WORLD

Australian Open 2023 live schedule, results, scores, Melbourne weather: heat rule, play suspended, tickets, weather

American Taylor Fritz was quick to clarify a bizarre drawing he made on the Australian Open cameras following his first up win at Melbourne Park today.

The no.8 seed defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili in four sets and was handed a pen to sign the camera with his signature as he left the court.

However, what he drew didn’t look like a signature.

With tennis fans taking to social media to question exactly what it was Fritz had drawn, he jumped on his own Twitter account to try and explain it.

“For (your) information I was trying to draw a (lock) emoji…. I just forgot the very important fact that I suck at drawing.”

Fritz is one of the stars of the new Netflix documentary series which takes fans behind the scenes of the ATP Tour.

WEATHER UPDATE: PLAY SUSPENDED UNTIL 9PM

Play has been suspended again at Melbourne Park until at least 9pm after a heavy storm.

We’ll know whether that time sticks at about 8.30pm when the next update is due.

8.15PM RUSSIA HITS OUT AT FLAG BAN

Russia’s embassy in Australia has hit back at Tennis Australia’s flag ban, calling it “another example of unacceptable politicisation of sports”.

On Tuesday, tournament organisers made the snap decision after a Russian flag was displayed courtside during the opening round match between Russian Kamilla Rakhimova and Ukraine’s Kateryna Baidl.

The ban drew the ire of the Russian embassy and the person responsible displaying the flag, labelling the decision “racist”.

“On top of already discriminating against Russian tennis players with its ‘neutral flag’ policy, Tennis Australia now went further by making sure they can not be visibly supported by their fans,” the Russian embassy said in a statement.

“It is indeed regrettable to see the tournament organisers give in to overt and rather arrogant political manipulation sacrificing the spirit of fair play once inherent to the Australian Open.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

AUSSIE UPDATE: DE MINAUR TAKES FIRST SET

And he did it in style too, triumphing 6-2.

8PM THOMPSON FUMES OVER HEAT RULES

The Australian Open’s extreme heat policy left Jordan Thompson red in the face – because he was forced off the court when the Australian was in control against American JJ Wolf.

Thompson led the second set 3-1 when play was halted as Melbourne’s scorching temperatures evacuated the outside courts at Melbourne Park.

“When has that ever happened? I’ve been here when it’s like 45 degrees,” Thompson said to the chair umpire.

After the umpire replied that it would require the oppressive conditions to cool, a frustrated Thompson replied: “That’s not going to be for hours!”

Thompson was right – the delay lasted about three hours – and supporters on Court 3 were also disappointed when play was stopped.

But the stands were still packed beyond shortly after 7.30pm when Wolf prevailed 6-3 3-6 6-4 7-5.

Plenty of sunburnt faces and heads covered by towels clapped their hands red for Thompon, who battled bravely but was ultimately outplayed by the 24-year-old.

Wolf was heard saying it was “too hot” before shrugging his shoulders and exiting the court.

Wolf has reached the second round at a grand slam for the third time from three attempts and at his maiden Australian Open.

The four-setter lasted 3hr and 24min with a longest rally of 20 sapping strokes under the hot summer sun.

Thompson has never made it past the second round from his 10 appearances at Melbourne Park.

Last year it took Steve Johnson five sets to oust him in the first round and he broke the top 50 for the first time in his career in 2019.

Wolf will take on No.23 seed Diego Schwartzman (Argentina) on Thursday.

7:25PM – MURRAY KNOCKS OUT NETFLIX STAR IN OPEN EPIC

Andy Murray has pulled off the biggest upset of the Australian Open, defeating no.13 seed Matteo Berrettini in a five-set epic.

Murray entered this year’s event with little fanfare after his ranking slipped to 66 in the world on the back of repeat injury issues.

However, that didn’t matter on Rod Laver Arena with the Scottish superstar turning back the clock with a stunning performance.

