As Saturday's Australian Open final pitted two of the most powerful players on the WTA Tour against one another, of course Russell Crowe was in Rod Laver Arena to see these modern gladiators do battle.
Much like Crowe's Hollywood epic, this encounter took two and a half hours to reach its conclusion. When it did, it was the brute strength and bravery of Aryna Sabalenka that made her a first-time grand slam champion.
Sabalenka, having so often fallen frustratingly short on the biggest stage, stuck to the principles that had carried her this far and was rewarded with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 defeat of Elena Rybakina.
A change has been noted in Sabalenka's manner in Melbourne, a calmer approach in difficult moments – and there were plenty against Rybakina.
Sabalenka had previously spoken of the need to be "boring" to win a major, but she argued ahead of this final: "I don't think it's that boring to watch me. I hope [not]. Just less negative emotions."
Are you not entertained? Crowe and the rest of the crowd watching this back-and-forth certainly were, chiefly due to Sabalenka's unrelenting aggression.
It was most evident on the second serve as Sabalenka repeatedly went after her opponent. Perhaps she felt she had no choice.
Rybakina had won a tournament-leading 73 points against the second serve prior to the final; easing up would have invited her own immense power into the equation.
Instead, Sabalenka's second serve averaged 149km/h. The result was only a 47 per cent success rate and seven double faults – but also the title.
Rybakina went in the opposite direction and, after a strong start, paid the price.
Her second serve was down at 136km/h and led to only a single double fault, yet Sabalenka, initially understandably nervous, grew into the match and won 23 return points against the second serve. She met Rybakina's uncharacteristically delicate touch with a hammer.
Rybakina's thinking had been set forth after her first night match of the tournament against Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals.
"Maybe I will not have to serve that big, that fast, so it doesn't really matter the speed," she explained. "It's important to have a good placement on the serve.
"In these conditions, to serve full, full power, it's not easy. The ball is not really going."
It still went at times in the final – a 195km/h serve matched any previously seen in Melbourne this year – but that placement was not there; landing only 59 per cent of her first serves in, Melbourne's ace queen allowed Sabalenka to become a little too familiar with this change of tack on second serve.
Having eliminated three major champions, including world number one Iga Swiatek, and last year's finalist en route to the showpiece match, it was undoubtedly a risk for Rybakina to alter her game with the title in sight.
She may well have thought it had paid off after taking the first set; although her three previous matches against Sabalenka had all gone to three sets, all had been lost after Rybakina dropped the opener.
But Sabalenka roared back, recovering from 15-40 in the opening game of the second and building from there.
Once the tide turned, it became increasingly unclear whether Rybakina was steadfastly sticking to her slower, supposedly more accurate method or had simply been sapped of her energy by the sublime force of Sabalenka, who racked up 51 winners.
It was ultimately the Belarusian – a first neutral champion – who succeeded in showing something different, her 11th win in succession to start the season seeing her drop a set for the first time yet still triumph.
As emotion overcame Sabalenka before she promised "even better tennis" in Australia next year, Rybakina was left with much to ponder.
Both women outlined their desire for "many more battles", and the Wimbledon champion might hope the conditions next time tee her up to take Sabalenka on at her own game.
Sabalenka is the opponent Rybakina has faced most often without winning; if this is to develop into the sort of rivalry women's tennis has not seen for some time, that is going to need to change.
Brook labelled as 'best in the world' by England centurion Root
Joe Root lauded Harry Brook as the world's best batter after England completed their series victory away to New Zealand on Sunday.
Ben Stokes' tourists coasted to a 323-run victory in the second Test against New Zealand, sealing an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
It looked like England could be in trouble in Wellington after slipping to 43-4 in the first innings, only for Brook's 123 and 66 from Ollie Pope dragging their side to 280 all out.
Brook now has seven centuries in just 10 Tests away from home, the most by any batter in his first 10 such outings outside of their home country.
Yorkshire and England team-mate Root believes there is no player better than Brook at present.
"Just been a great week, from the position we were in, to then manage to win the game by day three, just shows how well the boys played," Root said.
"That partnership from Popey and Brooky, who is in my eyes the best player in the world at the minute.
"He's got it all, he can absorb pressure and put it back on you. He is destructive against both pace and spin, to manage those conditions exceptionally well and play some great counter-attacking cricket."
Root compiled a 130-ball 106 in the second innings as Stokes' side hammered home their advantage, with Jacob Bethell adding 96, four more than opener Ben Duckett managed.
