Roger Federer had an unexpectedly easy passage through to a 30th grand slam final when Chung Hyeon retired during the second set of their semi-final in Melbourne.
The 21-year-old Korean, playing in his first slam semi-final, had been struggling with a blister for several days and, at 6-1 5-2 decided he could no longer continue, sending Federer through to a clash with Marin Cilic.
Young Scot Aidan McHugh’s bid for a first junior grand slam title ended when he was beaten in the semi-finals of the boys’ singles.
Tweet of the day
Thank you @AustralianOpen . What an amazing couple weeks it’s been. Sorry I didn’t get the win today but thank you for all the support, it meant the world to me. Can’t wait to see you guys next year! ??#AustralianOpen2018 pic.twitter.com/hYOugUWjDr
— Kyle Edmund (@kyle8edmund) January 26, 2018
Picture of the day
Because we’re ever so kind, we’ve got an extra clue for the TENNIS STAR just for you. All you have to do is unscramble the words. Easy, right? ?? #ImACelebrityAU pic.twitter.com/BZSNgwpzOS
— #ImACelebrityAU (@ImACelebrityAU) January 26, 2018
Bernard Tomic was keen to remind everyone again how much money he’s earned from tennis after falling in qualifying at the Australian Open but it seems he has been lured by the call of the jungle. Rumours have been around for a while that Tomic is to be one of the contestants on the Australian version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, and those appear to have been confirmed. The show’s Twitter feed put out a teaser with an anagram of the tennis star on the series, which unscrambles to ‘Wimbledon quarter-finalist’. Tomic reached the last eight in 2011.
Doubles delight
Saturday highlights
That finals feeling! @australianopen pic.twitter.com/LuCTpt9gZI
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) January 25, 2018
Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki will do battle in a grand slam final with plenty at stake. Both are bidding for their first slam title after previously losing in two finals – Halep at the French Open and Wozniacki twice at the US Open, while the winner will leave Australia as world number one. The men’s doubles title will also be decided, with in-form Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic facing Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah, along with the girls’ and boys’ singles crowns.
