Alcaraz and Djokovic to Meet in Australian Open Final after Epic Semifinal Wins

 Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 30, 2026 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his semi final match against Germany's Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Hollie Adams
Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 30, 2026 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his semi final match against Germany's Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Hollie Adams
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Alcaraz and Djokovic to Meet in Australian Open Final after Epic Semifinal Wins

 Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 30, 2026 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his semi final match against Germany's Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Hollie Adams
Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 30, 2026 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his semi final match against Germany's Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will meet in the Australian Open final after each came through epic, momentum-swinging, five-set semifinals on Friday.

Top-ranked Alcaraz fended off No. 3 Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 in a match that started in the warmth of the afternoon and, 5 hours and 27 minutes later, became the longest semifinal ever at the Australian Open, The AP news reported.

That pushed the start of Djokovic's match against defending champion Jannik Sinner back a couple of hours and the 24-time major winner finally finished off a 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win just after 1:30 a.m.

Djokovic is into his 11th Australian Open final after ending his streak of semifinal exits at four consecutive majors.

Alcaraz is into his first title match at Melbourne Park, and aiming to be the youngest man ever to complete a career Grand Slam.



Hail Toyota International Baja Rally Begins 2026 Edition with 414-Kilometer Stage

The event highlights Hail’s status as a global hub for desert rallying - SPA
The event highlights Hail’s status as a global hub for desert rallying - SPA
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Hail Toyota International Baja Rally Begins 2026 Edition with 414-Kilometer Stage

The event highlights Hail’s status as a global hub for desert rallying - SPA
The event highlights Hail’s status as a global hub for desert rallying - SPA

The first main stage of the 2026 Hail Toyota International Baja Rally kicked off Friday north of Hail, featuring 93 competitors across multiple racing categories and covering a total distance of 414 kilometers, including a challenging 242-kilometer special stage.

This edition of the rally is a high-stakes event, serving as a pivotal round for five major championships: FIA World Baja Cup, FIA Middle East Baja Cup, FIM Bajas World Cup, FIM Asia Baja Cup, and Saudi Toyota Championship Rallies, SPA reported.

The event highlights Hail’s status as a global hub for desert rallying, attracting international talent and elite machinery to the Kingdom’s rugged terrain.


Slot Warns Liverpool 'Can't Afford Mistakes' in Top-Four Scrap

Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Liverpool Press Conference - AXA Training Centre, Liverpool, Britain - January 27, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Liverpool Press Conference - AXA Training Centre, Liverpool, Britain - January 27, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
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Slot Warns Liverpool 'Can't Afford Mistakes' in Top-Four Scrap

Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Liverpool Press Conference - AXA Training Centre, Liverpool, Britain - January 27, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Liverpool Press Conference - AXA Training Centre, Liverpool, Britain - January 27, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Arne Slot said Liverpool "cannot afford a lot of mistakes anymore" as his team battle for a top-four Premier League finish following the collapse of their title defense.

The Reds are sixth in the table, two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United ahead of Newcastle's visit to Anfield on Saturday, AFP said.

In a congested table, just five points separate United from Sunderland, in 11th spot. Eddie Howe's Newcastle are three points behind Liverpool.

A top-four finish in the Premier League guarantees automatic qualification for next season's Champions League.

"It's obvious that the closer you come to the end, the fewer opportunities you have to make a mistake," Liverpool boss Slot said on Friday.

"And we are now in a position that we cannot afford a lot of mistakes anymore, because we've made far too many, and with mistakes I mean giving away goals in the last minute."

The Reds conceded in the 95th minute to lose 3-2 to Bournemouth last week.

Liverpool booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a commanding 6-0 victory over Qarabag on Wednesday.

But their domestic form has been terrible -- with just five wins from their past 18 games -- after they swept to a 20th English title last year.

"We are fully aware of the fact that one win isn't enough at this club, so the next one is coming fast with Newcastle," said Slot.

"I'm 100 percent sure that that game is a bigger challenge than the one we faced Wednesday, but it's always helpful to win."

The Dutchman said he was pleased to see Mohamed Salah back on the scoresheet against Qarabag for the first time for Liverpool since November 1, but he emphasized the role of the team.

"The team has to make sure he gets in good positions, and I think that's what we are doing more and more, not only with him but with many players," said Slot.

"I think I've said this recently quite a lot -- our game in between boxes is good enough for our attackers to be often enough in promising positions, and I know we know that if this happens enough times, then our players will do what we expect of them because they have so much quality."

The Liverpool manager said defender Jeremie Frimpong would be out for a few weeks after picking up an injury against Qarabag but it was "not as bad as we thought".

Center-back Ibrahima Konate, who has been absent following the death of his father, is in the squad for the Newcastle match.


Sport Ministry Wins Three Global Awards at Clio Sports 2025

Sport Ministry Wins Three Global Awards at Clio Sports 2025
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Sport Ministry Wins Three Global Awards at Clio Sports 2025

Sport Ministry Wins Three Global Awards at Clio Sports 2025

The Saudi Ministry of Sport has won three international awards at Clio Sports 2025, presented by The Clio Awards in New York, United States, among the world’s leading honors in sports marketing and media.

The film 'Overtake the Future' received the Silver Award in the Sound Design category of the Film Craft track, while 'Race the Sunset' won the Bronze Award for Best Cinematic Film, SPA reported.

In addition, 'Year of the Camel' earned the Bronze Award in the Best Cinematic Film category.

This achievement comes as part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to develop sports-related media and marketing content and to document sporting stories and events through diverse and innovative production approaches.