Both world number ones headline Friday’s action at the Australian Open before Alex de Minaur takes centre stage in primetime, as the third round gets underway.
Follow all the news from Day 6 of the Australian Open!
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Follow live updates from Day 6 at Melbourne Park below!
Aussie battlers fall at Melbourne Park | 00:53
‘NEW STADIUM, NO UMPIRES’: AO BOSS’ REVOLUTIONARY PLANS AMID BIGGEST OPEN EVER
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley sees a future with no umpires on court at all, and wants stadium seating totally transformed – potentially with a new venue entirely.
Record crowds have flocked to the Australian Open this year with growing concerns about overcrowding.
Massive and slow-moving queues have meant tens of thousands of fans are unable to see live tennis each day, though many attendees are only looking to enjoy the ever-expanding precinct.
For Tiley, who has been linked to a move to lead the US Open, expansion continues to be part of the tournament’s plans.
The Australian Financial Review reported he told a meeting of major Australian Open sponsors on Wednesday that big new ideas are already in place.
“We’re going to completely change the court. We’re on a three-year journey,” Tiley said.
“Naomi (Osaka’s fashionable entrance) was a good example of that last night and the beginning of that journey.
“My objective eventually is to have no officiating on the court, it’s all done behind the scenes. Have a conductor at the net, maybe in the box, just as part of the show, so its only about the battle of the two individuals with the focus on the sky and the sea and the blue of Melbourne, Australia, because most of the world are stuck in white and snow and cold weather.”
Tiley also sees a future where stadium seating is radically changed with food and drink “delivered by drones”, according to the report.
“There’s nothing worse than, there’s a row of 20 people and your seat is number 21 and you’re standing with your hands full and everyone’s got to stand up and lean back and you walk along sideways and try not to spill anything, so that’s got to transform as well,” Tiley said.
“So, building a new stadium with pod-style seating so you come in or out of your own pod of six or eight, you walk onto site, you’ve already purchased your ticket and that’s the last transaction you ever have. Your security’s already been checked and you don’t even know that’s happening because that will probably be when you leave your hotel.”
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 6 ORDER OF PLAY
Men’s and Women’s Singles third round
Show courts and Aussies – all times AEDT
Rod Laver Arena
Day session from 11:30am
[1] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) vs Anastasia Potapova (AUT)
Not before 1:30pm
[1] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs [32] Corentin Moutet (FRA)
Night session from 7pm
[29] Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs [6] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROM) vs [8] Mirra Andreeva (RUS)
Margaret Court Arena
Day session from 11:30am
[11] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs Fabian Marozsan (HUN)
Not before 2pm
[3] Coco Gauff (USA) vs Hailey Baptiste (USA)
Night session from 7pm
[12] Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs [23] Diana Shnaider (RUS)
[10] Alexander Bublik (KAZ) vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG)
John Cain Arena
Day session from 11am
[17] Victoria Mboko (CAN) vs [14] Clara Tauson (DEN)
[19] Tommy Paul (USA) vs [14] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)
Night session from 5pm
[29] Iva Jovic (USA) vs [7] Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
Not before 6:30pm
[3] Alex Zverev (GER) vs [26] Cameron Norrie (GBR)
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