Star slams hostile crowd amid accusations of disrespect

DAY 6 RECAP

There's certainly never a dull moment at the Australian Open, and Day 6 proved to be the exception.

At Kia Arena, Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva would have a rather interesting set of interactions with the crowd following her third round win against Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez.

With the crowd being on the side of the 23-year-old, Putintseva made her feelings known to them after consistent booing towards her by cupping her hands around her ears before doing a little dance towards the pro-Turkish crowd.

Later, the 31-year-old would call the hostile crowd 'disrespectful' throughout certain moments of the match.

Tensions were also high later in the night on Margaret Court Arena when Ukraine's Elina Svitolina continued her stance of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian players in her match against No. 23 seed Diana Shnaider.

She went on to win that in straight sets.

On a lighter note, Alex de Minaur, for the fifth straight year, has made the fourth round of the Australian Open after defeating No. 29 seed Frances Tiafoe in three sets (6-3, 6-4, 7-5).

His win against the American is the second time in his career that he has beaten a seeded opponent at the Australian Open.

See all the big moments that caused headlines throughout the day below.

10:10pm de Minaur into the last 16

In his first major test this tournament, Alex de Minaur has passed with flying colours.

The World No. 6 has defeated American Frances Tiafoe in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

Having had the momentum from the start of the match, it certainly played into the New South Welshman's favour, who looked more comfortable than he did against Hamad Medjedovic on Wednesday.

And despite Tiafoe's late challenge in the third, the pressure had gotten to him as shown by his break in the penultimate game of their third round match.

9:50pm Demon gets a critical break

This 11th game was very much make or break for Frances Tiafoe.

With the third set tied at 5-5, de Minaur has had four chances to break the serve of the American.

Each time, the No. 29 seed held firm, causing some forced errors out of the Aussie.

But on the fifth time of asking, de Minaur finally snares it with Tiafoe, overhitting a forehand.

If de Minaur holds his serve, victory is his.

8:44pm De Minaur makes it two from two

The World No. 6 is now up two sets to love in his third round clash against Frances Tiafoe.

And there is no sign of Alex de Minaur stopping his dominance on Rod Laver Arena.

He claims the set 6-4 with breaks in the third and seventh games going the way of the Australian.

Tiafoe did get his first break of the match in the eighth game and looked better towards the end of the set.

But the damage had already been done with the double break proving too much to overcome.

9:01pm Svitolina maintains no handshake policy

Elina Svitolina has again upheld her policy of not shaking the hands of Russian and Belarusian players on Margaret Court Arena.

Following her third round win against the No. 23 Diana Shnaider, the Ukrainian star once again refused to shake hands with her Russian opponent.

Previously, the No. 12 seed told the media that she would not shake the hands of any Russian or Belarusian player out of respect for her country, which is currently in conflict with Russia.

Svitolina could potentially face another Russian opponent in the fourth round, with No. 8 seed Mirra Andreeva set to face Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse on Rod Laver Arena after the conclusion of the de Minaur/Tiafoe match.

8:18pm Kyrgios redeems himself with match tie break win

Just like he was on Thursday night with good mate Thanasi Kokkinakis, the Canberran has featured in another 10-point match tie break.

This time, he's doing so with his mixed doubles partner Leylah Fernandez against the combination of Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski.

And after 19 long minutes, he finds himself on the winning end.

Having lost the first set 7-6 (8-6), the Australian and Canadian went on to win the second 6-4.

As a result, the match went into the extended tie-break to decide the result rather than play a full third set.

But it was looking dicey for Kyrgios/Fernandez as they found themselves staring down elimination, with their opponents having three match points.

But the pair defended their way back into the match before going on to win 12-10.

7:57pm De Minaur claims opening set

Having held his serve after breaking Frances Tiafoe's in the eighth game, Alex de Minaur wins the first set 6-3.

7:45pm Demon off to a solid start

Against the No. 29 seed in Frances Tiafoe, Alex de Minaur has held his nerve after almost allowing the first break of serve for the match.

