LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times GMT)
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By Piers Newbery
0035: Yep, Schiavone is broken to love and pegged back to 3-2. Sampras v Ivanisevic, this ain’t. Which is no bad thing.
0032: “piers how did u get this job as it seems amazing and i need a job.”
Mike in telford via text
*The selection process is similar to that of the SAS, and like them I can’t talk about it.*0031: Venus is suffering a bit of a meltdown at the moment, with her serve stuttering and her forehand way off. She soon finds herself 0-40 down again and is broken when Schiavone plays a winning backhand lob on the run. The Italian leads 3-1 with the break.
0028: If you have any thoughts on what has happened, is happening or is going to happen in Melbourne, it’s best that you share them with me. You canpass on your thoughts through Twitter](http://twitter.com/piersnewbery)or via text on 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide).
0026: There are plenty of British juniors in action today, with Tom Allen currently taking on Argentine 11th seed Renzo Olivo on Court 10. There are some fantastic names in the juniors, which I will in no way be mocking when I point them out to you. People in glass houses… Anyway, for starters we have Spain’s Carlos Boluda-Purkiss - who cannot still be ‘the new Nadal’ at the age of 17, surely - against Barrett Franks of New Zealand. I’m also quite taken by France’s Mick Lescure.0025: Venus misses a couple of break points, one with an attempted forehand pass that lands outside the tramlines, and it’s 2-1 to Schiavone but scrappy stuff so far.0023: In fairness, over the last few days I’ve missed proper actor Geoffrey Rush and one of the cast members from Desperate Housewives, although it was one of the blokes. And “radio personality” Jono Coleman.
0018: Venus breaks straight away to 15, and is then broken to love. Strange start. Meanwhile, the dearth of quality celebs continues. In attendance today, a celebrity (in Australia) chef, a former swimmer, and the guitarist from rockers (only popular with Australians and surfers) Powderfinger. The champagne graphic is in danger of misleading the public.
Andy Roddick on Twitter:](http://twitter.com/andyroddick)"love australia… where else can you watch nfl playoff games with breakfast"0013: Schiavone gets us under way on Laver, here’s the lowdown on this match-up from the WTA: “Venus has won all five previous meetings. These are the two oldest players remaining in the draw, both are approx 29½ (Venus is older by 6 days). This is the only Grand Slam at which Schiavone has not reached the quarter-finals in her career.” I know who my money’s on.0010: “Hi Piers, do you know when Murray v Nadal will take place please”
From Paula, South Wales, via text
*I don’t know for sure but fingers are crossed here that it will be 0830 GMT on Tuesday - confirmation will come overnight.*0007: Venus and Schiavone are out on Rod Laver Arena, where the stadium announcer has informed us that it’s 25C and warned everyone to wear a hat and “rehydrate regularly”. They say that at Wimbledon too, before directing you to the Wimbledon shop.
0004: It’s a beautiful day in Melbourne as the sun beats down on the Rod Laver Arena for the remaining matches that will complete the men’s and women’s quarter-final line-ups. First up tonight is Venus Williams against Francesca Schiavone on Rod Laver Arena, with doubles matches on the other two big show courts. To following during the (UK) night are Fernando Verdasco v Nioklay Davydenko, Serena Williams against Samantha Stosur, Novak Djokovic taking on Lukasz Kubot and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga playing Nicolas Alamgro. And British junior hope Laura Robson faces Aussie Belinda Woolcock in match two on Court 6.0001: Great news, it’s BBC Sport’s Martin Gough and he’slive texting on the NFL championship games.I’ve no idea if he has permission to do this or has just ‘gone rogue’ but he seems to be enjoying himself, so why not have a look Or stick around for day eight of what is shaping up to be a classic Australian Open.2359: Keep deadly still and don’t look up but… there’s someone else in the office. I am not alone.2355: Evening. I’ve had a couple of days off but, to be honest, my heart wasn’t in it. Thankfully that dark period of my life is over and we have the Williams sisters, Novak Djokovic, Nikolay Davydenko, Caroline Wozniacki, Laura Robson and plenty more to look forward to in the next few hours, with Roger Federer v Lleyton Hewitt the big match live on the red button, website and 5 live sports extra from 0800 GMTThis article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.