Australian Open 2024 LIVE updates: Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev v Alexander Zverev, results ...

It’s a strange feeling wanting to do the chainsaw watching someone I’d never heard of win a tennis match. But Rohan Bopanna did it for me, winning his way into an Australian Open doubles final, along the way clinching more than silverware.

Thanks to his quarter-final win with Aussie partner Matt Ebden, Bopanna became the oldest ever first-time world No. 1 in tennis. In March, he’ll be 44.

Fantastic story, particularly for any of us old enough to remember mixing an after-school glass of Tang to enjoy with Perfect Match while mum got the apricot chicken dinner on the go. In a world that values youth’s perfect skin and potential, it’s wonderful to see someone armed with a silver fox beard and zero knee cartilage be literally best in the world at something really hard.

The emotional and financial richness of middle age and the extra power it imbues, the freedom it gives you to take up cycling and caravans, is something we hear stacks about. But often its sounds just like so many old cobblers that life coaches or super funds are trying to sell. A bit like the con that all brides glow, or you’ll feel better after your first trimester.

It’s something else to see it in action, to see someone old enough to have children who can drive doing something unlikely and gutsy.

“You think sometimes the journey is done, and you don’t know what’s next,” Bopanna said at the Open. “The biggest aspect is mental strength – you have to believe it in yourself.”

Read the whole opinion piece by Kate Halfpenny here.

Today’s match against Italian Jannik Sinner will be the first time ever Novak Djokovic plays an Australian Open semi-final in the afternoon.

But Aussie legend Todd Woodbridge says there’s nothing unusual about that.

The Nine commentator explained that the world No. 1 had decided to start the tournament on Sunday, January 14, to allow for extended rest.

“That meant, by virtue of having his match played in the afternoon, two days off. This part of the draw has to play first,” Woodbridge said on Nine.

He added that today’s semi-final schedule was scripted long ago.

“It’s not [that] he’s getting shafted and put in the day. It goes back to the very beginning of the tournament when he decided it was best for him to go on the opening day, and he was going to go deep, and it gave him the best chance of recovery throughout the 15 days,” Woodbridge said.

Fair enough.

And luckily, for fans and players alike, no one will be battling any 30-degree Melbourne heat this time around, like they did in Djokovic’s quarter-final win over American Taylor Fritz on Tuesday.

Aussie Heath Davidson is up against it in the semi-final of the men’s quad wheelchair doubles.

Davidson and Canadian Robert Shaw went down 6-3 in the first set against British player Andy Lapthorne and American David Wagner.

The British-American pair are now leading the second set 1-0.

Davidson is a four-time Australian Open doubles champion, each time teaming up with Aussie legend Dylan Alcott.

Love him or hate him, he’s good for the sport.

At least, that’s what Aussie legend Todd Woodbridge thinks of Russian star Daniil Medvedev, up today against Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the men’s semi-final.

“Daniil’s a character, isn’t he? And he’s perfect for television… because you need a villain,” Woodbridge said on Channel Nine this morning.

“He plays the villain to the crowd, and then he’ll try and win them back. He’s done that at the US Open, he’s done that even here on Rod Laver Arena.”

Woodbridge added it’s a fine line to walk, but it makes him entertaining, along with his “quirky looking shots”.

“He’s important for the game,” he summed up.

Sounds a bit familiar to the opinion pages on Nick Kyrgios when he’s competing.

Watch the clip here:

The 10-time Open champion and world No.1 or the rising Italian star in red-hot form.

Who will come out on top and book their spot in the final on Sunday and who will be bow out early?

Djokovic has been pegged from the start as the favourite for the title, but could we have an upset on our hands today? Have your say below.

Jannik Sinner’s semi-finals preparations received an Australian touch when Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt’s son Cruz, who played in the junior champions this week, got a call-up from the Italian’s camp.

Hewitt had a hit with Sinner to help the world No.4 prepare for the semi-final meeting with 10-time Open champion Novak Djokovic.

That blockbuster will kick off later today, not before 2.30pm, on Rod Laver Arena.

Nick Kyrgios said you should expect the unexpected when it comes to tennis.

Yet, in saying that, he appears to be anticipating a Novak Djokovic v Alexander Zverev blockbuster men’s singles final on Sunday.

While commentating Zverev’s quarter-final win over world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz for Eurosport, the Australian star was enraptured by the German player.

“Alexander Zverev is playing some ridiculous tennis right now. If Zverev continues his serving [like this], he’ll be a tough, tough opponent for anyone else. And yes, I’m talking about you, Novak,” Kyrgios said.

“He’s a big match player, big match player.”

Zverev won 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4 to book his spot in today’s semi-final against the world No.3 Daniil Medvedev.

You can watch highlights of Kyrgios’ comments on Eurosport’s TikTok channel:

Who’s ready for a showdown?

The contenders for the women’s title have been decided. Will it be the defending champ going back-to-back, or history for a Chinese star?

Plus, all eyes on Djokovic v Sinner and Medvedev v Zverev.

Here’s your daily grand slam wrap, brought to you by Chris Stubbs and Wally Masur with all you need to know.

Time to prepare your pipes for that never-dying “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” chant.

Aussie junior Emerson Jones is at the forefront of any conversation about the future of women’s tennis in Australia. And in some good news, you can watch her in action today.

The 16-year-old didn’t get to finish her girls’ quarter-final on Thursday due to bucketing rain (classic Melbourne).

She’s back on court 3 at noon, and although she has a hill to climb as she’s 4-1 down in the first set, we already know she’s a fighter.

Meanwhile, wheelchair doubles star Heath Davidson is playing in a semi-final at noon on Margaret Court Arena.

He’s a four-time Australian Open doubles champion, all partnering Dylan Alcott, but now has teamed up world No.5 Canadian Robert Shaw.

They are up against the United Kingdom’s Andy Lapthorne and USA’s David Wagner.

Novak Djokovic steps out on Rod Laver Arena in a few hours to face Italian Jannik Sinner in the semi-final.

While we don’t know what’s going through the 10-time Open champ’s mind, women’s finalist Qinwen Zheng reckons he’s relaxed before big matches, and she’d like to copy his style.

Earlier this week, Zheng told reporters of the pair’s brief chat before the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park.

“You know, he came to say hi to me, so chill. Looks like he doesn’t have a match. Because me, before a match, I’m really focused, and I don’t want to talk with anyone,” Zheng said.

“I really want to learn that chill from the top players because I think that is what I’m missing.”

Zheng will be needing all the cool in the world against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who is on fire and keen to defend her Open title when the pair meet on Saturday.