Australian Open 2021 tennis LIVE updates - Norrie resumes on show court, Medvedev cruises through

ByEurosport

Updated 11/02/2021 at 12:44 GMT

It’s day four at the 2021 Australian Open! We have got some absolutely belting games for you and the women's world number one Ashleigh Barty headlines the overnight action. The Australian faces her compatriot Daria Gavrilova. We also have Stefanos Tsitsipas in action on Rod Laver as well as Sofia Kenin over on Margaret Court.

12:42 - Norrie wins!

3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(3) and Cameron Norrie is through to the third round to face...Rafael Nadal.

12:36 - Nadal wins, Norris into tie-break

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Imperious display from Rafael Nadal, under two hours to dismantle Michael Mmoh, and that's with the interruption from the heckling fan.

Meanwhile, on Margaret Court Arena, Cameron Norrie is broken back, and is into a tie-break against Safiullin.

12:30 - Norrie breaks!

After an epic 11th game in the fourth set, Norrie finally gets the break. He's serving for the match - it's 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-5.

12:17 - Norrie and Safiullin level in fourth set

Norrie and Safiullin have been well matched all the way through this so far, despite interruptions from the weather, and they're currently locked at 4-4 in the fourth set. Can Norrie get the break and the match without having to go to a decider?

12:13 - Medvedev 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 Carbaelles Baena

That's a very solid match from Daniil Medvedev, not having to exert himself too much in getting past the Spaniard, and that's without serving too well - never mind the 12 aces.

12 noon - Mmoh 1-6, 4-6 Nadal

Absolute scenes here as a fan is shouting at Nadal as he goes into his service motion. The umpire scolds her and she promptly makes an obscene gesture towards the camera. Nadal serves an ace. Then she starts shouting again, and the security guards head towards her to chuck her out. Nadal is laughing so hard, it's bizarre. And then he serves another ace to get three set points - and another ace to finish it off.

11:50 - Medvedev 6-2, 7-5 Carbaelles Baena

The Russian is going very well here.

11:40 - Medvedev closing in on two-set advantage

Daniil Medvedev took the first set against Roberto Carbaelles Baena 6-2, and is closing in on the second set.

11:37 - Cameron Norrie back - on Margaret Court Arena

Britain's Cameron Norrie is resuming his match after a conditions delay.

11:15 - Mmoh 1-6 Nadal

Mmoh nets a return and after another good service game, Nadal wraps up the first set in just 27 minutes.

10:25 - Gauff 4-6, 3-6 Svitolina

Quick feet from Svitolina again, looming ominously towards Gauff at the net, and she finishes it off in style. What a great performance from the fifth seed to take this in straight sets.

10:00 - Norrie v Safiullin suspended

That's it on Court 8 for this evening.

09:47 - Gauff 4-6 Svitolina

First set, first break, and Svitolina clenches her fist. Clutch game from her, pouncing on Gauff's first serve that has started to crumble.

09:34 - Norrie moves ahead

Cameron Norrie takes the third 6-3 and that's much better from the Brit.

08:52 - One set all

That's the breakthrough for Cameron Norrie! He takes it 7-5 and it's all square. Quite level in terms of the stats in that set, although Safiullin racked up 18 unforced errors to Norrie's 10.

08:27 - All with serve for Norrie

Norrie and Safiullin are finely poised in their second set - 4-4, all with serve.

08:26 - Tsitsipas gets it done

A long return from Kokkinakis, and Tsitsipas is through in five. What a gruelling evening for both men.

08:21 - One game from victory

Kokkinakis has been stout but still hasn't broken the Tsitsipas serve - the Greek needs one more game now, and it's on his racket. 5-4 in the fifth.

08:05 - Tsitsipas edging towards end

Tsitsipas has the early break in the final set and is 4-2 ahead.

07:52 - Kokkinakis holding on

Kokkinakis holds his service game, which lasted 13 minutes, and saved two Tsitsipas break points in the process to make it 2-1 in the fifth and final set.

That was some battle and you wonder how much that will have taken out of the Australian who showed signs of fatigue in this match earlier on.

