Day 6 Highlights Australian Open Tennis

Hello. Good afternoon. Welcome to

our coverage of this year's

Australian Open tennis. Over the

next week we will bring you all the

best bits from week two down under.

No Andy Murray for Great Britain, of

course, he has decided to have

surgery on his hip. With Heather

Watson crashing out in the first

week the last Brit left standing is

Kyle Edmund. He spent the off season

building his fitness and confidence

and has notched up some of the best

wins of his career in the opening

rounds down in Melbourne. As a

result, he is through to the fourth

round of the Australian Open for the

first time.

His toughest test of the tournament

so far went to five sets in

blistering 42 degree heat. It was

Edmund who came out on top. Andy

Murray tweeting after he thought it

was the biggest win of he had

moneyed's career.

Really good to win

a match like that -- Edmund. Tough

conditions. Mentally, physically.

Yeah, just another five-set win,

which was good. Yeah, just lots of

positives. But, yeah, just tired at

the minute. Obviously, physically

and mentally, it takes a lot out of

you, that type of match.

So

obviously delighted with that

result, he kicks off his second week

in Melbourne tomorrow against

Andreas Seppi. Full commentary on

the website.

We will have highlights of that one

for you from 6pm tomorrow here on

BBC Two.

They've only faced each other once

before on an indoor hard court two

years ago in the quarter-finals of

the European Open. Edmund won that

one in straight sets so he has

plenty of reason to be confident.

But that's looking ahead to

tomorrow. First, let's look back on

the story of the tournament so far.

A different feel to the start of the

tennis season down under this year.

There were question marks over many

of the veterans and curiosity as to

who of the next gen would step up.

Two notables didn't even make the

start. Andy Murray scratched, the

British number one electing to have

surgery on his troublesome hip.

Rather than aggravating it by more

playing. Serena Williams won here

while pregnant last year but

withdrew this, due to child care

priorities and a lack of

preparation.

Plenty of high profile casualties in

the Melbourne heat once tennis

began. Venus, last year's runner up,

lost in round one. 2014 champion

fell in round two. And British

number one also upset by a player

ranked 113 places below her. The old

guard in the men's game remain.

Six-time champion Novak Djokovic

back after injury has eased his way

through to round three. Last year's

champion Roger Federer is on course

to add to his five Aussie titles and

world number one still has

aspirations to go one better in

2017. The current cream of the

women's draw are still alive too.

Flying the flag for us Kyle Edmund

is Britain's last person standing in

singles, a win in his next match

would see him achieve his best ever

result at a Major.

So, what have we got this afternoon?

Well, coming up before 4pm, two

former champions go head-to-head.

2008 winner Maria Sharapova takes on

the 2016 champion Kerber. Before

that we are going to turn our at

this tension to the men's draw. This

is how the fourth round is shaping

up in the top half of the draw.

Some big names are lurking in the

bottom half of the draw. If all goes

to plan, Novak Djokovic and

defending champion Roger Federer

should meet in the semifinals. It's

Federer's third round match we are

going to focus on. His opponent

Richard Gasquet of France. At 36

Federer said he shouldn't be

favourite to win but after winning

in Melbourne last year and then of

course winning the Wimbledon title

as well, his power and his grace

have not yet dimmed.

What a player, what a champion here

at Wimbledon. The first man to win

eight championships.

You can never count him out, can

you? He has looked untroubled so far

this tournament. In the first round

he cruised through.

In the second round another straight

sets win for the five times

champion.

For Gasquet plain sailing too.

Now these two have a long history,

both veterans of the tour. They've

played each other 18 times. Federer

winning 16 of those meetings.

Gasquet winning two. Both wins on

clay. They met October last year

when Federer won in the

quarter-finals of the Shanghai

Masters, a tournament he went on to

win.

So history is on the side of Roger

Federer, as it often is. Let's get

into the action with Gasquet serving

on serve in the first set.

Look, he is there, great. The owner

I would say almost of the stadium.

He has the keys to the front door.

