:00:36. > :00:42.Hello and welcome to Melbourne for coverage of the first weekend of the
:00:43. > :00:46.2016 Australian Open. Today we feature two British number one, the
:00:47. > :00:52.last two Britons standing in singles.
:00:53. > :00:58.Later we will see the top woman, Johanna Konta, as she takes on
:00:59. > :01:02.aller-to-a of the Czech Republic. But we begin with world number two,
:01:03. > :01:08.Andy Murray. And his record leer is bittersweet.
:01:09. > :01:17.Murray, looking for his first slam. He gave the Prince a bit of a lesson
:01:18. > :01:20.here in truth. Into the next and Novak Djokovic,
:01:21. > :01:27.champion again. The outcome remains the same for
:01:28. > :01:39.Andy Murray. It's the Iron Man from Serbia, once
:01:40. > :01:43.again. What more can Andy Murray do? Novak Djokovic wins the Australian
:01:44. > :01:50.Open for a fifth time. Four finalists, four times but not
:01:51. > :01:59.to be... Well, it has been untroubled progress so far for Andy
:02:00. > :02:13.Murray, removing Zverev of Germany, and Australia's Sam Groth. Today it
:02:14. > :02:16.was the talented Portuguese player, seed 32, Sousa. We join where it is
:02:17. > :02:47.1.1. The first set. This is a long way to run to try to
:02:48. > :02:49.hit a forehand. Not creating enough space. They are getting a little bit
:02:50. > :03:17.jammed. It's interesting to see how much he
:03:18. > :03:23.continues to move away from Andy Murray's backhand. He has done his
:03:24. > :03:28.homework, he will realise that Andy Murray does manage this very well.
:03:29. > :03:41.He tends to go across-court most of the time with the forehand.
:03:42. > :03:52.A terrific 1-2 punch there. Sousa doing a great job getting that 205 K
:03:53. > :03:53.serve, and back on the feet quickly. The skills shining from Andy Murray.
:03:54. > :04:21.Great composition. Amelie Mauresmo there.
:04:22. > :05:06.Also with the Davis Cup captain. Quite a combination of shots that
:05:07. > :05:12.was! A nice angle here. Pushing Andy Murray out to the tram lines. Then,
:05:13. > :05:18.Sousa with the good court position, a step or so behind the baseline.
:05:19. > :05:22.Unable to get closer in but boy, the power cross-court made up for it.
:05:23. > :05:52.A nice early strike. Thank you very much! We talk about
:05:53. > :05:57.the strategy, and what do you do. I think for Sousa, the idea is to get
:05:58. > :06:03.the first strike in. To go for power tennis. Setting the tone early in
:06:04. > :06:07.the match and try to dictate play. Take it early, that is key against
:06:08. > :06:14.somebody like Andy Murray. You have to take time away from him, he is
:06:15. > :06:25.such a good mover. Three points in a row now! An early
:06:26. > :06:32.strike forcing all kinds of damage. He really has earned this
:06:33. > :06:34.break-point. Murray, chatting away to his box,
:06:35. > :07:05.and that is a good sign. The players sticking to favourite
:07:06. > :07:08.points under pressure. Flying down the air, Murray loves the
:07:09. > :07:13.cross-court. It's what good players do. They are good at manages their
:07:14. > :07:24.game well under pressure. They know what works.
:07:25. > :07:27.At the end of the day you want to win or lose doing what you do best,
:07:28. > :07:50.especially at the big moments. Oh, my goodness! That is Murray
:07:51. > :07:55.magic! That forehand across the court doing all kinds of damage and
:07:56. > :08:00.getting him out of trouble. 2-1 in the first set.
:08:01. > :08:05.The match stayed on serve with Murray on a 3-2 lead and Sousa
:08:06. > :08:22.serving. Let's see what unfolds here.
:08:23. > :08:31.It is interesting, Rob, to see if Murray ramps up the offence a bit or
:08:32. > :08:35.go to the default mode and use the great defensive skills and feel like
:08:36. > :08:41.this guy's levels will drop. I was thinking the same thing.
