World number one Iga Swiatek made an emphatic statement with a 54-minute rout of Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa to seal her progression to the Australian Open fourth round on Friday.
Swiatek dropped only six points in a 22-minute first set, before completing a 6-0 6-1 demolition over her 25-year-old opponent at Margaret Court Arena.
The Pole led 6-0 5-0, prompting a crowd member to shout "open the bakery", before Bucsa held her serve to avoid a dreaded double bagel.
Swiatek's victory sets up a fourth-round clash with 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, as the Pole chases her fourth major triumph, including the French Open and US Open crowns last year.
The 21-year-old completely outclassed her opponent, winning 82 per cent of serve points, along with 65 per cent on return, including 71 per cent on Bucsa's second serve. The Spaniard only won 19 of 71 points for the match.
Despite an unconvincing first-serve percentage of 59 per cent, Swiatek never offered up a break point, hitting 15 winners throughout the lopsided contest.
Swiatek has not dropped a set in her three matches at the tournament, giving up only six games in her past two matches.
Data slam: Swiatek demolition falls short of Barty mark
Swiatek's swift victory coincidentally came on the afternoon after Andy Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis battled until 4am local time in a five-hour-and-50-minute epic in the men's singles.
However, the Pole's 54-minute win was not as brief as last year's champion Ash Barty who disposed of Danka Kovinic 6-0 6-0 in 44 minutes at the 2021 Australian Open.
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Swiatek – 15/6
Bucsa – 4/21
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Swiatek – 3/0
Bucsa – 1/3
BREAK POINTS WON
Swiatek – 5/10
Bucsa – 0/0
Seventh seed Coco Gauff cruised safely into the Australian Open fourth round with a straight-sets victory over compatriot Bernarda Pera on Friday.
Gauff, 18, triumphed 6-3 6-2 in one hour and 35 minutes in a competitive contest where Pera, 10 years the teenager's senior, put up a fight with her powerful left-sided forehand a feature in their first-ever meeting.
But Gauff made fewer unforced errors and produced seven aces to help her clinch a fourth-round meeting with 17th seed Jelena Ostapenko.
"Today was a tough match," Gauff said during his on-court post-match interview. "Bernarda hit the ball really hard. I was really just trying to hang in there and take the ground when I could.
"Last season she had a long match streak so I knew she'd be a tough player to beat. But I'm happy to be through to the second week."
The 2022 French Open finalist broke Pera in the fourth game and secured the opening frame inside 48 minutes.
Gauff went two breaks up in the second set, leading 4-1, but Pera offered some resistance with a break back on a double fault from the teenager. But Gauff responded to progress, converting her fourth match point.
Data Slam: Gauff maintains hot start to 2023
Gauff, who knocked off 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the second round, continued her perfect start to the calendar year, having triumphed at the Auckland Open earlier this month. Gauff won five matches in Auckland, including the final 6-1 6-1 over Rebeka Masarova.
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Pera – 1/7
Gauff – 7/3
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Pera – 24/40
Gauff – 23/29
BREAK POINTS WON
Pera – 1/5
Gauff – 4/16
Jayson Tatum grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds during the Boston Celtics' 121-118 overtime victory against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
It was a gritty all-round performance from Tatum as he also finished with 34 points, six assists and three steals, imposing his will on the game despite shooting an inefficient nine-of-27 from the field and committing seven turnovers.
Like Tatum, his All-Star team-mate Jaylen Brown also shot just 33 per cent from the field (six-of-18), but veteran center Al Horford picked up the slack, scoring 20 points on eight-of-13 shooting while adding 10 rebounds and three blocks.
As was a theme on the night, Warriors superstar Stephen Curry struggled from the field, shooting nine-of-25 for his 29 points, supplementing his outing with seven assists, four steals, four rebounds and two blocks. Klay Thompson (eight-of-16) and Jordan Poole (10-of-25) chipped in 24 points each.
With the win, the Celtics improved their league-leading record to 34-12, while the Warriors fell under .500 at 22-23, including a horrific 5-17 record on the road.
Russell leads late Timberwolves comeback
Minnesota Timberwolves guard D'Angelo Russell nearly scored as many points as the entire Toronto Raptors team in the fourth quarter of a 128-126 comeback win.
Russell had 16 in the last period – including 14 in a row for the Timberwolves – while the Raptors could only muster 17 points, allowing the home side to claw back from what was a 14-point margin with 10 minutes remaining.
