Australian Open 2021 tennis LIVE updates - Nadal vs Tsitsipas with Medvedev awaiting winner

ByEurosport

Updated 17/02/2021 at 12:54 GMT

It's quarter-final time at the 2021 Australian Open! The defending champion Ashleigh Barty kicks things off on Day 10 before the all-American and all-Russian ties. Things wrap up with the blockbuster match of the day, as Rafael Nadal faces Stefanos Tsitsipas. Watch every match live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk.

Rafael Nadal - Australian Open 2021

Image credit: Getty Images

12:54 - Tsitsipas beats Nadal in five!

Wow... Nadal isn’t sure whether to come forward or not and he sends a forehand volley into the net! It’s a third match point for Tsitsipas… and this time he does it with a forehand winner!! What a moment, what a win. After four hours and five minutes Tsitsipas has battled from two sets down to beat Nadal and reach the semi-finals!

12:37 - Too close to call!

ATP Madrid

Exclusive: 'No mercy for anyone' - Tsitsipas reveals recollections of facing 'ruthless' Nadal

an hour ago

Rafa roars as a hold to love makes it 5-4. This is where it starts to get nervy! Tsitsipas now serving to stay in the match.

11:58 - HEADING TO A DECIDER

Pressure now on Tsitsipas and he goes wide on the opening point on serve. He goes big again with a winner on the line that Nadal felt was wide again. The Spaniard looks annoyed… but it’s the Greek who motors ahead with a quick 1-2. From 30-15, another Nadal error brings up two set points for the fifth seed… and he converts the first as Nadal fires into the net!

Tsitsipas the favourite? You'd have to say so.

11:53 - Tsitsipas to serve for fourth set

Is this the moment? Nadal is wayward and suddenly he’s trailing 0-30 on serve… but as you would expect the Spaniard fights back to make it 30-30 when breaking past some valiant Tsitsipas defence. The Greek then goes long but a Nadal forehand into the net makes it deuce again on his serve. An ace from Rafa, but an error then takes it back to deuce. Nadal wide on another game point and now it’s deuce #3. From there, Nadal plays a very sloppy forehand and it’s break point Tsitsipas – who is yet to break all match. Nadal goes long and he converts! Tsitsipas will now serve for the set…

11:01 - Game on!

Nadal sends a smash from the baseline long and it’s a mini-break for Tsitsipas, who is 4-3 up and has two serves… He wins them both to bring up THREE SET POINTS… Nadal saves the first with a deft volley at the net, but Tsitsipas converts the second! The Greek picked up just ONE POINT on the Nadal serve all set before the breaker, but now he has a way back into this match!

'Great defence' - Nadal wins epic rally with stunning winner

10:50 - Tie-break time

To a tie-break we go! In a set where neither player has even got close to a break point, something will now have to give… Nadal to seal the match, or Tsitsipas to force a fourth? Let’s find out…

10:07 - Dominant Nadal takes two-set lead

A familiar start to a Nadal service game, but he reels off four points in a row to seal the second set. One-way traffic this, is there any way back for Tsitsipas? It's looking unlikely, the Greek has won just five games so far, Nadal taking the opening two sets 6-3 6-2.

09:55 - Nadal double break up in the second

Nadal has Tsitsipas right where he wants him and another winner makes it 0-30 on the Greek’s serve. Tsitsipas battles back though and a huge backhand helps him recover to 30-30. Tsitsipas brings up game point but another remarkable winner, this time from Nadal, takes us to our first deuce of the match. Nadal then benefits from a net cord to bring up break point, audibly saying “sorry” in the process, and a backhand into the net from Tsitsipas hands Nadal another break - he leads this second set 4-1.

09:26 - Nadal takes the first set

A game after breaking Nadal serves out for the first set. A quick double-blow from Nadal and suddenly from 4-3 on serve he wraps up the opener 6-3.

09:15 - Nadal and Tsitsipas going toe to toe

Another double fault from Rafa, who then finds the net and suddenly it’s 0-30. Nadal’s serve then gets him out of trouble with two unreturned serves before prevailing in a 25-shot rally to go 40-30 up. A Tsitsipas error later, Nadal holds. No breaks, no break points, still on serve, 4-3 to Nadal in the first set.

