Top seeds Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy on Friday earned a shot at the title of the season opener ATP Brisbane International event after overcoming a second set lapse against Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner in Brisbane.
Defending champion Roger Federer will meet big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the final of the Brisbane International after the Swiss top seed dismantled rising Austrian talent Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-4 in Brisbane.
Former world number one Ana Ivanovic will warm up for next year's Australian Open at the Brisbane International tournament, organisers said on Thursday.
An emotional Andy Murray fought back tears and dedicated his victory to "a sick friend" after defeating Grigor Dimitrov in a gripping Brisbane International final on Sunday.
'Even if we had won the New Zealand series 3-0, it would have meant little because the conditions in Australia are very different, and the team there is very different.' 'In Australia, you just go with a clean slate and start fresh. It doesn't matter what has happened on the previous page.'
Reader Sandeep sent us this picture from Singapore.
Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo had to forfeit her Brisbane International semi-final against compatriot Marion Bartoli Friday after receiving treatment on her lower back and left leg. The Frenchwoman, who had stunned top seed Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-2 in the quarter-finals on Thursday, was serving at 0-4 when she called for the trainer.
'I've never been of the thought that Rafa needs rhythm because he's too good for that. But now the situation is different.'
The 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win at the Pat Rafter arena was the 25-year-old's first in four attempts against world number five Nishikori and will boost his confidence ahead of the Australian Open, which starts on January 16 in Melbourne.
Here is a quick glance of all the highs and lows from Nadal's stupendous career:
'He is definitely much more mature and he knows the value of his place in the Indian team, 2-3 years of not being there.' 'He will now look to take care of his body much more. He has developed from a youngster to a responsible person now.' 'He knows what he needs to do, to succeed at the highest level.'
Former captain Michael Vaughan feels Australia looked jaded in the recent home Test series against the West Indies and said England stand a great chance in next year's Ashes if a "Dad's Army" is fielded by their arch-rivals.
A ruthless Andy Murray powered his way to a 6-1, 6-3 win over injury-hampered Alexandr Dolgopolov to win the Brisbane International and take a timely shot of confidence ahead of the Australian Open.
Australia's third largest metropolis, Brisbane, turned into a city under siege as swelling muddy waters submerged major parts of the town, swallowed roads and the entire river front in the worst ever flooding which hit 30,000 properties.
Multiple grand slam champion Maria Sharapova withdrew from the Brisbane International on Tuesday after suffering an arm injury in practise less than two weeks before the Australian Open.
Her doubles partner, Bethanie-Mattek Sands now wears the 'Miss World No.1 crown'
Shardul took three wickets with the ball in Australia's first innings and then top-scored for India with a 67 as he got involved with Washington Sundar (62) in a fine rear-guard fightback to keep India in contention.
Having pulled out of the Brisbane International tournament through injury for the last two years, Maria Sharapova might consider it a victory in itself if she actually gets out on court at the Pat Rafter arena on Monday.
Brad Hodge will take his place in the team with Adam Gilchrist assuming the captaincy.
'We believe there are other, more creative solutions than rebuilding the Gabba for the Games which provide a legacy for our sports and even greater access for fans to an exceptional Olympic and Paralympic Games.'
Roger Federer, who will be chasing an 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open later this month, breezed through to the Brisbane International men's semi-finals with a 6-1, 6-1 thumping of Australian Marinko Matosevic.
A hamstring tear has forced the England captain out of Friday's one-day international against Australia.
Rafael Nadal said he would love to keep playing long enough for his son to remember him on court, though the 22-time Grand Slam champion concedes time is not on his side.
Novak Djokovic will prepare for a tilt at an 11th Australian Open title by representing Serbia at the United Cup mixed team tournament while old rival Rafael Nadal and former women's world number one Naomi Osaka return at Brisbane after time away.
After several losses in the early years of the new century, a resurgent India notched up two consecutive series wins in Australia to become the Aussies' nemesis.
Starc currently stands as the fifth-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Test cricket, with 351 wickets to his credit.
Smith carried his bat with an unbeaten 91 in a losing cause in Brisbane.
Robin Soderling's smooth buildup to this month's Australian Open continued with a business-like 6-3, 6-2 victory over local qualifier Matt Ebden in their Brisbane International quarter-final on Friday.
Robin Soderling's smooth build-up to this month's Australian Open continued with a business-like 6-3, 6-2 victory over local qualifier Matt Ebden in their Brisbane International quarter-final on Friday.
Australia's Lleyton Hewitt delighted his home fans when he battled to a typically gutsy 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Swiss top seed Roger Federer in the Brisbane International final on Sunday.
Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy had to be content with a runner-up finish at the ATP Brisbane International event after the top seeded duo lost the summit clash to Marc Gicquel and Jeremy Chardy in straight sets.
Former Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka began her warm-up to the first Grand Slam of the year in convincing fashion with a 6-2,6-0 win over Russian Elena Vesnina in their first round match at the Brisbane International on Monday.
Rafael Nadal said he was still in two minds about whether he will play in the French Open.
Australia's Grace Harris broke her bat into two pieces when smashing one delivery for six in the Women's Big Bash League T20 match.
Coco Gauff battled past Elina Svitolina in the Auckland Classic final on Sunday to retain her title.
Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Brisbane International after going down at the hands of top-seed Milos Raonic of Canada in their quarter-final clash here on Friday. World number three Raonic recorded only his second victory over Nadal in eight meetings with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in the last-eight contest that lasted two hours and 21 minutes.
Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands reached the first final of the new season when their opponents -- Daniela Hantuchova and Katarina Srebotnik -- conceded the semi-final match at the WTA Brisbane International.
Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin were forced to draw on their vast experience to avoid being eliminated from the Brisbane International on Thursday. The two Belgians, both back on the professional circuit after retiring from the sport, scraped through their quarter-finals to remain on course for a possible showdown in Saturday's final.
Therapy and motherhood have, she has said, helped her on her mental health journey and she appeared to be having a lot more fun on court in Brisbane.
