Italy's Francesca Schiavone beat Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 1-6, 16-14 over 4hr 44min in the Australian Open's fourth round Sunday, the longest women's singles match in Grand Slam history.

The marathon encounter, including a three-hour final set, eclipsed the previous mark of 4hr 19min set by Barbora Zahlavova Strycova and Regina Kulikova in Melbourne last year.

Rafael Nadal overcame the much-hyped potential future star of Australian tennis in his quest for a fourth consecutive major title.

Despite a mostly parochial crowd of 15,000 at Rod Laver Arena, the top-ranked Nadal had a 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 win over 18-year-old wild card Bernard Tomic in an Australian Open third-round match Saturday. Nadal advanced to a fourth-round match against Marin Cilic.

The sport that has given Andre Agassi everything is giving him something more.

The baseliner known for his aggressive returns and career Grand Slam announced Thursday that he will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, telling hundreds of students at a prep school he runs in Las Vegas that tennis has given him much more than eight major titles.

If Rafael Nadal is getting nervous as he eases closer to winning his fourth consecutive Grand Slam, he sure isn't showing it.

After his 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 win Thursday over American qualifier Ryan Sweeting, the Spanish star appeared as comfortable talking about his next match — against 18-year-old Australian Bernard Tomic — as he was in beating Sweeting so convincingly.

Arsene Wenger insists there are no problems between Arsenal team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Denilson after the Brazilian appeared to criticize the Gunners captain in an interview.

Speaking to Brazilian television, Denilson seemed to question Fabregas's leadership qualities saying: "Fabregas is the captain, but he is not a leader to me."

Venus Williams bravely battled through a painful injury to reach the Australian Open's third round as Spain's Fernando Verdasco survived a trademark five-set thriller.

Women's world number one Caroline Wozniacki finally hit form on Wednesday and American Andy

China's Li Na upset two-time champion Kim Clijsters to win the Sydney International title and her fourth career WTA crown on Friday.

Eighth seed Li recovered from going behind 0-5 in the opening set to rally for a convincing 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory in 1hr 30min.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will play an exhibition match on Sunday ahead of the Australian Open to raise funds for the country's flood victims.

Federer, Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Kim Clijsters will join Lleyton Hewitt in a "Rally for Relief" match at Rod Laver Arena. Also participating will be Sam Stosur and retired star Pat Rafter, who both come from the affected state of Queensland.

Saudi Arabia face Jordan on Thursday at the Asian Cup under a new coach following Jose Peseiro's dismissal after just one game at the tournament, but the new man warned he doesn't have a magic wand.

The Saudis' quest for a fourth Asian Cup title lay in tatters after their embarrassing 2-1 Group B defeat to unfancied Syria in their opening game, with Portuguese Peseiro sacked immediately afterwards.

Bahrain coach Salman Sharida pleaded for patience from the team's supporters after seeing his side beaten 2-1 by South Korea in their opening Group C game at the Asian Cup.

A brace from midfielder Koo Ja-Cheol set South Korea on course for what looked like a routine victory, but Faouzi Aaish pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 85th minute to leave the Koreans hanging on.