Australian Open 2018: Grigor Dimitrov v Nick Kyrgios – live!

Second set: Dimitrov 7-6, 2-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) The intensity has dropped off a little after that white-knuckle first set, but Dimitrov steps in to punch a forehand down the line at 40-15 down. Kyrgios finds one of those serves that’s past Dimitrov before he can move, and holds.

Second set: *Dimitrov 7-6, 2-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server) Dimitrov’s first serve falters, allowing Kyrgios to go 30-0 up. Kyrgios sends a forehand long and then nets, and Dimitrov rediscovers that first serve to edge ahead. A 16-shot rally goes Kyrgios’s way, and it’s deuce. An ace for Dimitrov, then a double fault – his fifth of the match – and we’re level again. Kyrgios just can’t get a break point, netting to end the next rally, and an ace down the middle gets Dimitrov home.

Second set: Dimitrov 7-6, 1-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) A moment of self-doubt for Kyrgios as he wafts a slice into the net for 30-all. The Australian finds an ace, and holds when a much more precise slice forces Dimitrov to net.

Second set: *Dimitrov 7-6, 1-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server) Dimitrov holds without the breathtaking service speed of Kyrgios, but with similar dominance. No breaks in the match so far, and no break point opportunities at all for Kyrgios.

Second set: Dimitrov 7-6, 0-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) Kyrgios hit more aces (13-6) and winners (24-21) in that first set, but also racked up more unforced errors. He blasts through his first service game to love.

A Kyrgios double-fault brings a terrific first set to a close. Dimitrov was second best at the start of that set, but turned it up several notches in the tie-break – which is what the best players do so often. How will Kyrgios respond?

First set tie-break: Dimitrov 6-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) Kyrgios sends a forehand long and looks furious with himself. Dimitrov back on serve, two points away, but botches the first. A huge cross-court winner gives him three set points…

First set tie-break: Dimitrov 4-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) Dimitrov looks the stronger player from out wide and plays to that on his next two points, drawing errors from Kyrgios. A flat forehand down the line keeps Kyrgios in touch at the changeover.

First set tie-break: Dimitrov 2-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) Dimitrov holds on the first point and then steps into a rally, grabbing a point against serve before another Kyrgios ace…

First set: Dimitrov 6-6 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) Kyrgios blasts his way through this service game with three aces. This tie-break should be half decent…

First set: *Dimitrov 6-5 Kyrgios (*denotes server) The momentum swings back and forth, Kyrgios landing a dramatic cross-court volley, Dimitrov powering a forehand winner and then double-faulting. 40-30, but Kyrgios curls a brilliant passing shot down the line. Deuce, and after the longest rally of the set by a distance, Dimitrov wears his opponent down and holds.

First set: Dimitrov 5-5 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) No chance – the Australian hammers down three first serves to lead 40-0. Dimitrov then finds a glorious one-handed backhand winner off second serve, and Kyrgios double-faults. He gets out of trouble as Dimitrov’s next return drifts just long.

First set: *Dimitrov 5-4 Kyrgios (*denotes server) Another comfortable service hold for Dimitrov – are we heading for a tie-break, or can the Bulgarian pounce on the Kyrgios serve?

First set: Dimitrov 4-4 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) Kyrgios’ first serve isn’t in bad nick either, two more aces crashing past Dimitrov’s ears as he races to 40-0. The next one is unreturnable too, and Kyrgios grabs a hold to love of his own.

First set: *Dimitrov 4-3 Kyrgios (*denotes server) It’s pleasing to see these two players, both capable of spectacular off-days, hitting their groove early on. Dimitrov has his first serve ticking over nicely, and cruises through this game for a welcome hold to love.

First set: Dimitrov 3-3 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) Kyrgios has been getting his chat on, praising Dimitrov’s winners in that last game. Kyrgios seems the sort who’d tell you to stop hitting yourself. He almost pulls off an outrageous through-the-legs shot, but a huge inside-out return from Dimitrov edges him ahead. Kyrgios double-faults, and Dimitrov has two break points … both saved with consummate ease. The players exchange winners – the standard has been so high – but Kyrgios holds with an ace and a forehand into the corner.

First set: *Dimitrov 3-2 Kyrgios (*denotes server) A missed half-chance for Kyrgios, at 0-15 and on Dimitrov’s second serve, as an awkward backhand return and loose groundstroke hand the advantage back to Dimitrov. He’s warming up now, but misses a volley into the corner. 40-30, and an ace gets the job done.

First set: Dimitrov 2-2 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) The pre-game vibe seemed to be that this is Kyrgios’ match to lose, which seems surprising given Dimitrov’s recent rise up the rankings. He has looked the sharper early on, and outguns his opponent with two aces to hold comfortably.

