ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA

Last year’s French Open champion in singles and doubles says she has tested positive for COVID-19 and will withdraw from the tournament.

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek carries a 28-match winning streak into the French Open.

All England Club officials are defending the decision to bar players from Russia and Belarus from Wimbledon this year because of the invasion of Ukraine.

Russian and Belarusian tennis players have been banned from competing at this year’s Wimbledon tournament because of the war in Ukraine.

The safety protocols for COVID-19 have been a touchy subject at the Australian Open.

Australian Open Tennis Samantha Stosur of Australia plays a backhand return to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Simon Baker) (Simon Baker)MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — The Latest on Thursday at the Australian Open tennis tournament (all times local):4 p.m.Sam Stosur has finished her 20th and last Australian Open in the singles main draw. Muguruza was the runner-up at the 2020 Australian Open and is seeded third this year. Among the other top women slated to play Thursday are second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka and reigning U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu. The most-anticipated men's match comes at night: 2021 U.S. Open champion and Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev against entertaining Australian crowd favorite Nick Kyrgios.

Russia has eliminated defending champion France to reach the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup.

Leylah Fernandez outlasted ninth-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday night. Fernandez, the U.S. Open runner-up, fought off a break point in the eighth game of the third set for a 5-3 lead. Pavlyuchenkova held to trail 5-4 before Fernandez served out the match in which she trailed a set and a break.

Novak Djokovic has moved into the third round of the U.S. Open as he tries to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam and collect a 21st major championship.

The Tokyo Olympics have been delayed by the pandemic and then opened under oppressive heat, and now a typhoon is on the way.

Hardly half a day passed before politics, the pandemic and blistering heat impacted events across the Tokyo Olympics.

Tokyo Olympics Tennis Daniil Medvedev, of the Russian Olympic Committee, cools off during a changeover in a tennis match against Alexander Bublik, of Kazakhstan, during at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Heat and humidity quickly became a major issue when the Olympic tennis tournament opened Saturday. The temperature soared to 91 degrees F (33 degrees C) and the heat index made it feel like 100 F (38 C). “Every time I had to take the ice pack or ice towel it wasn’t cold at all,” she said. Djokovic is attempting to become the first man to complete a Golden Slam by winning all four major tennis tournaments and an Olympic singles gold medal in the same year.

French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova grasped for an air tube during a medical timeout and grew frustrated at the lack of ice in a court-side container.

Coco Gauff has won in her return to Centre Court at Wimbledon.

Nick Kyrgios is back on the tennis scene and back to winning at Wimbledon.

Britain Wimbledon Tennis Argentina's Guido Pella celebrates winning a point against Italy's Matteo Berrettini during the men's singles first round match on day three of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday June 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) (Kirsty Wigglesworth)WIMBLEDON, England — (AP) — The Latest on Wimbledon (all times local):___1:40 p.m.Queen's Club tournament champion Matteo Berrettini remained unbeaten on grass this season by defeating Guido Pella 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the first round at Wimbledon. He beat Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Camila Giorgi and 19th-seeded Karolina Muchova also advanced to the second round. Andy Murray, coming off a victory in his first Wimbledon match in four years, faces Oscar Otte of Germany.

Britain Wimbledon Tennis Canada's Bianca Andreescu plays a return to Alize Cornet of France during the women's singles first round match on day three of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday June 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) (Alberto Pezzali)WIMBLEDON, England — (AP) — The Latest on Wimbledon (all times local):___12:45 p.m.Alize Cornet upset Bianca Andreescu for the second time in two weeks by beating the fifth-seeded Canadian 6-2, 6-1 in the first round at Wimbledon. French Open runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova cruised into the second round with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Ana Bogdan. Camila Giorgi and 19th-seeded Karolina Muchova also advanced to the second round. Andy Murray, coming off a victory in his first Wimbledon match in four years, faces Oscar Otte of Germany.

French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova’s twin titles at Roland Garros have allowed her to jump in the WTA rankings to No. 15 in singles and No. 1 in doubles.

