No.2 seed Iga Swiatek swept into the Australian Open quarterfinals for the second time with a 6-0, 6-1 defeat of lucky loser Eva Lys in 59 minutes.
The five-time major champion has dropped just 11 games in four matches so far, seven of which were lost in the first round to Katerina Siniakova.
The Pole remains in contention to reclaim the World No.1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka next Monday. Sabalenka will need to defeat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Tuesday’s quarterfinal in order to stay ahead of Swiatek. If Swiatek also wins her quarterfinal, Sabalenka will need to reach the final. If the pair meet in the final, the winner will walk away with the World No.1 ranking.
More to come…
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Iga Swiatek swept past Elina Svitolina into the Australian Open quarterfinals. The young Polish player showed her dominance on the court, taking control of the match from the start and never letting up.
Swiatek’s powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes left Svitolina struggling to keep up, as she raced to a 6-2, 6-3 victory. The win marks Swiatek’s first appearance in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, and she will now face a tough opponent in the next round.
Fans of the sport are buzzing with excitement over Swiatek’s impressive performance, and many are already looking forward to seeing what she will bring to the court in the next round. With her talent and determination, Swiatek is definitely a player to watch in this year’s Australian Open.
MELBOURNE, Australia — It’s time for the eighth installment of the riveting, intergenerational rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. This one, though, will be the first at the Australian Open — and the first in the quarterfinals of a tournament; each of the others came in either a semifinal or final.
“Well, this is not the right player to play in a quarterfinal, I guess,” a grinning Alcaraz said, looking ahead to Tuesday’s encounter. “But facing Novak, for me, it’s not going to change anything if I’m playing him [in a] quarterfinal or semifinal. Probably change a little bit if it is a final, obviously. Being in a quarterfinal, I’m going to approach the match the same as I did in the previous matches against him, and let’s see.”
Alcaraz reached his 10th career Grand Slam quarterfinal, tied for the most by a man before his 22nd birthday, by advancing when 15th-seeded Jack Draper stopped playing because of a hip injury after dropping the first two sets Sunday afternoon.
Djokovic, who is being coached in Melbourne by old rival Andy Murray, did his part at night in Rod Laver Arena, needing to work a little longer but getting through just the same with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over No. 24 Jiri Lehecka.
Djokovic smacked a ball off a wall in the third set, drawing boos and whistles from some spectators. When they made more noise moments later, chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani admonished the folks in the stands to be more polite toward the players.
Otherwise, though, Djokovic had plenty of support, from the Serbian flags in the stands to the chants of his nickname, “Nole,” that reverberated around the main stadium.
Afterward, Djokovic dispensed with the customary on-court interview, instead holding the microphone himself and telling the crowd: “Thank you very much for being here tonight. I appreciate your presence and the support. I’ll see you next round. Thank you very much.” Then he walked off.
Addressing reporters later in the media room, Djokovic said he wants an apology from the broadcaster of the tournament in the host country, Channel 9, and its employee, Tony Jones. Jones called Djokovic overrated and a has-been during an on-air appearance at Melbourne Park where a crowd of the player’s supporters were chanting.
Djokovic said that Jones “made a mockery of Serbian fans and made insulting and offensive comments toward me.”
There is plenty at stake at this tournament for both No. 3 seed Alcaraz, who is 21, and No. 7 Djokovic, who is 37.
Alcaraz seeks to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam with at least one trophy from all four of the most prestigious events in tennis. His four so far came elsewhere: two at Wimbledon by virtue of wins over Djokovic in the 2023 and 2024 finals, and one apiece at the US Open in 2022 and the French Open last year.
Djokovic, meanwhile, is trying to claim an 11th title in Melbourne to become the first player in tennis history with 25 major singles championships. He leads the overall head-to-head against Alcaraz 4-3, including a victory in the final at the Paris Olympics last August to claim a gold medal for Serbia.
At the majors, though, Alcaraz leads 2-1.
