Thursday Morning: Women's Semi-Finals Day At Australian Open

Ashleigh Barty plays Madison Keys; while Iga Swiatek meets Danielle Collins

TENNIS

It's women's semi-finals day at the Australian Open.

First up, the top seed and home favourite, Ash Barty takes on former US Open finalist Madison Keys.

That's followed by the meeting of former French Open champion Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins.

Madison Keys is ready to take on Ash Barty in the first of our #AO2022 women's semifinals.

Where are you tuning in from? 👇#AusOpen · #AOActive pic.twitter.com/w3sCLKfCV2

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2022

SOCCER

A pair of penalty shoot-outs helped decide the last two quarter-finalists at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Equatorial Guinea beat Mali 6-5 on spot kicks, to set up a last-8 meeting with Senegal.

A tale of contrasting fortunes for #TeamEquatorialGuinea and #TeamMali at #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/uyLyIYTkA4

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 26, 2022

While Mo Salah struck the winning penalty for Egypt, who edged out Ivory Coast and will play Morocco in Sunday's quarter-final.

.@MoSalah nets the winning penalty to send #TeamEgypt through to the #AFCON2021 quarter-finals 🙌 pic.twitter.com/SRE3Pgiz3c

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 26, 2022

Celtic were 2-1 winners away to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership last night.

They remain four points adrift of leaders Rangers, who had to battle for a 1-0 win at home to Livingston.

RUGBY

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton says the players must maintain momentum going into the Six Nations Championship.

Ireland welcome Wales to Dublin on Saturday week buoyed by November's win over New Zealand.

Sexton is hoping the winning run continues:

GOLF

Shane Lowry heads the Irish challenge on 3 under par in the opening round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

He is playing the 14th hole.

Rory McIlroy is 2 under par for his round with 3 holes of it to play.

American Collin Morikawa leads on 7 under through 15.

Jonathan Caldwell is level par playing the 16th hole.

Padraig Harrington tees off at 8.40am, Irish time.


Meanwhile on the PGA Tour, American Billy Horschel is the leader after round one of the Farmers Insurance Open in California.

He is 9 under par at Torrey Pines.

World number one Jon Rahm is on 6 under.

RACING

Racing is at Gowran Park today, with the first of a seven-race card going to post at 1pm.