The American had two break point chances during the seventh game of the first set.

And on both occasions, Tiafoe would lose them off his own racket with some unforced errors.

But in the next game, the World No. 6 created a break point chance and converted it.

He now leads 5-3 in the first set.

7:08pm Russia-Ukraine tensions boilover onto Margaret Court Arena

Some interesting scenes out on Margaret Court Arena.

In a third round match between Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Russia's Diana Shnaider, the Ukrainian has refused to take a photo with the Hot Shots kid after the coin toss.

Usually, it is customary for both players to be in the same photo.

This could be potentially related to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, alongside Shnaider having been given an Order of Merit by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

After Shnaider took the photo and went to her baseline, the No. 12 seed in Svitolina went to the net to take a photo with the Hot Shots kid.

The tensions between the two countries have been rising over the week at Melbourne Park after World No. 92 and Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova called Russian and Belarusian players 'dangerous'.

Image credit: Stan Sport

6:59pm Jovic pulls off big upset

She was a player to watch in 2026, and Iva Jovic has just shown why.

The 18-year-old American is through to the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in her professional career after defeating No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini in straight sets on John Cain Arena.

6:42pm Sabalenka not taking Mboko lightly

Aryna Sabalenka is looking forward to the clash against 19-year-old Canadian phenom Victoria Mboko in the fourth round.

The World No.1 would win both set tie breaks against Austria's Anastasia Potapova to advance to the Round of 16 for the fourth straight time.

Having never played the talented teenager, Sabalenka will be looking forward to the contest.

"For me, I'll have the same approach," the World No. 1 said.

"Doesn't matter what my opponents are feeling like, or what they (are) experiencing, for me it's the same.

"I have to go out there, I have to bring my best tennis and fight for every point. That's my approach.

"Once again, she's (an) aggressive player. She's playing really great tennis.

"I'm also quite experienced (and) quite aggressive.

"I know it's going to be a great battle. I'm super excited to face her for the first time."

She was also keen to talk about her recent ambassadorship with fashion brand Gucci.

6:11pm Kyrgios about to start mixed doubles campaign

While his men's doubles campaign wasn't able to get beyond the first round, Nick Kyrgios will be hoping for some better luck in the mixed doubles.

He's partnered with Canada's Leylah Fernandez at ANZ Arena (Showcourt 3) as they face off against America's Desirae Krawczyk and Britain's Neal Skupski.

5:23pm Star slams uneducated crowd

Yulia Putintseva has continued to slam the Turkish crowd that she played in front of for her third round win against Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez.

When asked how she was able to channel the booing from the crowd into her the game, the 30-year-old admitted that after a couple of 'disrespectful' moments, she was never going to lose.

"I mean, there is always, like, someone in favor and someone to cheer for. That's what's great about the sport," she explained in her press conference.

"But today I think was really a lot of disrespectful moments when they were screaming between my first and second serve.

"But screaming, not even.

"Like really loud, just to make me mistake.

"In the game, I think it was 4-3, (on) a big point and I opened court very good. I take my forehand, the guy just started, like, coughing just for my shot.

"I was like, okay,now, I'm not going to lose.

"I was ready to take it all, but I was ready to fight like until I die there.

"And, I mean, what can I do? It's just some people (do) have education of tennis and, unfortunately, some of them (are) not."

Those are defintely fighting words from the Kazakhstani.

4:42pm Star gives it back to hostile pro-Turkish crowd after constant booing

Yulia Putintseva is through to the fourth round and does so with an interesting celebration post-match.

In front of a packed Kia Arena, who were largely supporting Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez, the World No. 94 won 6-3, 6-7 (7-3), 6-3.

After winning match point, the Kazakhstani did not endear herself to those supporting Sonmez with several cupped ears and kisses to the crowd.

And she followed it up with a couple of dance moves, which made for an interesting reaction.

I can't imagine she would be well received if she were going to Istanbul anytime soon.

