January 23, 2025 • 35 mins
Madison Keys is the final hurdle in Aryna Sabalenka’s quest for a historic third consecutive Australian Open title after the American 19th seed edged out Iga Swiatek in a gripping super tiebreak. The world No.1 earlier booked her spot in the championship decider with a straight-sets win over Paula Badosa — experts Jill Craybas and Simon Rea join Jon and Blair to analyse the result, and preview the blockbuster men’s semifinals on Day 13: Novak Djokovic v Alex Zverev and Jannik Sinner v Ben Shelton. Alexia Mitchell helps preview the historic all-Australian mixed doubles final between Olivia Gadecki & John Peers and Kim Birrell & John-Patrick Smith. Plus, meet some of the globe-trotting fans who’ve travelled to Melbourne for AO 2025.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Janick Sinner, men's world number one, said that it's all
about getting ten hours of sleep.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Do you sleep for ten hours?
Speaker 3 (00:06):
Is that the secret?
Speaker 4 (00:07):
I thought you were gonna say, It's all about kerrots
for Janick butt.
Speaker 5 (00:10):
Okay, gooday, and welcome to the tennis For Day twelve
of AO twenty twenty five. John Huveerna's with all the
big news from Melbourne Park every day of the main drawer.
Today on the tennis keys opens the door to the
championship decider.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Yeah, I'm in the finals.
Speaker 5 (00:28):
The sable anchor three peet within reach.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
If I'll be able to put my name in the history,
it's gonna be in a war from me.
Speaker 5 (00:33):
Plus we preview the men's semifinals Cinner versus Shelton and
Djokovic versus Verev, and we meet some of the fans
of the AO.
Speaker 6 (00:41):
I've been to all other Grand Slams yet and was
a dream to one day got to the three and Open.
Speaker 5 (00:45):
That's all ahead on the tennis.
Speaker 7 (00:50):
Keys, sticks us out fourhand from Franca is long and
it is a first Australian Open final for Madison Keys,
eight long years since her last major single final. She's
back in the big time an extraordinary match against Sega Shrumzeh,
(01:11):
but Madison.
Speaker 8 (01:12):
Keys has found a way to win.
Speaker 7 (01:15):
After two hours and thirty six minutes on rod Laver Arena,
she is through five seven six, one seven six.
Speaker 5 (01:25):
Madison Keys has whirled her way into her maiden Australian
Open final, holding her nerve in a dramatic ten point
super tie break against Eggish Fiontec. After four consecutive breaks
to open the match, Fiontek was first to settle and
looked dangerous on return, breaking for a third time to
go ahead four to two. Keys was good enough to
claw her way back to five all, but she struggled
(01:47):
with the world number two's deep cross court returns and
coughed up a crucial break in the twelfth game to
give up the first set. It was a revitalized American
nineteenth seed in the second set. She won five consecutive
games before her opponent was able to recover one of
the breaks, but the margin was sufficient enough thirty six winners,
including seven aces, forcing Sfiontek into a deciding set for
(02:10):
the first time this tournament. Sensing the occasion, both athletes
locked in. Keys was more certain on serve, while the
world number Two's aggression at the net kept up her
scoreboard pressure. As the symphony neared its crescendo. Both players
upp to their level until a fracture in keys game
at five four three errors, letting Sfriontek off the hook
(02:32):
before the poll, converted a break point of her own
and served for the match. She found a match point
at forty thirty in the twelfth game, but crumbled under
the pressure two forced errors and a double fault on
break point, sending the match to a super tie break.
On the stroke of midnight, Polish Hearts were in mouths
when Siontek double faulted again on her opening serve, but
(02:54):
she steadied the ship and found a mini break at
three to one, a margin she maintained all the way
to seven five, when Keys struck a backhand winner against
the tide. Fiontek made a huge drop volley to go
ahead eight to seven, a highlight, but it was the
last point you'd win, as Keys hit a clutch ace
wide for eight all before drawing two fatal errors from
(03:15):
her opponent's racket. At the death. Keys threw five seven six,
one seven six in two hours and thirty five minutes.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Yeah, I'm in the finals. Yeah, I mean that match
was as just such high level and she played so well,
and I felt like I was just fighting to stay
in it, and then obviously really kind of ran with
the second and then the third was just a battle.
And to be able to be standing here and be
(03:43):
in the finals is absolutely amazing, and I'm so excited
that I get to be here on.
Speaker 5 (03:47):
Saturday, a devastated Fiontech departing Melbourne one win, shy of
a spot in the final for the second time in
four years.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
This match was long, so it had many different.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Changes on momentum and many different moments that I could
you describe, but I guess aid Dan, do you know,
Madison like was kind of brave with her decisions and
she pushed me when she needed to, and and yeah,
I would say I wasn't feeling as you know, free
as on previous matches to also push the important moments
(04:22):
for keys.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
She advances to Saturday's championship decider for the first time
in Melbourne against Arena Sablenka.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
I think what's really impressive is her mentality, and I
think her ability to kind of always go for it
no matter what the score is is really impressive. And
I mean, she plays such fearless tennis and she has
the ability to play so well that way. I think
(04:49):
it's very unique. I think a lot of people, no
matter what, even if it was a tight point, you
kind of expect them to play a little bit more
conservative or back down a little bit.
Speaker 5 (04:59):
And you know she's not going to do that.
Speaker 9 (05:04):
Then let's say you on the forehanded. But also sounding
like a big boy head up alone. It's old, just
a little bit of history repeating. Or Areada Saba back
to back Australian Open champion and gets the opportunity to
make it a hat trick.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
I'm so proud of myself. I'm proud of my team
that we were able to put ourselves in such a situation.
And it's it's it's gonna it's privileged, you know. And
and if I'll be able to put my name in
the history, it's gonna means a lot. It's gonna mean
a war for me in the world. For me, it's
it's been a dream. I mean, I couldn't even dream
about that, to be honest. At first, I was dreaming
(05:40):
to win at least one Grand Slam. Now I have
this opportunity it's incredible and I'm gonna go out and
leave everything I have in the in the finals and
and I forgot that mama. Guys, thank you so much
for the atmosphere. You are amazing.
Speaker 5 (05:55):
Or Day twelve, the Australian Open has become synonymous with
women's semi final night, Arena Sablanca progressing to her third
consecutive final here, taking up Palabadosa six four six '
two was the score line, although early in that first set,
jull Crabis it looked as if Palabadosa is going to
be the quickest one out of the blocks and made
a very optimistic start.
Speaker 10 (06:16):
I think she knew she had to get a very
good start against Sabolenka. You want to get on top
as early as you can, and that next game was
pretty tight, but Sabolenka got the game, got on the board,
and from that moment on, I felt like she just
lifted her level. In my opinion, I feel like this
is the best match Sabolenka has played here. I think
it's always tough playing a really good friend. It's not
(06:37):
easy to separate that when you walk out on the court,
but players are used to it happens all the time
and so she handled herself really well. And that's something
Sabalanka has done excellent over the last couple of years,
is how she handles her emotions, and she did that
really well today.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
I mean, there's always tough to play against your friend,
but as I always say, a long time ago, we
decided that, you know, like of the court we were from,
but on the court openings and whatever happens in the court,
it stays there, and uh, you know, after the match,
we're back to be friends again. But yeah, there was
difficult match. She played incredible tennis and then I'm honestly,
(07:14):
I'm really happy to see her back on her on
her best level. And I just saw her like things
are going her way, just stay there, fight and it's
gonna You're gonna get it.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Incredible play from Arena Savlenka. And I think back to
the fifth game of the first set, which I think
was so pivotal, not just because Pealabadosa got broken in
that game, but because it was a soul crushing game
because she had a couple of game points to get
it done. To get the hold, she saved three break
points before finally getting broken five deuces I think total.
So that was it was a tough one mentally, and
(07:47):
then you could just see things shift after that point.
Speaker 11 (07:50):
Yeah, and I think we saw, you know, a two
time now defending champion of the Australia Open just elevate
her game when she when she really needed to. I
agree with Jill. I think it was clear from my
perspective of the best I've seen her look over the
fortnight so far. Whoever it is that meets her on
Championship Saturday, that's going to be a stern task and
(08:11):
I think it's a really intimidating task to be coming
up against Arena Sableinka. So Palabadosa doesn't have her best
night on serve. She served fifty three percent of first
serves in the court, and then she has a really
hard time on second serve, whereas Arena Sabalanca. She elevated
her serving performance tonight. So we've seen her average mean
to high one sixties so far in the event. She
went up on the speedo if you like. Tonight she
(08:33):
went up ten eleven twelve k's on first serve, so
she's doing a lot more damage than we've seen from
her so far in the event, and just all over
the Palabadosa second serve and then once she established establishes
court position, then she's just done leashing on the forehand.
