4 h. ago Madison Keys shakes off nerves to begin Australian Open title defence

The defending champion battled back from behind after losing the opening four games to beat Ukrainian debutante Oleksandra Oliynykova

Politics

5 h. ago Madison Keys’ Australian Open title defence nearly falters as Ukrainian steals the show

Oleksandra Oliynykova made life hard for the American with a vicious concoction of drop shots, slices and moonballs up to the roofFans seated in the upper bowls of the vast Rod Laver Arena are long accustomed to watching tennis from a considerable distance away, but on Tuesday afternoon they enjoyed the rare sight of the tennis ball frequently rising as high as their seats.That is the magic of Oleksandra Oliynykova, who made life hell for Madison Keys in the first match of the American’s Australian Open title defence with a vicious concoction of drop shots, slices and, most notably, moonballs that seemed to graze the stadium roof. Despite facing two set points in the opener, Keys showed her mental fortitude as she advanced to the second round with a 7-6 (6), 6-1 victory. Continue reading...

Events

8 h. ago Madison Keys gets Australian Open title defence off to jittery start

American beats Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-6 (8), 6-1 Last year’s winner recovers after losing first four games A nervy Madison Keys got the defence of her Australian Open crown off to a stuttering start, losing the first four games before rallying to stay in the title hunt.The American ninth seed was a bundle of nerves on Rod Laver Arena, but calmed down to clinch a 7-6 (8), 6-1 win over Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova. Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago European football: Barcelona slip up at Real Sociedad while Milan stay in hunt

La Liga lead cut to one point after surprise 2-1 defeatFüllkrug scores first goal in Italy since leaving West HamReal Sociedad damaged Barcelona’s title defence with a surprise 2-1 home victory as Hansi Flick’s side fell to a first defeat in 12 matches. The Catalan side, who hit the woodwork four times and had two goals disallowed, now lead their rivals Real Madrid by only a point at the top of La Liga after Álvaro Arbeloa’s side beat Levante on Saturday.Sociedad, now unbeaten in four games under their new American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, had Carlos Soler sent off late on but managed to hold on. Continue reading...

Politics

67 h. ago Man City player ratings vs Manchester United: Donnarumma heroics in vain as Haaland struggles continue

Makeshift defence struggles badly at Old Trafford as deflating derby defeat hits title hopes

Sport

4 d. ago Why Jannik Sinner returns ‘stronger’ after ‘difficult’ Australian Open title defence

The defending champion won last year’s Australian Open title a couple of weeks he reached a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency over a three-month ban

Politics

4 d. ago Madison Keys pictures herself as a champion again at the Australian Open

Madison Keys plans to go quietly into the player tunnel at Rod Laver Arena before the season-opening major to take a photo of her name among the Australian Open champions and send it home to her mom

Politics

4 d. ago Luke Littler makes retirement admission after first match since World Darts Championship payday

Luke Littler put on an impressive performance against Paul Lim at the Bahrain Masters on Thursday, 12 days on from his successful title defence at the World Darts Championship

Events

7 d. ago Relentless ‘Scott McKing’ rules for Napoli and staves off danger at Inter | Nicky Bandini

Scott McTominay has a long way to go to top his wild 2025. But his double at Inter was a very solid startScott McTominay said recently that he hopes to carry on playing top-level football for another decade. And, if he does, will he ever have another year better than the last one? In 2025, he won Serie A and helped deliver Scotland to their first World Cup this century – scoring sensational goals in the games that sealed both achievements. He has described himself as “obsessive” when it comes to self-improvement, but some feats are hard to top.Still, if he was looking to set some intentions for 2026, there are worse places to do it than San Siro. On Sunday night, Napoli’s title defence would be severely tested away to Inter. But every time they strayed into danger, McTominay led them back out. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Shaun Murphy crashes out of Masters on opening day of title defence

Murphy defeated 6-2 by China’s Wu YizeUK champion Mark Selby also knocked outThe defending champion Shaun Murphy is out of the Masters after a shock 6-2 defeat against China’s Wu Yize on the opening day of the 2026 tournament at Alexandra Palace.Wu, the world No 13, dominated from the outset and won the opening three frames, recording a superb break of 137 in the second. Murphy, the top seed, rallied briefly but, with a highest break of only 49, could not get back into the contest. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago West Ham’s Guarino suffers tough start as Baltimore double seals Chelsea rout

