MELBOURNE

3-seeded Tsitsipas had been 0-3 in semifinals at Melbourne Park, but he finally went a step further to get to the second Grand Slam championship match of his career. Khachanov collected four consecutive points there, erasing the match points with a pair of booming forehands. Now Tsitsipas will face Novak Djokovic or unseeded American Tommy Paul in the men's singles final on Sunday. Earlier this week, Djokovic said about Tsitsipas: “He has never played a final, am I wrong?” Reminded by reporters about Roland Garros, Djokovic replied: “That’s right. Chair umpire Nico Helwerth’s first warning for a time violation came while Tsitsipas served for the first set at 5-3, love-15.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Novak Djokovic's father decided to stay away from the 21-time Grand Slam champion's semifinal after getting embroiled in a flap involving spectators who brought banned Russian flags to Melbourne Park, Tennis Australia said Friday. “Throughout the event, we’ve spoken with players and their teams about the importance of not engaging in any activity that causes distress or disruption,” Tennis Australia said. Four people were kicked out of the tournament because of the flags and for threatening security guards that night, police and Tennis Australia said. On Jan. 17, the second day of the Australian Open, flags from Russia and Belarus were banned from Melbourne Park after more than one was brought into the stands by spectators the day before. Normally, flags can be displayed during matches at Melbourne Park.

Tennis Australia says Novak Djokovic’s father has decided to stay away from the 21-time Grand Slam champion’s semifinal after getting embroiled in a flap involving spectators who brought banned Russian flags to Melbourne Park.

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, may be refused an Australian visa due to his antisemitic comments. Ye recently tweeted a swastika photo on Twitter and praised Hitler in an interview

Australia's Migration Act sets security and character requirements for non-citizens to enter the country.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — LOOKAHEAD TO THURSDAYVictoria Azarenka continues her quest for a third Australian Open title a decade after her last championship at Melbourne Park when she plays Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in one of two night women's semifinals. 3-seeded Jessica Pegula — en route to her first semifinal appearance in a Grand Slam tournament since the 2020 U.S. Open. Rybakina beat Azarenka in straight sets in the third round of last year’s Indian Wells tournament in their only previous meeting. 5 Aryna Sabalenka beat Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-2; Magda Linette beat No. STAT OF THE DAY29: number of previous Grand Slam singles tournaments Linette had played without advancing past the third round.

Victoria Azarenka continues her quest for a third Australian Open title a decade after her last championship at Melbourne Park when she plays Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in one of two night women’s semifinals.

CANBERRA, Australia — (AP) — A senior Australian government minister said Wednesday that rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, could be refused a visa due to antisemitic comments if he attempts to visit Australia. Clare said he did not know if Ye had applied for a visa but that Australia has previously refused them to people with antisemitic views. “His antisemitic comments are disgraceful, his conduct and his behavior is appalling, and he’s not a person of good character,” Dutton added. Ye and Censori intend to visit her family who live in the northeast Melbourne suburb of Ivanhoe next week, Seven Network News reported. The AP asked Ye’s representative whether he had married Censori and planned to visit Melbourne, but did not get an immediate response.

An Australian government minister says rapper Ye could be refused a visa due to antisemitic comments if he attempts to visit Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Two days after advancing to her first Grand Slam tournament quarterfinal, unseeded Magda Linette has gone one better and is into the Australian Open semifinals. Linette, who had lost seven of nine previous matches against Pliskova, has defeated Anett Kontaveit, Ekaterina Alexandrova and WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia in successive rounds. Linette will play the winner of the second women's quarterfinal Wednesday between No. The other women's semifinalists were determined on Tuesday. Two-time former Australian champion Victoria Azarenka will play Wimbledon titleholder Elena Rybakina for a chance to play in Saturday night's final.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Karen Khachanov moved into his first Australian Open semifinal when Sebastian Korda stopped playing in the third set Tuesday because of an injured right wrist. Korda, 22, who upset 2021 U.S. Open champion and two-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev in the third round, received treatment on his wrist from a trainer during the second set Tuesday. Korda's father, Petr, won the 1998 Australian Open. The younger Korda was one of three American men to get to the quarterfinals this time, the most for the country at the Australian Open since 2000. Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina also reached her first semifinal at Melbourne Park, beating 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has advanced to the Australian Open semifinals with a 6-2, 6-4 win over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko on Tuesday. Rybakina led 3-1 and was holding a break point before the delay. On return, Ostapenko saved the first break point, but Rybakina broke on her next opportunity to go up 4-1 and won the first set 6-2. In the second set, Ostapenko was up a break but Rybakina leveled with a break of her own. It came on her first break point when Ostapenko had been unable to convert four in the previous game.

MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Melbourne man has been sentenced to six years in prison for possessing several guns and for child sexual abuse material, according to the States Attorney’s office. Nathan Joel Arledge, 29, was found in possession of two machine guns, an unregistered short-barrel rifle, three unregistered silencers and the child sexual abuse material, according to a news release. Officers executed a search warrant at Arledge’s home where they found multiple weapons, tactical armor and counterfeit credentials for Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI. A forensic examination of Arledge’s cellphone uncovered child sexual abuse material. READ: Orange County deputies resign after tip leads to investigation into them having sex on dutyArledge later admitted to officers that he had made the machine guns and silencers and downloaded the child sexual abuse material despite knowing all of those things were illegal.

“But the way my leg felt before tonight wasn’t giving me too many hopes, so to say, for the entire tournament, to go all the way through. Djokovic won 42 of 64 points that lasted five shots or more. Generally considered the best returner in the game now — and, perhaps, ever — Djokovic earned a dozen break chances and converted half. 5 seed Andrey Rublev, who will head into their matchup Wednesday with an 0-6 record in Grand Slam quarterfinals. “What I experienced today was probably Novak very close to his best, I would say,” he said.

It took about a week for Novak Djokovic to go from worrying about whether he simply could play a match at all on his injured left hamstring to thinking he can win the Australian Open.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — The next stop on Ben Shelton's impressive debut run at the Australian Open will be the quarterfinals. Shelton is playing in only his second Grand Slam tournament — and he is on his first trip outside of the United States in his life. He joins Sebastian Korda to give the U.S. at least two men in the quarterfinals in Australia for the first time since 2007. Yet another American could join them because Tommy Paul was in fourth-round action Monday, too, going up against No. The Russian kept coming back, kept coming back, kept coming back — from down 5-2 in the fifth set, then facing a pair of match points while trailing 6-5, then from 5-0 and 7-2 in the first-to-10 concluding tiebreaker — before finally putting away No.

Pegula politely corrected him: “Biggest title so far,” she said, emphasizing those last two words. ... All around, throughout the whole tournament, I’ve been playing the best I have,” she said Sunday after beating 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova 7-5, 6-2 in the fourth round. Pegula relies on terrific returning (she’s won a tournament-high 64% of games served by opponents) and strong defense. 1 Ash Barty, who “just did certain things so well, over and over and over again.”Pegula is 0-4 so far in Slam quarterfinals, with losses to Jennifer Brady at the 2021 Australian Open, Barty at the 2022 Australian Open, and Swiatek at the 2022 French Open and 2022 U.S. Open. Again, she regrouped and returned, claiming her first WTA title at Washington in 2019.

4 Caroline Garcia 7-6 (3), 6-4 on Monday to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. “I don't really believe it,” she said. I’m really happy with the level today.”Sabalenka faces Donna Vekic, who defeated Linda Fruhvirtova 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. Djokovic is aiming for this 10th title at the Australian Open and his 22nd Grand Slam title. The Grand Slam mark would tie him with Rafael Nadal for the most by any man.

A high school teacher was arrested after deputies said the man tried to lure a student for sex, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Fifth-seeded Aryna Sabalenka defeated Belinda Bencic 7-5, 6-2 on Monday to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time. Bencic double-faulted to drop the first set, which put Sabalenka in control from that point. “I'm super happy with the win today,” Sabalenka said. “We did a lot of work in the preseason and I'm super happy that everything is working right now,” she said. Djokovic is aiming for this 10th title at the Australian Open and his 22nd Grand Slam title.

The third set began with six consecutive breaks of serve, before Zhu finally was the first to hold, taking a 4-3 lead. She held, then broke to go up 5-4 when Zhu put a forehand into the net. “I had to adjust on the go.”The 33-year-old Azarenka won the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013. Pegula eliminated 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova 7-5, 6-2 on Sunday. “Me and Jess, we've practiced together, we've played so many great matches together,” Azarenka said.

