Australian Open 2025: Marino v Boulter; De Minaur through in straight sets – live

Alex de Minaur (8) beats Botic van de Zandschulp 6-1 7-5 6-4

Popyrin appears to be enjoying a second wind, a corner-to-corner backhand return earning him one break back. Not too long ago, he looked like he might retire, but if he can hold, he;ll force Moutet to serve for the third set a second tim .

Back on Cain, Moutet is serving for set three against Popyrin, up 5-2 but down 15-40; De Minaur has broken Van de Zandschulp and is now serving for the match at 5-4 in the third; and Marino remains a break up on Boulter at 4-6 4-1.

Joao Fonseca is for real! He breaks Rublev, consolidates, and now leads 7-6 3-0. By the looks of things, all that can stop him is fatigue, because nothing suggests he’s going to get nervous and he’s got his opponent’s measure.

As in the first set, Marino breaks Boulter immediately, but this time she consolidates and leads 3-0 in the second having lost the first. Boulter, I guess, has similar issues to her fiance: both are underpowered, lacking a weapon to trouble the elite of the elite. So she’ll keep getting through the first rounds of Slams because she’s good, but worse players than her have better chances of performing above their rankings because they have the power to discomfort anyone.

You know how sometimes, the superstars announce themselves in superstar fashion? Think Federer beating Sampras, or Kyrgios sorting Nadal. Well, Fonseca has taken the first-set breaker against Rublev 7-1, and he is good to go.

A booming forehand hauls Fonseca back into a rally, then an inside-out backhand means he leads 4-0, furnished with two mini-breaks. Rublev responds with an ace, but seconds later it’s 5-1 to the young Brazilian, and he’s properly loving it out there.

Fonseca takes an immediate mini-break for 2-0, while Boulter eventually closes out for a 6-4 first set. De Minaur, meanwhile, leads Van de Zandschulp 6-1 7-5 2-3.

Fonseca slaps an ace down the middle, meaning he and Rublev will now play a first-set breaker. He is the absolute biz.

Etcheverry now leads Cobolli 2-1 as Shapovalov does against Bautista Agut; Marino forces Boulter through deuce as she attempts to secure set one, and Moutet has broken Popyrin a second time in set three to lead 3-0. I fear, though, the Aussie may soon retire because he’s had treatment on his back already and still looks exceedingly unchuffed.

Trailing De Minaur 1-6 5-7 1-1, and sent to the forehand corner, Van de Zandschulp plays a tweener cross-court … for a clean winner! That is insane behaviour! Otherwise, Boulter is serving for the set against Marino at 5-4in the first, Moutet has broken Popyrin for 1-0 in the third, while Rublev and Fonseca are locked at 5-5 in the first.

Email! “The issue with Andry Rublev (actually spelt Andrei Rooblyov, namesake of the Russian 16th century Michaelangelo, Andrey Rooblyov, a big deal when painting the insides of Russian churches)”, begins Victor K, “is indeed lack of slice and volleys. Like pretty much every successful Russian male player over the past 40 years, even the better ones – say Safin or Kafel’nikov – had the same basic game of the Russian school: good serve, forehand, two-handed backhand and little else. They are put out on a conveyor belt of identikit models: very attacking baseliners who might luck upon the odd hardcourt slam (Kafel’nikov even snagged one French open, where, before Nadal, it was a bit of a free-for-all).

Sharapova, raised in Florida, had the same problem. She had to swing-volley coz she couldn’t do actual volleys. She never sliced at all, and had Plan A – hit hard and flat, and Plan B – hit harder and flatter. It’s why somebody as creative and imaginative with her slicing and dicing as Justice Henin mostly had her for breakfast in their contests.

And this is what makes Medvedev so unusual for a Russian player: he is a quirky personality with a very quirky game. He can serve bombs but mostly is a defensive player who loves slicing and dicing with the best of em. And really should have beaten Rafa in at least two Slam finals.

