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
-
ATP Tour
ATP boss hails Novak Djokovic after No 1 record, saying feat ‘may stand as his single most impressive’
Andrea Gaudenzi praises Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer on Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s recent feats: ‘What they have done is extraordinary’
Roger Federer full of praise for his two great rivals.
-
Tennis News
Some notable former Qatar Open champions: From Boris Becker to Novak Djokovic
Oli Jefford on some prestigious names who have won the Qatar Open.
-
Tennis News
Serena Williams expresses support for ‘selfless friend’ Meghan Markle as she hits out at ‘malicious’ tabloids
“She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble.”
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s ATP Rankings milestones as he reaches 311 weeks at No 1 to surpass Roger Federer’s record
A look at Novak Djokovic’s ATP Rankings milestones.
-
Tennis Features
Notable former Dubai Tennis Championship winners, including Martina Hingis and Justine Henin
A look at the big stars to have won in Dubai.
-
ATP Tour
Diego Schwartzman seals emotional title on home soil in Buenos Aires
Diego Schwartzman crowned Argentina Open champion.
-
ATP Tour
Andrey Rublev’s stunning record in ATP 500 events continues with Rotterdam win
Andrey Rublev continued his run in ATP 500 events .
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer hopes to return to ‘100 per cent’ fitness in time for Wimbledon
Federer has needed two operations to correct knee issue.
-
WTA Tour
On This Day in 2016: Maria Sharapova reveals positive drugs test
Maria Sharapova was banned from tennis for 15 months.