That's good width. That's one thing

Gasquet can do, open the court up.

And at the same time if he has time

he can also go down the line very

well.

Very versatile with that

backhand.

Oh! Federer ending up on the winning

side.

If

16-shot rally that one, longest of

the match so far.

Saved in good style.

Interesting way how he set up the

point. A big kick out wide. Not a

lot of speed, but as high as

possible. As soon as that ball came

back he started attacking with his

backhand.

Never been the biggest first serve,

gas. Struggles to get three points

off the serve.

Very good placement

and can hit the ball really deep

against the service line so a lot of

depth on his serve as well. Good

spin.

Roger eager to go to a quick break.

Lots of things to do on a Saturday

night like this with family or

friends, but they have to be here

sitting in the box and you have to

be there performing at your absolute

peak.

Something he has been a master

at.

That's what I admire most with

Federer, besides his great arsenal

of shots, is that he is capable of

continuously being ready to play.

Second first serve Gasquet has

missed. And he has paid the price

for it. Short second serve and

Federer jumps all over it to get the

early break.

Early advantage for Federer and the

set proceeded with serve. Which pick

up the action with gas to serve.

That's a great return.

If you can do that willingly,

returns like that, so close to the

baseline right in the middle,

lovely.

Doesn't seem like a great point, but

to be able to do that continuously,

it's so difficult.

Oh, what a beautiful camera angle

that was, to see that one unfold.

These are moments I talked about

before the match. If he has a

comfortable lead like 5-2 and right

now you could see he stayed with his

backhand and thinks if I can stay

with gas on the back side and beat

him there, must mean I am playing

well and also this one down the

line, it's an investment, not only

in the match but also going forward

in this tournament.

Sounds very direct what I am saying,

Roger is not going to win the

tournament if he is not capable of

hitting this one very well.

Great deep return, just like the

first point. Then, boom, next point,

backhand down the line. That shows

he is confident and that he has

found his rhythm. This is how he

beats - or how he could beat Nadal

and Djokovic.

There is his wife, of course.

There is Robbie.

That was quick for Gasquet. 202. It

is pressure. He is feeling lots of

it. Is it going to be the same old

story for Richard Gasquet? Another

man is opening set. Federer takes

it, 6-2.

A great first set of tennis from

Roger Federer, and the second went

with the serve in the early

exchanges. We pick up the action at

3-4, with Gasquet to serve.

There has been a record attendance

today.

18,000, 438, Day and night. This

tournament is doing so well. All the

things they do around tennis are

helping to draw people who might not

come to the tennis by nature. All

the other activities, just a day out

and they start to fall in love with

the event, and hopefully with

tennis.

Lots of people are falling

in love with the way Gasquet is

playing out here. He really is

playing well.

Again, that move onto the ball, we

have not always seen that in his

career.

He has got a varied skill set, this

guy.

Hawk-Eye is back on.

We have

Hawk-Eye back. Hawk-Eye is back.

Roger could not care less.

In the beginning, when Hawk-Eye was

put in place, he was not in favour

of the system. He does not like all

the fuss on the court, but I think

that over the years he has accepted

it, and used it now and then.

He realise that Hawk-Eye is just

there, it is good officiating,

therefore a decision is just me

better. The implications can be so

big, if a ball is in the out, if you

win or lose points, prize-money,

titles.

titles. -- ball is in or out.

If you're playing well, at 40-0, you

want to put the game in the bag. You

do not want to hang in where it is

going to be close again.

That is great serving. Gasquet

pushing the shoulders back.

It is

for- four in the second. New balls

coming. Roger has already changed

racket on a previous changeover.

When the Balzer changed he normally

changes his racket, but he does not

like to serve straightaway with

that, so he uses on return game to

get accustomed to his racket, and

knows he has it with new balls.

-- now he has it. To be a little

more precise, that is why he does

it.

With the new balls, of course,

slightly quicker conditions.

He knew he did not like that one

straightaway.

