Australian Open 2021 tennis LIVE updates - Serena Williams vs Halep in action, Karatsev into semis

ByEurosport

Updated 16/02/2021 at 09:13 GMT

It's quarter-final time at the 2021 Australian Open! Naomi Osaka and Grigor Dimitrov headline the day session before two huge matches under the Melbourne lights: Serena Williams v Simona Halep and Novak Djokovic Alexander Zverev. Watch every match live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk.

Serena Williams

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09:15 - Highlights: Karatsev vs Dimitrov

The highlights as Aslan Karatsev's dream run continues with a quarter-final win over Grigor Dimitrov 👇

Highlights | Grigor Dimitrov - Aslan Karatsev

WTA Madrid

Osaka 'taking a lot of inspiration' from clay experts as she seeks first title on surface

13 hours ago

08:45 - Also coming up today...

Novak Djokovic (1) vs Alexander Zverev (6)

Concerns over Novak Djokovic’s fitness and the abdominal injury he sustained in the third round against Taylor Fritz were not realised in the Serbian’s four sets win over Milos Raonic in the fourth round, although some grimaces and a wobble in the second set hinted that not all is well in the world number one’s world at the moment.

Highlights | Novak Djokovic - Milos Raonic

Alexander Zverev will fancy his chances of exposing the vulnerabilities in Djokovic’s physicality. The number six seed has won 12 sets in a row since losing the first set he played in the tournament in the first round and looks to be improving as he moves through each round. That is ominous for Djokovic.

Highlights | Dusan Lajovic - Alexander Zverev

Against Raonic, Djokovic was able to contort and twist his aching body when returning the Canadian’s booming serves. Zverev is another big server, but he carries his power into the rallies too. The German is a far better all-round player than Raonic. This will be a true test of where Djokovic is right now.

08:13 - Serena vs Halep is underway!

Follow live rolling updates right here or why not watch the match?

The 2021 Australian Open is live on Eurosport. 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. The opening Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne runs until February 21.

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07:50 - What you missed

Naomi Osaka wins through to the semi-finals, Aslan Karatsev's shock run continues and more 👇

What You Missed: Osaka into semi-finals, Karatsev's shock run continues

07:35 - Up next: Serena vs Halep

This will be a true heavyweight clash.

Serena Williams needs just one more Grand Slam title to equal Margaret Court’s all time record. However, the 39-year-old has been on this mission for a while now and with every passing major she doesn’t win the doubt grows over whether she will ever do it.

Williams has played some excellent tennis over the past week or so with her battling fourth round win over Aryna Sabalenka a sign of where the American is with her game at the moment. With the courts a little faster at Melbourne Park this year, the conditions appear to be suited to Williams’s qualities.

Highlights | Aryna Sabalenka - Serena Williams

Simona Halep had to dig deep to get the better of Iga Swiatek in the fourth round, coming from a set down to beat the Roland Garros champion. Williams will look to be the aggressor in this match-up, but the number two seed’s court coverage could prove to be a big factor.

Highlights | Iga Swiatek - Simona Halep

07:20 - A brilliant shot from Dimitrov

Before Dimitrov got injured in his straight-sets loss to Karatsev, there was some delightful tennis.

Check out this stunning drop-shot from Dimitrov early in on in an enthralling second set 👇

'Phenomenal tennis' - Dimitrov with 'exquisite' drop shot winner

07:10 - Henman: An amazing story

"It’s an amazing story," Tim Henman said about Karatsev's magnificent achievement in the Eurosport Cube.

"You think about the qualifying being played in a different venue in Doha, he was a set all in the first round [of qualifying], and then he has just played incredible tennis.

"He dealt with some difficult moments, he talked about his nerves, he talked about the heat out there, he obviously got a bit of luck with Dimitrov getting injured with the back, but his personality seems very calm, he wants to keep going.

"He’s not getting carried away, it was interesting to hear him talk about the heat, it is pretty hot out there but he’s got time to recover and he’s going to need to because the next match will be a huge, huge one – it’s an impressive run."

07:00 - Karatsev: An unbelievable feeling

"It’s an unbelievable feeling," Karatsev said post-match.

"It’s the first time playing the men’s draw and the first time the semis.

"It was a really tough one in the beginning for me. I held my nerves. It was still tricky and then in the second set I tried to find a way to play and then the third I felt better. The heat was too much. I try to play every match."

06:45 - Karatsev is into the semi-finals!