The former All-Star finished with 25 points on eight-of-15 shooting, adding six assists and two steals, while role-player Kyle Anderson continued to flourish in his expanded minutes with 20 points (eight-of-nine), 10 rebounds and six assists.
Suns snap losing run with Nets win
In the battle of two short-handed teams, the Phoenix Suns ended their three-game losing streak in a nail-biting 117-112 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
The Suns were up by 24 at one point, but Kyrie Irving got hot in the fourth quarter to finish with 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, for the Nets who were without Kevin Durant.
Deandre Ayton stepped up for Phoenix, missing Devin Booker and Chris Paul, with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges added 28. Cam Johnson added 19 points on his return from injury.
Two-time grand slam runner-up Ons Jabeur says it is "time to recover and get healthier" after her shock second-round elimination from the Australian Open on Thursday.
The Tunisian second seed committed 50 unforced errors as she was bundled out of the opening major of the 2023 season, losing 6-1 5-7 6-1 loss to Marketa Vondrousova.
The defeat comes after the 28-year-old's outstanding 2022 season where she reached the finals of both the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open.
Cameras spotted Jabeur dropping to her knees in apparent despair in the halls of Rod Laver Arena after leaving the court following her loss to Vondrousova.
The Tunisian skipped the mandatory post-match press conference, but opened up on her emotion and condition on Instagram on Friday.
"Despite the health issues, I will keep fighting and come back stronger and stronger," Jabeur posted on Instagram. "Time to recover and get healthier."
Four NFL franchises have made offensive or defensive coordinator changes following their Wild Card Game exits.
The Miami Dolphins have dismissed defensive coordinator Josh Boyer after four seasons with the franchise, despite having the league's fourth-best run defense.
The Dolphins also were ranked 21st in defensive expected points added, 22nd in sacks per pass attempt and 24th in points allowed per game and third-down percentage.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich after four seasons, as part of an overhaul by head coach Todd Bowles, with eight other coaches departing.
The Bucs finished the 2022 regular season with an 8-9 record, but ranked 25th in offense, averaging 18.4 points per game despite the presence of seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
Brady is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is weighing up his future, but Leftwich's departure is unlikely to significantly impact his decision.
The Minnesota Vikings fired defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, which came as no surprise after finishing the season ranked 28th in points allowed (25.1) and 31st in yards allowed (388.7).
Greg Roman announced he would step down as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator despite having one year remaining on his deal following pressure from fans and players.
Four NFL franchises have made offensive or defensive coordinator changes following their Wild Card Game exits.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich after four seasons, as part of an overhaul by head coach Todd Bowles, with eight other coaches departing.
The Bucs finished the 2022 regular season with an 8-9 record, but ranked 25th in offense, averaging 18.4 points per game despite the presence of seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
Brady is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is weighing up his future, but Leftwich's departure is unlikely to significantly impact his decision.
The Miami Dolphins have dismissed defensive coordinator Josh Boyer after four seasons with the franchise, despite having the league's fourth-best run defense.
The Dolphins also were ranked 21st in defensive expected points added, 22nd in sacks per pass attempt and 24th in points allowed per game and third-down percentage.
The Minnesota Vikings fired defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, which came as no surprise after finishing the season ranked 28th in points allowed (25.1) and 31st in yards allowed (388.7).
Greg Roman announced he would step down as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator despite having one year remaining on his deal following pressure from fans and players.
Davis Thompson produced back-to-back eagles on his way to a two-stroke lead after opening with a 10-under 62 at the American Express in California on Thursday.
The unheralded 23-year-old American leads the way from a stacked field that includes 10 of the top 20 in the world.
Thompson set up his career-low round by shooting an eight-under-par 28 on his front nine, including eagles on both the fifth and sixth holes at the La Quinta Country Club, which is one of three courses being used as players also spread across the PGA West's Stadium Course and Nicklaus Tournament Course.
The American's performance tied the lowest front-nine score on the course, having made six of seven fairways and eight of nine greens.
Behind Thompson is a group of five players, including former world number one Jon Rahm who carded nine birdies and a bogey in his round of 64 on La Quinta. Rahm is tied with Sam Burns, Tyler Duncan, Matti Schmid and Taylor Montgomery at eight under.
Burns might have been outright second if not for a bogey on the 18th on the Stadium Course, having carded seven birdies on his front nine. The American made nine consecutive one-putts.
Nine players are a further stroke back at seven under after the first round, including Tokyo Olympics gold medalist and two-time major runner-up Xander Schauffele, who also shot an eagle on the fifth.
