Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Djokovic breaks Grand Slam record, advances to Australian Open 3rd round

Djokovic-Getty

Djokovic won 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena, marking his 430th Grand Slam singles match and surpassing Federer’s record of 429 matches in the Open era. (Photo: Getty Images)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC advanced to the third round of the Australian Open after defeating Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria in four sets on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old won 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena, marking his 430th Grand Slam singles match and surpassing Roger Federer’s record of 429 matches in the Open era.


Djokovic, chasing his 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown, acknowledged the milestone. “I love this sport, I love competition,” he said. “Whether I win or lose, I will always leave my heart out on the court. I’m just blessed to be making another record.”

After dropping a set in his first-round match against American Nishesh Basavareddy, Djokovic again faced challenges against 21-year-old Faria. Faria pushed Djokovic by winning the second set in a tiebreak, but Djokovic regained control to close out the match. “He was playing lights-out tennis,” Djokovic said. “I told him at the net the future is bright for him.”

Djokovic will face Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac in the third round.

Zheng Qinwen knocked out, Sabalenka advances

In the women’s draw, fifth seed Zheng Qinwen was eliminated by Germany’s Laura Siegemund, who won 7-6(3), 6-3.

Zheng, aiming to replicate Li Na’s 2014 triumph, struggled to maintain consistency. “I had a lot of chances to break her in the first set but maybe my concentration wasn’t there,” Zheng said.

Siegemund expressed her excitement after the win. “I knew I just had to play more than my best tennis – you have nothing to lose, so I told myself to swing free.”

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka overcame a tough challenge from Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, winning 6-3, 7-5. Sabalenka recovered from being down 2-5 in the second set to secure the victory. “She played incredible tennis today and it was a really tough one,” Sabalenka said. “I’m super happy with the win in straight sets.”

Elsewhere, Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0, 6-1, 6-4, and Naomi Osaka defeated Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 to set up a match with Belinda Bencic. Jessica Pegula, Olga Danilovic, and Bencic also advanced.

Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti exit in first round

India’s Yuki Bhambri and France’s Albano Olivetti were knocked out in the men’s doubles first round after a 2-6, 6-7 loss to Australian wildcards Tristan Schoolkate and Adam Walton.

The Indo-French duo struggled with errors, failing to convert any of their three break points and committing five double faults.

Bhambri and Olivetti showed more resilience in the second set but were broken twice, eventually conceding the match.

This follows Rohan Bopanna and Nicolas Barrientos’ first-round exit on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

More For You

KKR vs SRH

The two teams have met 28 times in IPL history so far

Getty

IPL 2025: KKR vs SRH - High-stakes Eden Gardens clash promises fireworks

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Thursday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This match marks a crucial point in the season for both sides, as they look to bounce back after a slow start.

KKR and SRH, last season’s finalists, have managed just one victory each from their first three matches this season. With both teams desperate to gain momentum, this encounter promises to be a thrilling contest.

Keep ReadingShow less
Messi set to return to India after 14 years for exhibition match in Kerala

Lionel Messi in action against Venezuela in Kolkata in 2011

Messi set to return to India after 14 years for exhibition match in Kerala

LIONEL MESSI and the Argentina national team will visit Kerala in south India for an exhibition match in October.

It will mark Messi’s return to the country 14 years after his first visit.

Keep ReadingShow less
Prabhsimran-Singh-Getty

Prabhsimran Singh scored 69 off 34 balls.

Getty Images

Punjab secure second IPL win with Prabhsimran’s quickfire 69

Wicketkeeper-batsman Prabhsimran Singh struck 69 off 34 balls as Punjab Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets on Tuesday, securing their second win of the IPL season.

Chasing a target of 172, Punjab reached the total with nearly four overs to spare. Captain Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 52 off 30 balls.

Keep ReadingShow less
IPL 2025: RCB vs GT – Bengaluru Braces for High-Voltage Battle

Out of the 5 encounters between the two teams, RCB has won 3, while GT has secured 2 victories so far

Getty

IPL 2025 - RCB vs GT: Bengaluru prepares for a high-voltage encounter

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to heat up as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) takes on Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 14th match of the season at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 2nd. This exciting encounter brings together two teams in top form, with both having a win and a loss under their belt. However, RCB, with their unbeaten record so far in the tournament, enters the contest with more confidence.

RCB’s form and strength

RCB has been nothing short of dominant in their first two matches of the season. They have put on stellar performances, especially with their commanding victories over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In their last match against KKR, RCB chased down a target of 175 runs with ease, reaching the target in just 16.2 overs with seven wickets to spare. Their victory over CSK was even more impressive, as they handed the three-time champions their biggest home defeat in terms of runs. With two wins and a positive net run rate of +2.266, RCB’s well-balanced squad, including Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Josh Hazlewood, is primed for another thrilling victory.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lucknow Hosts Punjab in First Home Game of the Season

Fans can expect a nail-biting finish

Getty

IPL 2025 - LSG vs PBKS: Lucknow to host Punjab in first home game of the season

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 continues to build momentum, and on April 1, fans can expect a thrilling encounter as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) host Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. This exciting fixture marks LSG's first home game of the season, and with both teams coming off strong performances, the match promises to be an intense showdown.

LSG, led by the young and dynamic Rishabh Pant, have had a mixed start to the season, with one win and one loss. In contrast, PBKS, under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, will be looking to maintain their winning streak after their solid victory in their opening game. The stage is set for a thrilling battle, and all eyes will be on the key players who could turn the tide.

Keep ReadingShow less