Welcome to Sportstar’s highlights of the Australian Open 2023 quarterfinals on day 10. This was Nihit Sachdeva taking you through the action as it unfolds at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
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And with that, we have the complete line-up for men’s singles semifinals:-
Semifinal 1 - [3] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs [18] Karen Khachanov (RUS)
Semifinal 2 - [4] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Tommy Paul (USA)
Todays quarterfinals results
| [4] NOVAK DJOKOVIC | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| [5] ANDREY RUBLEV | 1 | 2 | 4 |
THIRD SET (* denotes server)
Djokovic* 6-4 Rublev - An unforced forehand error from Rublev ends his pain for the night. Love hold for Djokovic and he is through to his 10th Australian Open semi-final!!!
Djokovic 5-4 Rublev* - Rublev serving to stay in the set and match. Leads 40-0 in no time before Djokovic wins the next two points to make it close. However, Rublev closes the game with a forehand down the line winner.
Djokovic* 5-3 Rublev - Another clinical service hold from Djokovic.
Djokovic 4-3 Rublev* - Djokovic with an impossible defensive lob at 30-all which lands bang on the baseline but Rublev does well to hit a crosscourt smash to hold serve.
Djokovic* 4-2 Rublev - A rare double fault from Djokovic - 15-all. Follows it up with an ace wide into the deuce court. It has been an absolute nightmare for Rublev and the last thing he needs is for net chord to go against him but that is exactly what happens after Djokovic hits a forehand down the line. The ball strikes the top of the net and then drops dead on the Russian’s side. Djokovic holds.
Djokovic 3-2 Rublev* - Rublev stays withing striking distance in this third set. Serve held.
Djokovic* 3-1 Rublev - Djokovic continues to cruise. Another strong service hold.
Djokovic 2-1 Rublev* - The Russian is in further trouble, down 30-40. Somehow, Rublev manages to hold.
Djokovic* 2-0 Rublev - Djokovic consolidates the break with ease.
Djokovic 1-0 Rublev* - Rublev to serve first in this must-win third set. Djokovic going for the kill, up 40-15. Rublev saves first break point with a crosscourt forehand pass. A massive kick serve from the Russian and Djokovic hits the backhand return into the net. A 14-shot rally, Rublev forced to rush to the net after a drop shot from Djokovic but the Russian’s crosscourt forehand hits the net. Rublev sets up the point nicely, only to hit a simple crosscourt forehand volley long. Djokovic breaks!
SECOND SET (* denotes server)
Djokovic* 6-2 Rublev - Djokovic serving for the set. Rublev with a hammer of a crosscourt forehand return winner on Djokovic’s wide serve. Still, at 40-30, Djokovic has another set point. And Rublev saves another with a crunch inside-out forehand winner - deuce. Another forehand winner, this time down the line, and Rublev has a break point. Djokovic comes on top of the bounce and hits a glorious crosscourt backhand winner - deuce again. Ace wide into the deuce court - another set point for the nine-time champion. The inside-out forehand again comes to Rublev’s rescue as the power in his return makes Djokovic’s backhand go long. Rublev screams in disgust after hitting a forehand return into the net on a relatively easier wide serve from Djokovic. Set point No. 4. Forehand down the line winner from Rublev to save yet another set point. Rublev does well to anticipate Djokovic’s forehand down the line and rightly decides to go for the backhand crosscourt pass but hits the net. Djokovic wraps up the set with a big serve down the T.
Djokovic 5-2 Rublev* - Rublev needs a strong service hold right now. The fifth seed starts off well before making two unforced forehand errors - 30-all. A backhand error and a double fault from Rublev. Djokovic breaks again!
Djokovic* 4-2 Rublev - Rublev doing well to hang in during the long rallies. Gets the reward as Djokovic, clearly annoyed by the wind, makes a forehand error which gives Rublev a break point chance at 40-30. Big first serve from Djokovic through the middle makes it deuce. An unforced backhand error from the Serbian and Rublev has another break point. Djokovic lets out a huge roar after turning defense into attack during the 15-shot rally and finishing it with a forehand winner down the line - deuce again. Error on the forehand from Rublev. Wide serve into the ad court draws a heavy backhand return from Rublev. Djokovic holds.
