Azarenka advances after another late finish at Melbourne Park
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka will meet American Jessica Pegula in an Australian Open quarter-final after another bleary-eyed, late-night finish at Melbourne Park.
Victoria Azarenka celebrates during her match against Lin Zhu which didn't finish until 2.17am (EDST). Photo: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA/AAP
The two-time Open champ advanced at 2.17am (EDST) after coming from a set back to defeat Chinese sensation Zhu Lin 4-6 6-1 6-4 in a match that lasted two hours and 40 minutes.
It came after Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas’s marathon battle with Italian Jannik Sinner that lasted four hours before Tsitsipas prevailed 6-4 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-3.
The late finishes at Melbourne Park have drawn criticism this week from Andy Murray for one who was kept up beyond 4am in his victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Earlier, American ace Pegula booked her third successive Australian Open quarter-final appearance after sweeping aside Barbora Krejcikova 7-5 6-2.
The highest-ranked player left in the draw following Sunday’s shock elimination of top seed Iga Swiatek, world No.3 Pegula is yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park.
Pegula, whose family owns NFL team the Buffalo Bills and also NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, is the last American left in the draw with Coco Gauff also making a surprise exit.
Meanwhile Australia’s Alex de Minaur says he won’t die wondering when he takes on Novak Djokovic tonight for a quarter-final berth.
The 23-year-old is ever respectful of the 21-time major winner, but certainly not fearful entering the fourth-round blockbuster on Rod Laver Arena.
Nor will de Minaur be dwelling on the fact Djokovic is managing a hamstring issue that has required medical treatment through his opening three matches this campaign.
“Look, I’m not going to read into too much of that injury,” de Minaur said.
“Ultimately he’s one of the best players in the world, and I’m just going to have to take it to him and not shy away from the occasion.
“I’m going to make sure to make it as tough as I can and just bring the recent experience I’ve had on court and how I’ve been feeling.
“Just ultimately it’s not shy away from the opportunity and the occasion. I mean, these are the matches I want.
“It’s going to be exciting. I will get fired up, get the crowd behind me, and I’ll definitely have a good time.”
Djokovic is unbeaten at Melbourne Park since a third-round loss in 2018.
-with AAP