:08:42. > :08:59.I think he could send a message to Sousa.
:09:00. > :09:28.It was just about, I was just about to berate Andy for being passive
:09:29. > :09:33.that the point. Then that little 15-yard sprint. His wheels are just
:09:34. > :09:38.unbelievable. Of course, it is what you do with it
:09:39. > :09:42.when you get there. It is one thing getting there but to do something
:09:43. > :09:43.meaningful with the shot thereafter, that is another skill level all
:09:44. > :10:07.together. Points like that second one can
:10:08. > :10:11.really rock you as the lesser-ranked player. Suddenly your respect for
:10:12. > :10:47.the guy on the other side of the net goes up a notch or two.
:10:48. > :10:59.Murray, worry he has not used too much tonight.
:11:00. > :11:05.That down the backline is a barometer of confidence.
:11:06. > :11:12.Overplaying that forehand, I would like to see him pulling the trigger
:11:13. > :11:16.down the line early. Right now, Sousa is beating him to
:11:17. > :11:27.the punch. Andy is the one having to play defence.
:11:28. > :11:37.That's more like it. Oh! That's just beautiful.
:11:38. > :11:41.I like the way he started the point. Yes, nice on the offence. It looks
:11:42. > :11:48.like he is not going to miss. So sound. That looks like a routine
:11:49. > :11:55.backhand. This kinetic chain working so well.
:11:56. > :12:08.The quick upper body rotation. He has a break-point here.
:12:09. > :12:16.And Sousa is 6ft 3. A well proportioned athlete. Strong. Couple
:12:17. > :12:21.that with good timing. That's a solid game.
:12:22. > :12:33.Just raised his level a little on the return game.
:12:34. > :12:40.Sousa was found wanting. Just a couple of really nicely
:12:41. > :12:44.defended points thrown in with a coup of really clean offensive
:12:45. > :12:50.points. Now we will see what the less experienced Sousa does. Will he
:12:51. > :13:16.change his strategies? Or will he still go after the Murray serve?
:13:17. > :13:23.I love the reaction. Plenty of belief.
:13:24. > :13:41.He expects to be level with Murray. He is agitated he is down a break.
:13:42. > :13:55.Keeping an eye on the first-serve percentage of Murray it is decent.
:13:56. > :14:10.It will work. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.
:14:11. > :14:16.Just a nice little check swing. This is good reflex. Sousa guessing the
:14:17. > :14:23.right way. Then that takes the right hand and using a little check swing.
:14:24. > :14:30.Cheeky. Old faithful, working a treat! Just
:14:31. > :14:37.like that, he wrestles control of the opening set from Sousa. 5-2,
:14:38. > :14:43.Murray leads. Murray took the first set safely,
:14:44. > :14:58.6-2, and served at the start of the second set.
:14:59. > :15:06.It is interesting that Andy is a little agitated there, like he would
:15:07. > :15:12.throw his racket down. He missed the first serve, looked over to his box
:15:13. > :15:18.and flung his hand. He is serving at 70%. He has won the first one 6-2.
:15:19. > :15:22.Things a going OK as far as from what I see.
:15:23. > :15:53.There it is again. Here is a question for you: Does
:15:54. > :15:58.Murray have the best single handed slice of all of the players with a
:15:59. > :16:03.double handed backhand? If not, who is your number one pick? Well, he
:16:04. > :16:07.uses that variation well in the right frame of mind. I get concerned
:16:08. > :16:13.when he hits three and four in a row. When he hits one or two and
:16:14. > :16:28.steps in to drive the two hander, that is when it is really effective.
:16:29. > :16:35.And you? He is my top seed. Bernie tomorrow itch has a very fit
:16:36. > :16:49.back slice. He is in action later this evening against John Millman.
:16:50. > :16:53.Be -- Bernie Tomic. Murray just has a little more flair.
