Tennis

Fruhvirtova beat Anna Bogdan 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 while Korneeva rallied to beat Sara Sorribes Tormo 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 as both teenagers recorded their first wins in a Grand Slam main draw on Sunday.

The powerful Belarusian, who came from a set down to beat Elena Rybakina in the final 12 months ago, was in a different class on her way to a 6-0, 6-1 victory in just 53 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Ahead of the Australian Open, Djokovic discussed his admiration for India and what drives him towards achieving great things every day.

Jelena Ostapenko defeated defending champion Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to book a quarter-final against Victoria Azarenka at the Brisbane International.

Coco Gauff stepped up preparations for the Australian Open with an emphatic 6-3, 6-0 win over Brenda Fruhvirtova at the Auckland Classic to march into the quarter-finals.

Four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka felt the nerves but looked solid on her return to elite tennis after 15 months out.

Aryna Sabalenka who managed to win her maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open last season, will come back as the top-seed as she aims to defend her title.

Sinner has had the best year of his career and looks be fulfilling the promise he has long shown, winning four titles this season including the Masters 1000 event at Toronto, and looks on form in Italy.

Sixth seed Tsitsipas was trailing the opening set 2-1 when he was forced to quit the Green Group match, handing Finals debutant Holger Rune his first ever win in the season-ending tournament.

Serbian Djokovic was handed the trophy for securing the year end world No.1 spot, before German Zverev battled from behind to claim a 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-4 win over Alcaraz.

"The situation in the world doesn't make me happy," Jabeur added as she broke down in tears, before composing herself enough to talk about the Israel-Hamas conflict after her win.

"I think it's complete bullsh*t," said world number nine Zverev, after his second-round victory in the Paris Masters.

The collaboration is said to at least last until the end of the year and includes the ATP tournaments in Basle, Paris and Turin, Xinhua reports.

Venus Williams said the first-round loss at the Wimbledon not only disrupted her plans for the fourth quarter of 2023, but also the start of 2024.

The Pakistan Tennis Federation have refused to shift their Davis Cup Group I tie against India to a neutral venue after doing so in 2019.

Bopanna, Nagal and Bhambri to spearhead Indian attack in a World Group II play-offs tie to be held in Lucknow on Saturday and Sunday