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has made it back to the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2016 by coming back to beat Zhu Lin 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Sebastian Korda reached the first Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career by beating 10th-seeded Hubert Hurkacz in a fifth-set tiebreaker at the Australian Open on Sunday. Korda is a 22-year-old American whose father, Petr, won the 1998 championship at the tournament. Korda’s mother was a professional tennis player, too, and his two older sisters play pro golf. The 29th-seeded Korda will face 18th-seeded Karen Khachanov for a spot in the semifinals. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina eliminated No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek in straight sets Sunday to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals for the first time. The 22nd-seeded Rybakina used her big serving to unsettle Swiatek and got the better of their baseline exchanges to win 6-4, 6-4 in about 1 1/2 hours. Swiatek is a three-time major champion, including titles at the French Open and U.S. Open last season. Rybakina’s ranking does not properly reflect her ability or results because her championship at the All England Club last July did not come with any ranking points.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — It's been almost two full decades since this many U.S. men reached Week 2 at the Australian Open. Paul, who is ranked 35th, topped Californian Jenson Brooksby by a score of 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. 27 Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4 at night despite some more signs of trouble from his left hamstring. “But mainly I just focus on myself.”Rublev sounded a similar note following his 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. Sabalenka is now 7-0 in 2023 after beating Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3, and Bencic stretched her winning streak to eight matches by defeating Camila Giorgi 6-2, 7-5.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — It's been almost two full decades since this many U.S. men reached Week 2 at the Australian Open. Paul, who is ranked 35th, topped Californian Jenson Brooksby by a score of 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. 27 Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4 at night despite some more signs of trouble from his left hamstring. “But mainly I just focus on myself.”Rublev sounded a similar note following his 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. Sabalenka is now 7-0 in 2023 after beating Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3, and Bencic stretched her winning streak to eight matches by defeating Camila Giorgi 6-2, 7-5.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — It's been almost two full decades since this many U.S. men reached Week 2 at the Australian Open. It must feel very much like a chance for a career-defining result for them and other young men still in the bracket. Paul, who is ranked 35th, topped Californian Jenson Brooksby by a score of 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. “But mainly I just focus on myself.”Rublev sounded a similar note following his 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. Sabalenka is now 7-0 in 2023 after beating Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3, and Bencic stretched her winning streak to eight matches by defeating Camila Giorgi 6-2, 7-5.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — There was a moment at the Australian Open on Saturday that must have felt very much like a chance for a career-defining result for some of the young men moving into Week 2. “Of course, I know what’s happening,” said Rune, who appeared to hurt his ankle and wrist in a fall during a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (5) win against Ugo Humbert and pronounced himself OK afterward. “But mainly I just focus on myself.”Rublev sounded a similar note following his 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. “There were some moments before when I feel there is opportunity to go to semis or even final maybe and, in the end, nothing happened,” said Rublev, who delivered 60 winners. Wolf gets the winner of Ben Shelton vs. Alexei Popyrin, while Paul's next opponent will be Andy Murray or Roberto Bautista Agut.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the third time in four years with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win over Dan Evans on Saturday. Fifth-seeded Aryna Sabalenka extended her streak to seven matches as she beat Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3 to reach the fourth round. Sabalenka will now play Belinda Bencic after the Swiss player reached the fourth round for the first time since 2016, beating Camila Giorgi 6-2, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena. Former top-ranked Karolina Pliskova also reached the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Varvara Gracheva. Donna Vekic advanced to the fourth round for the second time in three years with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain.