“If I think about everything he has done in tennis, I couldn’t play. I mean, 24 Grand Slams, the most weeks at No. 1 — everything. He almost broke every record in tennis. I’m trying not to think about that when I’m in the match. I’m just trying … to beat him,” Alcaraz said. “I know my weapons. I know that [if] I’m able to play good tennis against him, I’m able to beat him.”
On Sunday, Alcaraz was ahead 7-5, 6-1 when Draper decided he couldn’t continue. He had been dealing with physical issues after winning each of his first three matches at Melbourne Park in five sets.
“It’s not the way I want to win a match, to get through to the next round,” Alcaraz said. “Happy to play another quarterfinal here in Australia, but a little bit sad for Jack.”
Sunday’s match goes into the books as a victory for Alcaraz, his first against a top-20 opponent at the Australian Open. He pulled even with Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker and Mats Wilander for the highest number of major quarterfinal appearances before 22.
Alcaraz’s best run at Melbourne Park was getting to the quarterfinals last year, before losing at that stage to Alexander Zverev. The other quarterfinal on the bottom half of the men’s bracket will be No. 2 Zverev against 12th-seeded American Tommy Paul.
Paul needed less than 1½ hours to finish a physically diminished opponent, who sought help from a trainer. There was no turnaround this time for the 66th-ranked Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who had won each of his past two matches despite dropping the first two sets in both.
“What he did is unreal the past couple matches. … To do it twice in a row is amazing,” Paul said.
But Paul won nearly twice as many points (85-43) as his Spanish rival.
Paul’s best showing at any Grand Slam tournament was getting to the semifinals at the Australian Open in 2023. He will try to repeat that by getting past Zverev, a two-time runner-up at majors who beat No. 14 Ugo Humbert 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Novak Djokovic, the defending Australian Open champion, will face off against rising star Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Djokovic, who is aiming for a record-extending tenth title at Melbourne Park, will be looking to continue his dominant form in pursuit of another Grand Slam title.
On the other hand, Alcaraz, the 18-year-old Spanish sensation, has been making waves in the tennis world with his impressive performances and fearless attitude on the court. This will be the first meeting between the two players, and fans are eagerly anticipating a thrilling match between the experienced Djokovic and the young talent Alcaraz.
Both players have shown great form leading up to this quarterfinal clash, and it promises to be a thrilling encounter between the seasoned champion and the up-and-coming star. Tennis fans around the world will be tuning in to see who will emerge victorious and advance to the semifinals of the Australian Open.
Tags:
Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open, quarterfinals, tennis, matchup, rivalry, Grand Slam, tournament, top players, young talent, sports news
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, 25, said she would need “magic” to progress in Melbourne after needing treatment on her back during her third-round win over Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska.
She had won her previous two matches against Keys, but dropped the first set with the American neutralising her big serve and taking control of the rallies.
Rybakina, a finalist in Melbourne in 2023, fought back midway through the encounter to win four straight games and secure the second set, but Keys would triumph in the decider.
At 3-3 she took control before eventually sealing her spot in the last eight with a searing cross-court winner on her second match point.
Keys will play Ukraine’s 28th seed Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals after she beat Russian Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 6-1.
Svitolina, 30, recovered from a poor start to reach her 12th Grand Slam quarter-final, before dedicating the win to her country.
“This fighting spirit that I have is completely Ukrainian spirit that I try to show, that I try to represent, as well,” said Svitolina.
“For me to find a way to win matches, to find a way to bring a little light, a little win for Ukrainian people, is something that I feel I am responsible of. To bring the fight is the least that I can do.”
In a thrilling match at the Australian Open 2025, Madison Keys emerged victorious over Elena Rybakina to advance to the quarter-finals of the prestigious tournament. Keys, known for her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive playing style, put on a display of skill and determination as she fought her way to a hard-fought victory over Rybakina.