The booing would continue into her post-game talk. But that did not bother Putintseva what so ever.

"Honestly, (it's a) really crazy atmosphere here (at Kia Arena)," she noted.

"And the guys, look at them. They are very passionate about what they are doing.

"And it's very great to see, especially against me because I love this kind of battle."

Funnily enough, it's the same court where Danielle Collins also cupped her ears towards hostile Australian fans after beating Destanee Aiava last year.

Must be something in the air.

4:12pm Alcaraz rolls into the next round

No shocks on Rod Laver Arena as the World No. 1 gets the job done.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated France's Corentin Moutet 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 to go into the Round of 16.

The Spaniard is yet to drop a set at this AO. American Tommy Paul will be hoping to change that when they met in the fourth round.

3:40pm MEDVEDEV PULLS OFF INCREDIBLE COMEBACK

I don't know how he has done it, but Daniil Medvedev has found a way to make it through to the third round against Hungarian Fabian Marozsan in a five-set comeback for the ages.

The 2022 AO Finalist lost the first two sets 6-7 (7-5), 4-6 at Margaret Court Arena with the Russian's six double faults compared to Marozsan's none certainly impacting the result.

But like he has done on so many occasions, the 2021 US Open Champion somehow won the match as he claimed the next three sets 7-5, 6-0, 6-3.

Speaking with Mats Wilander post-game, the World No. 12 admitted he was a bit surprised to see the former World No.1 watching him when he was done before realising why he was there.

“First of all, I saw you down at the third set, and I was like ‘Oh, Mats, you’re not looking at my not best match’,” he said.

“But now I understand why you were there. You were getting close to the end, so you had to be there to interview maybe him.”

And as he signs the camera with a cheeky message for those watching at home.

Medvedev will play against American Learner Tien for his fourth round match.

3:20pm Aus Open organisers makes bizarre call amid 41 degrees heatwave

With tomorrow set to be an absolute scorcher with a high of 41 degrees, tournament organisers are already taking measures to try and prevent it from affecting players and personnel out on court.

Having partially released the Day 7 schedule, this sees the three retractable-roofed arenas (Rod Laver, Margaret Court and John Cain) alongside Kia Arena having moved the regular start time at the arena courts an hour earlier to 10:30am to try and beat the heat.

But despite the earlier start, there will still only be two matches during the day session.

Tournament organisers will also be closely following the use of what is known as AO Heat Stress Scale, which is rated on a scale of 1-5.

That rating is dependent on factors such as air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and radiation from the sun, which helps inform the action that they can take, as seen below.

Under extreme or wet weather conditions, the tournament referee can decide to close the roof, which would allow play to continue in a safer environment for players.

Play can then continue after a pause while the roof is closed.

It's only when the Environmental Management Unit (EMU) which are located across Melbourne Park produce a rating of 5 which would see play suspended.

On the outer courts with no roofs, longer breaks can be introduced during extreme heat, and play can even be suspended.

This week has already seen numerous players and ball kids struggle in the heat.

1:50 Sabalenka survives

It wasn't easy for the world No 1 but has has prevailed 7-6, 7-6 on Rod Laver Arena.

Safely through to the fourth round and obviously the only thing she's being asked about in her post match is her Gucci clothing.

1:14pm Political tornado brewing

If history has taught us anything it’s that sport and politics mixing usually become explosive.

And the Aus Open is on a collision course because of one journalist.

Without fail this week, every time an American player has finished a match and held a press conference, the man in question has turned up and asked: “how does it feel to play under the American flag right now...in the context of the last year of everything that’s been happening in the US, does that complicate that feeling at all?”.

With a clear agenda to spark backlash against Donald Trump, some have called for the reporter to have his accreditation revoked.

Players are restricted from making political statements during a tournament so should media be held to the same regulation?

It’s drawn criticism from players past and present ad well as commentators.

Coco Gauff, Madison Keys and Taylor Fritz have faced the questioning but it’s Amanda Anisimova that has really caught the attention of onlookers around the world.

