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<\/p>\nOn a day of blowout wins, Learner Tien could only be slowed by his own nosebleed and Iva Jovic proved she is a superstar of the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here are the quick hits from day eight of the Australian Open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1. Iva Jovic, remember the name<\/p>\n
The women’s singles draw is in no shortage of electric teenage phenoms, but on current form American Iva Jovic could one day become the pick of the bunch.<\/p>\n
The 18-year-old on Sunday became the first teenager since Venus Williams in 1998 to progress to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open without dropping a set.<\/p>\n
Better yet, she barely dropped a game in her fourth-round match against Yulia Putintseva. Jovic won 6-0, 6-1 thanks to a stunning display on John Cain Arena.<\/p>\n
Jovic has found herself under the wing of Novak Djokovic in recent times, leaning on the great for advice and connecting due to their shared Serbian heritage.<\/p>\n
She will need every bit of Nole wisdom she can get for her quarterfinal clash though \u2014 a meeting with the imperious world number one Aryna Sabalenka.<\/p>\n
2. Alcaraz’s debt to Djokovic<\/p>\n
So far, so good for Carlos Alcaraz at this Australian Open.<\/p>\n
The Spanish superstar is looking strong and confident through the early rounds, delighting crowds with his exceptional play and eyeing up a massive quarterfinal against local hero Alex de Minaur.<\/p>\n
But still he is forced to look over his shoulder, with Novak Djokovic ready and waiting to call in some debts.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz has been working on a new-look serve recently, one that bares a resemblance to Djokovic’s. And that fact has not escaped the 10-time Australian Open champ, who reckons he is due some financial compensation.<\/p>\n
“I heard that, I have the contract over there but I haven’t seen him yet,” Alcaraz said after his match.<\/p>\n
“It was funny because it was in the pre-season, somebody just came up with the movement. To be honest, I wasn’t aware that it was really similar to Nole’s serve.<\/p>\n
“I just woke up one day and I took out my phone and had a Djokovic message ‘alright, you have to pay me for the serve before the season’.<\/p>\n
“It was fun. I mean, these kind of things in the locker, it’s fun to share with another player.”<\/p>\n
3. A bloody mess for Learner<\/p>\n
Learner Tien produced one of the most eye-catching performances and results of the tournament so far in blitzing Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-0, 6-3.<\/p>\n
But it certainly wasn’t without some early complications.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Learner Tien gets some running repairs during his match against Daniil Medvedev. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)<\/p>\n
Tien was forced to his bench early in the first set for some minor medical attention, in the form of the tried and tested tissue up the nose.<\/p>\n
Perhaps it was the heat that got to Tien and caused the blood nose. Perhaps a visit to Ralph Wiggum’s doctor for some advice is in order.<\/p>\n
Either way, it did little to slow Tien down. He blew Medvedev away in three sets, and will fancy his chances against Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
4. Bublik has some thoughts about Rod Laver Arena<\/p>\n
Most tennis players would give anything for the chance to play a prime-time match on centre court at the Australian Open.<\/p>\n
The history of Rod Laver Arena, the electricity that fizzes out of the crowd when it’s at fever pitch, the sight of the Sun setting on a gorgeous Melbourne night.<\/p>\n
It doesn’t get a whole lot better in this sport, anywhere in the world. Right? Well, Alexander Bublik might not agree.<\/p>\n
![\"Alexander](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/da9ff58b1fa7c6429248094d625ac2e1.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Alexander Bublik was not happy with the speed of the Rod Laver Arena court. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)<\/p>\n
In the middle of getting absolutely taken to the cleaners by de Minaur, Bublik turned to his coaches and vented his thoughts about the famous arena he was playing on.<\/p>\n
Most of it was not fit for print, but one line offered up the general gist: “It’s the slowest court I’ve ever played in my f***ing life.”<\/p>\n
5. Mr 49 Per Cent<\/p>\n
Cast your mind back a couple of days, after Alex de Minaur’s third-round victory over Frances Tiafoe, he got talking about his and Katie Boulter’s wedding plans.<\/p>\n
In that chat with Jim Courier, he confidently proclaimed that he and Boulter were splitting the duties “50-50”. Seems as if he’s had to round that figure down a little.<\/p>\n
“It’s all chill,” de Minaur said.<\/p>\n
“She trusts me, and she trusts my judgement. At least that’s what I believe.”<\/p>\n
Boulter was on her way back to London as de Minaur ran all over Alexander Bublik, but may yet have to investigate a swift return should the Demon’s Australian Open run continue.<\/p>\n
Next up, Carlos Alcaraz. It’ll be the biggest match of this tournament so far.<\/p>\n