Australian Open 2025 LIVE updates: Pavlyuchenkova, Sabalenka go to deciding set as Djokovic, Alcaraz prepare for battle
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Updated January 21, 2025 — 8.28pmfirst published at 10.00am
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Pinned post from 9.34am
Today’s schedule
8.28pm
Sabalenka hits court, not happy
This now feels like a proper quarterfinal with Pavlyuchenkova and Sabalenka with a near full house now in the building and realising this is a cracker of a contest.
The wind is still blowing across the court and causing some issues with serves while Sabalenka smashed her racquet into the court after the last game in frustration.
Aryna Sabalenka.Credit: Getty Images
Pavlyuchenkova is playing arguably the finest tennis of her career right here, right now.
Sabalenka needs it lift. For the first time this tournament, she is being properly challenged.
8.22pm
Who is the man in silk pyjamas?
Pavlyuchenkova has won the second set 6-2 and sent this match into a deciding set.
We are asking the hard questions here, as it’s impossible to miss the attire of the man in Pavlyuchenkova’s pod, who appears to be ready for bed.
The lilac gear is buttoned up down the front, and when he stood up, we saw that he was wearing matching silk bottoms.
The man in the lilac pyjamas in Pavlyuchenkova’s pod.Credit: Nine
It could be Pavlyuchenkova’s boyfriend who has form for bringing out some striking outfits but we haven’t been able to confirm just yet, mostly because Pavlyuchenkova is playing so well.
Now, back to the tennis as she tries to knock out the top seed.
Pavlyuchenkova just won a tremendously challenging game as Sabalenka did all she could to smash her way past the veteran player.
Instead, she came up a couple of super winners. She is holding her nerve and just has to keep their mindset for a hold of serve and she will take this match to a third set.
It’s 5-2 with Pavlyuchenkova to serve.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.Credit: AP
Pavlyuchenkova has a double break, yes she really does.
She is now serving for a 5-1 lead in the second set.
Sabalenka is looking to her corner for help while Pavlyuchenkova is just powering on forward.
She has a plan and it is working brilliantly.
Sabalenka won the first set 6-2, Pavlyuchenkova leads 4-1 in the second.
Pavlyuchenkova is not backing down and she has a break.
Sabalenka was up 40-15 on her serve in the third game of the second set and she missed a volley at the net.
She then proceeded to lose the next three points to be facing the most unexpected of break points.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.Credit: AP
Pavlyuchenkova was rock solid but Sabalenka continued to hit the ball wide or out. She doesn’t have quite as much power but she is keeping the points alive and letting Sabalenka hit herself into trouble.
Surely, Sabalenka won’t drop her bundle here with the second set on the line.
Pavlyuchenkova may not take too much from tonight’s match bar the prize money given that Sabalenka has been dominant.
Pavlyuchenkova had a shot in the first game of the second set that, according to the close call replay, fell just out by the tiniest of margins. You could see almost no gap at all between ball and line.
But she is fighting on.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.Credit: AP
Sabalenka is cracking the ball to all corners so far and she brought up her first set win with a cross-court forehand; it was lucky it didn’t leave a hole in the surface.
She has won the first set 6-2, and if fans take any longer to get in here, they might miss seeing her altogether.
Aryna Sabalenka.Credit: Christopher Hopkins
Sabalenka struggled with the wind on her last service game with two double faults but she came good in time to hold serve.
Now she is trying to get another break and seal the first set; she is up 5-2.
The sun is minutes away from disappointing behind the walls of Rod Laver Arena but, for now, it is still brightly shining into the faces of fans.
But there is a lovely breeze that is coming through at times and that should keep the temperature comfortable, should it stick around this evening.
It’s about 22 degrees right now. If it stays in that range, it should be a super evening.
Aryna Sabalenka takes a drink.Credit: AP
Hats and sunnies (and hands over the eyes) are the order of the day right now but that should change soon.
Sabalenka leads 4-1 but had to work through deuce to hold her last service game.