It is actually

interesting. I am trying to look at

statistics, service details on first

serve. Both players keeping each

other guessing. They are really

spreading it completely even, from

both sides, from the deuce side and

the other side, either going down

the middle, or out wide. The body

just used sometimes.

What a second

that was.

that was. Gasquet trying to be

aggressive, but he was beaten by the

sheer quality of it.

That is unlikely. It would have been

a clean pass. -- unlucky. As it is,

Federer

a clean pass. -- unlucky. As it is,

Federer is a game away from two set

lead.

A former competitive set of

tennis with Gasquet starting to push

Federer. We jump ahead to 5-6. -- a

more competitive set of tennis.

more competitive set of tennis.

Mr

Federer is challenging the call. The

ball was called in.

Federer is challenging the call. The

ball was called in.

I just had a feeling he thought it

was wide. That was the case.

UMPIRE: Start. Mr Gasquet is

challenging a call on the right-hand

side. I think he was going to lose

the point anyway.

He might as well.

He was so out of position. Since

Hawk-Eye is back on, the players

want to use it.

No joy.

That is a great pass. It really was.

Federer a little annoyed.

Federer a little annoyed.

Mr Gasquet

has one challenge remaining.

What a return. Just paying the price

for not quite getting the angle.

Both players point equal and this

set. If Gasquet withhold, he would

have more points than Roger has, all

the way up to the tie-break.

Come on.

A moment of brilliance.

That has put Federer on the brink of

the two set lead.

Well, he will challenge. Looking

from some help from the umpire. I do

not think he is going to get a lot.

Both players. No, there is no

special love from Hawk-Eye.

There it

is. It is long. Gasquet played an

impressive set but he has nothing to

show for it, and he is a mountain to

climb. He is down 2-0 sets.

Roger

Federer

climb. He is down 2-0 sets.

Roger

Federer strikes when it counts. He

is in total control, and we pick up

the action with Richard Gasquet to

serve.

Let's go.

UMPIRE: Mr Gasquet is challenging a

call on the right service line.

Challenging this decision.

Second serve.

Mr Gasquet has two challenges

remaining.

It is a costly one. It

certainly is.

Break points for Federer.

Again, the vision he has, the skills

to employ it, the whole package. It

is an early break. There is Rod

Laver, watching on.

Roger Federer now stamping his

authority on this match. Could there

be any way back for Gasquet? Weary

join the action at 2-4. This time,

it is Federer serving.

That is one of the few times that

Gasquet is winning the first point

of the game. Let's see if they can

build from there.

build from there. -- if he can

build.

It was such a strong second serve.

To emphasise the point, in the first

set, Federer was one

set, Federer was one from seven on

second serve points. In the third

set, two from seven.

Yes. Gasquet is close. In the

previous point, he was one from six.

He went for it, Roger, with a big

second serve down the middle. He won

the points. Knowing the rally, he is

losing it. Richard Gasquet is giving

it everything he has.

The confidence he has to hit that

shot. No doubts whatsoever.

Still two points in a row for

Gasquet. He is putting his arms out

like, you know, what can I do?

Yeah, that was not enough.

Ended up being a sitting duck right

there. Roger better than anybody

else of hitting a forehand after his

serve.

You see where he wants to shift to

another gear, to different spots. He

has missed a couple.

Federer with 42

of 43 holds so far in this

tournament.

Assuming he does finish the job here

and grab a couple more, that will

see him top of the pile as far as

the tournament's concerned.

As a percentage, that is.

They're having a bit of fun over

there!

That's a great return.

Yes!

He snuck it down the line.

He snuck it down the line. Gasquet

has finally earned himself a break

point.

I think nobody will be

clapping against Roger, but the

crowd would love to see some more

tennis. So they're encouraging the

Frenchman to play at his best.

Federer snatches away any

opportunity, snuff it is out.

-- snuff it is out.

-- snuffs it out.

Never really looked on that, he was

always chasing the ball, it was

always chasing him. Didn't look

comfortable and that is unusual.

A chance for the Frenchman here.

