Australian Open : Nadal crowned sole Grand Slam record champion
Update Melbourne Rafael Nadal has crowned himself the sole record Grand Slam champion with his second Australian Open title win. You won’t miss anything in our telegram.
Rafael Nadal has cracked the magic 21 in a highly dramatic Australian Open final and crowned himself the king of Grand Slam tournaments. The 35-year-old superstar defeated world number two Daniil Medvedev of Russia 2:6, 6:7 (5:7), 6:4, 6:4, 7:5 in the witch’s cauldron of Melbourne after a magnificent comeback and, as the sole record major champion, is now one step above his great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Nadal’s triumph in the 5:24-hour thriller well after midnight (local time) gave him his 21st Grand Slam title in total. Titles in the four most important tennis tournaments in the world – the Swiss Federer and the world number one Djokovic, who was expelled before the tournament after a legal tug-of-war that attracted worldwide attention, stand at 20. For the fourth time in his career and for the first time since 2007, the Majorcan turned around a 0:2 set deficit – no professional had ever achieved this in the final in Melbourne.
For Nadal, who in the much-discussed race to become the greatest player in history dealt Djokovic in particular a hard-to-take setback, the unexpected triumph after major injury problems is a genuine milestone. He also became only the fourth player after Djokovic and Australian icons Roy Emerson and Rod Laver to complete his second career Grand Slam, having previously won the Australian Open only in 2009.
After his triumph in New York last September, Medvedev failed to win a second major title, something no player has done since the introduction of professional tennis in 1968. For the 25-year-old it was the second defeat in a row in the final Down Under, last year he had lost clearly to Djokovic, whom he also wanted to attack in the world rankings. But he missed the chance to get very close to the number one, which was originally also the plan of the early failed Alexander Zverev.
The day after the big Australian party and the much-celebrated first home win in 44 years by Ashleigh Barty, Nadal immediately sensed how difficult success against Medvedev would be. The almost flawless Russian dominated the first set.
The audience cheered loudly for Nadal, who had always stressed during the tournament that the Grand Slam record did not decide his fortune. After months of foot pain and even thoughts of retirement, he had already shed tears of emotion after reaching the final. Now the exceptional player fought doggedly to find his way into the match. That succeeded in the second set, and Nadal, who had defeated Medvedev in the 2019 New York final, now operated on an equal footing and spread his arms in jubilation after the third round.
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The left-hander got the second air and played much more aggressively in the fourth set, Medvedev, on the other hand, repeatedly got involved in skirmishes with the audience and at times lost his focus.
The final was a thrilling finale to a tournament that had long been overshadowed by the legal tug-of-war over the entry of unvaccinated top star Djokovic. Nadal took ice-cold advantage of the absence of the industry leader.
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Political protest in the final
A protest caused a brief interruption in the Australian Open final between tennis pros Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal on Sunday. While the second set of the final match in Melbourne was in progress and Medvedev had a break chance, a person entered the Rod Laver Arena and suddenly stood on the court. A banner read "Abolish the internment of refugees". Security forces immediately screened the finalists and arrested the person. The final match continued afterwards.
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Fourth Grand Slam title for Krejcikova/Siniakova
Favorites Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova clinched their fourth Grand Slam doubles title at the Australian Open after teething troubles. The tennis duo from the Czech Republic beat outsiders Anna Danilina/Beatriz Haddad Maia (Kazakhstan/Brazil) 6:7 (3:7), 6:4, 6:4 in the final in Melbourne.
For Krejcikova/Siniakova it was already their fifth final appearance at one of the four major tournaments, the first time they triumphed Down Under. Previously, Krejcikova (26) and Siniakova (25) had already won at the French Open (2018, 2021) and Wimbledon (2018). The title had also gone to the successful duo at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and at the WTA Finals in the previous year.
Krejcikova/Siniakova, who have been competing together since 2016, prevailed after 2:44 hours on Sunday.
Barty wins title in brilliant home match
Ashleigh Barty became the first Australian tennis player to win the Australian Open since 1978. The world number one won Saturday’s volatile final in Melbourne 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) against surprise American finalist Danielle Collins. In doing so, Barty withstood the pressure of expectations and ended the 44-year wait of sports-loving Australians. Despite trailing 1:5 in the second set, the 25-year-old saved herself with clever play into the tiebreak, in which she was ahead from the start.
"Wow," Barty said, euphoric and beaming as she accepted the coveted trophy, thanking her team and family in the audience, "This is just a dream of mine come true. I’m just so proud to be an Aussie."
According to Barty had at 21.12 p.m. local time, she shouted out her joy when she converted the very first of her four match points with a forehand passing ball. She hugged her old doubles partner Casey Dellacqua tightly. Cheers also erupted in front of the big screen at Melbourne Park.
Collins missed out on her first Grand Slam title the day before the men’s final between Spanish 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner Rafael Nadal and Russian world number two Daniil Medvedev in their first major final. "It’s been huge to see Ash climb up the rankings all the way to number one and live her dreams. I admire you for the player you are," said the American: "Now it’s time to celebrate a big night for Ash."
All was set for Barty on an unusually cool evening for these two Grand Slam weeks in the Australian summer: Australian tennis icon Rod Laver was among the guests of honor, as was Chris O’Neil, previously the last Australian to win the Australian Open in 1978, who brought the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to the court at the atmospheric show.
From the start, the crowd in the packed Rod Laver Arena made it clear that they wanted to see their hopeful carry her to the title. The "Ash" cheers rang out tirelessly for the world number one, who made unfamiliar unforced errors. Her serve in particular helped her to find her way into the match.
Collins continued her fad of refraining from sitting down during side changes. At 2:2 Collins had the first break chance, but Barty defended it brilliantly with a forehand to the line. The tension also seemed to drop from the audience. At least Collins did not show any signs of nervousness. But then the Grand Slam final debutant helped her cause with a double fault on Barty’s first break point. The Australian got the break for 4:2, but did not cheer after winning the set.
The final act of the women’s tournament was a final of opposites. The top-seeded Barty had been expected to reach the final. The question was whether she would live up to the weight of expectations. To the world number 30. and 27th-seeded Collins would hardly have been seeded… In addition, on one side was the only 1.66 meters tall Barty, who shone with her broad repertoire, on the other side was the force of the 1.78 meters tall American.
And the brought their emotions more and more into the game, dominated long the second set with their aggressiveness and pulled away to 5:1. Barty, the first Australian Open finalist since Wendy Turnbull in 1980, on the other hand, didn’t seem to take the set lead with any confidence. The first set loss in the entire tournament threatened, but Barty fought her way back to 5:5 – and was fully there in the tiebreak.
For Barty, it is the third Grand Slam title after winning the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon last year. She can look forward to prize money of around €1.8 million.
Double show crowned with title: Kyrgios and Kokkinakis win in Melbourne
Crowd favorites Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis capped their Australian Open doubles show with a surprise title win. The two Australian wildcard starters, who had brought unexpected attention to the competition with their entertaining and emotional performances, won the final on Saturday against their compatriots Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell 7-5, 6-4.
