Djoker’s shock snub as rival’s bizarre superstition stuns tennis world — Aus Open LIVE

The fourth round of the Australian Open is here, and while some huge names including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Alex de Minaur remain on the men’s side, the stars have fallen like flies in the women’s draw.

Just seven of the 32 seeds in the women’s singles advanced to the last 16, including only four of the top 17, capped off by the shocking loss of world No.1 Iga Swiatek to 19-year-old Linda Noskova last night.

It leaves the top half of the draw particularly bare with a first-time slam finalist looking exceedingly likely.

Watch Australia v West Indies on Kayo Sports. Every Test, ODI and T20I Live with no ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

Of the eight women remaining there, only Victoria Azarenka – a two time Melbourne Park champion – has experience winning a slam.

No.19 seed Elina Svitolina, a three-time Slam semi-finalist, is the next-most credentialed but is in line to face Azarenka in the quarter-finals, bracketed with fellow Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska and giant-killer Noskova.

One of those four will face a semi-finalist nobody saw coming, either No.12 seed Zheng Qinwen, a surprise US Open quarter-finalist who was ranked outside the top 125 two years ago, or one of No.26 seed Jasmine Paolini, Anna Kalinskaya or Oceane Dodin, none of whom had won more than one match at a slam before last week.

The bottom half of the draw, in action today, features just three seeds though that includes the last two hard-court slam winners – US Open champion Coco Gauff and reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Should one of them lose this afternoon, Gauff to Poland’s Magdalena Frech or Sabalenka to American Amanda Anisimova, the title would truly be up for grabs.

Meanwhile Novak Djokovic makes an exceedingly rare appearance in the day session following the end of his 15-match streak of playing in primetime on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic is heavily favoured to beat No.20 seed Adrian Mannarino, with the Frenchman having won three consecutive five-setters to reach this point.

Mannarino’s superstitions have since drawn focus, particularly his desire to not know who he’s playing until he’s walking out for his match.

“The interesting thing about Adrian Mannarino, he doesn’t realise who he plays until he walks out on the court – it’s a known fact,” John Millman explained.

“If you’re around Adrian, don’t tell him who his next opponent is. He doesn’t look really. It’s crazy. It’s crazy.”

After his win over Ben Shelton on Thursday, Mannarino asked interviewer Adam Peacock before his interview not to tell him who he would face next.

It’s nigh-on impossible now, however, that Mannarino would not know he’s facing Djokovic.

Australia’s Alex de Minaur plays on centre court in the night session, from 7pm AEDT, against world No.5 Andrey Rublev.

Follow the Australian Open in our LIVE BLOG below! Can’t see the blog? Click here