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The Serbian star remains on course for a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title

History beckons once again for Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic after he emphatically defeated American Tommy Paul on Friday to qualify for yet another Australian Open final.

Djokovic will meet Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s clash in pursuit of what would be a tenth title Down Under, with a win also drawing him level with Spanish rival Rafael Nadal in the all-time Grand Slam stakes, with 22 wins.

Australian Open specialist Djokovic roared out of the blocks in the first set, storming to a 5-1 lead before a brief discussion with the umpire over the use of towels appeared to stifle his momentum, and led to his serve being broken twice to quickly level the scores at 5-5.

That was as good as it got for the American. Paul claimed a 30-0 lead on his next service game, only for Djokovic to click back into gear and storm into the lead – taking the first set 7-5.

#AusOpen semifinals: ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️#AusOpen finals: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆❓

Will X mark the spot for @DjokerNole on Sunday?@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/lcx6Wnm3dT

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2023

From there, it was business as usual for the Serb – who recorded his 27th successive win at the Australian Open, breaking a record held by Andre Agassi.

Djokovic, who has never lost a final at the Australian Open, forged a path to another when he took the second set 6-1 and again met little resistance in the third to take the set – and the match – with a score of 6-2 in a little over 2 hours and 20 minutes on court.

“I have strong memories of 15 years ago, but I wouldn’t have imagined things to have turned out like they have. I’m so blessed and grateful, marvelling and cherishing every moment,” Djokovic said afterwards.

“[My level is] great, it’s perfect. It’s 110%,” he added, apparently not feeling the effects of a hamstring injury which had been troubling him earlier in the tournament.

“Stefanos, see you in two days!

"I'm super blessed and grateful…"@DjokerNole paid tribute to the team behind his phenomenal success on the eve of another Grand Slam final. #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/lBy5XZh8pK

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2023

“Of course, you’re not as fresh as in the beginning, but we put in a lot of hours throughout the offseason into fitness to be in a good enough condition to play best of five.

“I know what’s expected of me. Experience helps, but on court, moment to moment, it’s a great battle with yourself and your opponent. You can feel the long rallies; we both had heavy legs. I held my nerves at the end of the first set; that was a key moment where I started swinging through the ball more.”

Djokovic’s advancement to the final comes a year on from his contentious deportation from Australia following a vaccination row with Australian immigration officials.

He was initially suspended from entering Australia for a period of three years, though this penalty was rescinded in November.

The Djokovic family was the subject of more off-the-court drama this week, however, after Novak’s father Srdjan Djokovic declined to attend his son’s semifinal match after he was pictured in the company of supporters flying the Russian tricolor following Djokovic’s Wednesday win against Russia’s Andrey Rublev.

Displaying the Russian flag was banned by Tennis Australia officials earlier in the tournament.

Srdjan Djokovic was not present for his son’s Australian Open semifinal in Melbourne

Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, did not attend his son’s Australian Open semifinal match against Tommy Paul on Friday after saying he was unknowingly caught up in a pro-Russia demonstration following the Serb’s match with Andrey Rublev earlier this week.

Footage appeared online on Thursday which showed Srdjan Djokovic standing alongside a man carrying a Russian flag with an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin on it. The man was also wearing a shirt bearing the ‘Z’ symbol, which is associated with Russian troops in Ukraine.

It was confirmed after Djokovic’s match with Russia’s Andrey Rublev that a small number of supporters had been detained and questioned by Australian authorities for breaking an order banning the display of the Russian tricolor throughout the Grand Slam tennis tournament.

In a statement issued by his representatives, Srdjan Djokovic confirmed that he would be absent from Friday’s match involving his son and added that he had not intended to cause “disruption” at the event.

Srdjan Djokovic, tatăl tenismenului, cu drapelul rus pe Rod Laver Arena la Australian Open …. pic.twitter.com/uHAvaiUFXF

— Cosmin Cozma (@CosminCozma20) January 26, 2023

“I am here to support my son only. I had no intention of causing such headlines or disruption,” he said.

“I was outside with Novak’s fans as I have done after all of my son’s matches to celebrate his wins and take pictures with them. I had no intention of being caught up in this.

“My family has lived through the horror of war, and we wish only for peace. So there is no disruption to tonight’s semifinal for my son or for the other player, I have chosen to watch from home.

“I wish for a great match and I will be cheering for my son, as always.”

The ban on Russian flags at the tournament was implemented following an early-round encounter between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova, with Russian supporters accused of disrupting the match.

Later in the tournament, a match involving Rublev was briefly interrupted when a Ukrainian flag was draped over advertising hoardings. The Russian subsequently complained to the chair umpire that he was receiving verbal abuse from a section of supporters.

