Follow our live build-up, score, photos and text commentary stream from the men’s singles final at Melbourne Park.
Published On 1 Feb 20261 Feb 2026
Share
MELBOURNE — Elena Rybakina finally won her second Grand Slam title with a victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open on Saturday, and it was something of a testament to quiet achievers.
After some tumult at the start of 2025, including the suspension of her coach, Rybakina finished off last year with a title at the WTA Finals in November. And now she has started the new year with a major championship.
Her low-key celebration was symbolic of her understated run through the tournament: a small fist pump, a quick embrace with Sabalenka, a handshake with the chair umpire, a smile, and a few hand claps on the strings of her racket and a wave to acknowledge the crowd.
It happened quickly after Rybakina closed with an ace to cap a third-set comeback and a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over a regular rival who beat her in the final here in 2023.
“The heart rate was definitely beating too fast. Even maybe [my] face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions,” the 26-year-old Rybakina, who was born in Moscow but represents Kazakhstan, said of her calm and clinical finish.
She knew she had to capitalize quickly this time, after she acknowledged getting tight and needing almost a half-hour from her first match point to her match-winning point in a semifinal win over Jessica Pegula.
Elena Rybakina plays a backhand return during the women’s singles final at the Australian Open on Saturday.
(Dita Alangkara / Associated Press)
Three years ago, Rybakina won the first set of the Australian Open final but lost the match in three.
This time, after breaking in the first game and taking the first set, she rallied after losing the second set and going down 3-0 in the third. She won five straight games to regain control.
“It gives me a kind of relief,” she said, “also, a lot of confidence for sure for the rest of the season.”
It was a second major title for fifth-seeded Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022 and entered that Australian final three years ago as the only major winner in the contest.
While Sabalenka went on to win another three majors, including back-to-back triumphs in Australia and the 2024 and ’25 victories at the U.S. Open, Rybakina’s results dipped and she didn’t reach another major final until this tournament.
A win over Sabalenka at the season-ending WTA Finals has changed her career trajectory. She has the most match wins on tour since Wimbledon, and is now on a roll of 20 wins in 21 matches.
“Last year I didn’t start so well,” she said. “I qualified for the [WTA] Finals late. I just hope I can carry this momentum. Do a good job with the team and continue this way.”
Rybakina is 10-0 in her last 10 matches against top-10 players, and she’ll return to No. 3 in the rankings.
Kazakhstan’s flag was unfurled on the court at Rod Laver Arena after Rybakina had paraded the trophy around and posed for photos with her team.
She paid tribute to her coach, Stefano Vukov, who spent time under suspension last year by the women’s tour. Vukov received a silver plate from the tournament organizers for being the champion’s coach.
“Of course I would like to thank my team,” she said. “Without you it wouldn’t have been possible. Really. We had a lot of things going on [last year]. Thank you to all of you, and hopefully we can keep on going strong this year.
“It’s a win for all the team, all the people who support me,” she said. “I just hope that I can carry this moment throughout the whole season and keep on improving.”
She said she’d been working with Vukov since 2019 and she finds it helpful to hear the constant stream of technical and tactical advice he conveys from his seat beside the court. The more, the better, she said, because eventually she listens.
“We won many titles together,” Rybakina said. “And even last year in Ningbo, WTA Finals, and now this trophy I felt just, again, proud and thankful to my team for the work.”
Aryna Sabalenka reacts after winning a point against Elena Rybakina in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open on Saturday.
(Dita Alangkara / Associated Press)
For Sabalenka, it’s back-to-back losses in the final in Australia after going down in an upset last year to Madison Keys.
“Of course, I have regrets. When you lead 3-love and then it felt like in few seconds it was 3-4, and I was down with a break — it was very fast,” she said. “Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me.
“But as I say, today I’m a loser, maybe tomorrow I’m a winner. Hopefully I’ll be more of a winner this season than a loser. Hoping right now and praying.”
Rybakina went on the attack from the start and her serve was strong, with six aces and — apart from the two breaks at the end of the second set and the start of the third — she fended off six of the breakpoint chances she faced.
While Sabalenka’s emotions intensified, Rybakina maintained a determined quietness throughout.
In the end, she let her tennis do the talking.
Watch Elena Rybakina inflict further Grand Slam final heartbreak on world number one Aryna Sabalenka with a dramatic third-set fightback to win her first Australian Open title.
READ MORE: Rybakina beats Sabalenka for first Australian Open title
Available to UK users only.
