Australian Open LIVE RESULTS: Ash Barty takes on Madison Keys before Danielle Collins faces Iga Swiatek

Barty’s focused on final

Ash Barty has revealed that the champagne is on ice until after the Australian Open final.

When asked if she’ll be celebrating following her semi-final win over Swiatek, Barty said: “I’d love to say yes but I am the ultimate professional.

“I won’t do that. I will save those for when we can celebrate afterwards. We can celebrate the journey we have been on and I cannot wait.”

Nadal not worried about making history

Rafa Nadal says his happiness in life will not be defied by Slam No.21 or further history-making feats.

“In terms of what can happen in the future, honestly I really don’t care that much.

“I don’t believe my future happiness is going to depend on if I achieve one more Grand Slam than the others or they achieve more than me.

“No, I am super satisfied and feel very lucky person in general for all the things that happen to me in this life.

“You can’t be always frustrated if your neighbour has a bigger house than you or a better phone or a better thing.

“I’m not going to be frustrated if Novak or Roger finishes the career with more Grand Slams than me.

“Let’s enjoy the situation that we did, every one of us, we did very special things in our sport. Let’s enjoy that.”

Becker’s view on Nadal’s success

Boris Becker has implied that Rafael Nadal’s success at the Australian Open is down to Djokovic’s omission from the tournament.

Becker told the Daily Mail: “There is no doubt that the expulsion of Novak Djokovic from Australia has totally upset this Grand Slam.

“Rafael Nadal is the one who has benefited most from this situation. With Nole on the scoreboard, he would have had much less chance of lifting the trophy.”

Let me entertain you

Showmen Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis care more about entertaining the fans than winning silverware.

The Aussie wildcards will play in the Australian Open men’s doubles final tomorrow against countrymen Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell.

And Kokkinakis, 25, said: “Honestly, winning is a second. It sounds stupid, but winning has been our second priority every time. We hope to have fun, enjoy ourselves, enjoy our time on court.

“Hopefully the fans feel like they’ve paid good money to watch us.”

Kyrgios echoed his partner’s view and added: “Win or lose it’s going to be a fun experience.

“That’s what I’m about. That’s what I want to bring. I think that’s how the sport is going to survive.”

Djokovic set for return

Novak Djokovic will reportedly return to the court in Dubai next month.

Djokovic jetted to Dubai after he was booted out of Australia following his Covid vaccine debacle.

But the 34-year-old is on the entry list for the Dubai ARTP Tour event in February, the BBC reported.

And the world No.1 won’t have the same issues in Dubai over the vaccine as the country doesn’t have a vaccine mandate for visitors.

Djokovic future issues

A Labour MP reckons Novak Djokovic may find it difficult to hold on to his spot as the tennis world No.1 if his vaccine troubles continue.

Chris Evans, a Labour MP for Islwyn in South Wales and Vice Chair of the tennis All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), said to the Express: “Going forward I think he has a problem ‒ if restrictions remain he’s going to struggle to play.

“And that means it’s going to affect his drive and his chances of breaking that record of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and becoming seen in most people’s eyes as the greatest player of all time.

“I think it has really muddied the water for [himself] going forward.”

Murray sends emotional text

Andy Murray nearly reduced tennis wheelchair ace Dylan Alcott to tears with an emotional text.

Alcott lost his last ever match in the final to Sam Schroder of the Netherlands 7-5 6-0.

And after serving with his racquet for the final time, Alcott revealed that Murray had messaged him.

Alcott said: “I hope he doesn’t mind this, but Andy Murray just messaged me: ‘I don’t know if I have articulated that well, but you’re an absolute rock star and inspiration. Thanks for everything you’ve done’

“That kills me. Makes me want to cry. Special. You’re part of it. Just part of it. Like I don’t even care you’re in a wheelchair. They don’t give a ****.

“It’s special. It’s so nice. It’s like that everywhere here. I never thought that would happen. It’s cool, really cool. It’s better than winning a tennis tournament.

“This is a legend of the sport, wheelchair tennis. If it’s good enough for someone like that, it’s good enough for everyone.”

McEnroe questions Raducanu’s coach choice

Tennis legend John McEnroe has questioned Emma Raducanu’s decision to change coaches after the US Open.

McEnroe told the Daily Mail: “It’s going to take some time to see how she handles it, I’m sure at times it’s overwhelming.

“It was overwhelming for her at Wimbledon and then she had this magical run (at the US Open).

“I don’t know why she then decided to change coaches… you would think if a coach took her to the US Open Championship that you wouldn’t say that I need a new coach.”

Collins relishes Barty final

Collins can’t wait to take on Barty in front of the Australian crowd in Saturday’s finale.

Collins said when asked about rival Barty: “We’ve had some incredible battles over the years.

“And to play the number one on her home territory, and after Covid with people there, I am just excited.”

Collins speaks on final joy

Collins has expressed her delight after reaching the final where she’ll face Barty on Saturday.