Well there we have it! World number 114 Alex Karatsev is into the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a 2-6, 6-4. 6-1, 6-2 win over 18th seed Grigor Dimitrov on Rod Laver Arena.

The match was a fine contest until the middle of the third set when Dimitrov pulled up with a slight back injury which quickly became a real problem.

He played on even with a lengthy medical timeout at the end of the third set, but ultimately his injury restricted his mobility and paved the way for Karatsev, who becomes the lowest ranked player to reach the Australian Open semi-finals since Patrick McEnroe in 1991.

The Russian, who also knocked out Diego Schwartzman and Felix Auger Alliassime en route to the quarters on his Grand Slam debut, will play either Novak Djokovic or Alex Zverev in the semi-finals.

06:43 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 2-5* Karatsev

That was straightforward for Karatsev with both players going through the motions a bit now.

Karatsev looks set to become the lowest ranked player to reach the Australian Open semi-finals since Patrick McEnroe in 1991.

06:40 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, *2-4 Karatsev

Dimitrov wins his service game but this looks to be over as a competition.

06:40 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 1-4* Karatsev

Karatsev is two games away from a place in the last four.

06:35 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, *1-3 Karatsev

It's a big moment for Karatsev who has a break point in what could be the final set. Dimitrov pulls a forehand wide and Karatsev is delighted. He takes it 3-1.

The world number 114 is closing in on a fairytale trip to the semi-finals.

The winner of this will face either Alex Zverev or Novak Djokovic.

06:28 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 1-2* Karatsev

It's a clench of the fist from the Russian who holds his serve after Dimitrov's defensive shot misses the baseline chalk.

06:24 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, *1-1 Karatsev

It's a good service hold from Dimitrov. He battles on.

06:20 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 0-1* Karatsev

It's comfortable service game from Karatsev. Comfort is not the word you can use to describe how Dimitrov is feeling.

He is not looking as broken as he did at the end of the third set but he is certainly not moving well either.

Dimitrov has only ever retired mid-match four times in his career.

06:15 - Medical timeout

Dimitrov is back on court after a lengthy medical break and looks set to get back on there.

06:09 - Karatsev two sets up

Dimitrov is barely moving and Karatsev has the set. The Bulgarian is going to take a medical timeout but this looks to be over.

Karatsev leads 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

06:07 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-5* Karatsev

Dimitrov's injury is taking its toll and this is difficult to watch.

Karatsev goes 5-1 up in no time at all.

06:05 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, *1-4 Karatsev

Oh stop it Aslan! He is hotting up now with some punishing shots and races to three break points.

He grabs it but Dimitrov is looking very stiff and would have surely returned that routine forehand if he was fully fit.

This match might not have much left in it unforunately.

06:02 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-3* Karatsev

Karatsev with a lovely forehand winner. Dimitrov did not go for it and it appears that niggling back injury he has is having an effect.

He is playing on but Karatsev will surely see it as an advantage he can capitalise on.

05:58 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, *1-2 Karatsev

Karatsev fires a break point out on a service return, but he gets another opportunity and takes it with a stunner of a service return!

It's a delightful cross-court backhand that kicked out. There was absolutely zero chance of Dimitrov meeting that.

That was the shot of the match. The world number 114 is a break up and edges in front!

Dimitrov appears to be struggling with a slight back injury.

05:50 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6, 1-1* Karatsev

A love hold of serve is completed by Karatsev after a beautiful backhand down the line that Dimitrov felt he could not chase down.

Karatsev pumps his fist. He looks a completely transformed player but Dimitrov is raising his game now, too.

05:45 - Dimitrov 6-2, 4-6,*1-0 Karatsev

Dimitrov hold serve after a poor end to the second set.

05:40 - Karatsev wins set two!

A love hold for Karatsev as Dimitrov fires long.

The Russian has come on leaps and bounds having been scrapping almightily hard at the beginning of this second set just to stay in it. Winning that 12 minute game at 1-0 down has paid off for Karatsev.

Dimitrov has gone completely off the boil.

05:38 - Dimitrov 6-2 *4-5 Karatsev

Dimitrov lets out some frustration with a poor sliced backhand hitting the bottom of the net. Karatsev has a break point.

But it's incredible defensive work from Dimitrov who somehow stays in the game! Karatsev pounds bullets at him before misconnecting with a shot which he fires well out!