And that that was a gap in the match tonight
that I didn't necessarily expect. We haven't seen it so far.
She averaged tonight fifteen k's an hour faster on fourhand
(08:57):
side than Palabadosa, really just bullying her around the court.
So I thought we saw of elevate tonight.
Speaker 5 (09:03):
So is there anything else that Paula could have done
to get a little bit more of a foothold in
this match?
Speaker 10 (09:08):
Do you think, Well, there was a moment where I
was thinking after the first set because I'm thinking what
she could do to adapt, and in the beginning of
the second I think she just got into this battle
of trying to overpower Seblenka, which was not working. And
I think that happens sometimes when you're flustered, when you're
not finding a way necessarily, and her go to was
(09:28):
to just go harder and harder, and it just kind
of fed into what Sabelenka likes. And what Sabelenka did
really well is what she's been trying to incorporate in
her game for the past year and a half, is
that more variety.
Speaker 12 (09:39):
She threw in some.
Speaker 10 (09:40):
Backhand slices sometimes when she set up to hit the
forehand when she could, sometimes she opted to go angle instead.
And I love that she's bringing that stuff in a
few drop shots as well. I mean, for the majority
of the time she was hitting hard and going after it,
but she has options now to disrupt the rhythm and
play and I think that it helped. But I also
(10:01):
think Paula could have maybe incorporated that a little bit
more because she has that heavy spin to be able
to spread the quurt a bit more.
Speaker 11 (10:09):
Yeah, And I think in terms of pressure points, you know,
you have to probably face the reality that when you're
up against Arena Sablinker, you're going to be digging or
attempting to dig yourself out of some holes on serve.
And we spoke last night about maybe there's the possibility
of serving out her body and trying to limit the
damage she can do that way. The other thing I'd
probably throw at is not a lot of evidence tonight
in terms of serve location when she was down or
(10:29):
level on her serve palabidosa of her serving wide to
either side to at least give herself a chance to
get on top of the point and make Arena Sablinca
cover some more court to the first ball. But as
we said, she had a poor serving night overall from
a first serve in play perspective, and I think this
is the wrong woman, especially right now, to be having
a poor serving night against Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
And it's really awesomed up when you look at the
winner count. So Paula eleven, Arena thirty two, and she
just was pouncing on anything in the middle third of
that court. I did think Paula left a lot of
balls short today, just again not quite as deep as
it needed to be if you're going to be hitting
in that middle third.
Speaker 5 (11:08):
Worked out for Yeah.
Speaker 11 (11:09):
And off the win account seventeen to three off four
hand side, so off those thirty two that please describing
seventeen to three off the fourhand wing. So it's a
big gap in the match.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
So what I'm hearing is that Sable anchor is prime
this final.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Impressed. She was asked if she was scared, which I
thought was an interesting way. I saw a phrase a
question and she said scared, Like no, I'm past that
at this point. She is hungry. She I think wants
to play Ega in the final. She wants that opportunity
one versus two.
Speaker 11 (11:39):
If things are going against her. There's not that same
sense of panic that perhaps there once was, so there's
a greater degree of clarity of thought, and she's a
little more patient forgiving with herself, not as quick to
hit the panic button. So I think she's obviously an
intimidating prospect when she's a front runner, and she's giving
herself a better chance now if when things are going
(12:00):
against her on the scoreboard, to fight her way and
think her way back into the contest.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
Fantastic to also see a lot of the legends up
there watching on and Tyra Banks in the front row.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Of Ara was serving a luke, as we say in
the United States, not a look an l w came
meaning meaning that you can't really describe it other than
to say it's a luke.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
In other day twelve stories, Harry Hellyevara and Henry Patten
have held their nerve in a seesawing contest to progress
to the men's doubles final. The sixth seeds overcame Germans,
Kevin Kravites and Tim Pwetts in a semi final thriller
crucially saving all four breakpoints they faced in the final set.
Hellyevara and Patten clinched the tiebreak and the match six three, six,
(12:47):
seven six. The Finn and britt now have the chance
to back up their Wimbledon crown.
Speaker 13 (12:52):
That brought memories from Wimbledon win. We won two matches
in the thirtieth match tiebreak at Wimbledon last summer, and
now we were able to do it here. It Ossi opened.
That's a very good sign and it was such an
amazing atmosphere play for the first time on this court
for both of us, and we showed our best and
can be really proud.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
It's been an almighty comeback for Heliavara, who took a
break from his career to work in finance.
Speaker 13 (13:16):
If you asked me five six years ago if this
was possible, when I was making power points and Excel
sheets in the office, I would have laughed as much
as you guys just laughed.
Speaker 5 (13:24):
But good decision.
Speaker 13 (13:26):
I haven't regretted a single a single day. And I
mean as a junior I won the boys doubles here
in two thousand and seven. That was a long time ago.
But let's go again.
Speaker 5 (13:35):
The pair will out take on Italian Simone Balelli and
Andrea Vavassori. In the final, the third seeds came from
behind against Andre Gorenson and Sam Verbak, serving big and
picking their moments to prevail two six six three sixty four.
Speaker 14 (13:49):
Feel amazing, I mean happy to be in the final
again after last year. We're playing a really good tourna.
I mean today they play unbelievable for sete. We need
to organizer the new game for the second set because
actually they surprised. I mean there was a really really
aggressive on the return on the server. But we kept
(14:10):
fight as always and the kid the match was like
to return a little bit better in some occasion. We
did it so really good.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
The pair were pipped at the post in last year's final,
falling short at the Australian Open and Roland Garross deciders,
but they're determined to not feel that heartbreak again.
Speaker 14 (14:27):
Last year we lost it during the night yere and
so we tried to do our best on Saturday. You
know it's always a Grand Slam final. We won a winner.
So Melbourne is our favorite tournament. So thank you for
the support guys for today, for all the week. Thank
you very much.
Speaker 5 (14:45):
The Wheelchair Singles finals matchups have been decided and Nick
Vancote is gunning for her fourth Grand Slam title and
her first Australian crown since twenty thirteen. The Dutch woman
saved a match point before overcoming one Zi ying one, six,
seven six.
Speaker 15 (15:00):
It's quite amazing and it also shows that I've been
playing for a very long time.
Speaker 4 (15:05):
But yeah, well I didn't. It didn't look like it
that I was going to be in the final.
Speaker 15 (15:12):
Somehow it worked, somehow I got my body looser.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
I'm just I'm about to cry.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
So yeah.
Speaker 5 (15:20):
Van Koto now faced Japan's Yui Kmigi, who accounted for
Li Xiaohui in straight sets. Comedie's compatriot and also the
top seed, Torquito Order is through to the Men's Wheelchair
Singles after beating Martin de la Pente in straight sets.
At just eighteen years old. The defending champion is looking
for his fifth Grand Slam title after winning six to one,
(15:41):
six to one.
Speaker 16 (15:41):
I think I played really good from at the beginning
Antioda Ennis. You know, like I always pushing myself to
like poor and you know sometime I go like a savanabolee.
So I make it one time, so I'm Inabin.
Speaker 5 (15:55):
He'll meet Alfie Hewitt in a rematch of last year's
Australian Open Final, the Britt getting the job done against
Gustavo Fernandez six three to six y three. Doubles action
continues tomorrow with the women's doubles semi finals and the
All Australian Mixed doubles final. Alexia Mitchell joins us to
explain more about this historic showdown. Why so significant?
Speaker 17 (16:16):
So this is the first time since nineteen sixty seven
that two Australian mixed doubles teams are playing off in
the mixed doubles final. So what's remarkable is that both
teams are actually wild cards, that being Olivia Gadeki with
John Piers and Kim Berrel with John Patrick Smith.
Speaker 5 (16:36):
So who are the last dozzies to win the mixed
doubles here?
Speaker 17 (16:39):
So that was Yumila Gaidisova and Matt Ebden in twenty thirteen.
Speaker 5 (16:44):
I feel like the vibes between these two pairs have
been so positive throughout this last week.
Speaker 17 (16:49):
Oh absolutely, they have been playing amazing tennis and have
been really made to fight on their way to the
championship decider. The Beryl and Smith pairing having to fight
through two match tiebreaks to get there, but they're feeling
totally at ease.
Speaker 18 (17:03):
It's been amazing and what she said, like it's been
so easy. It's been you know, Kim's team a family,
like it's just been Honestly, it doesn't eveneel like a
tennis want to be honest, like we got practice, we play.
It's just kind of like, you know, so amos, like
we don't have a training wik you know, it doesn't
feel like we're away plan of slam and then all
of a sudden, we're playing to slam on Friday.
Speaker 5 (17:21):
So two very new partnerships. I don't think we've seen
either of them play together before this tournament. But the
men are no stranger to the doubles.