For Kyrgios and Kokkinakis it was their first Grand Slam title – and for Australia the second tennis highlight within a few hours. Before the doubles final at Rod Laver Arena, Ashleigh Barty had become the first Australian to win the singles title in Melbourne since 1978.
For the first time since 1980, four Australians had decided the title among themselves in the doubles final of the home Grand Slam. With their unconventional performances, the two friends Kyrgios and Kokkinakis had created a terrific atmosphere during their matches. The broadcasting TV station Nine also reported extraordinarily high ratings for doubles Down Under.
On their way had the "Special Ks" four seeded teams, besides the top seeded duo Nikola Mektic/Mate Pavic (Croatia) also the German doubles specialist Tim Putz (Frankfurt/Main) and his New Zealand partner Michael Venus (Germany) in the quarterfinals. However, the wild and also provocative manner especially of Kyrgios was not only well received. Putz spoke of "unsportsmanlike Behavior, Venus attested Kyrgios "the maturity of a ten-year-old".
By his own admission, the headstrong Kyrgios had embarked on a special mission in Melbourne. The 26-year-old from Canberra, sometimes called the bad boy of tennis and slipped to 115th place in the singles world rankings, wanted to make his compatriots happy after the enormous Corona strains and entertain them in the best possible way.
Tennis pro Medvedev fined after insulting umpire
Due to his bad behavior in the semifinals of the Australian Open, US Open winner Daniil Medvedev has to pay a fine of about 10.Pay 750 euros. This was announced by the organizers of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. The Russian number two in the tennis world had insulted the referee Jaume Campistol several times during a tirade in the duel with the Greek world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday.
The reason for the outburst was a previously conceded break and the assumption that Tsitsipas’ father had given him tactical instructions. After the match, Medvedev said that he regretted his outburst of anger. On Sunday (9.30 CET/Eurosport), the 25-year-old will contest his second Australian Open final, facing Spain’s Rafael Nadal in Melbourne.
"Not the most mature person" – Tsitsipas criticizes Medvedev for freak-out
Stefanos Tsitsipas criticized Daniil Medvedev after the heated semifinal duel at the Australian Open. "He is not the most mature person", the 23-year-old Greek said in the direction of the world number two from Russia, who is two years older. At the same time, Tsitsipas rejected accusations of coaching.
Medvedev had complained loudly to the Spanish referee Jaume Campistol during the match, which he won 7:6 (7:5), 4:6, 6:4, 6:1 and thus made it to the final for the second year in a row. "Are you crazy, are you stupid?", he said in the direction of the referee: "He talks after every point. You have to caution him." Statements, which were too much for Boris Becker. "You can’t talk to other people like that", said the 54-year-old at the Eurosport microphone.
Tsitsipas eventually received a warning, which he considered unfair. "I already got some in the past and the umpires always pay attention only to my box and never to my opponent’s box", he said: "I have the feeling that I have been a victim of this for a long time."
Medvedev rowed back a good bit after the match and also apologized to the referee: "I always regret it because I don’t think it’s pretty. I know that every referee tries to do his best," said Nadal."
Nadal in Melbourne final – Medvedev follows suit after freak-out
Rafael Nadal is in the final of the Australian Open and is just one step away from a historic 21. Grand Slam triumph removed. The 35-year-old Spaniard won his semifinal against Italian Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini 6:3, 6:2, 3:6, 6:3 and is in the Melbourne final for the sixth time.
"I had to suffer, I had to fight. It means a lot to me to be here in the final. I haven’t played as well as I did in the first two sets for a long time", Nadal said: "I never expected another chance in 2022."
In total it is Nadal’s 29. Grand Slam final. In Australia he could only win the title in 2009 so far – now he takes the next attempt and meets in the final on Sunday (9.30 a.m./Eurosport) to Russian U.S. Open winner Daniil Medvedev, who won 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Medvedev, who lost to Novak Djokovic in last year’s final, completely lost his temper at times in the match and berated the referee in second set. "Are you crazy, are you stupid?", he said in the direction of the referee, who is said to have overlooked an alleged coaching of Tsitsipas by his father Apostolos. "He talks after every point. You have to caution him", Medvedev said.
Tsitsipas was finally warned in the fourth set, unable to find his game again.
Mladenovic and Dodig take mixed title at Australian Open
Kristina Mladenovic and Ivan Dodig won their first Grand Slam title together in mixed doubles at the Australian Open for tennis pros. The French-Croatian duo defeated the Australian wildcard pairing of Jaimee Fourlis and Jason Kubler 6-3, 6-4 in Melbourne on Friday. Mladenovic and Dodig were the number five seeds.
In men’s doubles, the Australians will definitely celebrate a win at their home Grand Slam on Saturday as Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis take on Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in an Australian final. Australian world number one Ashleigh Barty can emerge victorious in the singles on Saturday against surprise American finalist Danielle Collins.
+++ 27. January 2022 +++
Barty confidently in the final
The world number one continued to show no weakness and reached the final in Melbourne for the first time with a 6:1, 6:3 victory over the previously very convincing US player Madison Keys. Barty becomes first Australian since 1978 to triumph at home Grand Slam on Saturday.
Opponent in the final will be Danielle Collins of the U.S., who advanced to her first major final by defeating former French Open winner Iga Swiatek (Poland) 6-4, 6-1. Wimbledon winner Barty was the big favorite going into the tournament, but the 25-year-old did not drop a single set on her way to the final.
In 1978, Christine O’Neil became the last Australian to win the title at her home Grand Slam. Barty’s best result in Melbourne so far was her semifinal appearance in 2020, when she lost to eventual winner Sofia Kenin (USA). No Australian had reached the final since Wendy Turnbull in 1980.
The show goes on – Kyrgios/Kokkinakis in doubles final
Crowd favorites Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have provided the first Australian doubles final since 1980 at the Australian Open for tennis professionals. Kyrgios and Kokkinakis continued their surprising run of success in Melbourne on Thursday with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 win over Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos of Spain and Argentina, respectively. The two wild card holders, who drew crowds with their wild and entertaining style, will face Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in Saturday’s final.
Ebden and Purcell defeated second seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury of the United States and Great Britain 6-3, 7-6 (11-9) in their semifinals. In 1980, Kim Warwick and Mark Edmondson won against Peter McNamara and Paul McNamee.
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Thriller against Auger-Aliassime – Medvedev overturns 0:2 set deficit
Two sets down, a match point against him – and in the end a happy ending for Daniil Medvedev: The US Open champion and title favorite has saved himself into the semifinals at the Australian Open. In an extraordinary and unexpected five-set tennis spectacle, the Russian world number two struggled to a 6:7 (4:7), 3:6, 7:6 (7:2), 7:5, 6:4 victory over Canadian challenger Felix Auger-Aliassime.