Djokovic 3-2 Rublev* - Novak makes the move. Three break points on Rublev’s serve at 40-0. The Russian saves one but makes a backhand error while trying to save the second. Djokovic breaks!
Djokovic* 2-2 Rublev - Love hold for the Serbian.
Djokovic 1-2 Rublev* - The Russian stays in the second set early on with a big service hold.
Djokovic* 1-1 Rublev - A tight game for Djokovic with Rublev reaching till deuce. The Serbian, however, wraps it up.
Djokovic 0-1 Rublev* - The Russian serves first in the second set and holds comfortably.
FIRST SET (* denotes server)
Djokovic* 6-1 Rublev - Whoa! A rare shank from Djokovic on the forehand - 30-all. Crosscourt forehand from Djokovic lands just wide. Break point for Rublev. And it vanishes as Djokovic puts in a T serve for a service winner - deuce. Unbelievable defending from Rublev. Anticipated the smash from Rublev, hit a soft forehand to force a volley from Rublev before finishing it with a backhand crosscourt winner. Djokovic closes the set with a crosscourt backhand winner!
Djokovic 5-1 Rublev* - Rublev shanks a regular forehand and goes down 15-30. Forehand from Djokovic goes flying past the baseline - 30-all. However, a brilliant forehand return on wide serve lands right at Rublev’s feet and he makes a backhand error. Rublev saves the break point with an inside-out forehand winner. Rublev saves four break points but for the fifth, Djokovic comes to the net and whacks an inside-out forehand to draw the error from the Russian. Up by double break.
Djokovic* 4-1 Rublev - Rublev close to getting the break back at 30-all. Great wide serve from Djokovic and the forehand return from Rublev is not good enough. Djokovic wraps up the game with an ace.
Djokovic 3-1 Rublev* - Djokovic has come back from 15-40 to make it deuce. Rublev under pressure. Rublev commits a double fault trying to defend a second break point.
Djokovic* 2-1 Rublev - A double fault from Djokovic - 30-15. He does not seem to be moving that comfortably at the moment. Wide serve into the ad court - 40-15. Djokovic finally gets the crosscourt forehand shot right and wraps up the game.
Djokovic 1-1 Rublev* - Rublev too begins with a double fault. A 25-shot rally already and the error comes from Djokovic who hits the crosscourt forehand wide - 15-15. Rublev wastes first game point with a backhand error - 40-30. Unbelievable defensive lob after right anticipating Rublev’s forehand down the line. Rublev tracks back but hits the shot in the net - deuce. Djokovic holds the forehand till the last second before unleashing it down the line. Rublev reacts late. Break point. Rublev manages to find the open court and hit a forehand winner - deuce again. Crosscourt forehand from Djokovic again goes wide - Rublev has a game point. Strong first serve down the middle for a service winner. Rublev holds.
Djokovic* 1-0 Rublev - Warm up is done. Game time. Djokovic to serve first. Begins with a double fault. A beautiful crosscourt forehand return winner from Rublev on a wide serve into the deuce court - Djokovic leads 40-30. Backhand error from Rublev. Djokovic holds.
2:10PM - The two players make their way through the ‘Walk of Champions’ to the Rod Laver Arena. First up, it’s the fifth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev followed by fourth-seeded Serbian and nine-time champion Novak Djokovic.
1:55PM: Previous meetings between Djokovic and Rublev
- 2022 ATP Finals: Djokovic won 6-4, 6-1
- 2022 Belgrade Final: Rublev won 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-0
- 2021 ATP Finals: Djokovic won 6-3, 6-2
1:40PM: Here’s how Rublev has reached the quarterfinals
- Fourth Round: Beat Holger Rune (DEN) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (9)
- Third Round: Beat Daniel Evans (GBR) 6-4, 6-2, 6-3
- Second Round: Beat Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-3
- First Round: Beat Dominic Thiem (AUT) 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
1:35PM: Here’s how Djokovic has reached the quarterfinals
- Fourth Round: Beat Alex de Minaur (AUS) 6-2, 6-1, 6-2
- Third Round: Beat Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4
- Second Round: Beat Enzo Couacaud (FRA) 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-0
- First Round: Beat Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-3, 6-4, 6-0
In the final-four fixture, Paul will face of the winner of the last quarterfinal between nine-time champion Novak Djokovic and fifth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev. That match begins at 2PM IST. Stay tuned!
