5 h. ago Maya Joint falls at first hurdle as Tereza Valentová scores Australian Open upset

Australian No 30 seed defeated 6-4, 6-4 in 92 minutesJoint was first seeded Australian woman since Ash Barty in 2022Maya Joint, the top-ranked local in the Australian Open women’s singles draw, crashed out in the first round on Tuesday after losing in straight sets to Czech teenager Tereza Valentová.Valentová made the most of an inconsistent display from the 30th seed, winning 6-4, 6-4 in 92 minutes. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Tereza Valentova v Maya Joint: Australian Open first round – live

Updates as Australia’s No 30 seed takes on the Czech player‘I don’t want to be a punching bag’ – retirements mar dramatic dayAny thoughts? Get in touch with an emailIt’s crowd record after crowd record in Melbourne. Will day three continue the trend?Here comes the Ginger Ninja* in hot pink from head to toe plus those trademark sunnies. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Novak Djokovic equals Roger Federer record while reaching Australian Open milestone

Djokovic’s dominant win over Pedro Martinez followed victories for Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff on day two

Politics

21 h. ago Djokovic v Martinez live: Australian Open latest score updates as Djokovic begins bid and equals Federer record

Djokovic is in action following wins for Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova and Daniil Medvedev on Monday

Sport

22 h. ago Djokovic v Martinez live: Australian Open latest score updates as Djokovic begins bid for record title

Djokovic is in action following wins for Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova and Daniil Medvedev on Monday

Sport

43 h. ago Raducanu v Sawangkaew live: Australian Open latest score updates as British No 1 avoids major upset

Raducanu defeated Mananchaya Sawangkaew, the World No 195, as the British No 1 followed up a debut win for qualifier Arthur Fery

Politics

46 h. ago Raducanu v Sawangkaew live: Australian Open latest score updates as British No 1 begins tournament

Raducanu faces Mananchaya Sawangkaew, the World No 195, as the British No 1 begins her Australian Open campaign after a win for qualifier Arthur Fery

Society

3 d. ago Alex de Minaur out to break new ground as next generation boost Australia hopes

World No 6 aims to progress past quarter-finals at a grand slam, while Maya Joint is Australia’s first seeded woman at Melbourne Park since 2022Amid the annual upheaval at the Australian Open, of party courts, one-point fairytales, and ever-expanding festivals, some things don’t change. Alex de Minaur has had the same locker every year of the 10 he has played at Melbourne Park, and he once again carries the hopes of home fans into the year’s first grand slam.On the Groundhog Day repetition of the international circuit, it’s the kind of familiarity that might breed superstition. But not for the 26-year-old. “Throughout my career I’ve tried to stay clear from superstitions, because I think it can consume you,” said the man entering the tournament – at No 6 – as the highest local men’s seed in two decades. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Sex giggles! Nail clippings on the sofa! The new TV romance so realistic it’s close to perfect

Fans of Normal People and One Day will adore The New Years, which follows a relatable on-off couple in Madrid. It is the best relationship drama you haven’t seen yetIt is rare to watch a fictional romance and feel genuinely invested in the question of will-they-won’t-they – and even rarer for it to reflect familiar relationship turbulence. Many love stories on TV skip straight to wish-fulfilment, delivering instant chemistry, no challenges that can’t be overcome within the runtime and glib reassurance that Love Conquers All.Netflix’s Nobody Wants This, for instance – based on a real couple, and ostensibly exploring whether a relationship can survive differences of faith – didn’t wait to resolve that question before bringing its leads together. In real life, promising connections fall at much lower hurdles, for such banal reasons as incompatible schedules. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Jocelin Ta Bi overcomes Celtic transfer collapse as winger on verge of stunning Premier League move

The winger, 20, saw a switch to Parkhead fall through at the final hurdle after issues were flagged during a medical examination

Politics

7 d. ago When is FA Cup draw? Start time, ball numbers, TV channel, live stream for fourth round today

Holders dumped out in all-time upset as Premier League rivals also fall at first hurdle

Politics

1 week ago Injured Stokes to spend final day of Ashes tour watching from SCG pavilion

England captain suffered groin injury in opening sessionBethell says ‘I knew it was coming’ over maiden centuryBen Stokes is set to spend the final day of this Ashes tour watching on from the old pavilion at the SCG and hoping for a miracle in his absence after seeing yet another Test series cut short by injury.The all-rounder had worked hard to get through all five Tests in Australia only to fall at the final hurdle, limping off 10 balls into his opening spell on the fourth morning and appearing in distress. An England spokesperson later confirmed it was an issue with his right abductor (groin). Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Lossiemouth atones for Irish Champion Hurdle fall with not a seagull in sight

The grey, whose dramatic fall at Leopardstown in February was blamed on a flock of the birds, won the December Hurdle in decisive fashion on her return to the track

Politics