Australian Open Highlights: Thiem beats Zverev to set up final clash against Djokovic

Thiem wins, sets up Djokovic clash in the final

Dominic Thiem comes back after first set defeat to beat Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4) to set up final clash against defending champion Novak Djokovic. The two will clash on Sunday.

Tie-breaker

The pressure was beginning to show on Alexander Zverev, but he manages to hang on and push the fourth set to a tie-breaker. If Zverev wins, we are heading into a fifth set.

All level in fourth set

Things are all level in the fourth set as Alexander Zverev is working hard to save the match. He is not letting any loose serves go, and is holding to serves comfortably. So is Thiem. This could go to tie-breaker again.

Thiem wins third set

Dominic Thiem wins the third set against Alexander Zverev after an easy tie-breaker 7-6 (7-3). He is now one set away from setting a finale date against Novak Djokovic on Sunday.

Zverev holds serve!

Alexander Zverev holds serve once again as he manages to take 6-5 lead in the third set. He is really starting to get into the groove, and seems to have woken up. Interesting contest.

ZVEREV ROARS!

After going down 30-0 in the game, Zverev fought hard to keep hold of the serve. He is starting to get himself involved and the roar certainly will pump him up. Over to you, Thiem.

Zverev breaks!

Thiem makes one error too many, and Alexander Zverev finds a way back into the set. He breaks serve after the first deuce to make it all level.

Zverev shows signs of life

Alexander Zverev has been quite passive in the game so far, relying on errors. But he showed signs of life in the previous game, and manages to keep hold off the serve.

Stats attack

First set:

Zverev: 90% first serves, 67% first serve points won, 50% second serve points won, 6 winners and 6 unforced errors, 48% receiving points won.

Thiem: 59% first serves, 47% first serve points won, 50% second serve points won, 5 winners and 13 unforced errors, 35% receiving points won

Second set:

Zverev: 69% first serves, 72% first serve points won, 25% second serve points won, 8 winners and 8 unforced errors, 34% receiving points won

Thiem: 69% first serves, 75% first serve points won, 44% second serve points won, 9 winners and 5 unforced errors, 35% receiving points won

Thiem breaks serve!

Alexander Zverev is finding it hard to regain his concentration here. A fantastic back hand slam from Thiem and he manages to break serve. He has taken 2-1 lead in the third set now and will serve once again.

Back live!

After the bizarre stoppage, the match resumes almost after 10 minutes. Thiem is on the serve. And he looks on the verge to keep hold of it.

Bizarre stoppage!

There has been a bizarre stoppage in the match. Some of the lights have gone out, and the umpires are figuring out what to do. What is going on!?

Zverev holds serve!

Alexander Zverev barely manages to hold serve. This match has seen too many careless serves given, and too many unforced errors. Awkwardly, Zverev gave Thiem full chance to get back into the game. But he finally managed to get some swerve and hold on to the serve. Takes 1-0 lead.

Thiem does it!

Dominic Thiem manages to hold serve... twice Zverev was on the verge of breaking it, but Thiem kept his cool. He now brings things back on level terms, winning the 2nd set 6-4.

Thiem serving for set

Dominic Thiem is serving for the set here. Can Zverev break to make a come back in the set?

Thiem holds serve!

Dominic Thiem manages to hold on to serve comfortably to take 5-3 lead in the 2nd set. He will hope to break another one to win the set quickly and bring things back on level terms.

Thiem bounces back!

After failing to hold on to serve, Thiem breaks serve again against Zverev to retake his lead. He now will serve with 4-3 lead in the 2nd set. Plenty of twists in this match already.

Zverev breaks!

Zverev breaks to bring things back on level terms in the 2nd set. Thiem struggled against Zverev’s pace, and failed to hold on to serve.

Thiem leads

Dominic Thiem has managed to break Zverev in the second set. He leads 3-1.

Zverev wins first set

Alexander Zverev has won the first set 6-3.

Zverev has upper hand

Alexander Zverev is close to winning the first set against Dominic Thiem. He leads 5-3 as he looks to reach first Grand Slam final.

Zverev breaks Thiem

Alexander Zverev breaks Dominic Thiem in the very first game of the match.

Thiem and Zverev out on court

Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev have made their entry onto the centre court for their semi-final clash.

Babos-Mladenovic win

Babos-Mladenovic have routed S. Hsieh and B. Strýcová in the final of the women’s doubles category at the Australian Open. They win the match 6-1, 6-2.

Babos-Mladenovic take first set

Babos and Mladenovic have taken the first set against Hsieh and Strýcová by 6-2.

Mixed doubles update

Mattek Sands and Jamie Murray have advanced to mixed doubles finals.

Jumping into the #AO2020 mixed doubles final!@matteksands/@jamie_murray end the run of Aussie wildcards Sharma/Smith 6-3 7-6(4).#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/8rVu8sCEGl

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2020

The women’s doubles final begins

 It is the first time the top two seeded teams are meeting in the final in Australian Open since 2010

Who are you picking to lift the 🏆?

The head-to-head is locked at 1-1.#AusOpen | #AO2020 pic.twitter.com/kGxEtnKItT

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2020