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MELBOURNE — A vintage Novak Djokovic tamed Carlos Alcaraz in a late-night blockbuster to set up an Australian Open semi-final with Alexander Zverev as two-time women's defending champion Aryna Sabalenka fought on.

The 38-year-old Djokovic rolled back the years at the scene of his greatest achievements on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 triumph sealed close to 1:00 am.

The Serb surged into the semifinals and a date with World No.2 Zverev to edge closer to an 11th Melbourne crown and all-time record 25th Slam title.

"I just wish that this match today was the final," said Djokovic, who had to have his thigh heavily strapped and appeared to be labouring at the end of the first set.

"Just one of the most epic matches I have played on this court, any court really."

With former rival Andy Murray now in his coaching corner, Djokovic was at his imperious and defiant best, cupping his ear to the crowd after winning big points.

Djokovic was at the centre of a row on Monday after he demanded an apology -- and got one -- from a local TV presenter for what he called "insulting and offensive comments".

Spain's World No.3 Alcaraz will have to wait another year to get a kangaroo tattoo. He had vowed to get one if he won the Australian Open for the first time.

The 22-year-old four-time major champion has still never been beyond the Melbourne Park last eight.

He felt he should have rammed home the advantage when Djokovic was struggling with his movement.

"I'm going to say that was the biggest mistake that I made today," he said.

Former number one Djokovic extended his career advantage over Alcaraz to 5-3, having also beaten him in the Paris Olympics final in their last meeting.

Alcaraz got the better of his rival in the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon finals.

In hot and windy conditions, Germany's Zverev defeated the American Tommy Paul 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/0), 2-6, 6-1 to step up his quest to win a Grand Slam for the first time.

The 27-year-old lost his cool at one point -- because of a feather.

The umpire called for a replay when the feather drifted in front of him as he played a shot at a critical juncture.

"C'mon, that is unbelievable on break point," he shouted, before taking out his fury on Paul by breaking to love.

World No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner plays home hope Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, the winner facing American 21st seed Ben Shelton or the unseeded Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

As if by magic 

Sabalenka will face Paula Badosa in the last four as the Belarusian bids to win the Australian Open for a third time in a row, something last achieved 26 years ago by Martina Hingis.

The World No.1 kept that dream alive but had to battle for it in beating Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in the wind.

"Honestly I was just praying, trying to put the ball back in these tough conditions," said Sabalenka.

"I'm just super happy I was able to somehow magically win this match."

At 33, Pavlyuchenkova had been enjoying a late-career renaissance and was the oldest remaining woman in the draw.

Sabalenka next plays Badosa, the Spanish 11th seed who stunned World No.3 Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4.

Badosa is into her first Slam semi-final at the age of 27.

"I'm a bit emotional," said Badosa. "I'm a very emotional person. I wanted to play my best game. I think I did it."

It capped a remarkable comeback for the Spaniard, who was ranked outside the top 100 a year ago after a stress fracture in her back.

"I mean, a year ago, I was here with my back and I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I'm here playing against the best in the world," said Badosa.

Third-seeded American Gauff, 20, described herself as "disappointed but not completely crushed" after her first defeat of 2025.

On Wednesday, Iga Swiatek will look to continue her march to a first Australian Open title when she faces Emma Navarro.

The winner plays Madison Keys or Elina Svitolina in the last four.

MELBOURNE — A vintage Novak Djokovic tamed Carlos Alcaraz in a late-night blockbuster to set up an Australian Open semi-final with Alexander Zverev as two-time women's defending champion Aryna Sabalenka fought on.

The 38-year-old Djokovic rolled back the years at the scene of his greatest achievements on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 triumph sealed close to 1:00 am.

The Serb surged into the semifinals and a date with World No.2 Zverev to edge closer to an 11th Melbourne crown and all-time record 25th Slam title.

"I just wish that this match today was the final," said Djokovic, who had to have his thigh heavily strapped and appeared to be labouring at the end of the first set.

"Just one of the most epic matches I have played on this court, any court really."

