Novak Djokovic vs Alexei Popyrin – Australian Open: Live score and game-by-game updates as world number one takes third set tiebreaker 7-4 and moves to within one set of third-round

Popyrin made some progress in that Djokovic game but was unable to really pin his man to the ropes, with the Serb nosing ahead 3-2.

Oh dear, what’s going on here. Djokovic has gone over to the crowd to have a word with a spectator, who seemingly said something while his back was turned.

The fan didn’t muster up the courage to repeat the comment when quizzed by the Serb.

Popyrin holds 40-15 as Djokovic flexes his wrist. It still isn’t quite right but with two sets in the bank, the thought of the finish line being in sight may be enough to power him through.

Three consecutive 40-0 games sees Djokovic hold serve at 2-1. The energy inside the Rod Laver Arena has certainly fizzled out.

Is it just me, or did he say ‘phew’ ?

Well, Popyrin still harbours hope of taking this one all the way. He’s just held comfortably at 40-0.

I think we all needed a couple of easy games after the last hour or so!

Djokovic holds 40-0 in the first game of the fourth set. It’s almost as if that shaky third set never happened.

He had no business taking that set. Surely the finish line is in sight now.

Djokovic takes an immediate mini-break but Popyrin claws it back, stepping inside on a tame second serve to hit an inside-out cross-court winner.

Popyrin then fails to execute a passing winner. 2-1 Djokovic.

A big serve sees the score go 2-2 but Popyrin fluffs his lines in the following point, pulling a forehand shot wide to give Djokovic another mini-break.

Stop that, Novak Djokovic! The Serb threads the needle with a sensational forehand down the line, where there was absolutely no margin for error. 4-2 to the champion.

Ace. Amazing from Djokovic. 5-2.

Excellent overhead volley from Popyrin after good net play. 5-3.

Big, big tennis from the Aussie again, whipping an inside-out forehand down the line to beat Djokovic. 5-4.

A deep, deep backhand from Djokovic forces Popyrin to hit the ball into the net, giving the Serb two set points. 6-4.

And there it is. Popyrin loops a forehand out of play to give Djokovic the set.

A reminder: He defended four set points before taking this one. Devastating.

We’re going to a tie-break! Popyrin is unable to mount a serious challenge to Djokovic’s serve and now we go to a third-set shootout.

What a response from Popyrin, who so easily could have wilted after seeing those four opportunities go to waste.

But he keeps his foot on the gas to hold serve and put all the pressure back on Djokovic.

How on Earth has Popyrin not wrapped up this third set? Djokovic’s shots seemingly gravitated from out to in and kissed the line on that fourth set point, leading to a Popyrin error.

Djokovic now has a game point of his own and fizzes an unreturnable serve to hold.

I have a feeling we could well reflect on those four set points come the end of the night.

Wow. Another uncharacteristic error from Djokovic sees him hit a volley into the net when it was harder to miss. Far too casual from the champion who is now 0-30 down.

Here. We. Go. That compromised forehand leads to another unforced error and gives Popyrin THREE set points.

First set point: Djokovic ace.

Second set point: Popyrin skews a double-handed backhand wide of the court.

Third set point: Beautiful approach shot sees Djokovic sweep home a volley at the net. Deuce.

How’re your nerves, Alexei? Well, they look shot to bits. He blinks first and hands Djokovic the advantage with a tame backhand into the net.

But Popyrin is not giving up that easily. He hauls it back to deuce with a wicked backhand across court.

The Aussie has a FOURTH set point! Can he take it?

Popyrin asks for his racquet to be restrung, he’s not too happy with the feel of his current one as he fishes out a replacement from his bag.

The problem with Djokovic is, you don’t know whether it’s smoke and mirrors. At last year’s Australian Open he complained of an unknown injury, but showed little frailty as he stormed to the title.

And judging by a thumping forehand cross-court winner, it’s tough to work out how badly compromised his wrist is right now.

But Popyrin is focusing on himself. He hammers an overhead volley beyond Djokovic before forcing the Serb into another error. He is now one break away from taking the third set.

