Star survives ‘virtual match point’ in semi-final slugfest

Rybakina served for the first set at 5-3 but had to withstand a fightback from the 2012-2013 Australian Open champion.

Azarenka took advantage of Rybakina’s service issues late in the set, which appeared to frustrate her coach who commentators said urged her to stop rushing.

Rybakina did enough to see off Azarenka in the tiebreak but a one hour first set suggested fans are blog readers are in for a long night of tennis.

Rybakina only converted 48 per cent of her first serves compared to Azarenka’s 71 per cent.

But tellingly, Rybakina won 80 per cent of the points from the 20 first-serves she landed.

Earlier, commentator Jelena Dokic said the first set was more important for Azarenka.

“I just think Rybakina is so good whether she gets on top, she is a great front runner,” Dokic said.

“Getting out of this first set will give her a lot of confidence and I still go with her weapons. Especially this serve.”

9.24PM AZARENKA GETS ONE BREAK BACK

As she did in the first set, Rybakina gives Azarenka a look in and is unable to serve out the set. Azarenka breaks for 5-3.

9.20PM RYBAKINA ONE GAME AWAY

Azarenka produces a wild forehand which travels well wide and hands Rybakina a double break in the second set. She’ll serve for the match at 5-2. It’d be hard not to be thinking about the final now.

9.13PM AZARENKA DODGES ‘VIRTUAL MATCH POINT’

Jim Courier calls it a “virtual match point” as Elena Rybakina misses a golden chance to go 4-1 ahead in the second set. She had a rally at her mercy only to make an error and give Azarenka the chance to fight back for 3-2. “She got a gift. Wow! That was a virtual match point from Rybakina and it was missed in the middle of the net not even on the tape,” Courier said on Channel 9.

9.01PM RYBAKINA BREAKS IN SECOND SET

The pressure is all on Victoria Azarenka now as she is broken to love and trails 2-1 in the second set.

8.32PM AZARENKA TO SERVE FOR FIRST SET

What a turnaround. Rybakina’s serve has fallen apart and Azarenka had three break points on three second serves. From 5-3, Rybakina’s serving has melted under pressure but she somehow survived each of those break points on second serve. You sense that might be a crucial game as Rybakina gets out of it to lead 6-5.

8.25PM AZARENKA BREAKS AGAIN!

Just when Elena Rybakina looked set to seal the first set Azarenka fights back. The highlight of that match was a superb passing shot from the Belarusian down the line when she looked certain to surrender the set. We’re back to 5-4 on serve in the first set.

8.17PM RYBAKINA BREAKS AGAIN, WILL SERVE FOR SET

The Wimbledon champ is hammering Azarenka with sheer power and takes a 5-3 lead in the opening set.

8.08PM RYBAKINA BREAKS BACK!

Well, that advantage didn’t last long. From 30-30, Rybakina punishes Azarenka for missing two first serves and gets the break back. It’s 3-3 in the first set.

8.03PM AZARENKA BREAKS

Victoria Azarenka gets the first break of the semi-final and leads 3-2 in the opening set.

From 15-15, she managed two winners to capitalise on an earlier error from Rybakina and claim the initiative.

8.02PM LAST TIME AZARENKA WON IN MELBOURNE

A lot has changed since Victoria Azarenka’s last Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open in 2013.

Azarenka was the No.1 seed in that tournament, when she defeated sixth seed Li Na in the final.

She defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova, Sloane Stephens and then Li Na to clinch successive Melbourne Park titles.

Her opponent tonight was 13 years old.

7.54PM DOKIC PRAISES RYBAKINA TACTICS

Elena Rybakina clearly isn’t going to die wondering here tonight and has started by taking the attack to Victoria Azarenka.

While Azarenka held in her opening service game, it wasn’t without a challenge from the Wimbledon champion.

“I think it is clear already from Rybakina just really holding the baseline so well right there. And just looking to attack. She was already inside the baseline there. Looking to take the ball early. Great commitment from Rybakina,” Dokic said on Channel 9.

It’s very early, but the signs are very promising from Rybakina who I would have as favourite for this match.

7.46PM WOMEN’S SEMI-FINALS UNDERWAY

And Elena Rybakina starts with a double fault!

HOW LATE IS TOO LATE FOR WOMEN’S SEMI-FINALS?

