With a first major in the bag and the world number one box now ticked as well, Rory McIlroy will try to show this week that golf really has entered a new era.

Great Britain and Ireland should rightfully feel on top of the golfing world when the first three players in the rankings tee off here together tomorrow. Who would ever have thought that a 22-year-old from Ulster would be the No 1 and that his nearest pursuers would be two thirtysomethings from England? Or that everyone would be feeling positive about Tiger Woods, down there at No 16?

The moppy-haired boy from Belfast always thought he would be world No 1. Now expect him to dominate the game for decades, writes James Corrigan in Miami

Play was stopped midway through the semi-final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal here last night as fireworks exploded in the sky as part of the city's Australia Day celebrations. Earlier in the afternoon, players had to cope with the noise of the Roulettes, the Royal Australian Air Force's equivalent of the Red Arrows, speeding back and forth above Melbourne Park.

Maria Sharapova avenged her defeat in the Wimbledon final to Petra Kvitova with a gutsy three-set victory over the Czech in the last four of the Australian Open today.

It would hardly have felt like consolation at the time, but at least Caroline Wozniacki could take one positive from her 6-3, 7-6 defeat by Kim Clijsters in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open yesterday. The 21-year-old Dane's exit from the tournament means that, for the moment at least, she will not have to answer questions about whether she deserves to be world No 1 when she has yet to win a Grand Slam tournament.

Serena Williams has won the Australian Open in the past despite being well short of peak fitness, but the years appeared to catch up with her yesterday. Despite carrying an ankle injury Williams had still been one of the favourites to win here, but the 30-year-old American was knocked out by Ekaterina Makarova, the world No 56.

Serena Williams has won the Australian Open in the past despite being well short of peak fitness, but the years appeared to catch up with her today. Despite carrying an ankle injury Williams had still been one of the favourites to win here, but the 30-year-old American was knocked out by Ekaterina Makarova, the world No 56.

Serena Williams can still see room for improvement in her game despite racking up her 17th successive win at the Australian Open today.

Caroline Wozniacki again attempted to play down the significance of her number one ranking despite edging closer to retaining top spot with a routine win over Monica Niculescu at the Australian Open today.

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova claims her Australian Open chances have been enhanced rather than harmed by her gruelling three-set battle against Carla Suarez Navarro.

US Open champion Samantha Stosur's struggles on home soil continued today as she made a stunning first-round exit from the Australian Open.

Laura Robson and James Ward both progressed through the final round of Australian Open qualifying in Melbourne but fellow Brit Naomi Broady fell in the second round.

Kim Clijsters today shrugged off any concerns over a hip injury and declared herself "ready to go" as she prepares to defend her Australian Open crown.