:16:54. > :16:59.Oh, my goodness. What was that? That was a gutsy
:17:00. > :17:03.second serve, painting the middle line down 15-30.
:17:04. > :17:12.You are not going to see a lot of second serve aces.
:17:13. > :17:30.Having a good chuckle. He knows it doesn't happen to often.
:17:31. > :17:43.-- due often. -- too often.
:17:44. > :17:54.He's made it! He's had to use the full width of the court.
:17:55. > :18:01.Andy guessing again the right side. Anticipating was almost there.
:18:02. > :18:07.We laugh about it but it is amazing how often he gets it right when it
:18:08. > :18:11.comes to smashes. He is the best in the business there.
:18:12. > :18:29.This guy is not going away. He's enjoying this battle. A break-point.
:18:30. > :18:35.Now how about that? Andy Murray hitting the big ground stroke and
:18:36. > :18:42.seeing if Sousa is going to go with the one hand. He slides into that
:18:43. > :18:46.right there. He recognises. Look at the big powerful steps. A great feel
:18:47. > :18:48.on the first drop volley. I would love to see him come in a
:18:49. > :19:09.bit more. He has such good hands. Something we were discussing, on the
:19:10. > :19:16.opening set, the serve of Murray. I like it when he has the 5 or 10%
:19:17. > :19:23.slice on the first serve. When he loses rhythm hes is going with the
:19:24. > :19:28.flat bomb all the time. And the little spin creates safety.
:19:29. > :19:30.Like that one too, he missed it. He can hit the 200, 205 and have just
:19:31. > :19:53.enough safety on it. One thing, Sampras, there was always
:19:54. > :19:58.a little bit, wasn't there? Shaped to the serve.
:19:59. > :20:03.Yes, he generated an unbelievable amount of racket hits on the
:20:04. > :20:07.serving. He carved a little extra on the spin when he needed to. Some
:20:08. > :20:12.people have spin but lose the heaviness. Sampras' serve was so
:20:13. > :20:23.heavy it came on you, your arm shook when you tried to hit the run.
:20:24. > :20:47.Bekker's serve was like that -- Becker's serve was like that.
:20:48. > :21:10.Is there an anxiety level there for Andy? This is where he will get
:21:11. > :21:19.better. He needs a little emotional control.
:21:20. > :21:26.Even if he loses his serve here. He broke the earlier sets twice. He is
:21:27. > :21:33.such a good returner. Second break points.
:21:34. > :21:41.Using that back hand. Still trying to find his range.
:21:42. > :21:47.Plaudits for Sousa. That's a very good opening game from him.
:21:48. > :21:53.Well, Murray was unable to break back in the second allowing Sousa to
:21:54. > :21:57.take his first ever set on hard courts against the world number two.
:21:58. > :22:42.So Murray with work to do at the start of the third set.
:22:43. > :22:51.Three forehands in a row from Andy Murray.
:22:52. > :23:55.Spot on. It is just feeding the flames.
:23:56. > :24:03.I think Sousa spent most of his playing tennis on a clay-court.
:24:04. > :24:05.This is important for Andy to use the backhand down the line and take
:24:06. > :24:34.him out of his comfort zone. It's incredible defence.
:24:35. > :24:42.You don't want to have to rely on it all the time.
:24:43. > :24:53.Break point here for Murray early on.
:24:54. > :25:06.Oh! Just a neutral ball in the net there.
:25:07. > :25:09.That ball's got to have margin. Got to have more top spin, got to be
:25:10. > :25:42.more heavy and deep. I think it is worth a second look,
:25:43. > :25:47.given the score line. Murray is convinced it is long.
:25:48. > :26:29.So it is. That is jaw-dropping stuff? ! How is
:26:30. > :26:36.he able to produce shots like that at the end of his range? Murray had
:26:37. > :27:22.weathered the storm and we join it 2-2 in the fourth.
:27:23. > :27:32.Heavy artillery. Really controlled aggression there.
