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Top 5 Photos, 1/31: Thiem edges Zverev; champions crowned

By Jordaan Sanford

Champions were crowned on Friday, while two good friends clashed for a spot in the men's final. These are the Top 5 photos from Friday at the Australian Open. (All photos Getty Images).

1

After a hard fought battle, Dominic Thiem posted a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4) win over Alexander Zverev. After winning three tiebreakers in the round before against Rafael Nadal, Thiem captured two more on Friday against the German.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Dominic Thiem of Austria embraces Alexander Zverev of Germany after their Men's Singles Semifinal match on day twelve of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

2

Thiem has played in two Roland Garros finals, but never before on hard courts. The world No. 5 played some of his best tennis in his first Australian Open semifinal, and now has Novak Djokovic standing in the way from capturing his first major title.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Dominic Thiem of Austria celebrates after winning match point during his Men's Singles Semifinal match against Alexander Zverev of Germany on day twelve of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

3

In just one hour and 12 minutes, Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic secured yet another Grand Slam trophy together. The pair were unstoppable and overpowered Hsieh Su-wei and Barbora Strycova to win 6-2, 6-1. It marks the duo's third major title together.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Timea Babos of Hungary and Kristina Mladenovic of France pose with the championship trophy after winning their Women’s Doubles Final match against Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan and Barbora Strycova of Czech Republic on day twelve of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

4

Unseeded Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jamie Murray reached the mixed doubles final after defeating wild cards Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith, 6-3, 7-6 (4). The US Open champions will next face No. 5 seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Nikola Mektic.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States and Jamie Murray of Great Britain celebrate winning their Mixed Doubles Semifinals match against Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith of Australia on day twelve of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

5

Jordanne Whiley and Yui Kamiji dismissed top seeds Diede De Groot and Aniek Van Koot, 6-2, 6-4. It marks Whiley's first Slam win as a mother. The Brit was sad she missed her son's second birthday, but was ecstatic to bring a title back home, saying, "If I'm going to be away from him then, I have to make everything count."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Jordanne Whiley of Great Britain and Yui Kamiji of Japan pose with the championship trophy after winning their Women's Wheelchair Doubles Final against Diede De Groot and Aniek Van Koot of the Netherlands on day twelve of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)
© Getty Images