Speaker 17 (17:29):
Scene, Oh absolutely not. So. Smith himself was in the
mixed doubles final in twenty thirteen, while he didn't win that. Piers,
on the other hand, has so much experience behind him.
He won the twenty seventeen mixed doubles final here. He's
an Olympic gold medalist from the Paris Games in twenty
twenty four, and he won the mixed trophy at the
(17:50):
twenty twenty two US Open. So the blokes have plenty
of experience behind them. Pears is old hand at these
events and Gadeki, at fourteen years he's junior, is pretty
stoked to reach the final. Producer ersin Kderis spoke to
the pair.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
It's pretty awesome, you know, to be able to win
a couple of rounds and be in my first grandsonon
final alongside Peers. But yeah, it's been magical. You know,
being able to play in front of home crowd, family doesn't.
Speaker 13 (18:17):
Get much better than that.
Speaker 19 (18:18):
And what's it been like for you? It's been a
lot of fun. I mean, to be able to come
back home, play in front of a home crowd, play
on alongside Leave, it's been so much fun. We've battled
each match. I think even first round we came from
five to two down in the first set and then
we got on a nice little run. And you know,
that's mixed doubles. You've got to enjoy the highs and
lows and ride away for as long as we can.
You've won a couple of double Grand Slam titles before.
Speaker 8 (18:40):
What does it take to get to that next level?
Speaker 19 (18:44):
Just keep chipping away all the time. I mean live
and I kept hanging in there. I mean, you can
never win a slam from your first couple of rounds,
but you can siddenly lose one. So we kept showing up,
kept hanging around and today was a little bit more
routine than the round before. But we've got a chance
now we're in the final and.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
Rolo Coaster summer it's been for Kim Berrell, who had
a magnificent campaign up in Brisbane but then had to
deal with the emotion of losing to a lucky loser
in the first round of the singles.
Speaker 17 (19:10):
Yeah, it's been such a as you say, a topsy
turvy week for her. She's partnered up with Smith and
it just seems like they are so comfortable in each
other's company. They're real good friends. And for Smith, he's
going to be feeling pretty sweet regardless of the result.
Speaker 18 (19:25):
To play my birthday Urla, you know, with Kim family
friends around, I mean, you couldn't ask for a better
birthday present, to be honest, like, it's going to be,
you know, win lose, draw, It's going to be so
much fun. And that was that model whole week.
Speaker 19 (19:37):
Just have fun.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
I have Gooseba.
Speaker 18 (19:39):
It's really crazy.
Speaker 10 (19:39):
If you had said I would be in a Grand
Slam final at the beginning of the week, I just yeah,
it blows my mind and I just want to enjoy every.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
Second great chemistry between Kim and John Patrick. When does
this event actually take place?
Speaker 17 (19:51):
So the mixed doubles final is on Rod Lavor tomorrow
ahead of the men's singles semi finals.
Speaker 5 (19:57):
Cant wait, thanks LEXI. Turning our attention now to date
thirteen and it's time for the men to take center
stage for their semi finals and Jill, the first match
we're going to look at is Yannick Ciner. He takes
on Ben Shelton, the Showtime Shelton in the first semi final.
How do you see this one playing out?
Speaker 10 (20:19):
I mean, I edged Center because just he's he's playing
extremely well. I think Ben's going to have to rely
on as massive serve. I think that's going to be
a huge aspect to his game that he's going to
need against center, because he's going to it's the only
way I think he's going to get the short balls
that he wants to attack. But he's going to have
to attack right away because center, obviously one of the
(20:40):
best movers I think Center. The way he played against
Demonor was ridiculous. He played so good. I think that
matchup obviously suits Center. I mean he's ten and zero
now against Demonor, so but Ben has a lot that
he can go to. He can come into the net,
which he's been doing a lot more. He came into
the net a lot against Snago and worked his advantage.
(21:01):
He had a really good percentage coming forward. I think
he's going to try and do that. He even serve
and volley a few times, which I think, you know,
if the body served, coming in and serve and volley
I think could be effective, not all the time, but
just throwing it in. I mean, I think it's going
to be a good a really good contest, and I
think we're going to see a lot of you know, entertainment,
(21:21):
which is going to be great, a lot of big
shots from Ben. But I feel like a Center is
going to be a little bit too solid and consistent,
and he's starting to hit really big off the ground.
He has He started incorporating that a year ago. And
I remember when he started to go full force on
the forehand in particular, and he was missing a lot,
but he kept at it and he kept at it
and now it's not a risky shot for him, so
(21:43):
he's starting to go really big off the off the ground.
So I think Center has the edge, but I think
it's going to be a great match.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
So what does Shelton have to do against Sinna that
Alex Demono was unable to do in the quarter final?
Speaker 11 (21:56):
Well, I locked that from Jill full force. I think
that's what Shelton has to bring to the court tomorrow night.
So he does have to go full force against Yarnick.
He's got the weapons Ben, and then we spoke a
couple of days ago too, John. Sometimes with Ben Shelton,
for all the weaponry that he does possess, you can
on occasion you can see him retreat and almost rely
(22:16):
on his physicality. And he's an explosive athlete, so he
can use that explosiveness to come at you. Sometimes I
think he falls into the trap of using that explosiveness
and that athleticism and that shot making to be the defender,
to be the counterpuncher, to be retreating in the court.
I don't like his chances if he goes to the
second of those plans tomorrow night, if he mixes it up,
if he goes full force if he's prepared to hit
(22:38):
and come in to serve and volley sometimes to try
and challenge Arnick to take it out of what we
would call it kind of first to eleven contests from
the back of the court. I don't like his chances
in that baseline exchange. So the more he can dish
up something different to that, I think the better his chances.
Even then, it's a heck of a big ask.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
One of the things that I have been so amazed
by watching Ben and also knowing his dad, Brian, is
their commitment to the big picture. Ben is always working
on things, which seems crazy to do that in a
Grand Slam match en route to the semifinals, but he's
always working on different ways to approach his tennis. That's
why we don't see him use the bomb serve as
(23:19):
much as he could, because he's working on his placement.
That's something that Brian Shelton has actually been criticized a
little bit about, saying, you know, as the coach, you
should be telling your student who has that massive bomb
serve to go for the bomb serve. But that's been
something that they've worked on very intentionally. As working on
the placement, mixing up spins. There is a legendary story
(23:39):
about Ben when he was still playing challenger tennis in
late twenty twenty two, was working on a serve and
volley played an entire challenger match, served and volleyed on
every single service point that he had, and that is
so rare, I think, especially for a young player to
be able to get over the results, not care about
the result, but be committed to your big picture development.
(24:01):
So I actually think it's possible that we have not
seen Ben's best tennis yet because he's been finding maybe
other ways to get to the finish line. And he
said that impressed. He said, you know, the biggest difference
in me now is to get to the semi finals.
I'm not having to redline yeah en route, I am
within my comfort zone. So I am thinking we might
(24:22):
see a gear from Ben against Center that we haven't
seen yet.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
Well. Also, after Shelton's quarter final winner Lorenzo Sonago, he
was asked what a pass mark would be a show
of success for Australian Open twenty twenty five.
Speaker 8 (24:35):
I think that with what I've shown myself, the toughness
that I've played with the different ways that I've been
able to win, it's already a success. Winning five matches
in a tournament is always a success, especially when they're
three out of five sets. I'm a person anytime I
(24:56):
show up to a tournament, one I think I can
win it, and two want to win it, and uh yeah,
when when you don't, you go back to the drawing board.
It's a it's a tough, tough tour with a lot
of amazing players, and to play your best tennis on
the weekends and when titles on Sunday is something that
(25:16):
I'm obviously striving for and shooting for.
Speaker 5 (25:18):
He seems relaxed and confident, but in his mind he's
sort of done far and above what he came to
do already, so there's a sense of freedom that he's
going to be playing with against Janick Sinna.
Speaker 10 (25:30):
I think I think he's still once more. I mean,
I'm sure he sounds happy with, you know, getting to
this stage, but they always, they always want more. And yes,
I think all these players, I do feel like are
about the process. But it's actually believing that down to
the core that it is about the process, because you
(25:50):
can get hung up on the results. He seemed to
have an amazing perspective on that and understands that. I
do like the fact that he feels like he can
win in different ways because I feel like that's what
he's going to need because when things that's what the
top players do the best, is when they're down and
they're not winning, they have to find a different way.
And so I think that's awesome that he has all
(26:12):
these tools that he can choose from. He can mix
it up on the serve, as Blair said, and I
saw a lot of kick serves that he used against
Sonago which worked very well. But it's about and I
think he's gotten to this stage. He's still very young,
but I think he's gotten to this stage where he's
understanding even more when to use those shots. Because players
that have so many tools, like a Ben or an Alcaaz,
(26:34):
sometimes you have so much to choose from that I
can get confusing. And I do feel like you see
that in Ben that he's starting to understand and get
a little bit smart about when to use these things
when and understanding what the opponent's good at and stuff
with that. It's great to see. I know for sure
he's going to want more, but I do. I love
his perspective.
