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Matt Eaton

At the start of the week, Daniil Medvedev said there was no one left in the tournament he feared after Novak Djokovic's removal.
Brave words, but there was no sign of nerves as he pushed past Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios on Rod Laver Arena this afternoon. A raucous Melbourne crowd welcomed the action. 
Day four and there was plenty of matches to whet the appetite before the main course. Chinese rookie Wang Xinyu had early success, but eventually fell to Aryna Sabalenka. Zhang Shuai progressed into the third round after Elena Rybakina was forced to retire, while Brits Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray both failed to advance.
Catch up on all the live coverage from today's events.


Excited Naomi Osaka says ‘deep love’ of tennis keeps her going in the sport

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka eyes more grand slam success in 2025: ‘Fresh and ready to go’

‘Devastated’ Australian grand slam winner Max Purcell provisionally suspended for doping

Australian Open: former champion Stan Wawrinka, Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai get wild cards

Australian Open

Australian Open: Emma Raducanu falls to Danka Kovinic, as Murray and Kyrgios fail to advance - day 4 as it happened

Emma Raducanu crashes out of the Australian Open after losing to Danka Kovinic. Photo: AFP

Sport

Tennis

Women's second seed Aryna Sabalenka defeats Wang Xinyu, as Zhang Shuai readies for round three 
Daniil Medvedev leads the men's tournament as favourite, after dramatic Nick Kyrgios win


Australian Open day 4 served up some dramatic moments. China's Wang Xinyu was defeated by second seed Aryna Sabalenka, while Zhang Shuai heads into round thee. Murray, Kyrgios and Raducanu all fail to advance.


Emma Raducanu

Live

Good morning, can you believe we are now four days in?
It’s been a huge week already and the action continues from Melbourne Park as round two gets underway.
So what are we following? Chinese pair Wang Xinyu and Zhang Shuai face tough games against Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina respectively, while Brits Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray are both in action. If you missed any of yesterday's action, you can jump back in for a refresher right here. There were some stellar games, none more so than Ash Barty and Naomi Osaka - a likely clash with these is inevitable.
As always we’ll be on board all day, how’s our coverage so far? Drop us a note, we’d love to hear from you.


Welcome to day 4

Here’s a run down of today’s play.
Day 4⃣
  Let's do this 👊@ROLEX · #AusOpen · #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/5ExXNv1f5D
  — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2022


Order of play

There was some big news filtering in overnight, one story in particular that had readers engaged was Andrew McNicol’s piece about Jeremy Lin’s struggles with breathing and what looks to be a battle with long Covid. The big man was in tears as he revealed breathing issues and other off-court issues.
Another fantastic piece of news we’re following is on the Hong Kong rugby players rowing the Atlantic to raise much needed funds for ChildFund Rugby. Martin Muller, Rob Lennox and Matthew Bell arrive in Antigua after 37 days at sea, as the fastest trio in the Atlantic Campaigns race and they are close to raising US$100k. Incredible. Mark Agnew has the inspirational story.



Today’s headlines

Rod Laver Arena will host many of the bigger games today. Right now we have Alize Cornet and Garbine Muguruza locked in an intriguing battle. Cornet currently out playing third seeded Muguruza with a lead of 6-3, 2-2. Lot of emotion on court.


Women’s singles: Cornet playing smart

Clara Tauson has won her match against 6th seed Anett Kontaveit 6-2, 6-4. Tauson came out firing and never looked back. Terrific form. Another teenager moves into the third round.
First Top 10 win 💥
  🇩🇰 Clara Tauson upsets the No.6 seed Kontaveit in commanding fashion, 6-2, 6-4!#AO2022 pic.twitter.com/AQl1Y8ONSl
  — wta (@WTA) January 20, 2022


Clara Tauson, a player to watch

It’s not even 10am and already two big upsets in the women’s tournament. Third seed Garbine Muguruza has joined Anett Kontaveit on the scrapheap after losing her second round clash with France’s Alize Cornet in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.


Another huge upset, Muguruza is out

Grab your hard hats, this should be good.
China’s Wang Xinyu takes on second seeded Aryna Sabalenka in what will be the toughest test of Wang’s early career.
They’ve taken centre stage at Rod Laver Arena. 


Women’s singles: Big test for Wang Xinyu

Sabalenka with a lot of errors in the first game. A good start for the Chinese rookie, opens with a small, but early lead. 


Wang wins first game

Six double faults from Sabalenka so far, including on break point. Has Wang flipped the pressure stakes here?


