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Agence France-Presse

China’s Wang Xinyu made it to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time on a day Novak Djokovic became the first player to win 400 grand slam matches, Naomi Osaka pulled out injured and Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka bowed out of Melbourne Park.
On a dramatic Saturday on and off court, reigning champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys moved into the last 16, as did 10-time winner Djokovic.
Two-time champion Osaka was supposed to be in action in the third round but pulled out hours before because of an abdominal injury.
The Japanese star, who made a grand entrance this week in a jellyfish-inspired outfit, wrote on Instagram that “it breaks my heart”.
She was due to face Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis, who goes on to play Iga Swiatek in the last 16.

Swiatek, the second seed from Poland, beat Russian 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 1-6, 6-1.
World No 46 Wang needed one hour and 27 minutes to beat world No 13 Linda Noskova 7-5, 6-4 and match her best singles performance at a grand slam, emulating her showing at Wimbledon in 2024 and the US Open the year before.
Wang, 24, will now meet the fourth seed, Amanda Anisimova of the United States, who earlier made light work of fellow American Peyton Stearns, winning 6-1, 6-4.
On a day when extreme hours caused match suspensions and delays, Serbian great Djokovic, 38, swept past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 under a closed roof on centre court to extend his own all-time record of match wins at the majors.
Roger Federer (369) and Serena Williams (365) are the next best.
Victory was also his 102nd singles win at Melbourne Park, equalling Federer with the most wins.
Djokovic’s reward is a fourth-round clash with either Czech Jakub Mensik or American debutant Ethan Quinn, whose match was one of those delayed.
The 24-time slam winner said he was “still trying to give these young guys a push for their money. I’m still around. I’m hanging in there.”
Before that, Sinner admitted he was saved by the roof in his meeting with the American Eliot Spizzirri on centre court.
Play was stopped for about 10 minutes because of the baking heat, allowing time for the roof to close. Sinner had been suffering from cramp in the fierce sun.
But with the roof shut he pulled through 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 over a gruelling three hours and 45 minutes.
“I struggled physically a bit today, as you saw. I got lucky with the heat rule; they closed the roof,” said the second seed.
His reward is a clash next with fellow Italian Luciano Darderi, the 22nd seed who defeated Russia’s Karen Khachanov in four sets.

Fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti saw off Tomas Machac in five sets, making it the first time three Italian men had reached the last 16 of the Australian Open.
Musetti goes up against American ninth seed Taylor Fritz, who ended the run of Stan Wawrinka on the popular Swiss veteran’s farewell to the tournament in four sets.
The 40-year-old former champion is playing his last season.
“It’s been an amazing journey,” he said, cracking open a can on court afterwards.
Earlier, Keys revelled in the scorching temperatures to set up a last-16 showdown with podcast co-host Jessica Pegula.
Matches started an hour earlier than usual because of the heatwave, and Keys had no intention of hanging about.
She dismissed former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3 in a statement victory.
After admitting to being nervous and timid in embarking on her title defence, this was more like the Keys that stunned Aryna Sabalenka in the final a year ago.

The 30-year-old Keys said that being based in Florida meant she was used to hot temperatures.
“I am feeling really good and I was excited for the heat today, and ready for it,” she said.
The ninth seed faces good friend and compatriot Pegula for a place in the quarter-finals.
The sixth-seeded Pegula powered past unseeded Russian Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 6-2.
Pegula and Keys know each other well, even hosting a tennis podcast together.


Australian Open: Wang loses to Anisimova in fourth round, Pegula beats Keys

Australian Open: Alcaraz, Djokovic into last 8 as Sabalenka faces hot teen prospect

Australian Open: China’s Wang makes 4th round, heat saves Sinner, Djokovic hits 400

Australian Open: Hong Kong champs Mboko, Bublik make history; Alcaraz, Gauff win

Australian Open

Wang Xinyu of China celebrates after winning her third-round match against Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic says he is “still hanging in there”. Photo: Reuters

Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka with a can of beer after his final match at the Australian Open. Photo: Reuters

Defending champion Madison Keys, who is based in Florida, won easily in the heat. Photo: EPA

From roller skates to Olympic ice, Hongkonger Darren Kwok’s dream runs to Milano-Cortina

Hong Kong skater Darren Kwok was a reserve four years ago but is the sole pick for next month’s Winter Games. Photo: Karma Lo

Darren Kwok (front) training with coach Sun Dandan at the Ice Rink in Discovery Bay. Photo: Karma Lo

Darren Kwok (left) and Joey Lam will compete across three events at Milano-Cortina. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong star Doo Hoi-kem reaches doubles final, loses singles semi-final at WTT event in Oman

Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi-kem (right) and Ng Wing-lam beat China’s top-seeded pair on Friday in the WTT Contender Muscat tournament in Oman. Photo: WTT

Doo Hoi-kem has reached a WTT Tour singles semi-final for the first time in three years. Photo: Getty Images

Sport

Tennis

Wang’s win over Linda Noskova matches her best singles performance at a grand slam, as stoppage helps Italian ace recover, Osaka pulls out


Wang’s win over Linda Noskova matches her best singles performance at a grand slam, as stoppage helps Italian ace recover, Osaka pulls out.


Madison Keys

Jessica Pegula

Jannik Sinner

Amanda Anisimova

Australian Open: China’s Wang makes 4th round, heat saves Sinner, Djokovic hits 400

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Wang’s win over Linda Noskova matches her best singles performance at a grand slam, as stoppage helps Italian ace recover, Osaka pulls out

Wang’s win over Linda Noskova matches her best singles performance at a grand slam, as stoppage helps Italian ace recover, Osaka pulls out