Following back-to-back Australian Open wins, Aryna Sabalenka has now lost two consecutive finals with Elena Rybakina defeat.
Published On 31 Jan 202631 Jan 2026
Share
Following two years of triumph at the Australian Open, Aryna Sabalenka is now processing another two years of pain – and a series of missed chances in Melbourne that have left her “really upset”.
A year on from losing the final in three sets to American Madison Keys, Sabalenka fell 6-4 4-6 6-4 to Elena Rybakina on Saturday, the Russia-born Kazakh turning the tables on the Belarusian who beat her for the 2023 title.
list of 4 itemsend of list
“I was really upset with myself, I would say, because once again I had opportunities,” Sabalenka said.
“I played great until a certain point, and then I couldn’t resist that aggression that she had on court.”
While the Keys shock left Sabalenka inconsolable and her racket in pieces, defeat to fifth seed Rybakina had its own unique sting.
The world number one held a 3-0 lead in the third set and had all the running before former Wimbledon champion Rybakina broke back in the fifth game and stormed to her second Grand Slam trophy.
“She made some winners. I made a couple of unforced errors,” Sabalenka continued.
“Of course, I have regrets. You know, when you lead 3-0 and then it felt like in a few seconds it was 3-4 and I was down with a break. So it was very fast.
“Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me but, as I say, today I’m a loser, maybe tomorrow I’m a winner, maybe again a loser. Hopefully not. We’ll see.”
It was Sabalenka’s second significant loss to Rybakina in a few months, having been beaten for the season-ending WTA Finals crown.
More alarmingly, it was her third loss in her last four major finals, with Coco Gauff flooring her at last year’s French Open.
Sabalenka did not lose a set coming into the Melbourne final and had won 46 of her 48 previous matches at hardcourt Grand Slams.
Now Rybakina, one of the few players able to match her for power, has dealt Sabalenka’s aura a heavy blow.
Sabalenka laughed ruefully and shrugged through her post-match news conference but was honest enough to admit she had been despondent outside the room.
On court, she draped a white towel over her head to conceal her anguish before gathering herself to deliver gracious congratulations to Rybakina, her most frequent opponent on tour.
She consoled herself that, barring a few errors in the final set, Rybakina had simply wrested the trophy from her grip with the quality of her tennis.
“Even in this final, I feel like I played great. I was fighting. I did my best, and today she was a better player,” said Sabalenka.
“So I don’t know. We’ll speak with the team. Now they try to avoid and escape me because they see that it’s not really healthy to be around me right now.”
Who: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
What: Men’s singles final – Australian Open 2026
When: Sunday, February 1 at 19:30 (08:30 GMT)
Where: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
How to follow: Al Jazeera’s live text and photo stream gets under way at 05:30 GMT
Novak Djokovic stands one step away from cementing his place as the greatest tennis player of all time. In his way, though, is Carlos Alcaraz – a modern adversary seeking a career milestone of his own.
list of 4 itemsend of list
Tennis history will be rewritten when the pair meet in the men’s singles final of the Australian Open 2026 on Sunday.
Djokovic is seeking his 25th major title to go past Margaret Court in the all-time Grand Slam winners’ list in the Open Era, while Alcaraz – 16 years his junior – is looking to become the youngest player to complete a Career Grand Slam by winning the only one eluding his trophy cabinet.
At 38 years old, the Serb is already the oldest man to have qualified for a Grand Slam final, but he will be looking to make the most of his appearance in Sunday’s blockbuster final to seal a record-extending 25th men’s title.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz, who was the last man to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon 2024, will aim to convert his debut final at the Australian Open into a night when he seals a career Slam.
Both men enter the match on the back of epic semifinal wins on Rod Laver Arena on Friday, with top seed and world number one Alcaraz having a slightly longer recovery period than fourth-seeded Djokovic.
In the five years since his first appearance in the main round of a Grand Slam, Alcaraz has swiftly become the face of men’s tennis, and his brief history with the iconic Djokovic is often seen as a passing-of-the-baton inter-generational rivalry.
Alcaraz is known for his speed and power, while Djokovic relies on his experience, consistency and resilience to fend off the next generation of tennis talents.
The young Spaniard’s first meeting against Djokovic came at the Madrid Open in 2022, where the home favourite beat the veteran in straight sets.
Since then, the pair have met in Grand Slam settings on five occasions, with Alcaraz winning both finals but Djokovic emerging victorious at the Olympics to complete his Career Super Slam.
