Australian Open LIVE RESULTS: Rafa Nadal THROUGH, Medvedev LATEST, Evans out, Djokovic deportation reasons
RAFA NADAL is through to the Australian Open quarter-final after a straight sets win over Adrian Mannarino.
Though there will be no British interest after Dan Evans lost to Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, also in straight sets.
Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka has been knocked out by American Amanda Anisimova.
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Read our Novak Djokovic live blog below for ALL the latest updates…
- Kostas Lianos
Gael Monfils beats Miomir Kecmanovic
Gael Monfils has defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 7-5 7-6(4) 6-3 and made it to the Australian Open's quarter-finals.
Monfils' forehand winner capped a tremendous display in an entertaining match against Kecmanovic.
The French star will meet Matteo Berrettini or Carreno Busta next
- Kostas Lianos
Ash Barty beats Amanda Anisimova
Ash Barty has progressed to the Australian Open's quarter-finals after beating Amanda Anisimova 6-4 6-3.
Barty will meet Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals after her straight-sets triumph
- Kostas Lianos
Nadal makes it through
Rafa Nadal progressed to the Australian Open quarter-finals with a straight-set win over Adrian Mannarino.
Nadal, who continues his quest for a record-breaking 21st major title, recorded an epic 28-minute first-set tie-break.
Mannarino struggled with injury after the tie-break, as the Spanish legend went on to claim a 7-6 (16-14) 6-2 6-2 victory.
Nadal will meet Denis Shapovalov next after he defeated Alexander Zverev
GETTY IMAGES
- Kostas Lianos
Australian Open schedule
The action continues today at the Australian Open with a series of interesting encounters.
Gael Monfils and Mimir Kecmanovic are just underway and Ash Barty as well as Amanda Anisimova will be too.
Then Pablo Carreno Busta and Matteo Berrettini will lock horns
- Joshua Mbu
Good morning tennis fans
The Australian Open is in full swing with action from Day Seven of the first major of the year.
Former World No1 and tournament No6 seed Rafael Nadal progressed to the fifth round overnight with victory over Adrian Mannarino of Spain.
And No6 seed Alexander Zverev is also through after beating No13 seed Denis Shapovalov.
In the Women’s draw World No1 and local hero Ashleigh Barty is in fourth round action shortly, as she takes on Amanda Anisimova at approximately 8am this morning (UK time).
Elsewhere Novak Djokovic WILL be allowed to play in the French Open in June, regardless of his vaccination status.
According to La Gazzetta, via the Express, France’s latest Covid-19 rules will allow him to take part as those who have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months are granted a Covid passport by the French government.
And as Roland Garros gets underway on May 22, Djokovic’s positive test in mid-December will allow him to take part.
- Giacomo Pisa
Djokovic gets French Open green light
Reports suggest Novak Djokovic WILL be allowed to play in the French Open, regardless of his vaccination status.
According to La Gazzetta, via the Express, France's latest Covid-19 rules will allow him to take part.
Those who have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months are granted a Covid passport by the French government.
Roland Garros is set to get underway on May 22.
So having tested positive for Covid-19 in mid-December, Djokovic will, in theory, be allowed to travel to France until the middle of June.
- Giacomo Pisa
Tomorrow's ties from Aussie Open
Here's a look at who is in action on court tomorrow.
Men's singles
- Adrian Mannarino vs Rafael Nadal
- Alexander Zverev vs Denis Shapovalov
- Miomir Kecmanovic vs Gael Monfis
- Pablo Carreno vs Matteo Berrattini
Women's singles
- Madison Keys vs Paola Badosa
- Barbara Krejcikova vs Victoria Azarenka
- Jessica Pegula vs Maria Sakkari
- Ashleigh Barty vs Amanda Anisimova
Barty previews 4th round clash
World No1 and local hero Ash Barty returns to the court at the Australian Open tomorrow morning.
She takes on Amanda Anisimova, who beat Naomi Osaka in a shock result in round three.
And while Barty has praised Anisimova for playing a 'fantastic' tournament, Barty admitted she would have 'loved' to have taken on Osaka.