First set: *Dimitrov 2-1 Kyrgios (*denotes server) An ace puts Dimitrov 30-0 up before he’s caught cold at the net by a ferocious return. A cross-court forehand from Kyrgios has too much pace, but the Bulgarian’s serve gets him out of trouble again.

First set: Dimitrov 1-1 Kyrgios* (*denotes server) Kyrgios has too much for Dimitrov in his first service game, firing in first serves and wrapping it up with a cross-court winner.

First set: *Dimitrov 1-0 Kyrgios (*denotes server) Here we go, then, with world No3 Dimitrov to serve. He powers through to 40-0 behind some big first serves, but double faults to let Kyrgios into the game. The Australian dominates the next two rallies, absolutely blasting those forehands already. Despite another double fault, Dimitrov scraps his way to an opening hold.

Interesting question here – I’d suggest Cilic v Nishikori in the 2014 US Open final, although perhaps only on a technicality:

The players are out on court and warming up. Dimitrov’s pre-game routine was a bit different:

Earlier in the women’s draw, three players booked their quarter-final places, including No2 seed Caroline Wozniacki who breezed past Magdalena Rybarikova. She will play Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro, who came through an epic three-setter against Anna Kontaveit, winning 8-6 in the third. In a battle of unseeded players, Elise Mertens edged out Petra Martic, and will play either No4 seed Elina Svitolina or Czech qualifier Denisa Allertova. They play on Rod Laver after this match.

Next up, it’s only Grigor Dimitrov v Nick Kyrgios! Crikey. Feast your eyes on this lovely Guardian photo essay from Melbourne, and then we’ll begin.

Kyle Edmund speaks: “It was an interesting match, he made a strong start but I took control at the end of the second set. Seppi has been playing very well, but so was I … through to my first quarter-final, I’m really happy.” On carrying British hopes: “It’s a shame Andy’s not here, but for myself, I’m happy to get through. People are up at silly hours, supporting me, so I’m very grateful.”

He is then asked a decidedly banal question about a potential kit clash with Kyrgios in the quarter-final, to which he offers a Partridge-esque shrug.

Edmund’s 25th ace takes him to 30-0, and despite Seppi’s best efforts, Edmund powers his way to two match points. He sends a serve out wide – and Seppi nets! Kyle Edmund is through to face either Dimitrov or Kyrgios. This has been a real breakthrough tournament for him.

Nadal is into the last eight – is Kyle Edmund about to join him? A clinical winner clips the line to give him two break points, 4-3 up in the fourth. The first is saved – the second taken ruthlessly. He’s one service hold away from his first slam quarter final…

Nadal fancies getting this one over with now, and bullies his way to two match points. The first is saved with a precise backhand – and the second with a winner down the line! Ballsy. An acrobatic volley edges him ahead but Nadal responds, then wears his opponent down in the next rally. Third match point – and he takes it off Schwartzman’s second serve!

Schwartzman spurns a couple of break points on the Nadal serve, and the world No1 looks to have the hold in the bag as he steps into the net – but his opponent whips a passing shot across court and catches the line! A couple of overhead smashes, both celebrated with gusto, get Nadal to within a game of victory.

Over on the Hisense Arena, Edmund holds serve and will look to apply more pressure to Andreas Seppi, who is also seeking a first ever grand slam quarter-final appearance. Edmund edges ahead with a tricky sliced backhand, but Seppi rallies again to hold.

Deuce on the Schwartzman serve as Nadal looks to get the job done, in a game that’s gone on for seven minutes. Nadal chases down a drop shot at lightning speed to set up break point, but Schwartzman responds with a couple of hefty serves. Nadal goes long on the next, and Schwartzman is hanging on, cutting the gap to 4-3 in the fourth.

Two break points for Edmund on the Seppi serve, but the experienced Italian digs in to save them. A ferocious backhand down the line gives Edmund another chance, but he fires long and Seppi holds. That was a useful hold, with Edmund in a purple patch just now.

Nadal is closing in on the quarter-finals, powering a forehand down the line to move 4-2 ahead, and two games from victory. He’s fixing to set up a match against Marin Cilic, who powered past Pablo Carreno Busta in four sets – three of them ending in tie-breaks.

Edmund closes out the third to continue his comeback after losing a first set tie-break. He’s one set away from his first grand slam quarter-final, which would be against the winner of Dimitrov v Kyrgios.

World No1 Nadal has been pushed hard by No24 seed Schwarzman out on Rod Laver Arena, but after hanging onto his serve early in the fourth set, he’s broken the Argentinian to lead 2-1 in both sets and games. On the Hisense Arena, Edmund is in charge of the third set, leading 5-2.

Good morning/evening all. No1 seed Rafa Nadal and British hopeful Kyle Edmund are right in the middle of their fourth-round battles. Nadal is two sets to one up on Diego Schwartzman, while Edmund is level with Andreas Seppi at 1-1. So without further delay, let’s get into it.