Djokovic shows great composure at the net to softly drop a winner over the net from a fizzing Popyrin effort.

He follows up with a big forehand that Popyrin is unable to keep in play and he holds serve as we enter the third hour of this absorbing contest.

The former footy star hasn’t lost it.

Cool as you like, Popyrin holds serve with ease as we head towards an absolutely pivotal point of this match. Just which way will it go?

Popyrin is back now, let’s see how compromised his movement is here.

Well, from the early goings, it doesn’t look too bad! He stretches to retrieve a fierce serve on the backhand side, Djokovic’s approach shot falls a little short and Popyrin punishes him with a passing winner.

How’s your luck, Novak! Popyrin is targeting the forehand and Djokovic just about gets it over with the help of a wicked deflection from the net cord. No chance for the Aussie to get that and Djokovic gestures a cross sign over his chest.

Are the tennis gods are with him tonight? He holds serve.

The medic is on, but not for Djokovic.

Popyrin appears to have a problem with his left calf and is getting a bit of treatment.

What a shame it would be if this battle ends early.

Djokovic looks up to the sky, shoulders slouched, after firing a basic backhand shot out of play.

Popyrin then asks slices a backhand into Djokovic’s forehand side and he is unable to deal with it, hooking it wide before the Aussie thumps a forehand winner to take the game.

This match is so finely poised.

The crowd is 100% behind Popyrin now, but that won’t deter Novak Djokovic – he has a tendency to thrive in these settings.

He races to a 40-0 lead and forces Popyrin to drive a backhand into the net. A much-needed comfortable hold.

Oh my word. What a point from Alexei Popyrin. He attempts to lob Djokovic but doesn’t quite execute, allowing Djokovic to drill an overhead smash to the back of the court. Popyrin retrieves, then tucks away a short volley and raises his arms in the air to receive the ovation of the Rod Laver crowd.

‘He is purring right now,’ says Kyrgios.

And again! Djokovic, up at the net, has 80% of the court to aim for to guarantee a winner, but Popyrin just about reaches it and scoops a lob over the champion, who can only stand aghast as the crowd is sent into sheer bedlam.

Popyrin follows up with a huge serve that Djokovic is unable to return, and holds. It’s all going one way here.

Just what is going on with Novak Djokovic? After Popyrin held serve, it looked as though he called for the trainer, but he’s marched to the baseline to begin his service game.

He manages to hold his own serve but he looks far from pleased, now dressed in a fresh blue shirt after the second set.

Popyrin is absolutelty nerveless here. Djokovic has a way into his opponent’s service game at 30-30 but, once again, the Aussie has an answer, with a massive ace down the middle.

He continues to step inside the court and punish Djokovic’s weak forehand and it pays dividends, seeing the Serb overhit and give the game to Popyrin, who turns and gives a fist pump to his corner.

Big pressure on Popyrin as he falls 0-30 down in this crucial game. Djokovic, like he has done to so many of his opponents, is forcing Popyrin to play the extra shot.

Djokovic fires a couple of shots into Popyrin’s backhand side and the frustrated Australian looks to run around it and play an inside-out forehand, but fails to execute. Down 0-40. Tension is at fever-pitch in Rod Laver Arena.

He saves one break point… and another… but no! Popyrin floats a forehand long and Djokovic breaks. How crucial could that be?

Kyrgios is speculating that Djokovic’s pre-tournament wrist problem could be the cause of his tendency to commit forehand errors this set. It certainly is uncharacteristic of the Serb.

But he manages to see this service game off and tell Popyrin to go and win the set on his own serve.

Djokovic tests Popyrin with a huge lob that has him retreating, but he keeps his cool to hammer it away.

He then follows up with a whipping forehand that Djokovic has no answer for. Unlike the first set, Popyrin is keen to keep the points short and not engage in lengthy rallies.

It seems to be working a treat for him.

Much better from Djokovic, who quickly holds his serve to put the pressure back on Popyrin.

But the Rod Laver Arena crowd is up and backing their own man here, they want to see the champion tested.