The first of two Australian Open women’s semi-finals started almost 15 minutes after the scheduled start time of 7.30pm, one of the world’s premier tennis writers has questioned the scheduling.

Stuart Fraser from The Times said the Open was “asking for trouble” by scheduling the Azarenka-Rybakina match at 7.30pm.

Most night matches have started at about 7pm, although the schedule changes depending on how long day matches take.

Fraser said six of the seven night sessions in the opening week ended at 12.55am or later.

“Below are the Australian Open finish times throughout the first week. Starting two women’s semi-finals tonight from 19:30 is also asking for trouble, IMO,” he Tweeted.

Week one finishing times, as tweeted by Stuart Fraser:

Mon 16 – 23:38

Tue 17 – 02:02

Wed 18 – 01:27

Thu 19 – 04:05

Fri 20 – 01:40

Sat 21 – 00:55

Sun 22 – 02:16

NADAL CAMP RAISES FRESH DOUBTS OVER DJOKER INJURY

Rafael Nadal’s uncle has reportedly aired fresh doubts about Novak Djokovic’s hamstring injury.

The Serbian has stormed into the Australian Open semi-finals, shaking off reported injury issues to claim convincing wins over Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev in the past two rounds.

Djokovic said after his win over de Minaur his hamstring was feeling as good as it had at any point during the tournament, confirming he had managed the issue with anti-inflammatories.

Toni Nadal reportedly told Spanish media: “For years we saw that injuries had an immediate effect on Rafa’s health. He could not end matches sometimes. With Novak, it’s different. I am not saying he is faking injuries but it’s normal to have doubts.”

7.28PM CAN TSITSIPAS BOOK AUS OPEN FINAL

He is one of the most loved tennis players at Melbourne Park and Stefanos Tsitsipas is capable of reaching his first Australian Open semi-final, says Todd Woodbridge.

This is the fourth time the Greek star has reached the last four in Australia, but he is yet to reach the final.

The highest seed left in the draw will meet Karen Khachanov for a spot in this year’s decider.

“If it goes the way it should, it should be Tsitsipas who gets through, but it will be a tough match because Karen has been playing really well,” Woodbridge said on Channel 9.

“He is calm and composed and in his interviews he said I’ve reinvented myself. I am a better player than what he was.

“He’s come back after a semi at the US Open. This is the best tennis that Tsitsipas has played since he lost at Roland Garros to Novak Djokovic.

“He is playing brilliantly out of the blocks. It’s about sustaining through that length of time but it he’s been doing it well.”

NEW DOUBLES HEROES NEED A NICKNAME

Why change a good thing?

Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler are into the Australian Open men’s final and planning to continue their unique preparation for the Saturday showpiece.

The Aussie pair — ranked 163rd and 277th in the world for doubles — have emulated Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis’ feat by reaching the decider as qualifiers at Melbourne Park.

They dispatched eighth seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 6-4 6-2 in a commanding semi-final performance to book a final against Hugo Nys and Jan Zieliński.

Asked what their lead-up to the final would look like, Hijikata said: “(Jason will be) smashing on some lollies and Pepsi, and I’ll probably sleep for most of the day tomorrow.”

It’s a unique formula but one that is clearly working for the unlikely doubles heroes.

They have eliminated the first and eighth seeds in their past two outings without dropping a set, storming into the final and capturing the attention of a nation.

DON’T LIKE OUR SUGGESTIONS? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE HIJIKATA-KUBLER NICKNAME

Now the challenge is out for someone to come up with a nickname by Saturday so they can match the ‘Special Ks’.

“We seem to have bad names for a nickname. We think of it and then there’s nothing,” Kubler said.

“Nothing that sounds that good. Hopefully someone can come up with something but if not, Jason and Rinky should be fine.”

One name which was suggested during their press conference was ‘Team Kinky’.

It got a laugh, but Kubler said “I don’t think we can run with that one”.

Hijikata and Kubler might not play traditional doubles tennis or have the history together of other pairings, but their partnership is working wonders.

“It’s funny because at some stages we’re just yelling at each other,” Kubler said.

“I don’t know what he’s saying, he doesn’t know what I’m saying, he doesn’t know what I’m saying we’re just yelling.

