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Key occasions
Alexander Zverev* (3) 1-1 6-3 Learner Tien (25) An prolonged, 18-shot baseline rally ends when Tien finds the angle and drives a backhand winner past Zverev. A strong serve forces an error that brings Zverev again degree and he then fires down an ace to maneuver forward. The third seed smashes a forehand down the road to make it 40-15 after which makes use of one more highly effective first serve, this one despatched again into the web by Tien, to assert his first sport of the second set.
Alexander Zverev (3) 0-1 6-3 Learner Tien* (25) Tien rapidly strikes to a 40-15 lead within the second set’s opening sport however then double faults, giving Zverev a sniff. The American responds, although, and takes the sport when an prolonged baseline rally ends with the German committing an unforced forehand error.
Zverev did what he must do to ease to that first set win: touchdown 70% of his first serves throughout the opening set, in comparison with simply the 46% by Tien. And whereas the American is successful 82% of his first serves, that drops to 46% on his second.
Alexander Zverev takes the primary set 6-3
Alexander Zverev* (3) 6-3 Learner Tien (25) Zverev steps up, looking for to serve out the primary set, and with Tien very deep to return his second serve will get him transferring throughout the baseline on his follow-up shot and forces the error. He cramps the American and forces one other to maneuver additional forward however a powerful forehand return from Tien tees him as much as quickly hearth down a giant forehand winner to get on the board.
Zverev whips down one other serve Tien can’t return to carry up set level after which finishes issues with an ace to take the primary set in 36 minutes.
Alexander Zverev (3) 5-3 Learner Tien* (25) An unforced forehand error on a deep return from Zverev sees Tien surrender the primary level however he gathers himself and takes the subsequent three to maneuver to 40-15. A extremely well-placed second serve ace, one which leaves Zverev blinking, then wraps up the maintain.
Alexander Zverev* (3) 5-2 Learner Tien (25) Tien takes the primary level however sends a shot lengthy on the finish of a 13-shot baseline battle to be pegged again. Zverev works the bounce properly on second serve as soon as extra to maneuver forward however Tien fires again with a forehand down the baseline that Zverev is compelled to stretch for and fail to slice again over the web.
A mishit backhand slice from Zverev collects the web and brings and provides Tien his first break level of the match however the third seed fires throughout one other unreturnable serve to make it deuce. The German than strikes into the benefit with a giant forehand however Tien pegs him again by transferring him across the courtroom and finally forcing an error.
Zverev will get to the web and regains the benefit by dropping a shot that angles away from Tien’s cost. One other large serve is then unable to be returned and the maintain is secured.
Alexander Zverev (3) 4-2 Learner Tien* (25) Zverev takes the primary level however Tien solutions again by forcing two errors – the second on the finish of a nine-shot rally – to maneuver forward 30-15.
However one other double fault – Tien’s second – brings Zverev again degree and an unforced forehand error than brings up the sport’s first break level. The American rallies to carry it again to deuce solely to fall behind as soon as once more and this time, the break comes: Zverev letting out a guttural yell as he watches a Tien forehand go extensive.
Tien is touchdown simply 47% of his first serves and successful simply 40% of his second serves. Hazard indicators.
Alexander Zverev* (3) 3-2 Learner Tien (25) A properly positioned forehand from Tien can’t be returned by Zverev and ends a 10-shot baseline rally. Two highly effective serves from Zverev end in him coming again to assert the ascendency and he makes use of then makes use of a mammoth bounce on second-serve to induce the error that makes it 40-15.
There’s a short pause as Zverev sees… one thing (?) he doesn’t like however that doesn’t cease him from firing a forehand winner from the baseline to carry serve.
Alexander Zverev (3) 2-2 Learner Tien* (25) Each gamers have their serve working early, Zvrev lacking three returns in a sport sealed when Tien firs a 201 km/h ace down the T.
Alexander Zverev* (3) 2-1 Learner Tien (25) Tien sends a backhand lengthy to present Zverev the primary level however is ready to drive his opponent to scramble and ship a backhand extensive to degree issues.
An unforced forehand error from Zverev sees him fall behind however he responds with a devastating ace despatched extensive. The German then strikes forward with a forehand winner and follows that up with a strong serve Tien can solely return lengthy to take the sport.
Alexander Zverev (3) 1-1 Learner Tien* (25) Tien seems to reply straight again by racing to a 40-0 lead and whereas a double fault denies him a maintain to like of his personal, Zverev sends a deep forehand lengthy handy him his first sport of the competition.
Zverev and Tien get below means
Alexander Zverev* (3) 1-0 Learner Tien (25)
Simply the beginning that Zverev would have needed, making a press release of intent by holding to like within the opening sport of the match.
Zverev (3) superior previous Argentine Francisco Cerundolo (18) in straight units the fourth spherical, after beforehand defeating Cameron Norrie (26), Alexandre Muller, and Gabriel Diallo.
Tien (25) shocked many by dominating Daniil Medvedev (11) to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals and has additionally crushed Nuno Borges, Alexander Shevchenko, and Marcos Giron to this point.
Earlier than we begin the precise tennis, it’s time for one more episode of the Trend Recordsdata. Each gamers are highlighting their ensembles with a touch of orange this afternoon, Zverev donning an orange headband and Tien an orange cap, wristbands, and socks. Each belligerents are sporting white t-shirts, whereas the third seed has opted for black shorts and the underdog choosing a white pair that matches his high.
As a horde of influencers descend upon the Australian Open this yr, the off-court vogue has turn out to be rather more noticeably this yr, too, as Lucianne Tonti has explored right this moment.
