The second week of the grand slam is upon us and the stakes are getting higher as the contenders look to go deep into the tournament.

The women’s draw has been blown open following World No. 1 Iga Swiatek’s shock loss on Saturday night, while last year’s runner-up Elena Rybakina’s has also been knocked out early.

Alex de Minaur has been in red hot form but faces his toughest test against Russia’s Andrey Rublev tonight in the fourth round.

The match has been given top billing on Rod Laver Arena, as the Demon relegated Novak Djokovic to the afternoon session.

Also in action are defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, US superstar Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner and Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.

10.45am – Djokovic opponent doesn’t know who he’s playing

Novak Djokovic is the heavy favourite to make it through to the quarterfinals against Adrian Mannarino, who apparently doesn’t even know he’s playing the Serbian champion.

John Millman explained on Nine: “Adrian Mannarino doesn’t know who he’s playing. He does not check the draw ahead of time.

“Tries to keep it a secret. Really tough left-handed player though.”

Djokovic, who prefers the evening conditions at Rod Laver Arena, will play his first day session match since 2021.

10.30am – Laver wants more from Demon

Australian tennis legend Rod Laver has touched down in Melbourne and has given his predictions for the tournament.

Laver believes Novak Djokovic is timing is run to perfection and is still the man to beat despite dropping some sets in his early rounds.

“It is almost to me like he’s priming himself to get through to the final. He’ll lose a set somewhere in these five-setters and I’m thinking ‘Is he having us on’ because he could win this in two and two and two (6-2 6-2 6-2).

“He serves well, his groundstrokes are unbeatable so I have to believe unless someone miraculously plays their best tennis to knock him off, they can start putting part of his initials on the trophy now.”

Laver believes it’s time for Alex de Minaur to make a major breakthrough.

“Alex de Minaur is a great player,” Laver said.

“He should be doing more than he’s doing because he’s got a great game.

“But there’s 10 or 15 players who are so talented now that there’s no easy matches.

“Alex is tough, but also all the other players have improved and the competition is getting so much bigger now.”

John Millman believes the home crowd advantage could give de Minaur the edge over Rublev, who he has beaten before.

“It is worth the win,” Millman said on Nine.

“I honestly the way he plays and the energy that Alex uses from that crowd, it lifts him another couple of levels.”

Australian Open Day 8 schedule of play

Rod Laver Arena

Magdalena Frech (POL) vs. [4] Coco Gauff (USA) — 12pm

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [20] Adrian Mannarino (FRA) — not before 1.30pm

[10] Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs. [5] Andrey Rublev — 7pm

Margaret Court Arena

Amanda Anisimova (USA) vs. [2] Aryna Sabalenka — not before 1pm

[4] Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs. [15] Karen Khachanov — not before 4pm

John Cain Arena

Mirra Andreeva vs. [9] Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) — 4pm

[12] Taylor Fritz (USA) vs. [7] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)

KIA Arena

Marta Kostyuk (UKR) vs. [Q] Maria Timofeeva