Novak Djokovic vs Alexei Popyrin – Australian Open: Live rating

For an enormous man standing at 6ft 5ins, Popyrin strikes ever so effectively. The Aussie is unafraid to have interaction within the prolonged, drawn-out baseline battles, however mixes it up with a phenomenal drop shot which Djokovic does not even try to chase.

He races to 40-15 and holds with an enormous serve. Great first service sport for the underdog.

Young hotshot Frances Tiafoe is OUT of the Australian Open after the No 17 seed was defeated in straight units by unseeded Tomas Machac.

The underdog had the sport of his life to defeat his rival, together with this insane winner. Check it out.

‘Very thrilling match we have on our arms right here tonight,’ says Nick Kyrgios as Djokovic will get us underway for the ultimate match on Rod Laver Arena at this time.

And it is fairly smooth-sailing for Djokovic on this opening sport, burying back-to-back aces down the tee to take it 1-0.

Djokovic and Popyrin have accomplished the coin toss and customary picture with a younger mascot, and are actually going by way of their paces within the heat up.

The Serb is carrying a white t-shirt with blue shorts, however do not be shocked to see him change garments if this match goes longer than anticipated.

Tim Henman is below no illusions as to what’s required for a serious shock tonight.

‘He’s acquired to serve large and get the group concerned,’ he stated on Eurosport. ‘If he does that, we might get one other upset.’

So, can he do it? The gamers are on their method out now.

The second set was a doddle for the Belarusian, taking it 6-2.

Just over an hour’s work for the defending champion towards her 16-year-old opponent.

‘For any individual who’s 16 years previous, she is doing an unimaginable job. I want I used to be this degree once I was 16.

‘I’m tremendous proud of the win, I used to be centered on myself and simply fought for each level.’

Alexei Popyrin is just not unfamiliar with taking large scalps. Last 12 months, the Australian beat Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, then world No 6, on the Adelaide International.

Of course, the Serb is a distinct kettle of fish altogether, however here is hoping the Aussie does not buckle on the massive stage.

She’s gained 11 factors in a row on Rod Laver Arena and now leads 3-0 within the second set.

I would not put any cash on Brenda Fruhvirtova stemming the tide.

Ons Jabeur has been a recurring determine on the high of ladies’s tennis for the previous couple of years, with the fan-favourite making the Wimbledon ultimate in 2022 and 2023.

But she’s going to play no main half on this 12 months’s Australian Open following a shock defeat by a 16-year-old upstart.

Click beneath to learn extra.

Fans of AFL will recognise the person within the image right here. Of course, it’s Carlton Blues and Adelaide Crows legend Eddie Betts.

After a cagey begin, the Belarusian has wrapped up the opening set on Rod Laver Arena, prevailing 6-3.

It actually wasn’t {smooth} crusing for the all-conquering champion on Sunday evening.

Up towards a younger, hungry 18-year-old who earned his place within the match as a qualifier, Djokovic needed to dig deep to place Dino Prizmic away and march onto tonight’s contest.

Check out the highlights beneath.

Back on Rod Laver Arena, Aryna Sabalenka has acquired a serious breakthrough after breaking Brenda Fruhvirtova.

She leads 5-3 and is now serving for the primary set.

They could have performed in numerous eras, however Nick Kyrgios and John McEnroe are very a lot reduce from the identical material.

Like the American all these years in the past, Kyrgios divides opinion when he takes to the courtroom and even after 10 years within the sport, he’s nonetheless a marmite determine.

McEnroe has defined why he thinks Aussies consider Kyrgios is ‘a little bit of a d***’.

Read extra beneath.

Reigning ladies’s champion Aryna Sabalenka has simply began her second spherical match towards Brenda Fruhvirtova.

It’s been a cagey opening, with the Czech holding serve to tie issues up at 3-3.

That’s proper. For some inexplicable motive, a ball child intervened to catch a looping ball whereas it was nonetheless in play throughout Aleksander Kovacevic’s match towards Karen Khachanov.

With the ball destined to bounce out of play, Khachanov was understandably miffed when the umpire known as to replay the purpose, earlier than Kovacevic’s unimaginable act of genorisity modified issues.

What just a few days we have had on the match to date.

We’ve seen racquet smashes, commentary debuts and even seagulls inflicting chaos!

And tonight Novak Djokovic returns to the Rod Laver Arena as he takes on Aussie hopeful Alexei Popyrin.

The reigning champion needed to work arduous for his opening win over Dino Prizmic, his longest first-round match ever, leaving his rivals hopeful that there are chinks in his armour.

Stay tuned for game-by-game protection from Melbourne.