Cameron Norrie has lost the first set 6-3 in his match on Court 8 to the Russian Roman Safiullin.

'Hate that!' - Ball gets trapped under clock during Tsitsipas v Kokkinakis

07:40 - Tsitsipas looking fresh

Tsitsipas quickly makes it 1-1 in this fifth set decider and has shown no signs of losing any confidence after that dramatic end to the fourth set.

07:25 - Kokkinakis wins the fourth set!

He's done it! With Nick Kyrgios now watching in the stands, Kokkinakis takes the tie-break 7-5 and is turning this into a physical battle. We are heading for a fifth.

Meanwhile Britain's last hope in the singles draw Cameron Norrie has kicked off his second round clash with Roman Safiullin on Court 8.

Norrie's defeated last week's ATP Murray River Open champion Dan Evans to get to this stage.

07:20 - Kokkinakis leads 5-1

He's got himself a good lead here with Tsitsipas going for some bizarre shots. Kokkinakis looks to have got a second wind.

07:15 - We are into a tie-break

So here we go then. Kokkinakis has shown great fortitude to stay in this set. Will Tsitsipas get this done? The home fans are cheering him on.

07:10 - Kokkinakis showing fight

Tsitsipas and Kokkinakis were locked in the tenth game at 5-4 for ten minutes. The Australian saved a match point and has held his serve.

06:45 - Highlights: Watson comes up short

Anna Kontaveit knocked out Heather Watson - Britain’s last female player in the Australian Open singles draw - 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2 on John Cain Arena.

Watch the highlights 👇

Highlights | Anett Kontaveit - Heather Watson

06:20 - Tsitsipas in front

Tsitsipas is in control. He takes the set 6-1 and is deserving of his lead. Kokkinakis appears to be tiring.

06:15 - Tsitsipas on the charge

Tsitsipas has found his groove. He's bagged his second break in this third set and is looking a lot sharper now. He currently leads 6-7, 6-4, 4-1 against the Australian.

06:07 - Highlights: Kenin's shock loss to Kanepi

Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin went out of the grand slam in 64 minutes after falling to a 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi in the second round on Margaret Court Arena.

Watch the highlights from Kanepi's ruthless performance 👇

Highlights | Sofia Kenin - Kaia Kanepi

05:55 - Kontaveit: It was extremely close

"I’m really happy with the way I played today," she said post-match. "I hung in there and it was such a tough match.

"I’m feeling really great and I’m happy with last week as well so I’m really happy with how this week goes.

"It was extremely close but the momentum was swinging. I managed to fight for everything and stay in it as much as I could. I’m really happy with that.

"Shelby is a really good player and had a good end of season last year and is playing well. It’s going to be a tough match and I hope I recover from today and get ready for that."

05:45 - Watson is out!

Anna Kontaveit knocks out Britain’s last female player in Australian Open singles draw Heather Watson 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 on John Cain Arena.

Kontaveit will play American Shelby Rogers in the third round.

05:40 - Kontaveit one game away

Watson looks to be heading for the exit door after Kontaveit hits a backhand passing shot beyond the Brit to break again and serve for the match.

05:35 - Kontaveit breaks, leads 3-2 in final set

Kontaveit sends a devastating backhand down the line and the 21st seed gets herself a break point at 2-2. She wins it after, yet again, Watson fires too long.

Watson in big trouble now.

05:30 - Tsitsipas a break up against Kokkanakis

Stefanos Tsitsipas won a break point - which waas his ninth break point of the match - to break Kokkanakis and is now 4-2 up in the second set having lost the first set 7-6(5).

05:15 - We are going the distance

Watson fires long and Kontaveit takes the second set in 43 minutes on John Cain Arena. We are heading for a decider.

05:11 - Kontaveit serving for the set

The Estonian breaks back with four unanswered points for the third break of serve in a row.

05:06 - ...but she breaks back!

Watson delivers a sweetly struck cross-court forehand and we're back on serve with Watson just two games away from victory.

