Australian Open day six: Cilic, De Minaur and Swiatek win – as it happened

Time to wrap up after a lively evening session in Melbourne, with Marin Cilic taking out Andrey Rublev in four sets and Sorana Cirstea earning an upset win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Earlier, Iga Swiatek eased past Daria Kasatkina and into the last 16, while Alex De Minaur delighted home fans with a straight-sets win over Pablo Andújar.

Thanks for joining me, it’s been fun. Until next time...

And here’s the Sunday schedule:

Rod Laver Arena

Day session (11am local/12am GMT)
Madison Keys v Paula Badosa (8)
(4) Barbora Krejcikova v Victoria Azarenka (24)
Adrian Mannarino v Rafael Nadal (6)

Night session (7pm local/8am GMT)
(1) Ash Barty v Amanda Anisimova
(19) Pablo Carreño Busta v Matteo Berrettini (7)

Margaret Court Arena

From 1pm local/2am GMT
(21) Jessica Pegula v Maria Sakkari (5)
(3) Alexander Zverev v Denis Shapovalov (14)

John Cain Arena

From 6.30pm local/7.30am GMT
Miomir Kecmanovic v Gaël Monfils (17)

Here is the women’s singles last 16. Can anyone stop Ash Barty reaching her first final here, and who will emerge from the bottom half of the draw?

(1, Aus) Ashleigh Barty v Amanda Anisimova (US)
(21, US) Jessica Pagula v Maria Sakkari (5, Gre)
(4, Cz) Barbora Krejcikova v Victoria Azarenka (24, Blr)
(US) Madison Keys v Paula Badosa (8, Sp)

(27, US) Danielle Collins v Elise Mertens (19, Bel)
(14, Rom) Simona Halep v Alize Cornet (Fr)
(7, Pol) Iga Swiatek v Sorana Cirstea (Rom)
(Est) Kaia Kanepi v Aryna Sabalenka (2, Blr)

So, the fourth round draws are set. Let’s take a quick look, starting with the men’s singles. Zverev and Nadal are on course to meet in the quarters, while Medvedev is the favourite in the bottom half – but there are some dangerous players lurking.

(Ser) Miomir Kecmanovic v Gaël Monfils (17, Fr)
(19, Sp) Pablo Carreño Busta v Matteo Berrettini (7, It)
(3, Ger) Alexander Zverev v Denis Shapovalov (14, Can)
(Fr) Adrian Mannarino v Rafael Nadal (6, Sp)

(32, Aus) Alex De Minaur v Jannik Sinner (11, It)
(20, US) Taylor Fritz v Stefanos Tsitsipas (4, Gre)
(27, Cro) Marin Cilic v Félix Auger-Aliassime (9, Can)
(US) Maxime Cressy v Daniil Medvedev (2, Rus)

Here are Cilic’s post-game thoughts: “I enjoyed every single second of the match. I had so much fun and played great tennis. I tried to be aggressive, you can’t give these top guys the chance to hit – and I think it worked. I’m feeling really excited, it’s going to get tougher.” He thanks the crowd, festooned with Croatia kits and flags, as a convenient way to wrap up the interview.

Rublev couldn’t consistently find his top gear, but that was a terrific performance from Marin Cilic, who looked close to top form there. He’ll face Félix Auger-Aliassime next, and if he can maintain this level, he’ll be a test for anyone.

A slice of luck for Cilic as a net-cord bounce leaves Rublev too much to do – then an unforced error as the Russian goes long. A containing slice from Cilic drifts out, but another gift from Rublev brings up two match points...

Cilic wins it with an ace, straight down the middle, and he wins 7-5, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-3!

Fourth set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 3-5* Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic goes for broke, three returns landing several feet away from their intended targets. Rublev holds to love, but Cilic will serve for the match...

Fourth set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-3, *2-5 Cilic (*denotes next server) At 15-0 up, Cilic tries a drop shot for some reason – it’s not the best. That opens the door for Rublev, who battles his way to deuce. A pivotal moment? Cilic responds with a rare booming backhand, then an ace. He celebrates like a man who knows the finish line is in sight now.

Sorana Cirstea serves out in style to upset No 10 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and book a fourth-round meeting with Iga Swiatek.

