1340: That's me done and dusted too. Piers Newbery will be back to take you through the early part of that action, and I'll see you very soon. Bye for now.
1335: The first of the quarter-finals will be fought out on day nine (that's Tuesday to you). Quite a line-up too: Andrea Petkovic versus Li Na, followed by the all-Swiss clash between Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer, then Caroline Wozniacki against Francesca Schiavone. Just one match in the night session, which sees Tomas Berdych play Novak Djokovic. You can watch that one on the red button and this website (in the UK) and listen on 5 live sports extra.
1325: Right then, that's day eight done and dusted. A good days's work for Andy Murray too,
he thumped Jurgen Melzer and will play Alexandr Dolgopolov next after the Russian's shock win over fourth seed Robin Soderling.
From Will in London, via text: "Re Rio Ferdinand. Brilliant defender though he is, a tennis commentator he is not. I feel your job Chris, is safe."
I wonder what Rio is like at tennis though? Apparently Gazza and Chris Waddle are quite handy. Although not as good as Stanley Matthews Jr.
1312: Kim Clijsters is all smiles as she talks to Sam Smith on her way off court: "I don't play too many left-handers so I had to have a different mind-set - her returns were tougher to read," says the 2004 Australian Open finalist. "She is a tricky player and it was a good match."
Judy Murray on 5 live sports extra: "There was no way Kim was ever going to lose that match. She got better and better towards the end of the second set."
CLIJSTERS WINSClijsters beats Makarova 7-6 (7 -3) 6-2 Not Kim's greatest performance ever but she has done enough. On her first match-point, Clijsters puts away a backhand and turns to celebrate. Job done.
Makarova 6-7 (7-3) 2-5 *Clijsters It just past midnight at Melbourne Park, and I don't think this match is going to last much longer. At 0-30, Makarova sees a backhand drift long, bringing up three more break-points for Kim. She saves one but then fluffs her next backhand too. Clijsters will serve for a place in the last eight next, where Agnieszka Radwanska is waiting.
*Makarova 6-7 (7-3) 2-4 Clijsters Makarova needs to find a way past the Clijsters serve, and quickly, but it isn't happening here. She plonks a limp forehand in the net and Kim has another hold. Victory is in sight for the third seed now.
Makarova 6-7 (7-3) 2-3 *Clijsters This has been an error-strewn match by both women, with Clijsters making a lot more mistakes than you would expect her to. Makarova is hardly Miss Consistency either, but her serve is still ticking over. "I wouldn't be surprised if Kim is carrying some sort of injury," says Judy Murray on 5 live sports extra. "She just seems to lose her focus too sometimes but I am still backing her to go on and win."
*Makarova 6-7 (7-3) 1-3 Clijsters Makarova's biggest weapon is undoubtedly her forehand but she cannot make it count every time. It helps her battle to deuce but Kim takes control after that, rattling off a couple of big groundstrokes herself to hold. The Belgian shakes a fist in celebration, because that was a big game.
Makarova 6-7 (7-3) 1-2 *Clijsters Right then, another break point for Clijsters - that's her 11th, and she has only taken one of them up until now, in the very first game. She doesn't waste her chance this time, though, wrapping up the break courtesy of a generous net-cord. She has the edge in this second set, although she needs to pop a painkilling pill at the changeover. Work to do for Makarova now.
*Makarova 6-7 (7-3) 1-1 Clijsters The errors just keep on coming but they are mostly from Makarova this time. Clijsters is just about the more composed of the two, but this match is still in the balance.
Makarova 6-7 (7-3) 1-0 *Clijsters Oh dear. Where do I start? Makarova cannot find a first serve for love nor money and she is all over the place - the same way she started the first set too actually. The Russian is 0-40 down and on a self-destruct mission by the looks of things. But Clijsters gets there first, swinging her racquet at a succession of backhands that fly miles wide or into the net. Mistakes aplenty and Makarova, somehow, holds.
Judy Murray on 5 live sports extra: "Clijsters had to use all her experience there. Makarova put real pressure on her at times and hopefully she can build on that to make the rest of this match a contest."
FIRST SET
*Makarova 6-7 (7-3) Clijsters
A poor backhand by Makarova strengthens Clijsters' lead and, although she wastefully nets a drive volley, the Russian then flops another backhand into the net. That brings up two set points and Kim only needs one of them, with a crosscourt backhand proving just the job. She's had to work hard for it, but the third seed has the first set in the bag after 56 minutes.
Makarova 6-6 (2-4) Clijsters Sparkling stuff from Kim, with a winner on the run to respond after she dropped serve on the first point. Another whipped forehand puts her on top, too, before a drive volley (have I mentioned that is my favourite shot?) makes it 3-1. Makarova replies by trying to turn up the power but instead she makes a mistake and slams a forehand wide. Clijsters sends her next forehand long but she is still a mini-break up at the changeover in this tie-break.
Makarova 6-6 Clijsters Makarova starts by smashing down an ace but she is in big trouble when she follows up a double-fault with a wild forehand. That's two set points for Clijsters, but two big serves by Makarova dig her out of a hole. Kim has another chance on deuce but only finds the net with what should be a forehand put-away from midcourt. Another clever serve down the middle from Makarova means it is tie-break time.
*Makarova 5-6 Clijsters A first double fault of the day from Clijsters but her serve is soon back on song. Makarova goes for some big shots from the back of the court but is off target each time.
Makarova 5-5 *Clijsters Clijsters smacks a sizzling forehand away for a winner, so it's just a shame she is 40-0 down at the time. After a long rally on the next point, the Belgian tries to repeat the trick... but can only find the tramlines. The first set continues.
*Makarova 4-5 Clijsters A real chance for Makarova at 30-all but she is wild with a backhand at a crucial time and the chance is gone. She will serve to stay in the first set next.
Makarova 4-4 *Clijsters So, "serves are on top now" are they? Who wrote that? Some idiot, I expect. Makarova has to save two break points from 15-40 but is back in trouble when Clijsters wrong-foots her. Again Makarova escapes - she sensibly spends a few seconds steadying herself before every serve - and, despite a double-fault, she eventually sees out what was a marathon game. "That was clever play by Makarova," says Judy Murray on 5 live sports extra. "She won the points when she needed them, with a lot of good first serves to the Clijsters forehand on the deuce court."
