Tsitsipas' run in 2019 saw him become the first Greek player to reach a Grand Slam semi-final - and Melbourne was the perfect place to do it.

The Australian city is said to have the biggest Greek population outside of the homeland and thousands descended on Melbourne Park two years ago to cheer on their new tennis god.

No wonder Tsitsipas jokes this his "home Slam".

"The Greek community here is very welcoming. They're always there to give us a big hug, welcome us, just host us," says the 22-year-old from Athens.

"That's what makes me so excited coming back here. I know that I have a second home that I can rely on."

But with fans still not allowed into Melbourne Park, scenes like these from 2019 will be missing from today's rematch...

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The first episode of this Spanish-Greek drama at Melbourne Park ended in heartbreak for the younger protagonist.

Two years ago, Nadal was in scintillating form as he ruthlessly ended Tsitsipas' captivating run to the semi-finals.

Tsitsipas, then 20, reached the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time, but was slapped down by Nadal in a 6-2 6-4 6-0 win.

"He has this talent that no other player has. He makes you play bad. I would call that a talent," rued a forlorn Tsitsipas afterwards.

Two years later, plus with a win over Nadal on the Madrid clay in the memory bank to call on, it seems unlikely Tsitsipas will face another such one-sided defeat. Won't it?

Novak Djokovic claims a "majority" of players do not want to continue with the tennis season if it means strict quarantines before tournaments.

Players had to complete 14 days of quarantine on arrival in order for the Australian Open to go ahead.

Djokovic believes it has been responsible for a number of injuries in Melbourne.

"This definitely is not good for players in terms of their wellbeing," said the 33-year-old Serb.

Six players have retired injured from matches at the opening Grand Slam of the year, with Italian ninth seed Matteo Berrettini pulling out of his fourth-round match on Monday without taking to the court.

Djokovic has been among several players struggling with an abdominal injury, a problem which led to British women's number one Johanna Konta retiring from her first-round match.

Spain's Rafael Nadal saw his preparations disrupted by a back injury, , externalwhile Britain's Heather Watson and Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov suffered leg and back spasms.

Watson was among the 72 players who could not leave their rooms for 14 days after being put into a 'hard quarantine' in Melbourne.

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Russia's Daniil Medvedev awaits the winner of this one, after he beat compatriot Andrey Rublev to reach the semi-finals at the Australian Open for the first time.

The fourth seed outlasted Rublev 7-5 6-3 6-2 as his eighth-ranked opponent struggled in the 29C temperatures at Melbourne Park.

Medvedev has won all 11 of his matches against top 10 players since the US Open in September 2020 and the ATP Finals champion goes into the semi-finals on a 19-match unbeaten streak.

"It was one of the best matches I've played lately" Medvedev said. "This match is really unbelievable."

Medvedev, who called for the trainer after the match as he struggled with cramp in his left thigh, lost to Nadal in a thrilling five-set US Open final in 2019 but holds a 5-1 winning record over Greek Tsitsipas. He also beat Nadal in the last four of the ATP Finals in October.

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Karolina Muchova fought back to stun world number one Ashleigh Barty at the Australian Open and reach her maiden Grand Slam semi-final.

The Czech 25th seed struggled with dizziness in the Melbourne Park heat but refocused after a medical time-out to beat the home favourite 1-6 6-3 6-2.

Barty led by a set and a break but was unable to stop Muchova's comeback.

Muchova will play American Jennifer Brady, who beat compatriot Jessica Pegula 4-6 6-2 6-1, for a place in the final.

"It was very tough and I was a bit lost on the court and my head was spinning so I took a break," the Muchova said.

"It helped me. I tried to get back, played a bit faster rallies so we don't play the long ones as in the first set and it worked well."

Great news for the remainder of the Australian Open - fans will be allowed back into Melbourne Park tomorrow after the city's lockdown comes to an end tonight.

“We look forward to welcoming fans back to the Australian Open for the next four days and to finishing the event safely and on a high,” said tournament director Craig Tiley.

“The crowd will be capped at 7,477 for each session, which is approximately 50% capacity.

“Last week we had our first real experience of live sport with fans in the stands and the atmosphere was electric. The players appreciated the opportunity to compete in front of crowds for the first time in almost a year, and many spoke about how emotional it was to connect with fans again.

“The COVIDSafe measures we had in place will continue, and we’ve opened up the zones so everyone can access the full site and enjoy both Grand Slam Oval and Garden Square.

“We are all looking forward to an incredible four days of tennis and can’t wait to see everyone back at the AO.”

Yes, it's world number two and 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal against fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on Rod Laver Arena.

Can the Spaniard continue his charge towards a 21st major title? Or is the 22-year-old Greek ready to emerge from the shadows of the men's 'big three'?!

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Morning...

Show us a grin if you're excited for the last of the men's quarter-finals.

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