The Australian Open continues as Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter battled through to the second round to make history for British players in Melbourne.
Raducanu overcame problems with her serve to topple 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, with the former US Open champion making 15 double faults across the match but managing to raise her level when it counted to win 7-6 (4) 7-6 (2).
British No 1 Boulter then secured a “stressful” opening win over Canada’s Rebecca Marino, breaking her opponent in the final game of the deciding set to win 6-3 3-6 7-5. Boulter was roared over the line by the home fans, with fiancee Alex de Minaur watching courtside.
It means six British players have reached the second round of the Australian Open for the first time, with Raducanu and Boulter joining Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage, as well as Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley.
But Cameron Norrie could not join them as he struggled with illness and was unable to subdue Matteo Berrettini’s big serve as the Italian came from behind to beat the British No 2 in four sets.
Elsewhere, the in-form qualifier Joao Fonseca, 18, claimed the upset of the tournament so far with a straight-sets win over ninth seed Andrey Rublev.
Follow all the latest action from Melbourne Park below:
Australian Open latest scores and results
- Emma Raducanu battles to 7-6 7-6 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, the 26th seed
- Raducanu, who made 15 double faults, jokes that serve had ‘mind of its own’
- British No 1 Katie Boulter through after ‘stressful’ three-sets win
- History for British players as six through to second round for first time
- Cameron Norrie beaten as big-serving Matteo Berrettini through in four sets
- 18-year-old qualifier Joao Fonseca stuns ninth seed Andrey Rublev
Australian Open: Rybakina thrashes home wildcard.
17:01
Jamie Braidwood
Former Australian Open finalist and sixth seed Elena Rybakina faced no issues against 16-year-old Australian wildcard Emerson Jones as she advanced to the second round.
Jones is the junior World No 1 and hopes were high for the teenager competing on home soil but was swept aside 6-1 6-1 on Margaret Court Arena.
It was a difficult draw against the 2022 Wimbledon winner and 2023 Australian Open finalist Rybakina, who was ruthless in opening her campaign.
Emma Raducanu looks ahead to second round
16:33
Jamie Braidwood
Emma Raducanu will face Amanda Anisimova in the second round. The American is a former teeange prodigy and is a former French Open semi-finalist.
Now 23, she is returning to tennis after taking most of the 2023 season off due to a mental health break.
“I know she's a big ball-striker, she hits the ball really hard. Practiced with her a couple times. She likes to dictate. So I think it's going to be a big challenge for me, of course.
“She's had some amazing results, as well. She broke out really early. I'm looking forward to going out there and testing my game and seeing where I'm at.”
Emma Raducanu’s serve had ‘mind of its own’ during tricky Australian Open win
16:01
Jamie Braidwood
Emma Raducanu joked her serve had “a mind of its own” after she battled her way to victory over 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova despite 15 double faults.
Nine of them came in the first five games and several at key moments, but the issue did not prevent Raducanu claiming her best win at the Australian Open, clinching a 7-6 (4) 7-6 (2) victory after two hours and 16 minutes.
The 22-year-old has been working to improve her serve with coach Nick Cavaday, but it is certainly not the finished article.
“I’m not sure what I changed in my serve today,” she said. “I think it had a mind of its own. I will be sure to reflect, look at that and come back to you.
“I think in the first set I was hitting a lot of good first serves. I hit a few aces. At the same time, I was hitting a double fault. I was quite accepting of that: ‘OK, I’m at least going for it’.”
Joao Fonseca wants ‘more and more’ after first grand slam win
15:33
Jamie Braidwood
Joao Fonseca arrived at Australian Open qualifying looking to reach his first grand slam main draw, only to continue his winning streak and reach the second round with the upset of the tournament so far with a straight-sets win over Andrey Rublev.
But he is not done there: “I think when I arrived here, my first goal was to qualify for the main draw,” Fonseca said. “Of course, my expectations are bigger now. I want more and more.
“I’m very happy with the way that I played today with the win, but I already think about the next match. It’s going to be a good one against a very great player [Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego].
“I want more and more. I think that’s the mentality of the champion. So I’m just trying to think about the next match.”
British record at Australian Open ‘just the beginning’
15:03
Jamie Braidwood
Katie Boulter on the wins for Jack Draper, Emma Raducanu, Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart and Jacob Fearnley after joining them in round two.
“It’s awesome to have some positivity coming out around British tennis,” Boulter said as six British playes won their opening match at the Australian Open for the first time.
“It’s been coming for a long time. It’s just the beginning. I really think these girls and guys have been working so hard and everyone deserves a bit of credit. Obviously it’s a great start for everyone and let’s hope we can keep that going.”
