contest three matches throughout 2017 – and that Federer won all of them, extending his head-to-head record against Berdych to 19-6, was a reflection of their divergent seasons.

While Federer won two Grand Slams among seven titles in a sparkling revival, Berdych struggled at times with a back injury and finished 2017 outside the top 10 for the first time in over a decade.

Now the opening credits are rolling again on their long-standing rivalry, the storylines clearly flipped since a year ago. At world No.2, Federer enters as the statistical favourite, with the 20th-ranked Berdych contesting only his second event since shutting down his 2017 season early.

“To be honest, if there is any plan or any key to success, then I would like to know that,” the 32-year-old Berdych smiled as he contemplated a 26th meeting with his most difficult opponent.

MORE: Where to now for Novak?

Still, there are many reasons for positivity – and most obvious are the gains Berdych has made at this tournament. While he dropped sets against Alex De Minaur and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, the No.19 seed defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the third round with authority. There was another straight-sets win over Fabio Fognini to reach his seventh AO quarterfinal from 15 appearances.


Fabio Fognini v Tomas Berdych match highlights (4R)
Video 22 Jan 18

The progress is especially pleasing given momentum lost in a frustrating end to his season. “I'm glad, you know, to be back in the shape that I am right now, which is finally healthy … that makes the difference,” Berdych noted. “I can play freely and I can have joy from the tennis.”

It follows that his mood ahead of another meeting with Federer is buoyant. “I'm definitely going to go out there, try my best, try to play good tennis, and believe myself that I can do it,” Berdych commented. “I did it in the past, and also, I did it in the Slams, so I know how it is to beat him for the best-of-five sets. “

Whether that full distance is required will be another matter. Federer is the only man to progress to the AO2018 final eight without the loss of a set, routine wins secured over Aljaz Bedene, Jan-Lennard Struff, Richard Gasquet and Marton Fucsovics. Even so, he knows the standard can easily shift against the experienced Berdych.


Roger Federer v Marton Fucsovics match highlights (4R)
Video 22 Jan 18

“We have had some good ones over the years going back all the way to the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004,” said Federer. “I'm looking forward to play against him. He seems in good shape, and I'm happy he's over his back issues … that’s a good thing.”

It is not the only one-sided rivalry that exists in AO2018 quarterfinals. Angelique Kerber, the 2016 titlist, take a 6-1 record into her showdown with Madison Keys, while world No.1 Simona Halep leads 5-1 against quarterfinal opponent Karolina Pliskova.


Simona Halep v Naomi Osaka match highlights (4R)
Video 22 Jan 18

History would suggest that those accomplished players will build on those winning records. But this is sport, where plotlines alter, creating more suspense than in any Hollywood blockbuster.

And as the experienced Berdych and Federer each prepare to resume their starring roles, the beauty is that it's so gloriously unscripted.