TENNIS

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The stage is set for the 2025 Australian Open, with thrilling matchups that promise drama and high stakes. Defending champion Jannik Sinner begins his title defense against Nicolas Jarry, a formidable opponent who's given him trouble in the past.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Aryna Sabalenka overcame a tough challenge from Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to secure her place in the Australian Open semi-finals, keeping her quest for a third consecutive Melbourne title alive. The world number one is striving to become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1997 to achieve a three-peat at the hard-court Grand Slam.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic (37) is confident he can still win Grand Slams, starting at the Australian Open, with the Serbian kick starting his bid for an unprecedented 11th title and record 25th major crown in Brisbane later this week.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic secured a highly anticipated Australian Open quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz, dispatching Jiri Lehecka with a commanding straight-sets victory. Djokovic's quest for a historic 25th Grand Slam title remains firmly on track after his 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) triumph over the Czech 24th seed. This sets the stage for a blockbuster quarter-final showdown with Alcaraz, who advanced after Jack Draper of Britain was forced to retire with a hip injury.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Experts have expressed skepticism about Novak Djokovic's claim that he was "poisoned" by food during his immigration detention in Melbourne in 2022. The Serbian tennis star, who was detained at the Park Hotel during his visa cancellation saga, alleged in a recent GQ magazine interview that he consumed food with dangerously high levels of heavy metals, including lead and mercury. However, scientists say this scenario is "very unlikely."

Photo Credit: Getty Images

World number one Jannik Sinner (23) defeated Alex de Minaur (25) in straight sets to power holders Italy into the Davis Cup final with a 2-0 victory over Australia on Saturday. The two-time winners will face the Netherlands in Sunday's showpiece after the Dutch ousted Germany 2-0 on Friday to make the final for the first time in 104 years of trying.