*Makarova 3-4 Clijsters Serves are on top now, after that flurry of early breaks. No problems for Clijsters, and no more sponsor's patches for Makarova - her sleeves are full. You want more info? Kenny Rogers is back in his seat, or so I'm told.
Makarova 3-3 *Clijsters Makarova serving like a train now, and that forehand is in full effect too. In answer to a couple of texts, she had to change her dress just before the match because of a problem with a logo (too big, I think) and her new one didn't have any on it at all - hence them being attached while this match is going on (during changeovers, not points, obviously).
*Makarova 2-3 Clijsters Right, Kim's time to be under a bit of pressure, trailing 15-30 and still serving pretty shakily. She comes through, though, helped by an ace. These two look well-matched so far. I was wrong about Makarova at the last change-over, by the way, she was actually having a logo attached NOT removed. It just happened again too.
Makarova 2-2 *Clijsters Clijsters can become world number one if she reaches, and wins, the final here and Caroline Wozniacki fails to reach the last four. First things first, though, the third seed needs to get through this match. Despite Makarova looking like "a fish out of water at the net", as Judy Murray describes her on 5 live sports extra, she is causing plenty of problems from the baseline and her serve is settling down now too. Her first hold means we are all-square in the first set.
*Makarova 1-2 Clijsters That's more like it from Makarova, who starts to show off her thumping forehand for the first time. Clijsters cannot get a first serve in at the moment and Makarova makes the most of it, attacking her second delivery with venom each time. It works. The Russian has the break-back and her biggest problem now is that sponsor's logo - she has it covered up at the changeover.
Makarova 0-2 *Clijsters Clijsters takes the first two points on the Makarova serve too, thanks to some sloppy play by the world number 49, and she cannot live with Clijsters at the moment. Makarova does get her first point on the board but then a big forehand cross-court winner gives the Belgian an early break. "Makarova needs to start putting a few balls back to find her rythym," says Judy Murray on 5 live sports extra. "Kim is dictating things totally so far.
*Makarova 0-1 Clijsters A solid start by Kim, who backs up some big serves with some solid groundstrokes. Makarova looks a bit nervy to me and she is yet to win a point.
* denotes NEXT to serve 1138: She's back. Clijsters to serve first...
1137: Looks like Ekaterina Makarov has been asked to change her outfit. She's left the court to do it, before you ask. I think there was a problem with a sponsor's logo.
Jimbo_g on Twitter: "If Clijsters wins, there'll be 8 different nationalities in the last 8 of the women's singles."
1126: Still one more match to come for our enjoyment on Rod Laver - Kim Clijsters against Ekaterina Makarova is a matter of minutes away.
1123: We already had an all-Swiss match-up in the men's quarter-final (Fed v Wawrinka) and now we've got an all Spanish one too. Nadal will play his friend David Ferrer next, after Ferrer
beat Milos Raonic earlier on today. "David is playing fantastic," says Rafa. "He won a difficult match and I congratulate him."
1121: I've got some bad news for the rest of the men left in the Australian Open, because Rafael Nadal is over the virus that has affected him in his previous matches in Melbourne: "I am not sweating so much tonight," Nadal tells Jim with a smile. "Today was the first time I felt perfect physically and that was the important thing."
1117: Rafa Nadal leads the applause for Marin Cilic as he leaves the court, then brings screams from the ladies on the Rod Laver Arena when he takes off his top (again). He needs a fresh shirt to face Jim Courier in the post-match interview I think.
NADAL WINS*Nadal 6-2 6-4 5-3 Cilic Cilic slams a backhand into the top of the net... bringing up three match points for Nadal. He saves one with an ace, and another when Nadal goes long with a forehand. The third? A double-fault. It's all over, and some performance by the top seed too.
Nadal 6-2 6-4 5-3 *Cilic A third double fault of the day is not the ideal way for Rafa to start this game but that is as good as it gets for Cilic, who just cannot live with the Spaniard's power-play. "The closer Nadal gets to the finish line, the more aggressive he gets," says Jeremy Bates on 5 live sports extra. Rafa's pretty close now - just one game away from the Australian Open quarter finals.
harrymoh_14 on Twitter: "Nadal playing some good shots but Cilic not playing clever shots, too many drop shots which Nadal likes."
*Nadal 6-2 6-4 4-3 Cilic A massive escape for Cilic at 15-30 when he makes a hash of a serve-volley and leaves Nadal an easy put-away - instead the top seed's forehand clips the top of the net and loops out. It's only a brief respite, though, because Cilic finds out he has double-faulted after a successful Nadal challenge... then flops a backhand into the net. He's still not happy about that Hawkeye decision but he might not be on court for that much longer to try to get it out of his system.
Nadal 6-2 6-4 3-3 *Cilic At 30-all, it is the Nadal serve that is suddenly looking a bit shaky but he sends a big un out wide to settle his nerves. Cilic promptly sends a backhand into the tramlines on the next point and we are all-square again in this third set. "Cilic is looking very weary," says Jeremy Bates on 5 live sports extra. Close-up shots of Marin are not doing him any favours to be honest - he looks absolutely exhausted.
*Nadal 6-2 6-4 2-3 Cilic Hmmm. A double-fault is the last thing Cilic needs now, and he looks like he is running out of steam as well as ideas. Hang on, though, he is not finished quite yet. A sizzling forehand winner at 15-40 gives him hope, as does a rare Nadal error on the next point. Suddenly Marin has got a bit of a spring back in his step - his serve is firing on all cylinders again too - and he goes on to hold.
Nadal 6-2 6-4 2-2 *Cilic No such problems for Nadal, who rattles through his service game to love in double-quick time. Pressure back on Cilic then...
From Don in London via text: "Chris, I liked your original spelling. Presumably a 'juggernaught' will stop at nothing?"
*Nadal 6-2 6-4 1-2 Cilic A corking rally at 30-all sees Rafa scamper from left to right, and back again, before the Croat finally finishes him off. He holds and we are still on serve in this third set, but Cilic is having to work incredibly hard just to keep Nadal at arm's length. "Because Cilic knows Rafa will chase down everything down, it puts him under lots of pressure," says Jeremy Bates on 5 live sports extra.
