Australian Open 2021 tennis LIVE updates - Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic in action

ByEurosport

Updated 08/02/2021 at 13:50 GMT

Day one at the 2021 Australian Open sees a host of top names in action, including Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Dominic Thiem, Simona Halep, Alexander Zverev and many others. The Australian Open is live on Eurosport. Watch every match live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk.

Nick Kyrgios

Image credit: Getty Images

13:50 - SHAPOVALOV 3-6 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4 SINNER

A second match point for Shapovalov, and this time he makes no mistake! Huge winner on the line from the Canadian and he has tamed the Italian. What a match to close out the opening day of action at the Australian Open.

12: 58 - 'Are you guys awake?' - Watch Kyrgios get angry with his box after point

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'Are you guys awake?' - Watch Kyrgios get angry with his box after point

12:56 - SHAPOVALOV 3-6 6-3 6-2 4-6 0-0* SINNER

A fourth set which swung that way and that, but it’s Sinner who steals it! The Italian sailed to a 0-40 lead on Shapo’s serve, and though the Canadian saves the first two he cannot prevent Sinner from converting the third! Roll on the decider!

12:10 - SHAPOVALOV 3-6 6-3 6-2 0-0* SINNER

Swiftly does it! Five games in a row and Shapovalov takes the third set and with it the lead in this match.

Don’t rule out Sinner in the fourth, but it’s the Canadian who’s a set away from the second round!

11:30 - 'Tell your girlfriend to get out of my box!'

Kyrgios fumes mid-match... though he eventually settled down to breeze past Ferreira Silva 6-4 6-4 6-4!

'Tell your girlfriend to get out of my box!' - Kyrgios lets rip mid-match

11:26 - Catches win matches...

'Pressure!' - Funny moment ball kid catches skied Sinner return

11:25 - SHAPOVALOV 3-6 6-3 0-0* SINNER

Game on! Shapo lets out a roar as he takes a tight second set. Roll on the third, this should be good – and don’t forget you can watch it here on the Eurosport website or head to Eurosport 1.

11:11 - DJOKOVIC BEATS CHARDY 6-3 6-1 6-2

Djokovic had not given away a single break opportunity all match, and he was not about to start there. From 15-15 he wins the next three points to seal a very impressive opening-round win.

The Serbian marches on with a performance that with it delivers a warning to those looking to take the title from him.

That’s 14 wins in a row against Chardy – 33 sets in a row against the Frenchman. It was never going any other way today.

10:38 - SHAPOVALOV 3-6 *0-0 SINNER

Sinner makes no mistake when serving for the opening set, he holds to 30 to nudge ahead.

Had to feel for Shapovalov when the draw came out. He knew he’d have a match on his hands, and now he’s already up against it!

10:36 - What You Missed Overnight: Serena and Osaka star on day one

What You Missed Overnight: Serena and Osaka star on day one

10:33 - DJOKOVIC 6-3 6-1 0-0* CHARDY

Djokovic wraps up the second set, dropping just the one point on serve all set. My word. He is looking good out there.

10:17 - Kyrgios marches through

And that’s the match! Kyrgios ends it in style, with a third straight hold to love. He really got into gear and despite a couple of dropped service games that’s as smooth as you are going to get from the unseeded Australian.

Onto the second round for Kyrgios, who beats Ferreira Silva 6-4 6-4 6-4.

10:12 - DJOKOVIC 6-3 *0-0 CHARDY

Not. A. Sniff. On the Djokovic serve... Another hold to love and that’s nine successive points on serve for Djokovic.

Pressure back on Chardy… And another dip from the Frenchman sees Djokovic take full advantage. Two breaks for the world No 1 and that’s the set. Routine shift so far from the defending champ.

09:47 - FERREIRA SILVA 4-6 4-6 *0-0 KYRGIOS

Super stuff from Kyrgios, who holds to love and with it takes the second set. He didn’t face a single break point all set and has looked more and more assured as the match has gone on. One set away now from the second round.

