Day six of the Australian Open is underway with some of the usual suspects getting through.
Carlos Alcaraz continued his quest to win his first trophy at Melbourne Park and wooed the crowd as he shared his plans to get a specific tattoo if he lifts the title.
Reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka also advanced to the second week, as did one of her good friends, 11th seed Paula Badosa.
Badosa received a frosty handshake from Marta Kostyuk after winning a tight three-setter and later addressed the cold response from her rival.
Novak Djokovic and Britain's Jack Draper are also in action while two-time champion Naomi Osaka takes on new mum Belinda Bencic.
Follow Express Sport's live updates from the Australian Open below...
Archie Griggs
Coco Gauff dubbed 'the best pure athlete'
Coco Gauff has been hailed by Serena Williams' former coach Rick Macci following her spectacular win over Leylah Fernandez.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Macci wrote: "She has been in the trenches since age 15.
"Now she is 20 and in her back pocket is so many golden nuggets of global experience being on the biggest stage.
"She is the best pure athlete with a racquet in hand and around the corner is number one in all the land."
Archie Griggs
Naomi Osaka's coach posts heartfelt statement
Naomi Osaka's coach Patrick Mouratoglou has shared a heartfelt message on Instagram following her withdrawal from the Australian Open.
She retired from her match against Belinda Bencic after calling for a medical timeout and attempting to carry on after treatment.
"Sad to finish a tournament this way, even more a Grand Slam," wrote Mouratoglou.
"You did everything you could fighting with injury since round one. You can be proud of yourself.
"Let’s take the time to heal and come back even stronger."
Archie Griggs
Destanee Aiava blasts anti-doping process
Destanee Aiava has called for a revamp of the anti-doping process after being called for a test following her defeat to Danielle Collins.
She took to social media after the match to criticise the existing methods for being too 'invasive'.
"Someone needs to find a less invasive way to test us for drugs, and I don't know why I’m being tested," wrote Aiava.
"I’m literally 300 in the world; the only thing I’ll be tested positive for is mental illness."
Archie Griggs
Emma Raducanu tipped to upset Iga Swiatek
Laura Robson 'absolutely believes' Emma Raducanu can upset the odds by defeating Iga Swiatek in her next match.
"What she’s done in the first two matches is compete and play the big points well," Robson told Eurosport.
"She hasn’t been playing her best tennis, it was double faults in the first round and then unforced errors in the second round as it was a blustery day.
"She is getting the job done and growing with confidence as the tournament goes on. She will love the challenge of playing Iga.
"I think it’s one of those matches she will go into excited about. She loves a big stadium, love a big crowd to play in front of and she will really relish the challenge."
Archie Griggs
Jack Draper delighted as hard work pays off
Jack Draper has credited his physical training regime for helping him to achieve a trio of five-set victories at the Australian Open.
"I still have a long way to go, but this is a huge drive forward," he said after beating Aleksandar Vukic.
"The fact that I’ve come through three five-set matches, mentally and physically, it doesn’t happen often.
"That’s a testament to the work I’ve done and the place I’m in. So very, very proud of that."
Jack Draper has gone the distance in all three of his matches in Melbourne (Image: GETTY)
Archie Griggs
Jessica Pegula makes excuse after defeat
Jessica Pegula thought the conditions at Melbourne Park 'favoured' Olga Danilovic during her defeat to the Serb earlier today.
"I mean, it was slower than a clay court," said Pegula.
"It felt like the balls were so heavy and that totally favoured her, especially with her forehand to my backhand.
"It's not even the same tournament from my first-round match playing on Cairn during the day, it's fast. Playing there at night it's not even remotely the same.
"It's tough. Everyone has to deal with it. Some people deal with it better than others. I prefer faster."
Archie Griggs
Emma Raducanu discusses back injury
Emma Raducanu has revealed that she is yet to investigate the back issue which prompted a medical timeout during her victory over Amanda Anisimova.
"I haven't fully investigated it yet, I just did my recovery and stuff and haven't seen the physios," she explained.
"I think it's almost to be expected when you haven't played a match in so long and then to have two really physical ones.
"I think small things were going to come up here and there and I just hope it is that. Yeah, I was able to push past some pain today.
"I'm just going to try and recover as best as possible over the next day."
Jack McEachen
Novak Djokovic wants dancers at Australian Open
Novak Djokovic has called for 'nice dancers' to take to the court between games at the Australian Open, similar to the Super Bowl.
