Tennis

Australian Open, Day 8: Serena, Djokovic enter last eight; Zverev self-destructs

Follow the live updates and results of day eight's action at the Australian Open 2019.

Team Sportstar Team Sportstar
Last Updated: 21 January, 2019 19:39 IST

Novak Djokovic takes on Danil Medvedev in the round of 16.   -  Getty Images

Team Sportstar Team Sportstar
Last Updated: 21 January, 2019 19:39 IST

Welcome to Sportstar's live blog of the Australian Open 2019. Follow the updates and results of day eight's action.

  • World No. 1 Novak Djokovic coasts to a 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 win over Daniil Medvedev to set up a quarterfinal clash with marathon-man Kei Nishikori.
    And he has got some cheeky stuff to say to Nishikori who played his third five-setter of the tournament on Monday:


 

  • Nishikori completes a remarkable comeback with an ace! The Japanese enters the last eight by beating Pablo Carreno Busta 6-7(8-10), 4-6, 7-6(7-4), 6-4, 7-6(10-8).

 

  • It has been close to three-and-half hours now since the clash between Carreno Busta and Kei Nishikori. Down two sets and a break down in the third, he recovers to take the set via tiebreaker and survive in the match. Carreno Busta currently leads (2-1) 7-6, 6-4, 6-7.

 

  • Serena Williams gets the better of World No. 1 Simona Halep to book her place in the quarterfinals. Serena Williams prevailed 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in an hour and 47 minutes. It will be her 50th Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance!! 50th!

 

  • Lucas Pouille downs the 11th seed Borna Coric 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (2) in a tightly fought match and is into the quarters where he will face Milos Raonic.


 

  • Simona Halep comes back strong to take the second set 6-4. We go into the decider.


 

  • Pouille wins the third set 7-5.


 

  • Serena takes the first set 6-1.
  • Serena Williams breaks Simona Halep in the first set to take a 3-1 lead.


 

  • Borna Coric won the first set 7-6 (4) and Lucas Pouille pulled back to level with a 6-4 win in the second. The score stands at 2-2 in the third set.
     
  • Seventh seed Karolina Pliskova powers into the quarters with a straight set (6-3, 6-1) win against Garbine Muguruza.
     
  • And that's it! Milos Raonic has defeated third seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (5) and is through to the quarters. 

 

  • Zverev fights back. He save two match points and levels the third set 5-5. This could be the turning point.
  • Not much has changed in the second set either. A frustrated Zverev loses this one 6-1 too.
     
  • Nothing seems to be going Zverev's way as Milos Raonic takes the first set 6-1. Will Zverev's Grand Slam jinx continue?
  • It's going to be a battle of big servers as Alexander Zverev takes on Milos Raonic.
     
  • Naomi Osaka beats Anastasija Sevastova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to progress to her first Australian Open quarterfinal.

The ever-humble Osaka

 

  • Sixth seed Elina Svitolina is into her second straight Australian Open quarterfinal after defeating Madison Keys 6-2, 1-6, 6-1.

 

Results

Women's Singles

Karolina Pliskova bt Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-1

Elina Svitolina bt Madison Keys 6-2, 1-6, 6-1

Naomi Osaka bt Anastasija Sevastova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4

Men's singles

Milos Raonic bt Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (5)

Kei Nishikori bt Pablo Carreno Busta 6-7(10), 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 7-6(10)

 

Day 8 Schedule

Women's Singles

Madison Keys (USA x17)v Elina Svitolina (UKR x6)

Naomi Osaka (JPN x4) v Anastasija Sevastova (LAT x13)

Garbine Muguruza (ESP x18) v Karolina Pliskova (CZR x7)

Simona Halep (ROM x1) v Serena Williams (USA x16)

Men's Singles

Alexander Zverev (GER x4) v Milos Raonic (CAN x16)

Borna Coric (CRO x11) v Lucas Pouille (FRA x28)

Pablo Carreno Buesta (ESP x23) v Kei Nishikori (JPN x8)

Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) v Daniil Medvedev (RUS x15)l;'znm,.//.