The match was a closely contested battle, with both players showcasing their strengths and pushing each other to their limits. Keys’ powerful serves and precise shot-making proved to be the difference as she managed to outlast Rybakina in a tense third set to secure the win.
With this impressive victory, Madison Keys has once again proven herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis. As she looks ahead to the quarter-finals, fans can expect more exciting matches and fierce competition from this talented player.
Stay tuned for more updates and results from the Australian Open 2025 as the tournament continues to unfold. Congratulations to Madison Keys on her well-deserved win and best of luck in the next round!
Tags:
Australian Open 2025, Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina, quarter-finals, tennis, women’s singles, match results, Grand Slam, professional tennis, sports news
With her match in the bag, Elina Svitolina can shift her focus back on husband Gaël Monfils, who is a win away from joining her in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Monday.
After opening play on Rod Laver Arena with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Veronika Kudermetova, the No. 28 seed plans a trip to Margaret Court Arena to watch Monfils—whom she married in 2021 —take on Ben Shelton for a spot in the last eight.
“Hopefully courtside!” she said when asked where she plans to watch the hotly anticipated fourth-round clash. I have time, a little bit, to do my recovery, and then we’ll put all energy towards his match.
“It’s going to be an epic one, so hopefully you guys can give him big support!” she added, hyping up the crowd.
Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina will be courtside to cheer on her husband Gaël Monfils as he competes in the Australian Open. Svitolina, who is currently ranked No. 6 in the world, is hoping that Monfils will join her in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The couple, who got married in July 2019, have been a constant source of support for each other on and off the court. Svitolina has been vocal about her admiration for Monfils’ talent and work ethic, while Monfils has praised Svitolina’s determination and competitive spirit.
With both players in top form and determined to make their mark on the Australian Open, fans are eagerly anticipating the possibility of seeing them compete together in the quarterfinals. Whether they will be able to achieve this feat remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure – Svitolina will be there every step of the way to support her husband.
Tags:
Elina Svitolina, Gaël Monfils, Australian Open, tennis, husband, quarterfinals, courtside, sports, relationship goals, professional athletes, power couple, mixed doubles, ATP, WTA, Melbourne, Grand Slam.
Iga Swiatek hits a return against Emma Raducanu (DAVID GRAY)
Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek are eyeing a place in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Monday while golden couple Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina hope to extend their family odyssey.
Defending champion Sinner breezed through his third-round match in straight sets but his opponent Holger Rune was taken to five for the second time in three matches.
The 13th seed from Denmark needs to recover quickly before an afternoon encounter against Sinner in the heat of Rod Laver Arena, where temperatures are forecast to get into the 30s for the second day running.
“I want to raise my level in the next round match,” warned Sinner.
Lucky loser Eva Lys had to cancel her flight out of Melbourne after her surprise run to the last 16 but she faces a rampant Swiatek in the evening session.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek did not face a single break point in either of her previous two wins at Melbourne and is in a serious mood to challenge for a maiden Australian Open title.
The Pole brutally disposed of 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-0 in the third round.
“You never know what’s going to happen in the match,” said Germany’s world number 128 Lys, who is the first women’s lucky loser to reach the fourth round since the event moved to Melbourne Park 37 years ago.
“I’m just going to go out and enjoy.”
Svitolina and husband Monfils both knocked out world number fours to reach the fourth round on a super Saturday for the happy couple.
Monfils, 38, stunned Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 and Svitolina followed him on to Margaret Court Arena to oust Jasmine Paolini 2-6, 6-4, 6-0.
Ukraine’s Svitolina kicks off the day’s action on Rod Laver Arena against Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova.
Veteran Frenchman Monfils has a later engagement against American 21st seed Ben Shelton.
Svitolina and Monfils got married in 2021 and had a daughter in 2022.
“Most of the big tournaments we have each other by our sides. It means a lot to have someone who understands what I am going through,” said Svitolina.