With former rival Andy Murray now in his coaching corner, Djokovic was at his imperious and defiant best, cupping his ear to the crowd after winning big points.

Djokovic was at the centre of a row on Monday after he demanded an apology -- and got one -- from a local TV presenter for what he called "insulting and offensive comments".

Spain's World No.3 Alcaraz will have to wait another year to get a kangaroo tattoo. He had vowed to get one if he won the Australian Open for the first time.

The 22-year-old four-time major champion has still never been beyond the Melbourne Park last eight.

He felt he should have rammed home the advantage when Djokovic was struggling with his movement.

"I'm going to say that was the biggest mistake that I made today," he said.

Former number one Djokovic extended his career advantage over Alcaraz to 5-3, having also beaten him in the Paris Olympics final in their last meeting.

Alcaraz got the better of his rival in the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon finals.

In hot and windy conditions, Germany's Zverev defeated the American Tommy Paul 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/0), 2-6, 6-1 to step up his quest to win a Grand Slam for the first time.

The 27-year-old lost his cool at one point -- because of a feather.

The umpire called for a replay when the feather drifted in front of him as he played a shot at a critical juncture.

"C'mon, that is unbelievable on break point," he shouted, before taking out his fury on Paul by breaking to love.

World No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner plays home hope Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, the winner facing American 21st seed Ben Shelton or the unseeded Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

As if by magic 

Sabalenka will face Paula Badosa in the last four as the Belarusian bids to win the Australian Open for a third time in a row, something last achieved 26 years ago by Martina Hingis.

The World No.1 kept that dream alive but had to battle for it in beating Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in the wind.

"Honestly I was just praying, trying to put the ball back in these tough conditions," said Sabalenka.

"I'm just super happy I was able to somehow magically win this match."

At 33, Pavlyuchenkova had been enjoying a late-career renaissance and was the oldest remaining woman in the draw.

Sabalenka next plays Badosa, the Spanish 11th seed who stunned World No.3 Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4.

Badosa is into her first Slam semi-final at the age of 27.

"I'm a bit emotional," said Badosa. "I'm a very emotional person. I wanted to play my best game. I think I did it."

It capped a remarkable comeback for the Spaniard, who was ranked outside the top 100 a year ago after a stress fracture in her back.

"I mean, a year ago, I was here with my back and I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I'm here playing against the best in the world," said Badosa.

Third-seeded American Gauff, 20, described herself as "disappointed but not completely crushed" after her first defeat of 2025.

On Wednesday, Iga Swiatek will look to continue her march to a first Australian Open title when she faces Emma Navarro.

The winner plays Madison Keys or Elina Svitolina in the last four.

PARIS — A year of unprecedented pressures on the global football calendar begins with a Champions League first, as two rounds of matches in Europe's elite club competition take place in January and some of the continent's biggest names face a scrap to avoid a humiliating exit.

There is no bigger game this week than Paris Saint-Germain against Manchester City, with two clubs who have transformed the face of football over the last 15 years at risk of early elimination.

Qatar-owned PSG and Abu Dhabi-backed City, the latter winners of the Champions League two years ago, have stumbled their way through this first season since the tournament's expansion.

City have taken just one point from their last three Champions League games and lie 22nd in the 36-team standings.

PSG, semifinalists last season, are a point behind City in 25th place, and therefore in greater danger of going out given that only the top 24 advance to the knockout phase.

That would be deeply embarrassing for them, and particularly humiliating for Nasser Al Khelaifi, PSG's Qatari president.

He was instrumental in driving the changes to the Champions League as chairman of the influential European Club Association and a member of UEFA's Executive Committee.

"It is even stronger and that is what we like about it," Khelaifi said after the draw in August for the expanded competition, which now features 36 teams in one giant league, each playing eight games against different opponents.

The new format initially drew criticism. It was seen as a way of pandering to the demands of clubs like PSG and City to have more games and more revenue, while reducing the prospects of them going out early on.

It has not turned out that way, and PSG have been hampered by a difficult draw -- the hardest of any team according to statisticians Opta -- that has already seen them play Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, and lose to all three.

