TENNIS

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The Australian Open has changed its schedule for the second time in four days due to extreme heat, with temperatures in Melbourne expected to reach 42C on Tuesday. Wheelchair events, featuring British defending champions Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid, and Andy Lapthorne, have been postponed until Wednesday. Junior matches on the outside courts have been moved forward to 09:00 local time, or 22:00 GMT, to avoid the peak heat.

The four singles quarter-finals, including world number ones Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, along with several doubles matches, will be held on Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena. Both arenas have retractable roofs and air-conditioning, which

allow matches to continue in cooler conditions. Organizers have not confirmed whether the roofs will be closed at the start of play on Tuesday. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe heat warning across Victoria.

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Carlos Alcaraz made history on Friday by becoming the youngest man in the Open Era to reach the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments. Despite battling injury and severe cramps, the 22-year-old defeated Alexander Zverev in a grueling 5-hour, 27-minute semifinal marathon, winning 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5. Now on the verge of becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, Alcaraz secured his spot in the final after a match that saw his momentum falter in the third set before a final, decisive push in the fifth.

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Novak Djokovic has received a timely boost in his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title after fourth-round opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew from the Australian Open because of an abdominal injury.

The Serbian great was due to face the 20-year-old Czech on Monday night in Melbourne but will now advance directly to the quarter-finals without playing. Djokovic will meet either Italy's fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti or American ninth seed Taylor Fritz for a place in the semi-finals.

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Naomi Osaka combined high fashion with a high-stakes performance on Tuesday, arriving for her Australian Open opener in a veil, a wide-brimmed hat, and carrying a white parasol. Despite the potential for the bold entrance to overshadow her play, Osaka secured a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Antonia Ruzic. The win at Rod Laver Arena successfully brought Day 3 to a close, ensuring her "opening act" was backed by a critical first-round result.

The hat and umbrella were adorned with symbolic butterflies, a nod to one of the memorable moments of Osaka's last title run at Melbourne Park in 2021 rather than a reflection of the usual first-round jitters at a major tournament.

"When I was playing today, I just told myself, like, 'Keep your head on the path. If she beats you, then that's unfortunate. But, hey, at least you're trending,'" on social media, she said.

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Aryna Sabalenka says her mindset remains firmly focused on winning the title as she continued her bid for a third Australian Open crown in four years with a commanding quarter-final victory over teenager Iva Jovic.

The world number one was in complete control as she defeated the rising American 6-3 6-0, extending her impressive run in Melbourne. Sabalenka will now face either third seed Coco Gauff or Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals as she edges closer to another Grand Slam final.

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Novak Djokovic delivered a masterful serving display as he claimed his 100th victory at the Australian Open, defeating Spain's Pedro Martinez in straight sets.

The world number four, aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, dropped just five points on serve out of 57 during a two-hour performance that showcased his serving precision. The 38-year-old recorded eight holds to love, lost only one point in each of the second and third sets, and won 93 percent of points behind his first serve while maintaining a 77 percent first-serve rate. He closed out the match with his 14th ace, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.