Tommy Paul stops a spirited fightback from compatriot Ben Shelton to win in four sets and become the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2009 to reach the Australian Open semifinals.
| BEN SHELTON | 6 (6) | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| TOMMY PAUL | 7 (8) | 6 | 5 | 6 |
FOURTH SET (* denotes server)
Shelton 4-6 Paul* - Paul serving for a spot in the semifinal. Begins with a body serve and wins the point. Shelton injects the pace with his crosscourt backhand shot and in response, Paul’s forehand is long. Wide serve into the deuce court and Shelton’s backhand sends the ball towards the chair umpire. Strong first serve, an inside-out forehand and a forehand down the line - Paul has two match points. Wide serve into the deuce court, backhand return from Shelton is long and that’s it. GAME. SET. MATCH. Tommy Paul beats Ben Shelton 7-6 (6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in three hours and six minutes to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal.
Shelton* 4-5 Paul - Shelton serving to stay in the set and match. Tricky situation for Shelton as from 40-15 up, he has let Paul come back to make it a deuce game. Crosscourt forehand shot at the net from Shelton goes wide and match point for Paul. Body serve from Shelton works well as Paul makes an unforced error. Heavy forehand from Paul and Shelton has fourth game point. Body serve to the rescue again. Shelton holds.
Shelton 3-5 Paul* - Paul stays consistent. Another solid service hold despite a double fault.
Shelton* 3-4 Paul - Shelton does well to stay close. Service hold with ace no. 23.
Shelton 2-4 Paul* - Love hold for Paul. No lapse in concentration this time unlike the last set. Yet.
Shelton* 2-3 Paul - Paul has a break point. A double break lead would surely finish things off. Wide serve into the ad court from Shelton and it is an ace - deuce. Forehand winner down the line and he has a game point now. Shelton hangs on!
Shelton 1-3 Paul* - Love hold for Paul and he stays up by a break.
Shelton* 1-2 Paul - The youngster does not make the same mistake again. Solid service hold.
Shelton 0-2 Paul* - Paul duly consolidates the break.
Shelton* 0-1 Paul - Possibly, a lapse in concentration from Shelton as he plays a relatively loose game and gets broken in the first game of the 4th set.
THIRD SET (* denotes server)
Shelton 7-5 Paul* - Shelton giving himself a chance after drawing two forehand errors from Paul to make it 30-all. Stunning patience shown by both players during the longest rally (25 shots) of the match which ends with a crosscourt forehand from Shelton going wide. Shelton puts that rally behind him and draw a heavy backhand from Paul - deuce. Shelton has a set point after an unforced backhand error from Paul. Crosscourt backhand from Paul goes long and Ben Shelton takes the third set 7-5!!!
Shelton* 6-5 Paul - Clean game from Shelton. Love hold. Guarantees himself at least a tiebreak in this set.
Shelton 5-5 Paul* - Paul serving to stay in the set. And he stays with a love hold.
Shelton* 5-4 Paul - A defensive lob gone long followed by a double fault - Shelton is down 0-30. Forehand into the net from Shelton and here are two break points for Paul. The big serves rescue Shelton again - deuce. However, tries it again and ends up committing a double fault. Nevermind, an ace wide into the ad court and it is deuce again. Crosscourt forehand from Paul goes wide and now, a game point for Shelton. An ace to seal the deal.
Shelton 4-4 Paul* - From 30-0 up, Paul has made a forehand error, seen a stunning forehand return land right at his feet and then made a double fault. Crosscourt forehand from Paul goes wide and Shelton breaks back!