Overall, the Serb edges his rival by five wins to four in their nine meetings.
Career win-loss record
Career titles:
Career prize money:
Year turned pro:
Titles: 6
French Open: 2024, 2025
Wimbledon: 2023, 2024
US Open: 2022, 2025
Titles: 24
Australian Open: 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023
French Open: 2016, 2021, 2023
Wimbledon: 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
US Open: 2011, 2015, 2018, 2023
Their last encounter was in the semifinals of the US Open 2025, where eventual champion Alcaraz was too strong for the four-time winner Djokovic.
The match ended 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 in Alcaraz’s favour.
An ailing Alcaraz battled past Alexander Zverev in a five-set epic to reach his first Australian Open final in a match lasting five hours and 27 minutes. The world number one outlasted the German third seed in hot conditions with a cramping body.
Road to the final:
Djokovic stunned reigning champion Jannik Sinner early on Saturday, with the veteran turning back the clock to upset the Italian in a gruelling four-hour-nine-minute match.
Road to the final:
Tennis experts, fans and former champions have been weighing in on what promises to be a modern epic.
Rafael Nadal: “I think the favourite is Carlos. He’s young, he has the energy and he’s in his prime. But I mean, Novak is Novak. He’s a very special player. I think it’s a positive example of commitment, of resilience. Novak, for obvious reasons, is not at his prime, but he is still very, very competitive at an age that is difficult to be very competitive. So full respect.”
Andy Roddick: “Man regrets inspiring child.”
The men’s singles champion and runner-up will receive $2.9m and $1.5m, respectively, from the total tournament prize money of $78.1m.
Al Jazeera’s build-up to the final will begin at 05:30 GMT, before the live score, photo and text commentary stream from 08:30 GMT.
Fifth seed Elena Rybakina wins the Australian Open tennis final beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne.
Published On 31 Jan 202631 Jan 2026
Share
Elena Rybakina produced a thunderous display to dismantle Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 4-6 6-4 on Saturday and capture a maiden Australian Open title, turning the tables on the world number one in their Melbourne Park final rematch from three years ago.
Rybakina returned to the site of her heartbreak in 2023 to complete an impressive victory and earn her second major trophy after Wimbledon 2022, underlining her credentials as the player best equipped to puncture Sabalenka’s hardcourt aura.
list of 4 itemsend of list
The 26-year-old capped a fortnight of relentless efficiency while largely flying under the radar, adding the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to a resume that also includes the 2025 WTA Finals crown where she downed Sabalenka.
“It’s hard to find words now but I want to congratulate Aryna for her amazing results in the last couple of years. I hope we’re going to play many more finals together,” Kazakh Rybakina said.
“I want to say thank you to you guys (fans). Thank you so much to Kazakhstan. I felt the support from that corner a lot. It’s really a Happy Slam and I always enjoy coming here and playing in front of you guys.”
In the first Grand Slam final since 2008 featuring players yet to drop a set, it was top seed Sabalenka who blinked first under the Rod Laver Arena roof as Rybakina came out all guns blazing to break in the opening game and wrest control.
The Kazakh fifth seed’s huge ball-striking caused all sorts of problems for twice champion Sabalenka, as she comfortably got to set point in the 10th game and finished it off to send alarm bells ringing in her opponent’s dugout.
Having arrived with 46 hardcourt Grand Slam match wins from the last 48, four-time major winner Sabalenka found her groove and started the second set more positively, but Rybakina saved three breakpoints to hold for 1-1.
A wayward forehand from Rybakina handed Sabalenka the chance to level at one set apiece, and the Belarusian gleefully took it to turn the final set into a shootout destined to be decided by whichever player held their nerves.
Having beaten Rybakina from a similar situation in the 2023 title clash, Sabalenka unleashed a flurry of winners to go ahead 3-0, but the Kazakh erased the deficit and broke for 4-3 before securing victory to add to her All England club triumph.
The knockout blow was a huge ace, after which the typically restrained Rybakina walked forward, smiled and pumped her fist before celebrating with her team.
Sabalenka, denied an Australian Open “three-peat” by American outsider Madison Keys in last year’s final, endured heartbreak again as she retreated to her chair and draped a white towel over her head to conceal her anguish.
“I’m really speechless right now,” she said, before turning to her victorious opponent and the fans.
