World No.1 Simona Halep assured herself of top billing for the Australian Open after powering past local hope Duan Yingying and into the quarter-finals of the Shenzhen Open in China.

Novak Djokovic is finally set to return to action next week after six months out with an elbow injury and will then decide whether to take part in the Australian Open.

• Phil Lutton

Ranked 208 in the world, the Sydneysider produced the match of his life to defeat the fourth seed.

• Phil Lutton

It looked as if yet another star player in the men's draw was in danger of withdrawing through injury, before Nick Kyrgios found a way to get past his countryman and book a spot in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International.

• James Buckley

Petra Kvitova is hopeful 2018 will be the year she rediscovers her best form on the tennis court.

• Laine Clark

Fellow recovering champion Rafael Nadal has led messages of support for Andy Murray after the former world No.1 cast doubts over his future following his Brisbane International withdrawal.

• Oliver Brown

The rawness of Andy Murray, laid bare in Centre Court tears at Wimbledon or in his savage mid-match ranting about all the injustices of the universe, has shown itself once more.

• Phil Lutton

The local favourite was far too good for Canadian Peter Polanksy and has continued his habit of bumping into top seeds in the second round, this time in the shape of world number three Dimitrov.

• UPDATED
• Phil Lutton

Andy Murray's fitness at the Australian Open will now carry a huge question mark after the Scot was the latest big name to withdraw from the Brisbane International, one of the key tune-ups to the first grand slam tournament of the year.

• David Polkinghorne

Defending champion Dudi Sela and giant killers Andreas Seppi and Florian Mayer make up Canberra Challenger's "strongest ever field".

Nick Kyrgios says the tennis season is too long, while Andy Murray has called for a study into why senior stars are suddenly breaking down as four of the sport's Big Five race the clock to be fit for the Australian Open.

• Phil Lutton

The world number 17 was no match for a brilliant Lesia Tsurenko on Pat Rafter Arena in a deeply disappointing opening match of her 2018 season.

• Phil Lutton

The Sydney product has enjoyed some memorable moments against American opponents. This wasn't one of them.

• Murray Wenzel

Australian Open title contenders Elina Svitolina and Johanna Konta both impressed with first-round Brisbane International wins on Monday.

• Phil Lutton

A relaxed and healthy Nick Kyrgios says he knows there is pressure to perform in front of home fans.

• Murray Wenzel

Nick Kyrgios says more Australian-based tournaments should be introduced on the ATP Tour as the divisive talent joined Andy Murray in lamenting the arduous length of the season.

World No.1 Rafael Nadal has agreed to make his injury return in the Tie Break Tens event in Melbourne as he prepares his quest for a second Australian Open tennis title.

• Murray Wenzel

​A second-round Brisbane International encounter with former world No.3 Milos Raonic awaits Alex De Minaur after the 18-year-old wildcard's fighting upset defeat of Steve Johnson.

Serena Williams was pleased to get back on court despite losing what was her first match in almost a year, against Jelena Ostapenko, at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik is backing Ashleigh Barty's supreme conditioning and on-court smarts to help the new Australian No.1 cope with the intense summer spotlight.

• Justin Chadwick

Australia have won their Hopman Cup opener against Canada after Thanasi Kokkinakis and Daria Gavrilova won their singles matches.

• Phil Lutton

The veteran was outgunned by Anastasija Sevastova but will try to regroup in Sydney, while Barty prepares for her round-one assignment as the new hope of the Australian game.

• Phil Lutton

With a hip injury slowly being tamed, the former world No.1 will play an ATP Tour event for the first time in five months when he returns to the Brisbane International.

• Justin Chadwick

World No.2 Roger Federer shook off some rust on the way to a 6-4 6-3 Hopman Cup win over Japan's Yuichi Sugita at Perth Arena on Saturday night.

Australian Daria Gavrilova wants to build on this year's breakthrough title triumph by cementing herself as a top-20 player.

• Murray Wenzel

Australian No.1 Ashleigh Barty won't shy away from the spotlight as she prepares to start her season in Brisbane.

Andy Murray was on his way to Brisbane last night (Friday), having tested out his hip in an unscheduled exhibition match in Abu Dhabi. He might still not be moving with smoothness, but it does at least seem as if he will make his comeback to the ATP tour next week.

• COMMENT
• Timothy Boyle

It's that time of year in Australian sport, the new year, in which Roger Federer re-emerges taking selfies with marsupials and smiling away the banalities that follow him around the world.

Novak Djokovic's preparation for next month's Australian Open has suffered a blow.