05:03 - Watson broken

The Brit whacks a forehand long which hands Kontaveit the first break of the second set to go 4-3 up. That could well be a big blow.

04:55 - Watson still on serve, Tsitsipas behind

Watson leads Kontaveit 3-2 in the second but we are still on serve with neither able to muster up a break point in this tight contest.

Elsewhere number five seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has lost a first set tie-break against Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis 7-5. Kokkinakis wins three successive points to take a surprise lead against the Greek player.

Kokkinakis broke down in tears after ending his lengthy drought at his home slam in the first round. He registered his first main draw win in the Australian Open since 2015.

He is showcasing his fighting spirit once again today on Rod Laver Arena.

04:45 - 'Shambles!'

Ash Barty got the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena to sing happy birthday to her former doubles partner and interviewer Casey Dellacqua, but it did not work out too well.

Check it out 👇

'Shambles!' - Barty gets crowd to sing in post-match interview

04:35 - Watson wins the first set

Brilliant from Watson! She reels off five successive points to win the tie-break 7-5. She was on the back foot for a lot of the set, but came back every time.

04:27 - Watson into a tie-break

Heather Watson is into a tie-break in the opening set against Kontaveit in what has been a very hard-fought contest so far.

04:25 - Kanepi: I served really well

“I served really well today," the 35-year-old said after ruthlessly beating reigning champion Sofia Kenin in just 64 minutes.

"I think this helped a lot. My gameplan was to play aggressive as I normally do.

"Right now I’m not prepared for the next match but I hope in two days I will be. I have played her [Vekic] so I know a little about how she plays.”

04:15 - Kenin is out!

Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin is out of the grand slam in 64 minutes after falling to a 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi in the second round on Margaret Court Arena.

Kenin, who looked to be playing with nerves, started the second set well after a toilet break and comfortably took the first game, but Kanepi went a break up and never looked back, getting another break at 5-2 up en route to producing arguably the biggest upset of the Australian Open so far.

Kanepi continues her fine form and will play the number 28 seed Donna Vekic in the third round.

04:13 - Kanepi serving for the match

A backhand unforced error from Kenin hands Kanepi the chance to serve for the match and produces arguably one of the biggest upsets so far.

04:05 - Watson breaks back

Watson shows great resolve to claw herself back into the first set. She takes her second break point with a forehand which drops right on the line. Kontaveit leads 4-3 after 28 minutes as we get back on serve.

04:00 - Kenin a set, break down

Sofia Kenin could be on the way out here.

The 2020 Australian Open winner lost the first set 6-3 and her nerves looked to have crept into the second set as the Estonian breaks to take a 2-1 lead in the second.

03:55 - Rublev: Forehand power since I was a kid

“It was really tough. I’ve trained with Thiago a couple of times. I played him once before and I lost to him so I knew it was going to be tough and physical. I was happy I could win it in straight sets.

“I’m feeling very well. Thankfully I have not played really long matches yet so physically I’m feeling great. Fully charged for the next round so we’ll see.

Since I was a kid I was going around my forehand and I was trying to hit so I guess the power comes from when I was a little boy. Nothing changes until now.

03:45 - Watson a break down

Heather Watson is a break down against the 21st seed Anett Kontaveit.

A win for Watson today would match her joint-best slam result; she has reached third rounds four times but not since Wimbledon in 2017.

03:40 - Barty: I'm fit as a fiddle

"It's so nice to see her [Gavrilova] back," she said post-match. She's had a bit of a tricky run with injury over the last 18 months or so. It's nice to see her back out here and competing.

"When you're playing another Aussie the rankings go out of the window, experience goes out of the window. We know each other very well, it was always going to be a tricky match no matter what but I'm so pleased she's back out here competing and healthy again.

"Different conditions in here today. It's a bit warmer and fair bit windier on court level which makes it a bit tricky but it's just trying to be the best I can be every single day whatever that level is. Just making sure that I apply myself as best I can so I can walk off the court with my head held high.

"Having 12 months off is a little bit rusty but I'm certainly happy with how I've been able to fight through the last couple of weeks.

