Tennis | DD News

January 30, 2026 11:16 AM

Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka says hindrance call against her helped in semi-final win

Aryna Sabalenka said losing a point for hindrance after grunting in a rally helped fire her up on the way to an emphatic Australian Open semi-final win over Elina Svitolina. World number one Sabalenka beat Svitolina 6-2 6-3 to reach her fourth successive Australian Open final but she was infuriated at 2-1 in the first set when Swede Louise Azemar Engzell awarded the point to Svitolina mid-rally. Remonstrating with Engzell, Sabalenka was told she had made two noises after a shot, with the secon...

January 30, 2026 11:12 AM

Australian Open: Jessica Pegula undone by evening conditions but has no doubts about calibre

Jessica Pegula said playing her first evening session match at this year's Australian Open had thrown her off her game early in her semi-final defeat by fifth seed Elena Rybakina. The 31-year-old American arrived for the clash on Rod Laver Arena having not lost a set throughout the tournament but wilted under the lights of the showcourt on Thursday before going down fighting 6-3 7-6(7). "I've been playing every match during the day. It's playing much hotter, much faster. Getting out there it w...

January 30, 2026 10:03 AM

Supreme Sabalenka and Rybakina set up Australian Open final showdown

Aryna Sabalenka swept to her fourth successive Australian Open final with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Ukrainian Elina Svitolina on Thursday in a semi-final overshadowed by geopolitical tension and will play familiar rival Elena Rybakina next. Rybakina set up a blockbuster rematch of the 2023 final at Melbourne Park by overcoming American Jessica Pegula 6-3 7-6(7), as the Russian-born Kazakh ramped up her own hunt for a second major title following her 2022 Wimbledon triumph. Top-seeded Belarusian S...

January 28, 2026 4:42 PM

Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina set for politically-charged Australian Open semi-final

Aryna Sabalenka will aim to take a huge stride towards a third Australian Open title in four years when the Belarusian top seed clashes with Ukraine's Elina Svitolina on Thursday in a semi-final simmering with geopolitical tension. Both players will navigate the political sensitivities that have cast a shadow over their meetings on the tour since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, for which Belarus has been a staging ground, and there will be no customary handshakes at the net. The war has ...

January 28, 2026 5:01 PM

Jannik Sinner thumps Ben Shelton for Novak Djokovic showdown in Australian Open semis

Defending champion Jannik Sinner scorched American eighth seed Ben Shelton 6-3 6-4 6-4 and moved into the Australian Open semi-finals, setting up a blockbuster showdown with 10-times winner Novak Djokovic. The second seed, who is firmly on course for his third title at Melbourne Park in as many years, tightened his vice-like grip on the rivalry with Shelton by sealing his ninth straight win, all of which have been without conceding a set. Sinner looked to be on his way when he pulled off a stu...

January 28, 2026 5:02 PM

Heartbroken Lorenzo Musetti lost for words after injury ends Australian Open run

A distraught Lorenzo Musetti was struggling to comprehend how injury robbed him of victory against Novak Djokovic and a place in the Australian Open semi-final on Wednesday. The Italian fifth seed outclassed the 24-time Grand Slam champion for two sets at Rod Laver Arena, leading 6-4 6-3 but was then struck by an upper leg injury. He was 3-1 down in the third set when he quit having had the trainer on court shortly before. Djokovic, who himself had issues with blistered feet, admitted afterwa...

January 28, 2026 3:43 PM

Djokovic gets out of jail to reach Melbourne semis as Musetti retires

Novak Djokovic continued his quest for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and standalone 25th Grand Slam crown, but only after a cruel twist of fate for Lorenzo Musetti, who quit their quarter-final with an injury on Wednesday while leading. While the stars seemed to align for the 38-year-old Serb in his hunt for more glory at the majors, Iga Swiatek's bid to seal a career Grand Slam - capturing all four of the sport's biggest titles - went up in smoke following a defeat by Elena Ryb...

January 28, 2026 10:25 AM

Elena Rybakina downs Iga Swiatek to move into Australian Open semi-finals

Fifth seed Elena Rybakina booked her place in the Australian Open semi-finals on Wednesday with a dominant second set display to hand six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek a 7-5 6-1 defeat at Melbourne Park. Looking to lift the trophy for the first time, the 28-year-old will take on American Jessica Pegula for a place in Saturday's final. Rybakina fired 11 aces and 26 winners as she ended Swiatek's career Grand Slam bid on Rod Laver Arena, winning eight of the last nine games to underline h...

January 28, 2026 4:01 PM

Jessica Pegula sees off fellow American Amanda Anisimova to reach first Australian Open semi

Jessica Pegula moved into the semi-finals of the Australian Open for the first time in her career on Wednesday, with a 6-2 7-6(1) win over fellow American and fourth seed Amanda Anisimova at Melbourne Park. The sixth seed, who exited the competition at the quarter-finals stage in 2021, 2022 and 2023, will take on Elena Rybakina for a place in Saturday's final after the Kazakh defeated Iga Swiatek earlier in the day. "It's awesome," Pegula said of her progress to the last four. "I've been able ...

January 23, 2026 10:51 PM

Alcaraz dazzles in 100th Grand Slam match as Sabalenka, Gauff grind through

Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff took a rocky path to the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday but Carlos Alcaraz glided into the last 16 in his 100th Grand Slam match. Home favourite Alex de Minaur made the last 16 for the fifth successive year, becoming the second Australian to achieve the feat in the professional era since John Newcombe's run from 1969-76, while third seed Alexander Zverev continued to dominate Briton Cameron Norrie. A day after 40-year-old Swiss Stan Wawrinka led a ...