Addressing the issue involving Srdjan Djokovic, Tennis Australia said: “After the events of Wednesday night, we acted swiftly to work with police and our security teams to have the instigators of the protest removed from the venue.

“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.

“Mr. Srdjan Djokovic has issued a statement confirming that he will not attend tonight’s semifinal.

“We will continue to strive for the safety of fans at the event and reiterate our position banning flags from Belarus and Russia.

“Tennis Australia stands with the call for peace and an end to war and violent conflict in Ukraine.”

Karen Khachanov lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in their semifinal in Melbourne

Russia’s remaining hope of men’s title success at the Australian Open came to an end as Karen Khachanov suffered defeat in a four-set battle against Greek rival Stefanos Tsitsipas in their semifinal on Friday.

Khachanov was edged out in the opening set on a tiebreak and lost the second set 4-6 as Tsitsipas took control of the contest at Rod Laver Arena. The Greek also found himself a break up and serving for the match in the third set, before Khachanov threatened a comeback by recapturing the break of serve and winning a tiebreak after saving two match points.

But third seed Tsitsipas again imposed himself in the fourth set with an early break, going on to seal victory 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 in a match spanning three hours and 21 minutes.

For 18th seed Khachanov the result means back-to-back disappointment in Grand Slam semifinals after he lost at the same stage of the US Open in September.

Despite the defeat, the 26-year-old can nonetheless reflect on another strong run at a major tournament, with Khachanov becoming just the tenth active player on the ATP Tour to have reached at least the quarterfinal stage of all four Grand Slams.

Khachanov’s performance will also help his push back towards the world’s top ten, having reached a career-high position of eight in the ATP rankings back in 2019.

Tsitsipas, meanwhile, extended his head-to-head record against Khachanov to 6-0, but more importantly is into a second Grand Slam final of his career.

Awaiting the 24-year-old in Sunday’s showpiece in Melbourne could be Novak Djokovic – the man who defeated Tsitsipas in five sets in his maiden appearance in a Grand Slam final at the French Open in 2021.

Djokovic, a record nine-time Australian Open champion, will be heavily fancied to progress when he plays unseeded American Tommy Paul in the second men’s semifinal later on Friday.

Should fourth seed Djokovic and Tsitsipas meet in the final, it would also be a direct battle between the pair for the world number one spot. 

READ MORE: Fans waving Russian flags detained at Australian Open

The IOC has said it is investigating means to reinstate Russia and Belarus to Olympic competition

Measures designed to provide a framework for the return of Russia and Belarus to the Olympic fold have received the backing of Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of the 2024 host city Paris.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced this week that it was investigating methods of overseeing the reinstatement of both countries, eleven months after it imposed a wide-ranging suspension following the onset of hostilities with Ukraine.

The IOC said the Olympic Charter guaranteed individual athletes a right to compete, but stressed that sanctions against the governments of Russia and Belarus should continue – and added that athletes would only be considered eligible to compete if they satisfy specific criteria, such as strict adherence to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.

It also said athletes would be disqualified from competition if they expressed support for the military action.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Thursday formally invited athletes from both countries to participate in the Asian Games in September, which would provide a pathway for Russians and Belarusians to qualify for the Olympics and remove a major obstacle to both countries’ participation in Paris in 2024.

News of the potential inclusion drew criticism from Ukraine, with its President Vladimir Zelensky detailing on Telegram this week that he told French President Emmanuel Macron that Russians have “no place” in France next year.

However, this doesn’t appear to be an opinion shared by Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris and a figure who has been central to Olympic preparations ahead of the city’s first hosting of the Games in a century.

“I think it’s a time for athletes and that you shouldn’t deprive athletes of their competition,” she told French media.

“But I think and I plead, like a large part of the sporting movement, that there isn’t a delegation behind the Russian banner.

“Of course the Games are taking place in a geopolitical time. I hope the war in Ukraine will be behind us when we welcome the Paris Games.”

Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr has been repeatedly targeted by rival fans

Atletico Madrid have condemned the “repugnant” actions of people responsible for hanging a mannequin wearing the jersey of Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr from a bridge ahead of Thursday’s Copa del Rey match between the two Madrid rivals.

A banner reading “Madrid hates Real” was also attached to railings of the bridge alongside the effigy of the footballer, who was also targeted with racial abuse by supporters during a match between the sides in September.

Ahead of Thursday’s game, in which Vinicius is expected to be named in the matchday squad, Atletico Madrid issued a statement calling for those responsible for the hanging of the effigy to be brought to justice. The club requested that its supporters express respect for Real Madrid.

🗣️ Atléti fans hung a Vinícius Jr. doll with a message: “Madrid hates Real.” pic.twitter.com/wxux0ShBFY

— EmperorA. (@EmperorAFC) January 26, 2023

“The rivalry between the two clubs is the greatest, but so is respect,” read the statement published on Atletico’s website.