07:58 - Wilander on AO 50% capacity

Eurosport tennis expert and seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander commented on the news that the Australian Open organisers will allow fans in for the remainder of the tournament at 50% capacity, starting tomorrow.

"I don’t think it matters if it’s 50% or 100% capacity to be honest," he said.

"I think it is massively different for the players. I think it will favour the big-time players, I think it is huge for the players, they will be so fired-up so it will help the tournament big time in terms of level. I think you’ll most likely see the pressure of the crowd will favour the Nadal’s of the tournament. In general, it will favour the veterans a little more I think. It’s huge. Massive.

"It's the dream come true for sports or events in general to actually see that - 'look they did it, they actually did it in Australia' and actually hopefully the governments of this world will realise that it is tough but that is the way to go about it. It is tough at the beginning but then we can open up. That’s the big message for me."

07:45 - Reaction to Barty's exit

'Incredible, I'm stunned' - Reaction to shock Barty defeat to Muchova

07:30 - Up next: Nadal vs Tsitsipas

The evening session is all about Rafael Nadal and whether he can win his first Australian Open title since 2009.

The Spaniard has not been tested so far in Melbourne, but that will almost certainly change in his quarter-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The Greek is a rising star in the game and having notched a win over Nadal on clay, he will certainly fancy his chances on a hard court.

A head-turning offer for head-turning tennis. One-month premium subscription for just 99p on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk

07:15 - Highlights: Medvedev vs Rublev

Highlights | Andrey Rublev - Daniil Medvedev

07:10 - Barty heartbroken to go out

Ash Barty confessed to being heartbroken at coming up short in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Wednesday but did not want the shock defeat to distract from her successful return to tennis after a year on the sidelines.

The world number one returned to the tour for the Melbourne Park warm-up tournaments after staying at home to try to sit out the Covid-19 pandemic, running up an eight-match winning streak before Wednesday's 1-6 6-3 6-2 loss to Karolina Muchova.

"It's heartbreaking, of course," said Barty, who was hoping to become the first homegrown Australian Open champion since Chris O'Neil in 1978.

"But will it deter me? Will it ruin the fact we've had a really successful start to our season? Absolutely not. The sun will come up tomorrow.

"We go about our work again. You're either winning or your learning. We won't let ... this particular hour of tennis deter us from what we're trying to do."

'It's heartbreaking' - Barty reflects on crushing loss to Muchova

In her news conference, Barty channelled her time as a cricketer to repeatedly bat back suggestions that Muchova had gamed the system by taking a medical timeout after losing the opening set.

She instead focused on her inability to take back the momentum once the revitalised Czech started playing her best tennis in the second and third sets.

"I felt like I lost control of the ball a little bit," Barty said.

"I felt like I lost my way with overplaying, overpressing, not letting myself work into the points and really construct points as well as I'd like to."

06:50 - Medvedev: I was cramping up

“The last game of the match I started cramping in my quad," he said post-match. "I knew he was cramping too I saw it. I had to not show it. I managed to make some big serves and then in the end I locked completely.

“I would say the last three points when I was getting ready for the serve I could not really move my left leg so it was not easy and I knew if I lost the game he was going to see it so I was happy I won the game.

“If you come to Australia and it’s plus 40 every day it’s not easy but at least you’re kind of used to it. Here we’ve usually had days where it’s been 20 degrees, 20 maximum and then on the side it’s not that hard.

“Then you come into the quarters against Andrey and we’ve had some unbelievable rallies and after the point it’s tough to breathe. I think I’m one of the first players to make Andrey that tired on the court so I’m quite happy about it.

“We’re all competitive so you can see during the match that nothing matters. You just need to win and get to the semis of a grand slam. I think my game matches his quite well. I’ve knwn him a long time so I know how to neutralise his big shots. It was definitely one of the best matches I’ve played not only here in the last couple of years.

“I’m really happy I can watch a match like this. I don’t think they’ve played many matches on the ATP Tour, but all the matches they’ve played have been three and a half hour matches out of three sets so really interesting to see.

“I’m going to prepare for the opponent, it is not going to be easy whoever wins.”

06:36 - Medvedev into semi-finals

Medvedev seals it with a ferocious forehand winner. He is into the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 win over compatriot Andrey Rublev on Rod Laver Arena.

The fourth seed was too good for the 23-year-old in sweltering conditions and will take part in his maiden Australian Open semi-final.

