Australian Open live updates: Max Purcell loses to Casper Ruud, Iga ...

Playing now:

Still to come:

Completed:

Casper Ruud (11) def Max Purcell 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3 3-6 7-6(7)

Carlos Alcaraz can win the match here in this tie breaker.

Their previous tie breaker was in the second set, when the underdog Sonego prevailed.

If world number one Iga Świątek is crowned Australian Open champion at the end of the tournament, she may have to thank the legendary British rock band.

Read Luke Pentony's piece below:

Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis will attempt to reach the third round of his home grand slam for the first time.

A really nice response from the Spaniard, who lost the last set in a tiebreak.

His serve was tested in the opening game of the third, down 0-30 after the opening two points.

He held serve then broke Sonego in the next game.

The Spaniard then held serve to take the third 6-3.

FYI: Thanasi Kokkinakis will be after this match.

Good evening friends.

I hope you are well, wherever you are around the globe.

Two Australians have our attention this evening:

We also have heavyweights in the men's and women's draw.

On Rod Laver Arena, both number 3 seeds and former finalists — Elena Rybakina and Daniil Medvedev — play their second round matches.

Make sure to leave your thoughts and questions in the comments section of the blog.

Lorenzo Sonego has levelled the match with second seed Carlos Alcaraz.

He won the second set in a tiebreaker 7/3.

Earlier, American Alex Michelsen beat Jiri Lecheka 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

Tomorrow he will face Alexander Zverev.

Ten-time Australian Open champ Novak Djokovic has revealed he has a "special relationship" with a tree at Melbourne's Royal Botanical Gardens.

He says he visits the gardens to help cope with the pressure of the tournament.

"There's one particular tree that I've been having special relationship with, so to say, in the last 15 years," Djokovic said.

"That particular tree, I cannot reveal which one. I'll try to keep it discreet for myself when I'm there to have my own time.

"I like to ground myself and connect with that old friend."

Read more in Luke Pentony's article below.

American Danielle Collins has revealed this season will be her last in professional tennis after her loss to Iga Świątek,

"I'm kind of at the end of my career and they [losses] don't sting quite as much, to be honest," she said.

"I feel like I have kind of gotten to the point where obviously they matter and my career means a lot to me but, at the end of the day, you either win or you lose and that's all there is to it.

"This is going to be my last season, actually, competing. I don't really know exactly when, but this will be my last season and I'm really looking forward to that."

Collins said having kids was a "big priority".

"I have other things that I'd kind of like to accomplish in my life outside of tennis, and would like to be able to have the time to be able to do that," she said,

Collins was runner-up to Ash Barty at the Australian Open  in 2022.

With AAP

Let's catch up on what's been happening in the doubles which have been impacted by rain delays today.

The Aussie duo of veteran John Millman and 19-year-old Edward Winter have adanced to the second round.

They beat New Zealand's Marcus Daniell and Brazil's Marcelo Demoliner 6(3)-7(7), 6- 2, 7(14)-6(12),

After all that excitement let's take a look at the other matches that are happening!

Spanish world number two Carlos Alcaraz is now taking on Italy's Lorenzo Sonego on Rod Laver Arena.

Meanwhile, American Tommy Paul is taking on Jack Draper. 

Despite a tough contest, Alexander Zverev has proven to be too good, winning the fifth set against Lukáš Klein.

The No.6 seed defeated the underdog 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/7) in a demanding four and half hour match at John Cain Arena.

He now advances to the third round.

Ruud has finally done it, overcoming Max Purcell to make it to the third round.

"I think it was an incredible match and it could have gone both ways," he said.

"Max has taken his tennis to a new level and I wish him the best of success in the year to come.

"He plays fast and is one of the most unorthodox players these days and it's tough. He made it hard and luckily in the end it went in my favour."

Apparently, Margaret Court Arena is one of his favourites in the world! How special.

"I am lucky I have some Viking friends in the stands screaming loud," he said.

"It is one of my favourite arenas in the world, it's not too big, it's cozy."

In all honesty, it was world class tennis from both players — they showcased the best of ALL their skills.

Purcell has showed us what he's capable of and I too am eager to see where the year takes him. Take a bow Max, incredible job.

Remember, the fifth set tiebreak is the first to 10 points by a margin of two.

I am nervous!

The nerves have got to him — a big double fault for Purcell to start off the tiebreak, but then he comes up with something brilliant to make up for the last two points!

It's a strong start for Ruud. We're at 5-1 in the tiebreak to the Norwegian.

All the experience of five-setters throughout his career is helping Ruud out here.

But Purcell scores an ace down the line taking the score to 7-4. He's still hanging around!

WOW! Purcell stepped up the velocity on his forehand and managed to score an amazing winner. 7-5.

ACE FOR PURCELL. 8-6 to Ruud.

Two match points to Ruud, 9-7.

Świątek returned to the court for the third set with a strap on her knee.

When asked about it after her win the world number one said it's nothing to worry about.

"I have ups and downs but it is not like it has an impact on my game," she said. 

She said she had been struggling with it since playing in Cancún.

On a lighter note, when asked about her coffee order in Melbourne she said she gets a flat white on oat milk.

"And toasted banana bread when my coaches aren't watching," she said.

Iga Świątek has sealed the deal off a drop shot!

The world number one has come from 1-4 down in the final set to defeat American Danielle Collins 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in three hours and 14 minutes.

She now advances to the third round.

"I wanted to fight until the end," she said.

"I wanted to be ready when more mistakes were going to come from the other side.

"I am really proud of myself because it wasn't easy."