Talk about going bananas: There was an unusual show of sportsmanship at the Australian Open on Saturday, when one player, Dan Evans, offered a piece of fruit to his opponent, Andrey Rublev. Rublev, a six-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, compiled a whopping 60 winners in the match, with nary a slip-up. The snack-sharing came at a changeover late in the first set, with Rublev leading 5-4.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the third time in four years with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win over Dan Evans on Saturday. “Every match I’m playing better and better,” Rublev said. He helped me with the energy.”Belinda Bencic reached the fourth round for the first time since 2016 when she beat Camila Giorgi 6-2, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena. Donna Vekic advanced to the fourth round for the second time in three years with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain. Vekic will meet either Czech players Marketa Vondrousova or Linda Fruhvirtova in the fourth round.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Tennis is abuzz with tongue-in-cheek talk about a "Netflix curse" during the Australian Open, drawing a line from the streaming service's new docuseries about the sport to the recent rough times for Season 1 protagonists. 6-seeded Auger-Aliassime, a U.S. Open semifinalist in 2021, said he wasn’t aware this was even a topic of conversation until Friday, when his girlfriend clued him in. “I don’t know; I don’t think it’s connected. I don’t think they do. I don’t think it’s connected, anyhow.”Well, of course it isn't.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Sebastian Korda beat two-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7), 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the Australian Open's third round Friday night, the latest in a string of victories by young American men against top players at Melbourne Park. Korda, the son of 1998 Australian Open champion Petr, is a 22-year-old from Florida who is seeded 29th. 7-seeded Medvedev won the U.S. Open two years ago and made it to the final in Australia in 2021, when he lost to Novak Djokovic, and 2022, when he lost to Rafael Nadal after holding a two-set lead. Korda grabbed the lead in each of the first three sets, breaking Medvedev in his first service game every time. After Medvedev made it 40-30 with a forehand winner, Korda got a chance to hit a seemingly simple volley to take the game.

Andy Murray was pleased with the result but not happy about the circumstances after finishing an Australian Open victory after 4 a.m. His marathon raised anew the issue that tennis has shown it is that rare sport where folks sometimes need to play all night.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — American title favorites Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff had convincing third-round wins on Friday at the Australian Open. Pegula raced through the first set and though Kostyuk established herself in the second set, she was always playing catch-up. “I thought I just didn’t give away a lot of free points,” said Pegula, who will meet Barbora Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open champion, in the next round. 2 Casper Ruud, was pushed hard in the second set by the 63rd-ranked Griekspoor. The 24-year-old is a three-time Australian Open semifinalist and was the 2021 French Open runner-up to Novak Djokovic.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Barbora Krejcikova has become the first player to advance to the fourth round at the Australian Open this year after a 6-2, 6-3 win over Anhelina Kalinina to open play Friday at Rod Laver Arena. The 20th-seeded Czech player won the first five games of the match and dominated her Ukrainian opponent. “I was happy that I was able to put all of them under my belt, there were some close games," the 2021 French Open champion said of her early lead. Later on the fifth day, third-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas will have added motivation to advance and No. The 24-year-old Tsitsipas, a three-time Australian Open semifinalist and 2021 French Open runner-up to Novak Djokovic, takes on Tallon Griekspoor for the first time in the next match on Rod Laver.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Novak Djokovic propped up his left shoe on a courtside sign so he could stretch out a hamstring that he acknowledged afterward concerns him. He grimaced while flexing the muscle after one point, hopped on his right leg to keep weight off the left after another. He took a medical timeout while a trainer re-taped him during the second set — which Djokovic would go on to drop. I have reason to be worried,” Djokovic said about the hamstring, noting that he needs to avoid practicing on days before matches. One of those circumstances and situations where things are maybe not going perfectly your way,” Djokovic said.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Novak Djokovic propped up his left shoe on a courtside sign so he could stretch out his bothersome hamstring. He grimaced while flexing the muscle after one point, hopped on his right leg to keep weight off the left after another. He took a medical timeout while a trainer re-taped him during the second set — which Djokovic would go on to drop. It was Djokovic’s 23rd consecutive win at the Australian Open, a streak that paused a year ago when he couldn’t play in the tournament because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. One of those circumstances and situations where things are maybe not going perfectly your way,” Djokovic said.

Novak Djokovic has put aside problems with his left hamstring and a persistent heckler to beat 191st-ranked French qualifier Enzo Couacaud 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-0 in the second round of the Australian Open.

Returning to Roland Garros in 2020, his ranking down to 236th, McDonald got his first opportunity to face Nadal. “I believed it more — and showed that,” said McDonald, who won NCAA titles in singles and doubles in 2016. Now ranked 65th, McDonald will try to make it at least that far yet again when he takes on No. McDonald is part of a group of U.S. men who reached the third round, many via unexpected wins, including Jenson Brooksby — who beat No. After completing a victory he considers “at the top” of his list of tennis accomplishments, McDonald spoke to folks back home.