After 4:42 hours Medvedev was able to cheer in Melbourne on Thursday night. Unlike Olympic champion Alexander Zverev, who had already failed in the round of 16, last year’s finalist still managed to avoid a surprisingly early exit.
"I have no idea," the 25-year-old replied in the winner’s interview, still on the court, to the question of how he had still escaped the elimination. "I didn’t play my best tennis and Felix played unbelievable". I didn’t know exactly what to do."
For a long time, it looked as if the brash world number nine Auger-Aliassime would shock the title candidate Medvedev. In the fourth set, Medvedev had to fend off a match point at 4:5, but turned the thrilling duel around after all.
In Friday’s semifinals, last year’s finalist Medvedev will now face Greek world No. 4 Stefanos Tstsipas, who completed his repeat semifinal appearance with an impressive 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Italian talent Jannik Sinner. In the other preliminary-round clash, Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal will be looking for a chance at 21 against Italian Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. Secure Grand Slam title and the best record associated with it.
Swiatek downs Kanepi after three hours – now Collins awaits
A good 15 months after her French Open title, Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek has the chance to reach her second Grand Slam final at the Australian Open. The top-ten player ended Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi’s surprising winning streak with a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 victory in Wednesday’s quarterfinals in Melbourne. Swiatek converted her second match point after 3:01 hours to advance to the Australian Open semifinals for the first time.
"This match was crazy," Swiatek said after the duel with some twists and turns: "She played so great."In 2020, the Pole had stunned and made a name for herself as a teenager by securing the French Open title completely unexpectedly. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the French Open was postponed to the fall.
The 20-year-old kept her nerve against Kanepi even after trailing in the first set and losing a 4:1 lead in the second set. Despite an unsafe serve at times and twelve double faults, she prevailed. The world no. 115. Kanepi had knocked Angelique Kerber out of the tournament in Melbourne a good week ago, giving the Kiel native the 34. Birthday spoiled.
Swiatek will now play U.S.’s Danielle Collins on Thursday for a chance to reach the final. Collins repeated her best-ever Grand Slam result of 2019, when she also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open. She defeated unseeded Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 7-5, 6-1 in the surprise quarterfinal and first match of this tournament day. Cornet stood at her 63. Grand Slam tournament for the first time in the round of the best eight.
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Nadal in semifinals after defeating Zverev
Rafael Nadal has reached the semifinals of the Australian Open for the seventh time. The 35-year-old Spaniard appeared to be struggling after taking a 2-0 set lead against Denis Shapovalov into the fifth set in Melbourne on Tuesday, but battled back to win 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3. In the round of 16, Canadian Shapovalov had ended the title hopes of Hamburg’s Alexander Zverev.
The 35-year-old will now face Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, ten years his junior, who defeated Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2 to become the first Italian to reach the tournament semifinals. This is his third time in the last four of a major tournament.
Nadal converted his first match point after 4:08 hours and was extensively celebrated by the crowd for this energetic performance. "I was completely destroyed after this hard, warm day. It’s incredible for me to be in this semifinal", Nadal, who won the tournament in 2009, said: "I didn’t feel good in my stomach. I was lucky to serve great in the fifth set."
With another Australian Open title, Nadal can make history in the absence of Novak Djokovic (expelled) and Roger Federer (injured). If he wins the tournament, he would be crowned the sole Grand Slam record champion. Currently all three top players stand at 20 major titles.
Puetz/Venus miss semifinal in doubles
Tennis player Tim Puetz, with his partner Michael Venus, was unable to stop Australians Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios and missed out on a semi-final spot in the doubles competition at the Australian Open. The duo from Frankfurt and New Zealand had to concede defeat to the crowd favorites 5:7, 6:3, 3:6 in a heated atmosphere in Melbourne on Tuesday. After a match with interjections between serves and applause for double faults, Puetz and Venus lost after 2:16 hours.
With the Davis Cup player out, there is also no German player left in the doubles competitions. Puetz and Venus were seeded sixth in the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. Wildcard holders Kokkinakis and Kyrgios are on a surprising winning streak, having defeated Croatian Wimbledon and Olympic champions Nikola Mektic and Pavic in the first round.
Keys surprises against Krejcikova
U.S.’s Madison Keys surprisingly reached the Australian Open semifinals for the first time since 2015. The 26-year-old clearly outclassed French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-2 on Tuesday. In the semifinals on Thursday, the world number 51 will challenge either Ashleigh Barty (Australia), who has been playing sensationally lately, or her compatriot Jessica Pegula.
Krejcikova struggled with the heat in Melbourne. At 2:5 in the first set, the world number four had to take a treatment break and had her temperature and blood pressure measured. Keys was much fresher. "I train in Orlando in the summer. I think it’s the hottest place in the world in the summer", she said afterwards.
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Tsitsipas wins five-set thriller against Fritz – Medvedev also struggles
Daniil Medvedev argued with the umpire, berated his opponent and eventually fought his way through with much difficulty: The tournament favorite solved an enormously tricky task against serve-and-volley specialist Maxime Cressy with great difficulty and has reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the sixth time. The 25-year-old Russian beat the in-form US American 6-2, 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5.
"It was a hell of a match and I’m glad to be through", Medvedev, who now faces shooting star Felix Auger-Aliassime, said. The Canadian defeated former US Open champion Marin Cilic (Croatia) 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). This will be a rematch of the US Open semifinals, where Medvedev celebrated his first Grand Slam triumph last September.
In the intense match over 3:30 hours against Cressy was at times enormously dissatisfied. He complained that his opponent was taking too much time before his serves and cursed at perceived frame hits from Cressy, who advanced to the net 135 times and came up big.
Medvedev is the highest-seeded professional in Melbourne in the absence of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and is one of the clearest contenders for the title along with 20-time major champion Rafael Nadal. In last year’s final, the Moscow native lost to Djokovic in three sets.
Also in the round of the last eight is Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who narrowly beat US player Taylor Fritz 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. He will meet Jannik Sinner of Italy, who defeated Alex de Minaur of Australia 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-4.
Two Canadians in Grand Slam quarterfinals for the first time
After the defeat of Olympic champion Alexander Zverev by Denis Shapovalov, two Canadian tennis men have reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. World number nine Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated former Melbourne finalist Marin Cilic of Croatia 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) in the last 16 of the Australian Open on Monday. His next opponent is Russian world number two Daniil Medvedev. Co-favorite Zverev was surprisingly clearly eliminated in three sets against Shapovalov on Sunday. The two Canadians had won the ATP Cup, a team competition, earlier in the season.
Jannik Sinner was the second Italian to reach the quarterfinals after Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. The 20-year-old prevailed 7:6 (7:3), 6:3, 6:4 against Australian Alex de Minaur. For the first time since the French Open 49 years ago, two Italian tennis professionals are in the round of the best eight. 1973 in Paris, Paolo Bertolucci and Adriano Panatta managed to do so.