The Serb called on tennis to embrace change and attract a younger generation of fans by switching up the old traditions at Grand Slams, except for Wimbledon.
"I think that we should try to look to connect more with the younger people and bring them," he said in his post-match press conference.
"I want to see a little bit more entertainment. For example, why wouldn't we consider doing something between the sets like the Super Bowl or, I don't know, the NBA, right?
"When there is a timeout, they have, you know, dancers come in and this and that. I wouldn't have [a] problem with that. Nice dancers, you know, there for a few minutes more break so I can relax my nerves and think about something else.
"I feel like it would bring more fun element and entertainment to the tennis that we know has been quite traditional and maybe conservative in some things. When we talk about conservative, we know Wimbledon is the most conservative.
"But, for example, with Wimbledon I wouldn't change much. I would keep it as it is, because it's so unique, all white and strawberries and cream and everything about it is just so elegant and classy."
Novak Djokovic wants dancers at tennis matches. (Image: Getty)
Jack McEachen
Jack Draper sets up Carlos Alcaraz blockbuster
Jack Draper came through his third five-setter of the week as he defeated Aleksandar Vukic in the late-night thriller.
Brit Draper came out on top 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(8) as he booked a fourth-round tie with Carlos Alcaraz.
"It was an unbelievable tough match," Draper said. "Both of us played a lot of sets already so I knew it would be hard. It was a lot of ebbs and flows.
"I thought it was done and he came back from the dead. It was a great battle and two great competitors going at it. That's what sport is all about."
\u2014 Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 17, 2025Draper keeps on Dreaming \ud83d\ude4c@jackdraper0 makes it 3 FIVE SET wins in a row as he takes down Vukic to set up a clash with Alcaraz \ud83d\udc40@AustralianOpen #AO2025
Yasmin Syed
Stars stand up for Danielle Collins
Danielle Collins caused controversy when she taunted the crowd on Thursday night, gesturing to kiss her bottom and telling them they were paying her bills.
While her antics haven't gone down well with the Australian media, Collins' colleagues have been sticking up for her.
Novak Djokovic said he"loved" the world No. 11's response to the crowd and admitted it made him an even bigger fan of Collins.
Jessica Pegula has also weighed in, claiming her compatriot's antics were good for the sport.
"I appreciate that she's honest and she is who she is. I think it's honestly great for the sport to have that entertainment and to see her personality. Something different," she said.
"Tennis can be kind of stuffy, and so I think to have that mentality that she has, she said it. She's, like, it doesn't matter if it's a good crowd or a bad crowd. She's going to feed off of it and try to use that to motivate her."
Yasmin Syed
Retiring star loses match with wife
Australian doubles sensation Luke Saville is set to retire at the conclusion of the tournament.
A former finalist in Melbourne Park, Saville is still alive in the men's doubles draw with Li Tu.
He also entered the mixed doubles with wife and WTA star Daria Saville. But they lost their last match together on Friday.
Irina Khromacheva and Jackson Withrow beat the couple 6-4 6-0.
Luke Saville teamed up with wife Daria for his retirement tournament (Image: Getty)
Yasmin Syed
Pegula crashes out
There's been another upset at the Australian Open as No. 7 seed Jessica Pegula crashed out in the third round.
World No. 55 Olga Danilovic stunned Pegula and the Rod Laver Arena crowd, winning 7-6(3) 6-1.
Pegula had reached the final of the most recent Grand Slam tournament, last year's US Open, but her 2025 season got off to a tough start when she missed her first event through injury.
Olga Danilovic stunned Jessica Pegula (Image: Getty)
Yasmin Syed
Draper 'lost the plot'
Jack Draper found himself in some trouble against Aleksandar Vukic after blowing break point chances at 5-6 in the third set.
The Aussie was serving to take the lead and eventually created a set point. Draper destroyed his racket in frustration and delayed play as he went to grab new equipment.
The umpire slapped him with a code violation and things went from bad to worse as Vukic closed out a 4-6 6-2 7-5 lead.
Draper riled up the fans as they booed him, sarcastically clapping and giving a thumbs-up.
"Jack just losing the plot a bit unfortunately," Jo Durie said on commentary.