Sabalenka at fault

Wang is doing a fantastic job finding her rhythm as Sabalenka crumbles. This is kind of painful to watch. But great too… so many conflicting emotions. 
Another upset brewing on Rod Laver Arena? 🤔
  🇨🇳 Xinyu Wang is off to a flying start over No.2 seed Sabalenka with impressive shots like this. #AusOpen · #AO2022  🎥: @wwos · @espn · @Eurosport · @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/vV3NozIjAz
  — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2022


Wang has rhythm

Wow wow wow. A very motivated Wang wins the first set 6-1. Sabalenka has no reply, seems very flustered. 
Too early for an upset alert?


Wang wins the set

Sabalenka is making a lot of mistakes out here. Don’t forget she is No 2 seeded. She has experience. That counts for something.
Wang needs to keep momentum.



Signs of frustration

Yep, so much at steak here for Wang, maybe she is now feeling the depths of Sabalenka's talent and experience.


Sabalenka rebounds

There is a battle royal going on at Rod Laver Arena. Sabalenka is leading 2-1 with the serve.
The Belarusian is still making errors. 12 double-faults and counting. Incredible. 


Wang wins set

The Chinese rookie has rebounded with another set 2-3. Beautiful, aggressive play and showing signs of confidence, impressive given the big spotlight she is under.
What a talent.



Wang with yet another set

Meanwhile over on Margaret Court Arena, another epic women’s singles match is taking place.
Aussie star Maddison Inglis is up against it with USA’s Hailey Baptiste. Inglis took the opening set 7-6, but now trails 5-2 as the second set continues.
The women are bringing it this morning. What a treat.



Inglis and Baptiste duke it out

Sabalenka is not about to go quietly into the night. She has mounted a solid come back here, leading the second set 5-3.
Wang has the serve.


It’s not over yet

Sabalenka continues to fight back. She takes the second set with a hard fought 6-4. They are now levelled at one set a piece. 


Sabalenka not giving up

Sayin that... Wang is not out of this by any stretch. She starts the third set perfectly and takes a quick point.


Wang not giving up either

High emotion over at the Kia Arena as Samantha Stosur’s singles career comes to a conclusion as Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova topples the Aussie in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.
This is Stosur’s last singles tournament. She stunned the world in 2011 after defeating Serena Williams to claim victory at the US Open.
What a career.
Samantha Stosur wraps her singles career. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/s9lQh4HIKk
  — Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) January 20, 2022


Stosur says farewell

After a disastrous opening set, Sabalenka has turned this game around.
The deciding set now hangs in the balance.



Sabalenka is back

It look a while, but Sabalenka found her A game and pulled off one heck of a win over very talented Wang Xinyu.
Despite being tested on so many levels, she proved she has the goods and just got better and better in the tail of the match.
Tough game. She wins 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.
“Players are getting stronger and stronger, these matches are not getting easier,” she said.
“She hit really hard and served really well. It was tough to play against her,” she said of her opponent Wang.


Sabalenka finds her confidence and takes the win

Says it all...
Sabalenka survives 💪
  No.2 seed @SabalenkaA digs deep for a 1-6 6-4 6-2 comeback win over Xinyu Wang.#AusOpen · #AO2022  🎥: @wwos · @espn · @eurosport · @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/xo6uklNhNq
  — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2022


Sabalenka survives

We are back from a quick lunch and turning out focus over to John Cain Arena where Zhang Shuai readies to face 12th seed Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan.
Also this afternoon Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu continue their second rounds, but a potential game of the day will be Nick Kyrgios, who meets Daniil Medvedev.
Buckle up, it’s going to be wild.


Back from lunch

Top women's seeds including Garbine Muguruza were sent packing on a morning of shocks at the Australian Open. World number three Muguruza blamed a Covid-19 outbreak within her support team for disrupting her preparations for the first Grand Slam of the season.
The former Wimbledon and French Open champion, who reached the final of the Australian Open in 2020, was soundly beaten 6-3, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena in her second round clash with unseeded French woman Alize Cornet.



Muguruza blames Covid-19

Another potential classic is underway as Shuai Zhang and Elena Rybakina do battle on John Cain Arena.
Just 37 mins in and Zhang leads 6-4. This is very close. Some passionate plays taking place. There’s a lot on the line here.