Among the pre-tournament favourites, Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay both shot four under on La Quinta, while Will Zalatoris managed three under on the Nicklaus Tournament Course. Tony Finau and Tom Kim carded rounds of three under at La Quinta.
The Baltimore Ravens are confident they can reach a long-term deal with franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson amid a contract stand-off.
The Ravens' 2022 season ended with Sunday's 24-17 Wild Card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, re-opening discussion on the 2018 NFL MVP's future after shelving talks during the regular season.
There has been an awkward relationship between Jackson and the franchise after the Ravens opted against handing the 26-year-old a new five-year contract in 2022, with the QB playing out the fifth-year option of his rookie deal this season.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Thursday that they are determined to keep Jackson.
"Lamar Jackson is our quarterback," Harbaugh said. "He's been our quarterback. Everything we've done in terms of building our offense and our team, putting people around him, is based around this young man, his talent, his ability and his competitiveness.
"I'll have my fingers crossed and my toes crossed, I'll be saying prayers, I've every faith it's going to get done. Eric wants him here, I want him here, [owner] Steve [Bisciotti] wants him here and Lamar wants to be here. It's going to work out."
Jackson, who represents himself, wants a guaranteed-money deal while the Ravens are likely to place the franchise tag on him if no deal is completed by March to ensure he does not become an unrestricted free agent.
DeCosta added that he was in constant communication with Jackson and hopeful on completing a new deal.
"It certainly takes two to tango but I think Lamar and I have a great relationship," DeCosta said.
"We communicate quite often. We spent some time together today as a matter of fact. We've spoken throughout the season multiple times. These negotiations, they all happen differently.
"We'll communicate effectively, we'll be as fair as we can be. We'll try to hammer out a deal. Hopefully we can get to that point."
When asked if Jackson would be Baltimore's Week 1 starting QB next season, DeCosta added: "I don’t see any reason why he won't be."
The Ravens fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman on Thursday, with Jackson to have input in his replacement, in a sign they are moving forward in the assumption he will remain.
Harbaugh added that he had no concerns over Jackson's durability, despite being unable to finish the past two seasons due to injury.
"He's a very durable player," he said. "I know that people might take issue with that. But I don't believe that there's going to be a problem going forward because I know how hard he works."
Jackson started 12 games in the 2022 season, with a completion rate of 62.3 per cent for 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding three rushing TDs and 764 yards on the ground.
Chicago Bulls All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine both described Thursday's 126-108 win against the Detroit Pistons in France as a "beautiful" experience.
Playing at the Accor Arena in Paris, the Bulls were too strong as LaVine, DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic all put together stylish performances in front of a crowd packed with celebrities, including former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique and future top NBA Draft pick Victor Wembanyama.
LaVine scored a game-high 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting, DeRozan posted 26 points (nine-of-18) with nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Vucevic snatched a game-high 15 rebounds to go with 16 points and six assists from the center position.
It was a disappointing homecoming for Detroit's Killian Hayes, who was drafted out of France, as he shot two-of-13 from the field, but nobody had more than his eight assists.
While it may be a long flight home for the Pistons, the Bulls were left with a great taste in their mouth as they enter the second half of the season.
"It was amazing," DeRozan said. "One of those games I'll look back years down the line and think about how great it was. It was a beautiful atmosphere and a privilege to be here and be part of this whole thing."
LaVine echoed those sentiments, highlighting the team bonding during this kind of trip.
"It was great for us, going into the second half of the season, spending time together, bonding," he said. "Everybody seeing each other's family, who they brought and care about. It was a great experience overall.
"The atmosphere was great, and the Bulls' brand recognition… it was great to see. You see how much the game is growing, and how much people are locked in to see the players.
"It's beautiful – I'm definitely coming back to Paris again, maybe for a wine trip."
With the win, the Bulls are now 21-24 and sit 3.5 games behind the Miami Heat in the race for the Eastern Conference's six seed.
Christian Wood will miss at least one week after the Dallas Mavericks announced on Thursday he had suffered a fractured thumb.
The injury occurred during Wednesday's loss against the Atlanta Hawks, which was Wood's 42nd appearance this season out of 46 possible opportunities.
In his 17 outings since being introduced into the starting line-up, the Mavericks' key offseason addition has averaged 20.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, functioning as his side's second option behind superstar Luka Doncic.
