Author: Agence France-Presse - AFP

Hours after meeting the newly-elected Pope Leo XIV, the returning Jannik Sinner stormed into the Italian Open semifinals Thursday, dismantling Casper Ruud in a dominant 6-0, 6-1 victory, while Coco Gauff battled through a grueling three-set thriller against China’s Zheng Qinwen to secure her spot in the women’s final. American Gauff will meet Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in Saturday’s championship clash after edging a marathon match 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4) that lasted more than three and a half hours. Ruud, fresh off a clay-court title in Madrid and expected to be Sinner’s toughest hurdle since returning from a three-month doping…

Carlos Alcaraz kept his Roman title dream alive with a confident 6-4, 6-4 win over Jack Draper on Wednesday, booking a semi-final clash against Lorenzo Musetti – while Aryna Sabalenka’s clay-court run ground to a halt against Zheng Qinwen. The Spaniard, seeded third, called it “one of the most complete matches” of his season as he subdued fifth-seeded Draper in a baseline battle of grit and flair. The win also vaulted Alcaraz back to No. 2 in the ATP rankings, overtaking Alexander Zverev. “I lost focus a little bit in the second set, but not for long. It was a…

Masters champion Rory McIlroy confirmed Wednesday that he will return to the Australian Open for the next two years, ending a lengthy absence from the prestigious tournament. The world No. 2, who became the sixth golfer in history to complete a career Grand Slam with his thrilling playoff victory at Augusta last month, announced his plans just ahead of the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. McIlroy will tee off at the Australian Open, scheduled for Dec. 4-7 this year, at the iconic Royal Melbourne course. The 36-year-old will return to Australia in 2026 when the prestigious event moves to…

The Indiana Pacers steamrolled the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109 on Sunday to seize a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series, while the Oklahoma City Thunder muscled past the Denver Nuggets 92-87 to level the Western showdown at 2-2. It was all Indiana in Indianapolis. The Pacers blitzed Cleveland with a 17-0 second-quarter run en route to an 80-39 halftime lead, leaving the top-seeded Cavaliers stunned and scrambling. Pascal Siakam poured in 21 points and led a balanced attack with seven Indiana players in double digits. Myles Turner and Obi Toppin chipped in 20 apiece, and Tyrese Haliburton added…

Carlos Alcaraz powered into the last 16 of the Italian Open on Sunday, joining defending champion Alexander Zverev after a gritty 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 win over Laslo Djere on center court. The four-time Grand Slam winner reached the fourth round at the Foro Italico for the first time, overcoming a spirited challenge from Djere, a three-time clay-court titlist who claimed his most recent title in Santiago in March. Still working his way back from a thigh injury sustained during last month’s Barcelona Open final, Alcaraz showed flashes of brilliance despite not being at full strength. Up next for the Spaniard…

Carlos Alcaraz powered into the last 16 of the Italian Open on Sunday, joining defending champion Alexander Zverev after a gritty 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 win over Laslo Djere on center court. The four-time Grand Slam winner reached the fourth round at the Foro Italico for the first time, overcoming a spirited challenge from Djere, a three-time clay-court titlist who claimed his most recent title in Santiago in March. Still working his way back from a thigh injury sustained during last month’s Barcelona Open final, Alcaraz showed flashes of brilliance despite not being at full strength. Up next for the Spaniard…

Carlos Alcaraz powered into the last 16 of the Italian Open on Sunday, joining defending champion Alexander Zverev after a gritty 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 win over Laslo Djere on center court. The four-time Grand Slam winner reached the fourth round at the Foro Italico for the first time, overcoming a spirited challenge from Djere, a three-time clay-court titlist who claimed his most recent title in Santiago in March. Still working his way back from a thigh injury sustained during last month’s Barcelona Open final, Alcaraz showed flashes of brilliance despite not being at full strength. Up next for the Spaniard…

Carlos Alcaraz powered into the last 16 of the Italian Open on Sunday, joining defending champion Alexander Zverev after a gritty 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 win over Laslo Djere on center court. The four-time Grand Slam winner reached the fourth round at the Foro Italico for the first time, overcoming a spirited challenge from Djere, a three-time clay-court titlist who claimed his most recent title in Santiago in March. Still working his way back from a thigh injury sustained during last month’s Barcelona Open final, Alcaraz showed flashes of brilliance despite not being at full strength. Up next for the Spaniard…

Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year on Sunday, capping a remarkable season that saw him lead the club to its 13th French title and a place in the Champions League final. Dembele, the league’s top scorer with 21 goals, has netted 33 times in 46 matches across all competitions, including eight goals in Europe. His stellar performances helped PSG clinch their 11th Ligue 1 title in 13 years. In a changing of the guard, Dembele succeeds Kylian Mbappe, who dominated the award for five consecutive years before making his move to Real Madrid last…

Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year on Sunday, capping a remarkable season that saw him lead the club to its 13th French title and a place in the Champions League final. Dembele, the league’s top scorer with 21 goals, has netted 33 times in 46 matches across all competitions, including eight goals in Europe. His stellar performances helped PSG clinch their 11th Ligue 1 title in 13 years. In a changing of the guard, Dembele succeeds Kylian Mbappe, who dominated the award for five consecutive years before making his move to Real Madrid last…