As the 2021 Australian Open reaches its latter stages, we take a look back at what has happened so far in the first Grand slam of the year.
In the absence of record winner and 20 time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, world number 1, Novak Djokovic and world number two, Rafael Nadal are clear favourites to emerge as winners in the men’s category, while in the women’s category, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep all look like they can win the tournament. As with all Grand slam tournaments, there have been a couple of shocks so far.
Novak Djokovic, the men’s top seed has had to navigate his way past France’s Jeremy Chardy in straight sets in the first round, before defeating America’s Frances Tiafoe in four sets in the second round.
He also defeated another American, Taylor Fritz in the third round after losing a two set lead before going on to win in the fifth set. He struggled with an abdominal muscle strain in the fourth round before eventually overcoming Canada’s world number 14, Milos Raonic in four sets to earn a quarterfinal spot.
Rafael Nadal is yet to drop a set in this year’s Australian Open as he seeks to overhaul Roger Federer’s and his joint record of 20 grand slam titles. He defeated Laslo Dere in straight sets in the first round, Michael Mmoh in the second round, also in straight sets, and then Cameron Norrie in straight sets as well in the third round. In the fourth round, he defeated Italy’s Fabio Fognini to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Home favourite, Nick Kyrgios navigated his way past Frederico Ferreira Silva in the first round in straight sets, before defeating Ugo Humbert in five sets. He eventually got knocked out in the third round by world number three, Dominic Thiem. Thiem has also been eliminated by Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov following his struggles with fatigue and injury. Germany’s Alexander Zverev is also in the quarterfinals, having dropped only one set all tournament.
In the women’s category, World number 1, Ashleigh Barty who’s from Australia will be looking to win the first Grand slam by an Australian in over 10 years. She is yet to drop a set as she has navigated her way through the tournament up to the Quarterfinals. Serena Williams, ranked 10th has put up some battling performances to reach the last 8 of the tournament as she looks to win her 24th grand slam crown. World number 3, Naomi Osaka has already scaled through her own quarterfinal hurdle after defeating Hsieh Su-Wei to qualify for the semifinals. Romania’s world number two, Simona Halep has also forced her way into the last 8.
The Quarterfinal fixtures;
Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev; Rafael Nadal vs Kostas Tsitsipas; Andrey Rublev vs Daniil Mercedes; Aslan Karatsev* vs Grigor Dimitrov. World number 114 Karatsev has already made his way into the semifinals after defeating Grigor Dimitrov.
You can bet on the Serena Williams vs Simona Halep game today; Naomi Osaka* vs Hsieh Su-Wei; Ashleigh Barty vs Karolina Muchova; Jessica Pegula vs Jennifer Brady. Osaka is through to the Semi-Finals after she defeated Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei in straight sets.