If PSG lose to City, they will be under severe pressure in their last game against Stuttgart on January 29, when 18 matches take place simultaneously.

City will similarly be in grave danger if they lose in Paris, although one win from their last two matches may suffice to reach the play-off round, with 10 points expected to be enough.

Fixture pile-up 

Reigning champions Real Madrid are also in a slightly uncomfortable position. They lie 20th with nine points having lost half their six games.

Games against Red Bull Salzburg and French upstarts Brest should allow them to advance, but Real will likely also have to prepare for a two-legged play-off in February, as only the top eight progress directly to the last 16 in March.

The fixtures will pile up for these clubs, and the powerful trio mentioned above are among 12 European teams who will go to the first edition of FIFA's expanded Club World Cup in June and July.

Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Atletico, Juventus and Benfica are also challenging for Champions League knockout berths while having the Club World Cup to come.

Contrast that with Liverpool and Barcelona, the only teams that have already guaranteed places in the knockout phase.

They both look set to skip the play-offs in February, and neither will be at the Club World Cup.

The consequences could be significant going into next season, when the clubs who have been able to give their players a full close-season break could have a big advantage.

This Champions League has created space for outsiders to impress, most notably Brest, who are poised to progress.

The top 14 places in the standings are nevertheless occupied by clubs from Europe's "Big Five" leagues in England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France.

But others, such as Club Brugge, Celtic and Dinamo Zagreb, are all in qualifying positions.

Celtic, who last made the knockouts in 2013, could secure progress with a win at home to Swiss side Young Boys, who have lost every game and are bottom of the standings.

"I think we've done really well until this point, but we want to get over the line and into the knockout stages," said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers on Saturday.

MELBOURNE — Novak Djokovic surged into an Australian Open quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz with a dominant straight-sets victory on Sunday while women's World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was a ruthless winner.

Double defending champion Sabalenka is on a collision course with in-form World No.3 Coco Gauff in the semifinals in Melbourne if both win in the last eight.

On the hottest day of the tournament so far with temperatures hitting 34 degrees Celsius, Alcaraz went through when Britain's Jack Draper retired injured.

The 37-year-old Djokovic then kept up his end of the bargain with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win over Czech 24th seed Jiri Lehecka in the prime-time match on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic appears to be growing into the tournament in an ominous sign for his rivals, as he pursues a record-extending 11th Melbourne crown and historic 25th Grand Slam title.

He dropped a set in each of his opening two matches but has won the previous two in straight sets.

Djokovic and Alcaraz have played each other seven times with the Serb leading 4-3, including victory in their last clash in the Paris Olympics final.

But they have never played at Melbourne Park, where Djokovic has achieved his greatest success.

"When we are seeing him playing, he seems like he's young again... it's unbelievable. He's in a really good shape," said Alcaraz, who has vowed to get a kangaroo tattoo if he wins the Australian Open for the first time.

The 21-year-old Spaniard, who has never gone beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne, was leading 7-5, 6-1 when Draper pulled the plug.

Draper had come through all three of his previous matches in five sets, and all from 2-1 down, and it appeared to have taken its toll.

"It's not the way I wanted to win, but obviously I'm happy to play another quarter-final here in Australia," said Alcaraz.

The 23-year-old Draper, whose rise has been held back by issues with his body, said his hip injury had been a "ticking time bomb" and he had "multiple areas really in pain".

American 12th seed Tommy Paul destroyed Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for the loss of just three games as he bids to match or better his semifinal appearance from 2023.

Paul will meet German second seed Alexander Zverev, who survived a mid-match wobble to oust France's Ugo Humbert.

Zverev, who is zeroing in on a maiden Grand Slam title, won 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Sabalenka warning

Sabalenka blew away Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 in a chilling warning to sweep into the quarter-finals.

The Belarusian was out on a roasting centre court for only 62 minutes before registering an 18th consecutive win at Melbourne Park.

"I'm super happy to get through this difficult match in straight sets," said Sabalenka, who faces Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova next.

Sabalenka struggled with her serve in colder conditions during the first week, but was untouchable as the mercury soared.

