Daria Gavrilova will fly the flag for her adopted homeland on Saturday as the last local standing in the Australian Open.
Losses by Ashleigh Barty and Bernard Tomic in their third round matches on Friday night left Gavrilova as Australia’s sole hope to reach the second week at Melbourne Park.
The Russian-born 22-year-old faces Timea Bacsinszky, the 12th seed, on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night.
While Gavrilova is outranked by the Swiss, the Melburnian has won their two previous meetings.
Two former champions at Melbourne Park will also grace centre court during Saturday’s afternoon session.
World no.2 Serena Williams will start hot favourite to progress against unseeded countrywoman Nicole Gibbs.
Rafael Nadal, the 2009 champion, is likely to have a tougher time against emerging German youngster Alexander Zverev in the following match.
Zverev, who beat Roger Federer in a closely fought Hopman Cup match earlier this month, is also bidding to join his brother Mischa in the fourth round.
No pair of brothers has reached the last 16 in a grand slam since Javier and Emilio Sanchez at the 1991 US Open.
Grigor Dimitrov’s battle with Richard Gasquet is the feature match on Rod Laver Arena.
Elsewhere, two title smokeys have been given night matches on Margaret Court Arena.
Exciting Frenchman Gael Monfils will play 32nd seed Philipp Kohlscreiber before fifth-seed Karolina Pliskova will look to reach the second week here for the first time against unseeded Latvian Jelena Ostapenko.
Johanna Konta’s clash with Caroline Wozniacki is preceded by Dominic Thiem’s encounter with Benoit Paire on the tournament’s second court.
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Rafael Nadal has hailed the brilliance of Alex de Minaur, calling him "a great player" after the Australian forced the Spanish legend to say…
The clay season promises to be one of high level and tight margins. With the Monte Carlo open just around the corner, it will…
In incredible scenes, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's quarter-final clash with Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells was halted abruptly due to a "bee invasion." Less…
Marathon man Jordan Thompson has finally clinched his first ATP Tour title, with the Australian upsetting Norwegian Casper Ruud to lift the trophy in…
Alex de Minaur has earned the perfect 25th birthday present, booking a place in the final of the Rotterdam Open with an emphatic revenge…
While watching the recent Australian Tennis Open I became obsessively fixated on the same thought. Why has no one done a television biopic or…