While primarily known for his offensive ability, Wood has begun to become a more imposing shot-blocking presence, tying his career-high with 1.3 blocks per game, while trending towards a career-best season.
He averaged 1.6 blocks during the month of December, and has taken it up another notch in the new year, averaging 2.3 blocks during his eight games in January.
That 2.3 blocks figure would have him fourth in the NBA if he could maintain it over a full season.
Out of the four games Wood has missed this season, the Mavericks have only won one, and their next week of action includes fixtures against playoff contenders the Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Phoenix Suns.
LeBron James remained the overall leader in the third fan returns of NBA All-Star Game voting announced Thursday.
In the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo passed Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant for the top spot.
Los Angeles Lakers talisman James has received 6,506,682 votes and Antetokounmpo is now up to 5,970,196, which is 132,014 votes ahead of Durant in the East.
Durant’s status for the All-Star Game on February 19 in Salt Lake City, Utah is unknown as he’s currently sidelined with an MCL sprain in his right knee.
The top three frontcourt players along with the top two guards in the East and West will be the starters in the All-Star Game. The overall leading vote-getters from each conference will be named captains and then pick their teams.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (4,718,218) and the Lakers' Anthony Davis (3,838,171) are behind James in the West among frontcourt players. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors leads all West guards with 5,151,822 votes, 246,167 ahead of the Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic.
In the East, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (4,521,414) trails Antetokounmpo and Durant among frontcourt players. Brooklyn's Kyrie Irving (3,968,041) and Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers (3,851,233) lead in voting for guards.
Fan voting, which accounts for 50 percent in determining the starters, ends on Saturday. NBA players and a media ballot account for 25 percent each.
The captains and starters will be announced on January 26.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich as part of a slew of changes made by head coach Todd Bowles.
After an 8-9 regular season and swift exit from the playoffs, the Bucs will assemble a new-look coaching staff for the 2023 season with several notable departures.
Leftwich was among six coaches to be dismissed, along with running backs coach Todd McNair and assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust.
The Buccaneers have also lost three coaches to retirement, quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen among them, with Bowles plotting for the future after falling short of their objectives.
"We appreciate the hard work and contributions that all of these coaches made to our successes over the past four seasons," he said.
"As a collective group, we did not meet the high standards that had been set for this past year and my focus now is on doing what is needed to ensure a successful 2023 season.
"These were very difficult decisions but something that I felt was necessary for our football team going forward."
In the first of four seasons with Leftwich running the offense, Jameis Winston threw for 5,109 yards.
Tom Brady's first year alongside Leftwich saw the Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV, but Tampa Bay lost in the 2021 Divisional Round, and signs of a decline started to emerge.
Injuries ravaged the Tampa Bay offensive line in 2022 and the team struggled to find a rhythm, looking at their best when forced to run the two-minute drill, where Brady stepped up.
The Buccaneers' turnover ahead of 2023 may not just be in the coaching department, with Brady's status uncertain, so a significant rebuild is on the cards.
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman announced his resignation Thursday after six seasons with the team and four as its primary play-caller.
Roman said he is leaving to pursue other opportunities in a statement released by his agency, Athletes First. The 50-year-old’s job security had been a topic of speculation after the Ravens struggled to consistently produce points during the late stages of a season in which star quarterback Lamar Jackson missed the final six games with a knee injury.
"After visiting with coach [John] Harbaugh and after huddling with my family, I have decided that now is the right time to move on from the Ravens so that I can explore new challenges and opportunities," Roman said.
"I'll truly miss Baltimore, but at the same time I am excited to attack my next opportunity with passion and focus."
Roman’s tenure as offensive coordinator began with a flourish, as the Ravens set an NFL season record with 3,296 rushing yards and averaged a league-high 33.2 points per game in 2019.
Jackson was named the NFL’s MVP that year after setting a league season record for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,206) and leading all players with 36 touchdown passes.
Baltimore finished seventh in scoring the following season and sixth in total yards in 2021, but slipped to 19th and 16th, respectively, in those categories this season amid injuries to Jackson and the team’s top two wide receivers, Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay.
Those struggles were most prevalent after Jackson went down in Week 13, as the Ravens averaged just 13.1 points over the final seven games of a season that ended with Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wild Card round playoffs.
Baltimore ended the campaign 28th in passing yards and 30th in touchdown efficiency within the red zone.
"Greg has led the development and success of a record-setting offence in Baltimore for several seasons," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. "He is a tremendous football coach, as well as family man and person.