Little question the black Chuck Taylors, black denims, and black t-shirt I donned to cowl the A-League Males throughout the street at AAMI Park yesterday goes to begin a pattern any day now.
The Warmth Stress Scale has moved previous 5.0, prompting a swathe of suspensions throughout the outside courts in Melbourne.
Provided that it’s taken place between matches, nonetheless, it doesn’t appear to be it’s going to delay the beginning of Zverev and Tien – the pair making their means out onto Rod Laver Area as I kind.
The AO Warmth Stress Scale is above 5.0. Play and observe is suspended on outdoors courts.
The roofs on RLA and MCA are actually closed and can stay closed as per the AO Excessive Warmth Protocols.
If onsite, please search shade and apply cooling methods. Floor Move holders can…
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2026
We mentioned goodbye to Casper Ruud (12) final night time however, maybe, not a second too quickly: the Norwegian now in a position to return dwelling to be along with his spouse, Maria, forward of the anticipated start of their first little one this weekend.
Tumaini Carayol was readily available as he went down 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to Ben Shelton (8).
In case you missed it yesterday, teenager Ntungamili Raguin made historical past: turning into the primary participant from Botswana to win a Grand Slam match when he defeated Dimitar Kisimov 7-5 6-1 6-4 within the junior boy’s singles.
Out on on Margaret Court docket Area, fourth seeded ladies’s duo Elise Mertens and Shuai Zhang have taken out the opening set of their conflict with American workforce Hailey Baptiste and Peyton Stearns 6-4. The winner of that match will face Eri Hozumi and Fang-Hsien Wu within the quarterfinals, who upset eighth seeds Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs.
Sabalenka sees off Jovic to maneuver into semis
Aryna Sabalenka (1) 6-0 6-3 Iva Jovic (29) After being challenged by Jovic within the first set, Sabalenka was irresistible within the second; taking lower than half-an-hour to carry up the bagel and transfer into the ultimate 4, the place she’ll face Coco Gauff (3) or Elina Svitolina (12). It’s going to take one thing particular to disclaim her a third-title right here in Melbourne.
After claiming the scalp of Jasmine Paolini (7) within the second spherical, Jovic’s first journey to the final eight of a grand slam proves a brief one. However at simply 18-years of age, it may be assured that it’s not her final one. Can’t wait to see what this younger Californian achieves sooner or later.
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Aryna Sabalenka (1) 5-0 6-3 Iva Jovic (29) Earlier than we take you thru the remainder of the color of right this moment’s motion and run down what you could have missed yesterday, although, we’ll want to show our eyes to Rod Laver, as the highest seed is threatening to make gentle work of her American challenger within the second set.
Because the Warmth Stress Scale hits 4.0, a outstanding passing backhand brings up one more break level for Sabalenka, with a third-straight break then secured when Jovic double-faults.
The AO Warmth Stress Scale is above 4.0.
A ten-minute cooling break can be allowed in singles matches.
If onsite, please search shade or air-conditioned areas. Floor Move holders can entry MCA.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2026
Might de Minaur be mentioned to have twice the house courtroom benefit right this moment; the ‘Demon not solely enjoying in entrance of his dwelling followers but in addition taking the courtroom on a day that’s sizzling as hell?
Admittedly, the acute warmth implies that the roof is more likely to be closed when he takes the courtroom towards Alcaraz later right this moment – the air conditioned circumstances guaranteeing the temperature gained’t play a defining issue within the outcome – however this, too, may show one thing of a bonus to the Sydneysider.
Simon Cambers explains how.
Preamble
Joey Lynch
Howdy y’all it’s ya boi Joey Lynch and to a different day of the Guardian’s dwell protection of the 2026 Australian Open. And the phrase of the day is: extraordinarily sizzling. Sure, that’s two phrases. But it surely’s simply that sizzling.
The Bureau of Meteorology says that it’s 36C proper now – 96.8F in freedom items – and is projecting that it’s going to rise to a murderous high of 45C (13F) by the point we get to 5pm native time. Thus, it’s not a matter of if the Australian Open Warmth Stress Scale reaches 5, play on outside courts is suspended, and play on the indoor courts are halted till the roofs are closed, however when.
Followers and organisers are doing their finest to hunt aid from the circumstances the place they’ll however there’s nonetheless tennis to be performed – even when the beginning of the wheelchair tennis draw has been pushed again due to the circumstances.
We’ll be bringing you reside protection of Alexander Zverev (3) and Learner Tien’s (25) quarterfinal conflict out on Rod Laver Area when their assembly commences however earlier than they’ll take the courtroom we’ll run by the conclusion of the final eight assembly between Aryna Sabalenka (1) and Iva Jovic (29).
The teenage American took the world No 1 to 59 minutes within the opening set earlier than taking place 6-3 however her hopes of rapidly responding had been dented when she was damaged in her first two service video games within the second set. Nonetheless, with much less expectations to go deep into this event, you’d suppose the prospect of the lengthy and arduous battle she’d must launch to come-from-behind would weigh much less on Jovic’s thoughts than Sabalenka’s – who will undoubtedly need to see this match out rapidly and start restoration for a semifinal.
Zverev and Tien can be adopted later this night by conferences between Coco Gauff (3) and Elina Svitolina (12) and Carlos Alcaraz (1) and native hope Alex de Minaur (6). Elsewhere, the American ladies’s double pairing of Hailey Baptiste and Peyton Stearns are assembly fourth seeded duo Elise Mertens and Shuai Zhang on Margaret Court docket Area, the identical courtroom the place Australian males’s doubles wildcards Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans will meet twelfth seeded French workforce Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul later this night.