Key posts
Latest scores and results
Here are the key matches for day eight of the Australian Open:
Fritz has another break in what has been a wild third set against Tsitsipas. They have both made breaks and Fritz attacked again last game to extend his lead.
It’s now 5-2 and Tsitsipas is serving to stay in this crucial third set and avoid going behind two sets to one.
The usual fan support sounds very subdued right now for the Greek star.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic has wiped the floor with Frenchman Adrian Mannarino on Rod Laver Arena.
In an interview published today, Djokovic spoke to Serbian media after his win against Tomas Martin Etcheverry about how he coped with distracting thoughts during matches.
Novak Djokovic after beating Adrian Mannarino.Credit: AP
Asked if he was ever distracted from his on-court job by his own thoughts, Djokovic said he did have such a moment in the clash against Aussie Alexei Popyrin but couldn’t remember what he had been thinking about.
“All sorts of scenarios run through your head. Such a film is very short, but very vivid. Negative scenarios such as ‘what if I lose’ … It’s not something I enjoy, but I experience it often on court and that’s something I have to deal with, just like with other emotions during a match,” Djokovic told Serbian media, as the Sport Klub website reported.
“I don’t believe there are sportspeople, or people in general, who don’t have doubts, who don’t have fear. That doesn’t exist. Everyone has fears and doubts, moreover they may be present in every match, but it’s only a question how much a person stays imprisoned by that emotion and how quickly they return to the optimal position, how quickly they move back into the present and shift their thoughts to those which are more constructive for themselves.”
Djokovic said negative emotions such as fear and doubt were just as powerful as love, joy and motivation, but the difference was in not allowing the negative to dominate.
“It’s important to work on the mental aspect to strengthen yourself and give yourself the tools to manage such emotions and not be imprisoned by then too long and too often,” the Serbian superstar said.
Monday’s matches have largely been announced with Victoria Azarenka and Daniil Medvedev headlining the day session on Rod Laver Arena and Carlos Alcaraz the star of the night session.
Giant slayer Linda Noskova will play on Margaret Court Arena as will Alexander Zverev and Cameron Norrie.
The final schedule for John Cain Arena is still to be locked in, but French wildcard Arthur Cazoux will be in that session – his athletic game is very well suited to the people’s arena.
G’day everyone. It’s Roy Ward here and I’ll be on the blog for the rest of day eight.
Novak Djokovic just made his way into the quarters while Stefanos Tsitsipas and Taylor Fritz have split the first two sets of their match on John Cain Arena.
Please enjoy the afternoon and evening to come.
After Adrian Mannarino won his first game in the third set, the crowd erupted. They were yelling, singing and walloping from their feet.
Djokovic didn’t like how long it went on for and chided the chair umpire before being booed by the crowd.
He then mocked the crowd before getting back to it. Take a look here:
Looking at the scoreboard, you’d never guess the world No.1 Novak Djokovic was feeling unwell.
He won his encounter with French veteran Adrian Mannarino 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 despite looking to dry wretch at one stage and use the tissue in his pocket at another.
Novak Djokovic battles an illness during the fourth round.Credit: Getty
The Serb continues his quest for an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title and reaches his 58th grand slam quarter-final, equalling Roger Federer’s record.
It feels like a real David and Goliath type battle on Rod Laver Arena as the world No.1 is barely letting his opponent get a point.
This was perhaps best illustrated when Adrian Mannarino beamed to the crowd, who got on their feet in cheers after he won his first game of the match, in the third set. It was the loudest applause of the match.
Novak Djokovic had taken the opening two 6-0, 6-0.
In saying that, the Frenchman is getting a lot of ball and seeing a lot of the court. The last rally between the two went for 22 shots.
Adrian Mannarino.Credit: AP
Given Djokovic is evidently feeling under the weather, he presumably wants the match to be over as quickly as possible.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has eased through to the quarter-finals in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 over American Amanda Anisimova.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has won the second set against Adrian Mannarino with another bagel 6-0. He’s up 6-0, 6-0.
On John Cain Arena, Taylor Fritz has claimed the opening set in a tie-breaker 7-6 (7-3) against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Aryna Sabalenka (right) shakes hands with Amanda Anisimova.Credit: Getty
Cruz Hewitt’s Australian Open debut ends in a 6-2, 6-3 defeat but there were some impressive glimpses.
He mixes his shots up well, can generate power – especially off his forehand – and hit a few 184km/h aces in his last two service games. The crowd gave him a warm send-off as he left the court.
Cruz Hewitt.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen.
John Millman’s arrival seems to have sparked Cruz Hewitt.
Hewitt rallies from 15-40 and saves a third break point to hold serve, but he still trails by a set and 1-4.
Hewitt is looking at Millman after most points at that end of the court, away from his player box, which includes dad Lleyton, mum Bec, Peter Luczak, Jaymon Crabb and Jordan Thompson.
But he could almost be Lleyton out there. Just look at these similarities: cap backwards, necklace flying, even his little finger is on a strange angle like his dad.
Cruz HewittCredit: Alex Ellinghausen.
Young Lleyton Hewitt.Credit: Getty