Shelton* 3-4 Paul - Paul has a chance now as he makes it 40-40 on Shelton’s serve. Shelton has shanked a simple overhead smash and now, Paul has a break point. A backhand into the net from Shelton and there’s the break of serve Paul was looking for!
Shelton 3-3 Paul* - Shelton manages to win first point on Paul’s serve in the third set but nevertheless, Paul holds.
Shelton* 3-2 Paul - A clean game from Shelton as well.
Shelton 2-2 Paul* - Another love hold for Paul.
Shelton* 2-1 Paul - Paul doing really well to make the rallies longer and eventually drawing errors from Shelton who is 0-30 down. The youngster from Florida does well to make it 30-all but then hits a crosscourt forehand long. Break point for Paul. Crosscourt backhand at the end of a 13-shot rally lands just wide - deuce. Shelton tries the drop shot, does not work as Paul hits a simple forehand winner into the open court and earn another break point. A 217km/h T ace from Shelton to save that break point. Serve and volley from Shelton to earn a game point. Shelton hits a backhand from way behind the baseline and the ball only hits the net - deuce again. Shelton overhits a forehand to award Paul a break point before saving it with a 215km/h T ace. Unbelievable crosscourt backhand pass from Paul after Shelton seemed to have finished the point with a crosscourt backhand volley. Shelton saves the break point with another big first serve. Shelton holds after a 10-minute long game!
Shelton 1-1 Paul* - Paul begins third set with a love hold.
Shelton* 1-0 Paul - Paul takes Shelton to deuce again but the youngster, somehow, manages not to get his serve broken in the opening game of a crucial third set.
SECOND SET (* denotes server)
Shelton 3-6 Paul* - Paul serving for the set. Wide serve from Paul, Shelton hits the backhand return right at his feet and draws the error. And that’s the only point Shelton wins in this game as he makes a couple of backhand errors. A T ace to clinch the second set for Tommy Paul!
Shelton* 3-5 Paul - Shelton serving to stay in the set. Love hold.
Shelton 2-5 Paul* - Love hold for Paul.
Shelton* 2-4 Paul -A double fault, an overcooked forehand volley and a poor drop shot - Shelton is down 30-40. Break point for Paul. Wide second serve into the ad court from Shelton and the bounce draws a heavy return from Paul. Backhand slice from Shelton lands beyond the baseline and gives Paul another break point chance. First break of the match. Shelton hits a forehand wide!
Shelton 2-3 Paul* - Three unforced errors on the forehand from Paul and Shelton is up 40-15. Two break points. Wide serve from Paul and Shelton’s backhand return is long. Shelton wastes the second one as he hits an inside-out forehand just long. Paul holds.
Shelton* 2-2 Paul - Chance for Tommy Paul. Shelton seems to be running out of ideas when he is not getting cheap points from his first serve and is now down 30-40. Shelton saves one break point but then a poor half volley gives another opportunity to Paul. Body serve from Shelton, Paul’s return lands wide. Three inside-out forehands with the third one finally doing the trick for Shelton. Game point. Forehand shot finding the corner. Shelton holds.
Shelton 1-2 Paul* - No threat to Paul’s serve from Shelton. Another quick hold.
Shelton* 1-1 Paul - First double fault of the match comes from Shelton as he goes 0-30 down. Two big first serves, a mishit backhand crosscourt pass from Paul and a lucky net chord - Shelton holds.
Shelton 0-1 Paul* - Paul begins the second set with a love hold.
FIRST SET (* denotes server)
Tiebreaker (Paul 8-6 Shelton): No advantage to either player as things remain on serve after 3-3. Paul had the open court with a backhand to land and take a mini-break but he sends it long. Adding insult to injury, Shelton moves 5-4 up after a forehand from the youngster hits the tape and the ball drops dead on Paul’s side. Two strong T serves from Paul to go 6-5 and earn a set point chance on Shelton’s serve. Wide serve into the deuce court from Shelton and Paul’s backhand down the line return lands just long - 6-6 at the second change of ends. Paul gets the mini-break after Shelton hits a backhand into the net - 7-6. Second set point for Paul, this time on his serve. And another backhand into the net from Shelton. Tommy Paul wins the 56-minute opening set 7-6 (6)!