For just the second time this

tournament, Roger Federer is broken.

It's a mini battle, won by gas,

rewards for his efforts. It's 4-3.

-- Gasquet.

We talked about the head-to-head and

how Gasquet has struggled to break

this guy.

A shot in the arm for Richard

Gasquet. He has played well tonight.

Many times when greats have been

broken, and they lose their serve,

you have to be aware that they want

to be right back where they were, so

they're going to look for another

break.

196, one of his biggest serves down

the T. Asking for the same ball

back.

UMPIRE:

The ball was called out.

Gasquet looks a little tortured.

It's a long wait for the review.

I don't think he was going to miss

that one at 30-30. He was not being

rushed. He had plenty of

opportunities.

You

He wins the point straight after.

Gasquet is doing well. He is

fighting very hard.

He is getting

respect.

Absolutely.

Something he

hasn't always done, let's be honest

about it.

How easy would it be to

let it go, play a couple of nice

points and shake hands. Normally

Roger, if he is up two sets he is

cruising from there. Very few people

can actually stop him when he is

playing like that. And make it at

least even within the set.

He is an

impressive runaway train as a

frontrunner, always has been.

Very typical Federer hold. A little

over 60 seconds is all it took. He

moves within a game of the next

round.

A look at the Rod Laver Arena, in

this wonderful city.

Gasquet serving to stay in the match

at 4-5.

19 sets in a row, Federer has won,

against Gasquet. Not including the

two tonight.

Looks as though it's going to be 22

all in.

He is determined to create

another break. Doesn't want to go

all the way to the end. Only twice

in the match he played - it wasn't

straight sets.

Saying that, this has

probably been one of the more

competitive matches they've played.

Federer certainly has not had things

all his own way, despite the

scoreline.

He is annoyed with himself that he

misses that. Look at that, hardly

ever you see that.

Why is that, do

you think?

He wants to finish it

off. He didn't hit it clean. He had

a chance to put it away. Look at

him. That's a rare sight.

Oh! That is tremendous.

What a hit that was.

He challenged him and he got

punished.

A fantastic shot there Richard hit

there. That slice return, just

barely made it over the net, it

stayed so low. He addressed the ball

like it was a normal shot. Played

over a lower part of the net in the

middle.

He rode his luck on the return.

Yes,

that is also why Gasquet is looking

in agony to his box. He is like, I

know he is the greatest player, but

he was lucky here. It drops right in

front of the baseline.

front of the baseline. He is getting

a bit of luck.

Taking control of the rally early.

As he did in this match. Federer,

one points away from the last 16.

Thank you, thank you.

That is gutsy, my friends. Why not?

It is unbelievable.

That backhand was the 27th winner

from the racket of Richard Gasquet.

How many from backhand and how many

from forehand?

Pretty even.

from forehand?

Pretty even. Ten from

the forehand, nine from the

backhand.

backhand.

It is about the service,

the aces.

Shot making of the highest quality.

This really has been a treat

tonight, for very nearly two hours.

Finishing with a flourish.

He has got it. Roger Federer is into

the last 16 of the Australian Open.

For a 17th time, he gets the better

of Richard Gasquet. That was a fun

couple of hours. He was tested, he

passed everything that came his way.

couple of hours. He was tested, he

passed everything that came his way.

Federer wins.

Federer wins.

The almighty presence

of Mr Rod Laver himself.

of Mr Rod Laver himself.

Let's go

courtside. Jim Courier will be

posing the questions.

Coming into this match, you and

Richard word two of the three

players in the men's draw who had

not dropped a set. Rafah Nadal was

the other one. Something had to

give. You played some excellent

tennis, but so did Richard. What was

the difference, because he was

playing at a high level to? Yes,

what was the difference? Three

breaks of serve, to be specific, but

what led to that.

Exactly, my head

is spinning from the match point

when I got so lucky. I am trying to

get over that one. I will give a

good answer.