“No individual, whatever their intentions or colors, can tarnish the coexistence between different supporters. It is everyone’s responsibility to avoid this.

“In view of the image that appeared today in various media outlets in which a message of hatred was launched, Atletico Madrid communicates that such acts are absolutely repugnant and inadmissible and shame society. Our condemnation of any act that attacks the dignity of persons or institutions is categorical and unreserved.

“We do not know the perpetrator or perpetrators of this despicable act, but their anonymity does not avoid their responsibility. We hope that the authorities succeed in clarifying what happened and that justice helps to banish this type of behavior.”

Atletico fans have hung a Vinicius Jr effigy from a bridge in the city of Madrid

a banner that read: 'Madrid hates Real Madrid'

The inflatable doll, donning a Vinicius Jr shirt, appeared under one of the bridges in the Spanish capital on Thursday pic.twitter.com/2TUD2Knrit

— Lilian Chan (@bestgug) January 26, 2023

Spanish prosecutors initially opened an investigation into the racial abuse aimed at the Brazilian player last September but were forced to abandon it due to an absence of evidence.

LaLiga also called upon those behind the effigy to be hit with the most “severe sentences” possible under Spanish law, saying it “will press for an investigation by relevant state security forces and bodies.”

In their own statement, Real Madrid thanked Atletico for their action on the matter and said situations such as this “have no place in a society such as ours.”

“Real Madrid trusts that those who have participated in such a despicable act will be held accountable,” the club added.

Vinicius, 22, has scored 48 goals in 197 appearances for Real Madrid since he joined from Brazilian team Flamengo in 2018. He has won two LaLiga titles and a UEFA Champions League during his time in the Spanish capital.

Elena Rybakina will seek her second Grand Slam triumph this weekend

Elena Rybakina will attempt to add a second Grand Slam title to her trophy cabinet on Saturday when she plays Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s Australian Open final. The Moscow-born ace blitzed past Victoria Azarenka in straight sets on Thursday.

Rybakina, 23, who has represented Kazakhstan on the international stage for several years, has been in impressive form Down Under and has dropped just a single set en route to the final, in part due to an impressive power game which has seen her score 44 aces – the most of any player in the tournament.

Belarus’ Azarenka, though, did muster a measure of resistance in the opening set, forcing Rybakina to stare down the barrel of a 0-40 deficit with the set tied at 5-5 before she rallied to win a tiebreaker.

There were no such fears in the second set as she powered to a 6-3 win to take the match – and another opportunity to create history – in straight sets.

A brilliant performance 👏

Elena Rybakina is heading to the #AO2023 women's singles final!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/w7vEytvVdX

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2023

“I was focusing on myself because conditions were completely different,” said Rybakina of the match, which took place on a balmy Melbourne evening.

“I couldn’t get free points on my serve that easy like during the day when I played the matches. I knew that I need just to adjust. I was doing correct things. It was just a matter to be more focused on these important moments.”

"I'm super happy and proud." 💙

You should be, Elena!#AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/hK4zci6TA4

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2023

Rarely one to display too many emotions on the court, Rybakina admitted afterwards that she is relishing the opportunity to compete in a Grand Slam final with members of her family looking on in the Rod Laver Arena. Her parents were absent from her Wimbledon win last summer.

“It’s the first time they’re all together here,” she said. “I’m super happy that we can spend evenings together and they can watch me live.”

Despite her dominance so far in the tournament, Rybakina will be a significant underdog when she takes on the fifth-ranked Sabalenka in the final after the Belarusian beat Magda Linette in straight sets in the other semifinal.

And Sabalenka says she is fully aware of the scale of the task awaiting her in what is her maiden appearance in a Grand Slam final.

“She’s an amazing player,” Sabalenka said of her upcoming opponent.

“She’s playing great tennis, super aggressive and she already got one Grand Slam so she has kind of had this experience playing the final. It’s going to be great. I’m really looking forward to this final.”

The IOC has revealed strict criteria for the reintegration of Russian athletes in Olympic competition

Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin and Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President Stanislav Pozdnyakov have criticized the terms outlined for the country’s reintegration to Olympic competition.

Their comments came after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released a framework which could see athletes from Russia and Belarus take part in Asian Olympic qualification events.

The IOC announced on Wednesday that methods to end Russia’s Olympic isolation should be “further explored” and it welcomed an offer from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to permit both Russia and Belarus to compete at the Asian Games later this year.

It added that “governments must not decide which athletes can participate in which competition and which athletes cannot” in its statement.

This came just hours after Ukraine leader Vladimir Zelensky detailed a telephone call he held with French President Emmanuel Macron in which he “emphasized that athletes from Russia should have no place at the Olympic Games in Paris.”

