Australian Open 2013 News

Paes in search of new doubles partner as Stepanek undergoes surgery

Leander Paes' doubles partner Radek Stepanek underwent spinal surgery on Monday and will be out for an indefinite period. Paes said Stepanek had a back problem from last year itself.

Djokovic retains No.1 ranking, Nadal slips out of top four

Australian Open champion Novak Djokivic retains top spot in the latest ATP rankings. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal has slipped out of the world's top four for the first time in more than seven years.

When Novak Djokovic celebrated his win by offering chocolates

A master at playing to his audience, Djokovic came with several boxes of chocolates to his post-match news conference and then played host as he distributed them to a room packed with journalists.

Andy Murray needs to find the killer instinct

Murray, US Open trophy in his cabinet and a veteran of six Grand Slam finals already, shed no tears for the loss against Djokovic and gave an assured speech in defeat.

Novak Djokovic raises tennis to new heights

Djokovic once had a reputation for retirements, seen graphically at the 2009 Australian Open when, as defending champion, he pulled out of his quarter-final with Andy Roddick citing exhaustion in the extreme heat. But Djokovic underwent a transformation.

China expects Li Na to spark tennis boom

Li became the first Asian to win a Grand Slam title when she triumphed at the French Open in 2011, but after that she struggled to adjust to her new status as a major champion.

Novak Djokovic wears down Andy Murray for Australian Open hat-trick

Novak Djokovic wore down Andy Murray in a gruelling four-set final to clinch a hat-trick of Australian Open titles on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

Victoria Azarenka dreams big after crazy win

Now comes the rest of the season, and high on the list is improving her lopsided won one, lost 11 record against the mighty Williams, considered easily the best women's player when fit.

Li Na praised in China for pluck and persistence

The Henan Evening News praised Li, 30, for her performance as one of the older players in top-flight women's tennis, saying: "That (Li) is still full of competitiveness is itself a miracle".

Li Na hopes Aussie pain means French Open gain

Li Na, 30, took the positives from her campaign, which included big wins over higher-ranked duo Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska, and hoped she could carry her resurgent form into the rest of the season.

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray set for Australian Open final

Murray is into his third straight Grand Slam final but he is rated by many observers as second-favourite to Djokovic, who has again shown his amazing resilience and played tennis of the highest order in Melbourne.

Luckless Li Na says she blacked out during final

However, she said she was feeling positive about her tennis after reaching her first Grand Slam final since winning the 2011 French Open, in a return to form under new coach Carlos Rodriguez.

Victoria Azarenka delighted to shrug off boos

Azarenka drew criticism after her semi-final against Sloane Stephens, when she blew five match points and immediately called a medical timeout. When she returned, she broke the teenager's serve and won the match.

Record-breaking Bryan Brothers claim 13th Grand Slam title

The Bryans now have six Australian Open titles to go along with four at the U.S. Open, two at Wimbledon and one at the French Open.

Azarenka stays No.1 after back-to-back Australian Open crown

Australian Open runner-up Li Na and Serena Williams too are expected to rise in WTA rankings to be out on Monday.

Australian Open, Women's final: Victoria Azarenka defends her title with a win over Li Na

This is the second Grand Slam victory for Victoria Azarenka, both Australian Open titles. Li Na won the French Open 2011, her only Grand Slam title.

Novak Djokovic v Andy Murray head-to-head record

Though Novak Djokovic leads Andy Murray overall, the Briton has risen in stature over the last year or so and the fate of the final thus hangs in a precarious balance.

The rise and rise of Andy Murray

Murray, with career prize money of $25 million, is now into his third straight Grand Slam final and his sixth overall, a rematch of last year's US Open decider and the 2011 Australian Open title match against Djokovic.