Unseeded Paul beat 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 at the Margaret Court Arena in the evening to book a matchup with the 20-year-old Shelton, whose dream run ended with a continued. Wolf 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-2.
“Anytime you play Bautista it’s going to be a battle,” Paul smiled after reaching his first Grand Slam quarter-final.
“I’m really happy to play an American in the quarters, there’s going to be an American in the semi-finals.”
While injury tore through Djokovic, it was the exception of a day of grinding competition for the men, none more so than Rublev’s tense five-set victory over Danish wunderkind Holger Rune. read full story
After falling behind 5-2 in the fifth set at Rod Laver Arena, the Russian redhead prevailed in a cliffhanger 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, (11-9). A lucky net cord on match point.
“[Tennis]is not a rollercoaster, it’s like they put a gun to your head,” Rublev joked after his final return tripped the net and gave Roon no chance.
“I guess that’s too easy a rollercoaster, man.”
It was easier on the women’s side as Aryna Sabalenka reached the quarterfinals for the first time, but fourth seed Caroline Garcia was ousted and 17-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova’s dream run came to an end.
World No. 45 Magda Linette ensured Poland would be represented in the last eight by the formidable Garcia 7-6(3), 6-4, while world No. 64 Croatian Donna Vekic beat Fruhwirtova 6-2, 1. Beaten. -6, 6-3.