Australian Open 2025: Raducanu v Swiatek, De Minaur and Sinner to come – live

Iga Swiatek serves first and holds to love. Emma Raducanu took some time to get going in her second round clash with her good friend Amanda Anisimova, but there will be little time to waste against the second seed.

Emma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek have completed their warm-ups on Rod Laver Arena and we’re about to get under way. But hang on, the second seed is have a word to the match official and seems to be concerned about a lack of towels. Well, I guess that sets the tone for what should be a heated clash in steamy conditions.

There is plenty of action on the court to keep us entertained but it can be easy to forget the impact that tennis can have on families in the present day, let alone across generations.

Ruaridh Nicoll has a beautiful tale to tell about his grandmother Esna Boyd’s induction into Australia’s tennis hall of fame and learning more about the trailblazer that inspired women across the world. The words are well worth your time, but the old images will take you back to another age.

It’s been an odd experience. Esna died in 1966 so has always been an ethereal presence – a long-skirted woman with Princess Leia buns in an ageing photograph who my mother would chide me with when asking why I was so terrible at sport.

Alex Michelsen and Karen Khachanov (19) can’t be separated early with both holding serve so far. Khachanov is tossing the balls in the air now while the American leads the first set 4-3.

Jack Draper will face Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16 after his trio of five-set victories have shaken off any doubts around his fitness and physicality. Tumaini Carayol spoke to the British No 1 after his latest five-setter finished just before 1am local time.

I still have a long way to go, but this is a huge drive forward, the fact that I’ve come through three five-set matches, mentally and physically, it doesn’t happen often. That’s a testament to the work I’ve done and the place I’m in. So very, very proud of that.

In another piece of clever scheduling – the organisers are on a bit of a roll in nailing their late-night match-ups – Jack Draper pulled off another five-set triumph against a local hope. Aleksandar Vukic would have gained plenty of new fans as the late bloomer pushed the 15th seed all the way across three hours, 58 minutes, before a heartbreaking 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (8) defeat.

I left it all out there. Jack’s an incredible competitor who I have a lot of respect for. Unfortunately, one of us had to win.

A quick catch up the women’s singles on day six when defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka, was challenged by Clara Tauson before eventually coming away unscathed with a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory.

But there was heartbreak for comeback queen and two-time champion Naomi Osaka retired during the third-round match against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic after dropping the first set in a tie-break.

Emma Raducanu is yet to beat Iga Swiatek, or even take a set from the world No 2, in their previous three meetings. But she can take some solace from only one of those matches being played on hard-court when the Brit was at least somewhat competitive in defeat back in 2023.

Tumaini Carayol is at Melbourne Park and spoke to Raducanu about what has gone wrong in her past clashes with Swiatek, and how she can turn it around this time.

I really relish [big occasions]. I love the big ­stadiums, the big matches. It’s something that I just really enjoy doing. And it’s so nice to also just go a round further than I did in the last three years that I played here. Australia is somewhere where I really like playing. I like the conditions, I like the crowd and the support here has been amazing, with a lot of union jacks in the crowd as well, which is great. It’s a match that I’m looking forward to.

The first match of note this morning is about to start on John Cain Arena where Alex Michelsen is facing 19th seed Karen Khachanov (19).

The big-serving American is searching for another big scalp after beating 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the opening round, while also hoping to reach the fourth round in a grand slam for the first time. It could be the first of many for the 20-year-old.

Khachanov will be no pushover and he enjoys the hardcourts of Melbourne Park, reaching at least the third round here for seven consecutive years including a run to the last four in 2023.

The winner could be meeting a certain Alex de Minaur in the round of 16, though Francisco Cerundolo might have something to say about that.

Now for the weather. The sun is belting down at Melbourne Park with temperatures already at 22 degrees and expected to hit a high of 29. Ideal conditions for a cracking day of tennis.

Preamble

Martin Pegan