:27:33. > :27:35.Rapid heads and speed and top spin for safety. Then the nice finishing
:27:36. > :28:00.high forehand. Sousa winning 82% of his first
:28:01. > :28:06.serves for the match. He's only 68 first-serve winner for
:28:07. > :28:08.his career. So he's upped that 14% against one of the best returners in
:28:09. > :29:14.the world. That is very impressive. You have got to love his depth. It
:29:15. > :29:23.is his level of persistence through it. You have to point out my bad
:29:24. > :29:29.maths skills, my bad reading skills, 83% for this set, not the match. My
:29:30. > :29:37.maths was not created school, so please let's bury the hatchet there
:29:38. > :29:46.quickly! He is posting some good numbers on serve here, and he needs
:29:47. > :29:51.to keep it up in the fourth set. He wants to avoid those second serves
:29:52. > :29:55.whenever possible. I just love that play by Andy Murray, inside the
:29:56. > :30:07.baseline, controlled and early, not overly aggressive. He is that far
:30:08. > :30:08.inside the baseline, hitting at that clean, it gives Joao Sousa no time
:30:09. > :31:18.to react. That is just super tennis. Great
:31:19. > :31:22.aggression by Andy Murray. This is what you want to see, both players
:31:23. > :31:28.playing well at the same time, point being won by winners not mistakes.
:31:29. > :31:47.Into double figures knife or backhand winners by Andy Murray.
:31:48. > :32:01.Well, it is taken Andy Murray's very best to get the break. He leads 3-2
:32:02. > :32:03.in the fourth set. With the fourth round in his sights, Andy Murray
:32:04. > :32:13.served for the match. So, Andy Murray serving for a place
:32:14. > :33:47.in the fourth round. It has been two hours and 37 minutes
:33:48. > :34:03.of high octane tennis. Finally, Andy Murray has arrived at match point.
:34:04. > :34:11.He is through to the round of 16 for the eighth straight year. It has
:34:12. > :34:17.been a hard evening for Andy Murray. He has had to dig deep and produce
:34:18. > :34:32.some of his best tennis to beat Joao Sousa.
:34:33. > :34:40.Everybody here is on their feet at the Margaret Court Arena, applauding
:34:41. > :34:44.the efforts of that young man. Andy Murray left the court without being
:34:45. > :34:50.asked to do an interview. While the match was in progress his
:34:51. > :34:54.father-in-law, Nigel Sears, had collapsed in the Rod Laver Arena.
:34:55. > :34:59.The match was suspended while Nigel, who is 58, was taken to hospital
:35:00. > :35:08.where he was reported to be conscious and talking. We all wish
:35:09. > :35:12.Nigel a speedy recovery. Results from elsewhere in the bottom half of
:35:13. > :35:18.the main straw had no great shocks with all the top seeds safely
:35:19. > :35:26.through. Andy Murray will face a home favourites in round four, Hyder
:35:27. > :35:31.Bernard Tomic or John Millman. Britain's women's number one
:35:32. > :35:35.Johannesburg on the one the fourth round of the US Open last year and
:35:36. > :35:38.she was hoping to do the same for the second Grand Slam event in a
:35:39. > :35:45.row. She sort of Venus Williams in the first round and Shuai Zhang
:35:46. > :35:49.without dropping a set. Her opponent today is Denisa Allertova of the
:35:50. > :35:57.Czech Republic. We join about 3-2 in the first set. -- rejoined it at 3-2
:35:58. > :36:36.in the first set. Just snatching at the backhand a
:36:37. > :36:41.little bit, Allertova. Has not quite find the rhythm. The rallies have
:36:42. > :36:44.not been too long. It would be nice to see her get a few long rallies
:36:45. > :37:00.and see her loosen up just a little. Good swinging serve out wide by
:37:01. > :37:05.Konta. Allertova is not picking up on that at the moment that that is
:37:06. > :37:07.pretty much a favourite serve. She has been serving so well in this
:37:08. > :38:09.match so far, 65%. Good play by Allertova, set up
:38:10. > :38:14.nicely by the deep return to the middle. I like the way how she
:38:15. > :38:38.continues to move forward and apply the pressure to Konta.