A second break point comes the way of Karatsev and he delivers this time with a fantastic backhand down the line! He will now serve for the set!

That was a sublime game from the unseeded Russian but also surprising from Dimitrov who doubled faulted twice.

05:32 - Dimitrov 6-2 4-4* Karatsev

That was much more efficient from Karatsev whose serve is improving as this match goes along. He slams down his fifth ace to level.

05:30 - Dimitrov 6-2 *4-3 Karatsev

A comfortable service hold puts Dimitrov back in front after 41 minutes of this second set.

The entirety of the first set was 33 minutes. It's been one heck of a tussle in the stifling hot conditions on Rod Laver.

05:25 - Dimitrov 6-2 3-3* Karatsev

A costly double fault from Karatsev hands Dimitrov a route back into this set. They're now back on serve!

That was only the fourth point Dimitrov has been able to convert after 14 attempts.

Check out this brilliant 18-shot rally from game two in this second set 👇

Dimitrov and Karatsev play out an epic rally

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05:18 - Dimitrov 6-2 *2-3 Karatsev

And all of a sudden Karatsev gets himself two break points. Is this when things start to turn?

The answer: Possibly. Dimitrov lashes a wild volley well out and Karatsev goes a break up!

It's been a remarkable turnaround from the Russian in this set who looked on the ropes earlier on.

Dimitrov is probably thinking about those five break points he messed up four games ago.

05:15 - Dimitrov 6-2 2-2* Karatsev

A filthy drop shot from Dimitrov puts him 15-30 up. Karatsev overcooks a forehand so Dimitrov has two break points.

Karatsev strings together a forehand winner and his second ace of the match to send it to deuce. He then aces to seal it at advantage.

Karatsev is fighting very hard as he tries to get into a rhythm.

05:10 - Dimitrov 6-2 *2-1 Karatsev

Dimitrov comes from 0-30 down to secure an important hold and gives himself a slender advantage in this second set.

05:05 - Dimitrov 6-2 1-1* Karatsev

In a 12 minute, 36 second game involving five deuces, Dimitrov squanders five break points and Karatsev seals it with a special backhand down the line to win his first game in seven.

So far Dimitrov is averaging 1 minute 50 seconds to finish his service games, while Karatsev is taking an average of five minutes and 32 seconds. That tells you everything really.

Karatsev is doing his very best to try and swing the momentum in his favour.

04:54 - Dimitrov 6-2 *1-0 Karatsev

A beautiful sliced backhand down the line puts Dimitrov in a break point position.

Karatsev's serve bails him out and moments later is rescued again when Dimitrov is gifted a passing shot which he fires wide!

A third break points comes Dimitrov's way. But Karatsev whips a winner into the opening space to Dimitrov's left.

Karatsev is getting more spin on his shots now and is playing with greater aggression.

04:50 - Dimitrov 6-2 *1-0 Karatsev

It's another Dimitrov love hold! He is looking really comfortable out there.

You have to think he was not given enough credit for his straight-sets win over Dominic Thiem in the previous round despite the Austrian appearing exhausted.

04:48 - Dimitrov wins first set 6-2

Two set points for Dimitrov and an unforced error puts Dimitrov a set up. Karatsev looked to have mentally checked out in that game.

After a bit of a slow start from Dimitrov having gone a break down, he seems to be outwitting his opponent.

He's made five unforced errors compared to Karatsev's 19 and takes the opening set after 34 minutes.

04:45 - Dimitrov *5-2 Karatsev

It's Dimitrov's second love hold service game to move within one of the first set. The 18th seed is playing with laser precision today.

04:41 - Dimitrov 4-2* Karatsev

Karatsev makes his third double fault and Dimitrov has the chance to go a break up on his third break point of the eight-minute game.

He takes it because, once again, Karatsev makes an unforced error. The Russian has already made 15 of them.

04:32 - Dimitrov *3-2 Karatsev

It's a love hold of serve from Dimitrov who aces for the game which lasted just one minute and 18 seconds. Efficient.

04:30 - Dimitrov 2-2* Karatsev

Karatsev fires a forehand wide and out, his seventh unforced error compared to Dimitrov's five and it hands the Bulgarian the chance to break straight back.

Dimitrov has it with Karasev hitting too long. It's been a shaky start from both players, but hard to blame them with so much on the line.

04:25 - Dimitrov *1-2 Karatsev

Karatsev gets an early break point after Dimitrov fires a defensive point long and he takes it with a vicious return of serve that was too powerful for Dimitrov to return.