It was a long road back to elite-level tennis for Mackenzie McDonald.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Rafael Nadal injured his left hip flexor during his loss at the Australian Open and could need about six to eight weeks to fully recover, his manager said Thursday. Nadal was the defending champion and seeded No. The 36-year-old now will head home to Spain to rest. Nadal has lost seven of his past nine matches, dating to a fourth-round defeat at the U.S. Open in September. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Rafael Nadal's manager says the 22-time Grand Slam champion injured his left hip flexor during his loss at the Australian Open and could need about six to eight weeks to fully recover.

1 seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal on Wednesday at the year's first Grand Slam tournament. Ruud was the runner-up at the French Open to Nadal last June and at the U.S. Open to Carlos Alcaraz last September. Shelton beat qualifier Nicolas Jarry of Chile 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 7-5; Paul came back to edge No. 30 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain 6-2, 2-6, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4; and Wolf breezed past No. 23 Diego Schwartzman of Argentina 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka improved her winning streak to six as she beat American Shelby Rogers 6-3, 6-1 on Thursday to reach the third round of the Australian Open. 5-seeded Sabalenka, who began the year by winning the title in Adelaide, trailed the American 3-1 early in the match but won five straight games to take the opening set and then eased through the second. “I expected a great level from her today, that’s why I stayed focused from the beginning to the end,” Sabalenka said. Sabalenka will play either Elise Mertens, the No. 26-seeded player, or Lauren Davis in the third round.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Might be easy to forget, perhaps, that Coco Gauff is still just 18. "Fans are eager to see a new face of the game,” said the seventh-seeded Gauff, who was the runner-up to No. “We’re going to be playing each other many times in the future, as we’re both young and coming,” Raducanu said. Yet she was so close to extending this match, holding a pair of set points while ahead 5-4 in the second set. “I was reminding myself: ‘It’s the second set.

American teenager Coco Gauff has eliminated 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu in the second round of the Australian Open.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — LOOKAHEAD TO THURSDAYAndy Murray tries to back up his first-round victory over Matteo Berrettini by winning again and earning a trip to the third round of the Australian Open for the first time since 2017. Novak Djokovic is also in action in the second round as he continues his quest for a record-extending 10th Australian Open title and 22nd Grand Slam trophy overall. 1 Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4, 7-5; No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Alex Molcan 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2; No. 15 Jannik Sinner beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 6-2, 6-2; No.

Andy Murray tries to back up his first-round victory over Matteo Berrettini by winning again and earning a trip to the third round of the Australian Open for the first time since 2017.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Pro tennis player Jessica Pegula has Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on her mind — and his No. Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field when he collapsed after making a tackle during a game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2. “I definitely wanted to do something,” Pegula said Wednesday after reaching the third round at Melbourne Park with a 6-2, 7-6 (5) victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovich. “We were kind of figuring out what the Bills and the Sabres were doing, just as far as what was the message. She said she watched the Bills' win over the Miami Dolphins in the wild-card round on TV before playing her first match in Melbourne.

Tennis player Jessica Pegula has Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on her mind at the Australian Open — and his No. 3 on her outfit.

1 seed Iga Swiatek eased into the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday as she beat Camila Osorio of Colombia 6-2, 6-3. The reigning French Open and U.S. Open champion will now play either Bianca Andreescu of Canada, the former U.S. Open champion, or Cristina Bucsa of Spain. “I think it was much tougher than the score says,” Swiatek said. “It was tough but I am happy that I was consistent in being proactive," she added. "I’m pretty happy that I won and can play the next round.”There will be no play on the outside courts until at least 1.30pm local time because of rain.

A man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend after shooting her 15 times over unanswered text messages had been indicted on a first-degree murder charge.

Tennis, in particular, and sports, in general, can’t help but reflect society. Especially in an activity as international as tennis: There are players from more than 40 countries in the singles fields at the Australian Open. Tennis has players from every continent, tournaments in every continent and it’s seen worldwide on TV,” said Casper Ruud, a Norwegian who was the runner-up at the French Open and U.S. Open in 2022 and is seeded second at the Australian Open. “Tennis players have a voice, and I think they’ve used it well over the past year, especially in terms of some political debates and the war in Ukraine. “Every time there’s a global issue, whether it’s good or bad, we definitely feel it in the tennis world, because one of our colleagues, one of our peers, is going to be affected by it.