Home hope Alex de Minaur, the eighth seed, rounds off the action on the centre court against Alex Michelsen of the US in a night match with a potential quarter-final against Sinner the prize.
Should Monfils win he could face teenager Learner Tien, who at 19 is half his age.
American Tien, who shocked Daniil Medvedev in a late-night five-set thriller, faces Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
In other round-four women’s singles matches, sixth seed and former finalist Elena Rybakina takes on American Madison Keys.
Rybakina is under an injury cloud after a back spasm on Saturday and said: “It’s not good. I will see my physio and hopefully he does some magic.”
Eighth-seeded American Emma Navarro, who has been taken to three sets in every match so far, will try to outlast Russian ninth seed Daria Kasatkina.
dh/pst
The Australian Open is heating up as the tournament reaches the quarter-finals stage, and two players who are catching the eyes of fans and pundits alike are Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek.
Nadal, often referred to as the “King of Clay”, has been in top form throughout the tournament, showing why he is considered one of the greatest players of all time. With his powerful forehand and relentless determination, Nadal has been able to dominate his opponents and cruise through to the quarter-finals.
On the women’s side, Swiatek has been making waves with her impressive play and fierce competitiveness. The 20-year-old Polish player has shown incredible skill and composure on the court, defeating higher-ranked opponents and proving that she is a force to be reckoned with.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Nadal and Swiatek as they look to continue their winning ways and secure a spot in the semi-finals. Will they be able to overcome their opponents and advance to the next round? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – these two players are ones to watch at the Australian Open.
Alcaraz reaches Australian Open quarter-finals after Draper retirement
Spaniard will play Djokovic or Lehecka in last eight
January 19, 2025
William West/AFP via Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz in action against Jack Draper on Sunday at the Australian Open. By Andy West
Carlos Alcaraz’s bid to become the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam remains on track at the Australian Open after Jack Draper was forced to withdraw from the pair’s fourth-round clash on Sunday in Melbourne.
The Spaniard led 7-5, 6-1 when Draper, who played five sets in each of his first three rounds at the hard-court major, was forced to stop. The Briton later explained that he had been managing tendinitis in his hip throughout the week. Alcaraz is now into his 10th Grand Slam quarter-final, in which he will take on record 10-time champion Novak Djokovic or Jiri Lehecka.
“It’s not the way I want to win the match to get through to the next round,” said Alcaraz in his on-court interview. “I’m just happy to play in another quarter-final in Australia but a little bit sad for Jack, he’s a nice person. He doesn’t deserve to get injured.
“He couldn’t prepare the start of the season well because of an injury. We should have done a good week of preseason [together], but we couldn’t because of an injury as well. I’m just a little bit sad for him but I’m sure he’s going to come back stronger and I want to wish him a speedy recovery.”
Draper’s retirement came after Alcaraz had rectified a first-set lapse in scintillating fashion inside Rod Laver Arena. The third seed had carved out an early 5-2 lead and was in total command when he produced a frustrated, wayward sequence of games to allow the Briton to level at 5-5.
From there, however, Alcaraz was imperious. Regularly producing some typically outrageous shotmaking, he won eight of the next nine games as Draper, who received an off-court medical timeout at the end of the first set, began to feel the exertions of his opening-week heroics in Melbourne.
“I am just happy with the level that I’m playing on the court,” reflected Alcaraz. “Off the court I’m feeling really comfortable here in Australia. I think it’s pretty good. Physically I’m feeling great so coming into the second week of a Grand Slam it’s really important to feel well physically because right now the matches are even tougher. I’m just ready. I think I’m doing great things off the court as well.
“I’m excited about playing my second quarter-final in Australia and hopefully getting further this year.”
Alcaraz reaches the quarter-finals for the 11th time at a Grand Slam
By reaching the last eight at a major for the 10th time, Alcaraz equalled the Open Era record for the most Grand Slam quarter-finals reached by a man aged 21 or under. The No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings, he is looking to complete the full set of major singles titles after his triumphs at Roland Garros (2024), Wimbledon (2023, 2024) and the US Open (2022).