He’s absolutely DRILLED that one!

Djokovic is renowned for his ability to break back as soon as he’s broken, so Popyrin can’t celebrate too much here.

But he’s got a determined look in his eye, has the Australian. He fires a serve out wide for an ace before smashing a volley past Djokovic, who then hits another unforced error to make it 40-0 Popyrin.

Up steps Popyrin, who aces down the middle for his most comfortable hold yet.

Big chance for Popyrin as he wins the first two points on Djokovic’s serve to hold an unexpected 0-30 lead.

The Serb comes in clutch with a big unanswered first serve but then floats a shot out of play to give the Aussie TWO break points.

‘Here we go, he needs to take one of these,’ says Kyrgios.

And he does! Djokovic tries to catch Popyrin off guard with a drop shot, but the Aussie makes it and punishes him.

This game should be a lesson for Popyrin: Aggression is your best chance of success.

The 24-year-old fires a forehand deep in court before approaching the net, forcing Djokovic to return the ball into the net.

He then sees his forehand shot kiss the tramline to seal the game. Much better from the Aussie.

Better from Popyrin, who could’ve let this Djokovic service game get away from him after going 30-0 down but has battled back to 30-30.

But for some inexplicable reason, Popyrin loops his return from a slow Djokovic second serve out of play. He is furious with himself and gives his box an earful.

Again, another opportunity is wasted on the Djokovic second serve, as he drills a backhand into the net to let the Serb hold.

After a brief pep talk at the change of ends, Popyrin bursts to 40-0 lead, before Djokovic pins a perfect backhand down the line.

But he is unable to work his way back into the game after pulling a backhand wide of court. A much better hold from Popyrin.

‘He has to be the aggressor tonight,’ says Nick Kyrgios of Popyrin, the consensus being that the underdog is playing within himself at the moment.

But he’s just way too deep in his own court and offering no avenue for himself to work his way into Djokovic’s serve.

Djokovic only needs one set point and he takes it. It was 3-3 around five to ten minutes ago, now the Serb has won the set 6-3.

A lengthy baseline exchange sees Popyrin blink first as he buries a backhand into the net, offering Djokovic two break points. Can he take them this time around?

He can! Popyrin attempts a drop shot at the net but he gets it all wrong, giving Djokovic plenty of time to tuck a forehand winner away and now he is serving for the set.

Solid hold from Djokovic, who shows all the experience he has gathered over the years with second serves that left Popyrin bamboozled.

The Aussie needs to make more inroads on Djokovic’s service games to relieve the pressure.

After going 30-0 up, an unexecuted volley and back-to-back double faults offers Djokovic a chance to break. Brutal.

Cool as you like, Popyrin serves and volleys the opportunity away from Djokovic.

He then hits two unplayable aces to clinch the game. He’s chuffed with that one, letting out a roar to his box. Djokovic has been wasteful.

The man who conquered Andy Murray has comfortably beaten another veteran, sending Gael Monfils packing from the tournament.

He will meet the winner of Djokovic vs Popyrin next.

He is running away with it against Chris Eubanks.

Surgical precision from Djokovic sees him move to 40-0. Popyrin then skews a return wide and it’s a comfortable hold for the champion.

Big moment. Game tied at 30-30 and Popyrin double faults.

Up against a break point, the Aussie refuses to crumble and fires an ace down the tee, but gives Djokovic another opportunity to break after hitting a forehand too long.

He weathers the storm again by whipping a forehand to Djokovic’s backhand side, and he has no answer. Popyrin goes onto hold. First pressure test passed for the young gun.

‘That’s a great hold,’ says Kyrgios.

Djokovic pins Popyrin to the back of the court with his deep, probing shots, taking him to a 40-0 lead.

But Popyrin refuses to roll over and give Djokovic an easy hold, punching an unanswered backhand down the line. But the Serb prevails to move to 2-1.

For a big man standing at 6ft 5ins, Popyrin moves ever so well. The Aussie is unafraid to engage in the lengthy, drawn-out baseline battles, but mixes it up with a beautiful drop shot which Djokovic doesn’t even attempt to chase.

