Wilson defeats Si Jiahui, Higgins sees off Barry Hawkins All six matches at Alexandra Palace have ended 6-2 Kyren Wilson, the 2024 world champion, defeated Si Jiahui in impressive fashion to reach the Masters quarter-finals with the 6-2 result continuing a curious statistic: every match at Alexandra Palace this week...
Xabi Alonso failed to control Real Madrid’s egos in brief and bitter reign
Hired as a systems coach, the manager was undermined at a club where players – and Florentino Pérez – call the shots Pep Guardiola sat in the press room at the Santiago Bernabéu and told Xabi Alonso to do it his way but around here, he knows, it tends not...
The three ages of Michael Carrick … and what they say about Manchester United
From his competitive debut to his first spell as interim, the former midfielder has seen much at Old Trafford over the past two decades 23 August 2006, Charlton 0-3 Manchester United The 25‑year‑old new signing was eased into United’s midfield as a second-half substitute in the second game of the season,...
Emma Raducanu recovers in Hobart to post first win in over three months
Briton wins tight encounter with Camila Osorio 6-3, 7-6 Match with Colombian was delayed overnight by rain Emma Raducanu offered an impressive demonstration of her resilience at the Hobart International as she rallied from an overnight second-set deficit in her rain-delayed first-round match to defeat Camila Osorio of Colombia 6-3,...
Liam Rosenior to hold talks with Sterling and Disasi over Chelsea futures
Players had been frozen out under Enzo Maresca Chelsea’s preference would be to move players on Liam Rosenior will hold talks with Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi before deciding whether the pair have a future at Chelsea. The head coach, who wants to assess his new squad before concluding whether...
Sport England suspends X social media account and takes aim at Elon Musk
Chair decries platform’s ‘hostility to women and girls’ Chris Boardman criticises ‘divisive’ conversations Sport England has revealed that it has suspended its account on X, because the social media platform “increasingly promotes and monetises an environment that is hostile to women and girls”. In a blog post explaining the decision...
The hidden hierarchy of tennis practice courts: ‘I was back in the park, smelling the weed’
The unwritten rule in professional tournaments? Do not hog the practice court. But as leading players testify – the reality is very different On a cool Wednesday afternoon before the US Open last year, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev were busy fine-tuning their games in an intense practice set at Louis...
Semenyo and Cherki give Manchester City edge over Newcastle after VAR storm
Eddie Howe was not exactly overjoyed to learn that, rather than being cup-tied, Antoine Semenyo was free to play for Manchester City here. Sure enough the Newcastle manager’s worst fears were realised as the winger – who played in the competition this season for Bournemouth – scored City’s opener and...
Olympic tensions flare as US skeleton star alleges Canadian coach rigged qualifying event
Katie Uhlaender misses sixth trip to Olympics Athlete says she was deliberately deprived of points Sporting tensions between the USA and Canada have erupted once again, this time in skeleton as next month’s Winter Olympics approach. The USA’s Katie Uhlaender, a five-time Winter Olympian in skeleton, has accused the Canadian...
Texans extend Steelers’ playoff losing streak in possible farewell for Aaron Rodgers
Houston Texans 30-6 Pittsburgh Steelers Rodgers says he is yet to make decision on future Texans will face Patriots in divisional round Sheldon Rankins returned a fumble by Aaron Rodgers 33 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to highlight a dominant performance by the NFL’s top-ranked defense,...