09:16 - Halep cruises through

Halep responds in style after being broken for the first time this match – breaking right back!

And with that she has won her opening round 6-2 6-1, rather comfortably it must be said. Just the three games dropped and little over an hour on court!

09:06 - FERREIRA SILVA 4-6 *0-0 KYRGIOS

It was a battle at the beginning, with three games taking 25 minutes alone, but Kyrgios has asserted his dominance and takes the opening set with a hold to love.

08:45 - CABRERA 2-6 *0-0 HALEP

Swiftly does it for Halep in the opening set. Not a break point faced, two out of three break points converted, and the second seed takes the first set 6-2 against her Australian opponent.

07:40 - Serena explains catsuit

Serena Williams has explained the inspiration behind her eye-catching one-legged catsuit at the 2021 Australian Open.

'I was inspired by Flo-Jo' - Serena on one-legged catsuit

Full story

07:25 - Andreescu through to second round

Bianca Andreescu survived a scare to reach the second round of the Australian Open in her first match in 15 months.

The 20-year-old was down three break points at 3-3 in the third set against Mihaela Buzarnescu, but beat her 6-2 4-6 6-3.

She said post-match: "I feel pretty damn good. Today's match wasn't easy at all. I'm super, super happy with how I fought it out, especially towards the end."

07:15 - Highlights: Thiem vs Kukushkin

Highlights: Thiem battles past Kukushkin in straight sets

07:00 - Monfils breaks down in press conference

Gael Monfils suffered a traumatic first day at the 2021 Australian Open as he departed a press conference in floods of tears after losing in the first round.

Monfils had not lost in the opening round in Melbourne for 15 years and has now lost his past seven tour-level matches in total.

His desperate form has taken an emotional toll, with Monfils unable to hold back the tears in an emotional press conference.

“I lost, I have no confidence,” Monfils said.

“I’m playing bad. I can’t serve, I’m making unforced errors, I’m six meters behind the baseline.

“I don’t feel well and you can see it. I know I’ve lost a lot and it hurts. The worst thing is that I’m working like a dog but it’s not working.

"I'd like to stand up and tell myself that this nightmare is over but the truth is I don't know when it will stop."

Monfils breaks down in tears in post-match press conference

06:40 - Zverev: I didn't play my best

"I'm extremely happy to be back here and playing because you never know with Covid right now," Zverev said post-match.

"I think all of the players want to thank Australia generally for letting us in. It's going to be an incredible two weeks and I hope everyone will enjoy it.

"He [Giron] played incredible. I think he knew that on the big stage against a top ten player he has to come out firing and give his best. He had me on the ropes and especially in the second set in the tie-break that could go either way. I'm happy to get through.

"I didn't play my best but I'm through to the second round and that's what's most important right now.

The first round of a slam is never easy especially as two days ago I spent three hours on court against Medvedev and Novak [Djokovic] so that's not easy. My body was a bit tired but this is a slam, you don't have easy opponents and sometimes that's what you have to do, just win matches.

06:25 - Zverev makes it through

Alexander Zverev is into the second round of the Australian Open with a (8)6-7 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2 win over unseeded American Marcos Giron.

Zverev will face either Taro Daniel or Maxime Cressy in the second round.

06:18 - Zverev motoring ahead

The German breaks the Giron serve once more and he is now just two games away from the second round after following up with a love service game.

Zverev's serving has been very solid today, hitting 15 aces compared to Giron's five.

06:05 - Zverev 2-1 up

That was far more routine for Zverev. He wins the third set 6-3 in 23 minutes, breaking in the first and last games, and the sixth seed looks to be back on track.

Can Giron find a way back into this? He looks to be tiring a bit now.

06:00 - Thiem: Super challenging

"It was very interesting because it was our first meeting," Thiem said after beating Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets.

"There are not many guys left who I haven't faced on tour so that was really interesting. He is really experienced having played the fourth round here.