Alcaraz will now prepare for an eighth Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with his great rival Djokovic or a second tour-level clash against the 24th-seeded Lehecka. Djokovic and Lehecka will contest their fourth-round clash during Sunday’s night session.
“I’m going to watch that one for sure. I have to recover now, as good as I can with my team,” said Alcaraz. “I’m going to try to take the time to watch it. That guy called Novak Djokovic, I played a few times against him. Jiri Lehecka as well – it’s going to be a really interesting match to watch and I hope people are going to enjoy that match as much as I do.”
Carlos Alcaraz into Australian Open quarter-finals after Jack Draper retirement
In a dramatic turn of events at the Australian Open, rising star Carlos Alcaraz has advanced to the quarter-finals after his opponent, Jack Draper, was forced to retire due to injury.
Alcaraz, who has been making waves in the tennis world with his impressive performances, was leading 6-4, 6-3 when Draper was forced to call it quits. The young Spaniard showed his sportsmanship by comforting Draper as he left the court, showing maturity beyond his years.
This marks Alcaraz’s first appearance in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament, and fans are eagerly anticipating his next match. With his powerful forehand, lightning-quick footwork, and unwavering determination, Alcaraz is proving himself to be a force to be reckoned with on the ATP Tour.
Congratulations to Carlos Alcaraz on his well-deserved victory, and we can’t wait to see what he will achieve next in the Australian Open. Stay tuned for more updates on his incredible journey through the tournament.
BRISBANE, Australia — Novak Djokovic was beaten 7-6 (6), 6-3 by big-serving Reilly Opelka in the Brisbane International quarterfinals on Friday.
Opelka served 16 aces — including one to finish off each set — to earn one of the biggest wins of the American’s career.
“I was just focused on my spots,” Opelka said. “If I hit them, it’s hard to get them back. If there’s anyone that can, it’s him.”
Djokovic, 37, was playing his first tournament of the year. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is preparing for the Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 12 and which he has won 10 times.
“We have nothing to lose coming in against him. He’s the greatest player ever,” Opelka added. “So you end up playing more free and you take a lot more risk. If you play your normal level or even above a normal level, he’s going to win every time. So it’s tough in his position because he gets guys that are good players that they roll the dice. And on a on a day like this when a lot of things go my way, that’s how it works out.”
New coach Andy Murray will join Djokovic in Melbourne.
Opelka achieved a career-high ranking of No. 17 in Feb. 2022 before undergoing hip surgery later that year to remove a benign tumor. He’s now No. 293.
“It was tough. A lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubt,” Opelka said.
Lehecka beat Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 6-4, and Dimitrov advanced when Jordan Thompson retired while Dimitrov was ahead 6-1, 2-1.
In a shocking upset, Novak Djokovic has been knocked out of the Brisbane International quarterfinals by American player Reilly Opelka. The world number one and defending champion was unable to handle Opelka’s powerful serves and aggressive play, ultimately falling in straight sets.
Opelka, known for his booming serve and towering height, proved to be a formidable opponent for Djokovic. The Serbian struggled to find his rhythm and was unable to break Opelka’s serve throughout the match.
Despite his loss, Djokovic remains optimistic and focused on the upcoming Australian Open. He has a successful track record at the Grand Slam tournament and will be looking to bounce back from this early exit in Brisbane.
Opelka, on the other hand, will be riding high on this victory and looking to continue his impressive run in the tournament. The American will face a tough opponent in the semifinals, but his confidence and powerful game could see him through to the final.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Brisbane International and Djokovic’s preparations for the Australian Open. Who do you think will come out on top in the upcoming matches? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Novak Djokovic, Reilly Opelka, Brisbane quarterfinals, tennis, upset, ATP Tour, professional tennis, rivalry, sports news, match recap, tournament results
Parks won against No 3 seed Amanda Anisimova (2-6, 6-2, 6-3) in the previous round of the tournament.