Speaker 11 (26:54):
There's one number here that I'm looking at that I
think both Blair and Jel have done a great job
of describing on back end side. This is straan opener
in twenty twenty five from Ben Shelton. Forty percent of
the time we see him take the chip option going
with the slice back end. That's a big number. It's
a lofty number. I'm looking at this and I'm thinking
about this match tomorrow and I'm thinking if Ben slicing
(27:15):
to survive in the point, I think that's trouble. So
if he's a long way back in the court and
being bullied by the Aly center groundstrokes that it's groundstrokes,
that's trouble. If he's using that slice offensively, thinking I'm
going to test you and I'm going to bring you forward,
I'm gonna knife this thing. I'm going to test that
that group can sneak a little bit, a little bit around.
I'm going to see if I can challenge you offensively
with my slice. That's a whole different ballgame. So I
(27:37):
think it's there's a number there, but there's two different
pieces of context or thinking behind the number, and that's
one of the things I'm going to be looking at
tom night.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
A couple quick things. Number one, I went back and
checked to see how Yanick Center has historically done against lefties.
So he's twenty seven and ten in his career, but
since he's been steadily in the top ten, which so
beginning of twenty twenty three, he's twelve and one against
lefties and his only last wors to Shelton in Shanghai
(28:04):
twenty three, which, so yeah that I was thinking maybe
there's something maybe, yeah, a little lefty bump. I'm not
sure that that's going to bother you onix Center, but
I will say win or lose. I don't know if
you guys know this yet, but Ben has.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
A plan v oh yeah, the side hustle, Yeah, car salesman, Yeah,
we look forward to buying now.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
He's going to be fine.
Speaker 5 (28:26):
Good luck to Ben Shelton and Yannick Siner tomorrow.
Speaker 20 (28:29):
Well.
Speaker 5 (28:29):
The other semi final is, of course Novak Djokovic and
Alex Zverev. This is going to be super fascinating. Head
to head is eight to four, eight to four in
favor of Djokovic. Does Verev have a good chance here
to make his first Australian.
Speaker 10 (28:44):
I definitely think so, yeah, I definitely think he's got
a great chance. Actually, I mean a lot of obviously
depends the obvious thing we have to say. It depends
how healthy Novak is feeling. So hopefully, you know, the
hamstring is going to be fine.
Speaker 5 (28:57):
It was taped.
Speaker 10 (28:58):
It looked like by the end of the match moving okay,
So that's good news that he's had a couple of
days to recover. He's going to be up for this match.
But Zaverev has the weapons definitely to beat him. He's
done it four times before, and numerous times on hard courts.
I think three or the four times were on hard
courts when I beat Novak. I think it's funny because
I've talked to a couple of people that have actually
(29:20):
think Sarah's gonna win this one from the beginning before
the term it started, So there's been a few that
talked about it. They just I don't know why they
think he looks ready. I think I know sometimes when
he gets to the stage and when he plays big
matches and it gets an intense moment, he can kind
of retreat sometimes. I don't think he thinks that he's
(29:43):
going to be able to do that. He's going to
know he's that he can't do that, and he's proven
before against the Djokovic Alkoraz for example, that he can't
do that. And I've seen him play Alkoraz where he
just like knows he can't, he just goes for it.
And so you kind of hope he's at that stage
for his sake if he wants to make the final
hair But yeah, I think.
Speaker 6 (30:00):
He can do it.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
Is this another one where Zverev is going to have
to be more offensively focused and get inside the baseline?
Speaker 17 (30:06):
Well?
Speaker 11 (30:07):
I think so, And Gilge just stole my thunder because
that was the point that I was wanting to make.
Is I think when push comes to shav, if he's
prepared to be aggressively, consistently aggressive throughout the course of
this match, I think he can get it done. But
as soon as you hesitate just a fraction, I think
you allow Novak right back into the match and you
(30:28):
allow him to get it on his terms again from
the back of the court. So one thing about these
too is their second serve return profiles is so different.
Like we see Zverev a lot of the time, five six,
seven times out of ten a long way back in
the court. On second serve, we've very really, if ever
seen Novak there. He's nearly always on or inside the baseline.
And that's a bit of a tug of war here
because clearly he's very huge, and we know how good
(30:51):
a return of Novak is. I don't know if any
of us have ever seen a better return of than Novak.
So there's a little bit of the tug of war.
You know, Zverev on second serve return, typically he's gone
way back, Novak's coming forward. There's a lot of heat
coming at Novak on the Zvera first and second serve.
Let's see how that comes out. And then I'm right
there with Jill. I think, if Zverev gets into a
place where he's on the precipice of winning this match,
(31:12):
what type of game style, what type of commitment to
being aggressive and getting on top of the point do
we see from him in those moments. I think that's
the defining factor.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
I'm looking at this match from the mental side of things,
because I think it's easy for us to imagine that
Zverev has more mental scar tissue from getting very close
but not quite multiple times before than he actually does.
I think he's been able to sort of clear that
out of a system. I think he absolutely thinks he
(31:41):
is the best, and I think he thinks he's going
to be hoisting the trophy at the end of this week.
And he did say Impress that he felt like there
was almost too long between his first major final in
twenty twenty and then his second at Roland Garos in
twenty twenty four, and of course there was almost two
years where he was out for the ligaments that he
tore out Garos in twenty twenty two. He says, in
(32:02):
some ways now that he's been a regular contender at
the very top and he's seen some of these results,
now he's feeling more comfortable at the business end of
the biggest tournaments, make me a little little scared for
the rest of the field, because he believes.
Speaker 21 (32:16):
He believes I would like to win it, that's for sure.
I think I'm at a stage where where that would
be success for me, and I'm I'm obviously chasing that
that Grand Slam title, and yeah, I'm too muches away
and hopefully I can do that.
Speaker 5 (32:32):
Alex Zavera there ahead of his semi final against the
seventh seed Novak Djokovic tomorrow. So quickly go around the
table and give our predictions for who's going to be
there on the last Sunday of the tournament, just the
two finalists.
Speaker 3 (32:45):
Blair, Oh gosh, I Vet against Novak the other night.
I'm not going to do it again. So I'm going
to say it's going to be Djokovic center.
Speaker 5 (32:56):
Okay, Jill, I'm going to say Sina Zverev, Sena Zverev.
Speaker 11 (32:59):
Yeah, to go with Blair, and I think it's going
to be a djokovicin cinefinal on Sunday night.
Speaker 22 (33:07):
Well.
Speaker 5 (33:07):
AO twenty twenty five has once again proven a smash
with local fans, but some tennis diehards have embarked on
far greater journeys to see their favorite stars in action.
Producer Harper Pestinger took a microphone through Melbourne Park to
catch up with some of the fans at the Happy Slam.
Speaker 12 (33:23):
Can you tell us where you're from? I'm from originally
from California. And where's your family from Ukraine? And your
dad he's quite the famous figure in Ukraine.
Speaker 5 (33:32):
Yes, what do you do? Dad?
Speaker 20 (33:34):
Formal figures together Europeanship and World rules only for California.
Little's voice cheers for tennis. I'm very excited to be
part of the Australian Open.
Speaker 15 (33:47):
Yeah, I've come all the way from the UK, so
I'm already from Wales, but yeah, I've come all this
way just for the tournament. I was in the fan
zone and that was just epic, like there until like
one o'clock in the morning.
Speaker 23 (33:59):
We've come from Italy the see to be president of
the Australian Open.
Speaker 22 (34:02):
Well, I've traveled from Christchurch in New Zealand, but I'm
originally from the UK. Yeah, I got the tickets to
last night's gladiatorial battle in what would be only described
as the Australian Coliseum, and yeah, it was sort of
blow for blow, quite the entertaining matchup, said to family,
like one off the bucket list.
Speaker 23 (34:19):
We've got to see some excellent wheelchair tennis. That was
really enjoyed that we got in and watched the duble
some men's doubles as well, that was really great as well.
And the juniors. The juniors are doing really well, lots
of enthusiasm, lots of people cheering them on, and yeah,
it's really good.
Speaker 6 (34:36):
Yes, I'm coming from Germany and came actually for the
Australian Open. By the way, don't I've been to all
other gwend slams yet and it was a dream to
one day go to the Austree and Open.
Speaker 12 (34:47):
So Ting and her friends here wearing big bright Way
from Taiwan t shirts.
Speaker 23 (34:52):
You see the water bottle and on my hat.
Speaker 14 (34:55):
When we want to each store, we just pop in
and then we can't stand and just by.