"Greg devised and led our offence to no fewer than 26 historical and franchise achievements. He established an identity for our offence."
Andy Murray does not believe night matches dragging on into the early hours is beneficial to anybody.
Murray came back in stunning fashion at the Australian Open in a second-round match that started late on Thursday but dragged well into Friday in Melbourne.
The former world number one reached the third round with a marathon 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 7-5 victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis.
At five hours and 45 minutes, the five-set thriller was the longest match of Murray's career and the second-longest in Australian Open history, as the Briton claimed victory shortly after 04:00 local time.
Murray, though, sees no benefit of playing so deep into the night.
"I don't know who it is beneficial for," he said in a press conference. "We come here after the match, and that's what discussion is [about], rather than it being [on an] epic match.
"It ends in a bit of a farce. Amazingly, people stayed until the end. I really appreciate people doing that, creating an atmosphere for us.
"Some people need to work the following day. If my child was a ball kid for a tournament [and] they are coming home at five in the morning, I'm snapping at that.
"It's not beneficial for them, it's not beneficial for the umpires, the officials. It's not good for the players. We talk about it all the time. When you start the night matches, these things are going to happen."
Murray's career appeared to reach a potential end at this very tournament four years ago due to his longstanding hip issues, and it is a testament to his determination that he remains capable of going the distance in matches.
But he acknowledged there could be a health risk from long encounters such as this one, adding: "Potentially. It's strange because the courts are fast.
"When we started tonight, it felt like there was no pressure in the ball. It's just difficult to hit winners. There was a 70-shot rally yesterday, which is not normal. [We] probably need to look at that."
Kokkinakis was blunter in his assessment, posting on Twitter: "This f****** sport, man."
Murray, a five-time finalist in Melbourne, will face Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round, having progressed to that stage of the Australian Open for the first time since 2017.
Andy Murray made a record-breaking fightback in the longest match of his career to beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in an Australian Open thriller in the early hours of Friday morning.
After finding himself two sets down, Murray drew on the fighting spirit he has produced so many times over the years to secure an incredible 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-6( 7-5) 6-3 7-5 win on Margaret Court Arena.
The battling Brit came off the ropes to become he first player in Open era history to win 10 grand slam matches from two sets down.
With the clock having ticked past 4am local time, the 35-year-old finally triumphed in what was the second-longest match (five hours and 45 minutes) in Australian Open history, only beaten by the 2012 final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (five hours and 53 minutes).
Here, Stats Perform takes a closer look at some of the numbers from Murray's incredible win.
Murray's unbeaten grand slam streak against Australian players continues
Murray's success over Kokkinakis ensured his unbeaten record against Australian opponents at majors remained intact, making it 12 out of 12.
The former world number one has lost all five of his finals at the Australian Open, but he is now into the third round at the tournament for the first time since 2017.
His victory over Kokkinakis made him just the fifth male player in the Open era to win more than 50 main-draw matches at the Australian Open, joining illustrious company in Roger Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Stefan Edberg.
Murray's greater experience shows against big-serving opponent
Kokkinakis seized control of the match by taking the first two sets, but as Murray dragged the contest into the later stages, the Brit's experience in big matches showed.
The 37 aces fired down by Kokkinakis was his highest career tally in an ATP-level main-draw match and 27 more than Murray served up. Kokkinakis racked up an astonishing 102 winners to Murray's impressive 69.
Three-time grand slam champion Murray became just the seventh male player to feature in 250 grand slam main draw matches, roaring back to surpass Todd Martin and Federer for the most major victories from two sets down. It was his first such triumph at the Australian Open.
Murray has now won both meetings with Kokkinakis, after also defeating him in the 2015 Davis Cup, and sets up a third-round clash with Roberto Bautista Agut, with whom he holds a 3-3 head-to-head record.
Andy Murray could scarcely believe he managed to fight from two sets down to topple home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis in five sets at the Australian Open.
In an epic match that began on Thursday but ticked well into the early hours of Friday in Melbourne, Murray prevailed 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 7-5 in the second-longest match in Australian Open history.
With the clock having ticked past 04:00am local time, the five-time finalist finally triumphed to become the first player in Open era history to win 10 grand slam matches having lost the opening two sets.
"I don't know. Unbelievable that I managed to turn that round," said Murray, who has reached the third round of the Australian Open for the first time since 2017.
"Thanasi was serving unbelievable. I don't know how I managed to get through it. Yeah, I have a big heart.