"I think he likes the conditions it's way faster and the first set was super challenging. A break down I think I saved some set points. In general I am very happy to be back and have a successful first round.

"The ATP Cup was tough because out of nowhere you're facing another top ten guy. It's best of three so there is no time to adjust. Courts are pretty quick this year that didn't help me too much last week.

I really like the grand slams you get more time to adjust to the conditions and your opponent and get used to your own game. I'm happy I made it in three sets today and I'm glad I'm into the next round.

05:50 - Thiem is into round two

Dominic Thiem is into the second round of the Australian Open after a hard-fought 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Mikhail Kukushkin on Rod Laver Arena.

He will face either Dominik Koepfer or Hugo Dellien in the second round.

05:35 - Zverev back in it

The second set goes to another tie-break and Zverev comes out on top this time, winning it 7-4!

It's been a great contest over on Margaret Court Arena with Giron showing he is no pushover.

05:20 - Fifth time lucky

Thiem and Kukushkin have been locked in at 1-1 in the third set, but on Thiem's fifth break point opportunity he takes it as the Kazakh strokes a forehand into the net. He's two sets and a break up on Rod Laver Arena having won eight of the last nine games.

05:05 - Thiem wins second set

That was some turnaround from Thiem, coming back from 2-0 to take the second set 6-2 in 46 minutes. He looks to be playing his natural game a lot more now.

How about this for a point won by last year's Australian Open finalist 👇

'Very, very special' - Watch Thiem win spectacular point against Kukushkin

04:55 - Thiem takes back control

It looked uncertain for Thiem in the first set with Kukushkin running him close, but the Austrian is showing his experience now after an even nervier start to the second set.

He's come back from 2-0 down by winning three games in a row to break the Kazakh's serve.

04:40 - Zverev a set down

Giron forced Zverev into a tie-break and the unseeded American converts his fifth set point in the dramatic shoot-out to take a surprise lead 7-6(8)!

04:20 - Thiem a set up

It took him 72 minutes but Dominic Thiem has finally won the first set, winning the tie-break 7-2. Kukushkin has looked very solid so far and it would be surprising if this one finished in three sets.

Giron and Zverev is still going with serve. Unseeded Giron leads 5-4.

04:10 - Tie-break Thiem

Dominic Thiem has had to work hard to grind out a first-set tie-break, converting his third break point against his plucky Kazakh opponent Mikhail Kukushkin who is running the Austrian ragged. It is the first time the pair have faced each other.

Gael Monfils has been knocked out which means the Frenchman has now lost all of his six matches since the tour's Covid-enforced break last year.

04:00 - Boulter knocked out

Britain's Katie Boulter has been knocked out by Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of the Australian Open in one hour and 11 minutes.

At 5-2 down on her serve, she did incredibly well to hang on and saved four match points before following up with a break to make it 5-4. But it was then that Kasatkina broke Boulter again to win the contest on her fifth match point.

03:55 - Boulter saves four match points

At 5-2 down on Boulter's serve, the Brit did incredibly well to hang on and saved four match points before brilliantly breaking back to make it 5-4!

In the men's, the number 6 seed Alex Zverev has got underway against Marcos Giron on Margaret Court Arena.

Watch every match live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk. You can download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now.

03:35 - Boulter broken again

Katie Boulter has been broken again by Kasatkina in the second set. The Russian has gone 3-1 up and it looks like the Brit is on her way out here.

Elsewhere Stan Wawrinka is through after a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Pedro Sousa and Angelique Kerber has been stunned by Bernarda Pera 6-0, 6-4 in the biggest upset so far.

03:26 - Highlights: Serena vs Siegemund

Highlights: Serena storms past Siegemund

03:20 - Thiem up against Kukushkin

The Austrian third seed Dominic Thiem is 2-1 up against Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin in the opening set as he looks to avenge his Australian Open final defeat last year.

03:13 - Boulter a set down

It's taken just 23 minutes for Kasatkina to win the opening set against Boulter, taking it 6-1.