Daniil Medvedev destroys net camera in wild Australian Open meltdown
14:33
Jamie Braidwood
Daniil Medvedev destroyed a camera attached to the net as the former World No 1 and three-time Australian Open finalist had a meltdown during his five-set victory over Kasidit Samrej.
Medvedev was behind in the third set against the Thai wildcard, ranked 418th in the world, and took five furious swings into the net with his racket after Samrej passed him with a winner.
The Russian fifth seed broke his racket while obliterating the small camera pinned to the centre strap, with the visual feed cutting out immediately as Medvedev took out his frustration.
Katie Boulter survives thriller to help set British record at Australian Open
14:02
Jamie Braidwood
Katie Boulter survived an intense encounter with Canada’s Rebecca Marino to help set a new British record at the Australian Open.
For the first time, six British players have won first-round matches but Boulter had to work extremely hard to join Jack Draper, Emma Raducanu, Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart and Jacob Fearnley in round two.
The 22nd seed was on the ropes early in the third set against her 98th-ranked opponent but, with fiancee Alex De Minaur heading from his own victory on Rod Laver Arena to cheer her on, Boulter dug out a 6-4 3-6 7-5 win.
Jack Draper expects hostile Australian Open crowd against Thanasi Kokkinakis
13:31
Jamie Braidwood
Jack Draper expects a hostile crowd to bring the best out of him at the Australian Open.
The British number one will face home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round at Melbourne Park on Wednesday, with the match scheduled in the night session on John Cain Arena.
“That’s definitely going to bring the best out of me,” Draper told the PA news agency ahead of the Kokkinakis clash.
“I think it’s going to be a really good atmosphere. Whether the crowd’s with me or against me, I remember what it was like playing Futures (tournaments) with no one watching.
“That’s what I play for, to play in front of a lot of people and entertain.”
Tomorrow’s Australian Open order of play, latest results and full schedule
13:04
Jamie Braidwood
The Australian Open continues tomorrow as Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley look to continue a strong start for British players by reaching the third round.
Wins for Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter on Tuesday mean that six British players have won their opening matches in the Australian Open singles for the first time.
British No 1 Draper faces a blockbuster clash with Australian home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis, while Fearnley - who beat Nick Kyrgios in his opening match - aims to continue his rise against Arthur Cazaux.
Meanwhile, Jodie Burrage faces a tough test against World No 3 Coco Gauff, while Harriet Dart will also be the underdog when she plays Olympics runner-up and 18th seed Donna Vekic.
Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are all also in action on a packed second-round schedule at the Australian Open.
Australian Open: History for British players
12:34
Jamie Braidwood
Here’s more from Katie Boulter, who has joined Emma Raducanu, Harriet Dart, Jodie Burrage, Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley in reaching the second round. It’s the first tme six British players have won their first round singles match at the Australian Open.
The women’s No 1 and 22nd seed believes there is more to come as well. “I am always striving for more. I feel like I had a really good year last year, on paper it was my career-high ranking best year. I really feel like I can improve my game so much more and every match that I play I have so much to keep improving.
“Hopefully you are going to keep seeing more and more of me this year and I’ll be higher up the rankings.”
Australian Open: Joao Fonseca stuns Andrey Rublev!
12:27
Jamie Braidwood
An incredible post-match interview from Joao Fonseca. What a superstar this 18-year-old could be.
“Not bad, huh,” an emotional Fonseca said in his on-court interview on the Margaret Court Arena after the 7-6 6-3 7-6 win.
“I just enjoyed every moment on court, it’s my first time playing in a huge stadium, my first time playing in a grand slam, so I just enjoyed playing.
“I really want to thank this amazing crowd. There are a lot of Brazilians here, and I want to thank you a lot.
“I was focusing on my game, trying to put no pressure on myself while playing against a top-10 guy in a huge stadium. I was just playing my game and now we’re in the second round.”
Fonseca, who has an explosive forehand and all-court game, played impressively in both tiebreaks - particularly during the tension of the third-set decider.
“I just tried to put all the intensity into the important wins. That’s one thing about myself, on the important points, I play better. That was the difference today.”
Fonseca also quoted Roger Federer when he was asked about his natural talent, replying: “Like Roger says, ‘Talent is not enough without hard work. I put a lot of work in. That’s it.”
Australian Open: Joao Fonseca stuns Andrey Rublev!
12:10
Jamie Braidwood
Game, set and match! In the upset of the Australian Open so far, 18-year-old Brazilian qualifier Joao Fonseca dumps out ninth seed Andrey Rublev in straight-sets in his first ever grand slam match.
