AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026, Melbourne, ATP GRAND SLAM

[britbox]

Order of Play - Day 9 - 26 Jan 2026

 

[britbox]

Highlights - Day 8 - 25/Jan

 

[britbox]

You're right...I'm not really arguing with you, even though I always sound like I am. LOL. I was, as you suspected, objecting to the phrase "too old," thinking of your arguments of where players need to be at what age to have really elite careers. I was thinking you were leaning into that, but maybe you weren't.

Otherwise, we agree that he's an interesting story of the tournament, and one to watch, but who knows, at this point. We've seen very little of him. He isn't ranked higher, in part because he graduated from UT Austin in 2024. Had a great college career, with some pro challengers, etc., in both singles and doubles, mixed in. So he's fairly new to being full-time on the tour and the rigors of that. Makes sense that he's starting to feature about now, or last fall, as I mentioned. Maybe get the ranking up around IW and Miami. With the new high profile of this match v. Sinner, perhaps pick up some WCs.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Thanks for the Insane scheduling I have to split screens as Musetti v Fritz and Ansimova v Wang???? on at the same time

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Fritz has tape on the left side of his abs, his service percentage is way below and Musetti has a double break, he did mentioned the other day he had other issues apart from his knee tendinitis, though he didnt disclose what the problem was he isnt moving as well as he should
Musetti 62 wins the 1st set.

 

[Moxie]

Thanks for the Insane scheduling I have to split screens as Musetti v Fritz and Ansimova v Wang???? on at the same time

It really is stupid, given that we're down to so few singles matches. Why not stagger them a bit?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It really is stupid, given that we're down to so few singles matches. Why not stagger them a bit?

Exactly this is Insanity

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Fritz has asked the umpire for the trainer
The trainer has taken off tapes around his obliques and he was given some pain pills, hard to rotate your body with that amount of tape wrapped around your obliques

 

[Moxie]

Not to be rude, but as Taylor pulls his shirt off, he seems kind of doughy for a top player.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Musetti's level dropped a bit in the 2nd set, he has to forget about that Fritz is not 100% and concentrate on his own game
I am pleased with his serving only dropping a couple of points on his first serve
He closed out the 2nd set with a Ace and a love service game 7-5
Musetti leads 2 sets to love
Lorenzo Forza!

 

[Moxie]

Musetti wins the 2nd 7-5, and goes immediately up the break in the 3rd. I don't think Doughboy is up to it anymore.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Musetti wins the 2nd 7-5, and goes immediately up the break in the 3rd. I don't think Doughboy is up to it anymore.

Agree, regardless of Fritz not being 100% I have liked what I have seen from Lorenzo in this match, he is actually thinking and constructing points well and his serve is working well

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Come on Lorenzo your only 2 games away from playing in the QFs
Lorenzo Forza!
Actually since Fritz got the tapes of his obliques his service percentage went up from the 2nd set,
My commies on the match said Fritz after this tournament take some time off the tour to get his abs and knee's healed

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Shot of the match
Tweener v Tweener LOL!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Okay Lorenzo just serve out the match at 5-4
Lorenzo Forza!

 

[kskate2]

Watching a Tay match is the equivalent of watching Iznah or Opelka. No thank you. I think I'll go organize my spice rack.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

3 MPs Lorenzo!
Musetti d Fritz to make the QF at the AO for the first time 62 75 64
Lorenzo Forza!

Fritz you need to take some time off to fix your knee and your obliques

 

[Moxie]

Musetti wins and putting the finger to head a la Stan. He played much better today, it must be said.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Musetti wins and putting the finger to head a la Stan. He played much better today, it must be said.

Agree his serve was On Song and he actually thought out on the court lol!

 

[Moxie]

Watching a Tay match is the equivalent of watching Iznah or Opelka. No thank you. I think I'll go organize my spice rack.

But Lorenzo is a lovely player to watch. Taylor, with the pneumatic influencer GF staring at her phone, and his beached whale body, not so much.