Angelique Kerber's recent revival faces its toughest test in the shape of Maria Sharapova when the only two former Australian Open champions in the women's draw clash in round three on Saturday. A cool front broke the grip
The Australian Open men's singles final between champion Roger Federer and sixth seed Marin Cilic got underway on Sunday with the roof closed at Rod Laver Arena on a scorching day, triggering a hailstorm of criticism from former players.
Serena displayed great mobility to win successive points after long rallies -- one of 21 shots, one of 13 -- and secure what proved to be a decisive break of serve.
Third seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Rajeev Ram defeated local favourites Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith 7-6(3), 6-1 to win the mixed doubles title at the Australian Open on Saturday.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said the team is ready for the Pakistan T20I series despite a short, interrupted build-up, calling the tour vital preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Australia batter Travis Head has endorsed Jake Weatherald as an opening partner following the South Australian's rough start as a Test cricketer in the Ashes.
Indian Mithun Manjunath stunned fourth seed and world number seven Kean Yew Loh of Singapore in the opening round while PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth secured straight-game wins.
However, Ramkumar Ramanathan and Ankita Raina's campaign ended in the first round itself.
Jannik Sinner battled past Spanish world number one and rival Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(4), 7-5 in the decider to win the season-ending championships.
Australia's second-most populous state of Victoria reported no local coronavirus cases on Saturday for the second straight day, boding well for the Australian Open tennis tournament due to start in Melbourne on Monday.
It has been 24 days since Victoria reported a locally acquired COVID-19 infection, while Australia as a whole posted a 13th straight day without a community case on Saturday.
They beat sixth seeds Daniel Nestor of Canada and Russian Elena Likhovsteva to win the mixed doubles title.
'We're absolutely confident the Australian Open will go ahead'
Delhi Capitals will have their fate in their own hands as they look for a win against UP Warriorz in the final league match of the Women's Premier League match in Vadodara
Babar Azam's first Big Bash League stint ended early as the Pakistan star returned home before Sydney Sixers' eliminator after an underwhelming season.
Barty staved off a fightback from Collins to pick up her third Grand Slam title
Saina Nehwal was the lone Indian left in the Australian Open Super Series badminton tournament after a hard-fought victory over China's Sun Yu in Sydney on Thursday. The world No 1 overcame a stiff challenge from Yu, ranked No 9, winning 21-19, 19-21, 21-14 in 78 minutes.
Twice ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev booked his place in the season-ending championship after progressing to the semi-finals of the Vienna Open on Friday, marking his eighth qualification in the past nine seasons.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis were nicknamed the 'Special Ks' as juniors
Virat Kohli has surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become India's highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODIs.
Elena Rybakina stormed to her first Australian Open final with a 7-6(4), 6-3 win over Victoria Azarenka on Thursday, wearing the twice champion down in a cagey first set before dominating to close out the match.
Elena Rybakina beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) in the WTA Finals title clash on Saturday to claim her first trophy in the season-ending championships.
amiliar names, however, are tipped to take off with the winners' trophies. The following is a list of talking points at the Australian Open:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will look to extend their winning run when they face Gujarat Giants in the WPL 2026 match in Vadodara on Monday.
Australian Open organisers have tweaked their 'Extreme Heat Policy' for next year's tournament after being accused of forcing players to perform in "inhuman" conditions during a heatwave in January.
The defending champion withdrew from this year's Grand Slam tournament because of a knee injury.
Dokic's father Damir told a newspaper that he had spoken to his daughter "10 or 15 days ago" and she had told him she would not play in Australia.
Perennial finalists Delhi Capitals take on in-form Gujarat Giants in the WPL eliminator, with a spot in the February 5 final at stake.
Usman Khawaja said he hoped his long Test career, which will come to an end with his retirement after the fifth Ashes clash, inspires youngsters who are "different" that playing cricket for Australia is possible.
Group C promises one of the most competitive battles at the T20 World Cup, with former champions England and West Indies joined by ambitious sides Scotland, Nepal and debutants Italy.
Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini became the first all Italian pair to win a grand slam men's doubles title in almost 60 years when they beat Frenchmen Pierre-Hughes Herbert and Nicolas Mahut 6-4 6-4 at the Australian Open on Saturday.
Menon to officiate in his fourth T20WC, Padmanabhan to make his debut
The 21-year-old, who underwent surgery on her left wrist last year, has not recovered enough to play in the Australian Open.
India's Sania Mirza crashed out of the Australian Open, when she lost her first round women's singles match 27th seed Aravani Rezai on Tuesday in Melbourne.
Opening batsman Travis Head hopes Australia and England will share a drink after the Ashes winds up in Sydney to revive a tradition that fell by the wayside after the 2023 series.
Indian tennis ace Leander Paes and his Swiss partner Martina Hingis crashed out of the mixed doubles competition of the Australian Open with a straight-set defeat in the quarter-finals, in Melbourne, on Thursday.
Football giants Italy begin cricket World Cup's maiden campaign against Scotland
Pakistan pacer Zaman Khan comes under scrutiny over his bowling action in BBL
Organisers are confident a rain-hit opening day will not hold up the tournament.
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