Australian Open 2019 Results, Day 8: Men's and women's Singles round-up
The fourth round of matches of the men's and women's singles of the Australian Open 2019 concluded today at the courts of Melbourne Park.
Without further ado, let's round up all the action which took place today.
There was plenty of drama the court during the epic five-set encounter between Kei Nishikori and Pablo Carreno Busta. It was the Japanese who came out on top once again after being two sets to love down. This was also the second time he won the final set tie-break in the tournament. The Spaniard was leading 8-5 in the fifth set tie-break before a controversial call by the umpire and line judge cost him a point.
This led to Nishikori making a comeback and eventually winning the tie-break 10-8. Carreno Busta was in a rage after the match and threw his bag onto the court before storming off and giving a mouthful to the chair umpire. He did apologise later, in the press conference. The scoreline of the match was 7-6(8), 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-4, 7-6[10-8]
Nishikori will now take on World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals on January 23. Djokovic overcame a stiff challenge from Russian youngster Daniil Medvedev. The Russian even took a set off Djokovic and looked threatening in the third but the Serb proved to be too good, winning the match in 4 sets: 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3.
On the other hand, World no. 4 Alexander Zverev's poor form in Grand Slams continued as he was thrashed by 16th seed Canadian Milos Raonic in straight sets. Zverev's game was riddled with errors and double faults as Raonic won 6-1, 6-1, 7-6(5). He will now take on Lucas Pouille in the quarters.
Pouille defeated 11th seed Borna Coric in four sets. The scoreline of the match was 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(2) in favour of the Frenchman.
Moving on the women's half, Serena Williams was tested for the first time in the tournament by the world no. 1 Simona Halep. After cruising through the first set, Williams lost the second set 6-4. However, she came back strong in the third set to win the match. The scoreline was 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in favour of Serena. She will now take on Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday in the quarters.
Pliskova won her match against two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza with ease. She dropped just four games, winning the match 6-3, 6-1.
Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina and Naomi Osaka won their respective encounters against Madison Keys and Anastasija Sevastova in three sets each. Osaka and Svitolina will take on each other in the quarters on Wednesday.
The men's and women's bottom half will play their quarter-final matches tomorrow. Leander Paes, alongside partner Sam Stosur, will play their mixed doubles encounter tomorrow as well.