"I'm fit as a fiddle, I'm good to go. It's been nice to get some matches and my general form is good."

03:31 - Barty through!

Ash Barty into the third round of the Australian Open with a scrappy 6-1 7-6(7) win over fellow Australian Daria Gavrilova on Rod Laver Arena.

Gavrilova is in tears after this. Barty won it in the end after saving two Gavrilova set points so we so easily could have gone into a third set.

Nevertheless Barty is through and will play either Barbora Krejcikova or Ekaterina Alexandrova in the next round.

03:21 - Rublev into round three

Andrey Rublev is into the third round of the Australian Open with a comfortable 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(8) win over Thiago Monteiro on John Cain Arena.

Rublev will now face either Feliciano Lopez or Lorenzo Sonego in the next round.

03:18 - Barty forces a tie-break

A visibly irritated Barty fires a ferocious forehand into the corner to send this second set to a tie-break. She leads it 2-0.

Rublev is in a potentially match-deciding tie-break himself against Monteiro while Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin has got underway against Kaia Kanepi on Margaret Court Arena.

03:11 - Gavrilova turns it around!

Incredible stuff from Gavrilova.

After Barty won five games in a row, Gavrilova claws back two breaks of serve and we're now at 5-5 in the second set. Barty appears to have lost her rhythm at least for now.

02:47 - Barty breaks again

Gavrilova is seething. With Barty holding two break points, she sends a wild forehand volley into the trams before smashing her racquet. Barty 3-2 up now.

02:40 - Gavrilova breaks first again

Gavrilova is 2-0 up in the second set after Barty double faults. Will that spark Barty into life again like it did at the beginning of the first set?

Yes she can. We're back on serve.

Rublev is powering his way through Monteiro. He leads 6-4, 6-4, 2-3 with 42 and 45 second love service games in the second and third sets.

02:26 - Barty wins first set

Ash Barty has won the first set with an ace. It's a strong start form the world number one who has only dropped one game so far in this tournament.

02:23 - Rublev two sets up

Rublev is having little trouble against Monteiro. He leads 6-4 6-4 on Melbourne Arena.

Barty is three breaks ahead against Gavrilova. She leads 5-1.

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02:15 - Highlights: Pliskova vs Collins

Highlights | Danielle Collins - Karolina Pliskova

02:05 - Barty breaks straight back

Barty has composed herself. The 24-year-old wins four points in a row and we're back on serve.

02:00 - Gavrilova breaks

It's a good start for Gavrilova who breaks Barty in the opening game after the world number one fires a forehand into the net.

01:55 - Barty on court

World number one Ash Barty lost just ten points during her 44-minute 6-0, 6-0 onslaught against Danka Kovinic in the Rod Laver Arena in the first round.

She will likely face a tougher test today against Daria Gavrilova, who was on a 13-month foot injury break until September and entered the fortnight with just three tournament appearances under her belt since the comeback.

01:50 - Pliskova: Muchova a tough tie

"I'm super happy to be through," she said post-match. "Especially to play on this court. I have amazing memories from this court.

"A couple of years here I've played some incredible matches. I don't think it was amazing tennis today but I'm happy to be through.

"I was a little bit nervous we played last week [Collins won 7-6 7-6 at Yarra Valley] and it was a really tough match.

"It was a bit tricky in the beginning but I am just happy that I got through.

"I played Muchova two years ago. She's a newcomer but I think she played incredible last year.

"She had a great season and we practiced two weeks in the quarantine here together so I know her very well. She knows me so it's going to be a very open and tough match."

'A really tough match' - Pliskova after battling past Collins

01:40 - Pliskova into the third round

Karolina Pliskova is into the Australian Open third round for the seventh year in a row after a convincing 7-5, 6-2 win over former semi-finalist Danielle Collins on Rod Laver Arena.

Pliskova will face the 25th seed Karolina Muchova next after battling past the American in one hour and 27 minutes on another sunny day in Melbourne.

01:35 - Pliskova one game away

The unforced errors keep coming from Collins and Pliskova wins her fifth game in a row to edge closer to the third round.

