Australian Open 2019: Rafael Nadal v Frances Tiafoe

Summary

Rafael Nadal wins in straight sets 6-3 6-4 6-2 to reach semi-finals
Second seed plays Stefanos Tsitsipas next, who beat Roberto Bautista Agut in four sets
Petra Kvitova beat home favourite Ashleigh Barty 6-1 6-4 - plays Danielle Collins next

Live Reporting

Amy Lofthouse

Postpublished at 08:18 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
A bit off topic, but this is a good point from Jo Durie...
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'We're desperate for an Aussie winner'published at 08:15 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Kvitova v Barty
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park
Image source, BBC Sport
Inside Melbourne Park there is, unsurprisingly, plenty of support for Ash Barty.
The 15th seed is aiming to become the first Australian to win the singles at their home Slam in 41 years.
Tahnee Watts and Allyce Ashcroft - two sisters from Perth, Western Australia - have flown 3,400km to see Barty "go all the way".
"She's the only strong women's player we have at the moment," Tahnee says.
"We're desperate for an Aussie winner here. It's been too long. The boys are letting us down so the girls have to come through."
Allyce reckons this week will be the start of great things for Barty.
"In the next couple of years she will be showing us more what we can do. But she will win tonight - and then win the tournament."
Let's hope Barty is equally as confident when she steps out on court...
'I'm a different person'published at 08:12 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Kvitova v Barty
Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, has not gone beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne since 2012.
She has only reached this stage of a Grand Slam once since she was stabbed in the hand by an intruder in her home in 2016.
"I'm kind of a different person. I do have a different mindset than I had those years when I won," said Kvitova.
"I'm just here to enjoy the tennis. That's really important not to be really stressed about it.
"It's great to be in the quarter-finals, but I know how difficult it is to win a Grand Slam."
Image source, EPA
Tennis break 'vital' for Bartypublished at 08:09 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Kvitova v Barty
Ashleigh Barty claimed the biggest title of her career to date with victory at the WTA Elite Trophy in November.
Barty took an indefinite leave from tennis in 2014, playing cricket for Brisbane Heat in the inaugural Women's Big Bash, and she credits the time away as helping improve her tennis.
"For me, having that 18 months off was vital," she said.
"I feel like I came back a better person on and off the court, a better tennis player."
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Postpublished at 08:08 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Gigi Salmon
Radio 5 live sports extra tennis commentator at Melbourne Park
We're seeing a clash of generations in this tournament - and it's been competitive.
The 'Barty Party' not yet startedpublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Kvitova v Barty
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park
Not quite a 'Barty Party' in Melbourne city centre yet.
Earlier there were only a smattering of people watching the tennis, or having an afternoon snooze in the sun, in Federation Square.
Image source, BBC Sport
Fed Sq, as the locals call it, is the hub of Australia's sporting and cultural capital. The place where they watch, celebrate and commiserate together.
There are two big screens, one in front of the sandstone cobbled square, a smaller one in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral.
But it doesn't seem Ash Barty's run to the quarter-finals has fully caught the public eye.
Two security staff know little about the Australian, saying they is no extra crowd management planned tonight.
"Because it is midweek not many people stay out after work," one says. "It'd be different if it was Friday or the weekend. The finals weekend, whoever is playing, will packed."
Image source, BBC Sport
Postpublished at 08:01 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Kvitova v Barty
I mean. HOW cute?
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'There is nothing better'published at 08:00 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Barty v Kvitova
Ashleigh Barty will bid to become the first female Australian singles semi-finalist for 35 years today.
The two met just a few weeks ago in the final of the Sydney Open and Kvitova came out on top in a defeat which Barty described as 'agonising.'
"It is exciting that I have another chance at Petra straightaway," said Barty.
"It is another challenge and an opportunity for me to play my best tennis. I lost an agonising final before, so I can come out and play freely."
Image source, EPA
Postpublished at 07:58 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Mike Dickson
Daily Mail tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
It's been a remarkable rise for Stefanos Tsitsipas. This is the second consecutive year that winner of the NextGen finals has gone on to reach the semi-finals here. It's been a rapid rise but not an overnight thing. Tsitsipas has racked up some good wins on the way.
Radio coverage on BBCpublished at 07:56 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Kvitova v Barty
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
Commentary of this match between Petra Kvitova and Ashleigh Barty can be found on Radio 5 live sports extra and it will be following by commentary of Frances Tiafoe v Rafael Nadal.
Postpublished at 07:53 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Mike Dickson
Daily Mail tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
The Australian Open is, as ever, delivering a really interesting tournament, which has been the case in the last five or six years. It always seems to produce more drama. The conditions change a lot in a match and that adds quite an interesting dynamic to it.
Rewind 10 dayspublished at 07:52 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Kvitova v Barty
Image source, Getty Images
It's only 10 days since Petra Kvitova and Ashleigh Barty last played each other and it couldn't have been much tighter on that occasion.
Kvitova prevailed in the Sydney International final, winning 1-6 7-5 7-6 (7-3). The Czech also leads the head to head 3-0.
After that final, Kvitova apologised to Barty: “Not to win at home, I’m sorry. You know, one day you’re going to make it for sure.”
Maybe today?
Postpublished at 07:50 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Mike Dickson
Daily Mail tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
Barty and Kvitova - whoever wins that one is going to have a match on their hands against Collins.
What's happened this morning?published at 07:49 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Collins 2-6 7-5 6-1 Pavlyuchenkova
And Danielle Collins has just backed up her stunning win over Angelique Kerber by reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final.
Last year, she fell in the third round of qualifying.
This year, she'll face either Petra Kvitova or Ashleigh Barty for a place in the final. Amazing.
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What's happened this morning?published at 07:47 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Stefanos Tsitsipas backed up his victory over Roger Federer by becoming the youngest man to reach a Slam semi-final since 2007.
Tsitsipas came past 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-2) and will face either Rafa Nadal or Frances Tiafoe next.
And, of course, he gave a cracking on-court interview afterwards.
"It is nice to have my family here. It is great to have them in the box supporting and feeling as close to home as possible," Tsitsipas said.
"My little sister Elizabeth is my mascot. My agent Nick has been doing a lot of top jobs. My brother is behind,. my fitness coach, my physio - the handsome man with the sunglasses, then my father and mother."
Image source, Getty Images
Morning!published at 07:45 Greenwich Mean Time 22 January 2019
Welcome to day nine (nine!) of the Australian Open.
We're kicking off our live coverage with Petra Kvitova taking on Ashleigh Barty, before Rafael Nadal faces Frances Tiafoe.
Ready?
Image source, Getty Images