Earlier in the week, Minnen, ranked No 95, defeated German qualifier Anna-Lena Friedsam (6-4, 6-0).
Auckland WTA 250, other second-round matches (ASB Tennis Arena, hard, USD 275,094):
Hailey Baptiste vs. Jodie Burrage
Robin Montgomery beat Nao Hibino (Q): 6-2, 6-2
Madison Keys (1) beat Jaqueline Cristian: 6-1, 6-2
Katie Volynets beat Ann Li: 6-4, 6-3
Clara Tauson (5) beat Sofia Kenin: 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3)
Naomi Osaka (7) beat Julia Grabher: 7-5, 6-3
Bernarda Pera beat Rebecca Marino: 7-6 (2), 6-4
The Auckland Open has been heating up as the competition moves into the quarter-finals, with some exciting matches taking place in the city’s picturesque parks.
Players have been battling it out on the courts, putting on a display of skill and determination for the fans who have come out to support them. The beautiful green spaces of Auckland have provided the perfect backdrop for these intense matches, adding to the atmosphere and excitement of the tournament.
As the quarter-finals approach, the competition is sure to only get more intense, with players giving it their all to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Tennis fans can expect to see some thrilling matches as the tournament progresses and the stakes get higher.
Stay tuned for updates on the Auckland Open as the action continues in the city’s stunning parks.
Jordan Thompson will contest the Brisbane quarterfinals for a second year, while Maya Joint pushed former No.1 Victoria Azarenka to three hard-fought sets.
Brisbane, Australia, 1 January 2025 | Dan Imhoff
Jordan Thompson overcame a tricky start to thwart 20-year-old Alex Michelsen, who required a medical timeout in just the second game for – of all things – a nose bleed at Pat Rafter Arena on Wednesday.
It sees the eighth-seeded Australian advance to the quarterfinals in Brisbane for a second straight year.
Thompson, who beat Rafael Nadal in the Brisbane quarterfinals last year, quickly found himself trailing 5-2 and stared down triple set point on serve before he dug himself out of trouble against the American and pinched the set.
what a turnaround!
Trailing 2-5 and required to save three set points to stay alive in the first, @jordanthommmo2 rattled off five games in succession to take the frame, then closed things out to set-up a #BrisbaneTennis rematch with Grigor Dimitrov! pic.twitter.com/iAx0s2EVXL
From there, he took the reins and broke twice in the second set, including a tense final game.
“I guess I don’t know what the words ‘give up’ mean. 5-2 0-40 I snuck out the set and actually got a little bit worried there when I had a few match points, and he started coming back,” Thompson said. “Thankfully I got it done in that game.
“It all started on [Pat Rafter Arena] last year. I beat Rafa in a three-hour marathon and it really kickstarted my year and gave me a lot of confidence and belief. Sort of just went from strength to strength in singles and doubles.”
It sets a rematch with Grigor Dimitrov, who eliminated Thompson in their semifinal showdown in 2024.
He’s the one who took me down here last year in the semis. So defending champ, he’s in great form, back in the top 10.
“It’s going to be another test.”
Inspired Joint pushes Azarenka to the brink
Earlier, Australian wildcard Maya Joint extended two-time Brisbane champion Victoria Azarenka to the full three-set distance in the opening night match at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
The 18-year-old local secured the first set over the world No.20 in a thrilling tiebreak before the 35-year-old Azarenka emerged with a 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 win.
“If [Maya] plays like she plays tonight I think she has a pretty good future,” said Azarenka after booking her place into the tournament’s third round.
“I need to have a few words with my coach because I’m not sure he gave me the best tactic at the beginning or maybe she just played very differently than what we watched [from] the first match.
“She’s a great player, a great talent, obviously very young.”
Find your way to play: Visit play.tennis.com.au to hit the court and have some fun!