“I want to congratulate you on an incredible run and incredible tennis. Such an incredible achievement. I love being here, love playing in front of you all. You guys are incredible support. Let’s hope next year is going to be a better year.”
The TWZ Newsletter
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
The pace of U.S. military aircraft movements to the Middle East is picking up. The flights, which potentially include F-35A stealth fighters, come amid a growing buildup of U.S. forces in the region. Washington and Tehran continue to trade threats ahead of a potential attack on or from Iran. Meanwhile, in anticipation of conflict, Iran claims it has distributed additional air and sea drones to its troops for potential attacks on U.S. and Israeli assets if needed.
You can catch up with our most recent coverage of tensions in the Middle East in our story here.
During President Donald Trump’s cabinet meeting on Thursday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is ready to fulfill any orders given as the American leader is increasing the pressure on Iran to end its nuclear weapons program.
“They should not pursue nuclear capabilities. We will be prepared to deliver whatever this president expects of the War Department,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth:
Iran has all the options to make a deal.
They should not pursue nuclear capabilities, or we will be prepared to deliver whatever Trump expects. pic.twitter.com/E4jr2eFciv
— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 29, 2026
Trump is now considering options that “include U.S. military airstrikes aimed at Iran’s leaders and the security officials believed to be responsible for the killings, as well as strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and government institutions,” CNN reported, citing sources. “Trump has not made a final decision on how to proceed, sources said, but he believes his military options have been expanded from earlier this month now that a US carrier strike group is in the region.”
As the rhetoric continues to heat up, there are strong indications that the first flight of U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighters may be headed to the Middle East. The jets, from the Vermont Air National Guard, were in Puerto Rico for the pressure campaign that led to the operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. Video from Andre Inacio, who also took the top image in this post, shows some of those jets landing in Lajes, Portugal.
The same F-35s involved in the U.S. mission to capture Venezuelan President Maduro arrived in Lajes on their way to the Middle East this evening.
The fifth-generation fighters will bring additional capabilities as the U.S. prepares options to strike Iran. https://t.co/BwAwqDzJ1Z pic.twitter.com/8MslGBp1w7
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 29, 2026
The F-35As would be the latest tactical aircraft sent to the region. As we previously reported, squadrons of F-35Cs, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and E/A-18G Growlers embarked on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The aircraft carrier and three escorts are now in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR). In addition, a dozen F-15E Strike Eagles were sent to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
The F-35As would give the U.S. additional capability to strike targets deep inside Iran. They played a key suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) role during last June’s Operation Midnight Hammer mission, paving the way for B-2A Spirit bombers that dropped 14 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs on Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities. The F-35As, from the 388th Fighter Wing, were the first aircraft in and the last ones out.
We still don’t know for sure where the F-35As that originally deployed to the Caribbean will end up. The Vermont Air National Guard declined to comment on the deployment, citing operational security concerns and U.S. Central Command does not discuss any movements. That being said, the movement would fit the same pattern we have seen of the influx of capabilities into the Middle East.
Case in point, F/A-18G Growler electronic warfare (EW) jets have also crossed the Atlantic. Flight-tracking data shows that they have left Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia, headed toward Moron Air Base in Spain. From there, they could potentially fly to the Middle East. Yesterday, we reported that, just like the F-35As, these aircraft departed from their assignment to the Caribbean.
As we pointed out, “Growlers in the Middle East would be critical force multipliers. Such a deployment could be indicative of what one would see in the lead-up to a kinetic operation centered heavily on strikes on targets in inland areas, such as ones the U.S. and possibly Israel might carry out in Iran in the future. Growlers can provide electronic warfare support for standoff munitions and/or aircraft penetrating into enemy air defenses, among other battlefield effects.”
#USAF United States Air Force – Middle East Activity (CORONET)
29 January 2026 – 1050zCORONET East 037 – Four KC-46 Pegasus tankers have departed Pease Air National Guard Base, to meet with TABOR 51-53 and TABOR 61-63 flights of F/A-18G Growler’s from Oceana Naval Air Station.… https://t.co/OtkcYs3yLj pic.twitter.com/Nvyvbu5W7D
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) January 29, 2026
Even before these recent moves, there was a small number of tactical jets in the region, including F-15Es, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-16 Fighting Falcons.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is one of the most iconic fighter jets that the U.S. Air Force operates. Now in operation for over 50 years, the F-16 remains one of the most widely flown fighters in the world, operated by more than 25 countries. pic.twitter.com/uY6IrWkvrB
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 14, 2026
In addition to these aircraft, an HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue (CSAR) plane, callsign King40, landed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan today, according to flight tracking data. That was a possibility we suggested yesterday.
