Thompson v Tsitsipas, Djokovic v Popyrin, Sabalenka wins: Australian Open – live | Australian Open 2024

Tsitsipas has won the second set against Thompson but he had to work hard to get it. After losing the first set 6-4, the Greek player closed out the second on a tie break and took it 7-6 (8-6).

Novak Djokovic 2-1 Alexei Popyrin* (*denotes next server)

Three out calls for Popyrin sees Djokovic 40-0 up really quickly in this third game. But the Australian perfectly places a shot on his backhand to open the door.

Djokovic slams the door shut though with an impressive rally\

Novak Djokovic* 1-1 Alexei Popyrin (*denotes next server)

Popyrin attempts a volley but it hits the net, he follows it up with a great winner on a rally of 23 shots.

A deft drop shot is well played from the Australian to give him 30-15 and Djokovic sends the ball long. Popyrin seals the game though, this match could be another long one for Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic 1-0 Alexei Popyrin* (*denotes next server)

Here we go then. Djokovic won the toss and chose to serve first and his first was unreturnable giving him 15-0.

Popyrin sends a shot out but then Djokovic does the same. I had forgotten how long it takes Djokovic to serve, so much bouncing of the ball before he begins. An ace gives the 10-time Australian Open champion a chance to hold and he does just that.

Frances Tiafoe knocked out

Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin are out on court and the crowd are ready for this one. Not only do they have defending champion Djokovic but they have home talent Popyrin.

The stands are stacked for what is set to be a great match.

Novak Djokovic v Alexei Popyrin is minutes away, get in touch and let me know your predictions.

Some score updates for you before Novak Djokovic comes out onto court:

• Eubanks 4-6, 0-0 Rublev

• Thompson 6-4, 3-4 Tsitsipas

• Tiafoe 4-6, 4-6, 6-5 Machac

Adrian Mannarino wins thriller against Jaume Munar

Sabalenka said: “I think for 16-years-old she is doing an incredible job. I wish I was at that level at 16. I am sure if she keeps working she will be in the top three soon. I am super happy with the win.

“I was just trying not to think about it too much [Andreeva’s win over Jabeur]. I was just focusing on myself.”

Fruhvirtova gets a well-earned standing ovation as she leaves the court, she played well particularly in the first set.

We will hear from Sabalenka now.

Aryna Sabalenka through with 6-3, 6-2 win against Brenda Fruhvirtova

Brenda Fruhvirtova 3-6, 2-5 Aryna Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)

The crowd are really getting behind the qualifier now as she serves to stay in the Australian Open.

Her serve holds well, as it has done all match, but Sabalenka has one hand on the win and won’t let it drop. The game does to 40-30 but a delicious shot from Fruhvirtova means Sabalenka will serve for the match.

Brenda Fruhvirtova* 3-6, 1-5 Aryna Sabalenka (*denotes next server)

An ace from Sabalenka here, her serve is cooking with gas now after a shaky start to this match.

She races to a 40-0 lead and she sees it out. Fruhvirtova will be serving to stay in the match.

Brenda Fruhvirtova 3-6, 1-4 Aryna Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)

Despite having an impressive lead Sabalenka looks frustrated as she hits the net. She then runs to try and return a great close-range effort from Fruhvirtova but she can’t collect.

A double fault sees the game 30-15 and Sabalenka manages to eventually send it to deuce. But the teenager holds and wins her first game of the second set.

Brenda Fruhvirtova* 3-6, 0-4 Aryna Sabalenka (*denotes next server)

Now it is Sabalenka’s turn to force some errors, sending an easier shot straight out. She recovers to lead 30-15 and she has a quick opportunity to hold serve as Fruhvirtova hits the net.

She does just that and Sabalenka looks sure to tie this match up now.

Caroline Garcia knocked out by Magdalena Frech

Brenda Fruhvirtova 3-6, 0-3 Aryna Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)

Fruhvirtova is rushing a lot of her shots at the moment and has gifted Sabalenka a 30-0 lead in this game.

The defending champion’s shot this time is too powerful for the teenager to reach and so Sabalenka once again has break point. And she does it.

Brenda Fruhvirtova* 3-6, 0-2 Aryna Sabalenka (*denotes next server)

A wildy long shot from Fruhvirtova to start this game and Sabalenka races to 30-0. The first set saw the defending champion a bit wobbly but she has found her footing now and I wouldn’t be surprised if she wrapped this match up quickly.

She sews up the game efficiently.

Tsitsipas has lost the first set to Thompson 6-4, an interesting match playing out there.

Brenda Fruhvirtova 3-6, 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)

Into the second set we go and it is Fruhvirtova first to serve. At 30-15 Sabalenka wins a lovely shot, she moves close to the net to return some fast shots and then she volleys to level.

Fruhvirtova claims a point back but Sabalenka tastes blood and she is going for the kill, deuce. Sabalenka earns an early break point, just as she did in the first set, and she closes it out.