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Barty in the quarterfinals of Melbourne
Top seed Ashleigh Barty (25) has reached the quarterfinals at her home Grand Slam in Melbourne. The world number one defeated the in-form American Amanda Anisimova 6:4, 6:3 at the Australian Open. Barty continues to go without losing a set and is still in the thick of things ahead of her match against Jessica Pegula (USA/Nr. 21) hopes of winning at home for the first time since 1978.
Christine O’Neil was the last Australian to win the title. Barty’s best result in Melbourne so far is a semi-final appearance in 2020; last year she was eliminated in the round of the best eight players after an impeccable tournament so far.
A similar slip-up against Pegula would be a surprise, Barty is currently too consistent, especially on her own serve. Anisimova was considered the secret favorite after her victory at the preparatory tournament in Melbourne and her success in the previous round against former number one Naomi Osaka (Japan). Wimbledon winner Barty, however, showed the 20-year-old her limits.
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Zverev eliminated and misses quarterfinal against Nadal
Title contender Alexander Zverev has been eliminated from the Australian Open in the round of 16. The best German tennis player lost on Sunday in Melbourne against the Canadian world No. 14. Denis Shapovalov 3:6, 6:7 (5:7), 3:6. The Olympic champion’s hopes of winning the first Grand Slam title of his career have thus come to another abrupt end.
Ranked third in the world, the 24-year-old from Hamburg was considered a co-favorite at the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. His chances had increased due to the absence of the Serbian record champion Novak Djokovic. After his failure, the Australian Open continues in the singles competitions without German participants. Shapovalov will face Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals.
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Nadal to 14. In the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time
Rafael Nadal stands for 14 after a hard piece of work. Quarterfinal of the Australian Open for the 23rd time. The top tennis star from Spain beat unseeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (16-14), 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday. Now a duel awaits Nadal with Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who defeated Alexander Zverev in the round of 16.
Especially in the 81-minute first set of the round of 16 against Mannarino, the 35-year-old had to work really hard, in the tiebreak it went back and forth with the better end for Nadal. The clay court king then dominated the 2:40 hour match.
Nadal, 2009 tournament winner, can make history in Melbourne in absence of Novak Djokovic (expelled) and Roger Federer (injured). With a tournament win, he would be crowned the sole record Grand Slam champion. Currently all three top players stand at 20 Grand Slam titles.
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Krejcikova beats Asarenka to reach round of 16
French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova has reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in convincing style. The 26-year-old Czech beat the two-time tournament winner Wiktoria Asarenka from Belarus 6:2, 6:2. Asarenka , who won the Grand Slam tournament in 2012 and 2013, struggled with neck problems during the match.
Krejcikova had not advanced beyond the second round in Melbourne so far, now she fights against Madison Keys from the USA for a place in the semifinals. The strong-serving 26-year-old, a 2017 US Open finalist, knocked out eighth-seeded Spaniard Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-1 in her round of 16 match.
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Krawietz/Mies miss out on quarterfinals in Melbourne
Disappointment for the successful duo Kevin Krawietz /Andreas Mies in Melbourne: The two-time French Open winners clearly missed the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. Krawietz /Mies lost to the fifth seeded Australian-Slovakian team John Peers/Filip Polasek on Sunday in only 65 minutes 1:6, 2:6.
Twelfth-seeded Krawietz and Mies were together in Melbourne for the first time at a Grand Slam tournament since winning the title at Roland Garros in 2020. The "KraMies" made their comeback after more than a year celebrated last week at the ATP tournament in Sydney, where they reached the semifinals.
At the beginning of last year, Mies had to undergo cartilage surgery on his knee, which resulted in a long break. Krawietz meanwhile played successfully with Romanian Horia Tecau and qualified with his partner for the ATP Finals.
In Melbourne, the tennis pros had previously competed together only in 2020 and failed in the first round, now they were eliminated in the round of 16. This means that there is only one German professional left in the men’s doubles competition, Tim Putz from Frankfurt. The 34-year-old is in the quarterfinals with New Zealander Michael Venus after a withdrawal by Australians Christopher O’Connell/Jason Kubler.
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Struff/Koepfer out in doubles – Medwede w marches on
For Davis Cup players Jan-Lennard Struff and Dominik Koepfer, the Australian Open is also over in doubles. The tennis duo lost in the second round against Ariel Behar/Gonzalo Escobar from Uruguay and Ecuador 6:7 (5:7), 6:4, 2:6 on Saturday in Melbourne. In singles, Struff suffered a first-round defeat, Koepfer was eliminated in the second round.
Tim Putz and Michael Venus from New Zealand have reached the round of 16 in the doubles competition. The pair defeated Roberto Carballes Baena and Hugo Gaston of Spain and France 6-1, 6-4. Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies are also still in the tournament.
In the women’s doubles Andrea Petkovic provided a German sense of achievement. Petkovic and Jaqueline Cristian from Romania beat the Slovenian duo Kaja Juvan/Tamara Zidansek 6:4, 6:0 and also reached the round of 16.
Move into the round of 16: Medvedev beats van de Zandschulp
Tournament top favorite Daniil Medvedev provided the next proof of his class at the Australian Open. The 25-year-old Russian left no stone unturned in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 round of 16 win over Dutch US Open quarterfinalist Botic van de Zandschulp, repeatedly extricating himself convincingly from dicey situations. Van de Zandschulp had clearly defeated Jan-Lennard Struff (Warstein) in the first round.
Last year’s finalist Medvedev is the highest seeded professional in Melbourne in the absence of world number one Novak Djokovic and joins Alexander Zverev and 20-time major champion Rafael Nadal in the tight group of title contenders. Last year he celebrated his first Grand Slam triumph at the US Open, defeating van de Zandschulp in four sets along the way.
Again Medvedev proved to be too constant and variable, but had to work hard for his victory. This was also the case for the world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece, who defeated Benoit Paire from France 6:3, 7:5, 6:7 (2:7), 6:4. The US American Taylor Fritz won 6:0, 3:6, 3:6, 6:4, 6:3 against the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
Kerber defeat Kanepi in round of 16 – Halep also advances
Kaia Kanepi reaches the round of 16 at the Australian Open for the first time. The 36-year-old Estonian, who knocked out Angelique Kerber in the first round of the Grand Slam tournament, won her third-round clash against Australia’s Maddison Inglis 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 on Saturday and will now face world number two Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who beat Czech Marketa Vondrousova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Two-time Grand Slam winner Simona Halep also advanced to the round of 16. The former world number one from Romania beat Danka Kovinic from Montenegro 6:2, 6:1. Kovinic had eliminated US Open winner Emma Raducanu (Great Britain) in the second round.
Halep, a 2018 Melbourne finalist and last year’s quarterfinalist, will now face France’s Alize Cornet, who followed up her success against clear favorite Garbine Muguruza (Spain) with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia.
