Novak Djokovic was shocked by Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 in the second round of Indian Wells on Saturday as the Serbian suffered an early exit at the hands of a tournament lucky loser for a second consecutive year.
Top seed Sabalenka proved to be at another level, though, racking up 32 winners for the match to leave Badosa chasing shadows under the lights at Rod Laver Arena.
Sumit Nagal was beaten in straight sets by World No 25 Tomas Machac in the first round of the men's singles on Sunday.
Taking to Twitter, the spinner wrote, 'Yours Turbulently Melbourne to Sydney!'
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys made rocky starts on Thursday but eventually secured contrasting victories to set up a heavy metal Australian Open final showdown
India were dealt a solid blow on Saturday, Day 2 of the fifth Test against Australia, as skipper and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah left the Sydney Cricket Ground for precautionary scans after feeling some discomfort in the post-lunch session.
The former US Open champion said recent high-profile doping cases had made her wary.
Madison Keys blasted her way into the Australian Open semi-finals for a third time as the American continues her bid for a first Grand Slam title.
Top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend claimed the women's doubles crown at the Australian Open
Some 25,000-30,000 fans will be admitted to Melbourne Park on each day of the Grand Slam and Novak Djokovic got a taste of what was to come when he played an exhibition match in Adelaide after coming out of quarantine on Friday.
Simona Halep will delay her start to the 2025 season and skip the Australian Open due to pain in her knee and shoulder, the former world number one said on Thursday.
A solitary break in the eighth game was all Djokovic needed to take the opening set, as the 37-year-old looked in total control despite playing well within himself in perfect conditions at a packed centre court.
Halep reached the Melbourne title match in 2018 but lost a three-set thriller to Caroline Wozniacki. It was the Romanian's third defeat in three Grand Slam finals.
Carlos Alcaraz kept his Indian Wells 'three-peat' campaign on track with a straight sets win against Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
Konstas heads home but not out of Test team's plans
Blue Origin's 10th human flight, NS-30, will lift off from Launch Site in West Texas on Tuesday, February 25.
'I've been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcaster.'
Bopanna, Zhang advance into mixed doubles round two of Australian Open
Nikhil Chopra said that India must execute the plans they make during the upcoming five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in order to win the series.
Rohan Bopanna and Shuai Zhang suffered a narrow defeat against local wild cards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki in a thrilling contest at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Nitish Reddy's remarkable maiden Test century on Day 3 in the fourth Test against Australia helped India keep the first innings deficit to 105 runs, which could have been in excess of 200 after the visitors were reduced to 221 for 7 in reply to the hosts' 474 at one stage.
'I think he's got the technique, he's got the patience to partner up with Uzzy (Khawaja) to allow himself to score big.'
Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah saved India the blushes in the Brisbane Test with a resolute 10th wicket partnership but the rookie pacer on Sunday said his focus was on a wholesome contribution to the team rather than looking to "merely save the follow-on".
At 27, the second seed is still seeking his first Grand Slam title and hopes to become the first German man to win the Australian Open since Boris Becker in 1996.
Virat Kohli was not extended any special treatment, asserted India great Sunil Gavaskar, but some former Australia players felt the batting superstar got away lightly for his physical altercation with debutant Sam Konstas in the ongoing Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Images from Day 2 of the fourth Test between Australia and India at the MCG on Friday.
As the team prepares for the Test series, it's clear they're making the most of both their training and the local sights.
It could also open the door for in-form Andhra all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored a historic maiden Test century during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
'But we'll savour this for a couple of hours at least and then it'll be recovery for the next few days.'
'I've been bowling here for the Melbourne Stars, I know the pitch, I know the length.'
A ruthless Iga Swiatek slammed the door shut on German lucky loser Eva Lys with a 6-0 6-1 win on Monday to breeze into the quarter-finals of the year's opening Grand Slam for the second time.
Pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and the others found it difficult to generate the expected bounce on the used pitches. Reports indicate that deliveries barely rose waist-high, even when the bowlers hit the deck hard.
'I do not believe this has happened due to extreme aggression.'
Jasprit Bumrah is also the second fastest Indian along with Ravindra Jadeja to complete 200 wickets in Test cricket.
'I hope this film will bring some change in people, their homes, and in our society.'
An unnamed senior player, who has projected himself as 'Mr. Fix-It,' is said to harbour doubts about the readiness of younger teammates to assume leadership roles.
The Indian team in Australia lacks a bowling attack that is good enough to take 20 wickets in a Test, Cheteshwar Pujara said
Team India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar provided insights into the team's preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Nitish Reddy's straight drive off Scott Boland that carried him past his maiden Test hundred has convinced the Australian pacer about the young Indian batter's potential with the bat.
Paine, who coached Australia A in the recent series against India A, witnessed Jurel's exploits in the second 'unofficial' Test where the 23-year-old scored an 80 and 68 at Melbourne.