The unseeded player is a break up!

04:20 - Dimitrov 1-1* Karatsev

Karatsev takes a bit more time than Dimitrov did in his opening game, but the Russian gets on the scoreboard after Dimitrov plays a slow slice into the net.

04:15 - We are underway!

Ant it's a confident start from Dimitrov who love holds the opening game of this contest in muggy 32°C conditions in Melbourne. It will feel more like 40°C on court.

04:05 - Dimitrov and Karatsev on court

So here we go then. The men's quarter-finals begin right here right now with Dimitrov up against the Russian qualifier Karatsev on Rod Laver Arena.

With Karatsev still something of an unknown quantity and coming off the back of two career-best wins, this should be a fascinating contest.

03:55 - Osaka post-match

Naomi Osaka says she always watches Serena Williams' matches after the Japanese number three seed secured her place in the Australian Open semi-finals with a straight sets win over Hsieh Su-wei.

The 23-year-old will play either Serena or Simona Halep in the semis.

'I always watch Serena's matches' - Osaka's reaction to beating Hsieh in straight sets

03:45 - Dimitrov coming up

Many focused on the fading physicality of Dominic Thiem to explain Grigor Dimitrov’s straight sets victory over the US Open champion in the fourth round, but the Bulgarian also deserves credit for the standard of tennis he is currently playing. He has earned his place in the final eight.

Indeed, Dimitrov hit 25 winners and made just 18 unforced errors in his 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 win over Thiem. The 29-year-old made it as far as the semi finals of the Australian Open back in 2017 and this is his best opportunity since then to repeat that achievement.

Highlights | Dominic Thiem - Grigor Dimitrov

On the other side of the net will be qualifier Aslan Karatsev who pulled off a shock five sets win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last round to make it this far. The world number 114 also shocked Diego Schwartzman in the round before that. There can be no room for complacency from Dimitrov here.

Highlights | Felix Auger-Aliassime - Aslan Karatsev

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03:25 - Highlights: Osaka vs Hsieh

The brute force of Osaka crushed the artistry of Hsieh Su-wei as the 2019 Australian Open champion charged into the semis with a 6-2 6-2 win on Tuesday.

Highlights | Su-Wei Hsieh - Naomi Osaka

02:59 - Osaka: I always watch Serena's matches

"Definitely really happy," she said on-court post-match.

"I'm really happy with how I played today too. Every time I play her it's such a battle and even though the score was like this it was actually really another battle for me.

"Her shot-making... she's able to hit winners from both sides and you know when she's about to go forwards so definitely her shot-making [makes Hsieh hard to play].

"It [Saving two match points against Muguruza in previous round] makes me a bit more calm knowing that even though my back really was against the wall.

"I still had opportunities so knowing that even today when she had two match points and saved them both normally I feel like I would've panicked but today I was really calm."

"I know my next opponent is either Serena or Halep.

"I always watch Serena's matches anyway. Normally I never look at my draw, but everyone has told me about my draw here so I had no choice but to know why my next opponent is.

"It's definitely going to be really fun."

02:51 - Osaka wins 6-2 6-2!

Hsieh saves two match points with some of the best tennis she's played all match but Osaka quickly battles back to get her third.

The Japanese number three seed makes no mistake this time because Hsieh fires a forehand long.

After one hour and eight minutes Osaka is through to the next round with a routine win.

02:44 - Hsieh 2-6 2-5* Osaka

Osaka slams down a bullet of serve before following up with a dangerous forehand, a smash and then another forehand winner to move within one game of the semi-finals.

02:41 - Hsieh 2-6 *2-4 Osaka

A very tame serve from Hsieh does the job as it kicks out so much and Hsieh holds her serve. She lets out a little smile after looking at the speed gun which clocked that serve at 106mph.

02:38 - Hsieh 2-6 1-4* Osaka

Osaka holds with another powerful forehand that Hsieh cannot get under control. That encapsulates how this match has gone.

Osaka has simply overpowered her opponent with Hsieh also making too many unforced errors.

02:35 - Hsieh 2-6 *1-3 Osaka

It's a love hold from Hsieh but Osaka firmly in the driving seat.

02:35 - Hsieh 2-6 0-3* Osaka

A punishing backhand in the open space to Hsieh's left puts Osaka comfortably in front. Is there any coming back for Hsieh now? It's not looking great for her.