However, the criteria set out by the IOC, which includes “strict conditions” as it relates to political neutrality and a continuation on the ban of national symbols such as flags and anthems, has been criticized by several leading figures in Russia, including Matytsin. He said banning the display of Russian and Belarusian national symbols is contrary to the Olympic Charter.

“The IOC, in its decision, speaks about the possibility of admitting athletes, demonstrating the political flexibility of its position,” he added.

“At the same time, we consider it unacceptable to determine special conditions for athletes to participate that are inconsistent with the Olympic Charter, the principles of equality and fairness.”

Pozdnyakov was also critical of the requirements outlined by the IOC, and said the ROC would seek a legal review of the IOC statement.

“I perceive the information from the IOC as an attempt to take a step towards the athletes,” he said.

“But at the same time, unfortunately, it is also two steps in the opposite direction.

“In fact, today’s statement is an attempt to correct a mistake that has already resulted in groundless restrictions for Russian and Belarusian sports for almost a year and has caused great damage to all international sports.

“The voice of common sense was heard.

“However, at the same time, we still categorically disagree with any restrictions, additional requirements and sanctions that relate to the nationality of our athletes and are again offered to us as a condition for returning to the international arena.”

President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, was another who outlined objections to the neutrality requirements put forth by the IOC.

“Even in the wording of the initiative there is too much politics, which should be alien to the ideas of the Olympic family,” Peskov said.

The next Olympic Games begin in Paris in July 2024 – the first time the French capital has held the event in a century. Various qualification events have already begun for the event which will feature 32 sports with around 10,000 international athletes attempting to qualify.

The IOC has said a pathway is being explored for Russians to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024

Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been invited to compete at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China this year despite both countries’ ongoing isolation from several major international sporting events, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Wednesday that a pathway is being “further explored” which could establish a framework for the return of Russian and Belarusian competitors to Olympic competition, provided that certain criteria are met.

These include strict adherence to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, while athletes who profess vocal support for the military operation in Ukraine would also be disqualified.

The IOC also indicated in its Wednesday statement that it welcomed an offer from the Olympic Council of Asia to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in its Olympic qualification events.

“The OCA joins the Olympic movement in its support of the IOC Executive Board’s statement on solidarity with Ukraine, sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and the status of athletes from these countries,” the OCA said on Thursday in response to the IOC statement.

“The OCA believes in the unifying power of sport and that all athletes, regardless of their nationality or the passport they hold, should be able to compete in sports competitions. The OCA has offered to give eligible Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to take part in competitions in Asia, including the Asian Games. 

“The OCA remains on standby as the IOC continues to explore with International Federations the pathway for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation in competition under strict conditions.”

The invitation comes in spite of Ukrainian requests to prohibit the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from Olympic competition. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said earlier this week in a telephone call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that Russians have “no place” at the Paris Olympics next year.

Russia, as well as Belarus, has been largely absent from international sports over the past eleven months following sanctions imposed by the IOC which were subsequently adhered to by several other global sporting federations.

However, more recently IOC President Thomas Bach said that, while he believes sanctions should continue against the governments of Russia and Belarus, the Olympic Charter dictates that it should “respect the rights of all athletes to be treated without discrimination.”

The Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8.

The Russian city had been due to host the annual UEFA Super Cup match

Athens will replace Kazan as the host city of the 2023 UEFA Super Cup, it was decided on Wednesday during an executive committee meeting of European football’s governing body.

The Russian city had been due to hold the annual showpiece fixture between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League on August 16 this year but UEFA has opted to switch venues as part of ongoing sanctions against the country which have been in place since shortly after the onset of military action in Ukraine.

Last year, Russia had its hosting rights for the 2022 UEFA Champions League final removed for similar reasons. The game was originally scheduled to take place in Saint Petersburg but was relocated to Paris’ Stade de France following an emergency meeting of UEFA’s executive committee.

Real Madrid ultimately defeated Liverpool in the final.

The UEFA Super Cup will now take place at the home of Greek side Olympiacos, the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens.

Russian teams have been banned from competing in UEFA and FIFA competitions since last February following a recommendation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who have also advised against Russia being permitted to host international sporting events.

UEFA, meanwhile, has also announced an expansion of its Nations League competition which will see a quarterfinal stage introduced for League A group winners and runners-up which will be played over two legs in March, before the final four meet the following May.

“The introduction of the UEFA Nations League was a success story, replacing friendly games with more competitive matches,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

“And now, by introducing the new knock-out phase, teams will be given even more opportunities to progress while keeping the same number of games within the International Match Calendar.

“The new format promises to bring more excitement to Europe’s national team football competitions that continue to grow from strength to strength.”