Chelsea secured a statement 5-0 victory against struggling West Ham to breathe life back into their Women’s Super League title defence. Sandy Baltimore scored a brace while Lauren James and Alyssa Thompson also got on the scoresheet at Kingsmeadow in an impressive demolition of their struggling London rivals.Rita Guarino endured a nightmare start to her West Ham tenure as her side conceded four first-half goals to put them firmly on the back foot on in an already difficult encounter. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago West Ham’s Guarino endures tough start as Baltimore double seals Chelsea rout

Chelsea secured a statement 5-0 victory against struggling West Ham to breathe life back into their Women’s Super League title defence. Sandy Baltimore scored twice and Lauren James and Alyssa Thompson once each in an impressive demolition of their London rivals.Rita Guarino endured a nightmare start to her West Ham tenure as her team conceded four first-half goals to put them firmly on the back foot on in an already difficult encounter. A combination of defensive errors and careless work in possession contributed and left West Ham’s new head coach with problems to solve as the Hammers remain locked in a battle with Liverpool at the bottom. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Defending champion Shaun Murphy handed Masters warning as Mark Selby prediction made

Shaun Murphy will begin the defence of his title against Wu Yize in the first round of the 2026 Masters at Alexandra Palace on Sunday afternoon

Events

1 week ago Aryna Sabalenka powers past Karolina Muchova into Brisbane International final

World No 1 will face Marta Kostyuk on SundayAlcaraz beats Sinner in Korean exhibition matchAryna Sabalenka advanced to the Brisbane International final for the third year in a row after defeating Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-4. The world No 1 clinched her fourth match point at Pat Rafter Arena to advance to Sunday’s final against Marta Kostyuk, who beat the fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-3. It was Kostyuk’s third win in a row over a top-10 opponent. She came into the match with only one win in five previous matches against the American.On Friday, in a rematch of last year’s Australian Open final, Sabalenka broke Madison Keys in five straight service games on the way to a 6-3, 6-3 win. Last year at Melbourne Park, Keys beat Sabalenka for her first Grand Slam singles title. Although three match points slipped away amid a late flurry of pressure from the Czech player, Sabalenka sealed victory when a Muchová shot sailed long. “I always try to stay in the present,” Sabalenka said. “I wor...

Politics

1 week ago Liverpool transfer news: Deal 'agreed' as Arsenal join Marc Guehi race

Liverpool have seen their title defence end in ruin as they look to secure Champions League qualification with the top four race heating up

Sport

2 w. ago Luke Littler reaches third straight World Darts Championship final: Star, 18, thrashes Ryan Searle as friend Angry Ginge and Lewis Capaldi join his girlfriend in crowd at Ally Pally

Luke Littler's imperious defence of his World Darts Championship title has continued after reaching Saturday's final.

Sport

2 w. ago 26 for 2026: unmissable sporting events over the next 12 months

This year features a football World Cup, a Winter Olympics, a Commonwealth Games and a historic Test match Jannik Sinner will be aiming to become only the second man in the Open era, after Novak Djokovic, to win three consecutive Australian Open singles titles, while in the women’s draw Madison Keys will be seeking to defend the title she landed via a shock victory over Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final. Elsewhere, Roger Federer is scheduled to return to Melbourne Park for the first time since retiring from tennis in 2022 as part of a Battle of the World No 1s match, alongside Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. “It still makes me smile when I think about all the moments I’ve had here,” said the Swiss legend. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Liverpool given official response to Jurgen Klopp return after his honest admission

Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a return to Liverpool this season amid the Reds’ dire title defence under Arne Slot and his current employers Red Bull have now spoken out

Politics

3 w. ago New Year's Honours 2026: Lionesses stars land gongs after Euros triumph with coach Sarina Wiegman handed honorary damehood as Daniel Levy is given a CBE

England women's football head coach Sarina Wiegman has been awarded an honorary damehood after leading the Lionesses to a successful defence of their Euros title.

Politics

3 w. ago Usyk vs Wilder edges nearer as date and location details emerge

Oleksandr Usyk has been granted a voluntary title defence, which the unified heavyweight champion may use to face Deontay Wilder

Politics