Shelton 6-6 Paul* - Paul survives a 19-shot rally with a crosscourt forehand volley winner to close the game and take the opener to tiebreak
Shelton* 6-5 Paul - Once again, Paul comes to 30-30 before Shelton finds a T ace. Heavy backhand from Paul and Shelton holds.
Shelton 5-5 Paul* - Pressure on Paul as he serves to stay in the set. However, he does what is needed. No break of serve.
Shelton* 5-4 Paul - T ace from Shelton. Brilliant crosscourt backhand volley to close the game for Shelton.
Shelton 4-4 Paul* - Cool as you like. Drop shot by Paul to draw Shelton in before hitting a crosscourt backhand pass to go 15-0 up. Love hold.
Shelton* 4-3 Paul - Now. Paul has taken it to deuce. A miraculous half volley followed by a backhand crosscourt volley seals the game for Shelton.
Shelton 3-3 Paul* - Love hold for Tommy Paul.
Shelton* 3-2 Paul - Despite Shelton’s big serve, Paul is increasingly looking likely to draw first blood and go up by a break. Comes close, 30-40, but Shelton survives. Things on serve for now.
Shelton 2-2 Paul* - Serve held comfortably by Paul.
Shelton* 2-1 Paul - Shelton, down 30-40, gets out of trouble with big and booming first serves to hold.
Shelton 1-1 Paul* - Shelton, a southpaw, doing the damage early on with two forehand winners to make it 30-all on Paul’s serve. However, Paul manages to close the game.
Shelton* 1-0 Paul - Ben Shelton to kick things off. No sign of nerves as the youngster begins with a love hold.
9:52AM - Time for the third men’s singles quarterfinal, an all-American clash between Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton who are ready to play.
Our women’s singles semifinals for Thursday are set:-
Semifinal 1 - [22] Elena Rybakina (KAZ) vs [24] Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
Semifinal 2 - [5] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) vs Magda Linette (POL)
Sabalenka extends her winning streak in 2023 to nine matches (18-0 in sets).
| ARYNA SABALENKA | 6 | 6 |
| DONNA VEKIC | 3 | 2 |
SECOND SET (* denotes server)
Sabalenka* 6-2 Vekic - Sabalenka serving for a place in the semifinals. Vekic up 30-0. Sabalenka manages to hit a wide serve into the deuce court and follows it with a T serve on the outside - 30-all. Double fault from the fifth seed and Vekic has a break point. Thunderous T serve from Sabalenka to save the break point - deuce. Yet another double fault, her ninth of the match, awards Vekic another chance to break. Wide second serve and Vekic hits the backhand return long - a rare miss from her. Deuce again. Body serve from Sabalenka, Vekic somehow hits a crosscourt return before finishing with a forehand down the line. Forehand gone long from Vekic this time and it is deuce for the third time. Wide serve into the deuce court and a heavy return from Vekic - match point for Sabalenka. Big T serve followed by a backhand down the line, Vekic hits the forehand lob long and that’s that. Aryna Sabalenka beats Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-2 to reach the Australian Open semifinals for the first time!!!
Sabalenka 5-2 Vekic* - Vekic serving to stay in the match. Manages to hold.
Sabalenka* 5-1 Vekic - From 0-30 down, Sabsalenka reels off four straight points, the last one with an ace wide into the ad court to hold.
Sabalenka 4-1 Vekic* - Strong first serve down the middle followed by an inside-out forehand - Vekic 15-30. Forehand error from Sabalenka after a Vekic backhand lands bang on the baseline. Break point for Sabalenka as a Vekic forehand strikes the net and falls wide. Body serve from Vekic, Sabalenka’s backhand return goes long - deuce. A miscued drop shot from Vekic hands another break point opportunity to Sabalenka. And she converts it with a forehand winner landing right on the baseline. Back up by a double break.
