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Sabalenka (1) 5-4 7-6 (7-4) Potapova* And just like that, Sabalenka reasserts her control.
A nice drop shot from Sabalenka sees her move ahead but Potapova answers back, a point that is met by the top seed changing her racquet. The Austrian is then able to move ahead herself, only to be immediately pegged back by a magnificent forehand return that she’s left chasing across the court.
Sabalenka forces Potapova deep and draws a forehand into the net to bring up break point, one that she takes with drop shot her opponent cannot reach. After a scare, she’ll now serve for the match.
Sabalenka* (1) 4-4 7-6 (7-4) Potapova Hellllllllo. From down two breaks Potapova has broken back twice herself and we’re now tied up in the second set!
Sabalenka quickly moves ahead but just sends a shot long to give Potapova a sniff, one that she builds upon by firing a big forehand winner to make it 30-30. The top seed then sends a shot into the net to bring up a break point – frustration visible on her face as she quickly rubs the sweat off her face before her next serve – but brings it back to deuce when a bouncy serve sets her up for a commanding forehand.
A deep return pushes Sabalenka back and induces her to fire into the net to bring up another break point but Potapova’s backhand return on the next serve goes long. A misjudgement from Sabalenka then sees her leave a forearm return that bounces comfortably in to bring up another break point and then the break comes; Potapova keeping the rally alive from deep before her opponent sends a forehand out!
Sabalenka (1) 4-3 7-6 (7-4) Potapova* Potapova fires down a big ace to start things off and try to continue to build on her momentum, only to then immediately double fault on the next point. The Austrian gets to the net and forces Sabalenka to go long with her attempted lob to move back ahead and then fires down a powerful serve her opponent cannot return. She then makes it three straight games when Sabalenka goes long. Some good fight on display, here.
Sabalenka* (1) 4-2 7-6 (7-4) Potapova Ok, out on Rod Laver and Sabalenka’s march towards the fourth round is still on track but has hit some resistance, with Potapova showing some great resilience to get a break back. A bit of frustration on display from the top seed.
Before we get to Sabalenka, also of particular note for the locals yesterday evening was the return of the Special Ks, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, to the men’s doubles. Unfortunately for the former champions, however, their time together in Melbourne was short: falling, battered and bruised, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10-4) to fellow Australians Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans.
Simon Cambers was there for that one.
No doubt giving hope to plenty of weekend warriors, yesterday also saw Stan Wawrinka become the first 40-year-old to reach the third round of a men’s grand slam in 48 years when the Swiss wildcard defeated Arthur Gea 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3) after just over four and a half hours.
Tumaini Carayol has also taken a look at that one.
If you’re looking to get up to speed, the biggest talking point to come out of Thursday night’s action was the fiery clash between Naomi Osaka (16) and Sorana Cirstea, which saw the former advance 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
Tumaini Carayol was there for that one, documenting a clash that began with just as much focus on Osaka’s sartorial choices and ended with contention over the former champion cheering “C’Mon” between serves.
Preamble
Joey Lynch
Howdy, y’all. Joey Lynch here and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the Australia Open, focusing this arvo on world number one Carlos Alcaraz’s (1) third round meeting with Corentin Moutet (32), with frequent updates on Coco Gauff’s (3) all-American meeting with Hailey Baptiste.
Alcaraz and Moutet won’t commence before 1:30pm local time but, before they can even take to Rod Laver Arena, women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka (1) will have to navigate the challenge of Australian challenger, Anastasia Potapova.
Initially, that looked like it was going to be easier said than done for the top seed, who had the fight taken to her by her 55th-ranked opponent and was taken to a tie break in the opening set before eventually taking it 7-6 (7-4). However, Sabalenka has begun to power away in the second and looks like she’ll wrap this up very quickly.
Gauff and Baptiste, likewise, won’t be able to head out onto the Margaret Court Arena until Daniil Medvedev (11) and Fabian Marozsan complete their meeting – Medvedev, after previously being forced to do so against Quentin Halys in the second round, needing to overcome a first-set tie break loss if he’s to advance.