A C 130J Combat King has arrived at Al Muwaffaq in Jordan.
HC 130J deployments often signal preparation for high risk operations, as these combat search and rescue aircraft are positioned to recover downed pilots or crews if airstrikes or special operations unfold over hostile… pic.twitter.com/CdgYfGWoRm
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 29, 2026
Another Combat King may be on the way, according to flight tracking data showing it left Rota, Spain. It is possibly headed to Muwaffaq Salti as well. Again, we have no independent confirmation of this. However, sending them to the Middle East at this time makes sense should Trump order a strike on Iran. Combat Kings would be needed for the rapid rescue of any aircrews lost during military operations, specifically over contested territory. They can also support special operations aircraft with aerial refueling for non-personnel recovery missions.
At the same time a HC-130J Combat King II CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) aircraft has been forward deployed to Jordan.
A second one landed in Rota yesterday and will likely join the first in Jordan later today.
— Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) January 29, 2026
Also drawing a lot of interest from flight trackers online, a WC-135R Constant Phoenix “nuke sniffing” jet, callsign COBRA31, has arrived at RAF Mildenhall from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, according to flight-tracking data and the ADS-B exchange. The jets collect air samples to screen for the presence of notable nuclear materials. Beyond taking baseline readings around the globe, the Constant Phoenix jets can be deployed to monitor nuclear weapons tests and look for and track nuclear leaks and other nuclear incidents.
Constant Phoenix jets are no strangers to Europe, as we have noted in the past, so this could very well be a routine flight. While Mildenhall is a frequent jumping-off point for flights to the CENTCOM region, we don’t know for sure where this one is headed. At the same time, moving a jet like this to the Middle East, or at least closer to that region, could make sense if strikes on nuclear sites are being planned. We just don’t know at this time.
A U.S. Air Force WC-135R Constant Phoenix is now leaving CONUS for Europe and possibly onwards to the Middle East.
They are commonly referred to as “nuke sniffers” due to their role detecting and identifying nuclear material in the atmosphere. pic.twitter.com/8fwIGmwzML
— Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) January 29, 2026
Meanwhile, C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Galaxy cargo jets continue flying toward the region, delivering materiel. As we predicted, the U.S. is sending additional Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to the Middle East for increased protection from any Iranian attack, The Wall Street Journal reported.
UPDATE: 20260129-1530Z
So many changes today I’ve had to move to an A3 layout. 6x EA-18Gs and reportedly 6x F-35As from PR on the way to Europe with supporting tankers, possibly more to come this evening. C-17 flights spiked suggesting strikes could commence tomorrow!
cc:… pic.twitter.com/WMW3NVuhbw
— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) January 29, 2026
These aircraft movements appear to be the latest sign of a large surge of U.S. forces to the Middle East. As we reported yesterday, an RC-135V Rivet Joint electronic surveillance plane arrived at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to online flight trackers. In addition, an E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) jet was heading to Souda Air Base in Crete, a common route for deployments to the Middle East.
It should be noted, however, that CENTCOM is conducting a multi-day readiness exercise, so some of these aircraft movements could be related to that.
Beyond aircraft, the U.S. is moving warships to the region. Yesterday, we were the first to report that the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black arrived in the Red Sea, joining the Lincoln and its three escort Arleigh Burkes, two independently deployed Arleigh Burkes, and three Littoral Combat Ships in the CENTCOM region. You can read more about these moves and what they could mean for a possible attack on or from Iran in our story here.
The buildup of forces comes amid back-and-forth threats between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials.
As we reported yesterday, Trump warned Iran to halt its nuclear arms ambitions or face an attack.
“Hopefully Iran will quickly “Come to the Table” and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties,” Trump proclaimed on his Truth Social platform. “Time is running out, it is truly of the essence! As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again…”
Trump was referring to the attack last June on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Today, Iranian military officials claimed they are beefing up their drone force to counter any attack.
“By the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, 1,000 strategic drones were added today to the combat organization of the four branches of the army,” according to the official Iranian IRNA News Agency. “These drones, designed according to new threats and the experiences of the 12-day war, were built by army specialists in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and are designed in strike, offensive, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare classes to destroy specific fixed and moving targets at sea, air, and land.”