Australian tennis player Jordan Thompson has secured his spot in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International tournament after defeating his opponent in a thrilling match.
Thompson, known for his powerful serve and aggressive playing style, put on a commanding performance on the court, showcasing his skills and determination to come out victorious.
Fans were on the edge of their seats as Thompson battled it out on the court, displaying his prowess and skill against his opponent. With his trademark intensity and focus, Thompson was able to outplay his competitor and secure his spot in the next round of the tournament.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming matches, all eyes will be on Thompson as he continues his quest for the title in Brisbane. Stay tuned for more updates on his progress in the tournament.
Congratulations to Jordan Thompson on his well-deserved victory and best of luck in the quarterfinals!
Tags:
Jordan Thompson, Brisbane quarterfinals, tennis, Australian tennis player, ATP Tour, sports news, tennis match, professional athlete, Brisbane International, January 1, 2025, tournament update, sports updates, Australian sports, quarterfinal match, tennis tournament, exciting news, tennis star, sports event, sports competition, thrilling match
The 2025 World Junior Championships are here as the ten best nations in the world put together the best junior team possible to compete for the chance at a world championship gold.
The standings determine who moves on and will help determine tiebreakers if necessary as teams progress into the final rounds.
Competition started on Dec. 26 and will go through Jan. 5, and will feature elite youth prospects from all over the world.
View the standings below for the 2025 IIHF World Juniors before Thursday’s quarterfinals games. The standings will be updated after Canada vs Czechia at 7:30 p.m. ET.
IIHF World Juniors Hockey Standings 2025
Group A
Team
GP
PTS
W
OTW
OTL
USA
4
10
3
0
1
Finland
4
8
2
1
0
Canada
4
7
2
0
1
Latvia
4
4
0
2
0
Germany
4
1
0
0
1
Group B
Team
GP
PTS
W
OTW
OTL
Sweden
4
12
4
0
0
Czechia
4
9
3
0
0
Slovakia
4
5
1
1
0
Switzerland
4
3
1
0
0
Kazakhstan
4
1
0
0
1
2025 World Juniors Hockey Tournament Format And Relegation Game Explained
Each year, the top ten ranked hockey nations in the world put together a roster of their best under-20 players to convene for a multi-round tournament to earn the title of IIHF World Junior champion. This year, the tournament is in Ottawa, Canada.
In 2025, the tournament follows a similar format to previous seasons. The tournament uses a three point system:
3 points for a winning team at the conclusion of regulation time
1points for both teams at the conclusion of regulation time if the game is tied
An additional point is earned for the team winning in a 5-minute overtime, or the penalty-shot shootout if the teams are still tied following overtime
0 points for a team losing the game in regulation time
Similar to the NHL regular season rules, overtime is played with each team icing three skaters and a goalie.
The tournament starts with two round-robin tournaments five teams each and then moves into single-elimination playoff games.
Ten teams are divided into two, five-team groups in a preliminary round, also called the group stage. After a single round-robin series in each group, the top four teams as scored by points in each group advance to the playoff rounds.
Relegation Game
The fifth place teams move to the relegation round. The winner play in the next IIHF World Junior Championship. The loser is relegated to the U20 World Championships Division I Group A.
Quarterfinal & Semifinal Games
Based on placements from the group stage, the remaining eight teams move into single-elimination playoffs to compete in a cross-over quarterfinal game. The top placed team in one group play the lowest placed team from the other group, and so forth.
Heading into the semifinal round, the remaining four teams are reseeded based on the following criteria:
Placement in their group
Points in the group stage
Goal difference in the group stage
Goals scored in the group stage
Seeding coming into the tournament
Finally, the semifinal winners move into the Gold medal game while the losers play for the bronze medal.
How To Watch The 2025 World Juniors
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship will air on TSN and RDS on television in Canada. The tournament will be streamed on TSN+ in Canada, as well.
In the United States, NHL Network will be the television home of the World Junior Championship.
