Summary

  • Novak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 to reach semi-finals

  • Aryna Sabalenka survives huge scare to beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and reach semi-finals

  • Paula Badosa earlier stuns Coco Gauff in 'dream come true' moment

  • Alexander Zverev sees off Tommy Paul to reach last four

  1. Pavlyuchenkova holdspublished at 08:09 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    *Sabalenka 1-1 Pavlyuchenkova

    A clenched fist from Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova as flings a cross-court winner well beyond the reach of Aryna Sabalenka before slamming down an ace.

    Sabalenka plants the next return into the net. A very solid start for Pavlyuchenkova.

    Anastasia PavlyuchenkovaImage source, Getty Images
  2. Sabalenka holdspublished at 08:06 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Sabalenka 1-0 Pavlyuchenkova*

    A sign of things to come? Aryna Sabalenka rattles her way to a 40-0 lead as Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova struggles to absorb the Belarusian's powerful hitting.

    Another unreturnable first serve and there's the hold.

  3. Postpublished at 08:04 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    *Sabalenka 0-0 Pavlyuchenkova

    Away we go! Aryna Sabalenka serves first to continue her title defence...

  4. High stakes for Sabalenkapublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Sabalenka v Pavlyuchenkova

    There's more than just her title defence at stake today for Aryna Sabalenka.

    Lose to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Iga Swiatek will replace her as the new world number one.

    Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is congratulated by Iga Swiatek of PolandImage source, Getty Images
  5. Is age just a number for Pavlyuchenkova?published at 08:02 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Sabalenka v Pavlyuchenkova

    Anastasia PavlyuchenkovaImage source, Getty Images

    Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will be hoping to end Aryna Sabalenka's 18-game winning run at Melbourne Park in their clash on Rod Laver Arena.

    The Russian 27th seed, who is the oldest woman left in the draw, opted out of the women's doubles for only the second time since 2009 to focus on the women's singles.

    After cruising past injured Donna Vekic in the fourth round 7-6 (7-0) 6-0, the 33-year-old wrote on the camera lens: "Too old but still here!" - and she will be believing age is just a number against 26-year-old Sabalenka.

  6. Postpublished at 08:01 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Sabalenka v Pavlyuchenkova

    Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova holds a 2-1 lead over Aryna Sabalenka in their head-to-head, having beaten the current world number one 6-4 2-6 6-0 in their last meeting in the 2021 French Open third round.

  7. Which Sabalenka will show up?published at 07:58 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Sabalenka v Pavlyuchenkova

    Aryna Sabalenka reaction after scoring a point against Mirra AndreevaImage source, Getty Images

    Which Aryna Sabalenka will we see today?

    The world number one was back to her imperious best against teenager Mirra Andreeva on Saturday - needing just 62 minutes to wrap up a 6-1 6-2 win against the 14th seed.

    And while Sabalenka is yet to lose a set in Melbourne, she dropped her serve eight times in her previous two wins against Clara Tauson and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

    A win against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova would extend her winning run at the Australian Open to 19 matches.

  8. Postpublished at 07:56 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Sabalenka v Pavlyuchenkova

    Right, let's turn our attention to the first night session quarter-final.

    Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova are lining up in the tunnel and ready to take to Rod Laver Arena.

  9. 'Djokovic is playing like he used to play'published at 07:52 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Djokovic v Alcaraz

    Andrea Petkovic
    Former world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Three days ago, I would have said that Carlos Alcaraz would definitely have too much for Novak Djokovic, but then I saw him play against Tomas Machac.

    I've known Novak since we were 12 years old - we were both born in 1987 so we played lots of juniors together - and he hit two shots to make it 30-0 in the first game and I said courtside that he is playing like he used to play.

    I can just see it.

    It's the furrowing of his eyebrows. It's how he gazes when he opens his eyes and his eyes bulge out. It's the way he hits and redirects the ball.

    That's the one thing that makes me hesitate to say that he cannot beat Alcaraz. When he is doing these things, I have never seen another player control the court like he can.

  10. 'Djokovic labelled underdog feels odd'published at 07:48 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Djokovic v Alcaraz

    Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport in Melbourne

    Labelling Novak Djokovic as an underdog at the Australian Open feels counter-intuitive.

    After all, Djokovic is Melbourne's greatest men's champion after winning 10 titles. He has won 98 of his 107 matches here.

    But the 37-year-old Serb has a huge obstacle in his way to even make this year's semi-finals.

    Seventh seed Djokovic gives away age and ranking to 21-year-old Alcaraz, who is seeded third - but that is countered by his vast experience.

    Djokovic is playing in his 15th quarter-final at the AO. Alcaraz is playing his second.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:45 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    #bbctennis, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    As always we want to hear from you! Get in touch and let us know any of your thoughts about this year's Australian Open.