Speaking after her win over Swiatek, Collins beamed: “It feels amazing, it’s been such a journey, and it doesn’t happen overnight, so many years of hard work.

“It’s incredible to be on this stage, especially with the health challenges. I added a little bit more variety over the last two years but this is my Plan A.

“In this tournament, I don’t feel like I have time to sit down, I have been standing up when I sleep at night.”

Collins reaches the final

Collins has reached the singles women’s final at the Australian Open with an epic win over Swiatek.

Collins managed to hold off Swiatek to win the bout 6-4 6-1.

The American will now face Aussie Ash Barty in the final on Saturday.

Collins’ serving superiority

Collins has started the second set with a series of huge serves that have made Swiatek’s comeback seem less likely.

The American is leading Swiatek 6-4 3-0 following a flurry of serves that the Pole hasn’t been able to match.

Collins wins first set

Collins has managed to hold on to her slight lead over Swiatek to win the first set 6-4.

Swiatek produced a gutsy performance and nearly won the set.

But Collins can breathe a huge sigh of relief after withstanding the pressure to clinch an early lead.

Collins 5-4 Swiatek

Swiatek’s staged a momentous comeback during the first set.

She’s managed to turn round a deficit of 5-2 to make it 5-4.

The Polish ace has now won four from the last five games.

However, she’s still got work to do to win the first set.

Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins underway

Swiatek vs Collins has now got underway.

Collins has started off well and is currently leading 4-1 in the first set.

What’s next for Barty?

Barty has the chance to become just the fifth Australian woman to clinch the Aussie Open singles title if she wins in the final.

The last Aussie female to win the tournament was Chris O’Neil in 1978.

Standing in Barty’s way of success is either Iga Swiatek or Danielle Collins, who will battle for their spot in the final later on today.

The final will then take place on Saturday.

A look at Barty’s win

Barty was all smiles after her win over Keys to reach the women’s final, becoming the first Aussie to do since 1980.

Barty speaks on victory

Barty has expressed her joy after reaching the finals of the Australian Open.

After her enthralling win over Madison Keys, a jubilant Barty gushed: “It’s unreal, it’s just incredible.

“I love this tournament, I love coming here and playing in Australia and as an Aussie we are spoiled that we are a grand slam nation and get to play at home.

“I get the chance to play for a title, it’s unreal. This is Brisbane weather, it was humid.

“I tried to keep Maddy under the pump as she can take it away from you. She’s a great person, looks you in the eye, a lot of the girls love her.”

Barty reaches the final

Barty has reached the Australian Open women’s finals with a comfortable 6-1 6-3 win over Madison Keys.

Barty is the first Australian finalist for 45 years to have reached the competition’s finale.

Keys went down fighting, starting off with a winning 0-15.

Barty then levelled with a big serve before Keys took the lead once again making it 30-15.

But Barty had another huge serve and two match points.

And it was all over when a serve from Barty set up a passing shot.

Barty – 6-1 5-2 Keys

Barty is one game away from the final with a love hold.

Keys has shown signs of promise but can’t seem to break through Barty’s resilience.

Keys shows fighting spirit

Keys hasn’t let the first set loss get to her and is playing better than Barty at this point.

Barty is struggling to keep up with the high levels she started the match with.

Barty claims the first set

Ash Barty has won the first set 6-1 in the women’s semi-final at the Australian Open.

Keys was responsible for a double fault over two break and set points.

Barty took the set with a clubbing winner.

Kyrgios subjected to verbal attack

Nick Kyrgios was labelled an ‘absolute kn*b’ for his on-court theatrics by rival Michael Venus.

Venus and his partner Tim Putz were dumped out of the Australian Open doubles quarter-finals by Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

And after the heated battle which saw Kyrgios mimic his opponents serving style, Venus made his feelings about the Aussie ace known.

Venus told TVNZ: “It felt like a circus out there, not really a tennis match… you know if it’s on the other foot, old mate (Kyrgios) would have flipped his lid.

And he also had a message for Kyrgios’ die-hard supporters, adding: “They’ll always be his supporters and he’ll spin it in a way that helps him, but at the end of the day he’s an absolute kn*b.”

Aussie Open schedule

The Australian Open continues today with some exciting matches set to take place.

Ash Barty will square up against Madison Keys in the Women’s Singles’ semi-final.

And Danielle Collins will lock horns with Iga Swiatek in the other semi-final

‘What would Novak do?’

Daniil Medvedev drew inspiration from Novak Djokovic during his victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime – a comment that drew a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd.

Medvedev said: “I have no idea [how I hung in there]. I was not playing my best and Felix was playing unbelievable. He was all over me and I do not know what to do.

“So I thought to myself – and some people won’t like this – what would Novak do?”

“I just fight to the last point and managed to raise my level for the next game. I played better [when the roof was closed]. My hand was slippery [when the roof was closed] so the roof closing helped my hand be less sweaty”