Sabalenka* 3-1 Vekic - This match continues to get interesting. Sabalenka now 0-40 down. A double fault from the Belarusian hands over one break back to Vekic.
Sabalenka 3-0 Vekic* - Looks like the wheels have started to come off. Sabalenka up 40-0 and has three break points. A backhand winner down the line followed by an ace - Vekic saves two. And she saves the third one two courtesy of an error on the forehand from Sabalenka - deuce. After doing so well, Vekic commits a double fault. Fourth break point. Slow second serve and Sabalenka hits a backhand down the line return winner to go up by a double break.
Sabalenka* 2-0 Vekic - Pressure on the fifth-seeded Belarusian who gets sucked into another deuce game but she manages to consolidate the break.
Sabalenka 1-0 Vekic* - Sabalenka makes the ideal start as Vekic continues to struggle with double faults. Sabalenka breaks.
After a seven-minute break, we are ready for the second set.
FIRST SET (* denotes server)
Sabalenka* 6-3 Vekic - Double fault from the fifth-seeded Belarusian - 15-15. Forehand winner down the line from Vekic makes it 30-all. Inside-out forehand from Sabalenka goes well wide and Vekic has a break point. Same error but this time from the Croatian - deuce. Big first serve down the T draws a heavy backhand return from Vekic. Set point. Slow second serve from Sabalenka and Vekic hits a backhand down the line return winner - deuce. Wide serve into the deuce court and Vekic’s forehand return goes long. Set point number two. Wide serve into the ad court, chip return from Vekic, Sabalenka hits inside-out forehand and the ball hits Vekic who mistimed her run along the baseline. Sabalenka takes opening set 6-3 in exactly an hour.
Sabalenka 5-3 Vekic* - Inconsistency eventually hurts Vekic. Two double faults in another topsy-turvy game but this time, Sabalenka breaks.
Sabalenka* 4-3 Vekic - A delightful drop shot to go 40-15 up for Vekic. Two break points. Sabalenka saves first with a strong forehand down the line to which Vekic replies with a crosscourt backhand retrieve which goes wide. A T ace and Sabalenka saves the second break point too - deuce. Solid hitting from the baseline from both players and eventually, Sabalenka overcooks a forehand. Break point for Vekic. And it goes away after her attempted forehand winner lands just wide. End of another long game and Sabalenka holds.
Sabalenka 3-3 Vekic* - Vekic begins with a double fault. Body serve draws a backhand return into the net from Sabalenka. A glorious backhand winner down the line to go up 30-15 up for Sabalenka. Another double fault from Vekic and Sabalenka has two break points. Vekic saves first with a backhand down the line winner. Can she save the second too? Yes, she can. Great first serve wide into the ad court for a service winner - deuce. Two game points come and go for Vekic. Earns another with a T ace. Somehow, the game ends with Vekic holding her serve. Sabalenka rushed to the net but the Croatian hit a lovely dipping forehand making the backhand volley tough for the fifth seed.
Sabalenka* 3-2 Vekic - Vekic responds with a drop shot straight away. Double fault from Sabalenka and she is down 0-30. Good first serve down the middle but hits the crosscourt backhand wide - 0-40 and three break points for Vekic. An ace wide into the ad court to save first. A backhand winner down the line - Sabalenka 30-40. Decent first serve down the T but then overhits the forehand - Sabalenka gets broken.
Sabalenka 3-1 Vekic* - Vekic continues to be troubled by her serve. Two consecutive double faults and she is 0-40 down. Sabalenka converts the first break point itself with a brilliant drop shot that lands just on the inner sideline.
Sabalenka* 2-1 Vekic - Sabalenka down 0-30 after a double fault. Wide serve and the forehand down the line combo works for Sabalenka. A T ace from the fifth seed and it is 30-all. Second double fault from Sabalenka and she faces a break point at 30-40. Big first serve gets her out of trouble but then a backhand error gives another break point chance to Vekic. A backhand winner followed by third double fault of the game - Sabalenka faces third break point of the game. Crosscourt forehand winner from Sabalenka and she lets out a huge roar! A game point chance for the Belarusian vanishes as she hits a backhand beyond the baseline. Sabalenka fights hard and eventually, closes the game with an ace.