03:00 - Boulter broken

Katie Boulter whallops a backhand long and Russia's Kasatkina breaks for the second time to go 2-1 up on Court 16.

02:55 - Serena: I'm good at pacing myself

"This is a good start, definitely vintage Serena," Serena said post-match. "It's definitely good, I think I'm good at pacing myself at a Grand Slam. This is amazing.

"Last year was very crazy for the world and to be able to do what I love and come out and compete and play a grand slam after the last 12 months makes me appreciate the moment even more.

On the Super Bowl going on right now, Serena said: "I'm American we love the Super Bowl. Tom Brady is in my age group so it's exciting!"

'This is a good start' - Serena after overcoming Siegemund

02:45 - Serena into round two

It was never really in doubt was it. Serena Williams cruises into the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-1 6-1 win over Germany's Laura Siegemund on Rod Laver Arena.

She will play Serbia's Nina Stojanovic in the second round after she beat Irina Begu in straight sets.

02:35 - Serena 4-0 up in second set

This is too easy for Serena. She is overpowering her German opponent whose service game has been letting her down throughout.

Serena now just two games away from the second round.

02:25 - Serena breaks again

Serena is in cruise control now. She breaks again in the opening game of the second set to go 6-1 1-0 up.

Elsewhere, unseeded American Bernarda Pera has surprisingly bagelled Angelique Kerber in 19 minutes in the opening set on Margaret Court Arena.

Stan Wawrinka is two sets up against his Portuguese opponent Pedro Sousa on Melbourne Arena.

02:20 - Serena wins opening set

Serena, who is the 10th seed in her 100th match at the Australian Open, takes the opening set 6-1 in 28 minutes.

Her game looks to simply be too strong for the German right now with Siegemund's serve letting her down. The American is looking very relaxed as we enter the second set.

02:12 - Serena a break up

After a shaky start, Serena goes a break up. The 39-year-old converted her second break point in the fourth game to go 4-1 up in the opening set.

02:10 - Highlights: Pavlyuchenkova vs Osaka

The 2019 Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka is through to the second round with a comfortable 6-1 6-2 win over Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in one hour and eight minutes.

Watch the match highlights below.

Highlights: Osaka gives up just three games against Pavlyuchenkova

02:00 - Back on serve

After a lengthy second game, Serena breaks back on her third break point. Siegemund is giving Serena plenty of problems early on here.

01:50 - Serena is underway!

So here we go. Serena Williams serves to get us underway in her contest against Germany's Laura Siegemund as she continues her pursuit to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 grand slam titles.

It's a disappointing start from Serena. Siegemund breaks in the opening game.

Her sister Venus Williams has just beaten Kirsten Flipkens 7-5 6-2.

01:45 - How about this from Monfils!

Gael Monfils brings out the party tricks against Emil Ruusuvuori over on Court 14. They're currently into a third set over there.

Check it out 👇

Monfils produces a stunning no-look volley

01:30 - Osaka wants to have fun

“I was really nervous coming into the match," Osaka said post-match.

"I know I played her before and it was really tough. I just wanted to play well and thank everyone for coming. I’m really happy to see people in the stands. It’s been a bit lonely in New York so thank you guys.

"Here hopefully I do well but I’m just here to have fun.

Physically I feel like everyone has had their body shocked coming in and playing matches suddenly after such a long break. I think we’re all getting used to it and everyone is just really happy to be here.

'I'm just here to have fun' - Osaka after beating Pavlyuchenkova

01:25 - Osaka wins it!

The 2019 Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka is through to the second round with a comfortable 6-1 6-2 win over Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in one hour and eight minutes.

The first set lasted 33 minutes as Osaka dominated on her serve as the experienced Pavlyuchenkova made plenty of unforced errors.

The second set was slightly closer as Pavlyuchenkova played with more power and variety, but Osaka’s quality shone through. The Japanese player broke with a brilliant passing shot to go 2-1 up and never looked back, breaking again at 4-2 before securing the straight sets victory on her first match point.