Speaker 5 (35:03):
That's all for Day twelve of the Australian Open. Join
me again tomorrow for all of the big stories from
Day thirteen Men's semi Finals day. Be sure to subscribe
to never miss an episode, and please consider leaving a
rating or review so more fans can discover the tennis.
You can also catch our daily spotlight segment on our
YouTube channel, Australian Open TV and I'll catch you tomorrow
(35:24):
for more of the tennis
Janick Sinner, men's world number one, said that it's all
about getting ten hours of sleep.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Do you sleep for ten hours?
Speaker 3 (00:06):
Is that the secret?
Speaker 4 (00:07):
I thought you were gonna say, It's all about kerrots
for Janick butt.
Speaker 5 (00:10):
Okay, gooday, and welcome to the tennis For Day twelve
of AO twenty twenty five. John Huveerna's with all the
big news from Melbourne Park every day of the main drawer.
Today on the tennis keys opens the door to the
championship decider.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Yeah, I'm in the finals.
Speaker 5 (00:28):
The sable anchor three peet within reach.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
If I'll be able to put my name in the history,
it's gonna be in a war from me.
Speaker 5 (00:33):
Plus we preview the men's semifinals Cinner versus Shelton and
Djokovic versus Verev, and we meet some of the fans
of the AO.
Speaker 6 (00:41):
I've been to all other Grand Slams yet and was
a dream to one day got to the three and Open.
Speaker 5 (00:45):
That's all ahead on the tennis.
Speaker 7 (00:50):
Keys, sticks us out fourhand from Franca is long and
it is a first Australian Open final for Madison Keys,
eight long years since her last major single final. She's
back in the big time an extraordinary match against Sega Shrumzeh,
(01:11):
but Madison.
Speaker 8 (01:12):
Keys has found a way to win.
Speaker 7 (01:15):
After two hours and thirty six minutes on rod Laver Arena,
she is through five seven six, one seven six.
Speaker 5 (01:25):
Madison Keys has whirled her way into her maiden Australian
Open final, holding her nerve in a dramatic ten point
super tie break against Eggish Fiontec. After four consecutive breaks
to open the match, Fiontek was first to settle and
looked dangerous on return, breaking for a third time to
go ahead four to two. Keys was good enough to
claw her way back to five all, but she struggled
(01:47):
with the world number two's deep cross court returns and
coughed up a crucial break in the twelfth game to
give up the first set. It was a revitalized American
nineteenth seed in the second set. She won five consecutive
games before her opponent was able to recover one of
the breaks, but the margin was sufficient enough thirty six winners,
including seven aces, forcing Sfiontek into a deciding set for
(02:10):
the first time this tournament. Sensing the occasion, both athletes
locked in. Keys was more certain on serve, while the
world number Two's aggression at the net kept up her
scoreboard pressure. As the symphony neared its crescendo. Both players
upp to their level until a fracture in keys game
at five four three errors, letting Sfriontek off the hook
(02:32):
before the poll, converted a break point of her own
and served for the match. She found a match point
at forty thirty in the twelfth game, but crumbled under
the pressure two forced errors and a double fault on
break point, sending the match to a super tie break.
On the stroke of midnight, Polish Hearts were in mouths
when Siontek double faulted again on her opening serve, but
(02:54):
she steadied the ship and found a mini break at
three to one, a margin she maintained all the way
to seven five, when Keys struck a backhand winner against
the tide. Fiontek made a huge drop volley to go
ahead eight to seven, a highlight, but it was the
last point you'd win, as Keys hit a clutch ace
wide for eight all before drawing two fatal errors from
(03:15):
her opponent's racket. At the death. Keys threw five seven six,
one seven six in two hours and thirty five minutes.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Yeah, I'm in the finals. Yeah, I mean that match
was as just such high level and she played so well,
and I felt like I was just fighting to stay
in it, and then obviously really kind of ran with
the second and then the third was just a battle.
And to be able to be standing here and be
(03:43):
in the finals is absolutely amazing, and I'm so excited
that I get to be here on.
Speaker 5 (03:47):
Saturday, a devastated Fiontech departing Melbourne one win, shy of
a spot in the final for the second time in
four years.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
This match was long, so it had many different.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Changes on momentum and many different moments that I could
you describe, but I guess aid Dan, do you know,
Madison like was kind of brave with her decisions and
she pushed me when she needed to, and and yeah,
I would say I wasn't feeling as you know, free
as on previous matches to also push the important moments
(04:22):
for keys.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
She advances to Saturday's championship decider for the first time
in Melbourne against Arena Sablenka.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
I think what's really impressive is her mentality, and I
think her ability to kind of always go for it
no matter what the score is is really impressive. And
I mean, she plays such fearless tennis and she has
the ability to play so well that way. I think
(04:49):
it's very unique. I think a lot of people, no
matter what, even if it was a tight point, you
kind of expect them to play a little bit more
conservative or back down a little bit.
Speaker 5 (04:59):
And you know she's not going to do that.
Speaker 9 (05:04):
Then let's say you on the forehanded. But also sounding
like a big boy head up alone. It's old, just
a little bit of history repeating. Or Areada Saba back
to back Australian Open champion and gets the opportunity to
make it a hat trick.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
I'm so proud of myself. I'm proud of my team
that we were able to put ourselves in such a situation.
And it's it's it's gonna it's privileged, you know. And
and if I'll be able to put my name in
the history, it's gonna means a lot. It's gonna mean
a war for me in the world. For me, it's
it's been a dream. I mean, I couldn't even dream
about that, to be honest. At first, I was dreaming
(05:40):
to win at least one Grand Slam. Now I have
this opportunity it's incredible and I'm gonna go out and
leave everything I have in the in the finals and
and I forgot that mama. Guys, thank you so much
for the atmosphere. You are amazing.
Speaker 5 (05:55):
Or Day twelve, the Australian Open has become synonymous with
women's semi final night, Arena Sablanca progressing to her third
consecutive final here, taking up Palabadosa six four six '
two was the score line, although early in that first set,
jull Crabis it looked as if Palabadosa is going to
be the quickest one out of the blocks and made
a very optimistic start.
Speaker 10 (06:16):
I think she knew she had to get a very
good start against Sabolenka. You want to get on top
as early as you can, and that next game was
pretty tight, but Sabolenka got the game, got on the board,
and from that moment on, I felt like she just
lifted her level. In my opinion, I feel like this
is the best match Sabolenka has played here. I think
it's always tough playing a really good friend. It's not
(06:37):
easy to separate that when you walk out on the court,
but players are used to it happens all the time
and so she handled herself really well. And that's something
Sabalanka has done excellent over the last couple of years,
is how she handles her emotions, and she did that
really well today.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
I mean, there's always tough to play against your friend,
but as I always say, a long time ago, we
decided that, you know, like of the court we were from,
but on the court openings and whatever happens in the court,
it stays there, and uh, you know, after the match,
we're back to be friends again. But yeah, there was
difficult match. She played incredible tennis and then I'm honestly,
(07:14):
I'm really happy to see her back on her on
her best level. And I just saw her like things
are going her way, just stay there, fight and it's
gonna You're gonna get it.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Incredible play from Arena Savlenka. And I think back to
the fifth game of the first set, which I think
was so pivotal, not just because Pealabadosa got broken in
that game, but because it was a soul crushing game
because she had a couple of game points to get
it done. To get the hold, she saved three break
points before finally getting broken five deuces I think total.
So that was it was a tough one mentally, and
(07:47):
then you could just see things shift after that point.
Speaker 11 (07:50):
Yeah, and I think we saw, you know, a two
time now defending champion of the Australia Open just elevate
her game when she when she really needed to. I
agree with Jill. I think it was clear from my
perspective of the best I've seen her look over the
fortnight so far. Whoever it is that meets her on
Championship Saturday, that's going to be a stern task and
(08:11):
I think it's a really intimidating task to be coming
up against Arena Sableinka. So Palabadosa doesn't have her best
night on serve. She served fifty three percent of first
serves in the court, and then she has a really
hard time on second serve, whereas Arena Sabalanca. She elevated
her serving performance tonight. So we've seen her average mean
to high one sixties so far in the event. She
went up on the speedo if you like. Tonight she
(08:33):
went up ten eleven twelve k's on first serve, so
she's doing a lot more damage than we've seen from
her so far in the event, and just all over
the Palabadosa second serve and then once she established establishes
court position, then she's just done leashing on the forehand.
And that that was a gap in the match tonight
that I didn't necessarily expect. We haven't seen it so far.
She averaged tonight fifteen k's an hour faster on fourhand
(08:57):
side than Palabadosa, really just bullying her around the court.
So I thought we saw of elevate tonight.
Speaker 5 (09:03):
So is there anything else that Paula could have done
to get a little bit more of a foothold in
this match?