Medvedev extends his head-to-head record over Rublev to 4-0 and will face either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Rafael Nadal in the next round who begin in a few hours' time.

06:33 - Rublev 5-7, 3-6, *2-5 Medvedev

Rublev still battling, but Medvedev will serve out for the match.

06:31 - Rublev 5-7, 3-6, 1-5* Medvedev

Ruthless from Medvedev. He's a game away from his third Slam semi-final with his 17th ace of the match.

06:27 - Rublev 5-7, 3-6, *1-4 Medvedev

A very tired Rublev wins a service game to avoid being bageled, but it's looking like Medvedev will wrap this up soon.

06:16 - Rublev 5-7, 3-6, *0-3 Medvedev

Medvedev with his second break point has it because Rublev fires a backhand wide.

The fourth seed is well on his way to the semi-finals. The winner of this will play either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Rafael Nadal who begin in a few hours' time.

06:12 - Rublev 5-7, 3-6, 0-2* Medvedev

Rublev throws his hands aloft. He is feeling the heat and Medvedev backs up the break with an ace to secure his fifth straight game.

06:09 - Rublev 5-7, 3-6, *0-1 Medvedev

Two break points for Medvedev. The first one Medvedev hits into the net.

The second and Rublev fires an attempted lob long. Medvedev closes in on his 19th straight match win following that big break.

06:00 - Medvedev takes the second set

A love hold of serve as Medvedev aces to see out the set.

With Rublev looking extremely fatigued, you have to feel as though this could will end in straight sets. But as is usually the case, you never know...

05:58 - Rublev 5-7, *3-5 Medvedev

It's two break points for Medvedev. The first one is a let-off for Rublev as Medvedev smacks his service return well out, but the second goes the higher-seed's way as Rublev whacks a forehand into middle of the net.

Medvedev looks set to take the second set.

This was quite something from Medvedev in the first set 👇

'Astonishing' - Medvedev screamer stuns Rublev in rally

05:54 - Rublev 5-7, 3-4* Medvedev

Medvedev tries an audacious sliced forehand which goes out and the number four seed survives three break points to hold his serve!

Both players return to their seats and Rublev looks absolutely knackered.

There's been plenty of brutally long rallies already which are not easy to contend with in the stifling hot conditions.

05:47 - Rublev 5-7, 3-3* Medvedev

Rublev gets break point number two of the game in the sweltering heat but Medvedev volleys short which was comfortably out of Rublev's reach.

The number seven seed gets another break point with some outrageously powerful forehands that he's well known for.

Both players are having a break for the moment as the heat is really taking its toll.

05:44 - Rublev 5-7, *3-3 Medvedev

That was a lung-buster of a rally with Rublev sending blistering forehands Medvedev's way, but he met every single one with the 23-year-old Rublev predominantly on the back-foot.

Nevertheless, it ended with Medvedev firing just into the trams and Rublev survives.

Rublev's second double fault of the game hands Medvedev a break point but he fails to capitalise.

Rublev turns it around and takes the game, but he looks like he is gassed out physically and Medvedev will notice that.

05:33 - Rublev 5-7, 2-3* Medvedev

Medvedev edges in front once more but nothing to separate them after five games in the second set.

05:33 - Rublev 5-7, *2-2 Medvedev

Rublev finishes the game off with a deft backhand drop shot to produce a love service hold.

05:30 - Rublev 5-7, 1-2* Medvedev

Medvedev leads the second set with his seventh ace. Rublev is really finding it hard to work out how to outwit his compatriot.

05:27 - Rublev 5-7, *1-1 Medvedev

We stay on serve to kick off this second set.

05:18 - Medvedev takes first set!

It's a massive chance for Medvedev who gets three set points at 0-40 and he takes the opener 7-5 after Rublev fires into the net.

Medvedev has never lost a set to Rublev in any of their three previous meetings.

05:16 - Rublev 5-5* Medvedev

A 25-shot rally opens up game point for Medvedev as Rublev fails on two backhand returns on second serves.

Medvedev a game away from the first set after 43 minutes.

05:12 - Rublev *5-5 Medvedev

We could well head for a tie-break here. You can tell these two know each other's games very well as Rublev wraps up another comfortable service games.

05:06 - Rublev 4-5* Medvedev

Medevedev with his first game in three moves him to within one of the opening set.

