Aus Open day five: Naomi Osaka’s good luck charm, Novak Djokovic battles on, Serena Williams 90 not out

Novak Djokovic played through the pain barrier before casting doubt on whether he can continue at the Australian Open.
Meanwhile Dominic Thiem came from two-sets down to overcome Nick Kyrgios and a Russian known as the Lion roared into round four in a huge upset.
Here is a wrap of day five from Melbourne.
Picture of the day

An image for our times. Security had to usher fans off the Rod Laver Arena at 11.30pm, while Djokovic was still playing, after the Victoria government imposed a new five-day lockdown starting at midnight.
Butterfly effect
.@naomiosaka‘s new good luck charm? 🦋😊#AO2021pic.twitter.com/hk82DKQ9cL
— wta (@WTA) February 12, 2021
Naomi Osaka’s win over Ons Jabeur was subject to a small delay when she received a visit from a butterfly. The Japanese star responded by sending a searing forehand winner down the line in the next point.
Shock of the day
📈 No. 114 in the world
🇷🇺 @AustralianOpen qualifier
💪 Back from a serious injury
🌟 Beats No.8 seedAslan Karatsev, making his first Grand Slam main draw appearance, reaches round four in spectacular fashion 👏#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/aLE6VzWd2u
— ITF (@ITFTennis) February 12, 2021
Lion-hearted Aslan Karatsev had never played at a Grand Slam until this week. But the unknown Russian 27-year-old is now through to the fourth round after a stunning 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 upset of eighth seed Diego Schwartzman.
Comeback of the day

Thiem looked down and out at two sets down and facing two break points. But in front of a raucous home crowd the US Open champion and third seed somehow came back to knock out Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios in a cast-iron classic.
Story of the day

Yet all that drama was overshadowed by the sight of world No 1 and reigning champion Novak Djokovic battling through the pain barrier to defeat Taylor Fritz in five, before admitting his tournament may be over due to a torn stomach muscle.
Stat of the day
90 👑 | 7 🏆
Congratulations @serenawilliams on your 90th #AusOpen victory 👏 #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/2IgJTowiHy
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 12, 2021
Serena Williams’ victory over Anastasia Potapova was her 90th at the Australian Open. Her first came in 1998, three years before her opponent was born. Feeling old yet?
Bagel not on the menu for Hsieh Su-wei
Bagel? 🥯
Hsieh Su-wei doesn’t want one! #AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/WH02jpKg71
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 12, 2021
Hsieh Su-wei had lost a set 6-0 in all of her previous three meetings with Sara Errani, which all ended in defeat. But she was not ready for another bagel in their third-round meeting as she won 6-4 2-6 7-5.
Quote of the day
Fallen seeds
Women: Veronika Kudermetova (32).
Men: Diego Schwartzman (8), Denis Shapovalov (11), Pablo Carreno Busta (15).
Who’s up next?
Britain’s last man standing Cameron Norrie has his biggest challenge yet, as a third-round meeting with Rafael Nadal lies in store. Sadly, there will be no crowd to watch it.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – Tim Henman’s prediction as Serena Williams returns at Wimbledon
Williams will have to wait until Tuesday to play her first singles match in 12 months after she limped out of Wimbledon last year.
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – Emma Raducanu set for Centre Court debut John Lloyd makes bold Andy Murray prediction
Raduanu will make her Wimbledon Centre Court debut against Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck.
-
News
Petra Kvitova sounds Wimbledon warning with Eastbourne title win
Kvitova controlled a one-sided encounter from the outset en route to triumphing 6-3 6-2.
-
News
Serena Williams on working vacation at All England Club
The 40-year-old is playing in her first singles tournament for a year.
-
News
‘Fearless’ Jodie Burrage wants to show what she can do at Wimbledon
The British number five, who has a flat in SW19, will break into the world’s top 150 on Monday.
-
News
Wimbledon’s Centre Court scheduling still skewed to favour men
The All England Club is celebrating 100 years of its main show court in 2022.
-
Wimbledon
Andy Murray pays tribute to motherly Sue Barker ahead of her final Wimbledon
Former World No 1 Andy Murray and…
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios a ‘legit contender’ according to Special Ks partner
The other half of the Special Ks has put his tag team partner over.
-
Wimbledon
Being an inspiration is part of the job for Ons Jabeur
Being a role model and inspiration is part of the job for Ons Jabeur.
-
Wimbledon
Jodie Burrage adding to the momentum behind Brits ahead of Wimbledon
Burrage’s journey, not only on grass courts but on tour as a whole, has not been smooth sailing.