Tennis, in particular, and sports, in general, can’t help but reflect society.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Metal hip, bloody knee and all, Andy Murray produced his biggest victory in years. This was three-time major champion Murray’s first defeat of a top-20 opponent at a Grand Slam tournament since 2017. But a second surgery inserted a metal hip and Murray decided to try to continue playing. Murray finished 2016 ranked No. Still, there were moments Tuesday when Murray played as he did a long time ago, diving to hit a volley before slamming to the blue court or racing to somehow reach seemingly unreachable shots, then shaking a fist and yelling, “Let’s go!

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Flags from Russia and Belarus were banned from the site of the Australian Open on Tuesday after more than one was brought into the stands by spectators on Day 1 of the year's first Grand Slam tournament. Normally, flags can be displayed during matches at Melbourne Park. “Our initial policy was that fans could bring (flags) in but could not use them to cause disruption,” Tennis Australia said in a statement on Tuesday. Another was offered to Russian player Daniil Medvedev to autograph after his 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 win over Marcos Giron in Rod Laver Arena on Monday night. “I mean, if everyone feels better this way, then it’s OK,” said Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist who is seeded No.

“I don’t want to know the draw!” Garcia blurted out, raising her left hand as if to literally deflect the subject. “I don’t know my draw!”She is hardly the only athlete making that claim at Melbourne Park during the year's first Grand Slam tournament, where the second round begins Wednesday. “I only know who I'm playing (in the) first round.”They haven’t glanced at the bracket, they say. “Everyone who says they don’t (know), they’re lying, man,” said Tiafoe, a semifinalist at last year’s U.S. Open. 8 seed Taylor Fritz of the U.S. in the second round if both won their opening matches.

Some players at the Australian Open claim they do not want to know which opponents could stand between them and a championship.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Andrey Rublev beat wild-card entry Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on Tuesday to book his place in the second round of the Australian Open. Thiem, a runner-up at the Australian Open in 2020 and the U.S. Open winner the same year, missed much of 2021 due to injuries but has recovered from outside the top 350 last year to a place just inside the top 100. Rublev will now play either the Australian qualifier Max Purcell or Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland. “It wasn’t that easy, I’m super-happy to start with the win,” said Sabalenka, who will play American Shelby Rogers in the second round. Taylor Townsend won her first Grand Slam match since becoming a mother, beating Diane Parry, a wild-card entry from France, 6-1, 6-1.

Flags from Russia and Belarus have been banned from the site of the Australian Open after more than one was brought into the stands by spectators at the year’s first Grand Slam tournament.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka maintained her unbeaten start to the year when she beat Tereza Martincova 6-1, 6-4 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Australian Open. The fifth-seeded Sabalenka, who won the Adelaide International title in the first week of the year, hit 29 winners to her opponent’s seven as she won her fifth consecutive match. “It wasn’t that easy, I’m super-happy to start with the win,” said Sabalenka, who will play American Shelby Rogers in the second round. “I have to work on my mindset and stay calm and not get too upset when I make mistakes. I really believe this is the only thing missing in my game.”Sabalenka, who has yet to win a Grand Slam singles title, hasn't made it past the fourth round at the Australian Open in five previous visits.

The Devolder Organization, the supposed source of disgraced Rep. George Santos's wealth, has changed its HQ location.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Rafael Nadal has started the defense of his Australian Open title with a bit of a struggle along the way to a four-set victory over a cramping Jack Draper. It was the first match win for Nadal in 2023. He had lost six of his preceding seven contests dating to the end of last season. Americans Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins, the 2022 runner-up at Melbourne Park, all reached the second round in the women’s bracket with victories earlier Monday. The biggest surprise of the day was the withdrawal of Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, who needs surgery on his left knee.

Bianca Andreescu has defeated the 25th-seeded Marie Bouzkova at the Australian Open.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the Australian Open because of an injured knee, a day before he was scheduled to play his first-round match. Kyrgios was the runner-up at Wimbledon last year in singles and the men's doubles champion at the Australian Open and considered the host country’s strongest chance to win a title at Melbourne Park this year. Kyrgios announced his withdrawal on Monday, Day 1 of action at the year’s first Grand Slam tournament. He spoke at a news conference at Melbourne Park, accompanied by his physical therapist. Kyrgios was seeded 19th in Melbourne and was supposed to face Roman Safiullin in the first round on Tuesday.