"The ball was flying like a rocket," said Sabalenka.

A dangerous Gauff faces Spain's 11th seed Paula Badosa after the American fought back to beat Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.

Gauff dropped a set for the first time in 2025 but extended her unbeaten streak to 13 matches going back to last year's WTA Tour Finals.

"Two out of three sets at this stage of my career is not that physically hard for me," said the 20-year-old Gauff, who is chasing a first Melbourne title.

"The off-season I just put in so much work physically so I'm not worried at all about recovering emotionally or mentally."

Badosa declared she "loves" Gauff -- but said that will not prevent her looking for "revenge".

The pair have a 3-3 head-to-head record but Gauff won both their meetings in 2024, with each going to three sets.

The last time was in the semifinals of the WTA China Open in Beijing, where Gauff won 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on her way to lifting the title.

LOS ANGELES, United States — Kyrie Irving scored 25 points as the Dallas Mavericks brought the high-flying Oklahoma City Thunder down to earth with a 106-98 victory over the Western Conference leaders on Saturday.

Oklahoma City, riding high after their rout of Eastern Conference pace-setters Cleveland on Thursday, suffered just their seventh defeat of the season in a roller coaster duel against a fired-up Mavericks.

Irving was at the heart of the Mavs win, rattling in 17 points in a 41-point second quarter that allowed Dallas to open up a 64-43 half-time lead.

The Thunder, who were missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with a wrist injury, came roaring back to draw level in the third quarter before edging into a single-digit lead.

But the Mavs, who are still without the injured Luka Doncic, regrouped superbly to close out the win, outscoring the Thunder 29-22 in the fourth quarter to seal victory.

Dallas improved to 23-19 while Oklahoma City remain top of the West with a 34-7 record.

Dallas coach Jason Kidd saluted his team's resilience in securing victory after watching a 20-point lead evaporate in the third quarter.

"We were flat in that third quarter," Kidd said. "We said on the bench we needed to stay the course, and stay together and in the fourth quarter we did.

"We feel like we have a talented team, and they have a talented team. So I thought tonight was a really good test for our group."

Miami lose on Butler's return 

Elsewhere Friday, Jimmy Butler returned for Miami after serving a seven-game in-house suspension but was powerless to prevent the Heat from slumping to a 133-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Nikola Jokic bagged his 17th triple-double of the season, finishing with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a comfortable victory for the 2023 NBA champions.

Jamal Murray led the Denver scoring with 30 points on a night when seven Nuggets players finished in double figures.

Butler, who was suspended by Miami after indicating he wished to leave the club earlier this month, finished with 18 points.

In Boston, Jayson Tatum scored 30 points as the NBA champion Celtics shrugged off their heaviest loss of the season to outclass the Orlando Magic 121-94.

Boston, dominated 110-97 by lowly Toronto on the road on Wednesday, showed no signs of a hangover to complete a comfortable home victory at the TD Garden.

Orlando took a short-lived lead early in the first quarter but once Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown found their range, the result was never in doubt.

Tatum's 30-point haul came from 12-of-21 shooting with four three-pointers, six rebounds and four assists.

Porzingis finished with 23 points and Brown added 20, including a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla singled out Brown for praise following the win.

"I liked just how he was thoroughly intense," Mazzulla said. "He brings a different level of a mentality to us at times, and I thought tonight he brought a great level of intensity."

Boston improved to 29-12 with the victory to remain in second place in the Eastern Conference behind leaders Cleveland.

Orlando's scoring was led by Cole Anthony with 23 points while Paolo Banchero continued his return from injury with 21 points.

In New York meanwhile, Anthony Edwards erupted for 36 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves romped to a 116-99 victory over the Knicks.

Edwards was on fire from outside the arc, making 8-of-13 three-pointers while Naz Reid also caught the eye with 6-of-6 threes in a 23-point cameo shift off the bench.

In Milwaukee, the Bucks handed Toronto a reality check following their upset of Boston on Wednesday, with a 130-112 blowout at the Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee swept to their third-straight win thanks to 35 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo and 26 points from Damian Lillard. The Bucks improved to 23-17 with the victory and remain in the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference.