Nadal 6-2 6-4 1-1 *Cilic Cilic keeps going for his shots from the back of the court but Nadal is still not giving much away on serve. Well, very little in fact. Where does Cilic go from here? Maybe he could try coming into the net more. "Marin needs to start taking some risks," says Jeremy Bates on 5 live sports extra.
Nadal 6-2 6-4 1-1 *Cilic Cilic keeps going for his shots from the back of the court but Nadal is still not giving much away on serve. Well, very little in fact. Where does Cilic go from here? Maybe he could try coming into the net more. "Marin needs to start taking some risks," says Jeremy Bates on 5 live sports extra.
*Nadal 6-2 6-4 0-1 Cilic Nadal is now only a set away from a quarter-final clash with fellow Spaniard David Ferrer. He has never lost a Grand Slam match after taking the first two sets, so can Cilic make history here? He will have to hold serve first... and does. Cilic has played pretty well today, but 'pretty well' is not good enough against Nadal I'm afraid.
BBC Sport's Jonathan Overend on 5 live sports extra: "I cannot see any way back into this match for Cilic now."
SECOND SET
Nadal 6-2 6-4 *Cilic I've said before that attack is the best form of defence for Cilic, and he almost proves it here - he has no choice really. Nadal gets a spot of luck at 15-30 when a net-cord gives him an easy put-away but Cilic isn't done yet, and comes in to force a break-back point with a neat forehand. That's as good as it gets for the Croat, though. After a couple more deuces, and a couple more Cilic errors, Nadal skips with joy - that's the second set in the bag. Note to self, learn how to spell 'juggernaut'.
*Nadal 6-2 5-4 Cilic I've said before that attack is the best form of defence for Cilic, and he goes for it here - he has no choice really. But Nadal gets a spot of luck at 15-30 when a net-cord gives him an easy put-away. Cil
*Nadal 6-2 5-4 Cilic The crowd have gone very quiet on Rod Laver Arena, maybe because they sense Nadal is crushing the life out of this contest. Still, there is life in Cilic yet - he holds comfortably, although I'm not sure Nadal was too bothered - he will serve for the set next.
Nadal 6-2 5-3 *Cilic Credit to Cilic, he is doing his best to break Rafa down, but the world number one is like a juggernaut on the other side of the net. He serves solidly and is now just one game away from the second set.
From anon via text: "Rafa looks exhausted, but is still producing some amazing shots. Rafa to win it in four and Murray to beat him in the semis."
*Nadal 6-2 4-3 Cilic Um, I'm going to run out of superlatives to describe the Nadal forehand if I'm not careful. He keeps finding the corners with some sizzling shots and soon has two break-points at 15-40. Cilic claws his way back to deuce but is soon in trouble again when Nadal comes in to put away a volley after a peach of a point from both men. This time, Cilic fires a forehand long and Nadal has his first break of the second set. Top stuff from the top seed.
Nadal 6-2 3-3 *Cilic Nadal is still attacking everything that moves (well, just the ball actually but you know what I mean) and mixes in an ace with two absolute pearlers of forehands, one of which was a half-volley winner into the corner. He holds to love. Ferocious.
From Charlotte in Denmark, via text: "Here's hoping Nadal is really scowling after a semi-final defeat by Murray. Should be a good match up the way they're both playing. Assuming they both win their matches in the meantime of course."
*Nadal 6-2 2-3 Cilic Cilic has taken Nadal by surprise a couple of times already by charging into the net off his serve, and does it three times in a row to recover from 30-40 here. Not such a surprise, then, but definitely a tactic that works for the Croat.
Nadal 6-2 2-2 *Cilic It's not easy to hit a clean winner against Nadal, such is his speed around the court, but Cilic does exactly that not once but twice - finding the opposite corners with a booming backhand and a stinging forehand. That takes him to 15-30 but Nadal responds in kind, with a huge inside-out forehand winner. Still a sniff of a break for Cilic but a sloppy groundstroke hands the world number one the initiative and another big forehand sees him through. "Cilic will be kicking himself for that error at 30-all because he was putting Nadal under a lot of pressure from the back of the court in that game," says Jeremy Bates on 5 live sports extra.
*Nadal 6-2 1-2 Cilic Cilic has had to work hard for most of his service games thus far, but not this time. He holds to love.
Nadal 6-2 1-1 *Cilic Rafa may not be smiling much (he has got a virus Hannah!), but he is still rolling along quite nicely. A second ace of the day helps him hold too.
hannahplusone on Twitter: "Nadal looks like he woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning. his scowl gets worse and worse with each match..."
*Nadal 6-2 0-1 Cilic Cilic kicks off the second set with an ace but he is still full of errors and another backhand into the net leaves him at 30-all. The Croat needs to pull his socks up a bit, and does exactly that with two big serves that help him get on the board straight away.
FIRST SET
Nadal 6-2 *Cilic You just can't leave anything short for Nadal, because he will gobble it up. Cilic has got a forehand on him too, though, spanking a glorious winner into the corner - I love the way he sometimes leaps into shots. No stopping Rafa as he serves for this set, though (er, apart from a double fault on his first set point) and he wraps it up when Cilic puts a backhand into the net.
*Nadal 5-2 Cilic Some cracking rallies from the baseline so far in this match and Cilic is still giving as good as he gets, even if he is receiving scant reward. Still, a couple of aces help him hold here, which is a start I suppose.
Nadal 5-1 *Cilic Nadal said before this match that he is still suffering from a virus, but it doesn't seem to be affecting him too much. In fact, I want what he has on this evidence because he is still covering every inch of this court. Cilic has another sniff at 30-all and deuce (again) but he is mixing some super shots with some basic errors and his inconsistency is holding him back. "The score doesn't reflect the balance of the match," says Jonathan Overend on 5 live sports extra. "Cilic is not playing badly - he is just playing Superman."