    Who are you backing today and why? Aryna Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova? Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic?

    Tell us using the details above.

  12. Postpublished at 07:42 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Djokovic v Alcaraz

    Before we turn our attention to Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, let's have a little look ahead to the last match on Rod Laver today.

    What a cracker this could be - Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz.

    Djokovic triumphed when the pair last played - in the Paris 2024 Olympics final - but Alcaraz has won their past two meetings at a Grand Slam tournament.

    But who comes out top in Melbourne tonight?

    Carlos Alcaraz and Novak DjokovicImage source, Getty Images
  13. GB's Hewett and Reid into wheelchair singles quarterspublished at 07:38 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Alfie Hewett of Great Britain plays a forehandImage source, Getty Images

    And there's been plenty of British success in the men's wheelchair singles today.

    Alfie Hewett, the second seed, moved past Stephane Houdet with a 6-4 6-2 win in the first round.

    And Gordon Reid claimed a hard-fought 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 victory against Belgium's Joachim Gerard.

    If the pair win their next matches, there will be an all-British semi-final clash.

  14. GB's Nicholls and Patten reach mixed doubles semi-finalpublished at 07:35 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Henry Patten and Olivia NichollsImage source, Getty Images

    There's no Britons left in the singles, but there is still hope in the doubles.

    Olivia Nicholls and Henry Patten have just reached the semi-finals of the mixed doubles after wrapping up a 50-minute 6-2 6-2 victory against Russian-American pair Irina Khromacheva and Jackson Withrow.

  15. Paolini on avoiding second season syndromepublished at 07:31 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Jasmine Paolini, BBC Sport columnist

    This year I have a different challenge ahead - defending lots of ranking points.

    I had the most success I've ever had last season, starting with winning the biggest WTA title of my career in Dubai, then going on to reach the French Open and Wimbledon finals.

    This meant I moved into the top 10 for the first time - and at the relatively late age of 28.

    I started last year ranked 29th in the world and I started this year in fourth.

    That brings a different type of pressure this season because I have to match those type of results - or better them - to stay so high.

    Losing in the third round of the Australian Open was not what I wanted, of course, but you have to accept tough defeats and move on quickly.

    Read Jasmine Paolini's full column.

  16. 'It's a feather!'published at 07:29 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Alexander Zverev of Germany protests to chair umpire Nacho ForcadellImage source, Getty Images

    Earlier today, Alexander Zverev continued his bid for an elusive first Grand Slam title with victory over Tommy Paul.

    The win was 27-year-old Zverev's seventh in a row and continues his unbeaten start to his season.

    The second seed won the first set on a tie-break before losing his cool at 4-2 in the second.

    With Zverev set to make a return, the umpire called "let" as a feather fell near the German.

    "It's a feather! There are millions of them on the court," an irritated Zverev said as he held up the feather to the umpire.

  17. 'A dream come true'published at 07:26 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Paula Badosa of Spain celebrates match point against Coco GauffImage source, Getty Images

    Just one year after fearing she would have to retire from tennis, Paula Badosa has made it into her first Grand Slam semi-final.

    Badosa was named the WTA's Comeback Player of the Year in 2024 after recovering from a stress fracture in her spine that saw her miss two of the four majors in 2023.

    "A year ago I was here with my back and I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport," 11th seed Badosa said after her win over Coco Gauff.

    "Now I'm here playing against the best in the world. I won today, I'm in the semi-finals.

    "I will never think that a year after I would be here. This is a dream come true."

  18. Postpublished at 07:22 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Paula Badosa could hardly believe it as she reached her maiden Grand Slam semi-final...

    Paula Badosa of Spain celebrates match point against Coco GauffImage source, Getty Images
    Paula Badosa of Spain reacts to defeating Coco Gauff of the United StatesImage source, Getty Images
    Paula Badosa of Spain celebrates match point against Coco GauffImage source, Getty Images
  19. What's happened so far today?published at 07:18 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Paula Badosa of Spain during her post-match interviewImage source, Getty Images

    Two matches down, two still to go on Rod Laver.

    Earlier, Paula Badosa stunned third seed Coco Gauff to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final - just one year after fearing she would have to retire from tennis.

    Badosa's comeback from a back injury continued in sensational fashion as she ended American Gauff's 13-match winning streak with a 7-5 6-4 victory.

    Alexander Zverev and Tommy Paul were up next, with second seed Zverev winning 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-0) 2-6 6-1 against the American.

    The German has not won in his two previous Australian Open semi-finals, and he will have to face either Novak DJokovic or Carlos Alcaraz next.

    Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates winning against Tommy Paul of the United StatesImage source, Getty Images
  20. Sinner suffers in heat during win over Runepublished at 07:15 Greenwich Mean Time 21 January

    Defending champion Jannik Sinner suffered with shakes during his win over Holger Rune to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.