Lefty dynamics: why Tien is different

Catherine, David and Matt review a day which promised much only to deliver little in the way of drama, but did feature several incredible performances from some of the sport’s biggest names and rising stars. 

Part one - Men’s results. We start with the news of Jakub Mensik’s withdrawal and how much it could help Novak Djokovic, before moving on to the day’s matches which saw standout performances from Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur and Learner Tien. Can De Minaur trouble Alcaraz? And how much will Tien be at a disadvantage against Alexander Zverev as a lefty?  

Part two (37:53) - Women’s results. We cover Aryna Sabalenka finding top gear to beat a battling Victoria Mboko, Coco Gauff continuing her dominance over Karolina Muchova in the day’s best match, Elina Svitolina keeping up her remarkable record against Russians by beating Mirra Andreeva, and an outstanding performance by teenager Iva Jovic to dismiss Yulia Putintseva.  

Part three (1:04:05) - Sensation(s) of the Day and Monday’s order of play.

The Tennis Podcast throughout the Australian Open is sponsored by Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours - the Premium Hospitality and Experience Provider! For 10% off the best official ticket packages for Roland Garros, go to Tours4Tennis.com/Podcast, select your tickets and use the discount code Tennis10 at checkout.

Official ticket and travel packages are offered and fulfilled by Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours.

Specifically for our promotions, Steve Furgal’s Tennis Tours is the Official Travel Provider of the USTA and the US

Open, and an Official Provider of Roland-Garros packages. Exclusive Tennis Podcast listener offers expire

February 28, 2026. Terms, pricing, availability, and restrictions apply. See website for details

(www.Tours4Tennis.com)

Become a ⁠Friend of The Tennis Podcast⁠

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠new merch shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Talk tennis with Friends on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Barge! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sign up to receive our free ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more)

Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (@thetennispodcast)

Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ channel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.