She said: "I would have loved to have had the opportunity to play Naomi. I love to test myself against the very best.
"In the position we’re in, Amanda has played a fantastic tournament. She deserves her spot in the round of 16.
"I think the match we will play will be exciting. It will be good for both of us to get out there and test ourselves against each other."
Raducanu responds to Stephens dig
Emma Raducanu has spoken after her Australian Open first round opponent Sloane Stephens warned her 'she has a lot to learn'.
Raducanu beat Stephens in three-sets on Tuesday, before crashing out in the second round.
But in response to Stephens' comments, Raducanu said: "I didn’t see her interview. From all the interactions I’ve had with Sloane I thought she was really nice to me.
"I hit with her before San Jose last year and she was very nice to me. I’ve got nothing but positive things to say about Sloane."
- Giacomo Pisa
Rafa back in action tomorrow
Rafael Nadal steps back on court tomorrow, taking on Adrian Mannarino in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
The No6 seed battled past the big-serving Russian Karen Khachanov in round three yesterday, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.
He hasn't won the Australian Open since 2009, but will be fancying his chances of glory in Melbourne this year.
- Giacomo Pisa
Konta dampens talk of Murray retirement
Andy Murray's defeat at the Australian Open had sparked fresh talk that the Brit could retire in the near future.
But Johanna Konta believes there's still plenty left in the tank of the former World No1.
She said: "To be honest, I would think we will still see Andy next year.
"However, this conversation has been long going for a number of years now for obvious reasons.
"But I do think Andy Murray will keep playing, while Andy Murray wants to keep playing."
- Giacomo Pisa
Konta on Murray reacting to defeat
Johanna Konta has revealed she becomes losses become 'easier in time', and is not worried about Andy Murray's mentality after his defeat in Melbourne.
She said: "I think it differs in lengths on how hard you take some losses, and how long it takes you to recover from them.
"I think all of them do become easier in time, and obviously it depends how quickly you move on to your next tournament, [and] your next match.
"But he'll definitely be looking to improve on how he played, and what he was doing out on court, and really trying to be better in the next match he plays."
- Giacomo Pisa
Konta 'happy' to see Murray playing
Former women's British No1 Johanna Konta has spoken out on Andy Murray's future, after the Scotsman crashed out of the Australian Open earlier this week.
But despite the loss, Konta remains hopeful that Murray doesn't decide to call time on his career just yet.
She said: "We know of Andy he expects the best from himself, and that is regardless of what is going on around [him].
"I think he knows himself, so it's probably fair for him to do what he thinks is fair for him, if that makes sense.
"But from the outside, we're just really happy to see him playing, we're really happy to seeing him out there, so long may that continue."
- Kostas Lianos
Day six results
It's been another lively evening session at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Marin Cilic eliminated Andrey Rublev in four sets, whereas Sorana Cirstea earned an upset victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Earlier, Iga Swiatek overcame Daria Kasatkina and made it to the Last 16.
And Alex De Minaur earned a straight-sets win over Pablo Andujar
- Kostas Lianos
Raducanu has no regrets
British star Emma Raducanu has no regrets about playing through injury in her second round exit match at the Australian Open.
Raducanu said: “Once I stepped out on the court I’d made my decision.
"I had the option to withdraw before the match but after everything, the Covid, making it out here, fighting back from the loss last week, I wanted to give it all I had.
"I’m on the other side of the world! And I know my hand is going to recover in two days. It’s not long-term. I can build on this pretty quickly and start working on my game again”
- Kostas Lianos
Anisimova praises Osaka
Amanda Anisimova sang Naomi Osaka's praises after beating and eliminating her from the Australian Open.
Anisimova said: “Going into this match I knew I had to be playing sharp if I wanted to give myself a chance.
“Naomi is always going to be playing well … she’s an absolute champion … I knew I had to step up my game and be aggressive and I think that’s what I did in the second set.
"Honestly, I’m so grateful that I was able to play so well today and get this win. It means a lot”
- Kostas Lianos
More from Osaka after elimination
Naomi Osaka admitted she was surprised by Amanda Anisimova's game.
