Author: Agence France-Presse - AFP

Atalanta’s bid for a first Serie A title will come in for a huge test Saturday when the plucky provincial upstarts host league leaders Napoli, while Inter Milan lurk in an intriguing three-way Scudetto battle. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are unbeaten in 15 league matches but three consecutive draws have left the ambitious outfit from Bergamo four points behind Napoli ahead of this weekend’s big match at the Gewiss Stadium. Napoli’s visit comes after Atalanta were held to a 1-1 draw by Juventus on Tuesday night, a brilliant match but disappointing result which leaves an unprecedented challenge for a league…

Atalanta’s bid for a first Serie A title will come in for a huge test Saturday when the plucky provincial upstarts host league leaders Napoli, while Inter Milan lurk in an intriguing three-way Scudetto battle. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are unbeaten in 15 league matches but three consecutive draws have left the ambitious outfit from Bergamo four points behind Napoli ahead of this weekend’s big match at the Gewiss Stadium. Napoli’s visit comes after Atalanta were held to a 1-1 draw by Juventus on Tuesday night, a brilliant match but disappointing result which leaves an unprecedented challenge for a league…

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner staged a comeback to reach the Australian Open third round on Thursday, while Iga Swiatek advanced to set up a clash with Emma Raducanu. Taylor Fritz was an emphatic winner in his pursuit of a maiden major title but exciting 18-year-old Joao Fonseca was edged out in a five-set thriller. Daniil Medvedev, beaten in the Melbourne final last year by Sinner, faces Learner Tien, 19, of the United States in a later match. Sinner dropped a set for the first time in 14 matches when he lost the opener to Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate. But…

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner staged a comeback to reach the Australian Open third round on Thursday, while Iga Swiatek advanced to set up a clash with Emma Raducanu. Taylor Fritz was an emphatic winner in his pursuit of a maiden major title but exciting 18-year-old Joao Fonseca was edged out in a five-set thriller. Daniil Medvedev, beaten in the Melbourne final last year by Sinner, faces Learner Tien, 19, of the United States in a later match. Sinner dropped a set for the first time in 14 matches when he lost the opener to Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate. But…

Liverpool’s pursuit of the Premier League title suffered a minor setback after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, while Manchester City faltered with a 2-2 draw at Brentford. Chris Wood fired Forest in front early on at a raucous City Ground, but Liverpool dominated almost the entire 97 minutes and got back on level terms thanks to substitute Diogo Jota’s goal with his first touch. Only a brilliant goalkeeping performance from Matz Sels denied the leaders victory, but the point maintained a six-point cushion over Forest for Arne Slot’s men, who also have a…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Tuesday that the club is “actively looking” to strengthen their squad amid serious concerns over Gabriel Jesus, who has reportedly suffered a ruptured ACL. Brazilian forward Jesus was stretchered off in the first half of Sunday’s FA Cup third-round match against Manchester United, which ended in a defeat for the Gunners on penalties. The injury, combined with the extended absence of England forward Bukayo Saka, has added to growing concerns over Arsenal’s lack of goalscoring threat. Manager Arteta said Jesus’ injury was “not looking good at all” but the club would likely have a fuller…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Tuesday that the club is “actively looking” to strengthen their squad amid serious concerns over Gabriel Jesus, who has reportedly suffered a ruptured ACL. Brazilian forward Jesus was stretchered off in the first half of Sunday’s FA Cup third-round match against Manchester United, which ended in a defeat for the Gunners on penalties. The injury, combined with the extended absence of England forward Bukayo Saka, has added to growing concerns over Arsenal’s lack of goalscoring threat. Manager Arteta said Jesus’ injury was “not looking good at all” but the club would likely have a fuller…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Tuesday that the club is “actively looking” to strengthen their squad amid serious concerns over Gabriel Jesus, who has reportedly suffered a ruptured ACL. Brazilian forward Jesus was stretchered off in the first half of Sunday’s FA Cup third-round match against Manchester United, which ended in a defeat for the Gunners on penalties. The injury, combined with the extended absence of England forward Bukayo Saka, has added to growing concerns over Arsenal’s lack of goalscoring threat. Manager Arteta said Jesus’ injury was “not looking good at all” but the club would likely have a fuller…

Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca delivered a stunning upset at the Australian Open on Tuesday by defeating ninth seed Andrey Rublev, while 2024 finalist Daniil Medvedev narrowly escaped a similar shock. A rampant Taylor Fritz, veteran Gael Monfils and home hope Alex de Minaur also all progressed into round two at Melbourne Park. In the women’s draw, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina were both emphatic winners on day three, with Emma Navarro and Emma Raducanu also victorious. But the day belonged to the 18-year-old Fonseca, who defeated Russia’s Rublev 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) on his Grand Slam debut. Roared on…

Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca delivered a stunning upset at the Australian Open on Tuesday by defeating ninth seed Andrey Rublev, while 2024 finalist Daniil Medvedev narrowly escaped a similar shock. A rampant Taylor Fritz, veteran Gael Monfils and home hope Alex de Minaur also all progressed into round two at Melbourne Park. In the women’s draw, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina were both emphatic winners on day three, with Emma Navarro and Emma Raducanu also victorious. But the day belonged to the 18-year-old Fonseca, who defeated Russia’s Rublev 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) on his Grand Slam debut. Roared on…