*Nadal 4-1 Cilic Ouch! I don't know how he managed it, but Nadal just smashed himself in his hand with his racquet as he swung a forehand. No wonder he grimaced, because that must have hurt. He's a brave boy, though, and carries on. Cilic is wobbling again at 30-all and deuce and finds himself in big trouble when Rafa somehow runs down a delicate drop-shot and puts away an angled winner. That was pretty special. Cilic saves break-point once and then twice... but gives Rafa a third bite of the cherry and, after making a mess of a forehand volley, he finds himself two breaks down in this first set. "That is devastating for Cilic," says Jeremy Bates on 5 live sports extra. "He has had his chances but when it really matters Rafa has won the points."
Nadal 3-1 *Cilic Much better by Cilic, who has opened up a bit now. He unleashes a couple of big backhands and forces a mistake out of Nadal on the same flank. That brings up a break-back point, which the world number one saves with a terrific inside-out forehand which lands plum on the line. Still, Cilic continues to go for things - big time - and Nadal has to work hard at the back of the court to hold after four more deuces. He does, eventually, but this match is definitely livening up.
the_hardman on Twitter: "I fully expect Cilic to give Nadal a good match here. He could even beat him."
Cilic definitely seems to have settled down now. Attack is the best form of defence for him...
*Nadal 2-1 Cilic At 30-all, Cilic is rocking again but he produces his best shot of the match to come in and put away a forehand volley, then seals his first game of the night with a an ace, that swings out wide. "That winner was the confidence boost Cilic needed," says Jeremy Bates on 5 live sports extra. "And it will be a big relief for him to get on the scoreboard too."
Nadal 2-0 *Cilic Nadal is already into his stride by the looks of things, firing some fierce forehands down Cilic's throat and overpowering the 22-year-old. An easy hold.
*Nadal 1-0 Cilic Nadal's vibration dampener pops out of his strings on the first point as he returns into the tramlines - I have blamed at least one defeat on losing mine before now. Anyway, I digress. A nice bit of serve-volley gets Cilic to 40-0 but then it all goes pear-shaped for the Croat who makes a series of mistakes as the world number one gets back to deuce. Nadal then gives his first fist-pump of the day as he comes out on top in a nifty exchange of lobs and, when Cilic sends a forehand long on the next point, the Spaniard has his first break of the day too.
* denotes NEXT to serve 0844: Here we go. Marin Cilic to serve first.
0841: Right, the players are out and warming up. Nadal is wearing a bright pink shirt, while Cilic's looks like it has faded a bit. One too many washes, I expect.
0838: Nadal has dropped only 14 games in his three matches at Melbourne Park so far, but wildcard Bernard Tomic did give him something to think about in the last round, especially in the second set when the young Australian hope raced into a 4-0 lead. Rafa will be hoping for a rather easier ride today.
0835: Quite an intriguing match-up, this one. At 6ft 6in, 15th seed Cilic serves out of a tree and he beat Nadal in their only previous meeting, in Beijing in 2009. Can he stop the 'Rafa Slam'? We are about to find out...
0832: Marin Cilic is pacing around in the bowels of the Rod Laver Arena looking pretty nervous as he waits for Rafael Nadal... who has just emerged from his dressing room.
0825: Day eight is a long way from being over, but the schedule for
day nine is already out. We are approaching the business end of the Aussie Open now, and all these matches look pretty tasty. First up is Andrea 'can't stop me dancing' Petkovic against Li Na, followed by the all-Swiss clash between Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki versus Francesca Schiavone, which might last a while. The night session sees Tomas Berdych play Novak Djokovic.
0817: And, while we are waiting for the action to start, here are your instructions on how to get involved: I know you have already manually refreshed this page (do it now!) so you know who are talking to. The next step is to get in touch. Use
Twitter (via hashtag #BBCAussieOpen ) or send a text message to
81111 (UK) with TENNIS before your message. If you need a question answering, or want to give me some personal abuse/praise then feel free to
Tweet me at www.twitter.com/chrisbevan_bbc 0809: Yep, like Will Ferrell before him (at the 2009 US Open I think?) Connolly was Murray's guest in the players' box on Rod Laver Arena earlier today. So I fully expect Jimmy Carr to turn up for his next match against Alexandr Dologopolov. Well, Carr is everywhere else right now isn't he?
0651: On that touching, if bizarre, bombshell (a reference, I think, to the Djokovic family's magnificent t-shirts at the US Open), I'm going to wrap it up here for a while. We'll be back at 0800 GMT ahead of the late session, which will be live on the Red Button, 5 live & online for UK users from
0830 GMT. First up is
Nadal v Cilic, followed by
Clijsters v Makarova. Do not fall asleep in the meantime.
818pm on Twitter: "Piers: Hey, you remembered the 2004 French finalists! Which is why I'd still wear a t-shirt with your face & an eagle on it."
0643: And there it is. Seventh seed
David Ferrer beats Milos Raonic 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-4 on Hisense Arena to reach the quarter-finals, where he will meet Nadal or Cilic. A huge cheer from the man from Javea and the end of a great run from 20-year-old Raonic, who we will be hearing a lot more from in the future.
0638: Oh yeah, my memory isn't what it was. Ferrer is about to serve for the match against Raonic, with a possible semi-final against Nadal on the line.
Oli via text: "Come on guys... it was 2008 Aus Open- Djokovic vs. Tsonga!"
jjjlee1988 on Twitter: "Whoa, I wake up and Rob-Sod's been "destroyed" (Rafa's words) by Dolgopolov? One less challenge for Murray, but still... Wow."
0626: Off the top of my head I'm thinking Gaudio v Coria, French Open 2004? Might well be wrong but I refuse to check. Ferrer is a couple of games way from finishing off Raonic.
Owen, Edinburgh, via text: "When was the last time neither Federer nor Nadal made a GS final. I'm not suggesting anything, just curious."
0622: An amazing turnaround is complete as 12th seed
Agnieszka Radwanska breaks serve to beat Shuai Peng 7-5 3-6 7-5, having saved two match points a couple of games earlier. It takes the Pole through to the quarter-finals for the second time, where she will play Kim Clijsters or Ekaterina Makarova. A fine effort from a player in her first tournament back after surgery on a right foot stress fracture at the end of last year.
