Elena Rybakina stuns Aryna Sabalenka to win Australian Open women’s singles final – as it happened

So how will Rybakina handle her nerves here? She hasn’t been in this position, serving for a grand slam title, since the Wimbledon final in 2022, when she won her first and only major. Rybakina jumps up and down on the spot to shake off some tension before she serves … but Sabalenka has nothing to lose now and comes out on top in a forehand cross-court face-off! 0-15. But Rybakina sees Sabalenka’s aggression and raises it with a fearhand of a forehand down the line! 15-all. 30-15. The crowd rise; Rybakina definitely still has the majority of the Melbourne support

Elena Rybakina rocks Aryna Sabalenka to grab first Australian Open triumph

Elena Rybakina had many reasons to lose faith in her latest pursuit of a second grand slam title. She had played so well for so much of the Australian Open final, but, just as in their first meeting in a final in Melbourne three years ago, once Aryna Sabalenka began to impose herself, Rybakina lost all control. Trailing 3-0 in the final set, the Kazakhstani’s chances were fading quickly.Rybakina is renowned for her undemonstrative nature, but her reserved personality belies the grit at the heart of her success. The fifth seed drew on her inner fire to produce one of her finest comebacks, finding a path to victory from a break down in the final set to clinch her first Australian Open title with a supreme 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over the world No 1

Durable, determined Djokovic undaunted by Alcaraz’s historic final challenge

Novak Djokovic had barely even begun to digest the madness of one of his great late-career victories, still fighting back tears on Rod Laver Arena, when he was asked by his on-court interviewer to cast his mind ahead to the final.After his monumental five-set Australian Open semi-final win over Jannik Sinner, where he matched the quality, intensity and athleticism of one of the two commanding players in men’s tennis, he was immediately reminded that Carlos Alcaraz, the other dominant player, was next. “I just hope that I’ll have enough gas to stay toe to toe with him,” said Djokovic. “That’s my desire, then let the gods decide the winner.”He was deadly serious

‘They allowed us to use the costumes’: Fear and Gibson on Torvill and Dean, Boléro and skating history

Team GB’s ice dance duo warmed up for the Winter Olympics by re-enacting the classic routine and are confident they can end Britain’s 32-year medal waitEven after 42 years, the images remain seared into the mind’s eye. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean staring deeply into each other’s souls as Ravel’s haunting Boléro strikes up. Dean tenderly caressing his partner’s face as they dance. And the dramatic denouement as the pair collapse on the ice after four minutes and 28 seconds of perfection.Most figure skaters would shy away from that unforgettable gold medal-winning performance at the 1984 Winter Olympics

Mercedes and Hamilton shine in F1’s first pre-season test in Barcelona

Fears the swathe of new regulations and entirely new engines might be problematic on their first outing proved unfounded, after Formula One’s first pre-season test concluded in Barcelona on Friday. Mercedes put in an almost bulletproof performance in distance and reliability while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton grabbed the quickest lap of the week.Held behind closed doors at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, it is believed at least partly to minimise attention on the potential negative impressions of the new formula that might be formed by new engines going bang and cars struggling on track, as happened when turbo-hybrid engines were introduced in 2012, the running was overwhelmingly positive given the challenge of the biggest regulation change of the modern era.The majority of teams put in decent mileage and with no apparent major drama for the engine manufacturers. Indeed Red Bull, building their own units for the first time, will consider their strong and consistent running a real fillip

Harry Brook adds to England woes by admitting he lied about nightclub incident

Harry Brook, the England white-ball captain, has admitted teammates were present on the night he clashed with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand last year.Speaking at the start of England’s tour of Sri Lanka, Brook said that he was on his own when he was punched by a bouncer on the eve of the third one-day international against New Zealand in Wellington.In a statement released on Friday, Brook acknowledged the presence of others that night. It followed reporting from the Telegraph that the Cricket Regulator is investigating the 26-year-old, Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue over their conduct that evening. It was also reported that all three were fined by the England and Wales Cricket Board