Tennis News

Djokovic saves set points, reaches Australian Open R4 as Melbourne milestones mount

Novak Djokovic edged a step closer to a potential blockbuster semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open on Saturday, ticking off a series of historic milestones along the way.

The record 10-time champion was made to work in his 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Botic van de Zandschulp, but showed supreme composure to book his place in the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the 18th time in 21 appearances. The victory marked Djokovic’s 400th match win at a major — the most by any player in the Open Era — and his 102nd at the Australian Open, drawing him level with Roger Federer’s all-time tournament record.

“It’s been a great start to the tournament,” Djokovic said when asked about his fitness. “But I’m not getting ahead of myself. I learned a lesson last year, I got too ahead of myself too early in some of the Grand Slams. I’m trying to give these young guys a push for their money. I’m still around. I’m hanging in there.”

Yet Another Milestone 👏@DjokerNole #AO26 pic.twitter.com/GG4rFEjdqI

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 24, 2026

The No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Djokovic will next face Jakub Mensik after the Czech beat Ethan Quinn 6-2, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to reach the fourth round at the major for the first time. Djokovic, who is 1-1 against Mensik in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, is now just two wins away from a potential semi-final clash with two-time defending champion Sinner, who earlier overcame cramp to secure his own spot in the fourth round.

“Obviously Alcaraz and Sinner are the two best players in the world,” said Djokovic. “They’re playing at a different level than all of us right now, but when you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance, particularly here on the court that has given me the most in my career.”

Having lost to Van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells last year, Djokovic was aware of the need for a fast start, and he delivered it. He struck 12 winners to just seven unforced errors in the opening set and saved the only break point he faced, according to Infosys Stats.

Van de Zandschulp required a medical timeout to treat his right shoulder after falling behind 0-3 in the second set and briefly took advantage of a rare lapse in concentration from Djokovic. The fourth seed quickly wrestled back control, but he took a tumble in the third game of the third set and took a medical timeout of his own.

Although he dropped serve in the ensuing game, Djokovic battled back and saved two set points at 5-6 before eventually closing out a hard-fought win to improve to 2-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with the Dutchman after two hours, 44 minutes.

Source link

Could Harrison & Skupski be the new star doubles team of 2026?

The beginning of the year is more than just the start of the season for some doubles players. It is a pivotal moment for the debut of new partnerships.

One of the key new teams in 2026 is Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski, both of whom competed in the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals with different partners — Harrison with Evan King and Skupski with Joe Salisbury.

“Really happy with how things are progressing with Christian,” Skupski said. “Christian came to Baton Rouge for a week’s training in the offseason, so that was the first step of getting to know each other a bit better on the tennis court, work on a few things together and just to make sure it wasn’t out of the blue when we came together in Australia.”

The partners decided to play United Cup, which allowed them to train together in Perth despite competing for different countries.

“That was another great week of practice together. Adelaide was good, we got three matches in against good teams and then we’ve come here with confidence,” Skupski said. “I think we’re playing well. I think there are definitely areas to improve on, but it’s a Grand Slam. It’s too late to work on these things right now.

“We’re just going to go with the flow, which seems to be working at the moment. We know each other’s strengths, so we’re trying to use them. But very happy with the first two rounds.”

Harrison and Skupski made the Adelaide semi-finals in their first tournament together, only falling short to 2024 Nitto ATP Finals champions Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz. The sixth seeds are through two rounds at the Australian Open and will play Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp for a place in the quarter-finals.

“It’s nice that we’ve been able to start out on the right foot. We put in a lot of practice time — as much as we could — considering we weren’t going to spend a lot of time with each other until we got to the tournaments,” Harrison said. “But it’s nice that we’ve been able to work through and figure out how our games are going to match up together.”

Skupski explained that he and Harrison are still “learning on the job” and focusing on communicating well throughout and after matches. They have been “very open” with one another to help expedite the process of growing as a team.

“It’s something that I’m very excited about this year,” Skupski said. “I think we can do a good job and we can be successful. It’s the start of something hopefully over a long period of time. Looking forward to a long success with Christian.