+++++ 20. January +++++
Zverev reaches round of 16 without dropping a set – clash with Nadal draws closer
On the hoped-for path to a Grand Slam title debut, Alexander Zverev has solved the next mandatory task. In the third round of the Australian Open, Germany’s best tennis player won clearly in Melbourne on Friday with 6:3, 6:4, 6:4 against the qualifier Radu Albot. The world number three advanced to the round of 16 without dropping a set, but allowed himself to lose concentration against the outsider. So the 24-year-old from Hamburg shook his head again and again, scolded and once even peppered the racket on the floor. ‘I didn’t feel perfect – but who is perfect’? In the end I won and I’m happy about it," said Zverev in the winner’s interview on the court.
Zverev will face the world number 14 in the round of 16 on Sunday. Denis Shapovalov from Canada, who won 7:6 (7:4), 4:6, 6:3, 6:4 against Reilly Opelka from the USA. Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal could be waiting in the quarterfinals. Despite a brief lapse in the third set, Nadal won 6:3, 6:2, 3:6, 6:1 against Russian Karen Khachanov. For Nadal it was the first set loss in the tournament, in the round of 16 the Grand Slam record winner will meet Frenchman Adrian Mannarino or Russian Aslan Karazew.
Defending champion Osaka eliminated
Defending champion Naomi Osaka was eliminated in the third round of the Australian Open after missing two match points. The Japanese tennis player lost a tight match against American Amanda Anisimova 6:4, 3:6, 6:7 (5:10) in Melbourne on Friday. The tiebreak in the third set is played to ten points in Melbourne. Osaka had failed to convert two match points at 5:4 in the third set.
After the US Open last September, the four-time Grand Slam tournament winner retired from tennis and took a longer break. She had previously made depression public. At the beginning of January, the 24-year-old Japanese returned to the tour after a four-month layoff.
With her elimination from the first Grand Slam tournament of the season in Melbourne, Osaka now missed out on a delightful Round of 16 match against Australia’s Ashleigh Barty. The world number one defeated Italian Camila Giorgi 6:2, 6:3.
Krawietz and Mies in the doubles round of 16 in Melbourne
The reunited successful doubles pair Kevin Krawietz/Andreas Mies (Coburg/Cologne) reached the round of 16 for the first time at the Australian Open. The two-time French Open winners won 6:4, 6:7 (7:9), 6:4 against the US Americans Austin Krajicek/Sam Querrey on Friday. The German duo had already missed a match point in the tiebreak of the second set.
Twelfth-seeded Krawietz and Mies will play together in Melbourne for the first time at a Grand Slam tournament since winning the title at Roland Garros in 2020. In the round of 16, they will face the top doubles team of John Peers/Filip Polasek (Australia/Slovakia), who are ranked number five.
Mies had to undergo cartilage surgery on his knee at the beginning of last year, which resulted in a long break. In the meantime Krawietz played successfully with the Romanian Horia Tecau and qualified with his partner for the ATP Finals.
Previously, the two tennis pros, who triumphed at Roland Garros in 2019 and 2020, had only competed together once before in Melbourne. 2020 already failed in the first round. The "KraMies" made their comeback after more than a year celebrated last week at the ATP tournament in Sydney, where she reached the semifinals.
Berrettini stops Alcaraz in a five-set thriller
Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini struggled to put emerging tennis top talent Carlos Alcaraz in his place at the Australian Open. The world number seven from Italy had to fight his way into the round of 16 against the 18-year-old Spaniard over the full distance despite leading 2:0 in the set, in the end he prevailed 6:2, 7:6 (7:3), 4:6, 2:6, 7:6 (10:5).
Alcaraz had been playing most recently at the "Next Gen."-Draws attention to herself in Milan finals, wins title at annual finals of best young pros. He had already reached the quarterfinals at the US Open in New York. At the end of last season, he missed his participation in the Davis Cup finals with Spain due to a Corona infection.
Two-time Australian Open winner Asarenka leaves Svitolina no chance
Two-time title-holder Wiktoria Asarenka continues strong run at Australian Open. The 32-year-old Belarusian, who triumphed in Melbourne in 2012 and 2013, advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 2016 with a surprisingly clear 6-0, 6-2 win over Olympic bronze medalist Elina Switolina (Ukraine). Asarenka has yet to drop a set in the tournament so far, losing only nine games in her three matches.
In the round of 16, the former world number one will face French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova. The world number four from the Czech Republic won against former Paris winner Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) 2:6, 6:4, 6:4.
+++++ 20. January +++++
Zverev last German in the tournament
German hopes at the Australian Open rest solely on Olympic champion Alexander Zverev: Philipp Kohlschreiber was the penultimate German tennis pro to be eliminated from the singles competition in Melbourne on Thursday. The 38-year-old suffered a tough second-round exit against 15th-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, 1:6, 0:6, 3:6.
Kohlschreiber had a weak day and was without a chance. After only 1:28 hours of play, the former top-20 player, now only number 134 in the world, had to congratulate the Spaniard Bautista Agut. 44 unforced errors by the oldest player remaining in the men’s field were far too many against the steady Spaniard. Kohlschreiber had won in three sets against Italy’s Marco Cecchinato 6:4, 7:5, 7:6 (7:0) in the first round.
Of the initial twelve German tennis pros – nine men and three women – only Zverev is now in the field for the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. The world number three from Hamburg is the clear favorite to meet Radu Albot from Moldova on Friday. In Australia, the 24-year-old is aiming for his first Grand Slam title.
Tennis show by Kyrgios in Melbourne – but Medvedev wins
US Open winner Daniil Medvedev defied the atmosphere at Nick Kyrgios’ tennis show and preserved his title chance at the Australian Open. The world number two won the second round match against the Australian on Thursday in Melbourne 7:6 (7:1), 6:4, 4:6, 6:2. Kyrgios, known as a provocateur and entertainer, entertained and thrilled the crowd in the night session of the Rod Laver Arena, which was about half full, and engaged in some spectacular rallies with Medvedev.
Medvedev, who celebrated his first Grand Slam title in New York in September, is the highest-ranked player at the Australian Open due to the absence of Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic. In the battle for a place in the round of 16, the 25-year-old will face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, who defeated Jan-Lennard Struff from Sauerland in the first round.
Surprise: Raducanu and Muguruza out of the tournament
With the second-round failures of US Open winner Emma Raducanu and world number three Garbine Muguruza, the Australian Open has seen big surprises. The 19-year-old Raducanu lost on Thursday 4:6, 6:4, 3:6 against the world number 98. Danka Kovinic from Montenegro. Her US Open final opponent, Leylah Fernandez from Canada, was eliminated in the first round. Briton Raducanu is now coached by Angelique Kerber’s former coach, Torben Beltz.
Former Australian Open finalist Muguruza of Spain surprisingly lost to unseeded Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 3-6, 3-6. Besides former Wimbledon and French Open winner Muguruza, another top ten player had to give up all hopes: World number seven Anett Kontaveit from Estonia lost to the 19-year-old Dane Clara Tauson 2:6, 4:6.