French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova completed a rare sweep of titles at Roland Garros as she won a third women’s doubles major trophy with fellow Czech teammate Katerina Siniakova on Sunday.

France Tennis French Open Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova holds her trophy after defeating Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in their final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Saturday, June 12, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___11:55 a.m.A day after claiming her first singles Grand Slam crown, Barbora Krejcikova is back on court at Roland Garros aiming for a sweep of titles. Krejcikova and Siniakova won the trophy together at Roland Garros in 2018. If Krejcikova wins, she will become the first woman since Mary Pierce in 2000 to complete the singles-doubles titles sweep in Paris. ___More AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

(AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — Thinking of her late coach the whole time, Barbora Krejcikova went from unseeded to Grand Slam champion at the French Open. “Pretty much her last words were just enjoy and just try to win a Grand Slam. Krejcikova and partner Katerina Siniakova already own two Grand Slam doubles titles and reached Sunday's final of that event. Pavlyuchenkova, a 29-year-old Russian, was playing in her first Grand Slam final in the 52nd major tournament of her career — the most appearances by a woman before reaching a title match. She is the sixth consecutive first-time Grand Slam champion to collect the women's championship at Roland Garros, where the red clay can frustrate players by diminishing the effectiveness of speedy serves and by creating odd bounces.

France Tennis French Open Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova slams a forehand to Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova during their final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Saturday, June 12, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — Unseeded Barbora Krejcikova won her first Grand Slam title by beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 in the French Open final Saturday. Krejcikova now will try to become the first woman since Mary Pierce in 2000 to win the French Open singles and doubles titles in the same year. The 31st-seeded Pavlyuchenkova was playing in her first Grand Slam final in the 52nd major tournament of her career. Saturday's matchup between two first-time Grand Slam finalists was perhaps a fitting conclusion to a two weeks filled with surprises.

Unseeded Barbora Krejcikova has won her first Grand Slam title by beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 in the French Open final.

(AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (Christophe Ena)PARIS — (AP) — Unseeded Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic overcame a match point and an apparent blown call Thursday, and advanced to her first Grand Slam final by outlasting No. Her opponent Saturday will be 29-year-old Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who also advanced to her first major final by beating unseeded Tamara Zidansek, 7-5, 6-3. With Krejcikova holding a match point in the final game, Sakkari hit a forehand near the baseline. Krejcikova kept her cool and was celebrating for good moments later after converting her fifth match point. “A new situation for me, semifinals of a Grand Slam,” she said.

(AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler)The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___8:40 p.mUnseeded Barbora Krejcikova saved one match point before booking a spot in the French Open final, where she will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Saturday. Both Krejcikova and Pavlyuchenkova will play their first Grand Slam final. ___6 p.m.Frenchmen Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut saved three match points in beating Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah to reach the French Open doubles final. ___2:15 p.mAll four French Open women's semifinalists are in new territory. ___1:30 pmDesirae Krawczyk of the United States and Joe Salisbury of Britain won the mixed doubles title at the French Open.

France Tennis French Open Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova throws a kiss to the audience after defeating Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek in their semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler)PARIS — (AP) — Tour veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia advanced to her first Grand Slam final by beating unseeded Tamara Zidansek at the French Open on Thursday, 7-5, 6-3. The 29-year-old Pavlyuchenkova, seeded 31st, is playing in her 52nd major tournament and her 14th French Open. Pavlyuchenkova will play Saturday against the winner of Thursday’s second match — between No. Pavlyuchenkova served well, and in the second set her groundstrokes carried more sting as she raced to a 4-1 lead.

Unseeded Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic has overcome a match point and an apparent blown call to reach her first Grand Slam final.

Unseeded Barbora Krejcikova saved one match point to book a spot if the French Open final, where she will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Saturday.

Novak Djokovic has set up another showdown against Rafael Nadal at the French Open.

(AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___6:20 p.m.Rafael Nadal dropped a set for the first time at this year's French Open but ultimately advanced to the semifinals for a record-extending 14th time. The men’s Grand Slam record is held by Bjorn Borg, with 41 consecutive sets won at the French Open. Some tennis players have expressed reservations and French Open semifinalist Tamara Zidansek said she will not participate in the Olympics for Slovenia. The WTA and ATP rankings after the French Open ends Sunday will help determine which players are eligible to compete in Japan. ___1 p.m.Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic reached the French Open semifinals by defeating American teenager Coco Gauff 7-6 (6), 6-3.

France Tennis French Open Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, right, hugs Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina after winning their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (Christophe Ena)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___4 pmBoth Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Rybakina ended the day in the losing column this time. A day after Pavlyuchenkova came from a set down to beat Rybakina and reach the French Open semifinals, the doubles teammates were back on the same side of the court at Roland Garros. Some tennis players have expressed reservations and French Open semifinalist Tamara Zidansek said she will not participate in the Olympics for Slovenia. The WTA and ATP rankings after the French Open ends Sunday will help determine which players are eligible to compete in Japan.

Maria Sakkari has ended defending French Open champion Iga Swiatek's 11-match winning streak at Roland Garros in the quarterfinals.

Rafael Nadal dropped a set for the first time at this year’s French Open but ultimately advanced to the semifinals for a record-extending 14th time.

France Tennis French Open Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece returns the ball to Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev both have been viewed as potential future stars of tennis. Now the pair of 20-somethings will meet each other for a berth in the French Open final after straight-set quarterfinal victories Tuesday. Zverev began this French Open in the worst way possible: He lost the initial two sets he played against qualifier Oscar Otte. ___More AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

France Tennis French Open Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece returns the ball to Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___11:30 p.m.Stefanos Tsitsipas has reached the French Open semifinals for the second year in a row. Defending French Open singles champion Iga Swiatek is trying to win the doubles title, too, and she and her partner are into the semifinals. The 85th-ranked Zidansek beat Paula Badosa of Spain 7-5, 4-6, 8-6 to become the first semifinalist of this year's French Open. ___11 a.m.Six of the eight women's quarterfinalists at the French Open have never made it so far at Grand Slam tournament.

France Tennis French Open Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova wipes her face as she plays Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (Christophe Ena)PARIS — (AP) — Don't get Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova wrong: Of course she's happy to finally make it to her first Grand Slam semifinal at age 29 after going 0-6 in major singles quarterfinals — and 0-5 in doubles quarterfinals — until now. Just understand that she is not satisfied with how far she has made it so far at the French Open. ANDREESCU, COACH SPLITA week after a narrow first-round French Open loss, Bianca Andreescu split with the coach who helped her win the 2019 U.S. Open championship. That was only Andreescu’s fourth appearance in any Grand Slam tournament.

Anastasia Pavlychenkova finally has a Grand Slam quarterfinal victory.

France Tennis French Open Germany's Alexander Zverev shows the mark on the clay as he plays Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in Paris. Instead, Zverev recovered quickly, grabbed 16 of the remaining 19 games and easily moved into his third Grand Slam semifinal by defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 6-1, 6-1. And he played so much more cleanly that Davidovich Fokina, who wound up with 37 unforced errors to Zverev's 16. Zverev began this French Open in the worst way possible last week: He lost the initial two sets he played — 6-3, 6-3 against qualifier Oscar Otte. ___More AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

(AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___7:45 p.m.Alexander Zverev has reached his third Grand Slam semifinal and first at the French Open. Zverev reached his first Grand Slam final at last year’s U.S. Open and lost to Dominic Thiem in five sets. The 21st-seeded Rybakina eliminated 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams in straight sets in the fourth round. Pavlyuchenkova will play in the final four on Thursday against another woman making her Grand Slam semifinal debut: Tamara Zidansek. ___11 a.m.Six of the eight women's quarterfinalists at the French Open have never made it so far at Grand Slam tournament.

