Australian Open

Emotional Djokovic hails biggest victory of his life

 

A ruthless Djokovic resumed his reign over Melbourne Park by winning a record-extending 10th Australian Open title and crushing the Grand Slam dream of Greek trailblazer Tsitsipas in a one-sided final.

Reuters reports in a rematch of the 2021 French Open decider, Djokovic swept to a 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) victory at Rod Laver Arena to reclaim the world number one ranking and again deny Tsitsipas a maiden major title.

The atmosphere was electric and the crowd often unruly as Serbian and Greek fans bayed in the terraces as if roaring on football teams.

Injured Nick Kyrgios ruled out of Australian Open

Kyrgios's long-time physio Will Maher says the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up has a cyst growing on his meniscus.

While it's not a career-threatening injury, Kyrgios is not sufficiently fit to contest his home grand slam.

"I'm obviously extremely disappointed," Kyrgios said.

"Going in as one of the favourites, it's brutal."

He had been due to play Russian Roman Safiullan in the first round on Tuesday night.

The 19th seed's scratching is another hammer blow to the Melbourne Park major, which was already ravaged by superstar withdrawals and retirements.

Players could play at Australian Open with Covid

The health policy, which Tiley said reflected what was happening in the wider community, is a marked change from strict protocols which surrounded the tournament over the past two years.

The 2021 tournament took place in a biosecure bubble with spectators shut out for several days after an outbreak of the virus in the community, while last year nine-times champion Novak Djokovic was deported because of his stance on vaccines.

"We just wanted to follow what's currently in the community," Tiley told reporters at Melbourne Park.

Rafael Nadal beats Daniil Medvedev from two sets down in Melbourne epic

Backed by a loud Melbourne crowd, sixth seed Nadal rallied to win 2-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-4 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena.

US Open champion Medvedev was going for his second successive major title.

Medvedev, 25, was in command before Nadal showed all of his renowned grit and fight to earn an extraordinary win.

The 35-year-old Spaniard has been at the centre of some of the sport's most incredible triumphs - but this surely goes down as the most amazing Grand Slam victory of his illustrious career.

Nadal and Medvedev both set for the record books

A second triumph at Melbourne Park for 2009 champion Nadal will break a three-way tie for the most major titles in the men's game, with the Spaniard nosing ahead of rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer with a 21st Slam.

The 35-year-old repeatedly played down his chances in the leadup and during the past fortnight owing to a calamitous buildup due to a career-threatening foot problem and illness from contracting the COVID-19 virus.

Ash Barty wins Australian Open

Fans all around Melbourne Park and around the country were also roaring with joy as the world number one fought back from 5-1 down in the second set against big-hitting American Danielle Collins to complete a 6-3 7-6(2) win and clinch her third Grand Slam title.

"It was a little bit surreal," the 25-year-old said about her celebratory cry of "Yes". "I didn't quite know what to do or what to feel.

Nadal surprised to make Australian Open final

However, endless hours of hard work and the strong-willed belief of a champion means the Spaniard will be contesting a sixth Australian Open final - 13 years after winning his first and only title at the Melbourne slam.

Nadal started the season after missing a chunk of the 2021 tour due to a lingering foot injury that forced him to skip Wimbledon, the Olympics and the U.S. Open among other events and raised doubts if he would ever come back to the court.

Venus suffers double loss at Australian Open

Sixth seeds Venus and German partner Tim Puetz were beaten by Australian wildcards Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in the men's doubles, before he and compatriot Erin Routliffe were beaten in the mixed doubles.

The Kiwi pair went down 6-4, 6-2 to fifth seeds Kristina Mladenovic of France and Ivan Dodig of Croatia.

However it was the men's doubles clash that attracted another raucous crowd on Kia Arena with the locals winning in 2 hours and 16 minutes.

Australian Open: Naomi Osaka out to Amanda Anisimova

Japan's Osaka, 24, was beaten 4-6 6-3 7-6 (10-5) at Melbourne Park.

Unseeded Anisimova, 20, will play Australian top seed Ashleigh Barty in the last 16.

Barty has still not dropped a set this week after a 6-2 6-3 victory over Italy's Camila Giorgi.

The 25-year-old Queenslander is carrying the hopes of a nation desperate to see a home Australian Open champion for the first time since Chris O'Neil in 1978.

Most expected Barty to face Osaka in the last 16 when the draw pitted two of the game's biggest stars in the same section.

Australian Open: Rafael Nadal beats Yannick Hanfmann to ease into third round

Sixth seed Nadal, bidding for a men's record 21st Grand Slam title, beat Germany's Hanfmann 6-2 6-3 6-4.

Hanfmann saved four match points, including two on the Spaniard's serve, before the 2009 champion secured victory on Rod Laver Arena.

Alexander Zverev also reached the third round after beating Australia's John Millman in straight sets.

Despite a spirited performance from the Australian, the German third seed won 6-4 6-4 6-0 to set up a meeting with Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot, who beat wildcard Aleksandar Vukic 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.