Djokovic gets a step closer to 11th title while Sabalenka set to face Gauff: 2024 Australian Open Quarter-Final Roundup
The last two weeks have been full of surprises and awe-inspiring action in the world of tennis, thanks to the 2024 Australian Open. For the first time in the history of the Australian Open, all six top-ranked players in the men’s singles division managed to qualify for the quarter-final stage.
On the other side, the Women’s singles in the Australian Open witnessed the fall of the top ranks as Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina were eliminated in the third and the second round respectively. However, the defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka is still in the race for the silverware.
Men’s Singles
Jannik Sinner vs Andrey Rublev
Jannik Sinner, who defeated 15th-seed Karen Khachanov in the fourth round, faced Andrey Rublev in the quarter-final of the men’s singles. At the match card, the fixture was expected to be an Australian Open classic, however, Sinner impressively outplayed the likes of Rublev in straight sets at the Rod Laver Arena. Winning the match 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, Sinner is the only player in the men’s singles division yet to drop a set at the 2024 Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz
In the second Quarterfinal, Novak Djokovic faced 12th seed Taylor Fritz. The Serb won the first set 7-6 (7-3) after Fritz forced it into a tie-break. The American later made a comeback against the top seed in the second set (4-6).
Nevertheless, Fritz barely managed to keep a follow-up to Djokovic’s experience and athleticism in the remaining sets, eventually losing the game 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Novak Djokovic will be facing fourth seed Jannik Sinner in the semifinal.
Daniil Medvedev vs Hubert Hurkacz
The 2021 US Open Champion Daniil Medvedev squared off against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the last eight. As soon as the game started, both tennis players exhibited their intention of winning the fixture and reaching the semi-final. The first set was forced into a tie-break by Medvedev after Hurkacz lost his 5-4 lead. Nevertheless, the Pole was doing his best not to lose against the third seed.
However, after a battle that lasted 3 hours and 59 minutes, Daniil Medvedev advanced into his third Australian Open semifinal 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 with a drop shot. Before Hurkacz, only Emil Ruusuvuori made Medvedev play a five-setter, which happened in the second round.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev stunned the world of tennis after he defeated two-time Grand Slam champion, Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. He started that game dominantly by breaking Alcaraz on his serve and taking a 3-0 lead. The German tennis star followed similar heroics throughout the match as Alcaraz kept making under-pressure double faults.
After losing the two initial sets and trailing the third set 5-2, Alcaraz somehow managed to win the set on a 7-2 tiebreak. Zverev had to take a medical timeout due to a toe injury. It seemed like Alcaraz would complete an unforgettable comeback, however, in the end, Zverev walked out victorious, winning the last set 6-4.
Women’s Singles
Barbora Krejcikova vs Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka will face Coco Gauff in the semi-final
The defending champion of the women’s singles in the Australian Open, Aryna Sablenka swiftly advanced to the semi-final of the Hardcourt Major for the second consecutive time with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 victory over ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova. The Belarusian dominated the match on her serve by winning six service games, compared to Krejcikova’s three.
Marta Kostyuk vs Coco Gauff
Marta Kostyuk reached the quarter-final of a Grand Slam for the first time. However, despite challenging Coco Gauff to her maximum, she failed to find a spot in the last four in Melbourne.
Kostyuk and Guaff had a contest of nip and tuck, which included two tie breaks and numerous serve breaks. Nevertheless, the 2023 US Open Champion eventually prevailed as the winner 7-6(6), 6-7(3), 6-2. Gauff will play a replay of the 2023 US Open final in the semi-final against Sabalenka.
Linda Noskova vs Dayana Yastremska
Linda Noskova caused a stir at the Rod Laver Arena after she defeated World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the third round of the 2024 Australian Open. In the next match, Elina Svitolina failed to fight for a spot in the last eight against Noskova as she had to walk out due to an injury. However, Noskova’s fairytale run came to an end after Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska defeated Noskova in straight sets (6-4, 6-3).
Anna Kalinskaya vs Qinwen Zheng
Anna Kalinskaya, who was playing her first Grand Slam quarter-final, won the first set against Qinwen Zheng on a tiebreak. However, the young Chinese tennis star made a magnificent comeback in the second set (6-3).
In the third set, Kalinskaya sustained a hamstring injury which restricted her movement throughout the remaining game. Eventually, Qinwen Zheng won the match and she will play against Dayana Yastremska in the semi-final.
Men’s Doubles
Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni vs Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden
The second-seeded pair of Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden defeated the Argentine duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 6-4, 7-6 (5) at the Margaret Court Arena. After the win, India’s Rohan Bopanna achieved his highest doubles ranking as he became the world No. 1, tied on points with his partner, Matthew Ebden.
India’s Rohan Bopanna has become the World No. 1 in men’s doubles
Moreover, Bopanna became only the fourth Indian tennis player to reach the top ranking in doubles tennis after Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza. In addition to that, at the age of 43, he also become the oldest tennis player to reach the No. 1 ranking.
Ariel Behar and Adam Pavlasek vs Tomas Machac and Zhang Zhizhen
The pair of Tomas Machac and Zhang Zhizhen faced no troubles against Ariel Behar and Adam Pavlasek as they played a calculated match with only one double fault compared to the opposition’s seven. By winning eight service games and four break points, Machac and Zhizhen won the match 6-3, 6-1. They’ll be facing the second-seeded pair of Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden in the semi-final.
Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori vs Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz
At Show Court 2, the Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori got the better of European rivals, Germany’s Tim Putz and Kevin Krawietz 7-5, 6-4 in straight sets. In the semi-final, they’ll be facing another German pair of Yannick Hanfmann and Dominik Koepfer.
Yannick Hanfmann and Dominik Koepfer vs Jan Zielinski and Huge Nys
Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann and Dominik Koepfer, who defeated the fourth seed pair of Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers in the third round, have comfortably found a spot in the last four of the Men’s doubles event in the Australian Open 2024.
Women’s Doubles
Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe vs Cristina Busca and Alexandra Panova
Fourth seed pair of Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe stunned the Spanish duo of Cristina Busca and Alexandra Panova at the Margaret Court Arena to reach the semi-finals of the women’s doubles event at the 2024 Australian Open.
Kristina Mladenovic and Carolina Garcia vs Jelena Ostapenko and Lyudmyla Kichenok
It was not a good day for the French duo of Kristina Mladenovic and Carolina Garcia, as they suffered a harsh loss at the hands of Jelena Ostapenko and Lyudmyla Kichenok (7-6(2), 6-4) to secure a place in the last four of the women’s doubles event in Melbourne. Ostapenko and Kichenok will be facing Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe in the semi-final.
Laura Siegemund and Barbora Krejcikova vs Storm Hunter and Katerina Siniakova
Storm Hunter and Katerina Siniakova played a three-set thriller at the Margaret Court Arena against Laura Siegemund and Barbora Krejcikova, who were seeded fifth in the Australian Open. After losing the first set, they made a brilliant comeback to win the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Luisa Stefani and Demi Schuurs vs Hsieh Su-wei and Elise Mertens
The last quarter-final of the women’s doubles event was won by Hsieh Su-wei and Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-2 in straight sets. Su-Wei and Mertens will be facing Storm Hunter and Katerina Siniakova in the semi-final of the 2024 Australian Open.