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Updates from the quarter-final at Rod Laver Arena
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2.52am GMT
First set: Barty* 5-4 Kvitová (* denotes server) Kvitová has few answers to Barty’s opening salvos this game, although a weak shot from the Australian into the net gives the Czech a sniff at 30-40. A double fault follows and having seemingly been cruising, Barty finds herself at deuce. But she then displays all her craft with a couple of perfectly-executed slices on the next rally, to set up game point and she emerges with a hold. Now would be a pretty good time for her to find another break...
2.47am GMT
First set: Barty 4-4 Kvitová* (* denotes server) Kvitová discards her headband midway through this game as things heat up on court, but her radar is off with an over-cooked volley at the net that goes out at the baseline to bring up deuce and offer Barty a glimmer of a break. She gets that chance soon enough but Kvitová saves it and goes on to hold. Barty blows out her cheeks as the opportunity lost. Still nothing to separate these two, and we’re all square in this first set. Continue reading...