Harrison said: “There are always nerves early on with a new partnership like that because you know both of you are accomplished and you just want to find the best way to make your team work as efficiently as it can.

“We’ve known each other for a long time, and look to build a good playing, off-court relationship together and just enjoy playing the tennis and the matches.”

Source link

Tommy Paul & Paige Lorenze launch foundation: 'We need to be giving back'

Tommy Paul is making his way through the Australian Open draw, advancing to the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the third time in four years. But the American is leaving his mark off the court, too.

Paul and fiancee Paige Lorenze recently announced the creation of the Kids Outdoors Foundation, which creates opportunities for kids without the financial means to play sports to do so.

“Our goal is to encourage kids to get outdoors and play sports,” Paul told ATPTour.com. “The more programmes and kids we are able to support the better.”

Paul has been a fixture towards the top of the ATP Tour for years, reaching No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings last year. Lorenze is now a content creator, but she used to be a competitive downhill ski racer and now enjoys horseback riding. They want to ensure kids have the same opportunities they have.

“I think it’s super important, especially for people like me and Paige,” Paul said. “Sports have put us in the position that we’re in right now. We need to be giving back and I’m excited to start doing this and really getting it going, especially in South Florida and Eastern North Carolina, where I came from.

“There’s not too much tennis really going on there. So anything I can do to really push that forward and bring it back is exciting.”

The Kids Outdoors Foundation will fund pre-existing programmes that give kids access to sports with high financial barriers, like tennis, skiing and horseback riding and also create new opportunities. The goal is to fund nonprofit organisations that are already doing great work for kids in the community to help increase their impact.

Paul did not compete after last year’s US Open due to a foot injury. That period away from the court helped the American turn his attention to how he could give back.

“I would say it’s something that I’ve wanted do for a while,” Paul said. “The break that I had — the amount of time that I had off — provided us with the time needed to get it up and running.”

Paul will take on World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals. The Spaniard leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 5-2.

“It’s always an interesting matchup. Always a great challenge playing Carlos. He can really do anything on the court. Lightning fast. He’s like the standard that everyone’s trying to catch up to right now,” Paul said in a press conference after his third-round match in Melbourne. “But you’ve got to go into that with excitement, be ready to face that, be ready to bring your best level, believe in yourself.

“That’s something that I bring to the table every time I play Carlos. I believe I can win every time I go out there. Without that, you’re going out there with no purpose.”

Source link

How 'lucky' Sinner became biggest winner in near 40C Melbourne heat

Jannik Sinner’s hopes of a third straight Australian Open title looked close to being over – then he benefitted from the heat creeping towards 40C.

Source link

The podcast co-hosts who will be opponents in Melbourne

Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula have something else to attend to before they meet in the Australian Open fourth round – recording an episode of their podcast together.

Source link

Sinner survives cramp, heat & Spizzirri at Australian Open

Jannik Sinner faced a massive test of his title defence Saturday at the Australian Open, but found a way to survive cramp, heat and Eliot Spizzirri 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 inside Rod Laver Arena for a place in the fourth round.

“Very happy for today. Obviously next match, let’s see what’s coming,” said Sinner, who will next face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi. “[We have] practised only once, so it’s not a lot. But very happy to have at least one Italian for sure in the quarters again in a Grand Slam. It’s great.”

Sinner Survives 😮‍💨

The two-time defending champion defeats Spizzirri 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to return to the round of 16.@janniksin | @australianopen | #AO26 pic.twitter.com/bICuIfPwJ6

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 24, 2026

With the match tied at one set all, Spizzirri broke for a 3-1 lead in the third set while Sinner clearly struggled with cramp, barely able to push up to serve or move. But the Australian Open Heat Stress Scale hit a 5, leading to a suspension of play for officials to close the roof.

After less than a 10-minute break, play resumed, but that short suspension proved critical. When play resumed, Sinner bounced back from the ropes and was able to claw to a three-hour, 45-minute victory.

