17 February 2021

Australian Open day 10: Major shocks as Rafael Nadal and Ashleigh Barty bow out

17 February 2021

Rafael Nadal’s bid for a record 21st grand slam title was ended by a sensational comeback from Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Daniil Medvedev won the all-Russian clash against Andrey Rublev, while top seed Ashleigh Barty bowed out.

Here, the PA news agency wraps up day 10 at the Australian Open.

Picture of the day

Australian Open <a href=Tennis data-title="Australian Open Tennis" data-copyright-holder="AP" data-copyright-notice="AP/Press Association Images" data-credit="Hamish Blair" data-usage-terms="UK only" srcset="https://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/12a8217ce6df73c2cfa4ebe98de60935Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNjEzNjU1NzY4/2.58133620.jpg?w=320 320w, https://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/12a8217ce6df73c2cfa4ebe98de60935Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNjEzNjU1NzY4/2.58133620.jpg?w=640 640w, https://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/12a8217ce6df73c2cfa4ebe98de60935Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNjEzNjU1NzY4/2.58133620.jpg?w=1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px">Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrated with his dad Apostolos after his victory over Nadal (Hamish Blair/AP)

Tsitsipas was embraced by his father Apostolos after his epic five-set win.

Match of the day

No contest. Tsitsipas was two sets down and staring at another humbling defeat to Nadal, having been swept aside in three at the same tournament two years ago. But the 22-year-old Greek star delivered a career-defining performance as he came back to win 3-6 2-6 7-6 (4) 6-4 7-5 in five, becoming only the second man to turn around a two-set deficit against Nadal at a grand slam.

Stat of the day

The third set against Tsitsipas ended a run of 35-consecutive sets won by Nadal at grand slams. Incredibly he dropped just one point on serve before the tie-break.

Quote of the day

I don't know what happened after the third set - I flew like a little bird

Shock of the day

Australian Open Tennis (AP)

Nadal’s defeat overshadowed a big surprise in the women’s draw as Karolina Muchova fought back to stun world number one Barty and reach her maiden grand slam semi-final. The Czech 25th seed struggled with dizziness in the Melbourne Park heat but rallied after a medical time-out to beat the home favourite 1-6 6-3 6-2.

Bravo Brady

Muchova will meet Jennifer Brady, who made her second grand slam semi after overcoming fellow American and good friend Jessica Pegula. Brady was one of the 72 players who was unable to leave her hotel room for 14 days on arriving in Australia.

Medvedev the machine

Medvedev’s win over fellow Russian Rublev was his 19th in a row, a remarkable run stretching back to October.

Fallen seeds

Australian Open Tennis (AP)

Women: Ashleigh Barty (1)

Men: Rafael Nadal (2), Andrey Rublev (7)

Up next

Naomi Osaka faces Serena Williams in a blockbuster semi-final, before Brady and Muchova do battle. Then world number one Novak Djokovic takes on Russian surprise package Aslan Karatsev.

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