Sawt Falasteen

Alcaraz out as top players pay tribute to Nadal at Shanghai Masters

World number two Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters in straight sets by 33rd-ranked Tomas Machac on Thursday, losing 7-6 (7/5), 7-5.

Racing's Farrell 'not thinking' about British and Irish Lions

Former England captain Owen Farrell on Thursday played down talk of a place on next summer's British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, saying he was "busy trying to settle in" at his new club Racing 92.

Alcaraz, Sinner pay tribute to 'unbelievable' Nadal at Shanghai Masters

Carlos Alcaraz said hearing about his fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal's retirement on Thursday was "painful" while world number one Jannik Sinner said it was "tough news" for tennis.

After Nadal exit, Djokovic left to rage against dying of the light

Rafael Nadal's retirement announcement on Thursday left Novak Djokovic as the last man standing from tennis's golden era but with major question marks over the Serb star's own long-term future in the sport.

Triple centurion Brook happy to break Dad's club record

England's rising batting star Harry Brook said he was delighted he had finally eclipsed his father's highest club score, when he hit a triple hundred against Pakistan in Multan on Thursday.

Southgate taking year out from coaching

Former England manager Gareth Southgate said Thursday he would not return to coaching for the next year.

England in sight of victory after Brook's triple hundred

England's bowlers sparked a Pakistan batting collapse after a brilliant triple century by Harry Brook and Joe Root's double hundred had them closing in on victory in the first Test in Multan on Thursday.

Juventus readmitted to ECA after failed Super League revolt

Juventus have been readmitted to the European Club Association (ECA) after the Serie A club's failed bid to create a continental Super League, the organisation's chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi said on Thursday.

World number 2 Alcaraz knocked out of Shanghai Masters by Machac

World number two Carlos Alcaraz has been knocked out of the Shanghai Masters in straight sets by 33rd-ranked Tomas Machac, losing 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 on Thursday.

Klopp's Red Bull decision 'ruined life's work' say Dortmund fans

Borussia Dortmund fans have reacted with anger and frustration after former coach Jurgen Klopp's announcement he will take over as head of football operations at Red Bull.

The almost impossible job: Beating Rafael Nadal at the French Open

When a weary David Ferrer managed to win just five games in his French Open semi-final loss to Rafael Nadal in 2012, he was in no doubt over the enormity of the challenge.

Weary Nadal calls time on 'incredible' tennis career

Rafael Nadal on Thursday announced he will retire after the Davis Cup finals in November, ending a career which brought 22 Grand Slam titles, global respect and inspired epic, iconic rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Italy's ex-world champion gymnast Ferrari announces retirement

Italian gymnast Vanessa Ferrari, a former world champion and Olympic silver medallist, announced her retirement on Thursday.

Federer lauds retiring Nadal's 'incredible achievements'

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer on Thursday paid tribute to 22-time Grand Slam champion and great rival Rafael Nadal who announced his retirement from the sport.

Australia beat China 3-1 to resurrect World Cup campaign

Australia came from behind to beat China 3-1 Thursday and resurrect their World Cup qualifying campaign, ensuring Tony Popovic's reign as coach got off to a winning start.

Nadal defied injury woes in record-breaking career

Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam title collection closes at 22 but if it wasn't for a succession of problems with his ankles, knees, elbow and wrists, the figure could have been even more impressive.

Nadal v Djokovic, French Open, 2006: Chapter One in epic rivalry

It was one of the greatest rivalries in tennis, stretching to 59 matches, encompassing Grand Slams, Masters, Olympics and Davis Cups.

Pakistan at 23-1 after Brook triple hundred takes England to 823-7

Pakistan were 23-1 at tea on the fourth day and fighting to avoid an innings defeat after Harry Brook's 371 and Joe Root's 262 propelled England to a mammoth 823-7 declared in the first Test on Thursday.

Rafael Nadal calls time on epic tennis career

Rafael Nadal on Thursday announced he will retire after the Davis Cup finals in November, ending a career which brought 22 Grand Slam titles, global respect and inspired epic, iconic rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Kim Sei-young shoots 62 to take two-stroke lead at LPGA Shanghai

Kim Sei-young set off with a five-birdie blitz Thursday and finished with three more on her way to a 10-under par 62 and a two-stroke lead after the first round of Buick LPGA Shanghai.

Sinner crushes Medvedev to set up potential Alcaraz Shanghai semi

World number one Jannik Sinner had a surprisingly straightforward 6-1, 6-4 victory over an injured Daniil Medvedev on Thursday to reach the Shanghai Masters semi-finals, where he could face chief rival Carlos Alcaraz.

England's Harry Brook blasts triple century against Pakistan

England's Harry Brook hit his maiden triple century on the fourth day of the opening Test against Pakistan in Multan on Thursday.

Record-breaking Root, Brook both pass 200 as England pile up 658-3

Record-breaking Joe Root and Harry Brook smashed career-best double centuries Thursday as relentless England piled up 658-3 against Pakistan by lunch on the fourth day of the opening Test in Multan.

Home is far away for Madagascar in AFCON qualifying

When Madagascar host Gambia in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday they will play in Moroccan city Casablanca -- 8,250 kilometres (5,125 miles) from the Indian Ocean country.

Rugby Australia to counter-sue in dispute with Melbourne Rebels

Rugby Australia said Thursday it was preparing a counter-claim against axed Super Rugby club Melbourne Rebels, alleging misleading and deceptive conduct in an increasingly bitter legal dispute.

Mets advance on Lindor blast, Dodgers stay alive in MLB playoffs

The New York Mets, fueled by Francisco Lindor's grand slam, beat Philadelphia to advance in the Major League Baseball playoffs on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers stayed alive with an 8-0 victory over San Diego.

Injury-ravaged Krygios aiming to return at Australian Open

Australian Open chief Craig Tiley expressed confidence Thursday that injury-ravaged Nick Kyrgios will be back on court at the season-opening Grand Slam.

Greek international Baldock, dead at 31: family

Panathinaikos and Greece international footballer George Baldock has died, his family confirmed Thursday.

Mets advance on Lindor grand slam, Yankees and Tigers win

Francisco Lindor belted a grand slam in the sixth inning to propel the New York Mets to a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday and into Major League Baseball's National League Championship Series.

Lindor powers Mets past Phillies into NL Championship Series