MELBOURNE, Australia — Count Novak Djokovic as being in Danielle Collins' corner. He thinks her response to booing fans at the Australian Open was absolutely fine — which should come as no surprise, given the way Djokovic gets into back-and-forths with hecklers at his matches, including Friday night at Rod Laver Arena.

Tennis purists felt unsettled as Danielle Collins went right at a rowdy Australian crowd after taking out a hometown favourite in incredible scenes. But the exchange is actually healthy for the sport.

The final Aussie hope at Melbourne Park, Alex de Minaur, also takes the court in his toughest test to date against 31st-seed Francisco Cerundolo on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, two of the most in-form players in Melbourne this week, French veteran Gael Monfils and fourth seed Taylor Fritz, headline Margaret Court Arena action in the day.