Speaker 10 (09:08):
Do you think, Well, there was a moment where I
was thinking after the first set because I'm thinking what
she could do to adapt, and in the beginning of
the second I think she just got into this battle
of trying to overpower Seblenka, which was not working. And
I think that happens sometimes when you're flustered, when you're
not finding a way necessarily, and her go to was
(09:28):
to just go harder and harder, and it just kind
of fed into what Sabelenka likes. And what Sabelenka did
really well is what she's been trying to incorporate in
her game for the past year and a half, is
that more variety.
Speaker 12 (09:39):
She threw in some.
Speaker 10 (09:40):
Backhand slices sometimes when she set up to hit the
forehand when she could, sometimes she opted to go angle instead.
And I love that she's bringing that stuff in a
few drop shots as well. I mean, for the majority
of the time she was hitting hard and going after it,
but she has options now to disrupt the rhythm and
play and I think that it helped. But I also
(10:01):
think Paula could have maybe incorporated that a little bit
more because she has that heavy spin to be able
to spread the quurt a bit more.
Speaker 11 (10:09):
Yeah, And I think in terms of pressure points, you know,
you have to probably face the reality that when you're
up against Arena Sablinker, you're going to be digging or
attempting to dig yourself out of some holes on serve.
And we spoke last night about maybe there's the possibility
of serving out her body and trying to limit the
damage she can do that way. The other thing I'd
probably throw at is not a lot of evidence tonight
in terms of serve location when she was down or
(10:29):
level on her serve palabidosa of her serving wide to
either side to at least give herself a chance to
get on top of the point and make Arena Sablinca
cover some more court to the first ball. But as
we said, she had a poor serving night overall from
a first serve in play perspective, and I think this
is the wrong woman, especially right now, to be having
a poor serving night against Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
And it's really awesomed up when you look at the
winner count. So Paula eleven, Arena thirty two, and she
just was pouncing on anything in the middle third of
that court. I did think Paula left a lot of
balls short today, just again not quite as deep as
it needed to be if you're going to be hitting
in that middle third.
Speaker 5 (11:08):
Worked out for Yeah.
Speaker 11 (11:09):
And off the win account seventeen to three off four
hand side, so off those thirty two that please describing
seventeen to three off the fourhand wing. So it's a
big gap in the match.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
So what I'm hearing is that Sable anchor is prime
this final.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Impressed. She was asked if she was scared, which I
thought was an interesting way. I saw a phrase a
question and she said scared, Like no, I'm past that
at this point. She is hungry. She I think wants
to play Ega in the final. She wants that opportunity
one versus two.
Speaker 11 (11:39):
If things are going against her. There's not that same
sense of panic that perhaps there once was, so there's
a greater degree of clarity of thought, and she's a
little more patient forgiving with herself, not as quick to
hit the panic button. So I think she's obviously an
intimidating prospect when she's a front runner, and she's giving
herself a better chance now if when things are going
(12:00):
against her on the scoreboard, to fight her way and
think her way back into the contest.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
Fantastic to also see a lot of the legends up
there watching on and Tyra Banks in the front row.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Of Ara was serving a luke, as we say in
the United States, not a look an l w came
meaning meaning that you can't really describe it other than
to say it's a luke.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
In other day twelve stories, Harry Hellyevara and Henry Patten
have held their nerve in a seesawing contest to progress
to the men's doubles final. The sixth seeds overcame Germans,
Kevin Kravites and Tim Pwetts in a semi final thriller
crucially saving all four breakpoints they faced in the final set.
Hellyevara and Patten clinched the tiebreak and the match six three, six,
(12:47):
seven six. The Finn and britt now have the chance
to back up their Wimbledon crown.
Speaker 13 (12:52):
That brought memories from Wimbledon win. We won two matches
in the thirtieth match tiebreak at Wimbledon last summer, and
now we were able to do it here. It Ossi opened.
That's a very good sign and it was such an
amazing atmosphere play for the first time on this court
for both of us, and we showed our best and
can be really proud.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
It's been an almighty comeback for Heliavara, who took a
break from his career to work in finance.
Speaker 13 (13:16):
If you asked me five six years ago if this
was possible, when I was making power points and Excel
sheets in the office, I would have laughed as much
as you guys just laughed.
Speaker 5 (13:24):
But good decision.
Speaker 13 (13:26):
I haven't regretted a single a single day. And I
mean as a junior I won the boys doubles here
in two thousand and seven. That was a long time ago.
But let's go again.
Speaker 5 (13:35):
The pair will out take on Italian Simone Balelli and
Andrea Vavassori. In the final, the third seeds came from
behind against Andre Gorenson and Sam Verbak, serving big and
picking their moments to prevail two six six three sixty four.
Speaker 14 (13:49):
Feel amazing, I mean happy to be in the final
again after last year. We're playing a really good tourna.
I mean today they play unbelievable for sete. We need
to organizer the new game for the second set because
actually they surprised. I mean there was a really really
aggressive on the return on the server. But we kept
(14:10):
fight as always and the kid the match was like
to return a little bit better in some occasion. We
did it so really good.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
The pair were pipped at the post in last year's final,
falling short at the Australian Open and Roland Garross deciders,
but they're determined to not feel that heartbreak again.
Speaker 14 (14:27):
Last year we lost it during the night yere and
so we tried to do our best on Saturday. You
know it's always a Grand Slam final. We won a winner.
So Melbourne is our favorite tournament. So thank you for
the support guys for today, for all the week. Thank
you very much.
Speaker 5 (14:45):
The Wheelchair Singles finals matchups have been decided and Nick
Vancote is gunning for her fourth Grand Slam title and
her first Australian crown since twenty thirteen. The Dutch woman
saved a match point before overcoming one Zi ying one, six,
seven six.
Speaker 15 (15:00):
It's quite amazing and it also shows that I've been
playing for a very long time.
Speaker 4 (15:05):
But yeah, well I didn't. It didn't look like it
that I was going to be in the final.
Speaker 15 (15:12):
Somehow it worked, somehow I got my body looser.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
I'm just I'm about to cry.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
So yeah.
Speaker 5 (15:20):
Van Koto now faced Japan's Yui Kmigi, who accounted for
Li Xiaohui in straight sets. Comedie's compatriot and also the
top seed, Torquito Order is through to the Men's Wheelchair
Singles after beating Martin de la Pente in straight sets.
At just eighteen years old. The defending champion is looking
for his fifth Grand Slam title after winning six to one,
(15:41):
six to one.
Speaker 16 (15:41):
I think I played really good from at the beginning
Antioda Ennis. You know, like I always pushing myself to
like poor and you know sometime I go like a savanabolee.
So I make it one time, so I'm Inabin.
Speaker 5 (15:55):
He'll meet Alfie Hewitt in a rematch of last year's
Australian Open Final, the Britt getting the job done against
Gustavo Fernandez six three to six y three. Doubles action
continues tomorrow with the women's doubles semi finals and the
All Australian Mixed doubles final. Alexia Mitchell joins us to
explain more about this historic showdown. Why so significant?
Speaker 17 (16:16):
So this is the first time since nineteen sixty seven
that two Australian mixed doubles teams are playing off in
the mixed doubles final. So what's remarkable is that both
teams are actually wild cards, that being Olivia Gadeki with
John Piers and Kim Berrel with John Patrick Smith.
Speaker 5 (16:36):
So who are the last dozzies to win the mixed
doubles here?
Speaker 17 (16:39):
So that was Yumila Gaidisova and Matt Ebden in twenty thirteen.
Speaker 5 (16:44):
I feel like the vibes between these two pairs have
been so positive throughout this last week.
Speaker 17 (16:49):
Oh absolutely, they have been playing amazing tennis and have
been really made to fight on their way to the
championship decider. The Beryl and Smith pairing having to fight
through two match tiebreaks to get there, but they're feeling
totally at ease.
Speaker 18 (17:03):
It's been amazing and what she said, like it's been
so easy. It's been you know, Kim's team a family,
like it's just been Honestly, it doesn't eveneel like a
tennis want to be honest, like we got practice, we play.
It's just kind of like, you know, so amos, like
we don't have a training wik you know, it doesn't
feel like we're away plan of slam and then all
of a sudden, we're playing to slam on Friday.
Speaker 5 (17:21):
So two very new partnerships. I don't think we've seen
either of them play together before this tournament. But the
men are no stranger to the doubles.
Speaker 17 (17:29):
Scene, Oh absolutely not. So. Smith himself was in the
mixed doubles final in twenty thirteen, while he didn't win that. Piers,
on the other hand, has so much experience behind him.