Women’s singles: Zhang takes an early lead

Federal Court Chief Justice James Allsop has published the Federal Court’s decision for rejecting world No 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic’s challenge to the cancellation of his visa by Australia’s federal government. Chief Justice Allsop, Justices Anthony Besanko and David O’Callaghan unanimously rejected the unvaccinated player’s bid to overturn a decision to deport him last Sunday.
The whole document can be found online, there is a lot to digest.
Some key reasonings include:
“It was not irrational for the Minister to be concerned that the asserted support of some anti-vaccination groups for Mr Djokovic’s apparent position on vaccination may encourage rallies and protests that may lead to heightened community transmission. 
“Further, there was evidence that Mr Djokovic had recently disregarded reasonable public health measures overseas by attending activities unmasked while COVID positive to his knowledge. It was open to infer that this, if emulated, may encourage an attitude of breach of public health regulations.


Federal Court reveals reasons for Djokovic deportation

In other Covid-related news, American surfing great Kelly Slater will not be allowed to compete in upcoming events in Australia if he doesn't get vaccinated, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Thursday.
Eleven-times world champion Slater, who hasn't revealed his vaccination status, defended tennis world number one Novak Djokovic after the unvaccinated Serbian was detained and later deported by authorities ahead of the Australian Open.
Two World Surf League championship events are scheduled for Victoria and Western Australia in April and May. It remains unclear whether Slater, 49, will take part.


Slater must get vaccinated, says health minister

In a stunning turn of events, Zhang Shuai is progressing through to round 3 after 12th seed Elena Rybakina was forced to retire.
Moving on Down Under 🇨🇳
  Zhang Shuai reaches her fourth #AusOpen third round after Elena Rybakina unfortunately had to retire.#AO2022 pic.twitter.com/3MDYYtFZOB
  — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2022


Zhang Shuai moves to round 3

Another advantage to that short game with Zhang... we get to see Andy Murray sooner than we expected. He’s up to face Taro Daniel.


Murray up next

Murray first faced Taro Daniel back in 2016 under very different circumstances. Interesting to note that Murray spent twice as much time on court than Daniel in the first round of the Australian Open this week. They’re now on John Cain Arena and warming up.
This will be special.


Men’s singles: Murray serves first

Yep, the crowd are here for Andy Murray. That much is clear. They go nuts for his first serve with an even bigger roar for his first game point. 


Crowd roars for Murray

Some incredible tennis going on. Murray serve is so strong, but Daniel is holding on and doing all the right things to get a 2-1 lead.


Daniel breaks for an early lead

Daniel is playing some very intelligent tennis here and starting to frustrate Murray with a 4-3 lead.



Taro Daniel playing smart

The order of play for Friday is out. Ash Barty and defending champions headline the prime time night slot, meaning for us here in Hong Kong, it will be a late one. But we suspect it will be worth it.
#AusOpen Order of Play Friday 21 January ➡️ pic.twitter.com/SY1Zg5Nd4B
  — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2022


Barty, Osaka headline day 5 night sessions

The crowd is rallying behind Murray as he struggles to find momentum against Daniel, who at 65 minutes is finding good rhythm.


Andy Andy Andy oi oi oi

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, under fire for his role in the Novak Djokovic saga, was booed when he made his first public appearance at Melbourne Park today.
Tennis Australia is under fresh scrutiny from players who say the Australian Open’s voluntary Covid-19 testing code is exposing them to risk.
Here’s he is speaking to broadcast partner Nine Network about this year's tournament and the Novak Djokovic saga.
TILEY SPEAKS 🗣️
  Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley has answered questions about the Novak Djokovic saga for the first time 👇#AusOpen - Live on Channel 9 and 9Now pic.twitter.com/Gx8K4W9YUJ
  — Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 20, 2022


Australian Open chief Craig Tiley booed

It turns out Novak Djokovic owns a 41% stake in a Danish drugmaker experimenting with treatments for Covid-19.
Ivan Loncarevic, chief executive director of QuantBioRes, was quoted by the newspaper BT as confirming Djokovic’s stake.
Together with his wife, Jelena, the couple own 80% of the Copenhagen-based company, BT said.


In other bizarre Novak Djokovic news...

While this epic battle between Murray and Daniel continues, we’ll jump across to Rod Laver Arena where Nick Kyrgios is facing Daniil Medvedev.
30 minutes in and Medvedev has a slight edge 4-3.
So far only a few shenanigans from Kyrgios with our first underarm serve of the afternoon.


Kyrgios on court

Taro Daniel leads Murray by 2 sets 6-4, 6-4.