“There’s happens of energy and we both play better when there’s more energy. We’ll keep it going. I don’t know what the leader is but we’re doing pretty well right now.”

7PM CAN AZARENKA OUST WIMBLEDON CHAMP?

Tonight’s first women’s semi-final has so many great storylines.

It’s the Wimbledon champion who gained no points for her win against the veteran who won her last Grand Slam in Australia 10 years ago.

Azarenka has only reached one Grand Slam final since 2013 — the 2020 US Open.

Can she break her drought and go a step closer to a third Aussie Open title?

READ MORE HERE

6.50PM DOKER CONCERN CAN’T BE IGNORED

Two-time Australian Open champion Jim Courier says the issue of Novak Djokovic’s hamstring will “hover” over his semi-final against Tommy Paul.

While Courier said Djokovic was “heavy favourite” to move a step closer to his 10th Australian Open, he said the Serbian was “only one step away from trouble”.

“He has played unbelievably well, ruthlessly efficient in his last two matches against quality opposition, but you’re only one step away from trouble if you have the hamstring issue,” Courier said on Channel 9.

“That is what Tommy Paul has to sell himself and what the — tell himself and what about the tennis Tsitsipas has been playing.Novak, when he is normal, he hits the back end and he slides the open stance on the open side but he is turning around so as not to put pressure on the left leg. That is not normal.

“That tells me he is protecting a problem there so it’s tougher for him to defend in the backhand corner. He will need to use that and get Novak to do something awkward.”

5.50PM WHAT THE SEMI-FINALISTS SAID:

Here’s what Elena Rybankia, Victoria Azakarena, Magda Linette and Aryna Sabalenka said about their semi-finals.

Azarenka on facing Rybakina: It will be a great matchup. We only played once last year. Was a bit of kind of a weird match for me. I’m looking forward to having that challenge.

“She’s an incredible player. She won Wimbledon last year. I think maybe she had a little bit of up and downs, but she’s a very good, solid player. Her ranking obviously doesn’t tell the full story.

“Yeah, she’s very powerful. Big serve. She’s in the semifinal, so she’s obviously playing amazing. Had some really tough wins, good wins. So, yeah, it’s going to be a big challenge. I’m excitedabout that.

Rybakina on Pegula or Azarenka (before her semi-final was locked in): Yeah, for sure, they are tough opponents for me. We know each other well. Was a tough match against Jessica in Guadalajara, but there it was also special conditions. And against Vika in Indian Wells.

“Yeah, tough opponents, but like always, I will try to prepare, I will try to watch the matches, analyze, think about this, and for sure I’m gonna give my best on thecourt.”

Linette on Sabalenka: My last encounter wasn’t the best at the Olympics, so I think I have really big room there, because it obviously can’t be any worse than the last one.

“I will just try what I’m doing this whole week. I’m being very consistent, returning really well, and keeping my serves. I think she will be, you know, just a little bit more consistent version of being aggressive on every single shot. I will just need to serve really well again.

I will try to do my best on the return, and I have been doing that pretty well the last two matches, especiallywhen the opponent was kind of similar.

Sabalenka on Linette: Yeah, she’s a great player. She’s playing great tennis these weeks in Australia. Yeah, moving well, serving well, handling emotions well. Yeah, she’s a great player. It’s going to be great battle.I’m really looking forward for this match.

5.15PM WHO WINS TONIGHT?

It’s your turn to have your say on who you think will make the Australian Open women’s final.

VOTE BELOW

4.48pm WHAT HIJIKATA, KUBLER SAID

RINKY: No, I was still pretty bummed about my singles match to be honest! But, yeah, I guess, wow, we’ll take it for sure.

KUBLER: Who would have thought, who would have thought. We both returned unbelievable. If any watched the match yesterday they saw Rinky lacing them, I was happy to do my part today. Unbelievable, we get a rest day tomorrow, and then play Saturday.

RINKY: I don’t even know at this point. I have think we just see the ball, hit the ball. Don’t know to be honest.

KUBLER: It’s funny because at some stages we’re just yelling at each other. I don’t know what he’s saying, he doesn’t know what I’m saying, he doesn’t know what I’m saying we’re just yelling. There’s happens of energy and we both play better when there’s more energy. We’ll keep it going. I don’t know what the leader is but we’re doing pretty well right now.