Murray won the opening two sets before Berrettini responded to send the match into a fifth set.

Nothing could separate the duo, with Murray completing the stunning victory in a match tie-break.

7:00PM MURRAY LOCKED IN BRUTAL EPIC WITH NETFLIX STAR

Andy Murray is proving to the tennis world he still has what it takes to match it with the biggest names in the game.

The two-time Melbourne Park finalist is locked in a brutal five set match with 13th seed Matteo Berrettini.

Berrettini is one of the rising stars on the ATP tour and is the face of the new Netflix documentary which takes fans behind the scenes on the tour.

Murray’s ranking has slipped to 66 in the world but there has been no signs of slowing down today.

KYRGIOS REVEALS HIS SIDE OF DE MINAUR ‘FEUD’

The so-called frosty relationship between Nick Kyrgios and Alex de Minaur appears to have thawed in the Melbourne sun.

Kyrgios has revealed that de Minaur’s concern after his bombshell withdrawal from the Australian Open showed they were far from enemies.

“I saw him yesterday and he came up to me and said, “I’m sorry for everything and I hope your body goes well’,” Kyrgios told Channel 9.

“I respect all these players, so it’s not really a big deal when I read that me and Demon are feuding or anything like that. He’s one of my close mates on tour and he always will be.”

De Minaur appeared loathe to talk about Kyrgios on Saturday and has long lived in the box-office boy’s shadow, despite their similar rankings.

6:05PM – FORMER FINALIST KNOCKED OUT

The 2020 finalist Dominic Thiem’s Australian Open ended in the first round, with the former world number three crashing out to fifth seed Andrey Rublev in a setback on his return from injury.

While Rublev held a clear advantage in terms of current ranking, Thiem had a far greater Grand Slam pedigree as the US Open champion in 2020. He is also a two-time finalist at Roland Garros.

But the Austrian was outplayed heat as he continued his return from a wrist injury which kept him off court for nine months across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Rublev banked a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win on John Cain Arena — his first of the year after two defeats in warm-up events, with either Australia’s Max Purcell or Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori his next opponent.

5:55PM – MURRAY, BERRETTINI LOCKED IN FIFTH SET

We are entering marathon areas in what is now officially an opening round classic between Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini.

After a brutal fourth set tie-break, in which both players saved opposition set points, it was Berrettini who came out on top 9-7 to push the match to a decider.

The big questions now are all centred around Murray.

How will he respond after being so close to the finish line?

Does his body have enough left to pull out of a five-set win in these conditions?

Can he somehow find a way to slow down Berrettini’s momentum?

5:06PM – ‘WHEN HAS THAT HAPPENED?’ HEAT FRUSTRATION HITS OPEN

Australian Jordan Thompson appeared less than impressed after the Australian Open heat policy hindered his first round momentum at Melbourne Park.

Thompson lost his opening set against J.J. Wolf but had secured an early break in the second set to get the scoreboard going his way.

However, before he was able to maximise the advantage, players were told they needed to leave the court due to the heat.

Thompson has played in brutal conditions in Melbourne before and questioned why these were any different.

“When has that ever happened? I’ve been here when it’s like 45 degrees,” he said.

“That’s not going to be for hours,” he continued when told play would not resume until the temperature dropped.

Wolf also appeared to be confused, asking “When do we come back on?”

Thompson was correct. Players had to wait until 5pm local time for the action to resume.

4:45PM – SUSPENSION EXTENDED AS BRUTAL HEAT HITS OPEN

Play has been stopped on multiple courts at the Australian Open as the brutal heat takes a toll on the players.

However, matches are expected to resume at 5pm AEDT.

In a further effort to keep the players cool, the roof has been closed on Rod Laver Arena and is expected to remain closed for the entire Andy Murray v Matteo Berrettini match.

The Australian Open heat policy is implemented once the ‘heat stress scale’ reaches five (5.0).

