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Gauff Through to Third Round of China Open with Tough Win over Leylah Fernandez

Coco Gauff of USA in action during women's singles round of 32 match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, 28 September 2025. (EPA)
Coco Gauff of USA in action during women's singles round of 32 match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, 28 September 2025. (EPA)
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Gauff Through to Third Round of China Open with Tough Win over Leylah Fernandez

Coco Gauff of USA in action during women's singles round of 32 match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, 28 September 2025. (EPA)
Coco Gauff of USA in action during women's singles round of 32 match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, 28 September 2025. (EPA)

French Open winner Coco Gauff was forced to go the distance against Leylah Fernandez before closing out a tight three-setter 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 on Sunday to advance to the third round at the China Open.

The defending champion and a firm crowd favorite in Beijing overcame a second set stumble and then struggled to serve out the match in the third, before breaking Fernandez in the 12th game of the deciding set to clinch it.

Gauff will next face No. 16 Belinda Bencic or Australian Priscilla Hon in the WTA 1000-series tournament.

In earlier matches Sunday, Eva Lys beat No. 10 Elena Rybakina 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 and American McCartney Kessler was leading Barbora Krejcikova 1-6, 7-5, 3-0 when the Czech player retired from the match.

The tournament is being held concurrently with an ATP 500 men’s tournament.

A day after becoming the latest tennis star to make an apology to Chinese fans, Lorenzo Musetti had a less eventful straight sets victory over tour veteran Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-3 in a second round match.

Earlier, Learner Tien beat Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-2 to set up a meeting with ninth-ranked Musetti in the quarterfinals.

Third-ranked Alexander Zverev plays Corentin Moutet of France in a night match later Sunday.

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Jeddah to Host Opening Round of UIM E1 World Championship

Hosting the season premiere aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and promote sports tourism. SPA
Hosting the season premiere aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and promote sports tourism. SPA
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Jeddah to Host Opening Round of UIM E1 World Championship

Hosting the season premiere aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and promote sports tourism. SPA
Hosting the season premiere aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and promote sports tourism. SPA

Jeddah is set to host the opening round of the third season of the E1 Series, the world's first all electric raceboat championship, on January 23 and 24.

Organized by the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation in partnership with the Public Investment Fund and the UIM, the event underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modern sports and environmental sustainability.

The 2026 season features eight international rounds. Following the Jeddah opener, the series will travel to Lake Como (Italy), Dubrovnik (Croatia), and Monaco, followed by a second unannounced European round. The championship then heads to Lagos (Nigeria) and Miami (US), before reaching its grand finale in the Bahamas.

Hosting the season premiere aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and promote sports tourism. As Jeddah's shores transform into a global hub for advanced electric marine racing, the event solidifies the Kingdom's status as a leading destination for major international sporting competitions.

Sports

Djokovic Says 'Addiction' to Tennis Keeps him Going at 38

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2026 Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the press conference REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2026 Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the press conference REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
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Djokovic Says 'Addiction' to Tennis Keeps him Going at 38

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2026 Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the press conference REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2026 Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the press conference REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

Novak Djokovic said Saturday he still gets a "drug-like" adrenaline rush from tennis and is not thinking about retiring anytime soon.

The 38-year-old is about to embark on his 21st Australian Open and remains among the top contenders, behind defending champion Jannik Sinner and top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz.

Melbourne Park is his favorite hunting ground, claiming 10 titles.

Despite scaling back his tournament appearances in recent years the Serbian great remains confident he can still compete with the best and is not ready to leave the sport behind.

"I'm still living my dream to be honest," the former world number one said on the eve of the opening Grand Slam of the year.

"It's passion and love for the game. It's the interaction with people. It's the energy that you feel when you walk out on the court.

"That adrenaline rush, it's almost like a drug.

"I think that a lot of the top athletes from different sports can relate to that. I have been at least hearing them speak about that.

"It's so addictive, you know, the feeling of competing."

His long-time rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have both hung up their racquets and Djokovic said he constantly got asked about when he would join them.

"I have been asked a lot about obviously when is the end date going to come for me, but I don't want to talk or think about it yet because I'm here, I'm competing," AFP quoted him as saying.

"When that arrives and kind of becomes ripe in my head, I'll share it with you, and then we can all discuss on the farewell tour.

"But right now I'm still number four in the world, still competing at the highest level, and I feel like there is no need to draw the attention to that discussion."

Sports

World Number Ones Sabalenka, Alcaraz Begin Australian Open Campaigns

This handout picture released by Tennis Australia on January 16, 2026, shows Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus speaking at a press conference ahead of the 2026 Australian Open. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri / TENNIS AUSTRALIA / AFP)
This handout picture released by Tennis Australia on January 16, 2026, shows Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus speaking at a press conference ahead of the 2026 Australian Open. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri / TENNIS AUSTRALIA / AFP)
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World Number Ones Sabalenka, Alcaraz Begin Australian Open Campaigns

This handout picture released by Tennis Australia on January 16, 2026, shows Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus speaking at a press conference ahead of the 2026 Australian Open. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri / TENNIS AUSTRALIA / AFP)
This handout picture released by Tennis Australia on January 16, 2026, shows Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus speaking at a press conference ahead of the 2026 Australian Open. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri / TENNIS AUSTRALIA / AFP)

The first round of the Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Sunday.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz, who could complete a career Grand Slam if he wins the tournament, faces Adam Walton, while Aryna Sabalenka takes on Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah as she seeks a third title at Melbourne Park.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: ALCARAZ V WALTON
At 22, Alcaraz could replace Don Budge as the youngest man to achieve the career Grand Slam with victory at the Australian Open. The Spaniard has left no one in any doubt what his main goal is for the 2026 season, saying in November he would rather win a first Melbourne Park crown than retain his French and US Open titles.

His quest to make history will begin with a first-round tie against Australian Walton, Reuters reported.

The pair have crossed paths once before, with Alcaraz beating the Australian ⁠6-4 7-6(4) during his title-winning run at the Queen's Club Championships last year.

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: SABALENKA V RAKOTOMANGA RAJAONAH
Sabalenka will be bidding to continue her incredible record in hard court Grand Slam tournaments when she begins her campaign against Frenchwoman Rakotomanga Rajaonah.

The Belarusian world number one has reached the final of the last six majors she has played on the surface, winning four of those.

She enters the competition in fine form after retaining her Brisbane International title this ⁠month without losing a set, and should have little trouble when she takes on the 118th-ranked Rakotomanga Rajaonah.

VENUS WILLIAMS IS BACK
Venus Williams, a two-times Australian Open singles finalist, returns to the tournament for the first time since 2021 after receiving a wildcard.

The 45-year-old faces Olga Danilovic in the first round, where she is set to become the oldest woman to feature in the Australian Open main draw by surpassing Japan's Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she bowed out in the first round in 2015.

Williams has endured a poor start to the season, losing to Magda Linette in the first round in Auckland and to Tatjana Maria in her opening match at the Hobart International.

Despite her defeats, she ⁠said she was happy with her level.

"I can't expect perfection right now, but I know I'm playing good tennis.

Winning and losing doesn't know any age. Once you walk on court, you're there to compete," Williams said before her defeat in Hobart.