Fans appear to boo Andy Murray at Australian Open
The Australian Open continues without Novak Djokovic after the saga over the men’s defending champion’s visa was finally brought to an end on Sunday evening.
The men’s world No 1 is facing the prospect of missing out on further grand slams due to his vaccination status after France’s sports minister announced that athletes would not be exempt from the country’s Covid pass. The French Open at Roland Garros takes place in May and his participation in the tournament has been thrown into doubt just days after Djokovic was deported from Australia and returned home to his native Belgrade, where he “will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this”.
Djokovic was deported at the weekend following the ruling, with the judicial triumvirate deciding not to overturn the decision of Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to cancel the world number one’s visa. One of the grounds on which Djokovic appealed was that it was unreasonable to paint him as anti-vaccination, but the judges said: “It was plainly open to the minister to infer that Mr Djokovic had chosen not to be vaccinated because he was opposed to vaccination or did not wish to be vaccinated.
“It was also open to the minister to infer that the public would view his attitude as the media had portrayed: that he was unwilling to be vaccinated.” Hawke based his decision on a belief that Djokovic’s vaccination stance may foster similar sentiment in Australia and thus negatively impact public health.
Follow all the latest news, reaction and updates as the Australian Open continues.
Australian Open 2022: Latest scores
What a crazy few hours of tennis that has been.
Simona Halep is last out on Rod Laver and the former world No 1 has just started her matched against Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Elsewhere, Jannick Sinner is 4-0 up against Steve Johnson, with the winner facing Taro Daniel in the third round.
Jamie Braidwood20 January 2022 11:40
Australian Open 2022: Medvedev defeats Kyrgios in thriller
“It’s just a little disappointing when they are making so much noise between first and second serve. It’s not everyone, but I guess some people just have a low IQ.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood20 January 2022 11:33
Australian Open 2022: Medvedev defeats Kyrgios in thriller
Daniil Medvedev is not happy with the Rod Laver Arena crowd – and there is more booing/’SIUUing’ as he calls them out on it.
“I came here to win this match and I’m happy I managed to do it tonight. [Staying calm] is the only choice when you get booed in between first and second sets.
“Guys, please show Jim Courier some respect, I can’t hear him. What I’m saying is that in between first and second serves, it was tough to play.
“It was a funny match because we both serve big. In the second and fourth sets I started to return a big more in big moments. This match was always going to be tight.”
Jamie Braidwood20 January 2022 11:21
Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios 6-7 4-6 6-4 2-6 Medvedev – Game, set and match!
That’s too good from Medvedev. He holds his nerve and stays patient to outlast Kyrgios on the baseline rally and bring up two match points. Kyrgios goes for the heroic winner but can only find the tramlines. What a match, but huge respect to Medvedev for getting through that test.
Jamie Braidwood20 January 2022 11:16
Australian Open 2022: *Kyrgios 6-7 4-6 6-4 2-5 Medvedev
That’s too good from Medvedev. He holds Kyrgios to love to consolidate the break and Kyrgios responds by obliterating his racket.
He will have to calm down before he serves to stay in the match – and Medvedev gets a 15-0 head start after Kyrgios is penalised for racket abuse.
Jamie Braidwood20 January 2022 11:11
Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios 6-7 4-6 6-4 2-4 Medvedev*
Medvedev latches onto a second serve at 15-15 to force Kyrgios behind the baseline and edge ahead – and Kyrgios is then put under further pressure as Medvedev drops a low forehand which Kyrgios cannot volley over the net.
It hands Medvedev two break points. The first is saved thanks to a big serve out wide and Kyrgios thinks he’s repeated the trick on break point number two. It’s called wide, though, and Medvedev gobbles up the second serve with a wonderful backhand pass.
That’s a big break and a huge moment in the match.
Jamie Braidwood20 January 2022 11:09
Emma Raducanu exits Australian Open after painful second-round defeat by Danka Kovinic
Over at Margaret Court Arena, Emma Raducanu has just been knocked out of the Australian Open after losing to Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic over three sets in the second round at Melbourne Park.
Raducanu battled through injury to force a deciding set but could not complete the comeback.
Jamie Braidwood20 January 2022 11:05
Australian Open 2022: *Kyrgios 6-7 4-6 6-4 2-2 Medvedev
Medvedev gets the better of Kyrgios in a exchange at the net, before sealing the hold to love with a couple of big serves.
Jamie Braidwood20 January 2022 11:03
Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios 6-7 4-6 6-4 2-2 Medvedev*
Two solid opening points from Kyrgios on his serve as he dispatches a short ball from Medvedev following a huge first serve. But amongst the power there is also the touch, and a deft volley at the net moves him to 40-0. Kyrgios then goes for the underarm slice, and it would have worked had he kept the backhand pass in play. But Medvedev goes long on the next point.
Jamie Braidwood20 January 2022 11:01
Australian Open 2022: *Kyrgios 6-7 4-6 6-4 1-2 Medvedev
Easy as you like from Medvedev – he holds after a solid succession of first serves. Games like that put into context how important break point opportunities are – like the one Kyrgios had in the opening game.
Jamie Braidwood20 January 2022 10:57