If a five is recorded the tournament referee can suspend the start of matches on outside courts and all matches in progress continue only until the end of an even number games in that set or completion of the tie break before play is be suspended.

There is expected to be a cool change later, according to the BOM, with relief to come when a south-westerly sweeps through in the evening.

The BOM also forecasts a slight chance of a shower in the afternoon and a possible thunderstorm in the evening, indicating the heat might also bring humidity – two factors on that could bump up the stress scale.

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley recently reassured: “the team’s well-versed in preparing for heat”.

The second day of the tournament has been hot before.

In 2014, the mercury reached 42.2. Then, play continued uninterrupted, casting criticism over the heat policy when nine players were forced to retire and a ball boy fainted.

Players are confident they’re equipped for the heat. No. 2 seed Ons Jabeur even said she missed it.

“I‘d like to say that I’m Tunisian and I’m used to that,” she said.

Danish firebrand Holger Rune isn’t so used to it – 36 degrees is Denmark’s hottest on record – but even he said he was “ready for it”. “I’m more and more experienced with it so I’m kind of going to look forward to it,” he said.

4:30PM: CAN MURRAY HOLD ON?

The Andy Murray fairytale is alive but it has taken a turn.

The Scot has run into trouble in the third set after taking a two set lead against Matteo Berrettini.

Murray is down a break and it appears the match is heading towards a fourth.

Fitness is always the question with Murray. Post-injury, does he have what it takes to fight out a five set battle?

3PM – UPSET WATCH: MURRAY PUSHING BERRETTINI TO THE BRINK

Play may have been stopped on most courts at Melbourne Park but Rod Laver Arena is rocking – and it is all for Andy Murray.

The crowd favourite is making a run at upset of the tournament, leading number 13 seed Matteo Berrettini by a set and a break.

Injuries have seen Murray’s ranking drop to 66 in the world but this would be his biggest win in many years.

2PM – ‘BARELY SAY HI’: STAR WON’T BACK DOWN FROM HANDSHAKE BAN

Ukrainian young gun Marta Kostyuk has revealed she won’t shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players at the Australian Open that she believes have not been strong enough in their stance against the invasion of her country.

Kostyuk, who has made the third round of the Australian Open twice, first took the stance last September when she backed away from shaking the hand of Belarusian Victoria Azarenka at the US Open.

And the 20-year-old – whose family remain in the Ukraine capital Kyiv – has maintained she will continue with her position.

“I haven’t changed about the war and everything that’s going on, on tour,” Kostyuk told Reuters at the Open.

“Because people who just say they don’t want war, it makes us (Ukraine) sound like we want war.

“Obviously, we don’t want the war, too.”

Kostyuk said she barely speaks to Russian and Belarusian players on the tour.

“Whoever speaks out clearly I believe has every right to be on tour but whoever doesn’t … I don’t think it’s just humane,” she said.

“I don’t really talk to anyone.

“I barely say ‘hi’ to them.”

Russian and Belarusian players have been allowed to compete at the Australian Open, but are competing under a neutral flag.

Tournament organisers banned supporters from displaying Russian and Belarusian flags at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.

Belarus has been utilised by Russia as a key staging ground for the war.

Kostyk – who is ranked 61 in the world – visited her war-torn home in October and left just days before it was pelted with missiles. She said watching from afar was more harrowing than being on the ground.

“Like, I am more stressed being outside and looking in, than actually being there,” she said.

“I don’t think we would even have a chance (in the war) if we didn’t think (we could win).

“It just takes time and, unfortunately, a lot of losses and death, including a lot of innocent people.

“This is our faith, I guess, and we have to just come back strong.”

1:50PM – AUSSIE WILDCARD STUNS OPEN

Kimberly Birrell has pulled off a huge Australian Open upset, defeating 31st seed Kaia Kanepi in three sets.

Birrell dropped the first set to the Estonian but got back in the match when she claimed the second set tiebreaker.

The Aussie wildcard then raced through the third, winning it 6-1.