He won the twenty seventeen mixed doubles final here. He's
an Olympic gold medalist from the Paris Games in twenty
twenty four, and he won the mixed trophy at the
(17:50):
twenty twenty two US Open. So the blokes have plenty
of experience behind them. Pears is old hand at these
events and Gadeki, at fourteen years he's junior, is pretty
stoked to reach the final. Producer ersin Kderis spoke to
the pair.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
It's pretty awesome, you know, to be able to win
a couple of rounds and be in my first grandsonon
final alongside Peers. But yeah, it's been magical. You know,
being able to play in front of home crowd, family doesn't.
Speaker 13 (18:17):
Get much better than that.
Speaker 19 (18:18):
And what's it been like for you? It's been a
lot of fun. I mean, to be able to come
back home, play in front of a home crowd, play
on alongside Leave, it's been so much fun. We've battled
each match. I think even first round we came from
five to two down in the first set and then
we got on a nice little run. And you know,
that's mixed doubles. You've got to enjoy the highs and
lows and ride away for as long as we can.
You've won a couple of double Grand Slam titles before.
Speaker 8 (18:40):
What does it take to get to that next level?
Speaker 19 (18:44):
Just keep chipping away all the time. I mean live
and I kept hanging in there. I mean, you can
never win a slam from your first couple of rounds,
but you can siddenly lose one. So we kept showing up,
kept hanging around and today was a little bit more
routine than the round before. But we've got a chance
now we're in the final and.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
Rolo Coaster summer it's been for Kim Berrell, who had
a magnificent campaign up in Brisbane but then had to
deal with the emotion of losing to a lucky loser
in the first round of the singles.
Speaker 17 (19:10):
Yeah, it's been such a as you say, a topsy
turvy week for her. She's partnered up with Smith and
it just seems like they are so comfortable in each
other's company. They're real good friends. And for Smith, he's
going to be feeling pretty sweet regardless of the result.
Speaker 18 (19:25):
To play my birthday Urla, you know, with Kim family
friends around, I mean, you couldn't ask for a better
birthday present, to be honest, like, it's going to be,
you know, win lose, draw, It's going to be so
much fun. And that was that model whole week.
Speaker 19 (19:37):
Just have fun.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
I have Gooseba.
Speaker 18 (19:39):
It's really crazy.
Speaker 10 (19:39):
If you had said I would be in a Grand
Slam final at the beginning of the week, I just yeah,
it blows my mind and I just want to enjoy every.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
Second great chemistry between Kim and John Patrick. When does
this event actually take place?
Speaker 17 (19:51):
So the mixed doubles final is on Rod Lavor tomorrow
ahead of the men's singles semi finals.
Speaker 5 (19:57):
Cant wait, thanks LEXI. Turning our attention now to date
thirteen and it's time for the men to take center
stage for their semi finals and Jill, the first match
we're going to look at is Yannick Ciner. He takes
on Ben Shelton, the Showtime Shelton in the first semi final.
How do you see this one playing out?
Speaker 10 (20:19):
I mean, I edged Center because just he's he's playing
extremely well. I think Ben's going to have to rely
on as massive serve. I think that's going to be
a huge aspect to his game that he's going to
need against center, because he's going to it's the only
way I think he's going to get the short balls
that he wants to attack. But he's going to have
to attack right away because center, obviously one of the
(20:40):
best movers I think Center. The way he played against
Demonor was ridiculous. He played so good. I think that
matchup obviously suits Center. I mean he's ten and zero
now against Demonor, so but Ben has a lot that
he can go to. He can come into the net,
which he's been doing a lot more. He came into
the net a lot against Snago and worked his advantage.
(21:01):
He had a really good percentage coming forward. I think
he's going to try and do that. He even serve
and volley a few times, which I think, you know,
if the body served, coming in and serve and volley
I think could be effective, not all the time, but
just throwing it in. I mean, I think it's going
to be a good a really good contest, and I
think we're going to see a lot of you know, entertainment,
(21:21):
which is going to be great, a lot of big
shots from Ben. But I feel like a Center is
going to be a little bit too solid and consistent,
and he's starting to hit really big off the ground.
He has He started incorporating that a year ago. And
I remember when he started to go full force on
the forehand in particular, and he was missing a lot,
but he kept at it and he kept at it
and now it's not a risky shot for him, so
(21:43):
he's starting to go really big off the off the ground.
So I think Center has the edge, but I think
it's going to be a great match.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
So what does Shelton have to do against Sinna that
Alex Demono was unable to do in the quarter final?
Speaker 11 (21:56):
Well, I locked that from Jill full force. I think
that's what Shelton has to bring to the court tomorrow night.
So he does have to go full force against Yarnick.
He's got the weapons Ben, and then we spoke a
couple of days ago too, John. Sometimes with Ben Shelton,
for all the weaponry that he does possess, you can
on occasion you can see him retreat and almost rely
(22:16):
on his physicality. And he's an explosive athlete, so he
can use that explosiveness to come at you. Sometimes I
think he falls into the trap of using that explosiveness
and that athleticism and that shot making to be the defender,
to be the counterpuncher, to be retreating in the court.
I don't like his chances if he goes to the
second of those plans tomorrow night, if he mixes it up,
if he goes full force if he's prepared to hit
(22:38):
and come in to serve and volley sometimes to try
and challenge Arnick to take it out of what we
would call it kind of first to eleven contests from
the back of the court. I don't like his chances
in that baseline exchange. So the more he can dish
up something different to that, I think the better his chances.
Even then, it's a heck of a big ask.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
One of the things that I have been so amazed
by watching Ben and also knowing his dad, Brian, is
their commitment to the big picture. Ben is always working
on things, which seems crazy to do that in a
Grand Slam match en route to the semifinals, but he's
always working on different ways to approach his tennis. That's
why we don't see him use the bomb serve as
(23:19):
much as he could, because he's working on his placement.
That's something that Brian Shelton has actually been criticized a
little bit about, saying, you know, as the coach, you
should be telling your student who has that massive bomb
serve to go for the bomb serve. But that's been
something that they've worked on very intentionally. As working on
the placement, mixing up spins. There is a legendary story
(23:39):
about Ben when he was still playing challenger tennis in
late twenty twenty two, was working on a serve and
volley played an entire challenger match, served and volleyed on
every single service point that he had, and that is
so rare, I think, especially for a young player to
be able to get over the results, not care about
the result, but be committed to your big picture development.
(24:01):
So I actually think it's possible that we have not
seen Ben's best tennis yet because he's been finding maybe
other ways to get to the finish line. And he
said that impressed. He said, you know, the biggest difference
in me now is to get to the semi finals.
I'm not having to redline yeah en route, I am
within my comfort zone. So I am thinking we might
(24:22):
see a gear from Ben against Center that we haven't
seen yet.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
Well. Also, after Shelton's quarter final winner Lorenzo Sonago, he
was asked what a pass mark would be a show
of success for Australian Open twenty twenty five.
Speaker 8 (24:35):
I think that with what I've shown myself, the toughness
that I've played with the different ways that I've been
able to win, it's already a success. Winning five matches
in a tournament is always a success, especially when they're
three out of five sets. I'm a person anytime I
(24:56):
show up to a tournament, one I think I can
win it, and two want to win it, and uh yeah,
when when you don't, you go back to the drawing board.
It's a it's a tough, tough tour with a lot
of amazing players, and to play your best tennis on
the weekends and when titles on Sunday is something that
(25:16):
I'm obviously striving for and shooting for.
Speaker 5 (25:18):
He seems relaxed and confident, but in his mind he's
sort of done far and above what he came to
do already, so there's a sense of freedom that he's
going to be playing with against Janick Sinna.
Speaker 10 (25:30):
I think I think he's still once more. I mean,
I'm sure he sounds happy with, you know, getting to
this stage, but they always, they always want more. And yes,
I think all these players, I do feel like are
about the process. But it's actually believing that down to
the core that it is about the process, because you
(25:50):
can get hung up on the results. He seemed to
have an amazing perspective on that and understands that. I
do like the fact that he feels like he can
win in different ways because I feel like that's what
he's going to need because when things that's what the
top players do the best, is when they're down and
they're not winning, they have to find a different way.
And so I think that's awesome that he has all
(26:12):
these tools that he can choose from. He can mix
it up on the serve, as Blair said, and I
saw a lot of kick serves that he used against
Sonago which worked very well. But it's about and I
think he's gotten to this stage. He's still very young,
but I think he's gotten to this stage where he's
understanding even more when to use those shots. Because players
that have so many tools, like a Ben or an Alcaaz,
(26:34):
sometimes you have so much to choose from that I
can get confusing. And I do feel like you see
that in Ben that he's starting to understand and get
a little bit smart about when to use these things
when and understanding what the opponent's good at and stuff
with that. It's great to see. I know for sure
he's going to want more, but I do. I love
his perspective.
