Djokovic During Day At Australian Open, De Minaur v Rublev; Coco, Sabalenka In Charge With Swiatek Out
There are just 32 players remaining at the Australian Open. Iga Swiatek is not among them. In fact, just four TOp 16 women made the fourth round.
That leaves the last two hard court Grand Slam champions, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, assuming the roles of the new tournament favorites in the women’s draw.
Today, Gauff takes on another Polish suprise in Magdalena Frech who has never had a moment like this before in her career. Gauff has won her last 10 in Slams and is 32-4 since hiring Brad Gilbert last summer.
Sabalenka, who has lost just six games so far and dropped serve once, draws her kryptonite in Amanda Anisimova. The American has a 4-1 lead over Sabalenka including a win over the Belarussian in Melbourne in 2019.
“I’m happy that she’s back on tour,” Sabalenka told the WTA of Anisimova. “We had a lot of great matches against each other, always tough battles. I’m just trying to prepare myself as good as I can, and so make sure I bring my best level and I compete in the high level.”
The 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva seeks her first Slam quarterfinal against Barbora Krejcikova and qualifier Maria Timofeeva takes on Marta Kostyuk.
In the men’s draw, Novak Djokovic figures to have another easy day against French lefty Adrian Mannarino who has never been past a final 16 at a Slam before. Djokovic has won 31 straight at the Australian Open. it’s the first day match of the tournament for Djokovic.
In another all-seeded afair, Alex de Minaur will take on Andre Rublev. The Australian won three matches over Top 10s at the United Cup, but the pressure ramps up tonight against the Russian who will seek a 10th Slam quarterfinal.
“He’s a great competitor. He’s shown what he’s been able to do this whole tournament, coming through qualifying and getting to the third round,” said De Minaur on court of Rublev. “A lot of respect to him, it was a great match, and I wish him the best for the rest of the season.
Jannik Sinnik has been more dominant than anyone in the men’s draw, but easy wins should end today against the burly Russian Karen Khachanov who made the semifinals.
“I’m confident. I have my confidence inside myself. But I think once you show it with the results, that you go deeper than your prior results, that gives you a little extra,” Khachanov said to atptour.com. “And then your confidence is not based on the results, it’s just inside you and you know what you are capable of doing. You know what you need to do to be there.”
2023 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas will seek a fourth win in five tries against Taylor Fritz. Fritz has looked good since rolling his ankle in the opening round last week while Tsitsipas has quietly moved through.
SUNDAY AUSTRALIAN OPEN SCHEDULE
Starts at 12:00 PM
Rod Laver Arena
Magdalena Frech vs Coco Gauff (4)
Novak Djokovic (1) vs Adrian Mannarino (20)
7pm
Alex de Minaur (10) vs Andrey Rublev (5)
Starts at 11:00 AM
John Cain Arena
Maximo Gonzalez/Andres Molteni (6) vs Nathaniel Lammons/Jack Withrow (12)
Taylor Fritz (12) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (7)
Mirra Andreeva vs Barbora Krejcikova (9)
Starts at 1:00 PM
Margaret Court Arena
Amanda Anisimova vs Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Jannik Sinner (4) vs Karen Khachanov (15)
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