England great Root now has 36 centuries in Tests, the joint-fifth most by any batter, alongside India's Rahul Dravid.
He brought up three figures with a trademark ramp over New Zealand wicket-keeper Tom Blundell from the bowling of seamer Will O’Rourke.
Root admitted the shot was somewhat pre-meditated, having seen the hosts alter the field.
"It wasn't [at first pre-meditated], and then they brought third man up," Root added.
"I was like it's the new ball, they are more likely to go length than short. It's worth a gamble, it's worth the risk!"
Palmer surpasses Zola and could be Chelsea's greatest ever with title win, says Carragher
Cole Palmer has already surpassed Gianfranco Zola's exploits with Chelsea, and could write his name in Blues history if he guides them to the Premier League title.
That was the message from Jamie Carragher after Palmer's penalty double helped Enzo Maresca's side to an enthralling 4-3 comeback victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
Palmer has now scored from all of his 12 penalty attempts in the Premier League - the most in the competition's history without ever missing, after surpassing Yaya Toure's 11 spot-kick tally for Manchester City.
The England midfielder also has 50 goal involvements (33 goals, 17 assists) in just 48 Premier League games for Chelsea, a feat bettered by only three players.
Erling Haaland for Man City (39), Andy Cole for Newcastle United (43), and Mohamed Salah for Liverpool (46) are the only trio to reach that total in fewer appearances for a club in the competition.
Carragher believes Palmer has already secured Chelsea stardom, though further glory could await for the Man City academy product.
"When you think of Chelsea's flair players like Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard, I think Palmer has done more in 18 months than Zola did, and Zola is one of Chelsea's greatest ever players," the former Liverpool defender said on Sky Sports.
"He's on the same level as Hazard, and that came over four or five years. If he takes Chelsea to a title then he'd go down as one of their greatest ever players if he keeps doing what he's doing. He's a special player."
Maresca's band of young talent sit just four points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, whose game on Saturday against Everton was postponed due to inclement weather.
There was a storm of a different nature at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, however, as Chelsea fought from 2-0 down to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Enzo Fernandez and Jadon Sancho were both on target, along with Palmer's cool spot-kick heroics, highlighting the plethora of quality on offer to Maresca.
Carragher refuses to accept the Blues' early success as a rags-to-riches story, though.
"This Chelsea team is no underdog story," the former Liverpool defender added. "This is a team that has spent £1.2billion, but what they're doing this season is something totally unexpected.
"This club are right in the mix for a title challenge."
Palmer surpasses Zola and could be Chelsea's greatest ever with title, says Carragher
Cole Palmer has already surpassed Gianfranco Zola's exploits with Chelsea, and could write his name in Blues history if he guides them to the Premier League title.
That was the message from Jamie Carragher after Palmer's penalty double helped Enzo Maresca's side to an enthralling 4-3 comeback victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
Palmer has now scored from all of his 12 penalty attempts in the Premier League - the most in the competition's history without ever missing, after surpassing Yaya Toure's 11 spot-kick tally for Manchester City.
The England midfielder also has 50 goal involvements (33 goals, 17 assists) in just 48 Premier League games for Chelsea, a feat bettered by only three players.
Erling Haaland for Man City (39), Andy Cole for Newcastle United (43), and Mohamed Salah for Liverpool (46) are the only trio to reach that total in fewer appearances for a club in the competition.
Carragher believes Palmer has already secured Chelsea stardom, though further glory could await for the Man City academy product.
"When you think of Chelsea's flair players like Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard, I think Palmer has done more in 18 months than Zola did, and Zola is one of Chelsea's greatest ever players," the former Liverpool defender said on Sky Sports.
"He's on the same level as Hazard, and that came over four or five years. If he takes Chelsea to a title then he'd go down as one of their greatest ever players if he keeps doing what he's doing. He's a special player."
Maresca's band of young talent sit just four points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, whose game on Saturday against Everton was postponed due to inclement weather.
There was a storm of a different nature at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, however, as Chelsea fought from 2-0 down to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Enzo Fernandez and Jadon Sancho were both on target, along with Palmer's cool spot-kick heroics, highlighting the plethora of quality on offer to Maresca.
Carragher refuses to accept the Blues' early success as a rags-to-riches story, though.
"This Chelsea team is no underdog story," the former Liverpool defender added. "This is a team that has spent £1.2billion, but what they're doing this season is something totally unexpected.
"This club are right in the mix for a title challenge."
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