It's been tense and so very tight. Neither player wants to give the other the edge. You can feel the rivalry between these two.

05:04 - Rublev *4-4 Medvedev

We are level as Rublev comfortably holds his service game.

04:57 - Rublev 3-4* Medvedev

After tries to rip off his short drawstrings with his hands, Rublev breaks back immediately on his third break point after Medvedev double faults.

Just after the game he call the physio to see if he had any scissors to cut the ribbon off his shorts and actually cuts his hand in the process.

04:57 - Rublev *2-4 Medvedev

Medvedev converts his second break point of the game as Rublev puts a tame backhand into the trams after the fourth seed pushed him back.

The 25-year-old is a break up.

04:50 - Rublev 2-3* Medvedev

It's another comfortable service hold from Medvedev who looks to be edging this so far, but we are talking fine margins. This has been very tight.

04:45 - Rublev *2-2 Medvedev

It's a chance missed from Medvedev. At break point the ball kicks up off the net which leaves Medvedev the chance to smash a forehand down the line and go a break up. But he whacks it into the trams.

Rublev responds with three points in a row to keep this Russian duel on serve.

04:40 - Rublev 1-2* Medvedev

We stay on serve as Medvedev quickly racks up four points in a row. They're both seemingly keen to smash their way through this.

04:37 - Rublev *1-1 Medvedev

Rublev levels the contest with a love hold of serve. That was a good start from the 23-year-old who will be desperate to record his first ever win against Medvedev.

04:35 - Medvedev wins opening game

Medvedev serves first and secures the first game after Rublev fires into the trams.

We have already seen some long rallies which there could well be plenty more of today.

04:30 - Up next: Medvedev vs Rublev

The day session concludes on Rod Laver with an all-Russia affair between the fourth seed Daniil Medvedev and the seventh seed Andrey Rublev.

Medvedev has a perfect 3-0 record against his fellow countryman, but there’s not much between the two.

In their most recent meeting, Medvedev triumphed in a third-set tie-break. With Rublev yet to lose a set in the tournament, the underdog will have high hopes of advancing to his first Grand Slam semi-final.

04:25 - Brady: Hope to make semi-finals a habit

"I hope I make it a habit [reaching a Grand Slam semi-final]," she said post-match. "Hopefully I make it a new habit by making finals."

"We're such good friends. I'm really happy for her success and I know that we'll be having a lot more tough battles and some may go her way, some may go mine. Luckily today it went my way and I'm really happy to move into the semi-finals here.

"In the beginning of the match I felt pressure from her. She's such an aggressive player and you're running side-to-side. I felt I was doing a little too much of that and I told myself 'maybe I need to change something'.

"The court was bouncing a lot more which I think favoured me a lot more than her but I was looking to push her back, get more of an offence of my own and I think I played a really good third set."

'We're such good friends' - Brady's praise for Pegula after beating compatriot

04:11 - Brady into first ever Aus Open semis

America's Jennifer Brady is into the semi-finals of the Australian Open for the first time in her career with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over unseeded compatriot Jessica Pegula on Rod Laver Arena.

Brad, who reached the US Open semi-finals last year, will face Karolina Muchova in the semis.

Highlights | Jennifer Brady - Jessica Pegula

04:08 - Brady 4-6, 6-2, 5-1* Pegula

That's six games in a row now for on-fire Brady who breaks the Pegula serve on her second break point and this looks to be all over.

04:00 - Brady 4-6, 6-2, *4-1 Pegula

Brady is on a hot streak now. She delivers a crushing forehand volley at the net to move within two games of the semi-final.

03:57 - Brady 4-6, 6-2, 3-1* Pegula

Brady breaks! She goes 0-40 up. Pegula then forces the 22nd seed back and gets a point, but the unseeded player hits a forehand into the trams and we're edging closer to a conclusion here.

03:54 - Brady 4-6, 6-2, *2-1 Pegula

Brady wins eight out of the last nine points with a double fault only conceded.

She holds serve in confident fashion, sealing the game with her sixth ace - into the corner.

03:52 - Brady 4-6, 6-2, 1-1* Pegula

This is very tight. Brady breaks straight back in next to no time after Pegula fires long.