Osaka will now face Caroline Garcia or Polona Hercog in the second round.

01:15 - Elsewhere...

Venus Williams has gone a set up against Flipkens, taking it 7-5 in what is proving to be real battle, while Stan Wawrinka is out on court on Melbourne Arena against Portugal's Pedro Sousa.

01:05 - Osaka with another break

With a brilliant passing shot, Osaka has broken 15 minutes into the second set to lead 6-1 2-1. The 2019 Australian Open champion looks to have this in the bag.

00:50 - Osaka takes opening set

Pavlyuchenkova did manage to get a game to make it 4-1, but Osaka would go on to break again - with the Russian double faulting on her serve - before sealing it in her service game. The first set lasted 33 minutes.

Canada's Rebecca Marino won the first set of the Australian Open with a bagel against Australia's Kimberly Birrell on Court 7.

00:37 - Osaka breaks again

There's been plenty of power baseline hitting going on and the experienced Pavlyuchenkova is still looking to get on the board.

After five deuces, Osaka wins her second break point as Pavlyuchenkova volleys wide to go 4-0 up in the opening set.

00:30 - Venus Williams in action

Venus Williams, now aged 40, is taking part in her 21st Australian Open against Belgium's Kirsten Flipkins on Margaret Court Arena.

Williams currently leads 3-2, going with serve in the opening set.

Watch every match live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk.

00:20 - Early break from Osaka

After blitzing through her service game, a composed Osaka wins her first break point with the Russian hitting an unforced error into the net. The Japanese player leads 2-0.

00:15 - We are underway!

Naomi Osaka serves and the Australian Open has officially begun! America's Reilly Opelka has the honour of winning the first point of the tournament against Yen-Hsun Lu over on Court 12.

00:05 - Wilander: Pavlyuchenkova is tough

Mats Wilander joins Barbara Schett in the Eurosport Cube. He predicts a tough match for Osaka.

“Having won the US Open last year and the Australian a few years ago, Osaka knows she is not seeded number one but will know she is the favourite. But you better be ready for this match because Pavlyuchenkova is very tough.”

Osaka is on a 14-match win streak but Pavlyuchenkova has beaten a top ten player more than 30 times in her career.

23:55 - Who will win the men's title?

The draw for the 2021 Australian Open has thrown up a number of intriguing storylines, but who is going to go all the way on the men's side?

Can Novak Djokovic defend his title yet again and take the crown in Melbourne for a ninth time? Can Rafael Nadal triumph Down Under for the first time since 2009, or will there be another Grand Slam champion from outside the 'Big Three'?

Our writers have given their predictions for who they think will hold the trophy aloft on Sunday, February 21 on Rod Laver Arena.

READ HERE

23:45 - The Australian Open is here!

Here we go. Covid, quarantining, behind-closed-doors tennis... forget about all that! The 2021 Australian Open gets underway right now from Melbourne and the big names are primed and ready.

First up we have Naomi Osaka - a hot favourite to win this - facing Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on the Rod Laver Arena.

In the men's we have Gael Monfils and Milos Raonic in action.

And remember, as well as keeping up to date with all the latest from the Australian Open in this live blog the entire tournament is in fact live on Eurosport.

Watch every match live and ad-free on Eurosport, the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk. You can download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now.

The order of play

Today's top action

Where do you start with the host of top names in action on day one, including Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Dominic Thiem, Simona Halep, Alexander Zverev and many others.

Laura Siegemund of Germany should provide Serena with a tough challenge in the second match on Rod Laver Arena, while Osaka does not have it easy either taking on a former quarter-finalist in Melbourne, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

But undoubtedly the match of the day on paper has to be 11th seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada taking on the precocious Italian rising star Jannik Sinner. That really could go either way.

Remember, you can watch the 2021 Australian Open live on Eurosport, eurosport.co.uk and the Eurosport app.