NikNak

Sulieter

Andy Murray and Madison Keys have tested positive for Covid. Keys says that she won't play in the Australian Open. Murray might not play.

Source

Hot Rod

Tough break for them. I hope that they will get well soon.

Here is this first update of the new year.

First of all in Abu Dhabi, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Veronika Kudermetova 6-2, 6-2 to win the Abu Dhabi WTA Womens Tennis Open.

In Delray Beach, Hubert Hurkacz defeated Sebastian Korda 6-3, 6-3 to win the Delray Beach Open.

Lastly Alex De Minaur won the Antalya Open when Alexander Bublik retired due to injury with De Minaur leading 2-0.

So that's the first update of the new year. The tour is on a hiatus until the 29th with the next events being the Great Ocean Road Open, the Murray River Open, the Gippsland Trophy and the Yarra Valley Classic.

NikNak

Aww, no.

Thanks for the news, Rod.

Sulieter

Thanks, Rod!

NikNak

Sulieter

I remember that match! I was pleased for Stan.

NikNak

Me too!

Although he was playing against my boy...

Sulieter

Sorry about that, Nikki.

Hot Rod

After a recent hiatus, here is an update from the final warmup events.

First of all, hometown favorite Ashleigh Barty defeated Garbine Muguruza 7-6(3), 6-4 to win the Yarra Valley Classic.

Also in Melbourne, Elise Mertens defeated Kaia Kanepi 6-4, 6-1 to win the Gippsland Trophy, Jannik Sinner won the Great Ocean Road Open and Daniel Evans won the Murray River Open.

Plus Russia swept Italy 2-0 to win the ATP Cup.

So that's the story from the final warmup events Down Under.

Next up on the schedule will be the Australian Open. The first Grand Slam of the year will get underway later in this evening or tomorrow afternoon in Melbourne featuring former champions Nole, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Stan along with U.S. Open men's champion Dominic Thiem, French Open women's champion Iga Swiatek, Sasha Zverev, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, Bianca Andreescu, Venus Williams, Denis Shapovalov, Milos Raonic, Diego Schwartzman and Nick Kyrgios.

Sulieter

Thank you, Rod.

I'm looking forward to the Australian Open.

Hot Rod

You're very welcome.

Here is the first update from the Australia Open.

First of all, former champions Nole, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Stan along with Dominic Thiem, Simona Halep, Venus Williams, Petra Kvitova, Iga Swiatek and Nick Kyrgios won their matches in straight sets.

Also Sasha Zverev got off to a slow start against Marcos Giron, but came out with a 6-7(8), 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-2; while Bianca Andreescu defeated Mihaela Buzamescu 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Plus we had the first upsets of the tournament as Bernarda Pera defeated Angelique Kerber 6-0, 6-4 and Emil Ruusuvuori defeated Gael Monfils 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

So that's the first update from Melbourne.

Coming up on Day 2; Rafa, Sofia Kenin, Ashleigh Barty, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Vika, Daniil Medvedev, Elina Svitolina, Karolina Pliskova and Fabio Fognini will headline the action.

NikNak

Me too!

Watching it now.

Sulieter

Thanks, Rod!

I'm disappointed that Victoria Azarenka lost. I love Nick Kyrgios's 2nd round match. He won a very exciting 5 set match.

Hot Rod

Here is an update from yesterday's matches at the Australian Open.

First of all; Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Sasha Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Diego Schwartzman and Garbine Muguruza won their matches in straight sets, while Nole defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(2), 6-2; Simona Halep defeated hometown favorite Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 and as mentioned earlier, Nick Kyrgios defeated Ugo Humbert 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4.

Also we had some more upsets as Su-Wei Hsieh defeated Bianca Andreescu 6-3, 6-2; Sorana Cirstea defeated Petra Kvitova 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 and Martin Fucsovics defeated Stan 7-5, 6-1, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6(9).

So that's the latest update from Melbourne. Coming up on Day 4; Rafa, Ashleigh Barty, Karolina Pliskova, Daniil Medvedev, Fabio Fognini, Sofia Kenin, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Belinda Bencic will headline the action. Plus Elina Svitolina will take on Coco Gauff in an intriguing looking match at Rod Laver Arena.