Swiatek downs Gauff to meet Sabalenka in Italian Open final

World number one Iga Swiatek edged Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 4-6 7,-6(7) in a gripping and gruelling Madrid Open final to win the title for the first time on Saturday in what was a repeat of last year's summit clash at the WTA 1000 claycourt tournament.

The torch for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was lit in ancient Olympia

The Spaniard needed less than 90 minutes to dispatch the 23rd seed from Italy

How will Russian athletes be cleared to compete at Paris 2024?

Koltsov's death sent a shockwave through the Miami Open where Sabalenka is scheduled to play her opening match

Russia says IOC decision to ban Russian athletes from Olympic parade unjust

Paula Badosa spoiled Simona Halep's return from a doping ban.

Renowned for his speed on the ice, Koltsov won the Russian Super League title with Salavat Yulaev in 2008 and more recently returned to the club as an assistant coach.

Russia will be asked to observe a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Paris Olympics, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Holger Rune rallied from a set down and saved a match point to defeat former champion Taylor Fritz 2-6 7-6(2) 6-3 on Wednesday and reach the Indian Wells quarter-finals where he will meet fourth seed Daniil Medvedev.

Sabalenka overpowers Raducanu, Osaka falls

Russia loses appeal against IOC ban

Politics infused the event in Doha where Belarusian swimmers competed as neutrals due to restrictions imposed on their athletes, and Russia's, stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- which Moscow called a "special military operation".

The Belarusian became the first woman since her compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2013 to retain the title

Factbox on Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka, who beat China's Zheng Qinwen in the Australian Open final on Saturday

Aryna Sabalenka beat China's Zheng Qinwen 6-3 6-2 to retain the Australian Open women's singles title on Saturday.

Sabalenka has always had the power and, since addressing the frequent on-court meltdowns that once blighted her career, has shown a frightening level of consistency at Grand Slams.

Aryna Sabalenka took a big step towards retaining her Australian Open crown by beating American fourth seed Coco Gauff

IMAGES from Day 10 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Dayana Yastremska upset of twice former champion and 18th seed Victoria Azarenka.

Images from Day 8 of the 2024 Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday.

Images from Day 6 of the 2024 Australian Open in Melbourne on Friday.

The two players merely acknowledged each other with a wave before heading off court.

Images from Day 4 of the 2024 Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Coco Gauff said she has tweaked her service motion to make her toss more consistent.

Hurkacz, Swiatek win as Poland march into United Cup final

Rafael Nadal continued his impressive return from a long injury layoff with a 6-1 6-2 demolition of wildcard Jason Kubler to reach the quarter-finals at the Brisbane International on Thursday ahead of this month's Australian Open.

US Open champion Coco Gauff cruised past fellow teen Brenda Fruhvirtova 6-3 6-0 at the Auckland Classic on Thursday, setting up a quarter-final against Varvara Gracheva in the Australian Open warm-up event.

Paris is, and will continue to be, dogged by the usual gripes about staging the greatest show on earth.

Prganisers will be on high alert to ensure the event goes off safely.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) named Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka as its 'world champions' of 2023 after their performances at this year's Grand Slams.

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he supported Russians competing at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics but that the country should ponder whether it should compete.

Russians, Belarusians to participate at Paris Olympics as neutrals

Thursday's ruling does not affect any decision on Russian and Belarusian athletes' participation at the Paris 2024 Olympics which the IOC will take at a later date.

Simone Biles surpassed Belarusian Vitaly Scherbo's record of 33 medals in total at the Olympics and World Championships.

After a year's delay due to COVID-19, the 19th Asian Games officially opens in Hangzhou on Saturday with hosts China eager to lift a country mired in economic gloom.

Antim Panghal shocked reigning champion Olivia Dominique Parrish en route to the World Championship semifinals.

Coco Gauff became the first American to win a US Open singles title since Sloane Stephens in 2017.

Sabalenka will overtake Poland's Iga Swiatek when the new rankings are updated on Monday