DUBLIN: New Zealand captain Tom Latham praised batter Tom Blundell and bowler Nathan Smith as the Black Caps warmed up for their first test against England at Lord’s next week with a one-sided victory over Ireland in Belfast on Friday. The tourists won by an innings and 79 runs after putting aside their early struggles…
PARIS: Matteo Berrettini said he finally feels like he can compete at a high level again after beating Francisco Comesana at the French Open to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for just the second time since 2022. Berrettini, a former world number six, has struggled with fitness issues and missed eight of…
Coco Gauff marched into the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open with straight-sets victory. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE PARIS: Reigning champion Coco Gauff’s French Open title defence came to an end in the third round on Saturday as top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka both won to set up a blockbuster last-16 clash. Gauff went down 4-6,…
AHMEDABAD: Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be eyeing their second straight IPL title against an upbeat Gujarat Titans in the final at the 130,000-capacity Ahmedabad stadium on Sunday. The 37-year-old Kohli has been central to Bengaluru’s efforts since their first title in the T20 tournament last year. Batting great Kohli will be back…
Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara says 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready to represent India. Photo: AFP MUMBAI: Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been the toast of the cricket world in a stunning IPL season for Rajasthan Royals — and coach Kumar Sangakkara says the 15-year-old is ready to represent India. Sooryavanshi’s 96 runs on Friday in…
Harry Kane (centre) will lead England in their quest to win a first major tournament since 1966. Photo: AFP/File LONDON: Thomas Tuchel is not shy about stating England’s ambition to win the World Cup, with his team strongly fancied to progress from Group L, which includes old foes Croatia. The 1966 winners, among the favourites…
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to feature in a record sixth World Cup. Photo: AFP LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo heads to a record sixth World Cup blessed with a prodigiously talented group of team-mates as Portugal target glory for the first time on the global stage. Roberto Martinez’s side are strong favourites to progress from Group K…
BARCELONA: Barcelona confirmed the signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United on Friday, for a fee that could rise to 80 million euros ($93 million). Gordon will sign for “the next five seasons, until June 30, 2031,” Barcelona said in a brief statement. The 25-year-old left winger netted 17 goals for Newcastle this season, 10…
Arne Slot’s Liverpool are on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Photo: AFP/File LONDON: Liverpool parted ways with Arne Slot on Saturday after the Dutch manager who won the Premier League title in his first season failed to live up to expectations in a roller-coaster second season where they finished fifth. Former Feyenoord…
Novak Djokovic comes to Paris having played just one match on clay this year. Photo: AFP/File PARIS: Novak Djokovic said he didn’t know if he would play at the French Open again after his latest quest for a record 25th Grand Slam ended in a third-round loss to Joao Fonseca on Friday. Brazilian teenager Fonseca…