I was able to go on the offensive

more than he was. Maybe I was

protecting my own serve more than

him. The second set was tight. The

match was close. Tough matches. The

end could have gone to a tie-break

and you never know. You have got to

focus until the very end. That is a

terrible answer, but Richard played

well, me as well. I just happened to

win.

It was a mediocre answer. It

was a great match. In this round

last year, the third round, you

kicked into gear. You played Tomas

Berdych and your game really lifted.

This year, not coming back from

injury but a great season. How deep

the way that it feels for you and

the court, we lose your game

compared to this time last year?

Expectations are different, which is

a good thing. I had a good season

last year, the off-season was

fantastic as well. My last match was

not that long ago, the World Tour

Finals, not seven months ago like

last year. This year I am very fit,

well equipped, knowing that five

sets is not an issue, whereas last

year it was?. With that in mind. You

and attention. -- whereas last year

it was a problem. I had a groin

injury from the last five matches,

from just being very tense. I think

the match against Tomas Berdych was

key, to show that I can play a great

match and maybe we can do it again

and again. It is exactly how it

happened, I do not know if it will

happen this year, but so far, so

good.

CHEERING

Straightforward for the reigning

champion in the end. Roger Federer

wins the battle of the backhands in

straight sets. Roger Federer goes

through, as does the fifth seed,

Dominic Thiem. He came through in

through, as does the fifth seed,

Dominic Thiem. He came through in

straight sets against Adrian

Mannarino. Novak Djokovic, the six

time champion, is through. He came

into the tournament with an elbow

injury that has kept him out for six

months. He had to have treatment in

Melbourne on court for his lower

back. There was a shot in the fourth

round. -- Alexander Zverev was

beaten. His opponent fought back. He

won the fourth set 6-0. He is the

first Korean man to reach the last

16 of the Australian Open. More bad

news for Britain. Jamie Murray and

his partner Bruno Soares are out,

beaten in the second round of the

doubles. They were beaten by Leander

Paes and Purav Raja. Kyle Edmund is

through to the fourth round and he

is in the top half of the draw. He

plays his Italian opponent tomorrow.

We will have highlights of that

match on BBC Two at six p:m..

Come

on, Wales. It is our year for the

six Nations.

Come on, England. Come

on, boys.

I like a challenge.

Who

won Eurovision?

Haggis. Freddie

Mercury.

The French kiss.

We love

them all? Let's settle it and the

court.

The six Nations, starts on

the 3rd of February across the BBC.

The return of the six Nations, a

sure sign that spring is on the way.

It is the height of

sure sign that spring is on the way.

It is the height of summer in

Melbourne. Temperatures on court

rising into the 40s over the last

couple of days. Next to do battle

with the heat and each other, two

former champions.

The women's final

of 2008 and a contest to savour.

Sharapova with the opening set, 7-5

after 49 minutes of play. That will

do. Maria Sharapova sings to her

knees and does have her day in the

Melbourne sunshine.

Serena Williams

and Angelique Kerber from Germany,

who has beaten her before. This is a

bit of a turn up.

who has beaten her before. This is a

bit of a turn up. 6-4, Kerber, first

set. It is away. I cannot believe

it.

Match point down in the first

round. It is a

it.

Match point down in the first

round. It is a moment right there.

Maria Sharapova, of course, making

her grand slam comeback after a 15

month doping ban. She has had

her grand slam comeback after a 15

month doping ban. She has had two

straight sets victory is under way

to the third round. Angelique Kerber

has not been challenged yet.

has not been challenged yet. These

two have gone head-to-head seven

times. Sharapova winning four times

when she was in her prime. Kerber

has won the last two. She seems to

have discovered the spark she was

missing at the end of last year.

This was the popcorn match of the

women's draw so far, two former

champions battling it out. Let's

start at the very

champions battling it out. Let's

start at the very beginning, with

Maria Sharapova to serve.

We are all set for the third round.

UMPIRE: Take your seats quickly. Two

up as champions. 2000 and 84

Sharapova, 2016 for Kerber. Who will

have it in 2018?

Ready? Play.