MELBOURNE, Australia — (AP) — Americans Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins reached the second round in contrasting fashion at the Australian Open on Monday. Third-seeded Pegula overwhelmed Jaqueline Cristian of Romania 6-0, 6-1 while seventh-seeded Gauff overcame a second-set wobble to beat Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-4. Pegula and Gauff could meet in the semifinals while Collins could play No. The Czech player led 4-2 in the second set but Gauff rallied and clinched victory on her seventh match point. “I was not expecting to open the tournament on Rod Laver,” Gauff said.

The 2023 edition of the Australian Open is not the first Grand Slam tournament to be contested without Roger Federer or Serena Williams, of course.

The Australian Open begins at Melbourne Park with 18-year-old American Coco Gauff in action in Rod Laver Arena against Katerina Siniakova.

Novak Djokovic has received a warm and enthusiastic welcome in his return to Melbourne during an exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios.

Naomi Osaka is pregnant and plans to return to competition in 2024.

A man arrested in Pinellas County is the suspect linked to a break-in at a Melbourne gun store last week, according to police.

Crash occurred in area of Croton, Sarno roads

Brevard Public Schools leaders welcomed students back from winter break as disciplinary changes began across the district.

The Melbourne Police Department on Wednesday announced it was investigating a burglary early that morning at a gun store.

The Brevard Renaissance Fair is dancing back into the area for another year of fire acts, jousting and more.

Police in Melbourne are investigating a fatal crash that happened last week near Wickham Road that killed one person.

Meet babies Olivia, Oliver, Johnny, Ruben, Shabinsky and Jakai – Central Florida’s first babes of the new year.

Records released Friday provided new details into what led up to the hours-long standoff at a Melbourne home that ended with the arrest of a Cocoa police officer.

A 79-year-old man died in a Melbourne crash after striking a tree on Friday afternoon, according to police.

A Melbourne 18-year-old was arrested Thursday after deputies said he recorded a girl performing a sex act on him and released the video afterward.

The ex-boyfriend of a woman found dead in Melbourne shot her 15 times after she would not answer his text messages, according to an affidavit.

One person was shot in Melbourne, prompting a search for the suspected shooter, police say.

Melbourne city council voted unanimously to allow the Melbourne Orlando International Airport to sell 56 acres of land for the proposed Lakoona Beach development project, according to a press release from the project’s developer Adelon Capital.

The cast of “STOMP” is stopping by the Maxwell C. King Center for a 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, Dec. 11.

A 32-year-old Melbourne man died Saturday after a motorcycle he was riding struck a wall along the Eau Gallie Causeway early that morning, according to the Melbourne Police Department.

A dead man was found along the west shore of the Indian River Friday afternoon, according to the Melbourne Police Department.

Five people, including a teen, were taken to the hospital after fireworks exploded and sparked a large fire at a warehouse in Orange County Thursday night.

2022 is on track to being one of the warmest years ever on record for several of our reporting stations in Central Florida.

Tacos, treats and more, oh my.

A man was killed in Dunnellon Monday, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Everyone is getting into the holiday spirit — even under the sea. SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium at ICON Park is once again hosting Deck the Seas, just in time for your holiday photos.

A fireworks store in Melbourne went up in flames after a car slammed into the building Monday afternoon, according to Brevard County Fire Rescue.

Brevard Zoo is hoping people use Giving Tuesday to help their Florida black bear residents.

The Brevard Zoo is set to release two sea turtles into the ocean near Cocoa Beach on Wednesday morning, according to a release by zoo officials.

A 60-year-old man from Melbourne was killed Saturday morning in a single-vehicle crash in Brevard County.

Wind gusts and heavy rain are coming in waves along Brevard County as conditions deteriorate with Hurricane Nicole’s arrival.

Stupendous storm damage? Crazy clouds? Wonderful weather? We would like to see it!

This week, on the Season Two premiere of “Black Men Sundays,” host Corie Murray interviews Conrado Martinez.

A Melbourne man accused of shooting at police officers is being held on no bond.