Rublev is a pro’s pro but will never get beyond the quarters of a slam, even with his newfound serenity and inner peace. It’s not that he doesn’t have the weapons, it’s that he is a bit of an automaton of a player and you need creativity and imagination, through net-play and slicing and dicing, to reset the point and neutralise your opponent painting lines, to get any further. Andrey Rooblyov himself means ‘Andrew Rouble-ton/son. Rubit’: the verb his surname is derived from means to slice/chop (like chop wood) – nominative determinism is having a field day, given how big his forehand is (perhaps he chopped wood in his grandpa’s dacha growing up?).”

I think that’s a little harsh on Safin who, were he fully dedicated, would’ve won way more than he did. I’m also not sure the current champ and world no 1, Jannik Sinner, is renowned for his creativity. You can go a long way with ludicrous power and calm demeanour.

Back on Cain, Moutet has played a terrific set, breaking Popyrin and serving out to level the match at 1-1. His first and second serve percentages for it are 92 and 89 respectively, relative to his opponent’s 64 and 36, with the unforced error column – six versus 19 – also telling.

Ons Jabeur beats Anhelina Kalinina 6-3 6-3

It’s been bothering me for a while, but I knew I’d seen Joao Fonseca before.

I just didn’t think it was playing the lead role in Licorice Pizza.

Fonseca trails Rublev 3-4 in the first, on serve.

It’s turned around on 1573 and in a match be watching had I a fifth screen – pray for me – Jabeur has broken back then broken to lead Kalinina 6-4 4-3. I really hope she finds a Slam at some point, and it must be painful for her to essay those who’ve managed it with far, far less talent than her. At 30, time is not on her side and nor, more importantly, is Aryna Sabalenka. But if she can put it all together she’s still good enough to beat anyone.

De Minaur breaks Van de Zandschulp to 6-1 6-5 and raises two set-points; the first is saved, but an ace down the T seizes the second, and he leads 2-0. Ultimately, both players probably know that whatever it takes to win, he’ll do, and there’s not much his opponent can do about it.

Meantime Boulter, his fiance, has been broken and broken back to level her first set with marino as 2-2, Rublev and Fonseca are at 2-2 in the first, and Popryin, up 6-4 3-4 on Moutet, again has a physio prod him. So early in what could be a very long match, that is not a good sign.

The problem Rublev has is that he’s a fantastic player, but his volley and slice make it almost impossible for him to beat the players who are better than him – and there aren’t many – over five sets at a Slam. He is, though, the only active player with wins over Federer, Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Sinner and Alcaraz. I guess that ultimately, like many of us, he needs to assimilate that work is something he does, not who he is.

Talking of Rublev, here’s another Big Don interview that’s well worth your time. Having been blogging on various occasions he’s melted down and attacked himself, I’m delighted he’s got the help he needs, all the more so as I’m assured he’s an excellent lad.

At 6-2 2-3, Popyrin has the trainer out and takes a medical timeout to have his back worked on; that is not a good sign and he’s wincing, lying flat on his front. Demon, meanwhile, battles through his hold for 5-5, two set-points saved, and Rublev is about to serve in game one against Fonseca.

On Kia, Marino and Boulter are playing their first game, while Jabeur leads Kalinina 6-3 0-2; Osorio and Sakkari are 3-3 in the first; Etcheberry and Cobolli are 1-1 3-4; Bautista Agut and Shapovalov are 1-1 1-1; and De Minaur has just saved set point at 6-1 4-5 against Van de Zandschulp.

I’m going to level with you, so please don’t cancel me, but I don’t get scotch eggs: they’re dry and bland.

Joao Fonseca, then. He’s considered an absolutely elite-level prospect and last year became the first 2006-born player to win a match on the ATP tour. He’s got a colossal game and actually did some work at the National Training Centre in Roehampton having come to train with Jack Draper who then got injured.