:38:39. > :38:52.So, a good hold. She just wants to keep her nose in front here.
:38:53. > :39:01.Denisa Allertova just not quite comfortable yet, has not find the
:39:02. > :39:39.rhythm. She has made too many unforced mistakes.
:39:40. > :39:48.Good play, just did not quite controlled the volley. I liked her
:39:49. > :39:49.mindset there. She has been much more impressive when she has the to
:39:50. > :40:17.come forwards. Just saw the convergence of winners
:40:18. > :40:20.over mistakes, Allertova is more passive than her opponent. Konta is
:40:21. > :40:50.looking to take the initiative more. Johanna Konta has been able to
:40:51. > :40:52.control the longer rallies, she looks more comfortable, is more
:40:53. > :41:05.patient in the rallies, waiting for the right ball to really attack.
:41:06. > :41:15.Just not doing enough on the drop shot, Allertova. Konta read it
:41:16. > :41:22.quickly, got up to the ball. She let her opponent no too quickly. She
:41:23. > :41:26.knew the drop shot was possibly comment. To me, that drop shot was
:41:27. > :41:39.just a little bit too passive, negative.
:41:40. > :41:50.The best rally of the match so far. Allertova will be happy with that.
:41:51. > :41:53.So will her coach. Much more positive, stepping into the courts.
:41:54. > :42:22.A beautiful shot down the line. Allertova will have to keep her
:42:23. > :42:26.second serve away from the forehand of Konta. It is just setting up
:42:27. > :43:03.nicely for her to put it away. So, I break from Konta. 5-2 to the
:43:04. > :43:09.British player. Just a little bit tougher mentally here, Johanna
:43:10. > :43:17.Konta. Just all around being more the aggressor. She has had five
:43:18. > :43:27.forehand winners, which is the bigger weapon that she has. Very
:43:28. > :43:44.limited positive plays from Allertova at the moment.
:43:45. > :44:09.Wouldn't you love to be serving for the match right now?! Having been on
:44:10. > :44:32.record for only 27 minutes! -- on court.
:44:33. > :44:44.Good kick-serve. Allertova struggles a bit, she is a very linear player.
:44:45. > :44:56.When other players put shots out of her head soon, she struggles a
:44:57. > :45:03.little bit. -- hit zone. Positive from Konta! She is getting so many
:45:04. > :45:05.three points off that first serve. It is a real weapon at the moment,
:45:06. > :45:40.isn't it? She will need more of that,
:45:41. > :45:44.Allertova. She is taking some chances here, taking the ball early,
:45:45. > :46:14.taking time away from Konta. 6-2, in 29 minutes, from Johanna
:46:15. > :46:23.Konta. We are just 50% of the way really in the Australian Open
:46:24. > :46:31.women's draw. Looking back over the first week, if we have a quick look
:46:32. > :46:37.at the summary... It was really all on Konta. She got three cases when
:46:38. > :46:44.she needed them the most. She has the ability to create more
:46:45. > :46:47.opportunities. It is the break point opportunities, when she got the
:46:48. > :46:48.early break in the first game, she managed to carry that momentum
:46:49. > :46:58.forwards. Terrific depth. When she gets on the
:46:59. > :47:59.forehand she looks dangerous, Konta. Allertova would like to create a few
:48:00. > :48:06.more points like those, good first serve them putting it away. It is
:48:07. > :48:43.tough to do that when you have Konta returning so well.
:48:44. > :48:54.That is just too good. Talking about the return percentage for Konta, 81%
:48:55. > :48:57.in. She has been so good at her death on placement on her returns,
:48:58. > :49:58.automatically getting Allertova on the run.
:49:59. > :50:11.Just lifting up after backhand. -- up off the backhand. Allertova
:50:12. > :50:14.really needs to hold here, the set the tone early on in the second set,
:50:15. > :50:45.create some pressure. That was a terrific serve. Just 155,
:50:46. > :51:22.changing the length of the serve there.
