Carlos Alcaraz said he did not think he had cramp initially when he took a medical timeout that left Alexander Zverev fuming in their marathon Australian Open semi-final on Friday.

Novak Djokovic called it one of his best performances in a decade after outlasting Jannik Sinner early Saturday in a five-set marathon to set up an Australian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz.

Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final after stunning reigning two-time champion Jannik Sinner early Saturday in a five-set marathon to move to the brink of history.

Carlos Alcaraz battled past Alexander Zverev and through cramp Friday in five gruelling sets to reach his first Australian Open final and move within a match of becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.

Novak Djokovic says two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner is the "absolute favourite" in their Australian Open semi-final on Friday but vowed to bring his "A-game" and pull off an upset.

Serena Williams has tennis players buzzing about a possible return after she playfully dodged questions about re-entering the sport's anti-doping testing pool during a television appearance that left more questions than answers.

Belarusian world number one Aryna Sabalenka crushed Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in a politically charged Australian Open semi-final on Thursday and faces Elena Rybakina for a third Melbourne title.

Elena Rybakina battled past Jessica Pegula into the Australian Open final on Thursday with the fifth seed setting up a repeat of her 2023 title match against Aryna Sabalenka.

Like other players from Ukraine, Svitolina does not shake hands with opponents from Russia or Moscow's ally Belarus because of the war.

A two-member Bangladesh shooting team on Wednesday received government approval (GO) to travel to India for the Asian Shooting Championships, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from February 2 to 14.

The 14th edition of the South Asian (SA) Games has once again been postponed. According to the revised schedule, the nine-day multi-sport event will now be held in Pakistan in March next year.

Shooter Robiul Islam is still awaiting the government order (GO) required to take part in the Asian Shooting Championships, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from February 2 to 14.

Novak Djokovic's quest for a record Grand Slam title continued in dramatic circumstances after fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti quit their Australian Open quarter-final match with an injury after taking a two-set lead at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.

Rybakina has made the Melbourne final once before, in 2023 when she lost in three tough sets to Aryna Sabalenka.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel will help protect US delegations at the Winter Olympics in Italy, a US embassy source said on Tuesday, confirming local media reports and prompting anger among some Italian politicians.

Her journey back has unfolded between nursery routines, rehab sessions, and match points, guided by the quiet resolve that only a life changed so deeply can bring.

The 22-year-old Alcaraz is yet to drop a set as he arrows in on a maiden Australian Open crown.

Elina Svitolina stunned third seed Coco Gauff to blast into an Australian Open semifinal against Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday and inch closer to a maiden Grand Slam title.

Last year's runner-up Alexander Zverev served his way into the Australian Open semifinals on Tuesday as he crushed young American Learner Tien under a barrage of aces.

Sabalenka, the top seed from Belarus, is aiming to win a third Melbourne crown in four years and looks in ominous form, yet to drop a set.