Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal are in action on day eight of the 2017 Australian Open today, with both sensing a big opportunity for further Grand Slam success, while Jo Konta will look to continue her run.
The draw has opened up in intriguing fashion and no-one will now fancy their chances more than Nadal, who has been in red-hot form so far in Melbourne. Having overcome the fiendishly difficult encounter with rising star Alexander Zverev, the Spaniard has a real opportunity to run through the bottom half of the draw, but first he must overcome the mercurial and always entertaining Monfils. This is sure to be a thrilling match-up packed full of showboats, long rallies and drama.
About the same time, Dimitrov finished his incredibly late match with Richard Gasquet at 02:01 yesterday morning and, while it may have been straight sets, the scheduling of the encounter will have taken a lot out of the Bulgarian. Now he has to face the giant-killing Istomin, who stunned the world with his improbable victory over reigning champion Novak Djokovic and is in the form of his life. It is certainly not inconceivable to think that Istomin has another upset left in him in Melbourne.
Britain’s hopes now rest with Jo Konta after a shocking day eight saw both Dan Evans and Andy Murray crash out. The ninth seed faces a very tricky test in the form of Ekaterina Makarova of Russia, and she must be at the top of her game if she is to continue her latest fine run in Melbourne. The 30th seeded Makarova has the game to trouble Konta, but the Brit will still be expected to secure her place in the quarter-finals.