Says Coach Calv: “He’s one of those who’s definitely going top 10, maybe top five, maybe top one” before relaying an anecdote that, when Fonseca was in England, he was staying in Putney, so our man asked if he’d been to the Brazilian restaurant there. “No,” came back the reply, “but do you know where i can get any scotch eggs? I had one at Wimbledon and I love them1”

For those wondering what happened while the UK was sleeping: Emma Navarro, Holger Rune, Daria Kasatkina, Elena Rybakina, Taylor Fritz and Danill Medevedev all won; so did Madison Keys, Emma Raducanu and Bea Haddad-Maia; Jubie Hurkacz beat Tallon Griekspoor and Gael Monfils binned Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard; Mario Berrettini sorted Cam Norrie; and Karen Khachanov also made it through.

Paolini is such a joy. She didn’t expect to suddenly be the fourth-best player in the world, and she’s enjoying every aspect of it. Good on her.

Next on Court: Andrey Rublev (9) v Joao Fonsea (Q).

Jasmine Paolini (4) beats Sikia Wei 6-0 6-4

On Laver, Van de Zandschulp has broken Demon back to trail 1-6 3-3, which is something, but real talk, it’s impossible to see how he wins this. Likewise on Court, Paolini is serving for the match against Wei and it’s so interesting to consider her sudden emergence as a factor at Slams. A year ago barely anyone had heard of her, then she reached the final at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, changing her life in the process. Which happens, of course, but very rarely at the age of 28, but somehow, a penny must’ve dropped.

Next on Kia: Rebecca Marino v Katie Boulter (22).

Lorenzo Sonego has beaten Stan Wawrinka in four and will meet Rublev or Fonseca next, while Popryrin has taken a 69-minute first set 6-4 against Moutet. Both players had plenty of chances to break, but it was the Aussie who made one count.

Lorenzo Musetti (16) beats Matteo Arnaldi 7-6(4) 6-4 (5)6-7 6-3

Eventually, a converted break point: Popyrin now leads Moutet 5-4 and the crowd on Cain are getting excited. Elsewhere, Sonego is serving for the match against our Stan, Musetti has match point against Arnaldi, and Paolini is a game away leading Wei 6-0 5-3.

De Minaur breaks van de Zandschulp to lead 6-1 2-1 and this is a proper going-over, the Dutchman’s power totally neutralised. Popyrin and Moutet, meanwhile, are now level at 4-4, while Jabeur has broken Kalinina back – they’re 2-2 in the first – and Etcheverry has levelled against Cobolli at 1-1.

Musetti again breaks Arnaldi back, then takes some treatment, while Wei is into her march against Paolini now … though of course, as I type, a forehand return is splattered past her cross-court, meaning the no 4 seed now leads by a set and a break at 6-0 3-2.

Coach Calv messages on Popyrin, noting that he won the French Open juniors and played most of his age-group tennis in the south of France, so a slower hard court, such as the one he’s on, should suit him. He has a huge game – colossal serve, massive groundstrokes – but not much wit, whereas Moutet is almost the opposite, one reason they’re so well-matched. The Frenchman leads 4-3.

Talking of Ons, Don McRae’s interview with her is worth your time.

On 1573, Kalinina and Jabeur are under way, the former up 2-0, and I might switch to watch that one shorty. Otherwise, Popyrin has levelled at 3-3 against Moutet and without the need for deuce, while Arnaldi has broken Musetti again for 3-1 in the fourth.

De Minaur is just far too good for Van de Zandschulp and he serves out to love for a 6-1 set. Looking at his draw, the next-highest seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas, is already out, but the likelihood is that Jannik Sinner will be his quarter-final opponent and despite the slower balls they use in this competition, it’s hard to see how he can win that. But you never know.