Rublev is 5-3 up in the opening set against Monteiro.

01:30 - Pliskova in control

Two break points come Pliskova's way and after Collins claws one back with a fine winner, Pliskova seals the second with the American firing into the net.

Pliskova just three games away from the third round.

01:20 - Rublev in action

Andrey Rublev is up against Brazilian Thiago Monteiro right now on Melbourne Arena. Rublev made a flying start to his fifth consecutive Australian Open campaign with a dominant straight-sets win over Yannick Hanfmann.

The 23-year-old Russian has won all his five matches so far in 2021, dropping only one set.

The left-handed Monteiro got a comfortable draw in the Great Ocean Road Open last week and reached the semi-finals which was his career-best result on outdoor hard courts.

Collins goes a break up in set two against Pliskova as the Czech player fires a forehand wide, but Pliskova breaks back straight away with a love game. Impressive stuff.

01:03 - Pliskova set up

After 49 minutes Pliskova takes the opening set with an ace. Collins did well to hang in there but Pliskova deserved that. She's been playing the better tennis.

01:00 - Another break of serve

Pliskova will get another opportunity to serve for the set as Collins hits a forehand long. The momentum is swinging wildly in this one.

00:52 - Collins breaks back

Pliskova squanders a set point and Collins levels at 5-5 after the number six seed gifts it to her once again by double faulting.

00:50 - Pliskova closing on first set

Collins has struggled on her first serve and Pliskova has capitalised on it, firing back a hard return which forces the American to fire long.

The Czech breaks for the second time in this opening set to take a 5-4 lead.

00:37 - Collins bounces back

On Collins' third break point in the sixth game, Pliskova double faults for the second time today so we are back on serve.

00:31 - Pliskova breaks

After a lengthy rally Collins fires into the trams and Pliskova takes the first break of the contest to go 3-2 up after 17 minutes.

00:15 - We are underway!

Collins serves to get Day 4 going on Rod Laver Arena and she does so with an ace.

00:00 - Day 4 is upon us

So here we go, day four of the Australian Open with many big names in action today.

First up, Danielle Collins (USA) v Karolina Pliskova (CZE) [6] on Rod Laver Arena. They played each other last week and Collins took it 7-6, 7-6 at the Yarra Valley Classic.

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Today's top action

Take your pick from the day's matches as there are plenty of big names in action. We're going to look at the women's top seed Ashleigh Barty is up against Daria Gavrilova is one of the better overnight matches on Rod Laver.

Plenty of big names in the women's draw have fallen but even more remain. Allow Eurosport's Carrie Dunn to talk you through the sheer brilliance that is the women's side of the draw.

Sticking with Rod Laver there are some absolute humdingers in the late session with Coco Gauff up against Elina Svitolina. After them Rafael Nadal takes to the court to face Michael Mmoh. Just how strong is Nadal's body? We're about to find out.

Order of play, singles - Thursday 11 February

Rod Laver Arena

Day session - midnight UK time

Danielle Collins (USA) v Karolina Pliskova (CZE) [6]

Ashleigh Barty (AUS) [1] v Daria Gavrilova (AUS)

Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [5] V Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)

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Night session - 8am UK time

Coco Gauff (USA) v Elina Svitolina (UKR) [5]

Michael Mmoh (USA) v Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2]

Margaret Court Arena

Day session - midnight UK time

Belinda Bencic (SWI) [11] v Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)

Sofia Kenin (USA) [4] v Kaia Kanepi (EST)

Tomas Machac (CZE) v Matteo Berrettini (ITA) [9]

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Night session - 8am UK time

Pablo Cuevas (URU) v Alex de Minaur (AUS) [21]

Jessica Pegula (USA) v Sam Stosur (AUS)

John Cain Arena

Day session - 1am UK time

Andrey Rublev (RUS) [7] v Thiago Monteiro (BRA)

Anett Kontaveit (EST) [21] v Heather Watson (GBR)

Fabio Fognini (ITA) [16] v Salvatore Caruso (ITA)

Not before 8am UK time

Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) v Daniil Medvedev (RUS) [4]

- - -

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