The 24 year old is ranked 166 in the world and will now earn at least $150,000 this Australian Open.

“I would say even without this win today it’s worthwhile,” she said after the match.

“I’m doing what I absolutely love. Not many people get to wake up and live their dream knowing that so many people are supporting me, not just my family and friends who I know personally, but so many people who are watching today and back home on TV.”

1:15PM – AUS OPEN STAR’S ‘FREEDOM’ AFTER COMING OUT AS GAY

Russian star Daria Kasatkina says she finally “feels free” after coming out as gay and has praised her peers for the support she has received.

The top 10 star enjoyed an impressive 2022 season despite being banned from Wimbledon, and her success she believes is down to the fact she finally spoke her truth.

“That was great because I didn’t face any negativity, especially from the people I know,” she said of announcing her relationship with Natalia Zabiiako, a professional figure skater.

“This topic is very sensitive, so I was ready for some negative reaction, but there was nothing like that. I’m very thankful because that makes me feel so good. Some of the players were coming to me, sometimes they’re still coming to me, to say ‘yeah, it’s cool’ or ‘congrats’ to me. That’s nice.

To be honest, it helped me.

“I felt less pressure. I put this pressure out of my shoulders because when you have to think about tennis but also to think about some deep things inside your head, it’s just not good.

“I remember after saying all these things, I just felt much better. That was one of the best decisions of the last year and I’m happy with the outcome. And thanks to the people who were next to me supporting me.”

Kasatkina made her sexuality public in a bid to break down barriers – particularly in her home country of Russia where homophobia is rife.

“So many subjects are taboo in Russia,” Kasatkina said. “This notion of someone wanting to be gay or becoming [gay] is ridiculous. I think there is nothing easier in this world than being straight.”

“Seriously, if there is a choice, no one would choose being gay. Why make your life harder, especially in Russia? What’s the point?”

12:30PM LEGEND’S SWIPE AT KYRGIOS FOR AUS OPEN WITHDRAWAL

Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge has raised questions over Nick Kyrgios’s preparedness for the 2023 season after he withdrew from the tournament on day 1.

A devastated Kyrgios says his “brutal” call to withdraw from his home slam was required to prolong his career.

The potential for serious injury to his left knee had been raised by his medical team as he wrestled with the problem which struck two weeks ago during a training session in Canberra.

An MRI scan revealed a parameniscal cyst growing in his left meniscus which had resulted from a small tear in his lateral meniscus.

Kyrgios will undergo a procedure on his knee next week in a bid to be fit for the remainder of the year, but it’s what came before the withdrawal that had Woodbridge questioning the move.

”I guess given what we now know about the issues that are going on with the knee, it would have been tough to get through, on hard court, six or seven matches,” Woodbridge said.

”Maybe it’s even tough to get through two. And ultimately, you have to look at the preparation before; was that exactly right for what he needed? You can never be on top of every injury.

“I would hope he has a look at what he did at Wimbledon last year when his preparation was great.” The lead-up from a physical point-of-view, to then getting into the lead-in tournaments, to playing enough matches to be able to walk into Wimbledon knowing that everything was in that positive frame that he spoke about, that his ball striking was good, that his health was good; it gave him a chance to get in a final. 

”Was that the preparation that happened before this summer?

“That’s the question, and if you were looking back at his schedule you would say that it was difficult to see that prep when he was flying around the world playing exhibition events.”

11:30AM PLAY IS UNDER WAY

It’s already 31 degrees at Melbourne Park; players, fans, ballkids and well, just about everyone is in for a hell of a day.

Fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka opened proceedings on RLA and is 4-1 to the good.

Over on John Cain, the first of many blockbusters is underway with Rublev and Thiem going head-to-head.

While a shame to see one of those big names go home early it won’t be the only star loss we see today. Dimitrov is taking on Karatsev on 1573 Arena, US Open finalist Fernandez is up against Cornet on Court 3 and later on Murray takes on Berrettini.