“I was born in America so I’m always proud to represent my country. A lot of us are doing really well. It’s great to see a lot of great athletes on the women’s and men’s side,” she said.

When asked for specifics she added: “I don’t think that’s relevant”.

Fritz was having none of it.

“I’m not sure what we’re specifically talking about but there is a lot going on in the US and I don’t know, I feel like whatever I say here is going to get put in a headline and get taken out of context so I’d really rather not do something that’s going to cause a big distraction for me in the middle of the tournament,” he said.

Reilly Opelka’s father hit out after his son lost in the second round.

“IMO political questions don’t belong in pressers,” he tweeted. “Any reporters and journalists that play that game go straight to my ‘Do Not Use’ list. Sponsors and agents should coach their clients to respond with ‘Next Question’ as they are putting the brand at risk.”

1:20pm Aussie wildcards pull off mammoth upset

Absolute scenes out on ANZ Arena after one of the biggest upsets that the tournament has seen so far.

In the men’s doubles, the Australian combination of Li Tu and James McCabe have just taken down No. 1 seeds in Britain’s Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool to make their way into the third round, having won 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

Tu and McCabe had to do it the hard way, particularly in the first set after falling behind 5-3 before winning in the tie break.

And after surviving a break point opportunity in the eighth game of the second set, the Aussies nabbed a break of their own the following game to set up their spectacular win.

It now sets up the possibility of an all-Australian third round clash should Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans continue their winning efforts on Saturday after beating Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis on Thursday night.

11:55am Tennis will be poorer when Kyrgios leaves

Love him or loathe him, tennis will miss Nick Kyrgios when he calls time on his career and the sport will be poorer for it.

That's the opinion of Sam Groth who believes the day the Aussie retires, ticket sales at the Aus Open will plummet such is his appeal to the masses.

Kyrgios played men's doubles with best mate Thanasi Kokkinakis on Thursday night, and while the clash ended in defeat, the lines of people wanting to catch a glimpse were nothing short of insane.

No stranger to an f-bomb, a controversy and a racquet smash, Kyrgios has divided opinion his entire career, but he is essential to the sport.

"Have a look at the lines for the match," Groth told SEN. "They could have put another tier on that stadium.

"He divides opinion. Some love him, some hate him and there’s very few in between. He pushes the boundaries for things he has done and some things he shouldn’t have done and they are out of line. But no one can say he is not an entertainer.

"Love or hate you will turn on to watch him. This is an entertainment business. The goal is to put on an event but it’s also to sell tickets. There is a guy like Nick that packs the place out.

"I think the tournament will be disappointed (he lost) because they won't have the ticket onsell to see them again. The day he goes, there will be fewer people through the gates at Melbourne Park because Nick Kyrgios is not there."

11am Dinner for $3600?

Imagine going to dinner with your teammates and leaving $3600 poorer.

Well spare a thought for American rookie Ethan Quinn who, for the first time joined the USA pre-Australian Open dinner out at Nobu last week where there’s just one rule.

All attendees agree to “rainbow roulette” meaning they throw in their credit cards at the start in the knowledge that one poor loser will be plucked at random to foot the entire bill.

Quinn, who is ranked 80th in the world and has a career earnings total of $1.3m, was the unfortunate one to pay this year.

Bear in mind some of his teammates – like Taylor Fritz - have upwards of $43m to their names. “I felt really bad that he lost with everyone at that table,” said Fritz.

“It’s growing a lot – it used to not be so big.

“It makes sense in Australia because it’s like we start the year, there’s some time before the tournament. You know, a lot of us haven’t seen each other because of off-season and stuff like that.

“I took two Ls very early on in my career too, back-to-back years. It all comes around.

“I told Ethan, ‘keep coming back every year, you’ll get some free dinners too’.”

Quinn posted a picture of himself with the receipt to Instagram and it’s a good job he’s ousted a few big names this week because he’s guaranteed to leave Australia with at least $327k.

