Caroline Wozniacki and golf star Rory McIlroy have traded barbs in the press, and it wasn’t pretty.

There’s news on that, how ESPN stood down a commentator and the incident that left Martina Hingis “pissed” in Saturday’s edition of The Daily Deuce from the Australian Open.

‘Move on, Rory’

Former world No.1 Wozniacki’s relationship with McIlroy infamously ended on bad terms.

The pair split up after they had invited family and friends to their wedding, with McIlroy ending the relationship with a phone call.

It was three years ago now, though, which meant McIlroy’s comments to The Irish Independent earlier this week raised Wozniacki’s eyebrow.

The Northern Irishman said he is better off with girlfriend Erica Stoll, who he said was “normal” and added: “I can be myself around her. There’s no bulls**t, no acting, no show.”

When asked if she saw it, Wozniacki responded: “I saw it alright. But I do not really have anything to say.

“Was I surprised? Yes. It’s a little dead by now. It is three years ago, so I don’t understand why he keeps bringing it up.

“I don’t think there is any reason to. He looks like he is in a good place in his life, so he surely must move on.”

ESPN take action

Tennis commentator Doug Adler – under fire for a comment he made about Venus Williams in her second-round win over Stefanie Voegele – has been stood down by ESPN.

Venus Williams won through to the fourth round on Friday. Photo: Getty

The network said: “During an Australian Open stream on ESPN3, Doug Adler should have been more careful in his word selection.

“He apologised and we have removed him from his remaining assignments.”

Adler said that Williams was putting “the gorilla effect on” while returning serve.

He later said he was talking about her style as “guerrilla” tactics and said he did not compare her with a “gorilla” and apologised.

Photo of the day

If you’re happy and you know it … Jo-Wilfried Tsonga celebrates in typically eye-catching fashion. Photo: Getty

‘Martina is pissed’

Coco Vandeweghe had the Rod Laver Arena crowd laughing after she beat Eugenie Bouchard in three sets on Friday.

Swiss icon Martina Hingis, who is playing doubles with Vandeweghe at the Open, was an interested on-looker and was mentioned in the American’s post-match interview.

“Martina is kind of pissed [this went three sets],” she said.

“I have doubles with her later. I will have to be fresh for that.”

Vandeweghe and Hingis take on Aussie pair Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua in the doubles on Saturday.

And in Coco’s press conference …

The American was asked if she would watch Donald Trump’s inauguration – which was due to start at around 4am Saturday (local time).

“If it’s at 4:00? No chance,” she said.

What about a replay? “No chance.” Is she excited for the Trump era? “I don’t like to talk politics. Thanks.”

Fair enough then.

The shot of the day

World No.1 Andy Murray had all the answers for Sam Querrey in his straight-sets win on Friday.

This shot is about as good as it gets.

#Murray pic.twitter.com/yZdagSftR8

— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) January 20, 2017

The whisper

A major sports manufacturer is reportedly taking money away from players they sponsor if they smash their racquets at the Australian Open.

The tweet

Maria Sharapova may be missing from the Australian Open for the first time since 2010, but she is still working on her tennis.

The Russian, who returns from a drugs ban in April, posted photos of her working on her backhand to Twitter.

Action 📷🎾 pic.twitter.com/V8EOmQNbkM

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) January 20, 2017

What’s on for Saturday

Local attention will be on 22nd seed Daria Gavrilova, who takes on Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky on Rod Laver Arena from 7pm (local time).

The Aussie is aiming to make the fourth round for the second successive year.

Also in the women’s draw, second seed Serena Williams takes on fellow American Nicole Gibbs, while Rafael Nadal will play in the day session as well, against Germany’s Alexander Zverev.

The men’s night match at Rod Laver Arena will see 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov take on Richard Gasquet, seeded 18th, in what should be an entertaining and evenly-matched affair.

The Daily Deuce will be published each day of the 2017 Australian Open.