He races to 40-15 and holds with a big serve. Great first service game for the underdog.

Young hotshot Frances Tiafoe is OUT of the Australian Open after the No 17 seed was defeated in straight sets by unseeded Tomas Machac.

The underdog had the game of his life to defeat his rival, including this insane winner. Check it out.

‘Very exciting match we’ve got on our hands here tonight,’ says Nick Kyrgios as Djokovic gets us underway for the final match on Rod Laver Arena today.

And it’s pretty smooth-sailing for Djokovic in this opening game, burying back-to-back aces down the tee to take it 1-0.

Djokovic and Popyrin have done the coin toss and customary photo with a young mascot, and are now going through their paces in the warm up.

The Serb is wearing a white t-shirt with blue shorts, but don’t be surprised to see him change clothes if this match goes longer than expected.

Tim Henman is under no illusions as to what is required for a major shock tonight.

‘He’s got to serve huge and get the crowd involved,’ he said on Eurosport. ‘If he does that, we could get another upset.’

So, can he do it? The players are on their way out now.

The second set was a doddle for the Belarusian, taking it 6-2.

Just over an hour’s work for the defending champion against her 16-year-old opponent.

‘For somebody who is 16 years old, she is doing an incredible job. I wish I was this level when I was 16.

‘I am super happy with the win, I was focused on myself and just fought for every point.’

Alexei Popyrin is not unfamiliar with taking big scalps. Last year, the Australian beat Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, then world No 6, at the Adelaide International.

Of course, the Serb is a different kettle of fish altogether, but here’s hoping the Aussie doesn’t buckle on the big stage.

She’s won 11 points in a row on Rod Laver Arena and now leads 3-0 in the second set.

I wouldn’t put any money on Brenda Fruhvirtova stemming the tide.

Ons Jabeur has been a recurring figure at the top of women’s tennis for the past couple of years, with the fan-favourite making the Wimbledon final in 2022 and 2023.

But she will play no major part in this year’s Australian Open following a shock defeat by a 16-year-old upstart.

Click below to read more.

Fans of AFL will recognise the man in the picture here. Of course, it is Carlton Blues and Adelaide Crows legend Eddie Betts.

After a cagey start, the Belarusian has wrapped up the opening set on Rod Laver Arena, prevailing 6-3.

It certainly wasn’t smooth sailing for the all-conquering champion on Sunday night.

Up against a young, hungry 18-year-old who earned his place in the tournament as a qualifier, Djokovic had to dig deep to put Dino Prizmic away and march onto tonight’s contest.

Check out the highlights below.

Back on Rod Laver Arena, Aryna Sabalenka has got a major breakthrough after breaking Brenda Fruhvirtova.

She leads 5-3 and is now serving for the first set.

They may have played in different eras, but Nick Kyrgios and John McEnroe are very much cut from the same cloth.

Like the American all those years ago, Kyrgios divides opinion when he takes to the court and even after 10 years in the game, he is still a marmite figure.

McEnroe has explained why he thinks Aussies believe Kyrgios is ‘a bit of a d***’.

Reigning women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka has just started her second round match against Brenda Fruhvirtova.

It’s been a cagey opening, with the Czech holding serve to tie things up at 3-3.

That’s right. For some inexplicable reason, a ball kid intervened to catch a looping ball while it was still in play during Aleksander Kovacevic’s match against Karen Khachanov.

With the ball destined to bounce out of play, Khachanov was understandably miffed when the umpire called to replay the point, before Kovacevic’s incredible act of genorisity changed things.

What a few days we’ve had at the tournament so far.

We’ve seen racquet smashes, commentary debuts and even seagulls causing chaos!

And tonight Novak Djokovic returns to the Rod Laver Arena as he takes on Aussie hopeful Alexei Popyrin.

The reigning champion had to work hard for his opening win over Dino Prizmic, his longest first-round match ever, leaving his rivals hopeful that there are chinks in his armour.

Stay tuned for game-by-game coverage from Melbourne.