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After claiming the scalp of Jasmine Paolini (7) in the second round, Jovic’s first trip to the last eight of a grand slam proves a short one. But at just 18-years of age, it can be guaranteed that it’s not her last one. Cannot wait to see what this young Californian achieves in the future.
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Howdy y’all it’s ya boi Joey Lynch and to another day of the Guardian’s live coverage of the 2026 Australian Open. And the word of the day is: extremely hot. Yes, that’s two words. But it’s just that hot.
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The Bureau of Meteorology says that it’s 36C right now – 96.8F in freedom units – and is projecting that it’s going to rise to a murderous top of 45C (13F) by the time we get to 5pm local time. Thus, it’s not a matter of if the Australian Open Heat Stress Scale reaches five, play on outdoor courts is suspended, and play on the indoor courts are halted until the roofs are closed, but when.
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Fans and organisers are doing their best to seek relief from the conditions where they can but there’s still tennis to be played – even if the start of the wheelchair tennis draw has been pushed back because of the conditions.
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We’ll be bringing you live coverage of Alexander Zverev (3) and Learner Tien’s (25) quarterfinal clash out on Rod Laver Arena when their meeting commences but before they can take the court we’ll run through the conclusion of the last eight meeting between Aryna Sabalenka (1) and Iva Jovic (29).
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Jovic uses ice packs during a break against Aryna Sabalenk during their women’s quarter-finals match.”,”caption”:”Iva Jovic uses ice packs during a break against Aryna Sabalenk during their women’s quarter-finals match.”,”credit”:”Photograph: James Ross/EPA”}},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
The teenage American took the world No 1 to 59 minutes in the opening set before going down 6-3 but her hopes of quickly responding were dented when she was broken in her first two service games in the second set. Nonetheless, with less expectations to go deep into this tournament, you’d think the prospect of the long and arduous battle she’d need to launch to come-from-behind would weigh less on Jovic’s mind than Sabalenka’s – who will undoubtedly want to see this match out quickly and begin recovery for a semifinal.
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Zverev and Tien will be followed later this evening by meetings between Coco Gauff (3) and Elina Svitolina (12) and Carlos Alcaraz (1) and local hope Alex de Minaur (6). Elsewhere, the American women’s double pairing of Hailey Baptiste and Peyton Stearns are meeting fourth seeded duo Elise Mertens and Shuai Zhang on Margaret Court Arena, the same court where Australian men’s doubles wildcards Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans will meet 12th seeded French team Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul later this evening.
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Key events
In case you missed it yesterday, youngster Ntungamili Raguin made history: becoming the first player from Botswana to win a Grand Slam match when he defeated Dimitar Kisimov 7-5 6-1 6-4 in the junior boy’s singles.
HISTORY FOR BOTSWANA ??
Junior competitor Ntungamili Raguin is the first player from Botswana to win a Grand Slam match!#AO26 pic.twitter.com/FeGlCf4WhW
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2026
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Out on on Margaret Court Arena, fourth seeded women’s duo Elise Mertens and Shuai Zhang have taken out the opening set of their clash with American team Hailey Baptiste and Peyton Stearns 6-4. The winner of that match will face Eri Hozumi and Fang-Hsien Wu in the quarterfinals, who upset eighth seeds Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs.
Another milestone ticked off in Melbourne ✅
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jovic 6-3 6-0 to reach her fourth consecutive #AusOpen semifinal and a 14th career Grand Slam semifinal.#AO26 pic.twitter.com/aub0R11ekI
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2026
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A fourth consecutive AO semifinal for Sabs ? pic.twitter.com/CzVT7rcqCl
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2026
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Aryna Sabalenka sees off Iva Jovic to move into the semfinals
Aryna Sabalenka (1) 6-0 6-3 Iva Jovic (29) After being challenged by Jovic in the first set, Sabalenka was irresistible in the second; taking less than half-an-hour to bring up the bagel and move into the final four, where she’ll face Coco Gauff (3) or Elina Svitolina (12). It’s going to take something special to deny her a third-title here in Melbourne.
After claiming the scalp of Jasmine Paolini (7) in the second round, Jovic’s first trip to the last eight of a grand slam proves a short one. But at just 18-years of age, it can be guaranteed that it’s not her last one. Cannot wait to see what this young Californian achieves in the future.
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Things we thought we’d never say but have to: Philippoussis pookie celebration ?? pic.twitter.com/uPDgflnSgC
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2026
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Aryna Sabalenka (1) 5-0 6-3 Iva Jovic (29) Before we take you through the rest of the colour of today’s action and run down what you may have missed yesterday, though, we’ll need to turn our eyes to Rod Laver, as the top seed is threatening to make light work of her American challenger in the second set.
As the Heat Stress Scale hits 4.0, a remarkable passing backhand brings up yet another break point for Sabalenka, with a third-straight break then secured when Jovic double-faults.
The AO Heat Stress Scale is above 4.0.
A 10-minute cooling break will be allowed in singles matches.
If onsite, please seek shade or air-conditioned areas. Ground Pass holders can access MCA.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2026
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The AO Heat Stress Scale is above 4.0.
A 10-minute cooling break will be allowed in singles matches.
If onsite, please seek shade or air-conditioned areas. Ground Pass holders can access MCA.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2026
Could de Minaur be said to have twice the home court advantage today; the ‘Demon not only playing in front of his home fans but also taking the court on a day that’s hot as hell?
Admittedly, the extreme heat means that the roof is likely to be closed when he takes the court against Alcaraz later today – the air conditioned conditions ensuring the temperature won’t play a defining factor in the result – but this, too, could prove something of a bonus to the Sydneysider.
Simon Cambers explains how.
Preamble
Joey Lynch
Howdy y’all it’s ya boi Joey Lynch and to another day of the Guardian’s live coverage of the 2026 Australian Open. And the word of the day is: extremely hot. Yes, that’s two words. But it’s just that hot.
The Bureau of Meteorology says that it’s 36C right now – 96.8F in freedom units – and is projecting that it’s going to rise to a murderous top of 45C (13F) by the time we get to 5pm local time. Thus, it’s not a matter of if the Australian Open Heat Stress Scale reaches five, play on outdoor courts is suspended, and play on the indoor courts are halted until the roofs are closed, but when.
Fans and organisers are doing their best to seek relief from the conditions where they can but there’s still tennis to be played – even if the start of the wheelchair tennis draw has been pushed back because of the conditions.
We’ll be bringing you live coverage of Alexander Zverev (3) and Learner Tien’s (25) quarterfinal clash out on Rod Laver Arena when their meeting commences but before they can take the court we’ll run through the conclusion of the last eight meeting between Aryna Sabalenka (1) and Iva Jovic (29).
The teenage American took the world No 1 to 59 minutes in the opening set before going down 6-3 but her hopes of quickly responding were dented when she was broken in her first two service games in the second set. Nonetheless, with less expectations to go deep into this tournament, you’d think the prospect of the long and arduous battle she’d need to launch to come-from-behind would weigh less on Jovic’s mind than Sabalenka’s – who will undoubtedly want to see this match out quickly and begin recovery for a semifinal.
Zverev and Tien will be followed later this evening by meetings between Coco Gauff (3) and Elina Svitolina (12) and Carlos Alcaraz (1) and local hope Alex de Minaur (6). Elsewhere, the American women’s double pairing of Hailey Baptiste and Peyton Stearns are meeting fourth seeded duo Elise Mertens and Shuai Zhang on Margaret Court Arena, the same court where Australian men’s doubles wildcards Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans will meet 12th seeded French team Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul later this evening.
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