Australian Open 2025 has officially entered the business end.
The Elite 8 across the men's and women's ranks have the silverware showdown in sight. Here are the key storylines Down Under…
The likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff continue to impress in the women's singles draw at Melbourne Park.
Australian Open 2025 has officially entered the business end.
The Elite 8 across the men's and women's ranks have the silverware showdown in sight. Here are the key storylines Down Under…
The tennis world is spoilt with this Box Office bout so early as a quarter-final. The all-conquering Novak Djokovic, the 10-time Australian Open champion, will face the smiling assassin Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday evening.
In terms of tale of the tape, 24-time major winner Djokovic edges their riveting rivalry at 4-3, landing the most recent blow 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in the Paris Olympics gold medal match on Court Philippe-Chatrier last season. However, Alcaraz did rule at Wimbledon with a mesmerising straight-sets triumph on Centre Court back in July.
In terms of recent form, Djokovic booked a record-equalling 15th Australian Open quarter-final ticket, fine-tuning with six from six sets over in-form Czech duo Tomas Machac and then Jiri Lehecka.
"I'm expecting a big battle, as it's the case in most of our matches where we faced each other," said the 37-year-old. "Remind me of my matchups versus (Rafael) Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court.
"He's very dynamic, explosive player. Incredibly talented. Charismatic player. Great to watch; not that great to play against.
"I look forward to it. I think when the draw was out, a lot of the people were looking forward to potential matchup in quarter-finals, Alcaraz versus me. So here we are."
Can't argue with that, this could become a modern-day classic.
From Alcaraz's perspective, he's barely been tested this fortnight, dictating play with his supreme versatility, bouncing around the court with that trademark smile. Should we take down Djokovic, the 21-year-old will be within reach of completing his Career Grand Slam.
No time to talk about that – it's tunnel vision for the Spaniard with Djokovic ahead.
"I'm trying not to think about that. If I think about everything he (Djokovic) has done in tennis, I couldn't play," explained the No.3 seed.
"I know my weapons. I know that I'm able to play a good tennis against him, I'm able to beat him. That's all I'm thinking when I'm facing him."
Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are demonstrating to their rivals why they are Grand Slam champions.
Sabalenka, on course for a blazing semi-final with Gauff, is yet to drop a set and glided into the Last Eight with an emphatic 6-1, 6-2 scoreboard with teenager Mirra Andreeva.
On Tuesday, the two-time defending champion will be on her guard to take on the resurgent Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The No.27 seed has shot-making and experience in abundance, having also reached the quarter-finals Down Under in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
"Too old but still here," joked Pavlyuchenkova with her signing of the broadcast camera, following a 7-6(0), 6-0 victory over Donna Vekic.
Gauff has been a bundle of joy at Melbourne Park, reflecting on her signature sneakers, Tiktok, her superhero inspired outfit, the American is in full flow. Make no mistake, the US Open 2023 champion means business and roared into title contention with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 table-turner against comeback mum Belinda Bencic.
“There’s still a lot to go for me to accomplish my goal, but I can say that I’m proud of myself and happy how I performed,” said Gauff, after earning a Last-Eight clash with No.11 seed Paula Badosa.
“It’s funny because I felt like not too long ago, maybe a couple of years ago, I had a really bad stat line when I lost the first set. I remember my dad was like ‘you’ve gotta get some fight in you’, so every time I lose the first set I kind of think about that and try to dig even deeper.
“I think just leave it out there on court."
Swiatek is back in the zone. The Pole has chalked up a 10th major quarter-final with devastating dominance. The five-time Grand Slam champion needed just 59 minutes to dismiss the joyful Lucky Loser Eva Lys. Just 11 games relinquished in four rounds, Swiatek is looking sharp.
“I usually didn’t feel comfortable at the Australian Open with my game, but this year it’s a bit better so I’m just enjoying being on the court and off the court, as well,” said the world No.2. “Hopefully it’s going to last even longer.”
Emma Navarro credits the Bee Gees' song 'Staying Alive' as the soundtrack for her gutsy AO2025 campaign. The American No.8 seed has been taken the distance in all four matches, including a 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 rollercoaster with Daria Kasatkina on Monday. Swiatek vs Navarro is going to be some tussle.
2015 and 2022 semi-finalist Madison Keys toppled No.6 seed Elena Rybakina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 to re-join the Elite 8, where the recent Adelaide International champion will head onto court with world No.27 Elina Svitolina holding a tight 3-2 head-to-head record.
The sweltering heat and humid conditions had defending champion Jannik Sinner in all sorts of bother on Monday. Like all the greats, the Italian dug in and dug in more to fend off Holger Rune 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
One point in the third set lasted a lung-bursting 58 seconds, had both gladiators hunched over gasping for air, it was that good.
In doing so, AO 2024 and US Open 2024 champion Sinner extended his hard court major winning run to 18 matches, which was last achieved my John McEnroe in 1981!
With an imposing 9-0 tally against Australian Alex de Minaur, Sinner is the hot favourite to progress to the semi-finals.
“It means the world," said the 'Demon' after overcoming Next Gen protégé Alex Michelsen 6-0, 7-6(5), 6-3 for a maiden quarter-final at his home Slam.
"The great thing about tennis is that once you step out on the court, you both start at 0-0, right? It's a whole new day, a whole new match, and anything can happen. Sports is unpredictable."
"That's exactly the mindset I'm going to have going into that (Sinner) match. Thats the matches I want to be playing. Ultimately, if there is anything, it's going to be my first match this whole tournament where I'm the underdog and don't have all the pressure and expectation. So, it's quite exciting, and I'm looking forward to that."
38-year-old Gael Monfils is still conjuring up magic for tennis fans, but a back injury halted his absorbing 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 7-6(2), 1-0 ret. contest with No.21 seed Ben Shelton.
“Gael is a guy that I’ve watched since a little kid. He has the greatest highlight tape of all time, and you saw some of that tonight,” said Shelton, who secured a Last Eight encounter facing Lorenzo Sonego.
“At 38 years old I hope I’m still walking without crutches. To push me the way that he did today and to entertain everyone in New Zealand and Australia the way he has in the last few weeks is so impressive."
Sonego launched 20 aces past American breakout teenager Learner Tien to earn his first major quarter-final spot.
No.2 seed Alexander Zverev is motoring on, navigating past Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. 2023 semi-finalist Tommy Paul awaits, who surrendered just three games against beleaguered marathon man Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.