+++19. January 2022+++
Zverev reaches round three with strong performance
Alexander Zverev also won his second appearance at the Australian Open without losing a set. The best German tennis player advanced to the third round in Melbourne on Wednesday with a 6:4, 6:4, 6:0 win over Australian John Millman. Germany’s Sportsman of the Year thus ensured the only German success in the singles on the third day of the Grand Slam tournament. Earlier, Yannick Hanfmann, Dominik Koepfer and Oscar Otte had been eliminated. In the battle for a place in the round of 16, Zverev will meet qualifier Radu Albot from Moldova on Friday. The 24-year-old from Hamburg is aiming for his first Grand Slam title in Australia.
Tennis doubles Krawietz/Mies make successful comeback
The tennis doubles team of Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies has made a successful Grand Slam comeback. The duo advanced to the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday thanks to a 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 win over Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Andres Molteni of Argentina. Krawietz and Mies had won the French Open together in 2019 and 2020.
Last year, Mies, from Cologne, Germany, had to take months off due to knee surgery. Krawietz from Coburg played mainly together with the Romanian Horia Tecau. Krawietz/Mies made their comeback on the ATP Tour last week in Sydney, where they reached the semifinals in their first tournament together in more than a year.
Tennis duel between Barty and Osaka at Australian Open draws closer
World number one Ashleigh Barty and defending champion Naomi Osaka are now only one win away from a direct duel at the Australian Open. Australian tennis player Barty dispatched Italian qualifier Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 6-1 in just 52 minutes Wednesday in Melbourne.
The home hopeful thus advanced to the third round thanks to a second successive victory in less than an hour. She carries hopes of becoming first Australian tennis player since Chris O’Neil in 1978 to win Australian Open. In the next round, Barty will face Camila Giorgi, another Italian.
Four-time Grand Slam tournament winner Osaka won 6-0, 6-4 against American Madison Brengle. The Japanese will now face Brengle’s compatriot Amanda Anisimova, who beat Olympic champion Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 6-2, 7-5. If Osaka and Barty win on Friday, they will meet in the round of 16 of the Grand Slam tournament.
Tennis pro Hanfmann drops out of Australian Open against Nadal
Qualifier Yannick Hanfmann lost his Australian Open second-round clash with Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal in three sets. The 30-year-old from Karlsruhe was beaten 2:6, 3:6, 4:6 in Melbourne on Wednesday. Hanfmann is ranked 126th in the world and had secured his appearance against Nadal with his first victory in a Grand Slam tournament. Ten of the initial twelve German tennis pros in the singles competitions at the Australian Open have thus been eliminated.
Next German out: Koepfer loses at Australian Open
Davis Cup player Dominik Koepfer is the next German tennis pro to be eliminated from the Australian Open. The 27-year-old Black Forest native lost to favored American Reilly Opelka in three sets 4-6, 3-6, 6-7 (4-7) in the second round in Melbourne on Wednesday. Opelka is seeded 23rd in the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. Koepfer is ranked 53rd in the world and, according to his own words, had started the race with arm problems.
Australian Open debut of tennis pro Otte ends in round two
Tennis pro Oscar Otte failed to repeat his US Open success in his first Australian Open appearance. The New York round of 16 finalist was eliminated in the second round on Wednesday by 25th-seeded Lorenzo Sonego of Italy, losing 6-2, 2-6, 3-6, 1-6. After 2:31 hours, Otte’s performance in Melbourne was over. At last September’s US Open, world No. 96. from Cologne defeated Sonego in round one and then surprisingly reached the round of 16 as a qualifier.
+++18. January 2022+++
Kerber eliminated in round one – DTB debacle perfect
That’s how Angelique Kerber had prepared for her 34. Birthday not at all imagined. Instead of enjoying a serenade from the Australian fans in time-honored tradition, the former world number one packed her bags in bitter disappointment, hurried off the court with a blank stare and a brief wave. With her clear first-round defeat, she sealed the worst performance of German women’s tennis at the Australian Open since 1977.
Kerber lost to the also experienced Estonian Kaia Kanepi 4:6, 3:6 on Tuesday. She had already failed at her opening hurdle in Melbourne last year. On Monday, Andrea Petkovic and Tatjana Maria were the other two German players to be eliminated from the tournament.
Kerber, the 2016 tournament winner, had her expectations up before her 15. Participation in first Grand Slam tournament of the year scaled down after disrupted preparation with corona infection. "’I think every round is like a win for me’, said the player from Kiel before the start of the tournament.
She had not played a preparatory tournament in the run-up to the Australian Open – and her lack of rhythm was evident against the 36-year-old Kanepi. But Kerber fought and came back from 1:4 down in the first set. Just when she seemed to have arrived in the match, however, she lost the thread again and the set.
There was still little play, but the fighting spirit was good. Kerber fended off three break points at the start of the second round, the match resembled a rollercoaster ride – the German number one even took the serve from the Estonian for 3:2. But Kerber immediately surrendered the advantage, losing the next four games.
Murray wins in thriller on return to Melbourne
Three years ago Andy Murray announced in Melbourne that his career was probably over – now the 34-year-old Scot celebrated a triumphant first-round victory in a five-set thriller against the world number 23 in his first return to the Australian Open. Nikolos Basilashvili. Three-time Grand Slam winner Murray defeated the Georgian 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5 on Tuesday.
After the match, the Briton, who has reached the final of the Australian Open five times and always lost, first looked up to the sky and then shouted out his joy. "It’s been a very tough three, four years", Murray said: "I thought I had played my last match here three years ago. It’s great to win a five-set match like this here now."
Murray, currently 113. of the world, was at the end three years ago. The hip hurt constantly, no therapy brought relief. And so, in January 2019, the British tennis hero sat down in front of the press with a trembling voice and tears in his eyes and announced his retirement from professional tennis.
In the meantime, he plays with a metal surface prosthesis and can still keep up, as Murray impressively proved against Basilashvili, the tournament winner in Munich last year.
Jan-Lennard Struff disappoints, Philipp Kohlschreiber overcomes opening hurdle
Veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber has reached the second round of the Australian Open with a concentrated performance, but for Jan-Lennard Struff and Maximilian Marterer the Grand Slam tournament is already over. Kohlschreiber beat Italian Marco Cecchinato 6:4, 7:5, 7:6 (7:0) and will now face Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain/No. 15).
"I’ve been here so many times and I’m very happy to be back and continue my journey. That was an impeccable performance", said Kohlschreiber, who, at 38, plans to play only selected tournaments this season, initially until Wimbledon.
The 31-year-old Warsteiner Struff, on the other hand, experienced the next disappointment at one of the most important events of the year and failed in the first round to the Dutch Botic van de Zandschulp. The German number two lost to the US Open quarterfinalist 4:6, 3:6, 2:6 on Tuesday and thus lost in the first round of a major for the third time in a row after Wimbledon and the US Open last year.