02:27 - Hsieh 2-6 *0-2 Osaka

A punishing forehand down the line from Osaka is followed up by a Hsieh unforced error which hands the number three seed the break.

Osaka just four games away from a place in the semi-finals. The winner of this will play either Serena Williams or Simona Halep in the semi-finals.

02:25 - Hsieh 2-6 0-1* Osaka

Osaka is growing in confidence with Hsieh making more unforced errors. Osaka wins the opening game with three points in a row.

The Taiwanese player is wondering what to do against her high-seeded opponent who has been too powerful for her so far.

02:20 - Osaka takes the first set

Three set points go the way of Osaka on Hsieh's serve and the Japanese wins it on her second go with Hsieh firing a poor backhand into the trams.

Hsieh tailed off at the end of that set and Osaka takes the opener in 36 minutes.

02:18 - Hsieh 2-5* Osaka

It's a quick love service game from Osaka who is overpowering her opponent right now.

02:15 - Hsieh *2-4 Osaka

Hsieh stretches for a forehand and she hits it into the net. Osaka gets a break point but fires one wildly out.

She gets another with a firm backhand down the line before hitting it into the trams.

Hiseh quickly racks up two points then seals it thanks to a Osaka backhand into the net.

02:08 - Hsieh 1-4* Osaka

That was lengthy. Osaka takes the game with a smash at the net after Hsieh squanders two break points. Osaka in control of this set now.

02:00 - Hsieh *1-3 Osaka

A double fault from Hsieh, the first of the match, hands Osaka three break points. The first two are unforced errors and the third is a Hsieh winner at the net.

Another poor service return from Osaka gives Hsieh game point but the number three seed sends a blistering forehand off the chalk.

Hsieh bounces back with a straight backhand, but a soft unforced error puts us on deuce once again.

Osaka generates a forehand winner before sealing the break with an excellent backhand down the line. Osaka in front!

01:53 - Hsieh 1-2* Osaka

Osaka with the love hold after Hsieh tries an audacious slice to return serve at 40-0.

01:50 - Hsieh *1-1 Osaka

A very unorthodox two-handed forehand slice puts Hsieh 30-0 up in game two.

Osaka claws a point back as Hsieh fires into the trams but the latter wraps up the game after two Osaka unforced errors.

01:45 - Osaka gets us underway

Osaka serves to kick off but Hsieh has got herself a break point already at 30-40.

The Japanse player recovers with an ace before an unforced error gives Osaka game point which she secures after her 35-year-old opponent fires long.

Hsieh does not look like she will be massively affected by Osaka's serve today. Expect a few rallies.

01:30 - Here we go!

It's quarter-finals day at the 2021 Australian Open and boy do we have some great matches coming your way...

We have Grigor Dimitrov vs Aslan Karatsev, Serena Williams vs Simona Halep and Novak Djokovic vs Alex Zverev all coming up...

But first up, we have got Hsieh Su-wei vs Naomi Osaka which is guaranteed to be great. Why? Well, because Hsieh's style is so awkward for anyone to play against!

Do not go anywhere except for either this live blog, your TV or the Eurosport app.

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Live comments to follow from 01:30 UK time on Tuesday

Hsieh Su-wei v Naomi Osaka (3)

She has been the surprise package in the women’s singles and now Hsieh Su-wei will have the chance to make the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. The 35-year-old, who is predominantly a doubles player, has never been this far in a major in the singles before. This is new territory for her.

The same, however, cannot be said of 2019 Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka. The third seed has played some exceptional tennis over the last week or so, with the 23-year-old untouchable on serve until the fourth round against Garbine Muguruza when she had to fight back from behind to win.

Hsieh is the oldest player to ever make her maiden appearance in a Slam quarter-final and her often unorthodox shot selection could make this an awkward encounter for Osaka. If the veteran from Chinese Taipei can draw her opponent to the net, where Osaka hasn’t been all that comfortable recently, this could be a real contest.

'I was a bit intimidated' - Osaka on her comeback win against Muguruza

Grigor Dimitrov (18) v Aslan Karatsev (Q)

Top Shots of the Day: Nadal stunner takes first place

Serena Williams (10) v Simona Halep (2)

This will be a true heavyweight clash. Serena Williams needs just one more Grand Slam title to equal Margaret Court’s all time record. However, the 39-year-old has been on this mission for a while now and with every passing major she doesn’t win the doubt grows over whether she will ever do it.