Jordan Thompson v Stefanos Tsitsipas has started with the Australian currently having a 5-4 lead in the first set.

Chris Eubanks v Audrey Rublev has also just got underway. I’ll bring you those updates as and when I can.

Sabalenka wins first set. Brenda Fruhvirtova* 3-6 Aryna Sabalenka (*denotes next server)

Fruhvirtova knows she needs to win this game in order to stay in this set and starts well, winning the first points but Sabalenka soon levels.

The 16-year-old hits back once again but, just as this match seems to be, Sabalenka lands her own blow and we’re 30-30.

Sabalenka wins set point as Fruhvirtova sends her forehand long and the defending champion does it!

Sabalenka breaks! Brenda Fruhvirtova 3-5 Aryna Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)

We have new balls as we start this game. Sabalenka lets out a huge sigh as Fruhvirtova claims the first points.

The game quickly becomes 30-30, Sabalenka really having to fight here to get points with Fruhvirtova giving her a great match. The defending champion earns break point but Fruhvirtova sends it to deuce. Deuce goes back and forth but Sabalenka gets break point and she gets it.

Brenda Fruhvirtova* 3-4 Aryna Sabalenka (*denotes next server)

That is stunning from Sabalenka, a forehand on almost full stretch just in gives her 15-0. Fruhvirtova smacks the net but she then wins a long rally, maybe the longest of the match so far.

Another fist pump from Sabalenka as her forehand gives her 40-15 and she once again restores her lead in the match with a well-played shot down the right.

Brenda Fruhvirtova 3-3 Aryna Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)

Fruhvirtova is enjoying her tennis on serve, racing to a 30-0 lead. But I have given her the commentators curse as she then gives away a point on serve, apologies Fruhvirtova.

She earns applause from the crowd with a well placed shot, forcing Sabalenka’s effort wide. She then sews up the game, this is quite the encounter.

Ben Shelton through after victory over four sets

Brenda Fruhvirtova* 2-3 Aryna Sabalenka (*denotes next server)

A fist pump from Sabalenka as she lands a beautiful shot and then sends another in the opposite direction of Fruhvirtova.

The qualifier sends a shot long and Sabalenka has the opportunity to wrap this game up quickly. She does just that.

Brenda Fruhvirtova 2-2 Aryna Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)

Sabalenka can’t return serve but she then smashes a volley to level 15-15. Fruhvirtova plays another unreturnable serve, it is becoming a real asset in this match, and Sabalenka’s return is then long.

This would be a good blow to land for the 16-year-old to level the match after going 2-0 and she does it. We have a match on our hands.

Fruhvirtova breaks back! Brenda Fruhvirtova* 1-2 Aryna Sabalenka (*denotes next server)

Sabalenka is not looking totally comfortable, not in that she has an injury but she hasn’t come out in her best form yet. She puts too much on her forehand twice to give Fruhvirtova a 30-0 lead. She is also taking longer over her serve after the double fault in the first game and some first serve errors.

Again Sabalenka’s forehand is long and Fruhvirtova has break point. And she breaks! A huge moment.

Sabalenka breaks! Brenda Fruhvirtova 0-2 Aryna Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)

Fruhvirtova’s serve starts well but her returning shots just aren’t on the money yet as she sends it out twice to give Sabalenka 30-0. The teenager fights back with a forehand tricking the defending champion and another powerful shots levels the game 30-30.

A double fault sees Sabalenka on an early break point but she then sends the ball into the net, we have deuce again. Both players haven’t settled into this encounter just yet. Sabalenka shouts “come on” as she wins advantage and does so again when she breaks.

Elsewhere in the tournament Paula Badosa has beaten Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

Brenda Fruhvirtova* 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka (*denotes next server)

Sabalenka starts the match quickly and races to 30-0 with some errors coming from 16-year-old Fruhvirtova. The defending champion then hits the net on a return but Fruhvirtova goes long on a forehand to gift Sabalenka 40-15. Two double fault comes next and Sabalenka looks to the crowd in frustration and she lets out a sigh, to deuce we go.

A lovely shot into the right corner of the court gives Fruhvirtova advantage but Sabalenka directs the ball left and right to reduce it back to deuce. She wraps up the game but her serve is a slight worry in the early stages.

Brenda Fruhvirtova* 0-0 Aryna Sabalenka (*denotes next server)

Here we go then, will we see another upset today? Or will defending champion Sabalenka blow the teenager away? All the action to come.

A really warm welcome for Sabalenka here as the players finish up their warm-up. Elsewhere, Ben Shelton is close to winning his match against Christopher O’Connell with the score there 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 6-5.

Qualifier Brenda Fruhvirtova and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka are out on court and their match will start imminently. But first here are some top stories from the day’s action so far:

There are multiple matches taking place right now but here is a few score updates:

• Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 1-2 Tomas Machac

• Gael Monfils 1-1 Tomas Martin Etcheverry

• Caroline Garcia 4-6, 1-1 Magdalena Frech

Preamble