Osaka added: “I thought definitely in the rallies she was dictating a bit more, which was a new feeling for me.
“Granted, I’ve never played her before, so I didn’t know the pace of her ball, but it was definitely a bit jarring to be on my back foot in most of the rallies”
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Osaka reacts to elimination
Naomi Osaka insists she "can't be sad" about her shock elimination to Amanda Anisimova in the Australian Open.
Osaka said: “I fought for every point, I can’t be sad about that. You know, like, I’m not God, I can’t win every match. So I just have to take that into account and know that it would be nice to win the tournament, but that’s really special, and I can’t think of myself to try to win the grand slam at the start of the year every time.
“I feel like I grew a lot in this match. The last match that I played in New York I think I had a completely different attitude.” That was at the US Open, where a third-round loss to the Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez left Osaka in tears and announcing she would take a break from tennis.
“I would definitely say I’m proud of myself for this [change], though to me it didn’t feel like a short amount of time – it felt like ages ago. I think this for me is the biggest step, even though I lost. I think I was really focused throughout the entire match, and I didn’t have a dip. So that’s really good. Hopefully as the season continues, I’ll be able to keep this up and get even better at it”
- Kostas Lianos
Anisimova reacts after eliminating Osaka
Defending champion Naomi Osaka was eventually beaten by Amanda Anisimova, who was left "speechless".
Anisimova said: "I'm speechless. I can't stop smiling. I'm just laughing. I absolutely love this.
"Going into this match I knew I had to be playing sharp if I wanted to give myself a chance.
"She is an absolute champion so I knew I would have to step up my game and be aggressive.
"I'm honestly so grateful that I was able to play so well today and get this win. It means a lot.
"Every single day here is an amazing opportunity. I'm just thinking about having fun and I'm looking forward to my next round"
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios' loud exit
Nick Kyrgios' defeat to Daniil Medvedev came in typically eccentric fashion as the larger-than-life character took aim at both the umpire and crowd during the match.
Kyrgios could be heard telling the umpire: "I don't want to talk to you, listen to me!"
And in another altercation he turned to the crowd to say: "Stop screaming out while I'm f***ing serving."
Kyrgios has made a name for himself as a crowd pleaser with his on-court antics over the years.
And the Australian did not disappoint during his short-lived time at this year's Australian Open
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios hair grabs the headlines
Nick Kyrgios was compared to Donald Trump's former lawyer Rudy Giuliani after hair dye melted onto his face during his match at the Australian Open.
Kyrgios was dumped out of the Melbourne Grand Slam in the second round after losing to World No2 Daniil Medvedev in four sets.
But it was the Australian's hair that caught the attention of some fans.
What appeared to be hair dye began to melt onto the top of the 26-year-old's forehead as the match wore on in the sweltering Melbourne heat
- Kostas Lianos
Rules of fight club
Nick Kyrgios has claimed he was challenged to a fight in the Australian Open players’ locker room.
Aussie pair Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis stunned the world No1 pairing of Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 7-6 6-3 in the second round of the men’s doubles on Friday.
After the match, Kyrgios claims it got heated backstage as the coach of the defeated Croatians turned irate.
Kyrgios laughed off the incident and said on Twitter: “Just letting you know after yesterday’s chop fest in doubles, my opponents coach and trainer proceeded to threaten to fight in the players gym.
“Tennis is a soft, soft sport. All because I moved and hit them with a tennis ball”
- Kostas Lianos
'Playing in a live band'
Dan Evans had an exchange with the official before his elimination from the Australian Open from Felix Auger Aliassime.
Evans started to feel the heat, shouting to the official: “I feel like I am playing in a live band.
“I’m not worried about the people, (it’s) the music.
“It’s not like it is a little bit loud, it is on the court…”
GETTY IMAGES - James Orr
Evans OUT
The last remaining Brit Dan Evans is out of the Australian Open.
Auger-Aliassime has won 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in a dominant performance at Melbourne this morning.
- James Orr
Evans vs Auger-Aliassime latest
We're into the third set here with Candian star Auger-Aliassime winning the first two sets, 6-4, 6-1.
Can the last remaining Brit Evans pull off a miracle?
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