Marterer’s hopes of a surprise against the 20th-seeded US player Taylor Fritz were not fulfilled. The 26-year-old qualifier from Nuremberg lost 6:7 (8:10), 3:6, 2:6.
Title favorite Medvedev unhappy, but moving on
The Russian title favorite Daniil Medvedev has not been able to fully convince at the opening of the Australian Open. The 25-year-old US Open winner won against the initially too timid Swiss Henri Laaksonen in the end with 6:1, 6:4, 7:6 (7:3), but has to improve his performance. Medvedev became increasingly unhappy with himself in the second and third sets, but kept his nerve in the decisive stages.
"I like pressure", Medvedev, who lost last year’s final to the now involuntarily absent Novak Djokovic, said: "I’ll try to do even better this year. But it will not be easy."
Now the world number two from Moscow will face crowd favorite Nick Kyrgios, who gave the fans a great show in his 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 win over Britain’s Liam Broady with a serve through the legs, among other things.
Medvedev is the highest seeded pro in Melbourne in Djokovic’s absence. Together with Alexander Zverev, he is one of the clear title contenders, and 20-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal is also worthy of attention. Greek world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas also advanced to the second round with a commanding 6:2, 6:4, 6:3 win over Sweden’s Mikael Ymer.
Last September, Medvedev defeated Djokovic in the final in New York to win the first major title of his career.
+++++ 17. January 2022 +++++
Zverev struggles in German duel to reach round two
Olympic tennis champion Alexander Zverev (Hamburg) started his title mission at the Australian Open with some difficulty. In the German first-round duel with Daniel Altmaier (Kempen), who played strongly at times, the world number three won 7:6 (7:3), 6:1, 7:6 (7:1). In the second round, Zverev will face local Australian John Millman in his quest for his first Grand Slam title.
After the expulsion of world number one Novak Djokovic, Zverev is the biggest title contender in Melbourne alongside US Open champion Daniil Medvedev (Russia). Altmaier, however, was completely unimpressed and posed problems for the favorite with his carefree play, but Zverev turned up the heat towards the end of the first set. The ATP champion then took control of the match and only lost a few concentration lapses in the third set.
"Under the right circumstances": Djokovic can hope for Australian Open 2023
Since his visa was revoked, tennis star Novak Djokovic is actually banned from entering Australia for three years. Actually. Because the world number one could already be back at the Australian Open in early 2023. How it happens.
Hanfmann challenges Nadal – Koepfer and Otte also in Melbourne round two
Tennis pro Yannick Hanfmann earned a clash with superstar Rafael Nadal with a strong opening performance at the Australian Open. The 30-year-old qualifier from Karlsruhe surprisingly defeated Australian crowd favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 on Monday and now challenges the Spanish Grand Slam record winner in the second round.
Hanfmann did not let himself be put off by the loud Australian crowd against Kokkinakis, who recently won his first ATP title in Adelaide. The pro, who already played Nadal once in 2019 at the French Open and lost in three sets, converted his third match point after 2:07 hours for his first victory in a major tournament.
He followed Dominik Koepfer (Furtwangen) into the second round, who beat Spain’s Carlos Taberner 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 after a concentrated performance over long stretches and will now meet Reilly Opelka from the USA. Oscar Otte was also convincing in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win over Tseng Chun Hsin (Taipei) and will now face Italian Lorenzo Sonego, whom he already beat at the US Open.
Koepfer was "happy about the victory, but also reported elbow problems after the match. "With enough painkillers it’s fine, it’s a strain on the bone. Today was very good. But I will probably have to take a few weeks off after the Australian Open", The former college player said. Earlier, Munich’s Peter Gojowczyk was defeated 3:6, 3:6, 3:6 by Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.
German trio eliminated – Nadal safely through to next round
After the conclusion of the Corona thriller for the unvaccinated top star Novak Djokovic, the Australian Open has begun with early defeats for German tennis pros. Tatjana Maria, Andrea Petkovic and Peter Gojowczyk bowed out after the first round on the first day of the tournament in Melbourne. Gojowczyk from Munich lost clearly 3:6, 3:6, 3:6 against Benjamin Bonzi from France on Monday. Despite a good performance, Maria was defeated by the clearly favored Greek Maria Sakkari 4:6, 6:7 (2:7). Petkovic hardly had a chance against Barbora Krejcikova, ranked fourth in the world, 2:6, 0:6.
Only three German women made it into the main draw of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. Angelique Kerber, who triumphed in Melbourne in 2016, will not enter the action until Tuesday.
There were nine German first-round entrants in the men’s draw – of which Gojowczyk was the first to lose. Davis Cup player Dominik Koepfer, on the other hand, became the first German tennis pro to reach the second round. The 27-year-old player from the Black Forest won 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 against Spain’s Carlos Taberner in Melbourne on Monday. After 2:27 hours Koepfer made his progress against the number 108 of the world perfect. On Wednesday, the world number 53 will receive it. with Kevin Anderson from South Africa or the American Reilly Opelka.
Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, made a successful start to the Australian Open. The 35-year-old won 6:1, 6:4, 6:2 against the American Marcos Giron. The world number five has lost the chance to win his 21st title. Grand Slam title that could see him outpace Djokovic and Switzerland’s Roger Federer (20 each), who is on hiatus. In the women’s draw, defending champion and co-favorite Naomi Osaka advanced to the second round in commanding fashion. The Japanese, former world number one, beat Colombia’s Camila Osorio 6-3, 6-3.
Court rejects appeal: Djokovic must leave Australia
Tennis star Novak Djokovic has lost the battle for his participation in the Australian Open. The Federal Court in Melbourne ruled on Sunday that the Serb’s appeal for the cancellation of his visa will be rejected. Djokovic accepts the decision. Background information.
Court allows Djokovic entry – government considers steps
Novak Djokovic may stay in Australia – at least for the time being. After the Corona turmoil surrounding the tennis star, a court has ruled that the cancellation of his visa by the authorities was not justified. How the Australian government could still expel him.
+++ 9. January +++
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley would "love to see Djokovic play"
Craig Tiley, tournament director of the Australian Open, still hopes for a start of the Serb at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year despite the currently denied entry of Novak Djokovic. He would "love to see" the tennis world number one play at the Australian Open, Tiley said Sunday on the Nine Network.
Djokovic had been denied entry at Melbourne airport on Wednesday night (local time). He was unable, in the eyes of the authorities, to provide the necessary documents for a medical exemption to enter the country even without the Corona vaccine. The 34-year-old Serb had appealed the decision, and a court hearing on the matter will continue on Monday. According to court documents, Djokovic’s side states that on 30. December had received an exemption from the Australian Tennis Federation’s medical chief.
Tiley, when asked about such exemptions, referred to different information from the authorities. "There was a lot of conflicting information, a lot of conflicting information and we’ve been constantly seeking clarity from day one to make sure that first of all we do the right thing and secondly, we can get the players into the country," the head of the Australian Tennis Federation said. "We’re not going to accuse anyone. There is a lot of contradictory information, because the circumstances are changing."