“It’s almost midnight, so thank you all for staying and for your support,” she says afterwards. “Tonight I just tried to focus on my side of the court. We’ve known each other since we were 14 years old, we know each other’s game very well. I’m very grateful I was able to win.”

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Fourth set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 2-4* Cilic (*denotes next server) So, Cilic has recovered from that wobble and needs two more games to book his place in the last 16. Does Rublev have another comeback in him? He rattles through his service game here, taking his ace count to 16.

Elsewhere, Sorana Cirstea is serving for the match, 5-2 up on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the decider.

Fourth set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-3, *1-4 Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic lands his 20th ace, then produces a perfect second serve into the body. He’s taking his time between points, and backs up the break with a crafty second-serve ace.

Fourth set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 1-3* Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic gets the edge with a terrific return off a looping Rublev second serve, and earns a break point as Rublev nets a loose forehand. On the next point, Rublev has space for a winner down the line – but misses! That was very close, and he can’t quite believe it was out. It’s advantage Cilic again.

Not quite the twists and turns promised so far on Rod Laver, where Cirstea has broken again and now leads Pavlyuchenkova 4-1 in the decider. She’s on the verge of reaching the fourth round here for just the second time in 14 visits.

Fourth set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-3, *1-2 Cilic (*denotes next server) Better from Cilic, with two short Rublev returns dispatched at the net. He finishes off with an ace.

Fourth set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 1-1* Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic is still trying to be aggressive on the Rublev serve, but the timing isn’t quite there, and a couple of unforced errors allow Rublev to hold to love.

Fourth set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-3, *0-1 Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic finds himself on a five-game skid having looked close to victory. Time for a comfort break, a change of shirt and a recalibration of serve. It’s still not back at full speed, but he holds to 30 here.

Rublev wins the third set 6-3, trails Cilic 2-1! An ace, a wild swing from Cilic, a pinpoint volley and Rublev holds to love. This game has changed very quickly.

Third set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), *5-3 Cilic (*denotes next server) An important game for Cilic, who had chances to go a double-break up, and is now behind. Unforced errors are creeping in, and he slips 0-30 down. Can his serve rescue him? No – a ferocious return gives him no chance, and an unstoppable forehand winner makes it four games in a row for Rublev!

Pavlyuchenkova has levelled against Sorana Cirstea, winning the second set 6-2 – but the Romanian has broken to lead the decider 2-0! A few more twists and turns to come there, I’ll wager.

Third set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 4-3* Cilic (*denotes next server) Terrific hustle from Rublev, who could easily be 5-1 down. He backs it up with an impressive hold, able to get into the net and outwork Cilic before sealing with an ace. Has the momentum unexpectedly shifted?

Third set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 3-3* Cilic (*denotes next server) Rublev finally gets some joy on the Cilic serve, finding two testing returns and turning a 30-15 deficit into a break point. On second serve, he converts as Cilic sends a forehand into the net!

In the other game still going on, Pavlyuchenkova leads Cirstea 5-2 in the second set, after the Romanian won the first. The local wildlife is causing disruption, with Pavlyuchenkova accidentally squashing a bug and Cirstea distracted by Melbourne’s famous seagulls, perched up on the rafters.

Third set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 2-3* Cilic (*denotes next server) Rublev is wilting here; he is getting virtually nothing for free from Cilic, every loose shot punished. Another dominant rally brings up a double break point, and a Rublev forehand that lands in, much to his relief. A couple of big first serves get him out of trouble.

Third set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), *1-3 Cilic (*denotes next server) A key stat in this battle of big serves: Cilic has won 31 receiving points to Rublev’s 14. The Russian doesn’t add to his tally here, an aggressive return going long and a 17th ace sealing the deal.

Third set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 1-2* Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic senses this is his moment, and as Rublev’s serve falters he is there to pounce, sending back any short stuff with interest and earning two more break points. This time he takes it, another attacking return doing the job as Rublev finds the net.

Third set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), *1-1 Cilic (*denotes next server) Rublev has to find some way to shake Cilic out of his rhythm on serve. He lands one return winner here, but he’s already 40-0 down, and Cilic promptly lands another ace.

Third set: Rublev 5-7, 6-7 (3), 1-0* Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic stays on the attack, still finding clean winners – 37 to Rublev’s 24. Three break points come and go, Rublev finding enough on serve each time, and he digs out a vital hold.