France Tennis French Open Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek celebrates as she defeats Spain's Paula Badosa during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (Christophe Ena)PARIS — (AP) — Before the French Open, Tamara Zidansek had never advanced past the second round at any Grand Slam. The former snowboarder has now become the first woman from Slovenia to reach the semifinals at a major tournament. Six of the eight women’s quarterfinalists at this year's French Open had never made it so far at a Grand Slam tournament, including Zidansek, Badosa and Rybakina. “I couldn’t control the nerves during the entire match," Badosa said.

(AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (Christophe Ena)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___5:35 p.m.Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has reached the first Grand Slam semifinal of her career by coming back to beat doubles partner Elena Rybakina 6-7 (2), 6-2, 9-7 at the French Open. The 21st-seeded Rybakina eliminated 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams in straight sets in the fourth round. Pavlyuchenkova will play in the final four on Thursday against another woman making her Grand Slam semifinal debut: Tamara Zidansek. Defending French Open singles champion Iga Swiatek is trying to win the doubles title, too, and she and her partner are into the semifinals. ___11 a.m.Six of the eight women's quarterfinalists at the French Open have never made it so far at Grand Slam tournament.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev will meet in the French Open semifinals.

Alexander Zverev has reached his third Grand Slam semifinal and first at the French Open.

France Tennis French Open Switzerland's Roger Federer plays a return to Germany's Dominik Koepfer during their third round match on day 7, of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Saturday, June 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___4:30 p.m.Roger Federer has withdrawn from the French Open to give himself a chance to recover after a long third-round match. The 39-year-old Federer was supposed to play against Matteo Berrettini in the fourth round on Monday. The previous best by a Slovenian woman was when Katarina Srebotnik reached the fourth round at the French Open and the U.S. Open. She has never been in the fourth round before at a major and faces three-time French Open winner Williams for the first time.

France Tennis French Open Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova celebrates after defeating Belarus's Victoria Azarenka during their fourth round match on day 8, of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Sunday, June 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — Ten years later, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is back in the quarterfinals of the French Open after beating 2013 semifinalist Victoria Azarenka 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday. “It’s just incredible, even that I’m still playing tennis such a long time after,” she said. I fought hard and I’m very happy to win.”The 29-year-old Russian has reached the quarters at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, but has never reached the semifinals at any major. 21 Elena Rybakina in the fourth round later Sunday, with the winner facing Pavlyuchenkova.

Serena Williams has lost in straight sets in the fourth round of the French Open.

France Tennis French Open Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova celebrates after defeating Belarus's Victoria Azarenka during their fourth round match on day 8, of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Sunday, June 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___2:25 p.m.Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has reached the quarterfinals for the first time in 10 years at Roland Garros. 21 Elena Rybakina in the fourth round and the winner of that match takes on Pavlyuchenkova. ___12:40 p.m.Tamara Zidansek has become the first Slovenian woman to reach the quarterfinals of a major tournament. The previous best by a Slovenian woman was when Katarina Srebotnik reached the fourth round at the French Open and the U.S. Open.

France Tennis French Open Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova plays a return to Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka during their third round match on day 6, of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler)PARIS — (AP) — The early departure of seeded players in the women's tournament continued at the French Open as third-seeded Aryna Sabalenka was upset by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Friday in the third round of the clay-court Grand Slam. The women’s side at Roland Garros is now without its top three seeds after Sabalenka lost 6-4, 2-6, 6-0. Sabalenka had been the highest remaining seed after top-ranked Ash Barty retired from her second-round match injured on Thursday. ___More AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Even a 23-time Grand Slam champion needs to remind herself now and then how to play winning tennis.

(AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___3:15 p.m.Kei Nishikori followed up two consecutive five-setters with a one-set victory at the French Open. Nishikori reached the second week at Roland Garros for the seventh time after qualifier Henri Laaksonen retired while trailing 7-5. Play is resuming on the outer courts at the French Open after a rain delay of less than an hour. Rain has forced play to be suspended on all courts at the French Open besides the main stadium — where the roof is closed. The Paris prosecutor’s office said a tennis player suspected of participating in a match-fixing scheme last year has been arrested in Paris during the French Open.

(AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___2:50 p.m. Play is resuming on the outer courts at the French Open after a rain delay of less than an hour. Rain has forced play to be suspended on all courts at the French Open besides the main stadium — where the roof is closed. ___1:30 p.m.Victoria Azarenka has reached the fourth round of the French Open for the first time since her semifinal run eight years ago. Collins reached the French Open quarterfinals last September before losing to Sofia Kenin.

France Tennis French Open Spectators on the Simonne Mathieu court put up umbrellas as rain falls while they watch Japan's Kei Nishikori play against Switzerland's Henri Laakosonen during their third round match on day 6, of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___2:15 p.m. Rain has forced play to be suspended on all courts at the French Open besides the main stadium — where the roof is closed. ___1:30 p.m.Victoria Azarenka has reached the fourth round of the French Open for the first time since her semifinal run eight years ago. Collins reached the French Open quarterfinals last September before losing to Sofia Kenin.

France Tennis French Open Belarus's Victoria Azarenka plays a return to United Staes's Madison Keys during their third round match on day 6, of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus)PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___1:30 p.m.Victoria Azarenka has reached the fourth round of the French Open for the first time since her semifinal run eight years ago. Azarenka hit only six winners but also committed just 12 unforced errors to 33 by Keys of the United States. The Paris prosecutor’s office said a tennis player suspected of participating in a match-fixing scheme last year has been arrested in Paris during the French Open. Collins reached the French Open quarterfinals last September before losing to Sofia Kenin.

PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):___1 p.m. Third-seeded Aryna Sabalenka was upset by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round of the clay-court Grand Slam. The Paris prosecutor’s office said a tennis player suspected of participating in a match-fixing scheme last year has been arrested in Paris during the French Open. The prosecutor’s office told The Associated Press that a “women’s international player” was in custody but it did not identify her. Collins reached the French Open quarterfinals last September before losing to Sofia Kenin.

American Taylor Fritz says he’ll require surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating France's Jeremy Chardy during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. I really, really appreciate your support in coming out tonight." 7 Aryna Sabalenka, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, French Open winner Iga Swiatek and 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu, returning from 15 months on the sidelines. Playing in her 21st Australian Open, the elder Williams beat Kirsten Flipkens 7-5, 6-2. Two weeks in hard lockdown didn't help 2016 Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber, who lost to Bernarda Pera.

The 10th-seeded Frenchman is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, but he can't seem to win anywhere at the moment. ___4:55 p.m.U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem has moved into the second round at the Australian Open, where he was the runner-up to Novak Djokovic a year ago. Thiem had been 0-3 in Grand Slam finals until emerging for the championship at Flushing Meadows in September. The first tournament of this year’s Grand Slam season began after a three-week delay because of the coronavirus pandemic. Serena Williams begins her latest bid for a 24th Grand Slam singles title in the following match against Laura Siegemund.

United States' Serena Williams makes a forehand return to compatriot Danielle Collins during a tuneup event ahead of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. 3 Naomi Osaka, the U.S. Open champion. Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, Johanna Konta and Elina Svitolina are also in Kenin's quarter. Williams already has won seven Australian Open titles and her 23 major titles is a record in the Open era. In the top half, Djokovic’s bid for a third consecutive Australian title — and ninth overall — could get tricky.

United States' Serena Williams makes a backhand return to Australia's Daria Gavrilova during a tuneup tournament ahead of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE – Serena Williams found a silver lining in the delayed start to the Australian Open, the season-opening Grand Slam tournament that is starting three weeks later than usual because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Williams is playing in the Yarra Valley Classic, along with top-ranked Ash Barty and defending Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. “So I definitely was pushing the limits, but I’m here.”Williams has been stalled on 23 major singles titles since the 2017 Australian Open, when she was two months pregnant with now-3-year-old daughter Olympia. AdFrances Tiafoe, an Australian Open quarterfinalist in 2019, lost to Corentin Moutet 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.