Aussie surfing star faces world No.1
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Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Kyrgios out of US Open doubles, de Minaur not invited
Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of his proposed US Open doubles pairing with Naomi Osaka, casting doubt on his participation in the singles. Kyrgios' absence was revealed when the US Tennis Association released the draw for the controversially remodelled event, which also confirmed Alex de Minaur's plea to be included with British fiancee Katie Boulter had been rejected. Kyrgios has been troubled by injuries for three years and recently posted his knee was "cooked". Australian world No.8 De MInaur, who had asked for a wildcard "pretty pretty please" via social media, is the highest-ranked man not in the event. This was despite several other withdrawals, which left new pairing Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper as the No.1 seeds after both their planned partners pulled out. British men's world No.5 Draper was due to play with Paula Badosa and women's world No. 4 Pegula with fellow American Tommy Paul. There could yet be further withdrawals. The event begins Tuesday (local time) with the first round and quarter-finals being played then. Yet Carlos Alcaraz plays Jannik Sinner in the final of the Cincinnati Open in Ohio on Monday. They are due to partner, respectively, Emma Raducanu and, in another new pairing, Katerina Siniakova. The Czech women's doubles No.2 has replaced Emma Navarro as partner of the men's singles world No.1. French veteran Gael Monfils, who partnered Kyrgios in the DC Open in Washington recently, has replaced him as Osaka's partner. Another eye-catching duo are 45-year-old Venus Williams and fellow American Reilly Opelka. They are among eight wildcards with the other eight pairings selected on the basis of combined singles rankings - thus Draper and Pegula as top seeds. The qualification policy is just one reason why the event, designed to attract attention of fans, sponsors, television and social media, is controversial. Prize money has been increased five-fold to $US 1 million ($A1.5m) but only four games will be required to win a set in matches before Wednesday's final, with no-advantage scoring (four points will be needed to win a game) and 10-point match tie-breaks instead of a third set throughout. Last year's US Open mixed doubles champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori have dismissed the new format as a "pseudo-exhibition focused only on entertainment and show" that would shut out true doubles players. Having been given a wildcard they will have the chance to make their case for doubles specialists on court with their first match against No.2 seeds Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz. US OPEN MIXED DOUBLES DRAW Jessica Pegula & Jack Draper (1) v Emma Raducanu & Carlos Alcaraz Olga Danilovic & Novak Djokovic v Mirra Andreeva & Daniil Medvedev Iga Swiatek & Casper Ruud (3) v Madison Keys & Frances Tiafoe Naomi Osaka & Gael Monfils v Caty McNally & Lorenzo Musetti Katerina Siniakova & Jannik Sinner v Belinda Bencic & Alexander Zverev Taylor Townsend & Ben Shelton v Amanda Anisimova & Holger Rune (4) Venus Williams & Reilly Opelka v Katarina Muchova & Andrey Rublev Sara Errani & Andrea Vavassori v Elena Rybakina & Taylor Fritz (2) (seeds in brackets)
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Oscar Piastri to have grandstand named after him at Melbourne's Albert Park Grand Prix circuit
Young Australian motorsport sensation Oscar Piastri is set to have a grandstand named after him at the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit in Melbourne next year. The 24-year-old Victorian currently leads the F1 championship with 14 of the 24 races completed this season. The Piastri Grandstand will be located on the main straight, opposite pit lane. The Fangio Grandstand will remain, with the structure growing in capacity and sectioned into two — Piastri and Fangio, with the Piastri Grandstand incorporating the most sought-after seats closest to the start line. Piastri will join a number of other Australian drivers who have a grandstand named after them, including Jack Brabham, Arthur Waite, Alan Jones, Daniel Ricciardo and Mark Webber. 'I'm very excited by the news that I'll have my own grandstand at next year's Australian Grand Prix,' said Piastri. 'It feels very surreal, and I never thought this would happen but the support is incredible and I can't wait to see it all come together next March. 'Seeing all the fans in my own grandstand directly opposite the McLaren garage is going to be an amazing experience and I'm really looking forward to feeling the energy and the atmosphere.' Piastri leads the F1 standings with 284 points with 12 podiums. He is followed by McLaren teammate Lando Norris on 275 points, also 12 podiums. Defending champion Max Verstappen is third on 187 points for Red Bull, while George Russell in his Mercedes is fourth on 172. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounds out the top five on 151 points. The Australian GP will take place from March 5-8 next year.
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Grandstand moment: F1 champ Oscar Piastri to get Albert Park honour
Oscar Piastri's status as one of Australia's best athletes will be further recognised at next year's Australian Grand Prix when the young Formula 1 maestro will have a grandstand named after him. Having already matched or surpassed the number of career grand prix wins by fellow Australian drivers, 24-year-old Piastri could yet enter the 2026 F1 season-opener as the reigning world champion. In any case, Piastri's name will adorn a grandstand in the main straight, opposite pit lane. The Melbourne-raised racer leads the F1 driver standings – on 284 points, with McLaren teammate Lando Norris in second place on 275 points. Eight-time grand prix winner Piastri has already won six races on the 2025 F1 calendar, and it's shaping as a showdown between him and Norris for overall individual glory. Loading Other Australian drivers who already have a grandstand named after them at the Albert Park street circuit include Jack Brabham, Arthur Waite, Alan Jones, Daniel Ricciardo and Mark Webber. 'It feels very surreal, and I never thought this would happen, but the support is incredible and I can't wait to see it all come together next March,' Piastri said in a statement. 'Seeing all the fans in my own grandstand directly opposite the McLaren garage is going to be an amazing experience, and I'm really looking forward to feeling the energy and the atmosphere.'