INCREDIBLE! The win of his life! Fonseca secures his 14th win in a row to continue his hot-streak, holding his nerve in the final tiebreak to beat Rublev 7-6 6-3 7-6.
Australian Open: Game, set and match! Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 7-5 Rebecca Marino
12:02
Jamie Braidwood
That was so gutsy from Katie Boulter. She is through to the second round of the Australian Open for the third time. She’s never been to the third round but has a great chance now.
“That was way too stressful for me, I would have preferred an easier match! She came out firing today. This is because of you guys that I came through this match.
“That was a massively mental for me. I’ve been playing great tennis in practice and sometimes when you force it, it doesn’t work. She was playing great and I’m so happy I found away. Sometimes that’s what round-one matches can be like.
“This is the closest I’ve felt to home - and that’s thanks to you guys. From the moment I landed here I felt the love and I can’t tell you how much it means.”
Boulter skillfully dodges the question asking if she is now ‘Aussie Katie’ due to her engagement to Alex de Minaur.
Australian Open: Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 7-5 Rebecca Marino
11:53
Jamie Braidwood
MATCH! KATIE BOULTER IS THROUGH! Wow! What a win from Boulter! That was on the very edge.
But Boulter takes her chance brilliantly. An unbelievable forehand winner onto the line set up the second match point, with Marino netting.
That was a proper battle and Boulter’s roar into the Melbourne night tells you how close she was to heading home.
Alex de Minaur made it courtside and joins in the celebrations! The home fans are loving it too. The ‘adopted Australian’ and British No 1 advances.
Australian Open: Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 6-5 Rebecca Marino*
11:52
Jamie Braidwood
Out of nowhere, Boulter stands with a match point! But Marino finds a huge serve down the middle and Boulter’s return drifts long.
Boulter still with some momentum after producing a brilliant crosscourt winner earlier in the game. She senses a chance to get this done without a tiebreak.
Australian Open: Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 6-5 Rebecca Marino*
11:48
Jamie Braidwood
Huge hold! Down 0-30, Boulter was two points away from a probable defeat. But she digs in, finds the first serves, and moves to a tiebreak at least.
Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 5-5 Rebecca Marino
11:43
Jamie Braidwood
Nope. Marino remains dominant on serve and holds to love in 79 seconds. Pressure straight back onto Boulter.
Alex de Minaur has joined Boulter’s mum in the players’ box for the final stages of this one.
Australian Open: Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 5-4 Rebecca Marino*
11:41
Jamie Braidwood
Another roar from Boulter as she moves a game away from the second round. A wonderful backhand winner down the line put Boulter in a great position to hold.
Pressure on Marino now as she serves to stay in the match. Boulter has nothing to lose here as she hasn’t really been able to trouble the Canadian at all on serve in the third set.
Australian Open: Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 4-3 Rebecca Marino*
11:35
Jamie Braidwood
A great serve from Boulter out wide followed by a forehand winner completes another strong service game.
It keeps the British No 1 ahead of Marino, who flew through her last service game. Boulter is just focussing on staying ahead.
One game at a time.
Australian Open: Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 3-2 Rebecca Marino*
11:28
Jamie Braidwood
There is real pressure on Boulter after a forehand flies long and brings up two break points for Marino at 15-40.
The response is excellent: ace out wide, drop shot at the net, and a forehand winner down the line. Marino goes long on the forehand and Boulter roars.
Big save to lead 3-2.
Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 2-2 Rebecca Marino
11:24
Jamie Braidwood
Everything Rebecca Marino is trying is coming off right now. The Canadian crushes an extraordinary forehand winner above her shoulder from behind the baseline to take the latest hold.
Boulter has not been able to trouble the Marino serve, while her opponent is troubling her serve at every opportunity. A real battle this for the British No 1.
UPSET ALERT! 18-year-old Joao Fonseca leads Andrey Rublev
11:17
Jamie Braidwood
18-year-old qualifier Joao Fonseca takes the second set against ninth seed Andrey Rublev!
What a story this could be. The Brazilian is bidding to make it 14 wins in a row, in what is just his first grand slam appearance.
Rublev holds serve at the start of the third set, after having to face break point. Can Fonseca keep this up?
Australian Open: Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 1-0 Rebecca Marino*
11:14
Jamie Braidwood
A hugely important hold of serve from Katie Boulter. She roars after saving break point and grinding out the hold as the British No 1 looks to slow down Rebecca Marino’s charge.
Fiance Alex de Minaur is through to the second round after a straight-sets win over Botic van de Zandschulp, and now has his fingers crossed while watching backstage.
