Australian Open is lining up to be a classic for the Grand Slam title and the WTA world number one ranking. Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, the two leading contenders for the women's singles crown, are fighting for the number one position.

Aryna Sabalenka has retirement on her mind. The world No. 1 revealed in a video posted right before the start of her quest to three-peat at the 2025 Australian Open that she wants to have kids sooner rather than later, and at age 26, that could mean retiring earlier than perhaps many expected.

Alcaraz is already the youngest man in history to win grand slams on the three different surfaces, and he added a second Wimbledon title to his French Open and US Open triumphs in July. The Australian Open is what is missing, with the opening grand slam of the year the tournament where Alcaraz has had the least success so far in his career.

Aces: A rising star who made it to her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open in January 2024, then picked up her most significant title so far at the Paris Olympics in August. ... Working with Dante Bottini — who has coached Kei Nishikori and others — in Australia this year while her principal coach, Pere Riba, is out because of surgery.

Coco Gauff moved into the fourth round at Melbourne Park with a straightforward victory over Leylah Fernandez.

Coco Gauff still hasn't lost a match or even at set at the Australian Open — or, actually, this season. She moved into the fourth round at Melbourne Park with a straightforward 6-4, 6-2 victory over 2021 U.