2025 Full World Junior Championship Schedule
Thursday, Jan. 2
Relegation: Germany vs Kazakhstan, Canadian Tire Centre, 11 a.m. ET
Quarterfinal: Sweden vs Latvia, TD Place, 12:00 p.m. ET
Quarterfinal: USA vs Switzerland, Canadian Tire Centre, 2:30 p.m. ET
Quarterfinal: Finland vs Slovakia, TD Place, 5:00 p.m. ET
Quarterfinal: Czechia vs Canada, Canadian Tire Centre, 7:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Jan. 4
Semifinal: Canadian Tire Centre, 3:30 p.m. ET
Semifinal: Canadian Tire Centre, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 5
Bronze Medal game: Canadian Tire Centre, 3:30 p.m. ET
Gold Medal game: Canadian Tire Centre, 7:30 p.m. ET
IIHF WJC Scores 2025 On Tuesday, Dec. 31
Group A
Group B
Kazakhstan 1 – 3 Switzerland
IIHF WJC Scores 2025 On Monday, Dec. 30
Group A
Germany 3 – 4 Latvia (OT)
Group B
Slovakia 5 – 4 Kazakhstan (OT)
IIHF WJC Scores 2025 On Sunday, Dec. 29
Group A
USA 3 – 4 Finland (OT)
Canada 3 – 0 Germany
Group B
Switzerland 5 – 7 Sweden
Czechia 4 – 2 Slovakia
IIHF WJC Scores 2025 On Saturday, Dec. 28
Group A
Group B
Kazakhstan 2 – 14 Czechia
IIHF WJC Scores 2025 On Friday, Dec. 27
Group A
Germany 1 – 3 Finland
Latvia 3 – 2 Canada
Group B
Switzerland 1 – 2 Slovakia
Sweden 8 – 1 Kazakhstan
IIHF WJC Scores 2025 On Thursday, Dec. 26
Group A
USA 10 – 4 Germany
Finland 0 – 4 Canada
Group B
Slovakia 2 – 5 Sweden
Czechia 5 – 1 Switzerland
Follow FloHockey’s Coverage Of Team USA At The WJC
FloHockey is providing comprehensive editorial and video coverage of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. With a team of content creators on site and leading WJC analyst Chris Peters providing stories and columns throughout the event, make FloHockey your home to learn more about the 2025 World Juniors. FloHockey will be following Team USA and Team Canada closely, while tracking the rest of the tournament on site. See all the stories here.
As the 2025 IIHF World Juniors tournament enters the quarterfinals, the standings are heating up with some of the top junior hockey teams in the world battling it out for a spot in the semi-finals.
Here’s a look at the current standings going into the quarterfinals:
1. Canada – The defending champions are looking strong once again, finishing at the top of their group with an impressive record.
2. Russia – The Russian team has been playing solid hockey throughout the tournament and are a force to be reckoned with in the quarterfinals.
3. Sweden – The Swedish team has been a consistent contender in the World Juniors and are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs.
4. United States – The Americans have shown flashes of brilliance in the tournament and are poised to make a strong push in the quarterfinals.
5. Finland – The Finnish team has been playing solid hockey and are determined to make a statement in the playoffs.
6. Czech Republic – The Czech team has been a surprise team in the tournament, showcasing their skill and determination on the ice.
7. Switzerland – The Swiss team has been a tough opponent throughout the tournament and are looking to continue their success in the quarterfinals.
8. Germany – The German team has exceeded expectations in the tournament and are looking to continue their strong play in the playoffs.
With the quarterfinals set to begin, the competition is sure to intensify as these top teams battle it out for a chance to compete for the gold medal. Stay tuned for more updates on the 2025 IIHF World Juniors tournament.
Tags:
2025 IIHF World Juniors, Quarterfinal Standings, World Juniors Standings 2025, IIHF World Juniors Quarterfinals, 2025 World Juniors Standings, Hockey Standings 2025.