Australian Open: SET! Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 Rebecca Marino
11:03
Jamie Braidwood
A dominant second set from Rebecca Marino, who levels the match behind a barrage of powerful serves and forehands.
Work for Katie Boulter to do, as the British No 1 heads off court for a much-needed reset. She needs to start dealing with the Marino power, or hope this hot-streak cools off.
Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 6-4 1-4 Rebecca Marino
10:46
Jamie Braidwood
It’s going to be tough for Boulter to get back into this set if Marino serves like this. The Canadian backs up her break with another hold - and has won every point behind her first serve.
Australian Open: Upset alert?
10:40
Jamie Braidwood
A big story potentially developing on Margaret Court Arena, where 18-year-old qualifier Joao Fonseca has taken the first set against ninth seed Andrey Rublev.
The NextGen champion from Brazil was tipped as one to watch after sailing through qualifying to reach his first grand slam main draw, and he has backed it up by taking the opener.
He wins the deciding tiebreak 7-1.
Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 6-4 0-3 Rebecca Marino
10:38
Jamie Braidwood
Break! Rebecca Marino is inspired at the start of the second set. She continues to swing freely but this time finds her mark to break Boulter, just as she did in the first set.
But this time, she backs it up. Marino gets a love-hold with a second-serve ace, taking a 3-0 lead .
Australian Open: SET! Katie Boulter 6-4 Rebecca Marino*
10:27
Jamie Braidwood
Boulter is dragged into a long service game as Marino frees up and unleashes some extra power on her groundstrokes.
But the British No 1 stands strong and finds a first serve out wide on the third set point. Marino nets on the backhand and Boulter takes the first set.
Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 4-3 Rebecca Marino
10:15
Jamie Braidwood
Break! Boulter remains patient and gets her reward as errors grow into Marino’s game and another forehand sails long of the baseline. She is broken to love.
Better hitting from Boulter, there, and she will look to hold to move into a commanding position in this opening set.
Australian Open: Katie Boulter 3-3 Rebecca Marino*
10:15
Jamie Braidwood
Break! Boulter hits her stride and manages to break straight back against Marino as the Canadian loops a forehand long facing the second break point.
Australian Open: Katie Boulter 0-2 Rebecca Marino*
09:53
Jamie Braidwood
Break! A difficult opening service game for Katie Boulter, with three double faults in a row handing the Canadian the break of serve from deuce.
The World 98 Marino has a big strike and it’s bothered Boulter early on. Emma Raducanu hit 15 double faults earlier and Boulter already has a few.
Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 0-1 Rebecca Marino
09:43
Jamie Braidwood
Marino finds some strong serving in the opening game but Boulter cracks a brilliant return winner to get to deuce on the Canadian’s serve.
But Boulter fires long on the forehand as the 34-year-old Marino takes the first game.
Australian Open: Katie Boulter ‘excited’ for first grand slam
09:28
Jamie Braidwood
Katie Boulter, the British No 1, speaking ahead of her return to the Australian Open.
“I’m feeling pretty relaxed actually. Looking forward to starting a new season. I feel like I've put so much work in this last year, last couple of years. Going into this one, I'm excited for what's to come.
“I feel like I'm building something. I think the start of my year has shown that already. Hopefully I can keep that momentum going. I feel like my belief is growing every single day.
“I think now it's about making it each week that I'm playing at that level. I feel like with the physicality that I've tried to bring to my game.
“I think that's going to become more and more consistent rather than having it for one week, then not having it for a couple weeks.”
Australian Open: Katie Boulter hoping to build on 2024
09:23
Jamie Braidwood
Katie Boulter enjoyed a strong 2024 season by winning two titles and reaching another final on the WTA Tour to climb to a career-high ranking of 23. The 28-year-old is the highest British seed on the women’s draw, but improving her showings at the grand slams will be a big target ahead of 2025. Last season, Boulter did not progress past the second round of a major, but she did run into eventual finalist Qinwen Zheng last year at the Australian Open.
Australian Open: Katie Boulter up next
09:22
Jamie Braidwood
Match! Lorenzo Musetti prevails in a four-hour all-Italian epic against Matteo Arnaldi out on the KIA Arena.
That means Katie Boulter will be in action next against Canada’s Rebecca Marino. The British No 1 has had a long wait but will finally be taking to the court at around 8:30pm local time.
Cameron Norrie reveals ‘unfortunate’ illness after Australian Open defeat
09:11
Jamie Braidwood
Cameron Norrie revealed he struggled with illness during a first-round loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Australian Open.
It was a tough draw for the British number two, with Berrettini a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park three years ago and heading back up the rankings following injury troubles.
The Italian hammered down 32 aces and recovered from a set down to claim a 6-7 (4) 6-4 6-1 6-3 victory.
