Seven-times champion wraps up 10-2 win over He Guoqiang Cue was ‘stuck under my bed in Ireland’ Ronnie O’Sullivan dusted off an old cue from under his bed in Ireland and duly rocketed into the second round of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield after wrapping up a 10-2 win...
‘Tennis is about being fluid’: how Iga Swiatek is drawing on her time with Rafael Nadal to regain No 1 spot
Winner of six grand slams is changing her strategy after a run of poor results, helped by time in Spain with 39-year-old legend Iga Swiatek had little interest in tennis as a teenager, but the one exception was Rafael Nadal. She spent her formative years idolising the Spaniard, who won...
Lewis Moody ‘picking up baton’ left by Doddie Weir with MND fundraising cycle ride
Former England captain plans to ride 500 miles in seven days 2003 World Cup winners among the fundraisers The former England captain Lewis Moody has said he is “picking up the baton” left by Doddie Weir after announcing plans to lead a 500-mile, seven-day cycling challenge this summer to raise...
Lando Norris backs Max Verstappen to stay in F1 after drivers win rule changes
World champion expects Dutch rival to fight for fifth crown ‘It would be a miss for the sport’ if he acts on dissatisfaction Lando Norris has said he believes Max Verstappen will continue to race in Formula One but that it would be “a miss” for the sport if the...
Trump envoy asks Fifa to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup finals
US special envoy Zampolli hopes for Italy involvement Doubts remain over Iran’s participation at tournament An envoy to Donald Trump has asked Fifa to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and...
London Marathon organisers believe two-day event could bring £400m economic boost
Event director says £130m could be raised for good causes ‘You can lose the love, and we have to be mindful of that’ London Marathon organisers have revealed more details about plans to stage a two-day event next year which they say would be an “incredible celebration” that would raise...
Churning Chelsea threw Rosenior in at the deep end but left him out of his depth | Jacob Steinberg
Decision to hire an inexperienced manager has backfired badly and club’s owners will have to reassess their approach There was symbolism to the Chelsea project reaching a reckoning at the Amex Stadium. Behdad Eghbali, one of the club’s co-owners, looked ashen-faced in the directors’ box. Enzo Fernández stared into the...
Fearless Rayan Cherki offers Manchester City a point of difference in title hunt | Will Unwin
Talented France forward roamed with intent on a nervy night at Burnley when City reclaimed top spot In a season where the football on offer would struggle to entertain paint testers, Rayan Cherki has offered a point of difference. A playground footballer who gives off the impression of actually enjoying...
Longstaff’s late show moves Leeds closer to safety in dramatic draw at Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola may be on his farewell parade but it has not dimmed his passion as he edged Bournemouth one more point closer to what could yet be an extraordinary achievement in his final five weeks. Billionaire Bill Foley has held ambitions to take this little club on the south...
South Africa struggling to secure UK TV deal to screen England Test series
Sky Sports declines offer to renew long-term contract Value of bilateral international cricket in decline Cricket South Africa has yet to secure a UK television rights deal for England’s marquee Test series next winter with Sky Sports declining an offer to renew a long-term contract that expired last year. Sky’s...