The top half of the draw, perched at

the very top is Simona Halep, the

number one seed.

Managing to get Sharapova moving

early in this encounter. In her last

two matches, Maria Sharapova has hit

most of her winners from the

forehand side, however, she has hit

lots of unforced mistakes as well.

Something for Kerber to keep an eye

on tonight.

Part of the strategy for 2018 for

Kerber is to be more aggressive.

Already, we are just seeing that

style of play. Straight from the

start.

start.

Beaten for pace.

It is not an easy road in the top

part of the women's draw. In fact,

Caroline Wozniacki would be feeling

pretty pleased about so many of the

seats, they have disappeared from

that side.

that side. Her main contest is Elina

Svitolina. She is still in the draw.

Now she gets the first game on the

board, Kerber, the first break of

the match goes the way of the

German.

A fantastic start for Kerber. The

next two games went with serve and

we pick up the action with Kerber

serving at 2-1.

So, Kerber serving, 2-1, the break

in hand.

She did all the work, controlled the

rally, Sharapova, then could not put

the easier ball away.

Good

athleticism from Angelique Kerber.

She covers the court so well.

There is that forehand you have been

talking about.

It is her good to

play, they serve out wide, the

forehand down the line.

I mean,

Sharapova returns it so hard and

low, but let how low Kerber gets.

Strong legs, absorbs the pace.

Strong legs, absorbs the pace. If

she can get Sharapova's best ball

back, it will force Sharapova to

have to do something extra special.

First double fault for either

player.

15 double faults so far in the

tournament, eight aces. Quite the

conversion that you would want.

Oh!

Unbelievable from Kerber.

Great moving from Kerber. Holds

serve, gets there quickly. Terrific

placement. And she like it is. A

sign of confidence there from

Kerber. No question about it, this

match is a huge one for both

players. This one in particular.

A lot of conversations in the

newspapers and media down here about

the grunting and the noise of

certain athletes when they hit the

ball.

ball. There was one match where the

player was louder than Sharapova. I

would like your input after this.

She kus can't do anything wrong at

the moment, Kerber. Using that

forehand to move the ball around the

court. Just keeps returning that

ball, just when Sharapova thinks she

is on top of the point, the ball

comes back and then it's Kerber

dictating play.

Clearly we can hear Maria Sharapova

and her shrieking, it's been an

issue. Are you against it, does it

bother you?

I think when you are in

the moment, as a player, you are so

focussed on what you are trying to

do, that it takes your mind off what

the opponent is doing. I think we

are so used to Sharapova being

around for a long time it hasn't

been questioned as much. Now we have

a new player like just 19 years of

age, on tour and it was very loud

that night. I think as a young

player she's got a lot to learn. I

think it's probably made more of a

headline as to how can we sort of

help players with those types of

strategies.

Maybe there needs to be some sort of

rule put into place so it doesn't

become such a big issue.

Yeah,

certainly some educating - with the

ITF they're really looking into it

but at the end of the day it is also

a decision by the umpire to his

discretion whether it is a hind rans

or not to the opponent. Two break

points here for Kerber again.

A terrific start here and a sign to

all the other players that Kerber is

on her way back.

STUDIO: Kerber in complete control

then. Could she see the set out?

COMMENTATOR: It's Sharapova doing

more running at the moment.

That's when the unforced errors come

in for Sharapova. Just tries to

press a little bit more, go for a

little bit extra. And forces the

error.

Impenetratable at the moment,

Kerber. Just a stalwart. She is at

her best.

She can do no wrong, Kerber. She is

on fire. Has not missed an

opportunity throughout this match

tonight. She is sitting pretty.

Three set points here now. And Maria

Sharapova needs to come up with

something special here.

Can find no answers, Sharapova. In

just 29 minutes, 6-1 to the 16th

seed, Kerber.

STUDIO: A brilliant set of tennis

from Kerber and she broke again

early in the second set. We rejoin

the match with Kerber serving at

2-0.