Norrie, who will drop outside the top 60 having reached the fourth round last year, rued the timing, saying: “I haven’t been able to prepare as well as I could.”
Australian Open scores: De Minaur off to hot start
09:00
Jamie Braidwood
It’s been a flying start from Australian favourite Alex de Minaur on Rod Laver Arena. The eighth seed races to a 6-1 opening set against Botic van de Zandchulp, and is showing no signs of nerves despite the pressure on his shoulders.
Meanwhile, French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini has also marched into a 6-0 opening set on the Margaret Court Arena against the Chinese qualifier Sijia Wei.
Outside, Ben Shelton has won the all-American battle agianst Brandon Nakashima. The big-serving Shelton, who is the 21st seed, secures a 7-6 7-5 7-5 win to reach round two.
Australian Open: Upcoming matches
08:04
Jamie Braidwood
We’re set for the night sessions at Melbourne Park, with British No 1 Katie Boulter and Australian star Alex de Minaur in action.
Boulter’s match will not start until after the all-Italian contest between Lorenzo Musetti and Matteo Arnaldi. The first two sets were split and we’re into the third.
De Minaur, the big Australian hope, is in action on Rod Laver Arena against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
That’s quite a tricky one - Van de Zandschulp beat Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open last year, as well as Rafael Nadal in his final singles match before retirement.
Australian Open: Daniil Medvedev through after meltdown
07:38
Jamie Braidwood
Daniil Medvedev does it again in five sets. Last year’s runner-up comes through Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej, who led by two sets to one before fading physically.
It was a remarkable effort from the wildcard, who is ranked 418th in the world, but he struggled with cramp in the fourth and five sets as Medvedev rescued himself.
A turning point? The Russian fifth seed broke his racket while obliterating the small camera pinned to the centre strap late in the third set.
He was booed by the crowd but recovered to advance to the second round. Last year he had five five-setters, including the final against Jannik Sinner.
“Why play one hour 30? I need a minimum of three hours. Second and third set I couldn’t touch the ball,” he jokes. Medvedev turns on the charm for the on-court interview.
Daniil Medvedev destroys net camera in wild Australian Open meltdown
07:01
Jamie Braidwood
Daniil Medvedev destroyed a camera attached to the net as the former World No 1 and three-time Australian Open finalist had a meltdown during his match against Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej.
Medvedev, a former US Open champion, was behind in the third set with the wildcard Samrej, who is ranked 418th in the world, and took five furious swings into the net with his racket after Samrej passed him with a winner.
The Russian fifth seed broke his racket while obliterating the small camera pinned to the centre strap, with the visual feed cutting out immediately as Medvedev took out his frustration.
He received a warning from the chair umpire and was booed by the fans in the Rod Laver Arena, while a ball-kid was required to sweep up the pieces of Medvedev’s broken racquet from the court.
And to add to Medvedev’s anger, Samrej won the third set a few moments later to take an unlikely lead on the against the former runner-up.
This would be a major shock, but Medvedev is leading 4-1 in the fourth set and Samrej is starting to cramp. The 23-year-old has received treatment on court.
Emma Raducanu on opening win at Australian Open
06:17
Jamie Braidwood
Emma Raducanu on her performance after beating 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 7-6 to reach the second round.
“I'm very pleased to havecome through that match. It was difficult. It was quite hot out there, getting quite sunny.
“Obviously playing against a really experienced and seeded opponent who is playing great tennis. I think I'm very proud of how I fought and how I overcame certain situations in that match.”
Emma Raducanu beats service issues to win Australian Open opener
06:11
Jamie Braidwood
Emma Raducanu overcame serving woes to upset 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and reach the second round of the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old hit 15 double faults but edged an erratic match to post her best win at Melbourne Park, seeing off 31st-ranked Russian Alexandrova 7-6 (4) 7-6 (2).
Raducanu’s victory made it five British players through to the second round, equalling the record here with more chances to come.
Good morning
06:10
Jamie Braidwood
The Australian Open continues as Emma Raducanu battled through to the second round after toppling 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, while Cameron Norrie was defeated by Matteo Berrettini.
Raducanu overcame her serve, with the former US Open champion making 15 double faults across the match, but raised her level when it counted to win 7-6 (4) 7-6 (2).
And the 22-year-old Brit admitted there is room for improvement ahead of a second-round clash with another former teenage prodigy, American Amanda Anisimova, on Thursday.
Elsewhere, Norrie was unable to subdue Berrettini’s big serve as the Italian came from behind to beat the British No 2 6-7 (4) 6-4 6-1 6-3.
