Key events
Sabalenka (1) 4-3 7-6 (7-4) Potapova* Potapova fires down a big ace to start things off and try to continue to build on her momentum, only to then immediately double fault on the next point. The Austrian gets to the net and forces Sabalenka to go long with her attempted lob to move back ahead and then fires down a powerful serve her opponent cannot return. She then makes it three straight games when Sabalenka goes long. Some good fight on display, here.
Sabalenka* (1) 4-2 7-6 (7-4) Potapova Ok, out on Rod Laver and Sabalenka’s march towards the fourth round is still on track but has hit some resistance, with Potapova showing some great resilience to get a break back. A bit of frustration on display from the top seed.
Before we get to Sabalenka, also of particular note for the locals yesterday evening was the return of the Special Ks, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, to the men’s doubles. Unfortunately for the former champions, however, their time together in Melbourne was short: falling, battered and bruised, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10-4) to fellow Australians Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans.
Simon Cambers was there for that one.
No doubt giving hope to plenty of weekend warriors, yesterday also saw Stan Wawrinka become the first 40-year-old to reach the third round of a men’s grand slam in 48 years when the Swiss wildcard defeated Arthur Gea 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) after just over four and a half hours.
Tumaini Carayol has also taken a look at that one.
If you’re looking to get up to speed, the biggest talking point to come out of Thursday night’s action was the fiery clash between Naomi Osaka (16) and Sorana Cirstea, which saw the former advance 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
Tumaini Carayol was there for that one, documenting a clash that began with just as much focus on Osaka’s sartorial choices and ended with contention over the former champion cheering “C’Mon” between serves.
Preamble
Joey Lynch
Howdy, y’all. Joey Lynch here and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the Australia Open, focusing this arvo on world number one Carlos Alcaraz’s (1) third round meeting with Corentin Moutet (32), with frequent updates on Coco Gauff’s (3) all-American meeting with Hailey Baptiste.
Alcaraz and Moutet won’t commence before 1:30pm local time but, before they can even take to Rod Laver Arena, women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka (1) will have to navigate the challenge of Australian challenger, Anastasia Potapova.
Initially, that looked like it was going to be easier said than done for the top seed, who had the fight taken to her by her 55th-ranked opponent and was taken to a tie break in the opening set before eventually taking it 7-6 (7-4). However, Sabalenka has begun to power away in the second and looks like she’ll wrap this up very quickly.
Gauff and Baptiste, likewise, won’t be able to head out onto the Margaret Court Arena until Daniil Medvedev (11) and Fabian Marozsan complete their meeting – Medvedev, after previously being forced to do so against Quentin Halys in the second round, needing to overcome a first-set tie break loss if he’s to advance.
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