9:15am: "Blatant cheating on the tennis circuit"

Roger Rasheed joined SEN this morning and took aim at the college tennis circuit.

It's copped a fair amount of criticism so far this year after Michael Zheng was unsure if he could actually pocked his winnings after reaching the second round.

Rules state college players cannot make more than $10k a year...well that meant Zheng leaving $215k on the table.

Now, the college system is being blamed for what we saw from Osaka in her match.

Cheering and yelling between points - particularly when your opponent has made an error.

Rasheed called it "blatant cheating" and an intimidation practice.

"It was between points. When she served a fault and the opponent says verbally, “come one”," he told SEN.

"You don’t generally hear it. It’s an American college thing to be honest. There is so much blatant cheating that’s going on and intimidation on that circuit.

"Is it illegal? No but there is an etiquette. Some people now and then cross it. Naomi doesn’t think she did it on purpose. She asked the umpire if it was legal. Did I like it? I didn’t care to be honest.

"Does Osaka have the intimidation and aura she once had? I don’t think so. There are more players now that can play like her. She is a threat, but I don’t know if she can win the whole thing."

8am Slam champion accused of poor sportsmanship:

Osaka and Cirstea didn't leave the court as the best of friends after the Japanese star ended the latter's Aus Open career.

Cirstea, who is in her final year of tennis, lost 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 but it was the exchange (or lack of) at the net after the match that stole the headlines.

The veteran gave Osaka the codlest of shoulders at the net and Osaka didn't let it slide.

“What was that for?”," she asked.

“For not knowing what fair play is, my friend,” Cirstea clapped back. “You’re playing for so long, and you have no idea what fair play is.”

Osaka appeared genuinely stunned by her opponent's comments and didn't try and tone it down in her immediate interview.

“Apparently a lot of ‘c’mons’ that (Cirstea) was angry about, but whatever,” Osaka said.

“She’s a great player, I think this was her last Australian Open … she was mad about it. “I think (the ‘c’mons were the issue), but like, she could’ve asked me (during the match). I’m sorry.”

During the match, Cirstea had asked the umpire why she was not calling Osaka out for her loud outbursts.

“This is OK? To say C’mon between points,” she asked.

To which the umpire explained that because Cirstea had not begun her serving motion there was not issue.

Asked for her thoughts after the match, Cirstea said: “There was no drama. It was just a five-second exchange between two players that have been on tour for a long time. It stays between us,” she said.

Osaka then issued an apology saying she had disrespected her opponent.

“I get that emotions were very high for (Cirstea), and I also want to apologise ... I think the first couple of things I said on court (after the match) were disrespectful,” Osaka said.

“I don’t like disrespecting people ... that’s not what I do. When I’m pumping myself up, in my head, I’m not like, ‘OK, I’m going to distract the other person’. It’s purely for me.”

Order of play

Rod Laver Arena From 11:30am

• 1-Aryna Sabalenka v Anastasia Potapova (AUT)
• Not before 1:30pm
• 1-Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) v 32-Corentin Moutet (FRA)
• From 7:00pm
• 29-Frances Tiafoe (FRA) v 6-Alex de Minaur (AUS)
• Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU) v 8-Mirra Andreeva

Margaret Court Arena

• From 11:30am
• Daniil Medvedev v Fabian Marozsan (HUN)
• Not before 2:00pm
• 3-Coco Gauff (USA) v Hailey Baptiste (USA)
• From 7:00pm
• 12-Elina Svitolina (UKR) v 23-Diana Shnaider
• 10-Alexander Bublik (KAZ) v Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG)

John Cain Arena

• From 11:00am
• 17-Victoria Mboko (CAN) v 14-Clara Tauson (DEN)
• 19-Tommy Paul (USA) v 14-Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)
• From 5:00pm
• 29-Iva Jovic (USA) v 7-Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
• Not before 6:30pm
• 3-Alexander Zverev (GER) v 26-Cameron Norrie (GBR)