Sabalenka 1-1 Vekic* - Vekic to serve. A double fault from the Croatian makes it 30-all. Sabalenka tries to overpower Vekic with her forehand but Vekic stays in the rally somehow, Sabalenka switches to backhand and hits it wide. Game point for Vekic. And another double fault from Vekic - deuce. Crosscourt forehand return from Sabalenka on Vekic’s wide serve into the deuce court goes wide. Vekic sees Sabalenka glued to the baseline and goes for the drop shot but the ball hits the tape and falls on her side - deuce again. Third double fault of the game for Vekic - break point opportunity for Sabalenka. Saved with a forehand down the line winner. Sabalenka’s forehand service return goes beyond the baseline - game point for Vekic. This time, the Belarusian comes up with a great forehand return and then finishes the point with a smash - deuce again. A backhand error from Sabalenka followed by a backhand winner from Vekic and the Croatian manages to hold serve.
Sabalenka* 1-0 Vekic - Warm up is done. Sabalenka to serve first. A forehand and a backhand error early on and the fifth seed is down 0-30. Sabalenka manages to find some really big first serves to get out of trouble - 30-all. Wide serve into the deuce court and forehand down the line winner - Sabalenka has a game point. A backhand winner to hold serve.
7:32AM - Sabalenka and Vekic enter the Rod Laver Arena. Time for the fourth and final women’s singles quarterfinal.
Dream run continues for Magda Linette as she becomes only the third Polish woman after Agnieszka Radwanska and Iga Swiatek to reach the Australian Open semifinals. Linette next faces the winner of the fourth and final quarterfinal between Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and Croatia’s Donna Vekic.
| KAROLINA PLISKOVA | 3 | 5 |
| MAGDA LINETTE | 6 | 7 |
SECOND SET (* denotes server)
Pliskova 5-7 Linette* - Linette serving for a place in the semifinals. There might be some nerves. Wide serve into the deuce court followed by a forehand down the line - Linette leads 30-15. Match point for Linette as Pliskova overcooks a forehand return - 40-30. GAME. SET. MATCH. Pliskova hits a forehand into the net and Magda Linette is into her first Grand Slam semifinal with a 6-3, 7-5 win!
Pliskova* 5-6 Linette - Trouble for Pliskova. Two double faults in a row and she is 15-40 down. Two break points for Linette. A forehand into the net from Pliskova. Linette breaks! That was a very loose game from the former World No. 1
Pliskova 5-5 Linette* - Linette to serve to stay in the set. An excellent ace wide into the deuce court and Linette is up 30-15. Forehand service return from Pliskova lands just wide - 40-15. Heavy forehand return from Pliskova. Linette holds.
Pliskova* 5-4 Linette - A T ace from Pliskova to begin this service game. Straight forward hold for the Czech.
Pliskova 4-4 Linette* - Lung-bursting run from Linette before a stunning backhand pass winner. Pliskova needed to close the net better after a backhand volley - 40-0. Linette holds to love.
Pliskova* 4-3 Linette - Two unforced errors on the forehand - one going wide and another into the net - Pliskova down 15-30. A superb backhand crosscourt winner from Linette earns her two break points. Pliskova saves first with a running forehand down the line winner. Can she save the second? Yes, she can as Linette hits a dreadful backhand slice. Well, yet another break point for Linette after Pliskova puts a simple forehand down the line winner into the net. Break point saved yet again after a heavy return from Linette - deuce. A T ace gets Pliskova a game point opportunity. Wide backhand return from Linette and Pliskova holds.
Pliskova 3-3 Linette* - Linette up 40-0 in no time. Deep crosscourt backhand return from Pliskova sets up a forehand winner for her. However, Linette closes the game with a backhand down the line.