:51:23. > :51:31.Just a few loose unforced mistakes, not aligned Allertova to find any
:51:32. > :52:01.rhythm. -- not allowing. So, Konta in total control. As we
:52:02. > :52:03.rejoined the match, she is serving for the match. Serving for the
:52:04. > :53:03.match, Konta. It has been fabulous today, the
:53:04. > :53:05.serving from Johanna Konta. She has looked so positive every she stepped
:53:06. > :53:40.up the line. -- to the line. The mistake coming from the backhand
:53:41. > :53:46.from Allertova. That brings up a set of match points for Johanna Konta.
:53:47. > :54:03.Not taking her time, straight onto the business.
:54:04. > :54:34.Not willing to give up the match yet, Allertova.
:54:35. > :54:41.So, Johanna Konta, the number one British player, for the first time
:54:42. > :54:45.in her career, three to the fourth round of the Australian Open. It
:54:46. > :54:51.matches the fourth round at the US Open last year. Some incredible
:54:52. > :54:57.tennis from this young lady. Big smile on her face. She will love
:54:58. > :55:10.every minute of the opportunity to play against Ekaterina Makarova, I
:55:11. > :55:17.think it will be Ekaterina Makarova. Great match their four Johanna
:55:18. > :55:24.Konta. She served well today, she made her opponents work off the
:55:25. > :55:27.baseline. Remember, she was put under pressure and she was able to
:55:28. > :55:33.produce some big shots. She has back up a couple of really big wins with
:55:34. > :55:41.the third one. Credit to her opponent, Allertova, a big future
:55:42. > :55:46.ahead of her. For Johanna Konta, an opportunity to further progress.
:55:47. > :55:57.Johanna Konta, the first British woman through to the last 16 cents
:55:58. > :56:07.1987. Madison Keys came back from a set down to beat Ana Ivanovic after
:56:08. > :56:08.that match was delayed. Garbine Muguruza going out was the big news
:56:09. > :56:17.of the day. Very well played. It looked most
:56:18. > :56:24.like the perfect performance. How did it feel to you? I don't think
:56:25. > :56:30.perfect performances exist! The match added challenges. I had to
:56:31. > :56:38.knuckle down, stay calm, and keep trying hard. She is a very good
:56:39. > :56:46.competitor and the match could have run away from me at any point. I
:56:47. > :56:50.stayed true and clear to how I wanted to be out there and how I
:56:51. > :57:00.wanted to play. I feel happy that they got the reward in the end.
:57:01. > :57:07.Ekaterina Makarova in the next round. Your match against her last
:57:08. > :57:12.year started pretty much this great run of form. I love playing in the
:57:13. > :57:17.Eastbourne in front of my home crowd. I remember that match being
:57:18. > :57:20.incredibly tough. She is a great player and whatever surface to play
:57:21. > :57:28.her romp it will be an incredibly tough match. I will knuckle down,
:57:29. > :57:33.fight hard and see how it goes. He will be able to watch highlights of
:57:34. > :57:40.Johanna Konta and Andy Murray's fourth-round matches on Monday on
:57:41. > :57:45.BBC Two. Tomorrow, Novak Djokovic will be playing Gilles Simon. You
:57:46. > :57:50.can see that tomorrow from one o'clock. Don't forget, you can
:57:51. > :57:54.follow all the action on the BB sport website. Coming up, the world
:57:55. > :58:02.holds Championships. The night, Match of the Day at 10:25pm on BBC
:58:03. > :58:06.One. So, a couple of British players progress too weak to in Melbourne.
:58:07. > :58:10.We finish with sad news for British tennis with the death of Gerald
:58:11. > :58:14.Williams. Gerald worked for radio and television but will perhaps be
:58:15. > :58:19.best remembered for his Wimbledon highlights double act with Des
:58:20. > :58:22.Lynam. One of the most recognisable voices in tennis. British fans will
:58:23. > :58:24.mourn his passing.