Author: Agence France-Presse - AFP
Defending champion Jannik Sinner and first-time hopeful Iga Swiatek delivered dominant performances on Wednesday, advancing to the Australian Open semifinals with commanding victories. Italian world No. 1 Sinner swept aside an out-classed home hope Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 to silence Rod Laver Arena and set up a meeting with 21st seed Ben Shelton. The other semifinal is between 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and world No. 2 Alexander Zverev, with both taking place Friday. Sinner had dizzy spells in the scorching heat of the afternoon during his four-set win against Holger Rune on Monday. But in much…
Nikola Jokic recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double and a league-best 19th of the season on Tuesday, leading the Denver Nuggets to a dominant 144-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Serbian star, who claimed a third NBA Most Valuable Player award last season, again made it look effortless, scoring 27 points with 13 rebounds and 10 assists. He then sat out all of the fourth quarter, his 13th triple-double of the season achieved through three quarters only. “I feel I’m playing the best basketball of my life,” Jokic told broadcaster TNT, although he admitted the Nuggets team he led to…
Nikola Jokic recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double and a league-best 19th of the season on Tuesday, leading the Denver Nuggets to a dominant 144-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Serbian star, who claimed a third NBA Most Valuable Player award last season, again made it look effortless, scoring 27 points with 13 rebounds and 10 assists. He then sat out all of the fourth quarter, his 13th triple-double of the season achieved through three quarters only. “I feel I’m playing the best basketball of my life,” Jokic told broadcaster TNT, although he admitted the Nuggets team he led to…
Liverpool secured their spot in the Champions League last 16 with a 2-1 victory over Lille on Tuesday, while Barcelona staged a thrilling 5-4 comeback against Benfica to join them in advancing. The Anfield side are the only team with a maximum 21 points from seven matches in this new, expanded Champions League and they now know they will skip next month’s play-offs and head straight to the last 16 in March. Mohamed Salah ran clear to give Liverpool the lead at home to a Lille team who have also impressed this season and the visitors appeared in trouble when…
Liverpool secured their spot in the Champions League last 16 with a 2-1 victory over Lille on Tuesday, while Barcelona staged a thrilling 5-4 comeback against Benfica to join them in advancing. The Anfield side are the only team with a maximum 21 points from seven matches in this new, expanded Champions League and they now know they will skip next month’s play-offs and head straight to the last 16 in March. Mohamed Salah ran clear to give Liverpool the lead at home to a Lille team who have also impressed this season and the visitors appeared in trouble when…
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton took his first steps as a Ferrari driver Monday and expressed his delight at joining the iconic team. The 40-year-old shocked the paddock last February when he announced that after 12 successful years with Mercedes, he was departing for Ferrari. “Today we start a new chapter in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together,” he said in a press release as he appeared for the first time in Maranello, the headquarters of the Scuderia. Wearing a long overcoat, dark suit and tie…
Aryna Sabalenka battled through “unbelievable” windy conditions Tuesday to reach the Melbourne semifinals and keep her dream of an Australian Open hat trick alive. The world No. 1 faces Spain’s Paula Badosa for a place in the final after grinding past Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena. “The conditions were unbelievable. The wind was so strong. It was very difficult for both of us,” said Sabalenka, who can become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1999 to win the Australian Open three years in a row. If she does, she will join a select group…
Aryna Sabalenka battled through “unbelievable” windy conditions Tuesday to reach the Melbourne semifinals and keep her dream of an Australian Open hat trick alive. The world No. 1 faces Spain’s Paula Badosa for a place in the final after grinding past Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena. “The conditions were unbelievable. The wind was so strong. It was very difficult for both of us,” said Sabalenka, who can become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1999 to win the Australian Open three years in a row. If she does, she will join a select group…
Marc Marquez has set his sights on equaling Valentino Rossi’s seven MotoGP world titles as he joins forces with Francesco Bagnaia in a formidable Ducati lineup for the 2025 season. Six-time world champion Marquez was unveiled by Ducati on Monday as the Italian manufacturer’s factory racing team revealed its new Desmosedici GP25 bike. Bedecked in red, the 31-year-old made no secret of his intention to win more titles after last year’s impressive performances for Ducati satellite outfit Gresini. Marquez finished third behind eventual winner Jorge Martin, now with Aprilia, and two-time champion Bagnaia and won three Grands Prix, his first…
Marc Marquez has set his sights on equaling Valentino Rossi’s seven MotoGP world titles as he joins forces with Francesco Bagnaia in a formidable Ducati lineup for the 2025 season. Six-time world champion Marquez was unveiled by Ducati on Monday as the Italian manufacturer’s factory racing team revealed its new Desmosedici GP25 bike. Bedecked in red, the 31-year-old made no secret of his intention to win more titles after last year’s impressive performances for Ducati satellite outfit Gresini. Marquez finished third behind eventual winner Jorge Martin, now with Aprilia, and two-time champion Bagnaia and won three Grands Prix, his first…