Major General Hatami added that, “In line with upcoming threats, maintaining and enhancing strategic advantages for rapid combat and a crushing response to any aggression and attacker is always on the army’s agenda,” IRNA added, without offering any details.
“Due to considerations for protecting military secrets, no images of the attached drones have been released,” the news outlet explained.
While Iran’s claims must be viewed with a high degree of skepticism, it has launched a lot of drones in previous conflicts. Distributing air and sea drones to its forces that are ready for launch makes a lot of sense, especially given the proximity of U.S. bases in the region and the growing presence of Navy ships. Moving these assets out of storage also would help ensure their survival during the opening stages of a conflict. It’s worth noting that while Israel primarily targeted Iran’s longer-range missile and drone capacity, including its launchers and storage areas, the country’s short-range systems were largely left untouched. These ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, exist in far greater numbers and would be used to strike U.S. and allied assets in the region.
On a more defensive note, Tehran is preparing civil defense measures ahead of potential U.S. or Israeli attacks.
“Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani announced on Thursday the launch of a project to build shelters in underground parking facilities in the city, saying they would serve as emergency refuges in times of crisis,” the Israel Hayom news outlet reported. “He added that the capital’s metro stations could also be used as shelters if necessary, and said the program would eventually be expanded to all neighborhoods of Tehran in the coming years.”
Zakani also “detailed plans that include constructing shelters, installing warning systems and protecting civilians in the event of a possible war,” the publication further noted. “He said the initiative was conceived after what he described as the ’12-day war,’ and was designed to allow underground parking lots to function normally during the year while being converted into shelters in times of danger.”
The Mayor of Tehran, Alireza Zakani, has announced that underground parking lots and metro stations across the city will be transformed into “war shelters” in case of resumed hostilities with Israel and the United States.
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 29, 2026
Amid all the military maneuvers and harsh rhetoric, there are still ongoing negotiations to avoid conflict.
“Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate calls Wednesday with his Iranian counterpart and Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff but made no progress,” The Wall Street Journal reported. “Iran strongly objected to the U.S. terms and warned targets across the region would be fair game in the event of a U.S. strike, people familiar with the conversations said.”
In addition, efforts by Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia in recent days were similarly fruitless, the Journal added.
“The Trump administration is hosting senior defense and intelligence officials from Israel and Saudi Arabia for talks on Iran this week as President Trump considers military strikes,” Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials and two other sources with knowledge. “The Saudis have been passing messages in recent days between the U.S. and Iran in an effort to de-escalate the situation.”
This follows decisions by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates not to allow the U.S. to use their bases or airspace for any attack on Iran. You can read more about the implications of that in our story here.
🇸🇦📞🇮🇷 | HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian. pic.twitter.com/sjcDjoHYCv
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) January 28, 2026
This latest round of tension between Washington and Iran was sparked by the killing of thousands of anti-regime protesters by the government of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The unrest began in Iran on Dec. 28 over rising prices and a devalued currency that saw the rial crater now to basically nothing, as well as a devastating drought. The ongoing harsh treatment from the regime fanned the flames.
Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com.
CATHERINE O’Hara has died unexpectedly on Friday, months after her final appearance alongside her husband Bo Welch.
Fans are reeling following the announcement, which did not reveal the Schitt’s Creek star’s cause of death.
Catherine, 71 when she died, made her final appearance alongside her husband Bo back in September.
Photos show the couple dressed to the nines.
The Home Alone actress is wearing a black gown while her hubby sports a chic suit.
Her shoulder-length blonde hair was down with a slight curl in the ends.
Read More Schitt’s Creek News
She wore subtle makeup, including a nude lipstick color.
Catherine appeared in good spirits during the evening out.
She and Bo posed for photos together.
At times, he stood behind her with his hands on her hips.
Months later, Catherine was nominated for a Golden Globe award.
She was schedule to appear at the January 11 awards show, where she was nominated for Best Supporting Performance from a Female Actor for her role in the Apple TV series, The Studio.
Unfortunately, she did not attend.
TMZ broke the news of Catherine’s death on Friday afternoon.
Sources with direct knowledge confirmed the iconic actress’ passing to the outlet.
A cause of death was not immediately available for the star.
Iconic Home Alone actress Catherine O’Hara died on January 30, 2026. O’Hara was 71.
Biography:
While the exact cause of death has not been revealed, Page Six reported that she was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital in “serious” condition.
