Novak Djokovic's commanding Australian Open win over Andy Murray broke the Federer-Nadal Grand Slam monopoly and heralds a new era for men's tennis, Australian media said Monday.

The Serbian world number three dominated Sunday's three-set clash with a display described as "crushing" by the local press.

Paul Pierce says the Boston Celtics had no reason to discuss their heartbreaking loss in Game 7 of the NBA finals last summer before they returned to Staples Center on Sunday.

With a spectacularly fluid performance on offense against the outclassed Lakers, Pierce and the Celtics showed some things just don't need to be said out loud.

The Premier League may be slipping out of their grasp but holders Chelsea are in no mood to relinquish their grip on the FA Cup as the world's oldest knockout football competition resumes on Saturday.

After a disastrous form slump which has left them trailing Manchester United by 10 points in the league, last season's double winners Chelsea have sparked into life heading into Saturday's fourth round tie with Everton.

Li Na Friday said she was largely unaware of the huge excitement in China before her historic Australian Open final, despite dozens of messages from well-wishers and her best friend calling up in tears.

Li said she hadn't read any coverage on the Internet after Chinese sites and newspapers were awash with news of her achievement and the country's tennis chief compared her to basketball superstar Yao Ming.

Liverpool have turned down an audacious bid by Chelsea for striker Fernando Torres, the English Premier League club confirmed on Friday.

Chelsea, who are believed to have tabled a similar bid for the player last summer, had been told that the Spanish international was not for sale, Liverpool said in a statement on its website.

First Rafael Nadal, now Roger Federer.

Federer, the 16-time Grand Slam winner, was knocked out of the Australian Open 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday by 2008 champion Novak Djokovic.

Former women's world number one Justine Henin of Belgium retired for the second time on Wednesday, citing an elbow injury that had dogged her since last summer.

"Today, the (medical) examinations are clear and the doctors are agreed that my elbow is too damaged for me to be able continuing with my passion and my job at a high level," Henin said on her internet site.

Britain's Andy Murray outgunned exciting newcomer Alexandr Dolgopolov to reach the Australian Open semi-finals, as Kim Clijsters and Vera Zvonerava set up a heavyweight last-four clash Wednesday.

Murray dropped his first set of the year against Ukrainian shot-maker Dolgopolov, 22, who dominated a third-set tie-break before going down 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, ending a breakthrough Grand Slam run.

Two points into the final game of his Australian Open quarterfinal against Roger Federer on Tuesday, Stanislas Wawrinka steadied himself to try returning a forehand smash.

Wawrinka playfully waved his racket over his head in a mock attempt to return it. Forget it, the ball sailed past him and Federer won the point.

North Korea may have tumbled out of the Asian Cup with just one point and having failed to score, but they have the hottest youth sides in the region and according to one scout the world's best new talents.

Representatives from top European clubs have flocked to the continental showpiece in the hope of picking out the next Hidetoshi Nakata, Park Ji-Sung or even a Lionel Messi.