We know Kerber needs to play a lot

of matches as well and in 2017 just

played 53 matches, that's very

little for her 29 wins.

If you look at 2016 she played 81

matches. 63 wins, that is a lot of

time on court. Sharapova, can she do

something in this game? Running out

of time.

A couple of rare misses off the

forehand from Kerber. Maybe a few

nerves. Maybe her thoughts getting a

little bit ahead of her.

Look at

that fist pump there for Sharapova.

No question what she wants to do

with this ball.

Terrific defence from Kerber.

Frustrated Sharapova, though, that

ball just inches from the baseline.

He is just hoping his player can

find a little form here.

A lot of perspiration there. A balmy

night.

The impressive thing for me tonight

is when Sharapova hits with such

good depth that Kerber has been able

to put the ball even deeper.

Sharapova is not used to having her

best ball come back even better.

She is on the board in this second

set. Release of some nerves there

for Sharapova. It's a set and 2-1 to

Kerber.

That's the consistency Sharapova is

looking for. Had a much tougher

pathway through the last couple of

matches, average rank of opponent

has been 31, Maria. Kerber's

average, 220.

And that's because her countryman is

ranked 388 at the moment in the

world. Came in here with a protected

ranking, no doubt.

Does not want to let the edge go

away to Sharapova here, Kerber.

Very careful, keep the pressure on.

Make a lot of balls, not to get

broken.

Just not putting enough on that

second serve, Kerber. 119 kilometres

an hour. Look how far inside

Sharapova is inside that court.

With a little extra there, 134.

Finding her range, Sharapova. Just

sent that moment - you sense that

momentum is starting to shift. Break

point, Sharapova. A chance to take

the lead here.

Oh!

Just narrowly missing.

A real opportunity therefore

Sharapova, plenty of space to hit

into, just pressing too much on the

forehand. Back to deuce.

She was there. Just did not have to

play it that much.

Good hustle, just not getting her

racket in off that ball.

Disappointment for Sharapova.

Disappointment for Sharapova. -- not

getting her racket under that ball.

Sending the forehand a little wide.

Working hard, Kerber, to hold. She

leads by one set, and 4-3. Just

edging up to the hour mark at the

Rod Laver Arena. It is third-round

action at the Australian Open 2018,

and it is a beautiful summer's night

in Melbourne.

Yes, straight through the line.

Well, the second one for the evening

for Sharapova.

Needs to work hard, Sharapova. If

she loses this service game,

Angelique Kerber looking to serve

the match out. Unforced mistakes,

22. We are just on the hour mark.

She is just so tough, Kerber. That

last rally, 16 shots. And the drop

shot to me, from Sharapova, it tells

me that she is not willing yet to

hang in long enough in those

rallies.

Well, she likes what is

happening out here at the moment,

Kerber. That is a fist pump of

commitment. Two break points.

That is not a great sign for

Sharapova. A very tight forehand.

That signals a massive opportunity

for Angelique Kerber.

for Angelique Kerber. She is looking

to serve to get into the fourth

round of the Australian Open. It has

not been quite the matchup that we

expected. It has really been Kerber

controlling this match. She starts

again with an ace.

I almost feel like she is really

enjoying this, Kerber.

The new look Kerber, not the one of

2017, who had the weight of the

world on her shoulders.

Just wide. A little impatient. She

is feeling the pressure, Sharapova.

She is running out of time.

And

running out of answers.

And she just might be running out of

Melbourne soon as well. Because it

is Angelique Kerber, the former

champion, back in 2016, who has

three match points.

The bulk is the line. Good

improvisation from Kerber. She has

saved on match point, Sharapova.

She

does a phenomenal job of just trying

to get that one back. She could not

quite do it. Match point. Number

two.

Come on. Angelique Kerber is by --

Angelique Kerber is back. She might

be ranked number 25 at the moment,

but that number will disappear

quickly because

but that number will disappear

quickly because she is playing great

tennis. She loves it here in

Melbourne, she loves the Australian

crowd, and they love her. She looks

confident,

confident, comfortable, and a new

tennis player, a complete makeover

for Angelique Kerber in 2018.