Speaker 11 (26:54):
There's one number here that I'm looking at that I
think both Blair and Jel have done a great job
of describing on back end side. This is straan opener
in twenty twenty five from Ben Shelton. Forty percent of
the time we see him take the chip option going
with the slice back end. That's a big number. It's
a lofty number. I'm looking at this and I'm thinking
about this match tomorrow and I'm thinking if Ben slicing
(27:15):
to survive in the point, I think that's trouble. So
if he's a long way back in the court and
being bullied by the Aly center groundstrokes that it's groundstrokes,
that's trouble. If he's using that slice offensively, thinking I'm
going to test you and I'm going to bring you forward,
I'm gonna knife this thing. I'm going to test that
that group can sneak a little bit, a little bit around.
I'm going to see if I can challenge you offensively
with my slice. That's a whole different ballgame. So I
(27:37):
think it's there's a number there, but there's two different
pieces of context or thinking behind the number, and that's
one of the things I'm going to be looking at
tom night.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
A couple quick things. Number one, I went back and
checked to see how Yanick Center has historically done against lefties.
So he's twenty seven and ten in his career, but
since he's been steadily in the top ten, which so
beginning of twenty twenty three, he's twelve and one against
lefties and his only last wors to Shelton in Shanghai
(28:04):
twenty three, which, so yeah that I was thinking maybe
there's something maybe, yeah, a little lefty bump. I'm not
sure that that's going to bother you onix Center, but
I will say win or lose. I don't know if
you guys know this yet, but Ben has.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
A plan v oh yeah, the side hustle, Yeah, car salesman, Yeah,
we look forward to buying now.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
He's going to be fine.
Speaker 5 (28:26):
Good luck to Ben Shelton and Yannick Siner tomorrow.
Speaker 20 (28:29):
Well.
Speaker 5 (28:29):
The other semi final is, of course Novak Djokovic and
Alex Zverev. This is going to be super fascinating. Head
to head is eight to four, eight to four in
favor of Djokovic. Does Verev have a good chance here
to make his first Australian.
Speaker 10 (28:44):
I definitely think so, yeah, I definitely think he's got
a great chance. Actually, I mean a lot of obviously
depends the obvious thing we have to say. It depends
how healthy Novak is feeling. So hopefully, you know, the
hamstring is going to be fine.
Speaker 5 (28:57):
It was taped.
Speaker 10 (28:58):
It looked like by the end of the match moving okay,
So that's good news that he's had a couple of
days to recover. He's going to be up for this match.
But Zaverev has the weapons definitely to beat him. He's
done it four times before, and numerous times on hard courts.
I think three or the four times were on hard
courts when I beat Novak. I think it's funny because
I've talked to a couple of people that have actually
(29:20):
think Sarah's gonna win this one from the beginning before
the term it started, So there's been a few that
talked about it. They just I don't know why they
think he looks ready. I think I know sometimes when
he gets to the stage and when he plays big
matches and it gets an intense moment, he can kind
of retreat sometimes. I don't think he thinks that he's
(29:43):
going to be able to do that. He's going to
know he's that he can't do that, and he's proven
before against the Djokovic Alkoraz for example, that he can't
do that. And I've seen him play Alkoraz where he
just like knows he can't, he just goes for it.
And so you kind of hope he's at that stage
for his sake if he wants to make the final
hair But yeah, I think.
Speaker 6 (30:00):
He can do it.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
Is this another one where Zverev is going to have
to be more offensively focused and get inside the baseline?
Speaker 17 (30:06):
Well?
Speaker 11 (30:07):
I think so, And Gilge just stole my thunder because
that was the point that I was wanting to make.
Is I think when push comes to shav, if he's
prepared to be aggressively, consistently aggressive throughout the course of
this match, I think he can get it done. But
as soon as you hesitate just a fraction, I think
you allow Novak right back into the match and you
(30:28):
allow him to get it on his terms again from
the back of the court. So one thing about these
too is their second serve return profiles is so different.
Like we see Zverev a lot of the time, five six,
seven times out of ten a long way back in
the court. On second serve, we've very really, if ever
seen Novak there. He's nearly always on or inside the baseline.
And that's a bit of a tug of war here
because clearly he's very huge, and we know how good
(30:51):
a return of Novak is. I don't know if any
of us have ever seen a better return of than Novak.
So there's a little bit of the tug of war.
You know, Zverev on second serve return, typically he's gone
way back, Novak's coming forward. There's a lot of heat
coming at Novak on the Zvera first and second serve.
Let's see how that comes out. And then I'm right
there with Jill. I think, if Zverev gets into a
place where he's on the precipice of winning this match,
(31:12):
what type of game style, what type of commitment to
being aggressive and getting on top of the point do
we see from him in those moments. I think that's
the defining factor.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
I'm looking at this match from the mental side of things,
because I think it's easy for us to imagine that
Zverev has more mental scar tissue from getting very close
but not quite multiple times before than he actually does.
I think he's been able to sort of clear that
out of a system. I think he absolutely thinks he
(31:41):
is the best, and I think he thinks he's going
to be hoisting the trophy at the end of this week.
And he did say Impress that he felt like there
was almost too long between his first major final in
twenty twenty and then his second at Roland Garos in
twenty twenty four, and of course there was almost two
years where he was out for the ligaments that he
tore out Garos in twenty twenty two. He says, in
(32:02):
some ways now that he's been a regular contender at
the very top and he's seen some of these results,
now he's feeling more comfortable at the business end of
the biggest tournaments, make me a little little scared for
the rest of the field, because he believes.
Speaker 21 (32:16):
He believes I would like to win it, that's for sure.
I think I'm at a stage where where that would
be success for me, and I'm I'm obviously chasing that
that Grand Slam title, and yeah, I'm too muches away
and hopefully I can do that.
Speaker 5 (32:32):
Alex Zavera there ahead of his semi final against the
seventh seed Novak Djokovic tomorrow. So quickly go around the
table and give our predictions for who's going to be
there on the last Sunday of the tournament, just the
two finalists.
Speaker 3 (32:45):
Blair, Oh gosh, I Vet against Novak the other night.
I'm not going to do it again. So I'm going
to say it's going to be Djokovic center.
Speaker 5 (32:56):
Okay, Jill, I'm going to say Sina Zverev, Sena Zverev.
Speaker 11 (32:59):
Yeah, to go with Blair, and I think it's going
to be a djokovicin cinefinal on Sunday night.
Speaker 22 (33:07):
Well.
Speaker 5 (33:07):
AO twenty twenty five has once again proven a smash
with local fans, but some tennis diehards have embarked on
far greater journeys to see their favorite stars in action.
Producer Harper Pestinger took a microphone through Melbourne Park to
catch up with some of the fans at the Happy Slam.
Speaker 12 (33:23):
Can you tell us where you're from? I'm from originally
from California. And where's your family from Ukraine? And your
dad he's quite the famous figure in Ukraine.
Speaker 5 (33:32):
Yes, what do you do? Dad?
Speaker 20 (33:34):
Formal figures together Europeanship and World rules only for California.
Little's voice cheers for tennis. I'm very excited to be
part of the Australian Open.
Speaker 15 (33:47):
Yeah, I've come all the way from the UK, so
I'm already from Wales, but yeah, I've come all this
way just for the tournament. I was in the fan
zone and that was just epic, like there until like
one o'clock in the morning.
Speaker 23 (33:59):
We've come from Italy the see to be president of
the Australian Open.
Speaker 22 (34:02):
Well, I've traveled from Christchurch in New Zealand, but I'm
originally from the UK. Yeah, I got the tickets to
last night's gladiatorial battle in what would be only described
as the Australian Coliseum, and yeah, it was sort of
blow for blow, quite the entertaining matchup, said to family,
like one off the bucket list.
Speaker 23 (34:19):
We've got to see some excellent wheelchair tennis. That was
really enjoyed that we got in and watched the duble
some men's doubles as well, that was really great as well.
And the juniors. The juniors are doing really well, lots
of enthusiasm, lots of people cheering them on, and yeah,
it's really good.
Speaker 6 (34:36):
Yes, I'm coming from Germany and came actually for the
Australian Open. By the way, don't I've been to all
other gwend slams yet and it was a dream to
one day go to the Austree and Open.
Speaker 12 (34:47):
So Ting and her friends here wearing big bright Way
from Taiwan t shirts.
Speaker 23 (34:52):
You see the water bottle and on my hat.
Speaker 14 (34:55):
When we want to each store, we just pop in
and then we can't stand and just by.
Speaker 5 (35:03):
That's all for Day twelve of the Australian Open. Join
me again tomorrow for all of the big stories from
Day thirteen Men's semi Finals day. Be sure to subscribe
to never miss an episode, and please consider leaving a
rating or review so more fans can discover the tennis.
You can also catch our daily spotlight segment on our
YouTube channel, Australian Open TV and I'll catch you tomorrow
(35:24):
for more of the tennis
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