+++ 7. January +++
Djokovic expresses gratitude for support
Serbian tennis pro Novak Djokovic has spoken out for the first time after the trouble over his entry into Australia. Via Instagram, the world number one thanked people around the world for their unwavering support. "I can feel it and I appreciate it very much," the 34-year-old wrote. He did not provide further information about his situation at the Melbourne hotel or details about his revoked visa.
Djokovic wants to play in the Australian Open, which starts on 17 January. January to begin. Because he is manifestly unvaccinated, but proof of vaccination is normally required before entry, he obtained a medical exemption. He landed in Melbourne with this on Wednesday. However, the border guard did not consider the entry rules to have been met, so Djokovic was taken to a hotel for those who had to leave the country. Djokovic has filed a lawsuit against it. A Melbourne court is set to make a decision on Monday.
Australia’s interior minister: "Djokovic is not held captive"
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has strongly countered allegations by the family of Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic about his treatment after being refused entry into the country. "Mr. Djokovic is not held prisoner in Australia, he is free to leave at any time", Andrews told Australian media on Friday: "And the border guards would be helpful to him as well."
Djokovic’s father Srdjan had claimed on Thursday that his son would be "in a prison" held captive. He had also compared the world number one to Jesus on the cross at a curious press conference in Belgrade.
Andrews said that while Djokovic had been issued a visa. But border authorities had determined after the Grand Slam record champion arrived in Melbourne that he did not meet entry requirements because he was not fully vaccinated, he said.
Djokovic wants to compete at the Australian Open (from 17. January) to make his title defense and is fighting the threat of deportation through his lawyers. A court is to rule on the matter on Monday. Djokovic is currently being held in a quarantine hotel for people who are required to leave the country.
"Trying to crucify Novak": Djokovic’s father compares tennis star to Jesus
After drama over denied entry to Australia, Djokovic’s father irritates with further statements. He even compares his son to Jesus and styles him a "freedom fighter". Find out what else he has to say about Djokovic here.
+++ 6. January +++
Serbia’s president speaks of "political witch hunt" against Djokovic
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has made serious accusations in the chaos surrounding tennis star Novak Djokovic’s entry into Australia. "What is not fair is the political witch hunt where everyone, including the Australian prime minister, is pretending that the rules apply to everyone", Vucic said on Thursday.
Australian border guards had canceled Djokovic’s visa after he arrived in Melbourne, where he will play in the Australian Open on a medical exemption for the unvaccinated (from 17. January). Border officials revoked the visa, saying the record Grand Slam winner had "no reasonable evidence of compliance with the entry requirements." submitted. A court is expected to decide whether to deport the Serb on Monday.
Djokovic is currently staying in a hotel for people who have to leave the country. As "infamous in the true sense of the word" President Vucic described the treatment of his compatriot. The Serbian government is pushing for Djokovic to be allowed to move to the Melbourne home he rented for the Australian Open pending the final hearing of his appeal.
Vucic smells a conspiracy. "I’m afraid that this relentless political persecution of Novak will continue until they can prove something", He said, "Because when you can’t beat someone, you resort to things like this."
Djokovic takes legal action against deportation from Australia
Tennis star Novak Djokovic gets reprieve in fight against his impending deportation from Australia. A final decision is not expected to be made before a court hearing scheduled for Monday, an Australian government lawyer said Thursday. The Grand Slam record champion’s visa had been revoked by authorities after his arrival late Wednesday night (local time) for failing to meet pandemic entry requirements, Djokovic is in a quarantine hotel for immigrants in Melbourne..
Earlier, the border guard said Djokovic’s visa had been cancelled because of a lack of supporting documents. Djokovic, who has repeatedly been critical of Corona vaccinations, had landed in Melbourne after what he said was a medical exemption for the Australian Open. According to this, he should not have to prove that he is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The exemption, granted by tournament organizers after his application was approved by two medical boards, sparked anger and incomprehension in Australia. Australia has been struggling with closures and restrictions due to the pandemic for two years and has long had some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world.
Anyone entering Australia would have to make sure they were eligible and could prove it, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. For that, he said, proof of a double vaccination or a valid medical exemption would be needed. "Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders," Australia’s government leader Scott Morrison wrote on Twitter. "No one is above those rules."
Nadal has no sympathy for Djokovic
Rafael Nadal has little sympathy for Novak Djokovic after the Serbian world number one was stripped of his visa to enter Australia. ‘I’ve had Covid, I’ve been vaccinated twice’. If you do that, you have no problem playing here and anywhere in the world. That’s the only thing that’s clear," the Spaniard said Thursday in Melbourne.
Nadal would not otherwise comment further on the explosive case. But people in Australia have been going through hard times because of the pandemic, he said. From that, he said he could understand their displeasure with Djokovic’s exemption. Melbourne, where the first Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season will be held on 17. January starts, had one of the longest lockdowns in the world at 262 days.
Nadal won his opening match against Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis 6:2, 7:5 at a preparatory tournament for the Australian Open. It was his first singles win on the tennis tour since August 2021. After that Nadal had long paused because of a complicated foot injury.
+++ 5. January +++
Djokovic not allowed to enter Australia
Serbia’s tennis star Novak Djokovic has been turned away when trying to enter Australia. This was announced by the Australian Border Guard. "Non-citizens who do not have a valid visa on entry, or whose visa has been cancelled, will be detained and expelled from Australia", the message said. Djokovic is likely to be flown out on Thursday, though his lawyers have appealed, according to The Age newspaper.
The number one in the world rankings wanted to play with a medical exemption for unvaccinated at the Australian Open in Melbourne (from 17. January) to compete, but had apparently applied for the wrong visa. The whole night Djokovic had been stuck at the airport.
Upon arrival at the airport of the metropolis, it was determined that the visa of the Serb is not valid, Australian media reported on Wednesday. According to the documents presented by Djokovic, entry for the unvaccinated was not possible. The subsequently contacted authorities of the Australian state of Victoria refused support for the world number one.
No help would be given to Djokovic in obtaining a visa to play in the Australian Open, tweeted Victoria’s sports minister Jaala Pulford. "We have always been clear on two points: visa approvals are a matter for the national government, medical exceptions are a case for doctors," the politician wrote.
Nine-time Melbourne winner Djokovic had always left his vaccination status open until now. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had already demanded sufficient evidence for the exemption of the 20-time Grand Slam winner. Otherwise, the 34-year-old will be "on the first plane home," Morrison warned, adding, "There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic, absolutely none."
Djokovic exemption is a slap in the face of all Australians
Novak Djokovic is allowed to enter Australia with a special permit as a presumed unvaccinated player and thus participate in the Australian Open after all. This decision is a debacle for all involved and an insolence to all Australians, our author writes in his commentary.
Prime minister wants to send Djokovic home without vouchers
After Novak Djokovic was granted an exemption to start at the Australian Open, the Australian prime minister reacted with strong words. The population is furious. To the message