Pliskova* 3-2 Linette - A double fault from Pliskova. Followed by a backhand error - the former World No.1 is down 0-30. Now a forehand into the net, Linette has three break points. Pliskova saves one as Linette’s sliced backhand does not rise at all. Second break point saved as well as Linette hits a forehand return long. Brilliant recovery from Pliskova to save the third break point as well - deuce. Unforced error on the forehand from Linette and Pliskova has a game point. Pliskova misses the line by a whisker while going for the backhand - deuce again. Flat and powerful forehand shots from Pliskova helping her - another game point on offer. Wide serve into the ad court and Linette unable to return. Miraculous save from Pliskova as she comes from 0-40 down to hold.
Pliskova 2-2 Linette* - A backhand down the line pass winner from Linette after Pliskova seemed to have won the point - 15-0. Beautiful backhand down the line winner, this time from Pliskova to get to 30-all. Excellent crosscourt backhand return from Pliskova and Linette is now facing a break point. Nicely saved with a drop shot - deuce. Forehand from Linette barely crosses the net during the rally and Pliskova puts it away with a crosscourt backhand. Another opportunity goes away for Pliskova as she goes for a forehand down the line but it is wide by quite some distance - deuce again. Second serve from Linette, Pliskova attacks with a forehand down the line return but unfortunately, it lands beyond the baseline. Game point for Linette. Another heavy forehand return from Pliskova and Linette survives.
Pliskova* 2-1 Linette - A love hold for Pliskova. That should give her some confidence.
Pliskova 1-1 Linette* - An ace to begin the opening service game of the second set for Linette. Another great first serve down the T and Pliskova’s return does not cross the net. Whoa! Linette hits a simple backhand down the line long after setting up the point nicely. Still, up by 40-30. Crosscourt forehand from Pliskova hits the net and Linette holds.
Pliskova* 1-0 Linette - Pliskova to serve first in the second set. Needs to make a good start. And she does. Pliskova holds.
FIRST SET (* denotes server)
Pliskova 3-6 Linette* - Linette to serve for the set now. Backhand error from Pliskova and Linette is 15-0 up. Heavy forehand from Pliskova and she is down 0-30. Deep and heavy but precise hitting from Pliskova this time and Linette hits a backhand long. First proper rally (12 shots) and it is Pliskova who comes out on top as Linette hits an inside-out forehand wide. An inside-out forehand winner from Pliskova and she has a break point at 40-30. Second serve from Linette and Pliskova’s backhand return is long - deuce. Strong first serve down the T from Linette, the return from Pliskova is long. A heavy backhand from Pliskova and Linette takes the opening set 6-3 in 35 minutes!
Pliskova* 3-5 Linette - Pliskova to serve to stay in the set. A double fault from Pliskova at 40-0. Still, shouldn’t be much of an issue closing this game. Well, there goes another game point courtesy of an overhit crosscourt backhand from the Czech. Forehand volley to seal the deal. Pliskova holds.
Pliskova 2-5 Linette* - Deep backhand service return sets up the forehand winner for former World No.1 Pliskova who is up 30-15 on Linette’s serve. Linette does well to get out of danger and hold.
Pliskova* 2-4 Linette - Linette doing well to force Pliskova to one corner of the baseline before finding winners on the other - a drop shot first and now, a backhand down the line to go 30-0 up. A double fault from Pliskova and Linette has three break points. Inside-out forehand from Pliskova goes wide and Linette breaks!
Pliskova 2-3 Linette* - Another clean game from Linette. Love hold.
Pliskova* 2-2 Linette - Pliskova closes her service game with a forehand down the line.
Pliskova 1-2 Linette* - Better from the Polish player. Love hold.
Pliskova* 1-1 Linette - And we are back on serve as Linette breaks Pliskova quite comfortably.
Pliskova 1-0 Linette* - Linette to serve first. And straight away, Pliskova is up 40-30 and has a break point. And she converts it with a cross court forehand pass.
5:30AM - Magda Linette, who has reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in her 30th attempt, takes on former World No.1 Karolina Pliskova in the third women’s singles quarterfinal.
Where to watch 2023 Australian Open in India?
In India, viewers will be able to watch the live telecast of the Australian Open on the Sony Sports Network and stream the matches live on the SonyLiv app and JioTV.
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