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UNBEATABLE: MARCOS BAGHDATIS PICKS DJOKOVIC OVER FEDERER, NADAL

Marcos Baghdatis names Novak Djokovic as his ultimate challenge, saying the Serb was the only player he felt he couldn't beat.

Unbeatable: Marcos Baghdatis Picks Djokovic Over Federer, Nadal
Baghdatis Felt Djokovic Taught Him A Lesson

Marcos Baghdatis says Novak Djokovic was his toughest competitor during his 16 years as a pro tennis player. Djokovic won all eight of their matches between 2007 and 2015, including a really hard-fought five-hour quarter-final match at Wimbledon.

Djokovic was just one player that Baghdatis could never beat. It's interesting because the Cypriot player did win against Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer back in 2010. That year, he was the only player to beat both of them while they were ranked No. 1 in the world.

That's why the 40-year-old thinks the current Olympic champion is better than the other two in the Big Three. Baghdatis mentioned to Tennis365 that he would go with Novak Djokovic because he never managed to beat him, but it's still a hard pick.

He shouted out Andy Murray as another top player, along with others, like David Ferrer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic, Stan Wawrinka, and Tomas Berdych, as other tough opponents from his time.

Thinking back on playing Djokovic, Baghdatis said that his matches with Novak were pretty close and that's what he remembers.

He recalled one match at Indian Wells a decade ago that didn't go so well. He felt he was given a tennis lesson, as he lost 6-1, 6-2. Interestingly enough, their final match actually ended 6-1, 6-3.

Baghdatis said that he felt like Djokovic taught him a lesson that day, which he never felt when he played Roger or Rafa.

He said that even when he was younger and played Roger, he always felt like he could win next time. But with Novak, he didn't have that feeling, especially after that match.

Earlier this year, Baghdatis mentioned to Tennishead that playing against Djokovic, Federer, Murray, and Nadal kind of messed up his career. Because they were always in the finals.

He said it was tough but also a privilege to share the court with some of the greatest players ever, especially Novak.

Baghdatis said that when he played against Djokovic, he felt like there was no way to win. He felt that Rafa and Roger would leave an opening but would close it when it mattered most. When he beat them in 2010, they questioned what had changed. He responded by saying that stuff happens.

After Djokovic beat Baghdatis in the fourth round of the Australian Open in 2009, he said, during an interview, that they are Orthodox brothers, referring to the Christian church.

WHY ARYNA SABALENKA’S CLINICAL DEMOLITION OF MUCHOVA MAKES HER THE MELBOURNE FAVORITE

Aryna Sabalenka beats Muchova to reach her third straight Brisbane final. She faces giant-killer Marta Kostyuk for the 2026 title.

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Aryna Sabalenka cruises past Karolina Muchova to set up Kostyuk showdown

Aryna Sabalenka powered past Karolina Muchova in straight sets on Saturday, booking her spot in the Brisbane International final for the third year in a row—just a week out from the Australian Open.

Sabalenka looked sharp. Muchova, who’s had the upper hand in their last three matches and actually holds a winning record against the world number one, came in as a real threat. But Sabalenka didn’t care about history. She broke Muchova once in each set, kept her foot on the gas, and closed out the semifinal 6-3, 6-4 in 89 minutes. Now, she’ll face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in Sunday’s final.

On the men’s side, Daniil Medvedev, the former world number one, gets unseeded American Brandon Nakashima in the final.

“I’ve struggled against her before,” Sabalenka said about Muchova. “But today, I stayed focused from the start, played some great tennis, put her under pressure, and I’m happy to get it done in straight sets.”

The 27-year-old from Belarus feels her game is clicking more with every match in Brisbane—she hasn’t dropped a set yet. With seven of the world’s top ten in the draw, she says this is perfect prep for Melbourne, where the Australian Open starts January 18. Sabalenka’s eyeing her third Australian Open title in four years.

“Honestly, compared to my first match here, I can feel my level going up,” she said. “That’s huge before Melbourne. It’s about building form, playing tough matches, and getting ready for what’s next. I’m really happy with how it’s going and can’t wait for the final.”

Kostyuk, ranked 26th, absolutely steamrolled world number six Jessica Pegula, 6-0, 6-3, in just 55 minutes—a masterclass in power and aggression. That’s three top-ten wins in a row for her. Before Pegula, she took out world number three Amanda Anisimova in the third round, then ninth-ranked Mirra Andreeva in the quarters.

“Today was just one of those days where everything goes right,” Kostyuk said, grinning. “Honestly, I haven’t had many matches like this, especially against top-10 players. It’s a huge bonus, especially in these tough Brisbane conditions—hot and humid.”

Kostyuk has never beaten Sabalenka in four tries, but she’s not feeling the pressure.

“All the pressure’s on her. I just want to go out, play well, and give the crowd a good show,” she said. “I’ve got nothing to lose.”

In the men’s semifinals, Medvedev beat American Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-2, and Nakashima knocked out another American, Aleksandar Kovacevic, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

FOUR IN A ROW? THE RECORD-BREAKING STAT COCO GAUFF JUST SET AGAINST IGA SWIATEK

Coco Gauff dominates Iga Swiatek at the United Cup. Poland advances to the final as Swiatek opts for private Australian Open prep.

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Coco Gauff stuns Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-2 to keep USA hopes alive

Coco Gauff handed Iga Swiatek a tough loss in the United Cup semi-final, stopping Swiatek’s unbeaten run at the tournament. Gauff took control early and never really let go, winning 6-4, 6-2. That win kept the United States alive after Taylor Fritz lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the first match.

Swiatek hadn’t dropped a singles match at the United Cup before running into Gauff, who now has Swiatek’s number—four straight wins. After the match, Swiatek went online to share how she felt about her first loss of the season.

Even with Swiatek losing, Poland still clinched a spot in the final thanks to Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński, who beat Gauff and Christian Harrison in doubles. Next up for Poland: a showdown with Switzerland. Swiatek is set to face Belinda Bencic in singles.

On Instagram, Swiatek admitted the loss stung but tried to keep things positive. “Challenging day for me today, but some important lessons to be learned. I’m super grateful for my team and their passion,” she wrote. She also praised her teammates for fighting through and getting Poland to the final: “What a fight tonight! See you in the final tomorrow with another chance.”

Before Gauff stopped her, Swiatek had beaten Eva Lys, Maya Jantchou, and Suzan Lamens in singles at the United Cup.

So, what’s next for Swiatek before the Australian Open? There’s a week between the United Cup and the start of the tournament, but she’s not playing any warm-up events. While other top players are heading to Adelaide or Hobart, Swiatek has decided to train in private instead.

She’s made it clear before that she isn’t a fan of the crowded WTA schedule and doesn’t mind taking a sanction if it means skipping some tournaments. So, it’s not really shocking she’s sitting out before Melbourne.

Historically, the Australian Open hasn’t been her best Grand Slam—she’s never won it, and her deepest run was the semi-finals. The last time she got that far, Madison Keys knocked her out before going on to win the whole thing in 2025. Now, Swiatek’s looking for another shot at the title that’s eluded her.

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