Paramedics were called the the actress’ home home at 4:48 a.m. on Friday morning, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to the outlet.
She was in “serious condition” when she was transported to the hospital.
Tributes to the actress flooded social media almost immediately after her death was announced.
“RIP Catherine O’ Hara. I know John Candy greeted her with open arms.”, one fan wrote.
Another posted on X: “Catherine O’Hara was an absolute genius for the entirety of her career.
“She will be terribly missed.”
A third posted: “Catherine O’Hara will be remembered most as the mom in the first two Home Alone movies
“But I’ll always remember her as Delia Deetz in BeetleJuice. RIP to a legend.”
Throughout her long career in Hollywood, Catherine appeared in many iconic films and TV shows.
She was an actress for more than 50 years.
Catherine got her star in the sketch series Second City Television in the 1970s.
She’s known for starring in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone 2, Schitt’s Creek and more.
Novak Djokovic stuns reigning two-time champion Jannik Sinner to set up Australian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz.
Published On 30 Jan 202630 Jan 2026
Share
Novak Djokovic channelled his halcyon days in a five-set classic to dethrone Jannik Sinner and become the oldest man to reach the Australian Open final in the professional era at a rocking Rod Laver Arena.
Four months before his 39th birthday, Djokovic showed he remains unbeatable on his day as he sent the double defending champion packing with a 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 win in a 1:32am finish early on Saturday in Melbourne (14:32 GMT on Friday).
list of 4 itemsend of list
“It feels surreal to be honest, playing over four hours,” Djokovic said on court.
“I was reminiscing in 2012 when I played Rafa [Nadal] in the final, that was six hours almost.
“The level of intensity and quality was high [against Sinner], and that was the only way to have a chance to win.
“He won the last five matches against me, he had my mobile number, so I had to change my number tonight.
“Jokes aside I said at the net: ‘Thanks for allowing me at least one’. Tremendous respect, an incredible player. He pushed me to the limit, so he deserves applause for his performance.”
Djokovic will meet world number one Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s decider, the Spaniard having fought off Alexander Zverev in the longest Australian Open semifinal.
Eighteen years after his first Melbourne crown, Djokovic will strive for a record-extending 11th against Alcaraz and the unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title that has eluded him.
Djokovic needed incredible fortune to reach the semifinals, with his quarterfinal opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, retiring injured after taking the first two sets.
The Serb enjoyed a walkover in the fourth round as well, when Jakub Mensik pulled out.
But it was hard work and mental toughness that got Djokovic over the line against Sinner, a player who had beaten him in their previous five matches.
Victory came grudgingly.
He had to save a slew of break points in the decisive set before finally getting a look at Sinner’s serve at 3-3.
Flooring the Italian in three punishing rallies, the Serb broke him to lead 4-3, raised one fist and threw an icy stare at his player’s box.
Djokovic had to save another three break points in the next service game, but sent Serbian fans into delirium when he survived them all and held with an ace.
Serving for the match at 5-4, Djokovic summoned the grit and champion spirit of 20 years at the top, setting up two match points with a forehand winner down the line.
Sinner saved both, but finally fired a backhand wide to concede, leaving Djokovic to throw away his racket, get down on his knees and cross his chest.
After what was undoubtedly one of the greatest performances of his 20-year career, Djokovic thanked all who had stayed until late into the night to provide support – including Australian great Margaret Court, with whom he shares the overall Grand Slam record at 24.
A staggering success was founded in near-perfect ball striking in key moments, but defined by the remarkable resilience he showed to twice level the match against world number two Sinner, saving eight break points in the fifth set as he battled to victory after four hours and nine minutes.
Having looked physically fatigued as he conceded the third set, Djokovic appeared only to grow in strength and refused to fold under sustained pressure as another thrilling conclusion unfolded on Rod Laver Arena.
A 10-time winner in Melbourne, Djokovic produced a remarkable recovery from 0-40 down to move a game from victory after striking the first blow for a 4-3 lead, eventually ending Sinner’s resistance with a fourth match point to become the oldest man in the Open era to reach the Australian Open final.
More to follow.
Carlos Alcaraz becomes the youngest man to reach all four slam finals and can now become youngest to win all four.
Carlos Alcaraz overcame cramps and injury to fend off Alexander Zverev in an epic, momentum-swinging five-setter to become the youngest man in the Open era to reach the finals of all four Grand Slam events.
At 22, he’s aiming to be the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
list of 4 itemsend of list
He reached his first Australian Open final the hard way, winning 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 in 5 hours, 27 minutes on Friday.
