Australian Open 2020: day five – live!

First set: Barty 2-2 Rybakina* (*denotes server): Rybakina begins her latest service game with an ace followed by a double fault in a neat summation of the match so far. She slices a backhand into the net for 15-30 but when she returns to her huge forehand she quickly levels the score. That shot is a heck of weapon, consistently putting Barty on the defensive. The Australian does defend brilliantly, lobbing her way imaginatively out of trouble, but she misses her mark when the opportunity presents itself to strike the winner. Rybakina can’t capitalise though, erring without provocation to gift Barty deuce.

The first deuce point is superb, both players hammering forehands from corner to corner, Barty covering down the line then nailing that backhand slice to set up the winner. Rybakina hits straight back then enjoys another game point after Barty returns long. She can’t take it though, and concedes a break point of her own after missing a forehand drive volley. And Barty secures the fourth break of the match! All the spins and slices on display in the vital point from the Queenslander, bamboozling her opponent.

First set: Barty* 1-2 Rybakina (*denotes server): Barty is easing into her work now, cruising to 30-0 and looking fluid on both flanks. A lovely running backhand winner brings Rybakina back into the game and she steps up another level with a brilliant drop shot from the baseline that catches Barty off guard following a long precise rally that showed both women in excellent touch. Another rally goes Rybakina’s way when Barty tugs a forehand wide, but she saves break point with an ace right on the stem of the T.

The 29th seed quickly earns another break point with a rasping return winner – and she seals it on the second attempt with a couple of massive forehands into the right corner eventually proving too strong for her Australian opponent.

All three games have gone against serve so far but the standard of tennis is high.

First set: Barty 1-1 Rybakina* (*denotes server): Barty gives no indication her opening game will have any lasting effect, racing to 0-40 with a string of points including a superb forehand winner. Rybakina nails a serve to grab a point back but Barty secures the immediate break back.

First set: Barty* 0-1 Rybakina (*denotes server): In perfect conditions on centre court Rybakina begins strongly, controlling the opening point from the baseline before striking a crosscourt forehand winner. Very uncharacteristically Barty then dumps a hat-trick of unforced errors into the net to concede her opening service game to love! Rybakina looks assured out there, striking her shots from the baseline very deep, restricting Barty’s ability to execute her trademark backhand slice.

If you’re interested in that kind of thing, Barty, the No 1 seed, is currently third-favourite for the title, behind Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka.

Ash Barty walks out to warm applause around Rod Laver Arena.

And here comes her opponent, Elena Rybakina. She will be no pushover today. The 29th-seeded Kazakhstan representative (she formerly competed under the Russian flag) has already won the Hobart International this season, and at just 20-years-old she is on a rapid rise to the top. This is already her best performance at a grand slam.

Rybakina is tall and broad, and she uses that frame to good effect on serve. She is currently second only to Karolina Pliskova for aces sent down this season so far.

This pair have never met before in competition.

After a topsy-turvy few weeks in south-eastern Australia featuring ash-laden smog, golf ball sized hailstones, and gale-force winds, the forecast is settled for the next week or so.

Today will be cool (17-23C) and mostly sunny with a westerly breeze causing flags to flutter but hopefully not interfere with play. Thereafter the forecast is for warm dry days with the temperature ramping up into more familiar Aus Open territory towards the back end of next week.

Days at the tennis don’t come much better than this. First out on Rod Laver Arena is home favourite and world number one Ash Barty, up against rising star Elena Rybakina. Serena Williams will then look to continue her impressive form against 27th-seeded Wang Qiang. Novak Djokovic rounds the session off as clear favourite against Japanese outsider Yoshihito Nishioka.

We’ll also be keeping an eye on Margaret Court Arena where a host of even seed v seed contests are taking place. While over on Melbourne Arena, Lleyton Hewitt is in action early in the doubles before Caroline Wozniacki again bids to delay her retirement.