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1 week ago

Australian Open LIVE: Furious Daniil Medvedev trails qualifier Learner Tien, Emma Raducanu issues injury update

Raducanu set up a clash with Iga Swiatek but battled through more injury worries in her win over Amanda Anisimova

Jamie Braidwood
Thursday 16 January 2025 13:27 GMT
Novak Djokovic practices for Australian Open 2025 with Andy Murray as coach

The Australian Open continues as Emma Raducanu booked a clash with second seed Iga Swiatek but Katie Boulter is out after falling to a three-set defeat to Veronika Kudermetova.

British No 1 Boulter could not progress to the third round for the first time as Kudermetova edged a tight contest. Boulter looked to have found the momentum, but Kudermetova raised her level in the decider, winning 7-6 2-6 6-2.

Earlier, Raducanu defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-5 but battled more injury problems during the victory. The 22-year-old played through pain struggling with her lower back, but Raducanu is hoping it’s just a “small niggle” after her preparations for the tournament were disrupted by back spasms.

Five-time grand slam winner Swiatek needed just one hour to cruise through, setting up a blockbuster match against Raducanu, who she is yet to drop a set against in three meetings.

Elsewhere, defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner dropped his first set since October against Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate, but the World No 1 recovered to win 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-3.

Last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev faces the American qualifier Learner Tien, while Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca‘s dream run on his grand slam debut is over after defeat to Lorenzo Sonego.

Follow all the latest scores and results from Melbourne Park below:

1 week ago

Australian Open: Katie Boulter 4-5 Veronika Kudermetova*

Three games in a row for Boulter and Kudermetova has now called the physio on 5-4.

The Russian struggled with injuries last year so this will be a worrying sight for her team. Kudermetova is pointing to her chest.

Boulter takes the time-out to talk with her team. The British No 1 had managed to find some momentum before the stoppage.

Jamie Braidwood16 January 2025 08:16
1 week ago

Australian Open: Katie Boulter 4-5 Veronika Kudermetova*

Maybe this set is not done after all! Back-to-back forehand winners from Boulter, followed by an unreturned serve down the middle, moves her to 40-0.

Kudermetova punishes another Boulter second serve down the line to get back to 40-30, but the Russian then nets.

Over to Kudermetova, who was unable to take any of the three set points in her previous service game.

Jamie Braidwood16 January 2025 08:14
1 week ago

Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 3-5 Veronika Kudermetova

Boulter breaks with the backhand winner down the line off Kudermetova’s serve!

The British No 1 stays alive by saving three set points and getting a break back.

Positive from Boulter.

16 January 2025 08:11
1 week ago

Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 2-5 Veronika Kudermetova

Boulter looks to ask the question but Kudermetova responds with the forehand winner hit cleanly at 15-30.

A big first serve follows from Kudermetova and brings up set point.

Kudermetova is close to the ace out wide but double-faults on set point.

Boulter saves a second set point with the forehand winner behind Kudermetova.

A backhand miss follows on the third set point for Kudermetova - who has not closed this out yet.

Jamie Braidwood16 January 2025 08:09
1 week ago

Australian Open: Katie Boulter 2-5 Veronika Kudermetova*

Something for Boulter to build on as she wins a strong attacking point on 15-30, and produces a couple of first serves to earn the hold.

This first set might be unsalvageable but it gives Boulter something to build on. The British No 1 needed three sets to beat Marino so won’t be fazed by needing to go the distance.

16 January 2025 08:04
1 week ago

Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 1-5 Veronika Kudermetova

Boutler’s fiancée, the World No 8 and top Australian player Alex de MInaur, raced to a straight-sets win earlier and is in the crowd to cheer on the British No 1.

Boulter received a lot of support in her opening win over Rebecca Marino and the crowd are trying to get Boulter back into this.

She has a look at the Kudermetova service game on 0-30, but swipes her racket in frustration as she makes the error.

Kudermetova has started very strongly on serve and takes the next three points in a row to move a game away from the set.

Jamie Braidwood16 January 2025 07:59
1 week ago

Australian Open: Katie Boulter 1-4 Veronika Kudermetova*

BREAK! Boulter’s serve is put under real pressure by Kudermetova’s big returns, bringing up two more break points.

Boulter looked to be in control behind the forehand, but Kudermetova defends in the corner before finding the deep strike.

It catches Boulter out and the Russian secures the double break. A very strong start from Kudermetova.

Jamie Braidwood16 January 2025 07:55
1 week ago

Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 1-3 Veronika Kudermetova

Kudermetova has a career-high ranking of nine in the world and has started off like a former top-10 player today.

She moves into position to consolidate the break but Boulter digs in and gets back to deuce.

Kudermetova lets out a huge roar as Boulter stretches but can’t return the second-serve down the middle.

Kudermetova finds the first serve and Boulter fires the forehand long.

Jamie Braidwood16 January 2025 07:50
1 week ago

Australian Open: Katie Boulter 1-2 Veronika Kudermetova*

BREAK! A double fault from Boulter opens the door to Kudermetova and the Russian strikes the backhand winner on 30-30 to bring up break point.

Kudermetova then jumps on the second serve from Boulter, putting her in position to find the pass from inside the baseline. The first break goes against the British No 1

Jamie Braidwood16 January 2025 07:46
1 week ago

Australian Open: *Katie Boulter 1-1 Veronika Kudermetova

A swift return from Kudermetova, who dropped down the rankings last year after a difficult time with injuries.

Boulter, who is at her career-high ranking of 22 in the world, did not make it past the second round of a grand slam last season.

This is a big opportunity to climb further in the rankings.

16 January 2025 07:42

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