What to Watch on Day 10 of the Australian Open

And then there were eight. It’s quarterfinal time at the Aussie Open, with the top half of the men’s and women’s singles draw ready to battle for coveted semifinal spots.

See the full Day 10 Order of Play here

Jovic Eager for Sabalenka Challenge

18-year-old Iva Jovic, the youngest American to reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open since Venus Williams in 1998, was starstruck when she got advice from Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament. When it comes to facing the tour’s top players, she’s anything but.

Jovic may have just turned 18, but she’s a level-headed kid who knows that good things happen when you work extremely hard. That’s what she’s done over the last 52 weeks, and that’s why the Torrance, California native is not surprised by her breakout success in Melbourne.

“I don’t really feel like there is a lot of house money or underdog mentality that I’m feeling, because I don’t feel like I have been playing anything outside of my comfort zone or outside of my normal level,” she said after blitzing Yulia Putintseva in the fourth round. “I have come from two other tournaments where I was playing every day and winning a lot of matches, as well. So this week and the level that I’m showing right now doesn’t really feel much different than that.”

Of course her first ever showdown with a world No.1 might be a little too much too soon. Sabalenka, a two-time champion who has reached the final of each of the last six hard court majors, is built for these big stage moments.

Tien Riding Confidence into Zverev Showdown

Learner Tien annihilated Daniil Medvedev in the round of 16, reeling off eleven consecutive games at one point to seal a routine straight set victory over the former world No.1. It was a flawless performance from the 20-year-old southpaw, and one that leaves him feeling sanguine about his chances against the No.3 seed in the quarterfinals.

“I feel like I have been playing a little bit better match by match, and each match I’m making a little jump in how well I’m playing, how comfortable I feel,” Tien said of facing Zverev for the third time (the head-to-head is even at one apiece). “Right now I’m feeling better than I have all week, all year, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Zverev, last year’s runner-up, has taken care of business through four rounds, dropping three sets overall but never more than one in a single match.

Gauff Looking Like a Contender

Coco Gauff has won both previous matches against her quarterfinal opponent Elina Svitolina, but each of their two meetings have gone the distance. Expect another tight one in the quarterfinals, as the Ukrainian has started her season on a mission, winning the Auckland title and reaching the quarterfinals in Melbourne without dropping a single set to stretch her season-opening win streak to nine.

Gauff has taken the circuitous route to the quarters, winning back-to-back three-setters to take her career record in deciding sets at the Slams to an impressive 21-6. She hasn’t been perfect, but the 21-year-old American has been impervious when she’s had to be, a familiar recipe at the majors for the two-time Slam champion.

De Minaur Seeks Breakthrough, Alcaraz Seeks Milestone

Alex de Minaur has reached the second week at his home Slam five years running, but he’s never managed to get behind the quarterfinals – in Melbourne or at any other major. He’s 0-5 lifetime in major quarterfinals, and 0-5 against Alcaraz. In other words, the odds are stacked against the No.1 Aussie as he gets ready to face the No.1 seed, but De Minaur is eager to show that he has what it takes to go toe-to-toe with Alcaraz.

“This is going to be the first time playing him at a Grand Slam, so I’m very keen to see how it goes,” he said. “He’s obviously playing at an incredibly high level, as we have seen all week long.”

After taking out Alexander Bublik in straight sets, De Minaur talked with pride about the improvements he has made to his game.

 “I’m just showing the people that I have improved, right?” he said. “I’ve got more to give. I got tired of the narrative that these big hitters can take the racquet out of my hands. Over the years I have kept on improving. I have kept on getting more and more out of myself.

 “The last couple of matches is some of the best ball striking I have had here at the AO. So very, very pleased with that.”

Meanwhile, Alcaraz has played well in his first tournament without coach Juan Carlos Ferrero at the helm of his team. He has not dropped a set through four rounds and is now three victories from becoming the youngest player to ever complete the career Grand Slam. Motivation will not be a problem.