0612: It's all happening out on MCA. Well everything except a result. Peng gets to match point twice, and twice 12th seed Radwanska turns up the aggression. The Pole eventually breaks and it's 5-5 in the third. Lots of shouts of "Polska, Polska!" around the stands. Ferrer has a break at 2-1 in the fourth against Raonic and looks like he's nearly there.
0606: Robin Soderling on his shock defeat by Alexandr Dolgopolov - "He's a great player. He has a really good backhand and he's moving well. He's defending very well. He's a great counter puncher. But mostly I had tough times with myself."
0600: Ferrer makes Raonic pay for a poor service game by serving out the set to lead
4-6 6-2 6-3, while Peng is about to serve for the match on Hisense.
0550: On a steamingly hot Hisense Arena, Ferrer looks like he's just getting going and this will be a huge test for the untried Raonic. The Canadian is on serve though and dead level at one set all, 3-3.
0544: It's tough going out on Margaret Court Arena as 12th seed Radwanska appears to be edging towards a repeat of her 2008 run to the quarters a with a 3-1 lead in the final set, only for Peng to break back. The Pole, who saw her racquet head fly off when playing a shot the other day, attempts to replicate that moment by smacking her current weapon against her chair. Not happy.
xenon21 on Twitter: "Yeah! Great stuff from Andy as Murray Meltz meltzer! Bring on Dolgo!!! Andy for the title!"
0526: My first glimpse of 6ft 5ins Canadian 20-year-old Milos Raonic sees him drop serve, which judging by seventh seed David Ferrer's reaction is not entirely typical. The Spaniard is a tough man to keep down though and breaks twice in succession to level at one set all. Over on Margaret Court Arena, Peng has forced a decider against Radwanska.
mike_willis_uk on Twitter: "Dolgopolov has shown he's got some class but I'll be pretty embarrassed for Murray if he doesn't make the semi finals now."
From Azzy via text: "I tipped Novak Djokovic to win earlier but Andy Murray is making great progress. He looks relaxed and it's great to see him smile & enjoying his tennis."
0510: Right, that was a pretty good way to start the week, no? Plenty more reaction from the man himself and, hopefully, you over the next few hours as we build up to the Aussie night session which will start with
Nadal v Marin Cilic at 0830 GMT. The TV, online streaming and 5 live coverage takes a break until then but by crikey we do not.
Luke from Bristol via text: "In bed watching murray on the laptop. Got a business studies A Level exam tomorrow but andy always comes first."
Murray 6-3 6-1 6-1 Melzer A brilliant, brilliant performance. Murray hits his 29th winner to get to 40-0 and three match points... and sends his 13th ace down the 'T'. "I'm just trying to think of a better match I've seen him play in a Grand Slam," says
John Lloyd on BBC Two. "That was outstanding, phenomenal."
* Murray 6-3 6-1 5-1 Melzer Melzer slips to 15-40 and breaks a string. When it rains, it pours. He shuffles like a grumpy teenager over to get a replacement racquet before facing
two break points... and Murray hits a spectacular winner on the second. Einfach.
stuart75 on Twitter: "Murray only a few games away from facing his toughest opponent so far - Jim Courier."
Murray 6-3 6-1 4-1 Melzer * Murray is quite literally on fire, Brian. His 12th ace of the day whistles down and it's another quick hold.
* Murray 6-3 6-1 3-1 Melzer Murray looks ready to go for the kill at 0-30 - in truth, Melzer half looks as though he wants to be put out of his misery - but the Austrian claws his way back to 30-30 before missing a pass with Murray all over the net.
Break point... and Melzer hits about 19 forehands that cannot get past Murray before he inevitably sticks one long. that could be that.
Murray 6-3 6-1 2-1 Melzer * "Hmmmmm," I say quite loudly as Murray leans into a backhand and slams it down the line for a hold to 15.
0438: A quick scoot around the other main draw singles matches - huge-serving Canadian
Milos Raonic leads seventh seed David Ferrer 4-3 with a break, and
Agnieszka Radwanska has taken the first set 7-5 against Shuai Peng. As you were.
* Murray 6-3 6-1 1-1 Melzer Just when Melzer looks like getting an easy hold at last, 40-0 quickly becomes 40-30 after one blistering backhand return from Murray. The Briton then goes long though, and Melzer is off the mark.
Murray 6-3 6-1 1-0 Melzer * Not surprisingly, the adrenaline level drops momentarily for Murray at the start of the third set and, in the rather flat atmosphere, his game goes walkabout. It doesn't last long though and from 15-40 and facing
two break points, Murray steps up the power again and powers through the next four points, the last two being aces. Hugely impressive stuff from the Briton so far.
* denotes NEXT to serve * Murray 6-3 6-1 Melzer In another scene reminiscent of my teenage years on park courts, Melzer double faults for 15-40 to offer up
two set points and then thwacks a forehand long almost as he makes his way to the chair in a huff. He has: "Don't want to play any more!" written all over him.
Murray 6-3 5-1 Melzer * This is starting to feel like a virtual creche. It's certainly child's play for Murr..... forget that. Murray holds with ease and poor old Jurgen looks ready to throw a wobbler.
Andy from Reading via text: "Sat with my 10 week old little girl waiting for her to go back sleep watching the scores come in. Between this and ashes not sure what to do when they finish may have to start getting my wife up instead!"
Paula, Wokingham, via text: "Feeding my 4 month old baby whilst reading the updates....who needs sleep! Could this be the year of the Murray Mint?"
* Murray 6-3 4-1 Melzer Murray continues to dominate the Melzer serve and has chances for the double break at 15-40 and
two break points... but a good forehand and a smash make it deuce. The Austrian then has his man on the run but nets a backhand with the open court gaping, and his poor old racquet gets the treatment. I hope he's got another one, many a match in my youth ended early because I had just the one.
Break point number three... and Murray looks to have won it until Hawkeye helps out Melzer by overruling the line judge, and Murray gives a sarcastic thumbs up to the offending official as he looked to be in charge of the point. Murray takes it out on the next point with a brilliantly constructed rally finished off at the net.
Break point number four.... and he grabs the double break with a backhand return. Superb stuff.
Murray 6-3 3-1 Melzer * A nice solid hold to 15 from Murray and Melzer looks a bit bemused as to what he should be doing right now.