Aus Open losing big names early on.

10:02AM ‘HATEFUL AND DISGRACEFUL’: AUS OPEN SCANDAL ERUPTS

Tennis Australia is facing desperate pleas from Ukrainians to enforce its neutral flag policy at Melbourne Park.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko has slammed the display of a Russian flag on the opening day of the tournament during a match between Russian Kamilla Rakhimova – who is competing as a neutral under tournament rules – and Ukraine’s Kateryna Baidl.

A group of Rakhimova supporters appeared to display the Russian flag and wore clothing bearing Russian colours during the match on Court 14.

“I strongly condemn the public display of the Russian flag during the game of the Ukrainian tennis player Kateryna Baindl at the Australian Open today,” ambassador Myroshnychenko wrote on social media.

“I call on Tennis Australia to immediately enforce its “neutral flag” policy.”

READ THE FULL STORY

9:15AM HOW’S THAT FOR A SIGNATURE?

Rafa Nadal has doubtless been asked to sign some peculiar things in his career and yesterday was no different.

After his final practice session, the Spaniard and Aus Open defending champion was scribbling away signing autographs for fans when one young lad requested the 36-year-old do it on his forehead.

Yep, forehead, on a 30 degree day, not sweat at all. Am sure it lasted a good half hour.

8:15AM MEDVEDEV F-BOMB AT FAN

Russian star Daniil Medvedev is no stranger to controversy at the Australian open and his opening clash was no exception with the Russian telling someone in the crowd to f*** off.

There was little to worry about on the court with the two-time finalist wiping the floor with Marcos Giron, but it was while serving for the match that Medvedev got mad.

Seemingly distracted by a rowdy fan, Medvedev told them to “f*** off” before being handed a code violation by the chair umpire.

“It was a very strange time to react like that,” said former British No. 1 Tim Henman on Eurosport.

“It was a very good performance but a really strange ending with the last two points with his reaction and swearing at someone in the audience. Maybe a bit of afterthought from last year.”

His reward is a second-round clash with Australian wildcard John Millman, who came through a five-setter against Switzerland’s Marc-Andrea Huesler.

“Really happy with the match, Marcos is a tough opponent and to beat him with this score in the first round of a Slam is great,” he said. “I’m really happy about my level.” Medvedev was a losing finalist at the last two Australian Opens, to Novak Djokovic in 2021 and then in a demoralising five-set defeat 12 months ago against Rafael Nadal after leading by two sets.

“Great memories of last year, but I definitely want to have better ones this year,” he said.

7:37AM DJOKER BACK, BUT IS HE FIT?

By Joe Barton

Novak Djokovic’s bid for a record 10th Australian Open title begins on Rod Laver Arena tonight, but mystery still surrounds the state of the Serbian champion’s troublesome hamstring.

Djokovic has been troubled by a hamstring complaint since the Adelaide International, and cut short a practice match with Russia’s Daniil Medvedev late last week to receive treatment on the injury – before going some way towards proving his fitness in a Fast 4 charity clash with Nick Kyrgios on Friday.

Djokovic then sent a shockwave through Melbourne Park when he cancelled a practice session on Monday evening, sparking fears that another shock high-profile withdrawal could hit a tournament already seriously lacking in star power.

Those fears were somewhat allayed when Djokovic returned later in the evening with his left thigh heavily strapped for a work-out in the warm Melbourne evening.

He tried to calm the brewing storm by making a brief statement after his hit, telling Serbian tennis journalist Sasa Ozmo: “everything is OK”.

“Thank you for coming, Everything is OK, see you at the match,” Djokovic said.

Quickly, theories emerged about the ducks and drakes surrounding Djokovic’s altered practice schedule.

“My guess is that Djokovic found out he would be playing well into the night session so he wanted to practice in more similar conditions. Who knows?” suggested Twitter user Jared Pine.