MELBOURNE — Novak Djokovic celebrated a slice of Grand Slam history on his way into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday, but last year's women's finalist Zheng Qinwen was knocked out in the biggest shock so far.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, in-form Coco Gauff, former Melbourne winner Naomi Osaka and a rampant Carlos Alcaraz were all victors on a rainy day four.

Alexander Zverev also progressed but Norway's Casper Ruud went down in four sets to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik to become the highest men's seed to fall at six.

Playing under the roof on Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic needed four sets for the second match in a row before defeating Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2.

It was Djokovic's 430th singles match at a major to claim sole ownership of most ever played, men or women, in the Open Era ahead of Roger Federer (429) and Serena Williams (423).

The Serb is chasing a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and historic 25th Grand Slam crown.

"Whether I win or lose, I will always leave my heart out on the court. I'm just blessed to be making another record," said Djokovic, 37, now coached by former rival Andy Murray.

Djokovic faces Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac next and is drawn to meet Spain's Alcaraz in the last eight.

Four-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz dropped just five games in an ominous display to sprint into the third round.

The third seed showed no mercy to Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka in a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 rout in 81 minutes.

"The less time you spend on court in the Grand Slams, especially in the beginning, it is going to be better," said Alcaraz, who is yet to go beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne.

Second seed Zverev swept through with a straight-sets victory over Spain's Pedro Martinez.

Heading home on Wednesday with Ruud was qualifier Hady Habib, who on Sunday became the first player from Lebanon to win a Grand Slam match.

He exited in three sets to France's Ugo Humbert.

'Nothing more' 

Olympic champion Zheng was sent packing 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 by World No. 97 Laura Siegemund, the second-oldest player in the women's draw at age 36.

"I knew I just had to play more than my best tennis. I had nothing to lose so I just told myself to swing free," said the German.

"It's tennis. Nothing more," said China's Zheng, 22, who was given two time violations and lost her cool as her tilt at a maiden major crown evaporated in only the second round.

Sabalenka dropped her serve three times and faced 11 break points before overcoming Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3, 7-5, rattling off the last five games in a row.

"I have to fight. Today's match proved that. Girls can go there and just play without any fear, without anything to lose. They can put you in really uncomfortable positions," said Sabalenka, who beat Zheng in the 2024 final.

The win kept the Belarusian world number one on course for a rare hat-trick of consecutive Australian Open titles, a feat last achieved 26 years ago by Martina Hingis and only matched by four other women in history.

Former world number one Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 champion in Australia but now unseeded, stormed back to defeat 20th seed Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Osaka called it a "little revenge" for defeat at the US Open in August to the Czech.

World No.3 Gauff, who finished 2024 by winning the China Open and the WTA Tour Finals, fought back from 5-3 down in the second set to see off Britain's Jodie Burrage 6-3, 7-5.

Asked what she had to do to beat 30th seed Leylah Fernandez next, Gauff told reporters: "Obviously serve better!"

Gauff's fellow American Jessica Pegula, beaten in the US Open final by Sabalenka last year, eased through against Belgium's Elise Mertens.

On Thursday, men's number one Jannik Sinner steps up the defence of his Melbourne crown when he faces Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate.

Daniil Medvedev, Iga Swiatek and Brazilian teenage sensation Joao Fonseca are also in second-round action.

MELBOURNE — Daniil Medvedev faces a hefty fine after mangling his racquet and a net camera in an epic temper tantrum before battling through a five-set roller coaster to start his Australian Open on Tuesday.

The feisty Russian, a three-time finalist in Melbourne, lost his cool in the third set before rallying to beat 418th-ranked Kasidit Samrej 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.

Fifth seed Medvedev was 3-5 behind and on the brink of going two sets to one down against the Thai player when he exploded, slamming his racquet into the net camera repeatedly until they both became a broken mess.

Ball kids had to sweep up the debris when he lost the game and set, while the match was postponed briefly as officials ran repairs on the net.