Name withheld for health reasons via text: "I'm wishing my wife had given birth, I'm only up because of the snoring from my pregnant wife."
dionwing on Twitter: "Do you think (Anon) waiting for his partner to give birthday didn't give his name for legal reasons - i.e divorce!"
* Murray 6-3 2-1 Melzer All that pre-match chat from Melzer about how he would be dictating the play seems a bit rash now as he stares morosely to his box on the way back to the baseline after a couple of Murray backhands flash past him. A thumping forehand gets the world number five to
break point... but Melzer hits a fizzing forehand down the line that Hawkeye gives the thumbs-up to. If it has thumbs. The Austrian holds but he's under constant pressure on serve now.
Murray 6-3 2-0 Melzer * Probably best that the last texter remains anonymous. Just as in the first set, it appears that Murray is going to hand an early break back with a loose service game. He blazes a backhand wide to fall to 0-40 and faces
three break points... but a Murray winner, a Melzer error and an ace make it deuce, and a
fourth break point is saved before the Scot finally grabs what could be a crucial hold.
From anon via text: "Thanks for the updates, I'm sat in hospital getting this on my phone whilst my partners giving birth!"
* Murray 6-3 1-0 Melzer Murray has made noises about being more aggressive in 2011 and he's definitely been ratcheting up the power off his forehand side, which proves too much for Melzer at 15-30.
Two break points.... Murray misses by a whisker with a backhand pass down the line, but then whips another heavy forehand into the corner on the second.
0351: And second seed
Vera Zvonareva has beaten Iveta Benesova 6-4 6-1 to set up a quarter-final against Petra Kvitova.
0350: "I've been surprised that Melzer hasn't been more attacking and served and volleyed more, but it's a tribute to how good Murray has been from the back of the court," says
Jeremy Bates on 5 live. Murray 6-3 Melzer * Melzer has a sniff at 0-15 and with a second serve to attack, but he smacks a forehand well wide. It's an edgy game and Murray has a great chance at 15-15 but goes the wrong way, and Melzer is waiting to fire a winner cross-court for 15-30. Ace from Murray, 30-30. Melzer then rips a forehand winner from the centre of the court and it's
break point.... a big serve gets Murray to deuce. Melzer goes for another heavy forehand and it's called long... Hawkeye confirms it.
Set point... and Melzer misses with a return. Fist pump from Murray and that's 37 minutes well spent.
Izzy in Edinburgh via text: "A first set to andy would be a very nice reward for dragging myself out of bed at 2am... and a win in 3 sets even more so!"
* Murray 5-3 Melzer Melzer holds to 30 despite a couple of great returns from Murray and the Briton will have to serve it out. He will do so in bright sunshine, turned out nice again in Melbourne. Zvonareva is powering towards the quarter-finals, leading Benesova a set and 5-1 on Hisense.
Murray 5-2 Melzer * Murray holds to love and things are suddenly looking rather straightforward for the British number one. There, I said it.
* Murray 4-2 Melzer Melzer 'does a Soderling', which is good news for Murray. The Austrian plays a poor game to slip to 0-40 and on the first
break point he wallops a mid-court forehand into the net.
0333: Before I forget, British junior
Jenifer Ren has beaten Aussie Kassandra Dunser 6-4 6-3 in the first round of the girls' singles. Hurrah!
Murray 3-2 Melzer * Some aggressive hitting from Melzer has Murray in trouble at 0-30 and he's scrambling in the next point, but that's what the Briton does best and he gets out of trouble with a running forehand. But at 30-30, Melzer plays a wonderful drop shot for
break point... and takes it with a drive volley. So far, Melzer's pre-match prediction that he would dictate the play is proving to be correct.
Gav in Blackburn via text: "After watching the ashes and all of murrays matches i think im suffering from jet lag without moving from the sofa, come on andy."
* Murray 3-1 Melzer A terrific smash and spectacular backhand pass take Melzer to 30-0, but he is then forced into a volley error and nets a forehand for 30-30. An attacking backhand return from Murray then brings up
break point.... but Melzer guides a precise backhand into the corner before giving Murray the old moody stare. He's not staring seconds later when a drive-volley comes whistling back past him from the Scot and it's
break point two... a floated return drops just inside the Melzer baseline and two strokes later the Austrian goes long.
Murray 2-1 Melzer * The rallies are already fairly punishing and fitness will be tested over the next couple of hours. That shouldn't be a problem for Murray though, and after his edgy first game the Briton smacks down another ace for a love hold. Billy Connolly looks on from his fellow Scot's player box.
* Murray 1-1 Melzer A solid start from Melzer as he holds to 15, despite an ill-judged drop shot. My colleague, Mark Ashenden, has just given me a yoghurt-based-biscuit. I'm not sure my life will ever be the same again.
Emma from glasgow via text: "Hopefully if andy murray plays the way he's being playing and stays focused then it should be a straight win for him."
Matt from Plymouth via text: "I'm taking tomorrow off and watching Murray win I hope!!! Done revising so heavy night tonight ending with tennis :) love tennis."
Murray 1-0 Melzer * A double fault and a poor drop shot are not exactly the start Murray was after, but Melzer messes up an attempted forehand pass and then wallops a return long for 30-30. A long rally follows before Melzer hooks a forehand wide and Murray seals the game with an ace.
* denotes NEXT to serve 0310: Murray to serve....
0302: It might not get the attention it deserves for a while, but second seed Zvonareva is a break down at 4-3 against Benesova. And British junior Ren leads Dunser by a set and 4-2. Murray wins the toss and says, "I'll defer." "Very strange," is how John Lloyd describes that, correctly.
0259: Another manual refresh of this page will give UK users access to
5 live commentary, which is about to kick in as we await the players on Rod Laver Arena. Melzer is wearing all green on his way to the court, Murray is wearing white and... green. What is it with the green?
0253: Next up - Andy Murray v Jurgen Melzer.
Melzer has a bold view of what will happen in tonight's match: "I'm going to be the one dictating what's going to happen. If I keep my unforced errors low, push him around, get my winners, I think I have a chance to beat him." Fair enough.
