Australian Open 2024 LIVE updates: Teen sensation ousts Jabeur; Demon blitzes Arnaldi; Storm battles in third set

It’s a comprehensive victory for Alex de Minaur on Rod Laver Arena. He’s through to the third round with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-3 win over Matteo Arnaldi.

De Minaur cruised through that match, barely looking troubled by his opponent, and will play either Pavel Kotov or Flavio Cobolli (a qualifier). De Minaur joked that he hoped they played a five-setter in their match today. Cobolli took the first set in that match and it’s 3-3 in the second.

“Today was a little bit of revenge for Australia,” de Minaur said on court after his win, referencing Australia’s Davis Cup loss to Italy in the final late last year.

Not only did the Demon halt Arnaldi’s charge, he’s now broken the Italian again – and will serve for the match and a spot in the third round.

Alex de Minaur has held serve and the score is 4-3 in the third set after Italian Matteo Arnaldi held, broke and held again after being bagelled in the second set. The Italian was fired up and vocal after his mini run, but de Minaur held serve to calm things down a bit on Rod Laver Arena.

De Minaur has the fastest serve for the match at 201km/hr, and the Australian Open win predictor puts the Aussie at a 99 per cent chance of winning.

Now that play has resumed on the outdoor courts, there’s a bit more action to report.

First, to Margaret Court Arena (admittedly an indoor court), where American No.4 seed Coco Gauff has faced tough opposition from compatriot Caroline Dolehide but held on to take the first set 7-6 (7-2).

Out on Kia Arena, No.32 Leylah Fernandez, the youngster from Canada, lost the first set 7-5 to American Alycia Parks. Things are going a bit more to plan out of 1573 Arena for No.29 Sebastian Baez against Daniel Elahi Galan of Columbia – Baez took the first set there 7-5. Same for women’s No.9 Barbora Krejcikova, who took the first set and is comfortably ahead in the second against German Tamara Korpatsch.

And on the party court, qualifier Flavio Cobolli is up a set against No.65 Pavel Kotov.

Just as de Minaur had the finish line in sight, there is suddenly life from Arnaldi. The Italian young gun hammers a down-the-line backhand winner to break the Sydneysider for the first time on his sixth opportunity. The third set is back on serve, with de Minaur 3-2 up.

Matteo Arnaldi has ended a run of 11 games won by Alex de Minaur, holding serve to cut the Demon’s lead back to 3-1 in the third set. De Minaur is still well in control though, very close to sealing a spot in the third round.

Meanwhile, over on John Cain Arena, Storm Hunter has taken the first break of the second set to lead 3-2. As a reminder, Hunter is an Australian qualifier but took the first set. This is shaping up as a (potential) big win!

Storm Hunter has taken the first set over Germany’s Laura Siegemund over on John Cain Arena. It took 45 minutes. Good effort from the Australian qualifier, up against a player ranked 78 in the world.

Meanwhile on Rod Laver Arena, Alex de Minaur faced some stiff resistance in the final game of the second set but broke Matteo Arnaldi yet again to take it 6-0.

From Marc McGowan on court:

Alex de Minaur bagels Arnaldi to take a two-set advantage, with the winner between world No.65 Pavel Kotov and 100th-ranked qualifier Flavio Cobolli awaiting the No.10 seed if he advances.

Seems like a good time for a bathroom break for Arnaldi – which he has taken.

The Demon looks to have already absorbed Arnaldi’s best punches and may have broken the Italian’s spirit after racing to a 5-0 second-set lead.

In trouble: Matteo Arnaldi is under pressure against Alex de Minaur.Credit: AP