Medvedev is facing a big penalty.

"Honestly, I hope not too big. The fine is usually for breaking the racquet, and the camera is going to cost some, but I don't think GoPro is that expensive," he said.

"When I did it, I didn't want to smash the racquet in pieces. When I saw the racquet, I was, like, okay, time to take a new one I guess."

Medvedev was playing his first match since the ATP Finals in November after arriving in Australia late to be at home for the birth of his second child.

He pledged before the tournament to be a "disruptor" against the big names this season, but his stuttering start against a player with no pedigree showed he has his work cut out.

"In general it was kind of a top level from him, serving good, one break each set, just what you need to do to win matches," Medvedev, who lost last year's final to Jannik Sinner, said.

"Two sets to one down is not an easy feeling. I was, like: I don't want to be on the flight tomorrow.

"I'm happy that I managed to stay tough. I think, in my opinion, I didn't play a bad level, I played quite well and will for sure try to play better throughout the tournament."

The former world number one broke his opponent's opening service game and was never troubled in the first set, racing through it in 30 minutes.

But the Thai player, who qualified for his Grand Slam debut by winning the Asia-Pacific wildcard playoff event, refused to go away.

He stunned the Russian by breaking him at 5-4 to take the second and was well on top in the third before the Medvedev meltdown.

But the 28-year-old is a veteran of five-setters in Melbourne, contesting four and winning three last year, and he regrouped, using his experience to reassert control as Samrej began flagging.

MELBOURNE — Jannik Sinner launched his Australian Open title defence with a battling straight-sets win on Monday as Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff also powered into round two.

Novak Djokovic begins his bid for Grand Slam history later on a blockbuster second day which also sees Carlos Alcaraz in action in Melbourne.

But former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first big casualty as he was stunned by American Alex Michelsen, ranked 42 in the world.

Italian world number one Sinner is playing under a cloud after twice testing positive for traces of a steroid in March.

He denies wrongdoing and was cleared by tennis authorities, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed and is seeking to ban him for up to two years.

Sinner was warmly welcomed on Rod Laver Arena before defeating Chile's Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.

"Today it was a close one because in the first sets it could have gone both ways," said Sinner, who has not tasted defeat since losing to Alcaraz in the Beijing final in October.

In the women's draw, world number two Swiatek defeated Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova 6-3, 6-4 on John Cain Arena.

The Pole has won five Grand Slams but her best performance at Melbourne Park is the semi-finals in 2022.

"For sure it wasn't an easy first round, so I'm happy that I'm through," said Swiatek.

In-form world number three Gauff laid down a marker as she swept aside former champion and fellow American Sofia Kenin.

Gauff is unbeaten this year after leading the US to United Cup glory and eased past the 2020 Melbourne winner 6-3, 6-3 in 80 minutes.

"I knew it was going to be difficult, but you know, I'm happy with how I played," said Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion.

Victoria Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 champion in Melbourne, was a notable early loser as the Belarusian went down 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) to Italy's Lucia Bronzetti.

Japan's Naomi Osaka later faces 67th-ranked Caroline Garcia in a repeat of last year's first-round clash that the French player won.

Now ranked 51, Osaka won two of her four Grand Slam titles to date at Melbourne Park in 2019 and 2021.

She reached her first final since 2022 in Auckland eight days ago, only to retire injured.

 Tsitsipas falls early

The 11th-seeded Tsitsipas crashed out at the first hurdle when Michelsen blasted past him 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

The 26-year-old Greek, who played Djokovic in the 2023 final at Melbourne Park, never looked comfortable.

"I just tried to stay super composed out there today, I knew it was going to be a battle to the end," said the American, who scored his first win over a top-20 player at a Slam.

Serbian great Djokovic is hoping to roll back the years and win an 11th Australian Open and record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

He faces American Nishesh Basavareddy in the prime-time evening match on Rod Laver Arena.

"To be honest, I don't know much about him," said Djokovic, who is now coached by former rival Andy Murray.

"I'm sure that he is going to be really pumped to make a statement."

