The Loop: Aussies dominate at the Australian Open, property prices rise (again), Solar Orbiter flies through a comet tail and the world's oldest living aquarium fish is a fussy eater

G'day, g'day.

It's Thursday, January 27, and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.

The «Special Ks» — Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis — defeated third seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in this afternoon's Australian Open semifinal on Rod Laver Arena, winning 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

They will meet fellow Australians Matt Ebden and Max Purcell in the final.

It will be the first all-Australian men's doubles final since 1980, when Mark Edmondson and Kim Warwick defeated Peter McNamara and Paul McNamee. 

Dylan Alcott's hopes of finishing his career on a winning note have been dashed, with the 15-time major champion going down to Sam Schröder in the Australian Open quad wheelchair singles final.

Alcott had announced late last year he would retire at the end of the Australian Open, with an eighth-straight singles title at Melbourne Park in his sights.

But the Australian of the Year found Schröder to be formidable opposition in the final on Rod Laver Arena, with the Dutch second seed triumphing 7-5, 6-0.

Meanwhile, Ash Barty will try to cement a spot in the women's singles final when she plays Madison Keys sometime around 6:30pm.

Can't get enough of tennis? You can stay up -to-date on our live blog.

According to Domain's latest House Price Report, released today, the median cost of houses in Australian capital cities rose to $1.06 million in the December quarter.

Domain's chief of research and economics, Nicola Powell, says people are using their homes differently because of the pandemic.

«We've seen record-low interest rates support buyer activity, and we've also seen a high level of household savings,» Dr Powell says.

«But I think more importantly, through the pandemic we're spending more time in our homes and