Petra Kvitova and Naomi Osaka set up what is certain to be a hard-hitting clash in the Australian Open final on Saturday.
Kvitova defeated Danielle Collins 7-6 (2) 6-0 to reach an emotional third grand slam final while Osaka remains on track for back-to-back titles following her three-set win over Karolina Pliskova.
In the first men's semi-final, Rafael Nadal continued his vintage form by dispatching Stefanos Tsitsipas for the loss of just six games.
Picture of the day
Tweet of the day
Guys a freak
— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) January 24, 2019
Court not in Vogue
There has been a lot less discussion this year than last about the continued naming of Melbourne Park's third arena after Margaret Court but Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour used a speech at the Australian Open Inspirational Series on Thursday to raise the issue again.
Wintour said of Court, who has been heavily criticised for her views on LGBTQ issues: "I find that it is inconsistent with the sport for Margaret Court's name to be on a stadium that does so much to bring all people together across their differences."
Umpire selfies
The life of a tennis umpire could hardly be said to resemble that of a celebrity but, after earning global fame – or infamy – for his role in the US Open final controversy, Portuguese official Carlos Ramos has been spotted being stopped for selfies on Flinders Street.
Who's up next?
Time to get ready for @DjokerNole on Friday 😉 #Allez #AlwaysListenToTheCoach Semi-finals around the corner @AustralianOpen (📸 @antoinecouvercelle ) pic.twitter.com/8UBcaxkGly
— Lucas Pouille (@la_pouille) January 24, 2019
Friday's evening session features the second men's semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Lucas Pouille.
World number one Djokovic will hope to move a step closer to a recording seventh title at Melbourne Park while 24-year-old Frenchman Pouille is appearing in the last four at a slam for the first time.
In the women's doubles final, Australian Sam Stosur and her Chinese partner Zhang Shuai will be the home favourites against second seeds Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic.
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