The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, ends on Sunday when defending champion Jannik Sinner faces Alexander Zverev for the men's title. AFP looks back on five memorable storylines from the past two weeks in Melbourne:

The former world number one responded on Saturday, posting a photo of an MRI taken of his left hamstring on the social media platform X with the caption: "Thought I'd leave this here for all the sports injury 'experts' out there."

It is Keys's first major title, having reached a second Grand Slam final eight years after her first in New York. She lost on that occasion to Sloane Stephens

Sinner's coach Darren Cahill said it was no surprise for him to see his young charge back in the final, but they were wary of the threat posed by Zverev's overarching desire to finally win a Slam.

The American battled injury and self-doubts last year and curtailed her season early, in October, to get married.

Bernet beat American Benjamin Willwerth 6-3, 6-4 on his 18th birthday to join the likes of Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios and Gael Monfils in lifting the Melbourne trophy.

American Madison Keys produced an inspired display to dethrone top seed Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open and capture her maiden Grand Slam title with a battling 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory in the final on Saturday.

The irresistible force of Aryna Sabalenka meets the unbreakable spirit of Madison Keys in an Australian Open women's singles final on Saturday that promises to be a thunderous slugfest.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner blew past Ben Shelton 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2 in the Australian Open semi-finals on Friday to set up a showdown with Alexander Zverev for the title.

Djokovic enlisted five-time Melbourne Park finalist Murray to help his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic's long wait for a record 25th major title will go on, a year after he exited Melbourne Park with a semi-final loss to Sinner.

Swiatek said she made far too many mistakes against Keys on Rod Laver Arena and hoped to draw lessons from it.

The 19th seed powered through a thrilling semi-final on a final-set tiebreak against the world number two 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10/8) after Sabalenka had earlier swept aside Paula Badosa in straight sets.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka put her close friendship with Paula Badosa aside Thursday to sweep past the Spaniard into a third successive Australian Open final.

The Italian top seed faces Ben Shelton on Friday, just two matches away from a first successful Grand Slam title defence after winning his maiden major crown in Melbourne last year.

The all-action 22-year-old told reporters after battling past Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in the quarter-finals that he felt a lot of "negativity".

The Italian world number one showed no signs of the illness that hampered him in his last match to emphatically fly past the eighth seed 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.

Emma Navarro called for a change in the rules Wednesday after being unable to challenge a double bounce against her as Iga Swiatek moved into the Australian Open semi-finals.

The Polish second seed was phenomenal on a gusty day at Rod Laver Arena, powering past the eighth seeded-American 6-1, 6-2 in 1hrs 29mins.

The irrepressible 37-year-old put to bed any doubts about his ability to add to his 24 Grand Slam titles with a scintillating four-set takedown of Carlos Alcaraz in the Melbourne last eight on Tuesday.