This has been really impressive from Cilic so far, while Rublev has played within himself. There’s better news for his fellow Olympian; Pavlyuchenkova has broken Cirstea to lead in the second set as she looks to level the match.

Marin Cilic wins the second-set tie-break 7-3! The Croatian looks the stronger player now, picking off another Rublev service point – but an unforced error lets the Russian back in. A big moment a 5-3 – and Cilic fires down a 213kph serve! Set point, and an unstoppable forehand, whipped into the corner of the court, puts him 2-0 up.

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Second set tiebreak: Rublev 2-4 Cilic Marin Cilic just misses the baseline with another fierce return, but the next one does the trick as Rublev nets. Cilic whips an immaculate forehand across court, and responds to an excellent Rublev return before taking charge of the next rally. Rublev gets a point back on serve, but his opponent is in control at the change of ends.

Sorana Cirstea wins the first set 6-3! An upset brewing on Rod Laver as Cirstea serves out the first set in style against the No 10 seed, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

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Second set: Rublev 5-7, 6-6* Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic on the attack again, walloping a forehand and then smashing back a return on second serve. 15-30, but he snatches at a cross-court shot. Maybe a touch too aggressive, and Rublev digs in to hold. Tie break time!

Second set: Rublev 5-7, *5-6 Cilic (*denotes next server) Another pair of aces, including one that catches the very edge of the line down the middle. An easy hold; can he snatch another set before the tie break?

Elsewhere, Cirstea has regained the advantage in the first set, and now leads 5-2 with Pavlyuchenkova serving to stay in the set. Iga Swiatek awaits the winner.

Second set: Rublev 5-7, 5-5* Cilic (*denotes next server) A brutal, 59-second hold to love from Rublev, with the Russian up to nine aces, compared to Cilic’s 12.

Second set: Rublev 5-7, *4-5 Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic drops the first point, which counts as a chance in this serve-heavy battle. He fires down three unreturnable first serves, and then when Rublev gets into a rally, produces some outrageous pace to win the game. He’s looking very solid out there.

Second set: Rublev 5-7, 4-4* Cilic (*denotes next server) Rublev holds with little fuss, a spinning second serve getting the job done as Cilic nets his return.

On Rod Laver, Sorana Cirstea got an early break but she’s been pegged back, with Pavyluchenkova back on serve in a first set briefly interrupted by a freakishly large insect strutting across the court.

Here’s Tumaini Carayol on Dan Evans’ defeat to Félix Auger-Aliassime. The last British singles player standing admitted he “panicked a bit” as the game rapidly got away from him.

Second set: Rublev 5-7, *3-4 Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic whips a forehand onto the baseline and follows in to clip a cross-court volley out of Rublev’s reach. Other than that, it’s big serves aplenty, another ace sealing the hold.

Second set: Rublev 5-7, 3-3* Cilic (*denotes next server) Rublev has been vulnerable on second serve – winning just four of 12 points – so a flurry of three aces is welcome here as he holds to love, finishing with a backhand down the line.

Second set: Rublev 5-7, *2-3 Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic hasn’t made the fourth round at a slam for two years, but has come close to some big wins. He lost in five sets to Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon, and in four to Roger Federer at Roland Garros. Here, Rublev rallies to 40-30 down, then plays entirely the wrong shot, a mistimed effort apologetically finding the net.

Second set: Rublev 5-7, 2-2* Cilic (*denotes next server) Cilic goes for broke at 30-0 down, swinging and missing with an attempted winner on the Rublev second serve. The Russian closes out with an ace.

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Second set: Rublev 5-7, *1-2 Cilic (*denotes next server) Rublev has shown a recent tendency to falter against tricky opponents at slams; he hasn’t reached a quarter-final since losing to Medvedev here last year, losing to Marton Fucsovics at Wimbledon and Frances Tiafoe in New York. He can’t make a dent on the imperious Cilic serve here.

Second set: Rublev 5-7, 1-1* Cilic (*denotes next server) Rublev powers to 40-0, makes a mess of a drop shot that lands an inch in front of him, then goes back to basics with a bomming ace.

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Second set: Rublev 5-7, *0-1 Cilic (*denotes next server) Time to go game-by-game, and Cilic makes a solid start to the second set, big serves backed by clinical groundstrokes as he holds to 15.