Murray counters with: "He's very unpredictable. He played his best last year. He takes a lot of chances, but he can also make mistakes too. He plays high-risk tennis. I've played him quite a lot and he's definitely improved. He's started to understand his game better." Fifteen all.
0251: Dolgopolov - "I was really struggling to get into the match, he has such a hard ball and I was serving really bad, but I was playing well from the baseline and that got me back into the game."
0248: Pow! A searing backhand cross-court pass brings up
match point for Dolgopolov.... but Soderling saves it with a service winner. The Dolgo backhand slice does more damage though and sets up
match point number two.... but the Ukrainian gets his feet in the wrong place and puts a backhand return in the net when stretching out wide.
Match point number three... and Soderling saves it with a big serve, big backhand combo. Dolgopolov smacks a forehand return down the line and it's
match point number four.... and Soderling nets a forehand!
Alexandr Dolgopolov beats Robin Soderling 1-6 6-3 1-6 6-4 6-2.
0241: A magnificent backhand pick-up off his toes helps
Dolgopolov to another superb hold and a major shock is looming as he leads
5-2 in the fifth. "Soderling's got to keep the ball in play and give him the chance to get nervous," says John Lloyd on
BBC Two. From Tom, Manchester, via text: "I was worried about Murray facing Soderling. But if he's playing like this he'll have no problem. Neglecting coursework to watch this. Can't wait for Murray's match!"
From jamie, stratford, via text: "Having to stay at work all night as we're having the floor sandblasted, watching murray sandblast his way into the next round should make it easier."
0235: Amazing stuff! A forlorn Soderling slumps to 15-40 with some poor serving and
Dolgopolov then plays a brilliant rally of mixed up slice and topspin to force the error and break. He holds to love and it's
4-1 - can the world number 46 hold his nerve?
0228: "NNsdgfgoerghodfgcnmlvmp!!!!!!" screams Soderling in pure Viking after he plays an absolute shocker of a service game to hand the break back to love in about 30 seconds, and
Dolgopolov holds for
2-1 in the fifth.
0224: A big moment on Laver as Dolgopolov, now wearing a white t-shirt, makes a couple of errors and Soderling fires a brilliant backhand down the line for break point, which he takes with some heavy forehands. Dolgo bounces his racquet in frustration as that was a sloppy game.
0218: Don't forget to give us your name if you text in, it's good to know who you are. If only for legal reasons.
Soderling serves it out and we're going to a fifth on Rod Laver Arena, which is excellent for the match as it's been a good one, but not so good for those of you staying up for
Murray v Melzer. Maybe half an hour?
From anon via text: "Thanks to those pictures I was almost put off my 2am snack. Did appreciate the apology from the commentary team tho. C'mon dopolopolopolv! Nice 4 set win then onto murray. Good night ahead."
0211: Petra Kvitova defeats Flavia Pennetta 3-6 6-3 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals, where she will face the winner of the next match on Hisense Arena between Iveta Benesova and Vera Zvonareva.
0208: Dolgopolov gets one of the breaks back and trails
4-3 in the fourth, meanwhile British teenager Jennifer Ren is serving for the first set against Australian Kassandra Dunser in the girls' singles out on Court Six.
0201: OK, Mr TV director, we really don't need any more close-ups of Rob's blisters, thanks.
0158: In the adrenaline-pumping excitement of having to shift various things around with the arrival of moving pictures, I have missed the fact that
Soderling has raced into a
4-1 lead and almost guaranteed a fifth set, and
Kvitova was broken but then broke back for
4-3 in the decider. Big Rob now has the trainer on to attend to his feet, lucky fella. Dolgo is legging it to the loo having got permission from the umpire, as if they've just pulled into a service station but dad is only stopping for petrol.
0151: A quick check on
BBC Two tells me that everyone appears to be dead in
Pulp Fiction, so it's time for some tennis! It should be magically appearing at the top of the page should you wish to continue staring at this type of screen.
0147: A third
Soderling double fault of the day hands Dolgopolov a chance to break back but the Swede just about hangs on in the face of three break points to lead
2-0 in the fourth. And
Kvitova breaks to love for a
3-2 lead in the final set against Pennetta.
0141: Soderling changes from black to luminous yellow shirt, comes out firing and gets the break at the start of the fourth, prompting an enormous fist pump from the Swede. We could be going long here, but
BBC Two and online coverage starts in nine minutes for those in the UK, so stay strong.
From anon via text: "Uh oh. Thinking I might actually get some sleep, I foolishly log onto here to see Murray will soon be live. Once again the "sport in Australia vs . health" debate rears its ugly, yet glorious, head."
0135: If Soderling had wheels they would have well and truly have come off. It would also be a bit weird.
Dolgopolov breaks to love to secure the third set and lead 1-6 6-3 6-1. Quite incredible. I wonder what Murray's thinking...
0131: As
Dolgopolov gets better, so Soderling disintegrates. Two woeful forehands see him slip to 0-40 and Dolgo takes his second break point with a massive forehand winner, the backdraft of which almost knocks Big Rob over. It's now
4-1 in the third with the double break. "Let's go, Robin, let's go..." chant the Swedish fans but their man has his head under a towel, presumably still muttering away.
Kvitova levels at one set all against Pennetta.
0126: Dolgopolovomania is breaking out in Melbourne as he breaks serve and then recovers from 15-30 to move
3-1 ahead in the third, and he's playing quite brilliantly at the moment, the serve kicking to look especially venomous.
0123: I'm starting to worry about Caroline. Anyway,
Kvitova finally gets a break and we could be heading for a third as she leads Pennetta
3-6 4-2 in the second.
0118: That's more like it from Soderling, a wonderful wrong-footing backhand behind
Dolgopolov, but the Ukrainian responds with a winner of his own off that side and holds for
1-1 in the third.
Kvitova leads Pennetta
3-2 on serve in the second.
0115: Soderling is looking very shaky all of a sudden, muttering to himself constantly and looking a bit short of breath after seeing off a break point in a nine-minute game at the start of the third set.
0111: Kvitova saves a break point to move ahead in the second set
3-6 2-1. Interestingly, the 20-year-old Czech is the only player remaining in the draw who is over six foot tall. I say interestingly...