03:48 - Brady 4-6, 6-2, *0-1 Pegula

Some sloppy play from Brady hands Pegula three break points. Brady claws back all three, making it deuce with a bold backhand straight down the line.

After more baseline battling, Pegula wraps it up on her fifth break point of the game thanks to an unforced Brady error.

Great persistence from Pegula who breaks early in the deciding set.

03:38 - Brady takes set two 6-2

Brady is dominating now. She races to three break points then makes it eleven points in a row.

We are heading for a decider and Pegula will have to shakes things up quickly to stop Brady from motoring to the semis.

03:35 - Brady 4-6, *5-2 Pegula

Brady makes it seven games in a row with a love service hold. The younger American and is a game away from levelling this up.

03:29 - Brady 4-6, 4-2* Pegula

After a high-quality, mammoth 19-shot rally Brady lobs her racket to the ground as Pegula goes 40-30 up.

Brady brings it back to deuce and eventually she slogs the game out, clinching a crucial break with a smash as the net.

03:24 - Brady 4-6, *3-2 Pegula

Pegula sends a forehand winner down the line and she now has two break points as she seeks a route back into the set.

She does so at the first time of asking with a punishing cross-court backhand. We're back on serve!

03:21 - Brady 4-6, 3-1* Pegula

Pegula with four points in a row completes a simple game. She gets on the scoreboard.

03:18 - Brady 4-6, *3-0 Pegula

Brady is on a roll. A love game for the 22nd seed puts her in a commanding lead after 15 minutes in the second set.

03:15 - Brady 4-6, 2-0* Pegula

Two break points for Brady. Pegula recovers one with an 87mph forehand down the line, but Bradt braks after the unseeded American sends a cross-court backhand into the net.

03:12 - Brady 4-6, *1-0 Pegula

Brady just about holds onto her service game, coming back from 15-40 to move a game in front in the second set.

03:02 - Pegula takes opening set!

Pegula racks up three points in a row. She rolls her eyes after messing up the first of three set points, but she then grabs the opening set when Brady fires long to seal the first set 6-4 in 33 minutes.

02:59 - Brady *4-5 Pegula

Brady was 30-0 up, but she lets Pegula back in. She double faults on Brady's advantage to hand Pegula a vital break. Brady threatens to throw her cap to the ground in anger.

Pegula to serve for the set.

02:54 - Brady 4-4* Pegula

Signs of nerves perhaps? A double fault from Pegula puts us back on serve. Game on!

02:52 - Highlights: Muchova vs Barty

Czech 25th seed Karolina Muchova recovers from dizziness to knock out world number one Ash Barty in three sets 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.

Highlights | Ashleigh Barty - Karolina Muchova

02:51 - Brady *3-4 Pegula

Four aces in a row from Brady! Sensational! She is doing her absolute most to claw herself back into this first set.

02:49 - Brady 2-4* Pegula

After a lengthy rally at 40-30, Pegula holds her serve with some combative baseline tennis. Brady cries out after an exhausting point.

02:44 - Brady *2-3 Pegula

Brady is starting to find her feet now and wins her service game to put a slight dent in Pegula's dominant start to the quarter-final.

02:40 - Brady 1-3* Pegula

It's 12 points in a row for Pegula! Brady has not really got going and Pegula is razor shap at the moment.

02:37 - Brady *1-2 Pegula

Seven points in a row for Pegula. She looks the calmer of the two and she has three break points.

Brady whacks a forehand out and Pegula takes the initiative early on in this opening set.

02:34 - Brady 1-1* Pegula

Some good serving from Pegula helps her to a love hold of serve. The unseeded American is bidding to reach the semis of a slam for the first time in her career.

02:30 - Brady gets us underway

The 22nd seed kicks off proceedings on a sun-drenched Rod Laver Arena with a comfortable hold of serve.

02:25 - Up next: Brady vs Pegula

It's a battle between two Americans. The number 22 seed Jennifer Brady takes on compatriot Jessica Pegula.

These two have met before. It was during that Western & Southern Open in August last year when Pegula defeated the 2020 US Open semi-finalist 7-6, 6-4.

The winner will face Muchova in the semi-finals.

02:20 - Muchova: My head was spinning

"I was feeling a bit lost by the end of the first set," Muchova said on-court. "Ash started very well she played almost like no mistakes it was very tough.

"I was also a bit lost on the court and my head was spinning so I took a break.

