Australian Open 2026 LIVE updates: Aussies chase doubles title; Zverev battles Alcaraz, Djokovic faces Sinner in blockbuster semis

The Australian pair of John Peers and Olivia Gadecki have done it again.

After breaking serve to level the scores at 2-2 in their mixed doubles final on Rod Laver Arena, Peers has dropped his second service game.

Their French opponents Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard lead 3-2.

Maybe the Aussies should have let Gadecki serve first.

A bad start for the Aussies. John Peers has dropped his opening serve in the mixed doubles final on Rod Laver Arena with Aussie partner Olivia Gadecki.

That is such a no-no in mixed, for the man to drop his serve.

But their French opponents Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard poured on the early pressure with some cracking returns.

They will need to break back quickly.

The roof is open and the sun is beaming in. There is a decent crowd in place to support the home-grown team.

Australian fans have warmly welcomed Olivia Gadecki and John Peers to Rod Laver Arena as the pair prepare to try to defend their mixed doubles title.

Gadecki and Peers are coming off a nail-biting 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, (13-11) win over Nikola Mektic and Taylor Townsend.

They’re facing off against French pairing Manuel Guinard and Kristina Mladenovic.

Take a look back at the final point of their semi-final win.

Earlier in this blog, our reporters Marc McGowan and Danny Russell had a lively debate about the possibility of having a Novak Djokovic statue at Melbourne Park.

But what do you think?

We asked you to send us your thoughts, and the results are in – a resounding “no” was the most popular view.

Here is what you had to say.

Leanne: A definite NO. Too many other tennis players deserve one.

Midge: It is not rocket science – the guy has won the most, 10 titles. I have never been a great fan, but the facts are in.

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Dale: If he were Australian, yes maybe, but as he isn’t, WHY??? Has the world gone completely nuts?

Anthony: No, he’s a professional tennis player playing for his own ambitions and high financial rewards. A statue to him at Melbourne Park is gratuitous and unwarranted.

Vicky: No, definitely only for Australian sportsmen!

Bruce: Djokovic is an all-time great, but Melbourne Park is not the appropriate place for recognising his achievements. One can’t ignore his shameful behaviour during COVID. It should be our Australian achievers who are honoured at Melbourne Park.

Ann: No – Djokovic should never be forgiven for his arrogant and disrespectful behaviour towards Victorians during COVID. Statues of sporting heroes should be of players who are technically highly skilled, but who are also beloved and inspirational, and whose memories the public wants to permanently enshrine. Djokovic is indisputably great at tennis-playing, but he is a divisive, polarising figure.

Read the full story here.

Following the women’s semi-finals on Thursday night, the stage is set for a 2023 Australian Open final rematch between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

Sabalenka won that match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to claim her first major title and has since won the Open twice more.

In their 10 matches since that final, the pair have traded blows, with Rybakina holding the upper-hand, 6-4.

Both have been in blistering form and neither have dropped a set this Open. Fans are expecting a thrilling final on Saturday night.

Read the full story of Sabalenka’s semis victory here.

Slap on that sunscreen, tennis fans. It’s a hot one today.

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