Popyrin, who of course beat Novak Djokovic in New York, again forces Moutet to deuce before he holds for 3-2, and I’m tired on their behalf – I’ve just learnt “behalves” is not a word – already. Otherwise, Wei is on the board so now trails Paolini 0-6 1-0, and Musetti has broken Arnaldi back to lead 2-1 1-2. Oh and on Laver, De Minaur is serving for the first set, leading Van de Zandschulp 5-1.

Demon secures his 4-0 lead, while Paolini has bagelled Wei to lead 6-0; Arnaldi, trailing Musetti 2-1, leads 2-0 in the fourth – Katie Boulter is one when they’re finished – and Moutet is level with Popyrin at 2-2, those four games all going to deuce, I think, and taking more than half an hour all told.

De Minaur is one of those brilliant players – Tsitsipas, Berrettini and Rublev are others – whose weaknesses look destined to prevent them from ever winning majors. Brilliant scurrying and consistent hitting will, it seems likely, always be overpowered at some point, sometimes by less good players having their best day. On the other hand, the bigger lads – your Sinners, your Zverevs and your Alacarazes of this world – have the power to hit through those situations, winning enough free points on serve to be almost unbeatable by anyone but the other members of the elite. Still, though, he leads Van de Zandschulp 3-0 in the first and up 0-40 is a point away from a double break.

Ben Shelton (21) beats Brandon Nakashima 7-6(3) 7-5 7-5

Paolini is making short work of Wei so far, up 4-0, while Demon has taken Van de Zandschulp’s serve at the first time of asking for 2-0, and he’s being made to look a little wooden by the Aussie’s freakish footwork and speed.

Musetti, seeded 16, has taken the third-set breaker to lead Arnaldi by two sets to one; Shelton, seeded 21, leads Nakshima 7-6 7-5 6-5; and Popyrin and Moutet are locked into another brutal game, the clock ticking towards seven minutes when the Frenchman finally secures his hold for 2-1 in the first.

Yet more Italian excellence: Cobolli – a favourite of Coach Calv, our resident expert, who thinks he’s got the lot – leads Etcheverry 7-6. That breaker went to 10-8 and I’d not be surprised if we see a few more in a match that has potential to go on for epochs.

And another Italian, Lorenzo Sonego, has just gone in front against Stan Wawrinka – belieeeeve it’s taking a lot for me not to major on that match given we don’t know how many more times we’ll get to lap up the dishevelled Swiss – taking the third set 7-5. Meantime Popyrin finally secures his hold for 1-1 in the first against Moutet, and on Laver, De Minaur and Van de Zandschulp are under way.

Paolini, meanwhile, consolidates for 2-0 in the first, while Arnaldi and Musetti have just begun a third-set breaker. It’s quite something really how many excellent Italians there now are especially in the man’s game: Mario Berrettini beat Cam Norrie earlier today and there’s also Cobolli, Sinner and so on.

Moutet fights through a tough hold then forces Popyrin to deuce, swinging heavily top-spinning forehands; already, this looks like being a sapping contest both physically and mentally. The Frenchman is a an awkward customer, lacking power but not desire and running for everything before applying a tricky lefty angle. He’s also something of a wind-up merchant, but for now, he’s advantage down…

Paolini is so much fun to watch and she earns two break points immediately, and when Wei nets a forehand she leads 1-0.

Some latest scores:

• Musetti (16) and Arnaldi are level at a set apiece

• Shelton (21) leads Nakashima 7-6 7-5 4-3

• Bautista Agut and Shapovalov are warming up

• Sonego and Wawrinka are 1-1 4-4

• Etcheverry and Cobolli (32) are playing a first set tiebreak

So, which matches to watch? I’m going to go with Van de Zandschulp v De Minaur, Popyrin v Moutet, Arnaldo v Musetti and Wei v Paolini, I think – provided the various systems permit that.

Let’s begin with a result: Daniil Medvedev, seeded five, has survived a scare, beating Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej, a qualifier, 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2. He meets Learner Tien of USA next.

Preamble