“It was hot today. Started to cramp a little bit in the third set, which then after time it went slowly away. I know my body slightly better now with a bit of experience also, trying to handle certain situations a bit better,” Sinner said. “Got lucky today. At the point when they closed the roof, it takes a little bit time. Tried to loosen up a little bit. It helped. Changed a bit also the way of how to play certain points. That helped me today, for sure.”

The former college tennis star at the University of Texas, Spizzirri was competing in the third round of a major for the first time and had never previously played in the Australian Open main draw. This was his first match against a Top-10 opponent.

For much of the match, the 24-year-old did not show any nerves. Spizzirri went blow for blow from the baseline with the four-time major champion, playing fearless tennis.

Sinner was far from perfect, making 51 unforced errors according to Infosys Stats. But he hit 56 winners, with his best often coming at the most critical moments

Spizzirri only converted six of his 16 break chances in the match, while Sinner won eight of his 11 break points. Spizzirri was just one of six in the third set, which helped Sinner battle through cramp to regain the advantage.

After the third set, players received a 10-minute break because of the tournament’s heat rule. Even then, Spizzirri continued to fight, taking a 3-1 lead in the fourth set.

But Sinner showed his class and composure to set a fourth-round encounter against fellow Italian Luciano Darderi. Their clash will be the first in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

Darderi earlier in the day beat 2023 Australian Open semi-finalist Karen Khachanov 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The Italian had never advanced past the second round of a major before last year’s US Open, but made the third round at Flushing Meadows and now the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

The 23-year-old also beat Cristian Garin and Sebastian Baez earlier in the tournament. Darderi was 9-29 on hard courts entering the Australian Open.

Source link

Fritz's aces all add up to a record mark

During the Australian Open, ATPTour.com will bring fans insight into the leaders of key statistical categories, showing how performances throughout 2025 all added up to successful seasons and the promise of more good times ahead in 2026.

Taylor Fritz has cemented his status as one of the game’s most dominant servers, firing a tour-leading 867 aces in 2025. The rest of the Tour ought to take notice, as Infosys ATP Data reveals that Fritz has been on a clear upward trajectory.

After striking 530 aces across 56 matches in 2021, Fritz has steadily climbed the leaderboard each season to where he is today, leading the pack.

Fritz’s aces per match, past five seasons

“Every single time I step up, I’ll try to get an ace,” Fritz told ATPTour.com at the Australian Open. “Maybe there’s an exception that if conditions are really slow and the balls are worn out, I might be thinking where can I serve that gives me the best chance of starting the point if it’s not an ace. But I think I’m always stepping up to try to get a free point off the serve.”

Fritz’s dominance from the line was put on full display last year in Stuttgart, where the American went unbroken across 43 service games to lift the trophy. He crushed 45 aces that week and only faced four break points all tournament.

Does Fritz feel he has a better chance to fire an ace if the returner is standing close to the baseline or far back?

“It depends on the speed and the conditions. I’d say a pretty neutral position feels good,” Fritz said. “I feel people who stand up are very easy to ace, but if they get a racquet on it, then the return that comes back is much tougher to deal with.

“If they’re back, I feel they might return more, but the second shot feels much easier. So it’s tough to say.”

A 10-time tour-level titlist, Fritz reached a career-high No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings in November 2024, two months after he competed in his first major final at the US Open. In 2025, Fritz qualified for the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals for the third time.

See all stories in this series

Visit our Infosys ATP Stats section for more insights.

Source link

More than the Score

Why has Alex Eala been called “the most popular player in tennis”?

Source link

Is Sinner-Alcaraz in danger of making majors boring?

Though the Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner rivalry is thrilling, tennis correspondent Russell Fuller ponders whether it could make Grand Slams boring.

Source link

Will an experience with Federer help Spizzirri against Sinner at Australian Open?

Saturday will be a day of firsts for Eliot Spizzirri at the Australian Open.

First third-round match at a major. First clash against a Top-10 opponent. First time competing inside Rod Laver Arena.

