Djokovic vs Fritz LIVE SCORE: Australian Open latest as Fritz BREAKS in third set with Serb injured
NOVAK DJOKOVIC is battling injury as he looks to triumph over America's Taylor Fritz in the Australian Open.
The Serb is two sets up but has taken a lengthy medical timeout in the third set.
Earlier in the day Dominic Thiem came from two sets down to beat Nick Kyrgios 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in an epic.
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DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 *3-4 FRITZ
Djokovic winds up an in to out forehand, but he puts it wide.
A massive grimace and Fritz BREAKS.
Djokovic looks to the ground and is in clear pain. Fritz serving for the third set.
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DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 *3-4 FRITZ
Fritz's service games seem to be getting more and more simple.
Djokovic seems to be pinning hopes on serving well and getting through this in a tie break.
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DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-3* FRITZ
Good serving from Djokovic, just what he needed.
He holds to 15 and then has another stretch at the back of the court.
There's a grimace as well as he lines up to receive serve.
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DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 *2-3 FRITZ
Ace after ace from Fritz in that game and he leads 3-2 now.
Djokovic has a real look of worry on his face. He's receiving more treatment on what appears to be a pulled muscle in his side.
He's not chasing down like we're used to seeing him do.
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DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 2-2* FRITZ
The No 1 seed holds, but is not looking entirely comfortable out there.
He seems to be in pain when reaching up to serve, and that means there's less heat on his shots.
Fritz forces his way back to deuce but the Serb comes through in the end.
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DJOK SHOCK
Right then, Rod Laver Arena.
We join with Djokovic returning after a medical timeout with what looks to be a shoulder problem.
He's 7-6, 6-4 up and 1-2 in the third set. We have about 40 minutes left before the crowds are asked to leave.
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LAST 16
Thiem is through to take on Dimitrov on Sunday in a massive match.
I'll be turning my attention to Djokovic in just a sec, he's two sets up but not 100 per cent fit over on Rod Laver Arena.
On Margaret Court Arena, meanwhile, Swiatek is a set and a break up on Ferro.
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THIEM TO GROW
Thiem: "The first match against Nick and here on an amazing court with an amazing crowd – there are easier things to do.
"That's for sure one of the tougher challenges we have in our sport. He's a huge player when he's on fire like today."
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AND THE BEAT GOES ON
Kyrgios walks off to a massive cheer.
I'll be bringing you Djokovic shortly, after we hear from Thiem.
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MATCH STATS
From Australian Open official website:
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WHAT. A. GAME!
3hr 21min of sensational drama and plenty of sportsmanship between the pair at the end.
Thiem gets a rousing ovation from the crowd as well.
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THIEM BEATS KYRGIOS: 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4
Sensational from Thiem. What a win, what a match.
From two sets down against a man in brilliant form, and a vociferous crowd, Thiem somehow rose to come back and win.
Surely one of the best wins of his career.
Kyrgios played his part too. But he'll be watching the second week of his home slam on TV.
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FIFTH SET – THIEM *5-4 KYRGIOS
The serve comes good when Kyrgios needs it and he asks the question of Thiem to serve it out.
25 aces from the Aussie, but he'll need one of his best return games now.
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FIFTH SET – THIEM 5-3* KYRGIOS
Hold to love for Thiem, he's one game away now.
Kyrgios' head has dropped and he'll do well to hold serve now to force Thiem to serve it out.
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FIFTH SET – THIEM *4-3 KYRGIOS
Brilliant from Thiem. HE BREAKS.
The Austrian is two games away from completing a remarkable turnaround.
He missed his first break point opportunity after tracking down a drop shot but putting it into the tramlines.
On the second break point, though, his return was too hot for Kyrgios and the Aussie could only put it into the net.
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FIFTH SET – THIEM 3-3* KYRGIOS
Thiem holds to 15 despite some huge pressure and groundstrokes from Kyrgios.
He's giving it absolutely everything, but the wall that is Thiem holds firm.
Massive forehands from the Aussie but only one got through.
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FIFTH SET – THIEM *2-3 KYRGIOS
A hold to 15 and Kyrgios is really pumped.
He flies in to put a volley away and bounces back to his seat.
Despite his outbursts and tantrums, the tennis so far in this fifth set is exceptional from the Aussie.
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FIFTH SET – THIEM 2-2* KYRGIOS
"Well played," is the call from Kyrgios as Thiem rips an in to out forehand past him.
A hold to love for Thiem comes after Kyrgios called out during his return and was pulled up for 'hindrance'.
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FIFTH SET – THIEM *1-2 KYRGIOS
Kyrgios takes matters into his own hands and asks the fans to stop calling out while he's serving.
He holds to love again, though, so still on course in this fifth set.
Fascinating battle between a man with a dominant serve, and the other who is a brick wall.
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FIFTH SET – THIEM 1-1* KYRGIOS
Kyrgios claps his hand on his racket as Thiem puts away an ace out wide.
A hold to 15 for the Austrian to get his fifth set underway.
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FIFTH SET – THIEM *0-1 KYRGIOS
A love service game to start for the Aussie.
He sprints back out of his chair after the changeover trying to lift himself again.
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COMFORT BREAK
Both players have visited the toilet and we're ready for the fifth set in this drama.
Got to fancy Thiem now, surely?
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THIEM 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 KYRGIOS
We're off to a decider! 2hr 40m on the clock.
Thiem holds to win the fourth set and this thriller on John Cain Arena is going the distance. He saves a break point with a big serve then closes out the set.
Kyrgios is not happy, he had 15-30 and second serve but pumped his return long. That led to eight bangs of his own head with his racket.
An amazing fightback from the Austrian from two sets down and the momentum is with him.
But the crowd will be with Kyrgios of course. Can he lift himself one more time?
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HANDICAP
Kyrgios slammed a ball away at the end of that break, and is 15-0 down already after being given a point penalty.
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THIEM 4-6 4-6 6-3 *5-4 KYRGIOS
THIEM BREAKS! He's serving to take us to a decider.
Kyrgios was 15-40 down and did brilliantly to force his way back and have a game point, but he went for a between the legs shot again for no reason whatsoever.
That let off was all the No 3 seed needed, and he finished off with a crosscourt passing shot on his forehand.
Two and a half hours of drama – and we're on the brink of a fifth set.
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