Taro Daniel takes solid lead

As Nick Kyrgios demonstrates.
Sneaky from @NickKyrgios 😏@Kia_Worldwide · #Kia · #MovementThatInspires • #AusOpen
  🎥: @wwos · @espn · @Eurosport · @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/xtLmVctBIm
  — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2022


Underarm serving works

Kyrgios is firing them down the line. His first a 225kmh serve down the tee that Medvedev couldn’t return.
He then argues with the time keeper for removing the result too fast. “Don’t spoil it for everyone.”


Kyrgios brings the heat with a 225km serve

Over on Margaret Court Arena Emma Raducanu and Danka Kovinicvs are kicking off their match. So yep, just to be clear, all at the same time we have:
Emma Raducanu v Danka Kovinicvs
Andy Murray v Taro Daniel
Nick Kyrgios v Daniil Medvedev
It's going to be one heck of an afternoon - we've got 3 screens running, how about you?


Women’s singles: Emma Raducanu meets Danka Kovinicvs

Taro Daniel might be on the cusp of a second round win over tennis great Andy Murray.
After winning both previous sets, Daniel has taken a 5-4 lead in the third.



Andy Murray v Taro Daniel update

A huge career win for Taro Daniel, who takes out Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
A decisive win, executed with precision.
He came out and played a sensational match. Probably the best performance of his career.


Men’s single: It’s all over for Andy Murray

As a qualifier no less.
“It’s amazing. Especially after Covid and playing without crowds, thank you so much. It was amazing levels for me, I was pretty nervous and I was cramping in the third,” he said.
“I was trying to feel the energy of the crowd, thank you, thank you. It was a long match, I'll just prepare myself for Saturday.”
One to remember 🙌
  🇯🇵 @tarodaniel93 defeats Andy Murray 6-4 6-4 6-4 to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
  🎥: @wwos • @espn • @Eurosport • @wowowtennis #AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/zcJf1J0m38
  — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2022


A first third round grand slam for Daniel

Emma Raducanu is still in this at 4-6, 6-4.
She is hanging on.


Raducanu hangs on

An unforced error from Kyrgios gives Daniil Medvedev a two-set lead 7-6, 6-4.



Kyrgios down two sets

Gutsy play from the young Emma Raducanu and she's clawed back some ground against Danka Kovinic.



Raducanu digs deep

Some incredible play from Nick Kyrgios who claims an epic third set.
We might be in for the long haul here, folks.
Fourth set feels 😝@NickKyrgios finds a new gear to take the third set against Daniil Medvedev, 6-4.#AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/PF4SG9MaBt
  — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2022


Nick Kyrgios surges

A lot of unforced errors from the 19-year-old. She is one set away from losing this.


End is nigh for Raducanu?

No 98-ranked Danka Kovinic pulls off a big upset and defeats Emma Raducanu 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Raducanu gets a huge applause as she leaves Margaret Court Arena.
“Thank you guys, I really enjoyed the whole match. This is my first third round of a grand slam after many years,” Kovinic said in a post-match interview.
“To be honest, it was just regular preparation. She had an amazing result winning a grand slam at such a young age, I’m glad to show that I can play at high levels.”



Danka Kovinic moves through to round 3

What would a Kyrgios match be without his usual petulance and rants.
After breaking his racket and swearing, he loses a point and Medvedev swoops in to take the match 7-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
He might be one hell of an entertainer, but there’s only so much people can take.
Medvedev has a hostile crowd when trying conduct a post-match interview.
“Any match, anything can happen. I just want to play my best.”



Kyrgios goes down in four sets

That about does it for us here tonight, what a day.
To recap some of the highlight wins on day 4: Aryna Sabalenka defeated Wang Xinyu, Zhang Shuai beat Elena Rybakina, Taro Daniel defeated Andy Murray, Daniil Medvedev beat Nick Kyrgios and Danka Kovinic beat Emma Raducanu.
Thanks to everyone for following throughout the day.  
I’ll leave you with this excellent photo.



Australian Open: Emma Raducanu falls to Danka Kovinic, as Murray and Kyrgios fail to advance - day 4 as it happened

Women's second seed Aryna Sabalenka defeats Wang Xinyu, as Zhang Shuai readies for round three Daniil Medvedev leads the men's tournament as favourite, after dramatic Nick Kyrgios win

Women's second seed Aryna Sabalenka defeats Wang Xinyu, as Zhang Shuai readies for round three

Daniil Medvedev leads the men's tournament as favourite, after dramatic Nick Kyrgios win