RINKY: (Asked about their preparation for the final) Smashing on some lollies and Pepsi, and I’ll probably sleep for most of the day tomorrow.

KUBLER: I was lucky enough to play a couple of matches on Ken Rosewall Arena and great to have that atmosphere and experience. This was the first time I’ve played on Rod Laver Arena in the day I think, so I was a bit nervous to come out but as soon as our energy comes out, I’m not even thinking anymore, I’m just swinging…With each match we get more confident and I feel more at home on these big courts.

RINKY: I don’t know, hey, no clue, I guess…yeah, if someone can come up with one. I think it must be pretty hard because we haven’t found one yet.

KUBLER: We seem to have bad names for a nickname. We think of it and then there’s nothing. Nothing that sounds that good. Hopefully someone can come up with something but if not, Jason and Rinky should be fine.

4.42PM AUSSIE DUO INTO MEN’S DOUBLES FINAL

They’ve done it! Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler, ranked 277th and 163rd in the world for doubles, are into the Australian Open final with a 6-4 6-2 victory. Boy does the crowd love it!

“Wow, this has been such a good performance both on serve, placement and returns from the two Australians,” says doubles legend Todd Woodbridge.

4.36PM HIJIKATA, KUBLER TO SERVE FOR MATCH

The Aussie pair break again in the second set and are within sight of the men’s doubles final. They lead 5-2 in the second set. Start Googling men’s doubles because you might want to sound like an expert when discussing these two with your mates! First the Special Ks, now Kubler and Hijikata. One more to go.

4.32PM AUSSIE PAIR THREE GAMES FROM FINAL

Hijikata and Kubler continue to hold a break in the second set and at 3-2, Todd Woodbridge sums up what every Aussie in the crowd seems to be thinking: “This is fun. This is great viewing,” he says on Channel 9. Hijikata has just held serve to make it 4-2.

4.05PM AUSSIES TAKE FIRST SET IN DOUBLES SEMI-FINAL

Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler have taken the first set in their men’s doubles semi-final against eighth seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.

Looking to keep the title in Aussie hands and repeat the feat of the ‘Special Ks’ last year, Hijikata and Kubler are one set up after taking the first set 6-4.

Huge!

TENNIS LEGEND’S TAKE ON RUSSIA BAN

Tennis great Billie Jean King urged Wimbledon on Wednesday to lift its ban on Russian and Belarusian players, saying “life is too short”.

Players from both countries were barred from the Grand Slam last year over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the tournament stripped of ranking points as a result.

The All England Club is considering whether to do the same again this year but King called on them to drop the ban.

“Just keep it the same way as the other ones are. Life is too short,” she told reporters at the Australian Open. “I think they should get prize money. Just have them play and get their money.” Players from Russia and Belarus are competing at the Australian Open as independents under a neutral white flag.

Two Belarusians – Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabelenka – are into the semi-finals and could meet in Saturday’s title match.

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan is also in the last four, despite being seeded only 22 after missing out on rankings points for winning the major.

“It’s the ranking points, for sure. They have to have it. Rybakina, they’ve seeded her 22, but because she won Wimbledon she’s not (seeded higher),” said King.

DJOKOVIC ISSUES CHEEKY CHALLENGE TO FEDERER

Roger Federer may no longer be on the ATP Tour but that hasn’t stopped his adversaries from keeping a close eye on what he is doing.

And when it comes to Novak Djokovic, the competitive rivalry still exists – even if it may play out in another sport.

Fresh off his quarter-final smashing of Russian Andrey Rublev, Djokovic gave a shout-out to Federer in his post-match interview and issued a cheeky challenge to the Swiss superstar.

“Let’s give a big round of applause to Roger guys,” he said.

“Tennis misses him for sure. I’ve seen him dressing up very sharply for fashion week.

“Yeah, I‘ve seen him skiing. I want to challenge him to a little skiing race in few years’ time.

“But yeah, he‘s enjoying life for sure. It’s nice to see that.

“Obviously for tennis, he’s been one of the most important players ever to play the game. So, big regards to him and his family.”

While we would love one last Djokovic v Federer showdown on the tennis court, the snow might be all we can hope for.

Originally published as Australian Open Day 11 live scores: Women’s semi-finals