The 24-year-old will arrive at Melbourne Park under vastly different circumstances from 12 months ago

World number one Carlos Alcaraz arrives in Melbourne with only one mission in mind – to claim a first Australian Open title to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.

Yassine Bounou saved two penalties and Youssef En Nesyri netted the decisive spot kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shootout victory over Nigeria following their 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday.

China on Wednesday reported a record trade surplus of nearly $1.2-trillion (R19.64-trillion) in 2025, led by booming exports to non-US markets as producers looked to build global scale to fend off sustained pressure from the Trump administration.

Real Madrid’s new manager Alvaro Arbeloa pledged to fight for everything as he stepped into the role vacated by Xabi Alonso and said he would stay in the post as long as he was needed.

LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm, Cam Smith and Bryson DeChambeau have turned their backs on a chance to return to the PGA Tour, choosing to stay loyal to the Saudi-backed circuit even as former world No 1 Brooks Koepka makes a costly comeback.

Reigning motorcycle champion Daniel Sanders vowed to battle on in the Dakar Rally on Wednesday despite suffering a suspected broken collarbone on stage 10 in the Saudi Arabian desert.

Novak Djokovic returns to Melbourne Park looking to roll back the apparently inexorable tide of the “Sincaraz” era and produce an Australian Open triumph that would establish him as the most successful Grand Slam champion of all time.

Michael Carrick is set to take charge at Manchester United on an interim basis until the end of the season

Spaniard Nani Roma led compatriot Carlos Sainz in a Ford one-two at the top of the Dakar Rally car standings on Tuesday after a tough ninth stage in the Saudi Arabian desert for some frontrunners.