Djokovic plays Spanish world No.75 Roberto Carballes Baena in the second match on Rod Laver Arena tonight.

7:03AM TICKET RECORD RORT
By Sam Landsberger

Tennis Australia’s dream of attracting a record 900,000 spectators to Melbourne Park has taken another massive hit with Nick Kyrgios the latest star to fall victim to what has been dubbed the “Netflix Curse”.

Kyrgios on Monday joined fellow stars who were trailed for the documentary Break Point Ajla Tomljanovic and Paula Badosa by withdrawing from the Australian Open before serving a ball.

Combined with last year’s retirements of golden girl Ash Barty and legends Roger Federer and Serena Williams and the absence of two-time champion Naomi Osaka, men’s No.1 Carlos Alcaraz, Venus Williams, Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber and Marin Cilic and there is a drastic lack of draw cards in 2023.

The Australian Open attendance record was set three years ago, when 812,174 poured through the turnstiles for the grand slam that took place only weeks before Covid brought the world to a standstill.

READ THE FULL STORY

6:30AM BABY RAFA ON TOUR

Rafael Nadal said he was grateful to his wife Mery for travelling to Australia with their baby boy, admitting he was not sure he could cope without them for a month.

The Spanish great became a father for the first time in October and is playing at his first Grand Slam since, leaving home in late December for the United Cup in Sydney before heading to Melbourne Park.

Speaking at the Australian Open, where he won in the first round Monday, the defending champion said being a dad had not affected his competitive “feelings or motivation”.

“Only could create a negative impact if I was here for one month and they were not able to be with me,” he added.

“You don’t know how you are going to react, you know?

“I don’t know my feeling if the baby’s not here with me for one month. I don’t know if after three weeks I miss him, and I lost a little bit the focus.

“Something I was not ready to accept this challenge, so I am happy that my wife accept to come here.”


6AM: FANS, PLAYERS BRACE FOR AUSTRALIAN OPEN SCORCHER

Players and fans are set to swelter on Tuesday in an early test for the Australian Open’s heat stress scale with temperatures tipped to hit the high 30s.

The AO’s extreme heat policy is based on the scale which has levels ranging from one to five, not dissimilar to those fire danger rating signs you whiz past on country freeways.

The scale is based on four climate factors: the strength of the sun (or radiant heat), air temperature in the shade, relative humidity and wind speed, which are all measured at five different locations across the precinct.

Level one on the scale is simply play on as usual. Level two? Have a few more cups of water. By level three, players are instructed to apply cooling strategies, such as wearing a cooling vest between sets.

Level four gets serious, with the match referee able to call extended breaks.

At level five, matches on outdoor courts are suspended. Once matches on outdoor courts are suspended, the referee calls for the roof to be closed on arena courts.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) on Monday was forecasting a 36-degree day, with light northerly winds.

There’ll be a cool change later, according to the BOM, with relief to come when a south-westerly sweeps through in the evening.

The BOM also forecasts a slight chance of a shower in the afternoon and a possible thunderstorm in the evening, indicating the heat might also bring humidity – two factors on that could bump up the stress scale.

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley recently reassured: “the team’s well-versed in preparing for heat”.

The second day of the tournament has been hot before. In 2014, the mercury reached 42.2. Then, play continued uninterrupted, casting criticism over the heat policy when nine players were forced to retire and a ball boy fainted.

Players are confident they’re equipped for the heat. No. 2 seed Ons Jabeur even said she missed it.

“I‘d like to say that I’m Tunisian and I’m used to that,” she said.

Danish firebrand Holger Rune isn’t so used to it – 36 degrees is Denmark’s hottest on record – but even he said he was “ready for it”.

“I’m more and more experienced with it so I’m kind of going to look forward to it,” he said.

Originally published as Australian Open 2023 day 2 live scores, schedule, order of play

Read related topics:Melbourne

Source link

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please turn off the ad blocker & refresh this page again to access the content.