Australian Open 2026 quarter-finals: Alcaraz hammers De Minaur, Svitolina destroys Gauff – as it happened

Here’s Jack’s report…Righto, Jack Snape’s report will be in here and on-site shortly, but otherwise, we’ll see you tomorrow at 12.30am GMT for Rybakina v Swiatek.Fear not, though, we’ve got you in the meantime – there’s football tonight, and for now, Joe Root and Harry Brook are on fire in Sri Lanka.Otherwise, though, peace out.There’ve been precious few tight matches in this year’s Australian Open and day 10 offered more of the same

The Breakdown | So much at stake and Six Nations just the start in ‘massive year for rugby union’

On the surface it was business at usual at this year’s Six Nations launch in a chilly Edinburgh. Had the city’s most famous literary sleuth poked his nose into the venue at the top of the Royal Mile, Inspector Rebus would have clocked the usual suspects: head coaches trying not to divulge any secrets, captains quietly studying their opposite numbers and content creators seeking to “jazz up” their tournament previews.This year’s booby prize went to the “influencer” who asked Caelan Doris, Ireland’s captain, whether or not he liked Fabien Galthié’s thick-rimmed glasses. It was almost on a par with the Breakdown’s all-time classic: the day someone asked Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby, to pick his favourite motorway service station. “Taunton Deane,” came the instant reply

The Joy of Six: unlikely Winter Olympics stars

From a cult hero ski jumper, to African bobsleigh pioneers and more, here are half a dozen unexpected heroesMichael “Eddie the Eagle” Edwards, was the antithesis of the Olympic high-flyer. Heavily disadvantaged by his 82kg (181lb) weight – far heavier than his rivals – poor eyesight and the small matter of being entirely self-funded, he became Great Britain’s first Olympic ski jumper. He finished 67th and last at the 1987 world championships but managed to hit the qualifying standard to secure the sole British spot for Calgary. At the Games, he finished last in the normal hill (70m) and large hill (90m) events. In the normal hill, he scored 69

Zverev survives Tien challenge, Sabalenka through to semis – as it happened

But that’s about all that’s needed from me this arvo.I’ve been Joey Lynch been a lot of fun bringing you all the updates as Aryna Sabalenka (1) and Alexander Zverev (3) moved into the final four here at a sweltering Australian Open. Be sure to check back in here at the Guardian for all the updates from the evening sessions.Toodles.Tien exits Rod Laver Arena to rapturous cheers from the crowd

Australian Open insulates tennis from extreme heat but still faces million-dollar hit

Tens of thousands of tennis fans are expected to stay away from the Australian Open on Tuesday as temperatures climb above 40C, but the Melbourne Park grand slam has largely been able to insulate itself – physically and commercially – from the effects of extreme heat.The daytime attendance for the heat-affected Saturday was 51,048, down more than 10,000 compared with the previous and following days, and an even greater decline is expected on Tuesday given widespread publicity of the Victorian heatwave. Sales of $35 ground passes have been slow and queues at security appeared shorter than usual shortly after gates opened at 9am.Those who do attend are also less likely to spend as long at the precinct. On Saturday, Melbourne Park was largely empty when play resumed shortly after 7pm, leaving food and beverage vendors twiddling their thumbs at dinnertime when they would usually be run off their feet

Shedeur Sanders set to better father Deion by reportedly making Pro Bowl as rookie

Shedeur Sanders will reportedly become a Pro Bowler in his rookie season as a replacement for Drake Maye.ESPN reported on Monday that the Cleveland Browns rookie has bettered his Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, who was drafted in 1989 but had to wait until 1991 to receive the first of his eight trips to the Pro Bowl.Maye dropped out after the New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos on Sunday to reach next month’s Super Bowl.Sanders’s inclusion will raise eyebrows. The Browns went 3-4 in games he started and he completed just 56