Aus Open: Sinner downs Zverev to retain men’s singles title
After sweeping the Australian Open and US Open in 2024, the Italian also extended his win streak at the hard-court majors to 21 matches.
After sweeping the Australian Open and US Open in 2024, the Italian also extended his win streak at the hard-court majors to 21 matches.
Novak Djokovic's bid for the record 11th Australian Open took a major blow as the Serbian great retired with injury following a first set of the semifinal against Alexander Zverev on Friday.
Madison Keys of the United States saved a match point on her way to stunning No.2 seed Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8) in the Australian Open semifinals, advancing to the second Grand Slam final of her career following the 2017 US Open.
The result leaves the 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic with 99 career singles titles heading into the Australian Open, which he has won a record 10 times
Gao Xinyu will face the formidable challenge of replacing women's world No. 5 Zheng Qinwen when she partners Zhang Zhizhen, China's highest-ranked men's player, at the season-opening United Cup starting on Friday.
The longer-term damage might be to Djokovic’s legacy. Given the extraordinary backstory to his medical exemption from COVID vaccination to enter Australia – along with the many questions that have arisen about his Covid infection in December – public opinion about him has swayed back and forth on a daily basis.
However, Barty said she has no problem about competing against players who are unvaccinated.
Djokovic, the nine-time Australian Open winner, is also the defending champion at Melbourne Park. The Australian Open commences on January 17.
Earlier, Roger Federer had skipped the entire second half of 2016 due to injury before returning to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2017.
The 32-year-old Andy Murray has not played a competitive match this year due to bone bruising near the site of his surgery.
