Quarters Down Under

01/25/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

Good Morning,

Today’s edition is a Tuesday tennis takeover down under. The Australian Open quarterfinals are underway overnight. We’ve got highlights from the opening matches with more to come.

Letter Rip!

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TENNIS

Nadal Storms Into Semis

Photo: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

AUS Open: (6) Rafael Nadal Punches Ticket to Semifinals With 5th-Set Takeover

Tuesday morning’s opening quarterfinal match saw (6) Rafael Nadal take a two-set lead before surrendering two sets to (14) Denis Shapovalov. In the fifth set, following a controversial health check and extended restroom break, it was all Nadal. Shapovalov was furious with the momentum swing that took place, but to no avail. With Novak Djokovic out of the picture, Rafa is two matches away from his record-setting 21st slam. Plenty of qualifiers still stand in the way, including (2) Daniil Medvedev and (4) Stefanos Tsitsipas in action today.

Men’s Quarterfinal Highlights

(6) R. Nadal def. (14) D. Shapovalov (6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3)

Men’s Quarterfinal Schedule

(7) M. Berrettini vs. (17) G. Monfils (4:15 am ET)

(4) S. Tsitsipas vs. (11) J. Sinner (11:00 pm ET)

(2) D. Medvedev vs. (9) F. Auger-Aliassime (3:30 am ET)

Additional Storylines

EuroSport: ‘You Guys Are All Corrupt!’ — Shapovalov in Furious Rant at Umpire

AUSOpen: Tsitsipas Shows Steel to Edge Fritz in 4th-Round Thriller

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TENNIS

Keys Delivers Latest Upset

Photo: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

AUS Open: Madison Keys Stuns (4) Barbora Krejcikova to Reach Semis

American Madison Keys played spoiler on Monday in the first match of quarterfinals, taking down 4-seed Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets. Keys took advantage of the heat that impacted Krejcikova’s health. It was the second big name to go down in a matter of hours after 2-seed Aryna Sabalenka fell to Kaia Kanepi. (1) Ashleigh Barty and (7) Iga Swiatek are the only top-10 seeds remaining in the women’s draw. Barty is in action this morning.

Women’s Quarterfinal Highlights

M. Keys def. (4) B. Krejcikova (6-3, 6-2)

Women’s Quarterfinal Schedule

(1) A. Barty vs. (21) J. Pegula (3:00 am ET)

(27) D. Collins vs. A. Cornet (7:00 pm ET)

(7) I. Swiatek vs. K. Kanepi (9:00 pm ET)

Additional Storylines

ABC: Madison Keys Sets Up Potential Australian Open Semifinal Clash With Ash Barty

AUSOpen: Jessica Pegula Backs Up With Intent to Move Forward

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NCAA

Auburn Takes Over No. 1

Photo: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images

Auburn Tigers Claim 1st No. 1 Ranking in Program History; South Carolina Still Holding in Women’s Poll

There’s a new No. 1 atop the college basketball rankings. The Auburn Tigers became the sixth team this season to ascend to the top spot, and it’s their first No. 1 ranking in program history. Auburn (18-1) has won 15 straight games dating back to November. In the women’s poll, it’s another week at No. 1 for South Carolina with shakeups between 3-10, including a big leap from Texas.

Men’s AP Top-10

1. Auburn (18-1) | ↑1

2. Gonzaga (15-2) | ↓1

3. Arizona (16-1) | —

4. Baylor (17-2) | ↑1

5. Kansas (16-2) | ↑2

6. Purdue (16-3) | ↑2

7. UCLA (13-2) | ↑2

7. Houston (17-2) | ↑3

9. Duke (15-3) | ↑3

10. Michigan State (15-3) | ↑4

Men’s AP Top-25

Women’s AP Top-10

1. South Carolina (17-1) | —

2. Stanford (14-3) | —

3. NC State (18-2) | ↑1

4. Tennessee (18-1) | ↑1

5. Louisville (16-2) | ↓2

6. Indiana (14-2) | —

7. Michigan (16-2) | ↑1

8. Arizona (14-2) | ↑2

9. Texas (14-3) | ↑6

10. UConn (11-4) | ↑1

Women’s AP Top-25

Additional Storylines

Yahoo! Sports: Auburn Jumps Gonzaga, Claims No. 1 Ranking for 1st Time

SI: Ole Miss Enters Women’s AP Top-25 for First Time in 15 Years

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THE HIGHLIGHTS

NBA: Suns Streaking Once Again

After an 18-game win streak early in the year, the Suns are back on another seven-game run following last night’s win over the Jazz (115-109). Devin Booker (33) and Chris Paul (27) combined for 60 points.

NHL: Kreider Takes NHL Lead With Goal 30

The Rangers won a six-round shootout against the Kings on Monday (3-2, S/O), and Chris Krieder scored the opening goal to hit the 30-goal mark and take the league lead. The win pushed the Rangers to the 60-point mark atop the Metropolitan Division.

NCAAM: #5 Kansas Survives in 2OT Thriller

5th-Ranked Kansas escaped #13 Texas Tech thanks to Ochai Agbaji’s 37-point night, including a game-tying 3 to force double overtime before the Jayhawks won it (94-91, 2OT).

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NFL STORYLINES

Greatest Playoff Round Ever?

The four games we saw over the weekend delivered just about everything we could have asked for. Here are 10 takeaways from the most exciting weekend of NFL Playoffs, possibly ever. (ESPN+)

Super Bowl Futures for Last 4

After an epic NFL divisional round, we’re down to just four teams vying for Super Bowl VLI. Here are the updated odds for the Chiefs, Rams, 49ers and Bengals. (FOX Sports)

A Different Your for Hires

You think the head-coaching hires have proceeded glacially this year? It’s Jan. 25, and NFL teams have filled none of their eight head-coaching openings. (Peter King, NBC Sports)

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THE HEADLINES