But the most important first is that this will be his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting against two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner.

“It would be an awesome experience,” Spizzirri said in his press conference before Sinner had advanced. “Going against one of the best players in the world and one of the toughest challengers in our sport. I would be grateful to be out there and do the best I can.”

This will be a new experience for the American, especially considering the stakes. But Spizzirri is not totally unfamiliar with such a big stage.

For much of his teens, Spizzirri would travel from Connecticut to New York three or four times per week to train at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. He mostly trained indoors there, but Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis-specific stadium in the world, was always looming.

“You feel kind of like an ant in that environment, because there are so many seats and so many people looking at you,” Spizzirri told ATPTour.com. “I’ve only been in Ashe when it’s been pretty empty. It would be really fun to be in that environment in Laver if that is the case. I’ve played on some big courts and hopefully they’ve prepared me as much as possible for a moment like this.”

The 24-year-old, who was a college star at the University of Texas, has played competitively in Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second stadium at the US Open. That court has a capacity close to the nearly 15,000 fans Rod Laver Arena holds. However, it will be far more packed and electric with Sinner on the other side of the net.

“I’m just trying to enjoy the moment on those courts,” Spizzirri said. “That’s what you work for, you train for and you live for.”

Although practice is far different from a match, Spizzirri has faced pressure inside a big venue. As a junior in 2019, he trained with Roger Federer inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Patrick Hirscht, Spizzirri’s coach since age 12 who still works with him at Solaris Racquet Club in Connecticut when he is home, remembers the moment well.

“The thing I remember most about it was just the sheer size when you first walk in and you start hitting and you’re like, ‘Wow’. You feel small out there,” Hirscht said. “But also how after five or six minutes, you sort of don’t even notice it anymore. The second thing was just how inviting and normal Roger was and how open he was to Eliot and just he didn’t seem like a superstar. I thought that was really cool and it really lessened the pressure of being out there. It felt like, ‘Hey, let’s just have a hit’. It was nice, it was special.”

<img alt=”Roger Federer and Eliot Spizzirri ” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/08/26/21/13/federer-spizzirri-us-open.jpg” />

The difference is that Sinner, unlike Federer, will be looking to do everything in his power to dismiss Spizzirri from the court as quickly as possible.

“We started to have a few conversations about it. I think first thing’s first is to be excited about it, because it is cool and when you’re a kid, you dream about these moments,” Hirscht said. “When you get them and you get in them, I think the first hurdle is to not forget you’ve always wanted that. It’s always been something you’re looking forward to. Be excited about it, because it’s very easy to be nervous and overwhelmed for something like that, which I’m sure he still will be a little bit anyway because everyone would be.

“But be excited about it, try to enjoy it and try to instil what we’re trying to do on the court out there because regardless who’s on the other side, try to do what we’re trying to get better at and give it a go.”

Spizzirri is in Melbourne with his traveling coach, Christopher Williams, who explained that even though World No. 2 Sinner will be on the other side of the net, the attention will not solely be on the Italian.

“There is always an awareness of our opponent’s game style and tendencies, but our preparation is usually pretty ‘Eliot focused’,&rdquo. Williams said. “We know the things we do well and when we execute them we compete to win at the highest level. With a match like the third round here, I’m paying a bit more attention to the stage and making sure we are comfortable in the Rod Laver environment so we can be at our best.”

Sinner said of Spizzirri: “Of course, I watched him play in the past couple of matches he played. Very aggressive, talented player. So let’s see what’s coming.”

Spizzirri is known by his colleagues as a tough out who is up for a battle on court. The No. 71 player in the PIF ATP Live Rankings showed that in his second-round match against Wu Yibing, with their encounter lasting five sets. He will hope to put up another big fight against Sinner.

“That’s all I really can do. There’s not much more you can do than go out there and give your best effort,” Spizzirri said. “It’ll be a great test to see where my game is at and give it my best shot. Win or lose, we’re going to learn from it, go back to the drawing board and try to get better.”

Source link