Jack Draper riled up the crowd while being booed (Image: Eurosport)
Yasmin Syed
Djokovic 'hot-headed' after victory
Novak Djokovic said he played his "best match" of the tournament so far to beat Tomas Machac 6-1 6-4 6-4.
But the No. 7 seed was still riled up after advancing to the second week.
Djokovic struggled physically in the second set and got into an argument with some fans during the third, asking the umpire to intervene when spectators started calling out during the rallies.
Asked to analyse his performance, the Serb replied: "Very hot-headed right now so I’m going to try and give a very calm and diplomatic answer to that."
But Djokovic also put his feud with the fan to bed, offering to take him for a drink as his wife watched on and laughed.
Yasmin Syed
Andreeva 'tired' of Sabalenka matches
Mirra Andreeva is through to the last 16 to face top seed and reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka.
But the teenager says she's "tired" of playing against Sabalenka.
Andreeva is only 17 years old and turned pro in 2023 but she's played the world No. 1 four times already with their most recent meeting coming a couple of weeks ago in Brisbane.
The Russian, who trails their head-to-head 1-3, said: "Honestly, I'm so tired to play against her. It's, like, I don't know.
"I think she's the one player that I've -- I don't know. I played her four or five times already. So, yeah, it's a lot. So what can I say? Here we are again.
"I know that probably it's going to be an entertaining match, and of course, I'm going to do everything possible. I'm going to give my best. I think it's going to be interesting to watch. So we will see what's going to happen tomorrow."
Yasmin Syed
Fils retires from all-French clash
Arthur Fils was forced to retire injured while facing fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert.
The 20th seed won the first set but started struggling with his ankle and called the physio multiple times.
By the time they started the fourth set, Fils was limping and his camp were telling him to forfeit the match.
The 20-year-old eventually gave in, walking to the net to shake hands with the umpire and Humbert.
Humbert advances with a 4-6 7-5 6-4 1-0 victory and will now face Alexander Zverev.
Arthur Fils retired injured after his team told him to give up (Image: Eurosport)
Yasmin Syed
Novak's not happy
Novak Djokovic is closing in on a third-round victory but, ever the perfectionist, he's still finding faults.
The No. 7 seed had a two set and break lead over Tomas Machac but blew two break points at 4-2 in the third set, which would've allowed him to serve for the match.
Djokovic turned and ranted towards his box in frustration, including new coach Andy Murray.
The 10-time champion also hasn't been happy with fans calling out mid-point, with the umpire forced to step in and remind the crowd to be quiet.
But he's still closing in on a spot in the second week.
Novak Djokovic vented after blowing more break points (Image: Eurosport)
Yasmin Syed
Osaka addresses injury retirement
Naomi Osaka was forced to retire after losing the first set of her match against Belinda Bencic in a tiebreak.
The former world No. 1 appeared to be dealing with an abdominal strain that also forced her to retire from the recent Auckland final.
Afterwards, she explained that it was a recurring issue from her teenage days.
"No, honestly I kind of have a history of it since I was a teenager," she said.
"But, no, I think for me I want to say it's more like the way my serve is. Like, it's quite explosive. So I think I just have to - I don't know.
"Like, even when I think about last year, I didn't get an ab strain in the middle of the season. It was more towards the end, like Beijing. So in a weird way I'm kind of proud of that.
"So unfortunately, it carried on to the beginning of this season, but hopefully I can, yeah, get it together in time for the U.S. swing."
Yasmin Syed
Djokovic calls physio
Novak Djokovic raced into a 6-1 lead over Tomas Machac in their third-round match but ran into some trouble during the second set.
The world No. 7 went an early break down in the second set but got back on serve.
He seemed to be struggling during the games, doubling over to catch his breath. And he called the trainer to court during the changeover at 1-2 to raise health fears.
"Because the music is so loud on Rod Laver Arena, I can’t hear what Djokovic is saying. Bit of nausea maybe? It’s not a hot evening, it’s only early 20s [degrees celsius]," commentators said.
After winning the second set 6-4, he left the court to receive treatment.
Novak Djokovic called the trainer early in the second set (Image: Eurosport)
Yasmin Syed
Davidovich Fokina survives again
For the second match in a row, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has completed a comeback from two-sets down.
The Spaniard needed just under five hours to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime on Wednesday, winning 6-7(7) 6-7(5) 6-4 6-1 6-3.
And on Friday, he saved two match points to beat teenage sensation Jakub Mensik 3-6 4-6 7-6(7) 6-4 6-2.
