Australian Open

Seventy-two players to quarantine after another positive Covid test on Melbourne flight

Twenty-five players - thought to mostly be qualifiers - on board the flight from Doha to Melbourne must isolate in their room for 14 days.

Heather Watson is one of 47 players who were already quarantining and some are frustrated by the confinement.

Tournament organisers said the players were "already in quarantine hotels".

An Australian Open statement said: "One positive Covid-19 test has been returned from a passenger on a charter flight into Melbourne from Doha which arrived at 5.30am on 16 January.

Djokovic, Federer and Ash Barty through to quarters

Djokovic continued his imperious progress through the men's draw, negotiating a potentially tricky encounter with Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-4 6-4 to reach the last eight at Melbourne Park for the 11th time.

The seven-times champion only added to a strong feeling around the tournament that the Serbian is again the man to beat at the year's first Grand Slam as he ousted the Argentine in just over two hours at Rod Laver Arena.

Federer, chasing a record-extending 21st Grand Slam, came from behind to beat Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-2.

Roger Federer reaches quarter-finals with win over Marton Fucsovics

The Swiss, 38, beat the Hungarian 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-2 and will play American Tennys Sandgren in the last eight.

After losing the first set, Federer breezed through the second and third, winning seven successive games.

He twice broke Fucsovics in the fourth set before serving out the win on his third match point.

Federer battled for more than four hours to see off John Millman in the third round and he looked unsure of the wind conditions on Rod Laver Arena.

Australian Open practice suspended and qualifying delayed over poor air quality

Organisers said the conditions were expected to improve and would be "monitored constantly".

An estimated 10 million hectares (100,000 sq km) of land has burned since 1 July amid record-breaking temperatures and months of drought.

At least 28 people have died.

Qualifying was scheduled to begin at 11am local time (00:00 GMT) with British players Liam Broady, Naiktha Bains, Harriet Dart, Jay Clarke and Samantha Murray scheduled on court.

Maria Sharapova given Australian Open wildcard

Open tournament director Craig Tiley revealed on Wednesday that 2008 champion Sharapova will receive a wildcard entry as she attempts to fight back from her current world No.147 ranking.

The five-time grand slam champion cut a forlorn figure being bounced out of the Brisbane International by American qualifier Jennifer Brady in three tough sets last night.

Sharapova, 32, is battling after being frustrated by a recurring shoulder complaint that has plagued her since serving a doping ban, limiting her to just eight events and 15 matches in 2019.

Injured Nadal out of Aus Open

Former US Open champion Cilic produced a hugely impressive display on Rod Laver Arena, his stinging, flat forehands a particularly potent weapon throughout a contest that was brought to a premature end after three hours and 47 minutes.

However, the Croatian was significantly aided by a clear deterioration in the fitness of Nadal, whose movement was compromised after he called for a medical timeout in the fourth set.

Serena out in latest blow to Australian Open

The 23-time grand slam champion joins the growing list of absentees for the year's opening major, which already includes five-time runner-up Andy Murray and former world number four Kei Nishikori, with doubts also over star duo Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Serena has not played a competitive match since claiming a record-equalling slam at the Australian Open last year, having given birth to her first child in September.

Serena beats Venus to win record 23rd major

When Serena beat her older sibling in the Australian Open final 6-4 6-4, she collected a 23rd grand slam title to surpass Steffi Graf for the Open Era lead.

Now she only trails all-time leader Margaret Court by one major and the way she played in Melbourne -- not dropping a set -- Serena, 35, is looking good to achieve that feat later in 2017.

"It's never enough, 23, 24, 25," Serena told the crowd after her win. "I felt like I really elevated my game this year."

Ball girl sends heartfelt letter to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

During his second-round match, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga noticed a ball girl was fighting back tears after being struck by a ball.

The Frenchman stopped play to check on the girl before looping his arm through hers and escorting her off the court.

Twelve months on, Tsonga has revealed the girl, Guiliana, sent him a heartfelt message of thanks.

"Dear Mr Jo-Wilfried Tsonga," the letter reads.

Italian junior kicked out of Australian Open after hitting ball kid

Viviani, 17, hit a ball away in disgust after losing the first set of her round one tie with China's Xin Yu Wang.

The ball apparently hit the ball kid softly in the chest and Viviani immediately apologised for her actions. 

The chair umpire didn't show any leniency though, disqualifying the Italian on the spot.