The Australian Open
China’s ‘Queen Wen’ reaches AO final against Sabalenka
12th seed Qinwen Zheng ended the run of Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-4, to reach the Australian Open women’s singles final.
Zheng was too powerful for a listless Yastremska in the semi-final in a match lasting one hour, 42 minutes.
The Ukrainian qualifier appeared to be carrying an injury for much of the match, after qualifying for the main singles draw, one step away from emulating Emma Raducanu and only the fifth player to reach the latter stages from the qualies.
On the 10th anniversary of compatriot Li Na’s second Grand Slam victory at the 2014 Australian Open, Zheng Qinwen followed in her footsteps to become only the second Chinese player in history to reach a Grand Slam final.

Qinwen Zheng meets her heroine Li Na in Melbourne – by WTATennis.com
“’Queen Wen” will take on the No. 2 seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka for the second time.
Their only previous meeting took place at the 2023 US Open quarter finals, Sabalenka winning 6-1, 6-4.
That was also Zheng’s debut at that stage of a major.
Zheng also becomes the fourth player born since 2002 or later to reach a Grand Slam final, after 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion and 2022 Roland Garros runner-up.
Currently ranked No.15, the Chinese No.1 will move into the WTA top 10 next Monday.
ATP
Kyrgios due to resurface on German grass
Nick Kyrgios is being touted for a return to tennis after playing just one singles match all season, with the controversial Australian due in the lineups for Stuttgart and Halle in June.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist who turns 31 in a week, has been added to the entry lists for the pair of run-up events prior to the grass-court major which starts on June 29.
Kyrgios, who has missed months on end due to injury and motivational worries, has played just one Grand Slam match since 2022, losing in the Australian Open first round in 2025.
His lone outing this season was an ATP defeat in Brisbane on January 6.
Nevertheless, the acquired taste is feted as a crowd-puller and will have German organisers on alert as to his eventual availability.
“Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most dazzling personalities in world tennis for years,” Halle tournament organisers said in a statement.
“The Australian is known for his exceptional playing style, characterised by one of the best serves on the tour, spectacular winners, and great creativity.
“At the same time, his emotional personality and charisma attract considerable attention far beyond the sport.”
Stuttgart start the day after the Roland Garros final while Halle follows a week later in northern Germany from June 13-21.
ATP
Djoko dropping hints that career has short shelf life
Novak Djokovic has been making it plain that the end of his career is approaching, with the 38-year-old dropping his strongest hint ever about his future on court.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion who has been keeping his ATP scheduling options open and has competed this season only at the Australian Open (finals loss to Carlos Alcaraz) and winning two rounds last month at Indian Wells.
“Tennis is still very important to me, but it’s no longer everything,” the Serb told Esquire Australia, adding that family matters and two children are starting to take precedence in his life.
“It’s one of the biggest challenges – finding the right balance between tennis and family life, especially as my children are growing and have school commitments, so they can’t travel with me as much as before.
“When I’m on the court, I’m motivated not just to win, but to set an example – to show them values like dedication, resilience, and love for what you do. That motivation is very powerful and very personal.”
Main photo:- Novak Djokovic was runner up to Carlos Alcaraz in AO26 – by ISF Ltd
ATP
Tentative Tsitsipas slams former coach Goran
Fading former top 10 regular Stefanos Tsitsipas has lashed out at one-time coach Goran Ivanisevic, accusing the former Wimbledon winner of unfair criticism during their brief collaboration last season.
Greek Tsitsipas once stood among the big beasts of the ATP, achieving a top ranking of this in the world, with Grand Slam finals at Roland Garros and Melbourne.
But with his ranking now at 49th, the 27-year-old remains in a struggle with his game and blames most of his troubles on a lingering back injury.
Croat Ivanisevic, 54, had a brief spell with Tsitsipas last summer as the player attempted to break away from his longtime coach, his father Apostolos.
But family ties proved to be too strong, with Ivanisevic given the elbow after a Wimbledon first-round retirement.
Tsitsipas has complained of unfair criticism from his one-time mentor after Ivanisevic – who formerly coached Novak Djokovic – let loose on the player’s work ethic.
“He has to find a solution for his back issue. I was shocked. I’ve never seen such a poorly prepared player in my life,” Ivanisevic told Croat outlet SportKlub recalling the incident.
“Me, at my age and with this bad knee, I’m three times in better shape than him,” the former world No. 2 added. “In the end, I didn’t say anything bad. Everything I said was true and proved to be so.”
While Ivanisevic has moved on to work with French youngster Arthur Fils, Tsitsipas continues his comeback struggle.
“I didn’t see any point in it. If it was a way of him pushing me into working harder and getting my s*** together, it was definitely not the right tactic.
“I was really hurt,” he told London’s Times.
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Stuttgart4 weeks agoSablenka rationing her tournaments to preserve No. 1 career
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Madrid Masters4 weeks agoKeys unlocks chaos with late Madrid pullout
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ATP4 weeks agoAnother record beckons Sinner in Madrid
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ATP4 weeks agoKyrgios due to resurface on German grass
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ATP4 weeks agoScan to determine RG fate of injured Alcaraz
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ATP4 weeks agoClay season turns to dust; injured Alcaraz to skip RG
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ATP4 weeks agoDjokovic, Alcaraz play the waiting game for Paris
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ATP4 weeks agoErratic Raducanu and Draper missing in Madrid
