Australian open 2012 Features

Novak Djokovic has that unbeatable feeling. And well he should.

Novak Djokovic tore off his shirt, flexed his sinewy muscles and roared in celebration, but for once the machismo was not misplaced.

Strutting, chest-thumping Novak Djokovic last year produced one of the greatest seasons in tennis history, and he has signalled his intent for 2012 with an astonishing Australian Open win.

Roger Federer barely broke sweat in reaching the Australian Open semi-finals, producing some of his finest tennis at the age of 30. Then he ran into Rafael Nadal - again.

On one side is the 'haaah', and on the other is the 'aaagh', and in between, a bit of tennis. Welcome to the Scream Queen final, where every shot will be heard around the world.

The supposed top player in the world for the past 15 months has played in 20 Grand Slam tournaments since 2007 but only made one final, more than two years ago, which she lost.

The challenge system is proving, well, challenging for the top men at the Australian Open.

Rod Laver brushes aside the bird nuisance at Melbourne Park, something positive comes out of Marcos Baghdatis' racquet rage and Caroline Wozniacki receives an honour.

Notoriously noisy Maria Sharapova slapped down questions over her loud shrieking Wednesday after she was singled out for criticism during a push for quieter women's tennis at the Australian Open.

When Rod Laver beat Roy Emerson to win the Australian Open title in 1962, the event was played on grass in Sydney and, as an amateur, he took home no prize money.

Roger Federer can avenge one of his most painful defeats in the Australian Open semi-finals Thursday in a rematch with Rafael Nadal, which has extra spice after a rare slight from his great rival.

Evening sessions at this year's Australian Open are starting to resemble a remake of the Alfred Hitchcock horror movie, "The Birds."

Maria Sharapova's shriek when she hits the ball is "pretty annoying" and "just too loud," according to one of her rivals. No. 8-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska spoke out on Tuesday at the Australian Open after her loss to Victoria Azarenka, whose high-pitched hoot has also attracted plenty of criticism.

Tennis's legendary hell-raisers gave way long ago to on-court politeness and gentlemanly behaviour, but the bad boys are back with a vengeance at the Australian Open.

A selection of brief stories from the Australian Open on Sunday.

French Open champion Li Na is not too happy at playing late matches while Novak Djokovic says he will never pose naked. Snippets from the Australian Open.

First it was insects bugging Serena Williams and now it's spiders, snakes and sharks as players at the Australian Open lift the lid on what keeps them awake at night.

Roger Federer had so little idea about his first-round opponent, Alexander Kudryavtsev, that he had to ask fellow players and scour the Internet for tips.