World number five Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of the Australian Open first round by fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. The epic five-set match ended 7-6, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 in four hours, 41 minutes. It’s only Nadal’s second ever opening round defeat at a major tournament. Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, former world number one Ana Ivanovic beat the unseeded Tammi Patterson 6-2, 6-3.

Etihad Airways and McLaren Racing take to the skies with racing team livery
UAE achieves another gold medal at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
Sabalenka, Andreeva make winning starts at WTA Finals
Brady ends three-year spell as Birmingham City investor