He later joked: "I like to lose the first two sets and come back".
Yasmin Syed
Alcaraz tells teen stars 'don't beat me'
Carlos Alcaraz made history in 2022, becoming the ATP's youngest ever world No. 1 when he was just 19.
The Spaniard also won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open as a teenager.
Now aged 21, some new teens have been taking over at the Australian Open with Joao Fonseca, Jakub Mensik and Learner Tien all beating top-10 players.
Alcaraz has one bit of advice for the up-and-comers - not to beat him.
"What advice? Not beat me, I guess," he jibed.
"I don't know. I see them, you know, capable of beating anyone, including myself.
"So, I mean, they have the level. They getting the experience in every tournament they play. Last night we saw Tien beating Medvedev here in Australia in five sets, which was amazing. Fonseca playing his first five-sets match yesterday, as well.
"So they are getting experience. As much as they are getting experience, they're going to become even more dangerous. Let's see in the future."
Yasmin Syed
Bencic pays tribute to Osaka after retirement
Belinda Bencic advanced to the second week of the Australian Open when Naomi Osaka retired from their match.
It's Bencic's first Grand Slam tournament since she took a break from tennis to give birth to her first child.
But the 2020 Olympic champion wanted to focus on Osaka instead of celebrating her run to the last 16. She also wrote a sweet message on the camera.
"At this moment, I just really feel for Naomi," the Swiss ace said.
"Of course I saw her struggling a bit in the end of the set and obviously it’s not the way you would like this match to end.
"I thought it was getting [to be] good match so hopefully she will be fine soon and she can play well for the rest of the season."
Belinda Bencic paid tribute to Naomi Osaka after she retired (Image: Eurosport)
Mikael McKenzie
Osaka retires
Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka has retired midway through her clash with Belinda Bencic.
Osaka lost the first set tiebreak 7-3 and then called it a day due to injury.
The former world No. 1 had been struggling with an abdominal strain that also saw her retire from the recent Auckland final.
Osaka was later seen in tears as she left the arena.
(Image: Getty)
Yasmin Syed
Star 'hates' new rule
Last year, the Australian Open introduced increased fan movement, with spectators in some stands allowed to come in and out during the match.
But Clara Tauson wasn't happy with the new rule when she took on reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka on Rod Laver Arena.
The 22-year-old pushed the world No. 1 in two close sets but Sablenka won 7-6(5) 6-4.
Afterwards, Tauson said: "No. I hate it, but... I mean, I think tennis needs to evolve so people want to come watch more. =
"If that's one of the things that we have to do, I mean, of course, I'm going to adapt. But I like it to be very quiet and nobody moving."
Yasmin Syed
Alcaraz planning Aussie tattoo
Carlos Alcaraz delighted the fans on Rod Laver Arena when he shared his plans to get a tattoo if he won the Australian Open.
The world No. 3 has already won the three other Majors. He got the date of his first title at the US Open inked, and later added a strawberry to mark his Wimbledon triumphs and an Eiffel Tower to commemorate his French Open win.
"This whole Australian Open crowd wants to know, if you are to win the Australian Open, what’s it going to be? A kangaroo maybe?" he was asked during his post-match interview on Friday.
"It’s a kangaroo. That’s for sure," Alcaraz confirmed.
"It’s going to be a kangaroo. That’s my idea. The only thing I need is to lift the trophy here but the plan and the idea is already taken."
Carlos Alcaraz told the crowd he wanted a kangaroo tattoo (Image: Eurosport)
Yasmin Syed
Badosa gets 'frosty' handshake
Paula Badosa booked her spot in the second week with a 6-4 4-6 6-3 victory over Marta Kostyuk overnight at the Australian Open.
The pair were once good friends on the tour but there was no love lost between them on Melbourne as Kostyuk gave the Spaniard a cold handshake at the net.
Afterwards, Badosa was asked about the "frosty" handshake and said it was nothing to do with her.
"No, it's just her. I think she has her own things going on with Ukraine, the war, and all these things that she's been very vocal. I'm not in that, honestly," Badosa replied.
"I think it was a bit that and maybe also that she lost a tough match, and also the conditions were tough for both of us. So I think it's a combination of everything, but I think I have nothing to do with that."
Paula Badosa was asked about her 'frosty' handshake with Marta Kostyuk (Image: Getty)