Live: Tennis boss addresses Sinner rumour ahead of de Minaur quarterfinal

Madison Keys has closed out the second set, leveling the match at one set apiece with a 6-3 victory.

Keys’ tactical serving and aggressive play were on full display throughout this game.

She started strong with a well-constructed point, forcing Elina Svitolina into a defensive error. Despite a brief setback with an unforced error, Keys quickly regained control with an overhead winner.

In the final point, a 173 km/h serve down the T proved too much for Svitolina.

Quality fightback from the American.

Finally on her seventh break point of the entire match, Madison Keys has broken Elina Svitolina and now leads 4-2 in the second set.

The American was also able to confidently consolidate her serve.

She now stands just one game away from forcing a deciding third set in this quarterfinal match.

Svitolina has saved three break points to stay in this set!

Keys initially seized control, racing to a 40-15 lead with aggressive returns and powerful groundstrokes.

But Svitolina was able to battle back, and produced some great serves and winners under pressure.

The game reached deuce multiple times, until Keys’ aggressive 164 km/h forehand sailed long, giving Svitolina the game.

We’re on serve 2-2 in this second set.

There’s nothing like having your husband cheering you on from the sidelines.

And that’s the case for Elina Svitolina, who’s husband Gael Monfils is sitting in the player’s box during this quarterfinal match.

During the last two weeks, both players have been seen warming down quickly after their matches to make it in time to see their significant other take the court.

How sweet.

Madison Keys has a winning record against Elina Svitolina, but she knew that today’s battle would be different.

Ahead of today’s quarterfinal, American Keys knew she’d have to come out swinging against her Ukrainian rival, who took the first set 6-3.

Svitolina took time out last year due to injury and foot surgery, and is playing with two screws in her ankle.

Keys saw Svitolina’s thrilling win over fourth-seed Jasmine Paolini and took note.

“Honestly, I was so impressed. She was really going for it and really going after her shots … I definitely think it’s not going to be, like, the typical match-up that we have had in the past.

“It was not vintage Svitolina playing.”

For more context on today’s match in progress, read more here:

There’s been unconfirmed reports Jannik Sinner is ill with pneumonia ahead of his quarterfinal with Aussie hope Alex de Minaur.

But Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley told the Herald-Sun he expects the world number one to take to the court tonight.

“I was with their team yesterday. He’ll be ready to play tonight,” Tiley said.

“I think it’ll be a brilliant match.”

Sinner is scheduled to hit the practice court this afternoon at 4pm AEDT.

The Italian was clearly unwell during his four-set win over Holger Rune in the round of 16 on Monday.

He needed a medical timeout during the match and was visibly shaking at a change of ends in the third set.

Sinner told reporters after the match he felt a “bit dizzy”.

Elina Svitolina secured a crucial break of serve in the eighth game, extending her lead to 5-3 in the first set. 

Despite Madison Keys starting strong with a powerful wide serve, Svitolina’s consistent defensive play and aggressive returns put immense pressure on the American, who struggled to find her rhythm, committing costly errors on both her forehand and backhand.

Svitolina was then able to consolidate her service game 40-15 and closed out the first set with a commanding 6-3 victory.

Keys will need to regroup quickly to challenge Svitolina’s momentum in the upcoming set.

She looked a bit dejected on the bench during the break, taking lots of deep breaths and shook her head towards her player’s box.

Elina Svitolina secures a hard-fought hold in a marathon game, extending her lead to 3-2 in the first set.

Madison Keys’ aggressive returns and powerful groundstrokes kept the pressure on, forcing the game to multiple deuces.

She had two break point opportunities but couldn’t capitalise, partly due to unforced errors at critical moments.

Last night was absolutely electric in the stadium for the Alcaraz v Djokovic blockbuster.

But it seems Melbourne Park is waking up today.

Plenty of empty seats in Rod Laver Arena as the first match begins.

It’s a bit disappointing to see. But more spectators are starting to filter in as the game warms up.

It looks like hiring coach Andy Murray is one of the best things Novak Djokovic could have done for this last half of his career.

Carrying a groin injury and having lost the first set, it almost all looked over for Djokovic.

But he dragged himself out of a rut, and after winning across four sets to Carlos Alcaraz, turned to Murray and let out a massive roar.

That, he says, was his “gesture of appreciation” for the work he is doing to drive the all-time great to a 25th grand slam title.

“I felt to do it in the end of the match. I feel more and more connected with Andy every day,” Djokovic said.

“We face challenges every single day.

“I mean, we try to make the most out of every day and grow together.

“He’s been as committed to my career and this tournament as he can be.”

Can Murray take him all the way to Sunday’s trophy?

First up on Rod Laver Arena we have American Madison Keys facing off against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.

Both claimed major scalps to reach the quarterfinals, with Keys beating seventh seed Elena Rybakina, and Svitolina unseating fourth seed Jasmine Paolini.

Keys, the 19th seed, has made the semifinals here twice, the first time 10 years ago in 2015, and more recently in 2022.

Svitolina, seeded 28, has never made it to the semifinals at the Australian Open.

She was on the cusp of reaching the quarterfinals last year when she had to pull out hurt with a back injury just three games into her fourth-round match.

She made a strong comeback from foot surgery last year.

Both will be eager to progress, and they have a tight head-to-head, with Keys leading 3-2.

But their last meeting was in 2022, before the invasion of Ukraine and Svitolina’s maternity leave. Since then Svitolina has gained a reputation as a more aggressive player.

We should be in for a good match!

We’ll let you be the judge.

During last night’s blockbuster match, Novak Djokovic had taken a medical time-out in the first set for what looked to be a groin injury.

After the match, he didn’t quite touch on it.

“Since I’m still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much,” he said.

“But the medication started to kick in and it helped no doubt. I had to take another dose … [and] if I lost the second set, I don’t know if I would continue playing.

“I felt better and better and managed to play a great couple of games to end the second set.”

There’s also the question of whether the Serbian was injured to begin with. It’s come up plenty of times before during the champion’s storied career.

Good morning to all our tennis fans and welcome to day 11 of the Australian Open.

It’s officially Demon day — local favourite Alex de Minaur will play the biggest match of his career tonight — a quarterfinal at his home slam against the world no.1.

But until then, we have plenty of other action coming up including no.2 seed Iga Swiatek taking on American Emma Navarro.

Meanwhile, if you weren’t keeping an eye on last night’s results (but seriously what where you doing?) Novak Djokovic defied injury to seal his spot in the semifinals, knocking out Carlos Alcaraz in a four-set epic.

Bring on whatever today holds!