"I'm aware I don't look particularly happy when playing but I'm at my happiest on the inside.
"I've always loved competing and always showed my emotions when I've played. I've been criticised a lot for it over the years but that's who I am."
Finally, in a message to the fans that stuck around at Melbourne Park, Murray said: "Thanks so much to everyone for staying. It's ridiculously late. You didn't need to do that but it really helps me and Thanasi when we have all of you creating an amazing atmosphere. I think we should all get off to bed now."
Kokkinakis was in cruise control when he doubled his lead with a tie-break victory in the second set.
But he then appeared to start feeling the pressure in the third set, smashing his racquet following an angry dispute with the umpire after receiving a time violation.
Taking advantage of his opponent's loss of composure, Murray battled back from 5-2 down to force another tie-break, where Kokkinakis lost four points on his serve as the match was pushed to a fourth set.
Having been one game from defeat, the tide was turning in Murray's favour, as he teed up a decider that had looked so unlikely.
Murray spurned his first seven break points but brilliantly won his eighth attempt with the set tied at five games apiece, putting the former world number one on the verge of a stunning success.
He made no mistake as he clinched victory with a forehand winner, ending the match after five hours and 45 minutes.
Only the 2012 final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (five hours and 53 minutes) beating it in terms of longevity in the tournament's history.
Max Verstappen is confident Red Bull will use the punishments issued for budget cap breaches as "extra motivation" to succeed in 2023.
The team, who won the Constructor's Championship for the first time since 2013 last season, have been hit with wind tunnel testing restrictions and CFD limitations after they were judged to have breached financial regulations.
The full impact of those punishments is unclear but a reduction in time allowed in the wind tunnel could lead Red Bull to fall behind their rivals in aerodynamic developments, causing them to lose time on the fastest sections of Formula One tracks.
Rivals Ferrari are reported to have made significant gains ahead of the 2023 campaign, with their car said to be a second faster than their 2022 vehicle, while Mercedes made clear improvements at the back end of last season.
However, Verstappen, bidding to win a third consecutive championship, expects Red Bull to be in the running and feels the punishments issued can provide additional encouragement for the team.
"Well, I mean, it will affect us, but how much? I don't know yet," he told the F1's official website.
"I'm confident that the team, and the people we have, can use that as extra motivation to try and do even better. I know, of course, they always give their best.
"But we have a very competitive car, we have a lot of great ideas, I think, already for next year as well with the car, and hopefully it’s going to be enough."
F1 teams head to Bahrain in February for pre-season testing, before the new campaign begins in Sakhir on March 5.
Ons Jabeur became the latest big-name casualty at the Australian Open when she suffered a second-round defeat to Marketa Vondrousova.
Jabeur has been hampered by knee and back injuries at the start of the season and the second seed suffered more pain on Rod Laver Arena, where the excellent Vondrousova sealed a 6-1 5-7 6-1 win in the early hours of Friday morning in Melbourne.
Vondrousova has been troubled by multiple wrist injuries since she was a runner-up at the French Open in 2019, but appears to have put those issues behind her.
The Czech left-hander dominated the first and final sets after Jabeur showed her fighting spirit in the second to force a decider at Melbourne Park.
A runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open last year, tenacious Tunisian Jabeur appeared to be in some pain and struggling for breath during a match in which she made 50 unforced errors.
The world number two struck 27 winners to her opponent's 17, but followed the likes of Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud and Emma Raducanu in making early exits when she overcooked a forehand.
Vondrousova, ranked 78th after an injury-hit 2022 season in which missed three of the four grand slams, will face compatriot Linda Fruhvirtova in round three.
The New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs are the among the five teams set to host matches in London and Germany as part of the NFL's 2023 International Games.
The Buffalo Bills, the Tennessee Titans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars complete the quintet heading to Europe as designated home teams during the 2023 season.
London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will welcome the Bills and the Titans, while the Jaguars return to their home away from home at Wembley Stadium as part of their multi-year commitment to playing in the UK.
The 2023 season will mark a landmark 10th appearance for Jacksonville in London, while the Bills (2015) and Titans (2018) will make their second appearance in the city.
Two games will also take place in Germany, with the Chiefs and the Patriots set to feature, though venues are yet to be confirmed.
The NFL previously announced that Munich, which hosted the clash between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks in 2022, and Frankfurt will stage games in Germany over the next four years.
Details on the dates, opponents and kick-off times will be announced later in the year when the full schedule for the 2023 NFL season is announced.
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