That’s despite being two points away in the third set from a semifinal victory in a tournament where he hadn’t dropped a set through five rounds.
He was behind in the fifth set after dropping the first game and didn’t break back until Zverev was serving for the match in the 10th.
Alcaraz will next face either two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner or 10-time Australian Open titlist Novak Djokovic, who is bidding for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title. The long afternoon match delayed the start of the night’s semifinal.
The top-ranked Alcaraz was leading by two sets and appeared to be in the kind of form that won him the US Open last year and has helped him evenly split the last eight majors with Sinner.
But in the ninth game of the third, he started limping and appeared to be struggling with an upper right leg problem. After holding for 5-4, he took a medical timeout in the changeover. It may have been cramp, but he rubbed the inside of his right thigh and called for the trainer, who also massaged the same area.
Zverev was demonstrably upset, talking with a tournament official, when his rival was given the three-minute break for treatment.
Even with his limited footwork, Alcaraz was able to hit winners and get to 6-5 before the trainer returned in the changeover to massage the area again.
When he went back out, the crowd gave him rousing support. Zverev served a double-fault to open the next game, and Alcaraz lobbed and then slapped a forehand winner down the line to get to 0-30. But Zverev won four straight points to force the tiebreaker and then win it.
No 3 Zverev, the 2025 runner-up, retained his composure despite Alcaraz’s obvious discomfort on the other side of the net, and the crowd on Rod Laver Arena firmly behind the Spaniard.
He was in front for the entire fourth set, but Alcaraz stayed with him, until Zverev again took charge in the tiebreaker. More than four hours had elapsed when the match went to a fifth set, the first five-setter on the centre court in the 2026 tournament.
Alcaraz dropped serve in the opening game of the fifth set but hung with Zverev, getting five breakpoint chances without being able to convert.
The drama lifted in the sixth game, when Alcaraz sprinted across court to track down a drop shot and slid at full pace for an angled forehand winner. The crowd went crazy.
Alcaraz finally converted the break when Zverev was serving for the match at 5-4 in the fifth set.
He held for 6-5 and converted his first match point when Zverev was serving to stay in the match.
Aryna Sabalenka kept her cool to storm past Elina Svitolina and reach a fourth Australian Open final in a row.
World number one Sabalenka overcame fluctuations in form and a hindrance call against her in the fourth game of the match to thrash Svitolina 6-2 6-3.
Ukraine’s 12th seed Svitolina had beaten two top-10 players to reach the semi-finals but was no match for Sabalenka’s powerful hitting.
Sabalenka has yet to drop a set this year and is now on an 11-match winning streak.
She will face either Elena Rybakina or Jessica Pegula on Saturday as she bids for a fifth Grand Slam singles title and a third here.
The 27-year-old will also be searching for some redemption after last year’s final, when she felt she was “not brave enough” in a three-set loss to Madison Keys.
“I cannot believe that,” Sabalenka said of reaching another Melbourne final.
“It is an incredible achievement but the job is not done yet.”
More to follow.
The battle to pin down places in the top eight could be enthralling, given how tightly packed the standings are.
Let’s start with the easy bit. For Real Madrid and Liverpool, both on 15 points, and Tottenham, on 14, a victory on matchday eight would secure direct entry into the last 16.
Spurs face eliminated Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, where the north London outfit won last year on the way to a Europa League triumph that secured them Champions League football this season.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool side are at home to Qarabag, who have a slim chance of still making the top eight.
“It’s all down to us again. Let’s make sure we’re in the top eight,” said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk after last week’s win in Marseille.
“It’s very important as you miss the play-offs, and it helps with the intense programme that we’re having. We’ve put ourselves in a good position.”
Real Madrid are away to their former manager Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
Mourinho reached three Champions League semi-finals in a row with Real before leaving in 2013, but Benfica – with only two wins in their first seven games – will need to beat Real to have a chance of sneaking into the play-offs.
Behind Spurs come the group of eight teams, starting with holders Paris St-Germain in sixth down to Atalanta in 13th, on 13 points.
Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester City are all in that group and looking for a priceless win – and even then knowing their fate could come down to goal difference.
Chelsea are also up against a familiar face in their former head coach Antonio Conte, who won Serie A with Napoli last season.
Conte welcomes the Blues to Naples with his side sitting outside the play-off spots on goal difference and needing a positive result.