"It helped me and I tried to get back to playing a bit faster so we don’t play long rallies like in the first set and it worked well.

“They just checked my pressure because I was a bit lost I was spinning. They cooled me down a bit with ice and it helped me.

“I just tried to put a ball in and go for it. I played a bit faster going to the net. I think that was the key by the end.

“It was the first time [serving for a major semi-final] but I tried not to think about it. To think about just another ball and focus on that. I’m happy that I handled it well.”

'A bit lost on court' - Muchova explains medical timeout after shocking Barty

02:10 - Barty is OUT!

An ace seals it! Czech 25th seed Karolina Muchova recovers from illness to knock out world number one Ash Barty in three sets 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.

Neither player had dropped a set going into the contest, but Barty looked to have turned it into a one-sided affair against the Czech player who looked flat and short of confidence.

But it could have been illness related and Muchova took an extended medical timeout early in the second set, Muchova returned rejuvenated to shock one of the favourites to win the slam.

Muchova will face either Jennifer Brady or Jessica Pegula in the semis.

02:02- Barty 6-1, 3-6, *2-5 Muchova

Barty's gameplan has unravelled. She procues an unforced error at a crucial moment to allow Muchova to take her second break point.

The Czech 25th seed moves to within one game of reaching her first ever major semi-final.

01:56 - Barty 6-1, 3-6, 2-4* Muchova

We're creeping towards the end of the match and Muchova still holds all the cards. Can Barty find something late on here?

01:53 - Barty 6-1, 3-6, *2-3 Muchova

A love hold of serve from Barty. That was a lot more assured.

01:50 - Barty 6-1, 3-6, 1-3* Muchova

That was a relatively routing hole from Muchova who, if Barty is not careful, will cruise to victory without a great deal of issues. The next game feels crucial.

01:46 - Barty 6-1, 3-6, *1-2 Muchova

That's a big hold from Barty having gone 0-30 down. She is hanging on a bit with the momentum on Muchova's side right now.

01:43 - Barty 6-1, 3-6, 0-2* Muchova

Muchova recovers two break points and eventually finishes up. Barty can only shrug her shoulders in frustration as she gives her team in the stands the daggers.

Since the medical timeout Barty has won only one game.

Check out this brilliant rally in the second set where Barty kept returning Muchova's smashes. It was some delightful defensive work 👇

Barty keeps hitting back Muchova's smashes

01:35 - Barty 6-1, 3-6, *0-1 Muchova

A brutal passing shot from Muchova puts her a break in this third set and Barty is in all sorts of trouble now.

The transformation from Muchova has been unbelievable.

01:30 - Muchova wins the second set!

It is unbelievable stuff really. Muchova looked down at out the start of this second set and there were question marks over whether she would come back out after the medical turnout.

But she has responded with some brilliant tennis, winning five of the last six games, to win the second set 6-3 after 52 minutes to send this into a decider.

01:27 - Barty 6-1, *3-5 Muchova

Two break points for Muchova. The first one Muchova attempts a backhand passing shot, with Barty at the net, which flies just out.

The second and Muchova, who looked like she would kill it off with Barty scrambling, plays a limp shot at the net... into the net.

Muchova, again at the net, slams down a backhand winner to take advantage but Barty's powerful forehand down the line is out of Muchova's reach.

Barty then double faults and hits a net shot into the net. Muchova is a game away from the second set! This has turned on its head!

01:20 - Barty 6-1, 3-4* Muchova

Muchova saves two break points after a nine minute game which ends with a vicious unreturnable backhand from the Czech down the line.

We remain on serve after 42 minutes in this enthralling set.

01:11 - Barty 6-1, *3-3 Muchova

Barty saves two break points in a four minute game where Muchova was really piling on the pressure. The Australian did well to hang in there and level the set against her refreshed opponent.

01:05 - Barty 6-1, 2-3* Muchova

Muchova is looking so much sharper now. She's playing with far more aggression and is coming to the net more.

A filthy drop shot gives Muchova game point and all of a sudden she is leading the set following a backhand volley at the net.

01:00 - Barty 6-1, *2-2 Muchova

At 30-15 down, Barty digs out a seemingly impossible low bouncing shot at the net and turns it into a passing winner to make it 30-30. That was the point of the match.

