Djokovic vs Fritz LIVE SCORE: Play suspended as fans are KICKED OUT

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 4-6 FRITZ

Game and fourth set.

Fritz takes us all the way on Rod Laver Arena.

It’s coming up to midnight local time and there are no fans here.

Is this how Djokovic’s defence ends?

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 4-5* FRITZ

Djokovic holds again, and at least asks the question of Fritz to serve it out.

A few big minutes for the American coming up here.

NINTCHDBPICT000635871087Credit: AFP or licensors

NINTCHDBPICT000635871257Credit: Reuters

NINTCHDBPICT000635871571Credit: AP:Associated Press

 

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 *3-5 FRITZ

Another hold for Fritz to take him one game away from levelling this up.

Djokovic looks spent at the moment.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 3-4* FRITZ

Djokovic holds to 15 with a very good ace out wide.

That break in play might have done him a bit of good to regroup here.

Wonder if he’ll save some energy for a fifth set.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 *2-4 FRITZ

And hold the American does, he two games away from forcing a deciding set.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Right, after a 10-minute delay, we’re ready to go again.

Fritz serving and up 3-2 in the fourth in front of an empty Rod Laver Arena.

PLAY SUSPENDED

Play has been stopped until all spectators leave.

This is surreal.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 2-3* FRITZ

Djokovic holds somehow, and it’s just a single break of serve.

The players sit down to change ends and this might be all she wrote for the crowds.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 *1-3 FRITZ

Easy once again for Fritz. Djokovic looks beaten.

It’s 11.29pm also local time, what’s going to happen with the crowd?

What a strange evening of tennis.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 1-2* FRITZ

Novak saves the first break point with an excellent in to out forehand – but can’t pull it out of the bag again.

Fritz BREAKS. And he’s truly in command now.

Djokovic in serious trouble.

Credit: EPA

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 *1-1 FRITZ

Pressure straight back on the world No 1 as Fritz holds comfortably again.

Djokovic struggling to even reach out to some of these shots.

Not looking good for the reigning champ.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 1-0* FRITZ

A fine hold from Djokovic having saved break point to get there.

He let out a huge roar of frustration aimed towards his corner. Not sure if that was anything they did or just general angst at the situation.

But the world No 1 is battling on.

LAST ORDERS

Another announcement on the public address system to the crowd to start making their way home.

There’s not many inside Rod Laver Arena still, but the ones that are here are standing firm and booing the calls.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-6 FRITZ

Game and third set to the American!

He serves it out to love and it finishes with a Djokovic two-handed backhand into the net.

We’re going to a fourth set and chants of USA go up from the few fans still inside Rod Laver Arena.

Credit: AP:Associated Press

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-5* FRITZ

Djokovic winds up an in to out forehand, but he puts it wide.

A massive grimace and Fritz BREAKS.

Djokovic looks to the ground and is in clear pain. Fritz serving for the third set.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 *3-4 FRITZ

Fritz’s service games seem to be getting more and more simple.

Djokovic seems to be pinning hopes on serving well and getting through this in a tie break.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 3-3* FRITZ

Good serving from Djokovic, just what he needed.

He holds to 15 and then has another stretch at the back of the court.

There’s a grimace as well as he lines up to receive serve.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 *2-3 FRITZ

Ace after ace from Fritz in that game and he leads 3-2 now.

Djokovic has a real look of worry on his face. He’s receiving more treatment on what appears to be a pulled muscle in his side.

He’s not chasing down like we’re used to seeing him do.

DJOKOVIC 7-6 6-4 2-2* FRITZ

The No 1 seed holds, but is not looking entirely comfortable out there.

He seems to be in pain when reaching up to serve, and that means there’s less heat on his shots.

Fritz forces his way back to deuce but the Serb comes through in the end.

Credit: Reuters

DJOK SHOCK

Right then, Rod Laver Arena.

We join with Djokovic returning after a medical timeout with what looks to be a shoulder problem.

He’s 7-6, 6-4 up and 1-2 in the third set. We have about 40 minutes left before the crowds are asked to leave.

Credit: Getty Images – Getty

LAST 16

Thiem is through to take on Dimitrov on Sunday in a massive match.

I’ll be turning my attention to Djokovic in just a sec, he’s two sets up but not 100 per cent fit over on Rod Laver Arena.

On Margaret Court Arena, meanwhile, Swiatek is a set and a break up on Ferro.

THIEM TO GROW

Thiem: “The first match against Nick and here on an amazing court with an amazing crowd – there are easier things to do.

“That’s for sure one of the tougher challenges we have in our sport. He’s a huge player when he’s on fire like today.”

AND THE BEAT GOES ON

Kyrgios walks off to a massive cheer.

I’ll be bringing you Djokovic shortly, after we hear from Thiem.

MATCH STATS

From Australian Open official website:

 

WHAT. A. GAME!

3hr 21min of sensational drama and plenty of sportsmanship between the pair at the end.

Thiem gets a rousing ovation from the crowd as well.