Spain's Alcaraz is looking to lift the one major title to elude him and begins against in-form Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko in the night session on Margaret Court Arena.

The four-time major winner has never gone past the quarter-finals in Melbourne.

Home fans will be treated to seeing their controversial hero Nick Kyrgios in action.

The polarising Australian made his return to tennis after 18 months a fortnight ago in Brisbane following knee surgery and wrist reconstruction.

He faces Britain's Jacob Fearnley in an evening match on his favoured "party court", John Cain Arena, where he is promising fireworks.

"I think it's good to be back. I think it's important," said the 29-year-old.

"I think the sport was getting a bit mundane."

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Barcelona hammered rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in a wild Spanish Super Cup Clasico final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to win the first trophy of the Hansi Flick era.

Kylian Mbappe put Madrid ahead but a dominant Barcelona hit five in response before their goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off in the second half.

Madrid were hoping to avenge their 4-0 home defeat by Barcelona in October's La Liga Clasico but instead were left battered and bruised by their arch-rivals in Jeddah.

After Mbappe's opener, Lamine Yamal levelled and Robert Lewandowski sent Barcelona ahead from the penalty spot, with Raphinha bagging a brace and Alejandro Balde also on target.

Rodrygo Goes pulled one back for Madrid with a free-kick but they could not capitalise further on their numerical advantage in a humiliating defeat for the European champions.

"I think today is a good day because we beat one of the best teams in the world, for the second time this season, Real Madrid, and this is unbelievable," Flick told reporters.

"We won a title here and we are really happy... today is a day to look positively at this team."

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team's poor defending was the main reason for the heavy defeat.

"We defended badly and that cost us the game -- they found their goals quite easily," Ancelotti told Movistar.

"We're sad, like all our fans, it's disappointing and we don't have to hide that... we have to look forwards, there's nothing else we can do."

Despite a strong Barcelona opening salvo it was Real Madrid who took the lead in the fifth minute with Mbappe's brilliant goal on the counter-attack.

The French forward, frustrated numerous times by the offside flag in the league defeat by the Catalans, broke loose on the halfway line after Vinicius won the ball back and, after bursting into the area, clipped past Szczesny.

It took a stunning individual goal from 17-year-old Yamal to level the scoreline, with the Spanish winger cutting in from the right before stroking home a low finish inside the near post in a similar style to former Barca great Lionel Messi, to whom he is often compared.

 'Always special'

Barcelona kept pushing and moved ahead through Lewandowski's penalty after Eduardo Camavinga arrived late and carelessly clattered Gavi.

Raphinha soon added Barcelona's third with a header from Kounde's cross from deep and they grabbed their fourth before half-time on the break.

Yamal and Raphinha combined and the latter slipped in Balde, who slotted past Courtois.

Barcelona continued in the same vein after the break and Raphinha netted the fifth with a neat dribble and finish after Marc Casado played him in.

The Catalans were reduced to 10 men when Mbappe sped in at the other end, rounding goalkeeper Szczesny, who brought him down outside the area and after a VAR review was dismissed.

Rodrygo, who earlier hit the post, rifled home the free-kick past Szczesny's replacement Inaki Pena.

Mbappe brilliantly teed up Jude Bellingham but the England international was denied by a superb Jules Kounde challenge in stoppage time.

The French forward also came close to scoring again himself on a fine individual display but Pena tipped away his effort.

"He was the best [Madrid player]," said Ancelotti, noting an improvement after Mbappe's hit-and-miss start to life at the club following his switch from Paris Saint-Germain.

"We can't always win, if we have to lose a cup, it's better that it's this one," said veteran Madrid midfielder Luka Modric.

Barcelona brought on playmaker Dani Olmo for his first appearance since he was registered to play for the club on a temporary basis, a controversial issue which overshadowed the semi-finals earlier in the week.

However their five-star display offered a host of other talking points as Barca won a record-extending 15th Spanish Super Cup.

"It's really nice, it had been a season since we won a trophy, it's always special and on top of that in a Clasico against Real Madrid," Barcelona defender Kounde told Movistar.