Muchova then responds to get a break point, her first of the match and straight after the medical timeout, and she takes it as Barty whacks a forehand into the net.

Wow. We're back on serve. No one would have saw that coming!

00:57 - Muchova is back in the game

So here we go then. We play on.

00:55 - Muchova still off-court

Barty is trying to keep moving on the court but Muchova is nowhere to be seen yet. We wait.

00:51 - Medical timeout

Muchova is heading off to receive some medical treatment. Is she unwell? Maybe. It may well explain why she has been unable to get going today.

Lots of players have been struggling with illness at this year's tournament and a 14-day quarantine for the players before the tournament will not have helped anyone's fitness.

00:49 - Barty 6-1, 2-1* Muchova

Muchova with the love hold. But is it too little too late or this the beginning of a resurgence? Hopefully the latter.

00:46 - Barty 6-1, *2-0 Muchova

It's a very comfortable hold of serve for Barty. This has not been a competition yet.

00:44 - Barty 6-1, 1-0* Muchova

A complete mishit from Muchova puts Barty 0-30 up. A double fault then makes it 0-40.

Muchova gets two back after a couple Barty unforced errors, but the Australian breaks in the opening game of this second set after a wild Muchova forehand. Her 17th unforced error.

00:37- Barty takes the first set

Blink and you could well have missed it.

Another Muchova unforced error, an overcooked forehand, sees Barty go a set up (6-1) after 24 minutes following some fine tennis on her part.

Muchova will be livid to have got off to such a slow start.

00:35 - Barty 5-1* Muchova

Muchova saves the bagel and for the first time in this match registers more than two successive points.

Barty will serve for the set.

00:30 - Barty *5-0 Muchova

A love hold of serve moves Barty to within one game of the first set in only 16 minutes. This has been so easy for the Australian.

00:28 - Barty 4-0* Muchova

Muchova's seventh unforced error of this contest gives Barty another two break point opportunities. She then double faults and Barty is four in front.

The Czech player has not got going.

00:25 - Barty *3-0 Muchova

The first three games go Barty's way in only nine minutes. Muchova just seems to lack the weapons to cause the world number one any real problems at the moment.

00:20 - Barty 2-0* Muchova

A Muchova unforced error gives Barty two break points already. The Czech players produces a forehand winner at the net to pull one back, but Barty plays a clean forehand into the empty space on Muchova's right having baited her in with a slice.

It's a perfect start for Barty.

00:15 - Barty gets us going

Barty gets us underway and takes her opening service game with four points in a row.

Neither player has dropped a set in this tournament so far. This should be a cracker.

00:10 - Last time out...

Ash Barty got the job done on Monday without much fuss, beating Shelby Rogers 6-3, 6-4. The highlights 👇

Highlights | Ashleigh Barty - Shelby Rogers

00:00 - Here we go!

Ready for more tennis? You better be!

We kick off the second singles quarter-finals day at the 2021 Australian Open amid blue skies in sunny Melbourne. Scroll down just a tiny bit for today's tasty schedule.

First up - it is Ash Barty vs the 25th seed Karolina Muchova.

A head-turning offer for head-turning tennis. One-month premium subscription for just 99p on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk

Top Matches

Barty is the home favourite and she will kick things off on Rod Laver Arena when she takes on the 25th seed Karolina Muchova.

The number one seed has been struggling with a thigh problem, but she was impressive in taking care of Shelby Rogers in the previous round.

We forget how good Barty's forehand is - Wilander

The 24-year-old, who won her only major to date at the French Open in 2019, is looking to at least replicate her run to the semi-finals of her home major 12 months ago.

The evening session is all about Nadal and whether he can win his first Australian Open title since 2009.

The Spaniard has not been tested so far in Melbourne, but that will almost certainly change in his quarter-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The Greek is a rising star in the game and having notched a win over Nadal on clay, he will certainly fancy his chances on a hard court.

Potential Upset

The day session concludes on Laver with an all-Russia affair between the fourth seed Daniil Medvedev and the seventh seed Andrey Rublev.

Medvedev has a perfect 3-0 record against his fellow countryman, but there’s not much between the two.

In their most recent meeting, Medvedev triumphed in a third-set tiebreak and with Rublev yet to lose a set in the tournament, the underdog will have high hopes of advancing to his first grand slam semi-final.