0105: Unexpected and impressive, like my brother's Christmas present to me this year (a jacket, he got it cheap online) -
Dolgopolov saves a break point and then hits an ace on set point to take it
6-3 and level up at one set all.
0100: Good points, well made. We often get someone relatively unexpected making a run in Melbourne - Tsonga, Baghdatis, Gonzalez - and this year it looks like Wawrinka, I'm just not convinced that Stan will have the nerve to beat Federer.
sh263 on Twitter "When Djoko won (2008), Tsonga beat Nadal. I think Murray will need some help as I can't see him winning Federer and Nadal."
From Azzy via text: "I fancy Novak Djokovic to win it this year he seems to have upped his game since Serbia's Davis Cup success and the Australian crowd love him."
0055: Well I never.
Dolgopolov cracks a couple of beauties off the forehand and finds himself at 0-40, prompting Soderling to smack himself on the head a couple of times. It doesn't help, as Big Rob then double faults and from 2-0 up he now trails the Ukrainian
4-2. And
Pennetta takes the first set against Kvitova
6-3.
0047: Soderling gets himself a break at the start of the second but then surprisingly gives it back for 2-2, sliding a pretty poor drop shot just wide after two fine Dolgopolov winners. The crowd give the Ukrainian a hearty cheer. Lovely stuff.
0043: So how does everyone see things shaping up so far? Nadal seems a little under the weather while Soderling and Murray have looked impressive in the top half, and Djokovic has made quietly impressive progress on the other side while Federer must take on the in-form Wawrinka. And I've yet to see him, but I hear Raonic is pretty formidable. Kim Clijsters has looked unstoppable in the women's but Li Na could spring a surprise for me,
having done so in Sydney only last week. So who's going to win it, eh?
0037: Over on Hisense,
Pennetta is still a break to the good at
4-2. Kvitova is undefeated this year, having won the title in Brisbane, but she's struggling so far.
0032: Another break takes
Soderling further ahead and the Swede serves it out
6-1 with an ace after just 21 minutes. We could be seeing Murray & Melzer sooner than expected....
Gallacticos87 on Twitter "Very excited to be watching Andy live tonight. I reckon he could do with a stern test though, five sets please!"
0026: New coach Claudio Pistolesi looks on from the stands as his man
Soderling moves 4-1 ahead. Maybe the camera caught him at a bad moment but he had a touch of the Avram Grant's about him, which could darken my mood very quickly.
Pennetta has gone 2-0 up on Kvitova, the 28-year-old attempting to join Francesca Schiavone and so make it two Italians in the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time in the Open era. We need an Italian flag...
From James, Liverpool, via text: "The plan is working! I slept throughout the day so I could stay up to watch Andy Murray and go to work at 8:30am!!"
0021: We've got a few British juniors in action today and I'll attempt to keep you up to date with them. Jennifer Ren has a singles first round match, while George Morgan and Kyle Edmund are in doubles action. Morgan is seeded number one alongside Croatia's Mate Pavic. That's mainly because of George though, I'm sure.
0016: A cheeky backhand slice down the line takes Soderling to 0-30 and Dolgopolov then double faults for 0-40. The Ukrainian saves one break point with an ace but then hoiks a forehand well wide and that's a very nervous break given up -
Soderling leads 2-0. Pennetta has taken the opening game against Kvitova on Hisense.
0011: Thwack... thump, thwack... thump.... "Time." That's the knock-up done with and Dolgopolov has chosen to receive, so Soderling has the honour....
0006: Plenty of chat to come on Raonic, I'm sure, but first things first - Soderling v Dolgopolov. The Swede has been hoovering up ranking points over the last week after a first-round exit last year and, having kicked off this year with a title in Brisbane, has yet to lose so much as a set in 2011. Dolgopolov might not be fresh-out-of-the-box at 22 years old but he is a man on the move after climbing from 131 to 49 in the rankings last year and is enjoying his best Grand Slam run on his Australian Open debut. My money is very much on Big Rob, although he has had a strangely poor time in Melbourne before, failing to make any impact in six previous attempts.
From Sean, Bolton, via text: "hey piers, can we hear it for a certain mister raonic? 152 in the world and in the last sixteen against ferrer, and potentially nadal after that. Always got to love the underdog (but not melzer)."
0001: Soderling and Dolgopolov are making their way towards the court, Dolgo bravely decked out in green from head to toe. There's a fairly sparse crowd on Laver right now but presumably it will fill up, and plenty of Swedes appear to have made it. The weather forecasts have suggested a fairly ropey day to come in Melbourne but for now it seems bright enough and the roof is open.
2357: First up tonight on Rod Laver Arena is the increasingly Grand-Slam-threatening figure of fourth seed Robin Soderling against up-and-coming Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov, before Murray and Melzer take centre stage. At the same time on Hisense Arena, Petra Kvitova will take on Flavia Pennetta before second seed Vera Zvonareva plays Iveta Benesova, and the action there rounds off with huge-serving Canadian Milos Raonic and seventh seed David Ferrer. In the far off distance when, history suggests, I will be sound asleep,
Rafael Nadal v Maric Cilic will be live on the Red Button, online & 5 live from 0830 GMT before
Kim Clijsters v Ekaterina Makarova. Quick snooze/work, then we can do it all again.
2353: You can tell Murray's big time now because he has celebrities actually in his players' box. That could well be overshadowed during the night session, though, as none other than Kenny 'The Gambler' Rogers will be on site. Great beard.
2348: I've only been away for three nights and in that time there's been a revolution. Apparently, if you want to get in touch via
Twitter you have to use something called a 'hashtag' -
#BBCAussieOpen - unless you have a specific enquiry for me (the mind boggles), in which case go for
@piersnewbery. Alternatively, just send a text to
81111 (UK) with TENNIS before your message.
2345: Evening all. I'm so excited I've started 15 minutes early. It's (almost) the second week and that's when Grand Slams get serious, so what better way to prepare for a Monday morning than by extending your Sunday into the early hours? We'll have live coverage of
Andy Murray v Jurgen Melzer on BBC Two, this website and 5 live from 0150 GMT. Even if it hasn't started.
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