Adventures of teen Tien continue, Swiatek faces Raducanu in Melbourne

Jannik Sinner and young tyro Learner Tien will look to reach the second week of the Australian Open on Saturday while the women's third round is headlined by Iga Swiatek taking on Emma Raducanu.

Sinner dropped a set for the first time in 14 matches when he lost the opener to Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate before coming through safely.

The Italian world No 1 and defending champion will look for a clean sheet against American Marcos Giron as he seeks a berth in the last 16 in an evening match on Rod Laver Arena.

Sinner could meet 13th seed Holger Rune in the fourth round if the Dane gets past Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic.

There will be intense interest in 19-year-old qualifier Tien, who stunned three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev in a five-set epic.

The youngster wolfed down a pepperoni pizza in celebration following his 4hr 48min marathon against Medvedev that finished at nearly 3am on Friday.

He will need to recover fast for the challenge of 69th-ranked Corentin Moutet of France.

Tien's victory over Medvedev saw him become the second youngest American man in the Open Era to reach the third round in Melbourne – behind only 14-time Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras in 1990.

Order of Play | Watch Live on DStv

INTRIGUING CLASH

The battle of two former US Open champions, Swiatek and Raducanu, is an intriguing prospect.

Second seed Swiatek won in New York in 2022, the year after Raducanu came through qualifying to lift the trophy.

Swiatek has a 3-0 win-loss record against Raducanu.

They will open the day on the centre court, Rod Laver Arena, at 11:30am local time.

"Well for sure it's going to be a tough one," said Swiatek. "Emma can play great tennis. We all know that."

Raducanu is seeking to rise in the rankings after an injury-hit 2024.

"It will be a very good match for me. It's an opportunity to test my game, see where I'm at," she said.

Also in the bottom half of the women's draw are fourth seed Jasmine Paolini and sixth seed Elena Rybakina.

Neither have dropped a set so far and both face Ukrainian opponents for a place in the last 16.

Former Wimbledon champion Rybakina plays Dayana Yastremska. Paolini, who reached two Slam finals last year, faces Elina Svitolina.

American Danielle Collins has become the pantomime villain of the tournament after thanking hecklers for "paying my bills" after she defeated the Melbourne-born Destanee Aiava.

Collins, 31, blew kisses to the fiercely partisan crowd, cupped her ear and even pointed to her backside. Collins was booed for her antics.

The world number 11, runner-up in the 2022 Australian Open final to Ash Barty, gets another chance to wind up the Australians in the crowd when she faces fellow American Madison Keys.