Well,

a disappointing match for Maria

Sharapova, but there is no question,

she is a fighter. We will see her

around next year. There is no doubt

about it.

A great match. How

important was it to get off to a

good start?

Yes, you know, first of

all, I have to say I have so many

great memories for this court. I

came out here and I was trying to

enjoy every point. With you guys, it

is even more special.

CHEERING

I mean, I just knew before the match

it would be a tough one.

Maria is a

champion, she played so good in the

last four weeks. I was really trying

to play my game, and I am so happy

that we have 2018 and not 2017 any

more. I am trying to enjoy every

single moment.

What is the

difference? We know how amazing 2016

was really, particularly on that

spot over there when you on the

Australian Open. 2017, what is the

difference? You know, you can share

your thoughts, there are are only a

few people.

I am home here, so I can

share everything. I learned a lot

from the last 24 months. I had a

great 2016 and last year was

tougher. Everybody who knows me know

I never give up and I am was coming

back. I had a really tough season

and I was working hard to be here,

laying against the best players.

Thank you, it is just great.

CHEERING

Well, you're coaching box over

there, you have a new coach. You had

a great run with your last coach in

previous years. What are some of the

things that the new coach has talked

to you about over the last few

months, with your training and this

experience?

I had great success with

my last coach. With my new coach, it

is another voice talking to me. We

are trying to improve my game,

trying to improve every single day,

playing better, being better, I'm

going out there trying to win as

many matches as possible. We have

lots of fun on and off court, and

this is the most important thing, to

enjoy, trust, and just play.

I think

you're well and truly back. Ladies

gentlemen, Angelique Kerber.

you're well and truly back. Ladies

gentlemen, Angelique Kerber.

In the end, not the battle that was

predicted. A straight sets victory

for Angelique Kerber. She's looking

back their best after a fairly

disappointing year last year.

Sharapova has lost none of her

steeliness during months away but

Angelique Kerber was too strong

today. The other big story of the

day as far as the women's toys

concerned is the epic that played

out between Simona Halep and Lauren

Davis. This match had everything, it

lasted three hours and 45 minutes, a

record equalling 48 games. Halep had

to save three match points in the

decider but eventually came through.

15-13 in the final set. With players

battered by their efforts. Davis

lost toenails, where Halep joked she

was almost

lost toenails, where Halep joked she

was almost dead after the victory.

I

just kept believing it is not over

evening she is leading a little bit

more. I gave everything I had today,

and actually, I am really proud that

I could and win it win it.

and actually, I am really proud that

I could and win it win it. It was

not easy, she played great.

This is

a quickly get some of the other

third-round results the women's

draw. The American who was knocked

out beat Johanna Konta.

out beat Johanna Konta. Madison Keys

lost the US Open final to Sloane

Stephens last year. She came through

against Ana Bogdan.

against Ana Bogdan. There has been

another big scalp for Hsieh Su-wei,

the world number 98 from Chinese

Taipei. She knocked out the

defending champion in the last round

and now

defending champion in the last round

and now she has dispatched Agnieszka

Radwanska in straight sets. That is

just about it from us today. Plenty

of other sport across the BBC for

you to enjoy this afternoon.

Manchester City against Newcastle

will be one of

Manchester City against Newcastle

will be one of eight matches

featured on Match Of The Day

tonight. The smoker follows this

programme.

programme. -- the snooker follows.

We will be back tomorrow with more

Australian Open highlights on BBC

Two. There is full commentary on the

BBC Sport website. We will have all

the big moments from Kyle Edmund's

fourth-round match on Breakfast.

the big moments from Kyle Edmund's

fourth-round match on Breakfast.

That is it for now. Tomorrow we will

be keeping an eye on Kyle Edmund as

he aims for a place in the

quarterfinals of a grand slam for

the first time. With Andy Murray out

of action, do we have a successor to

the British tennis crime?

the British tennis crime? -- tennis

crown?