This was published 2 years ago
That’s all we have time for evening as Djokovic and Tsitsipas secured their places in the men’s third round while seeds Maria Sakkari and Elise Mertens were knocked out of the women’s draw.
We will have more coverage to come tonight and be back tomorrow morning with another live blog so please join us then.
Bye for now.
Very sad news that Daily Mail sports journalist Mike Dickson died while here in Melbourne to cover the Australian Open.
His family announced the news this evening on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Condolences to his family and to all those who worked alongside him over his many years.
No. 8 seed Maria Sakkari is out of the Australian Open after being beaten in straight sets by Elina Avanesyan who won 6-4, 6-4 for what looks to be the biggest win of her career.
Avanesyan put her head in her hands and then saluted the crowd while Sakkari shook hands quickly and left the court.
Avanesyan will play Marta Kostyuk in the next round.
Sakkari is on the edge of being knocked out.
Avanesyan was very impressive in her last service game to stay focused when it went to deuce and then serve out for the win.
Sakkari is serving now, then Avanesyan will serve for victory.
Women’s No. 8 seed Maria Sakkari is on the verge of being knocked out in straight sets by Elina Avanesyan.
They are playing the late game on Margaret Court Arena and Avanesyan has been on top from the get go taking a 2-0 lead in the first two games.
Avanesyan has continued to find ways to frustrate Sakkari into errors although she is trying to rally late and stay in the tournament.
Sakkari is down 4-6, 3-4 with Avanesyan to serve next.
On KIA Arena, Ukrainian star Marta Kostyuk let out some strong emotions after she won a 10-point tiebreaker in the third set to beat No.29 seed Elise Mertens tonight.
Kostyuk cried and than celebrated. Cameras in the tunnels showed her hugging and celebrating with her team post match.
She said that the Australian Open means a lot to her because it was where she made her professional debut and she was excited to be in the third round.
The pictures really tell the story.
Stefanos Tsitsipas was asked by John McEnroe what will it take for him to finally win a Grand Slam after making two finals, including last year’s decider loss to Novak Djokovic.
What do you think it takes for you to get over the hump? You have been so close. You have been in two finals, Grand Slams. What’s if going to take for you to make that final step?
Tsitsipas: Well, it’s one of the two scenarios and I think numbers don’t lie. Novak has been able to win here 10 times. He is a very selfish person. So, if he just manages to wake up one-day feeling a sharing is scaring more type of vibe, then I guess [he laughs].
There are two scenarios. Whether someone needs to beat Novak, that is not me or it has to be me.
So we will have to find a way, either way.
Novak Djokovic says he hopes his best form is still to come after needing four sets to win each of his opening two games at the Australian Open.
Djokovic said his best form was still to come and he had faced two talented young players in his early matches.
“I haven’t been playing my best but still trying to find my form,” Djokovic told Jim Courier post match.
“In the earlier rounds, you play players who have nothing to lose. They come out on centre court and try to play their best games.