5 d. ago Pret A Manger to take on UK supermarkets by trialling lunchtime 'meal deals'

The officer workers staple will test the meal deal format in the final three months of this year amid efforts to “double down” on delivering strong value for customers

Economics

7 d. ago Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski blow three championship points in US Open heartbreak

Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos saved three championship points to win a second grand slam doubles title

Politics

1 week ago Anisimova gains revenge for Wimbledon by beating Swiatek to make US Open last four

American beats Polish rival 6-4, 6-3 to make semi-finalsMeeting with Karolina Muchova or Naomi Osaka up nextAmanda Anisimova conjured the performance of her career on Wednesday afternoon in New York, banishing the ghosts of her Wimbledon nightmare with a sensational 6-4, 6-3 quarter-final victory against Iga Swiatek in 1hr 36min. Less than eight weeks after she had been double-bagelled by the Polish star in the final at the All England Club, the 24-year-old American struck back with fearless ball-striking and nerveless resolve to reach her first US Open semi-final.Swiatek, a six-time major champion and the 2022 US Open winner, looked intent on reprising the script when she broke immediately to extend her personal run to 13 consecutive games in the rivalry. But Anisimova struck back on her third break point, finishing with a thumping forehand overhead that drew a roar from the Arthur Ashe crowd and ensured this would bear no resemblance to the rout in July. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Venus Williams’s new quest: finding out how much longer she can stretch time

The 45-year-old fell short in her quest to reach the US Open doubles quarter-finals, but her love for tennis appears undiminishedFor a minute there, it was just like old times – with the high stakes and the capacity crowd and the Venus Williams on court. After Aryna Sabalenk’s singles match ended in a walkover on Tuesday, Williams’s doubles quarter-final was bumped into primetime on Louis Armstrong Stadium to fill the hole in the schedule. And when Williams took the court with partner Leylah Fernandez in her black pleated dress and matching visor as the sun dipped toward the horizon, she looked for all the world like a woman determined to turn back time. Unfortunately for her, Fernandez and the throng that gathered to cheer them on, their opponents were keen to skip forward.Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend didn’t just cut the nostalgia trip short. Quite emphatically, they illustrated the difference between Williams and Fernandez, the doubles pairing out there for funsies, and ...

Politics

3 w. ago Jack Draper’s mixed US Open run ends in defeat as doubles specialists claim $1m prize

The British No 1 and American partner Jessica Pegula lost out to Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud before Italians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori defended their crown

Events

3 w. ago Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori overcome singles stars to win US Open mixed doubles final

Defending champions beat Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud 6-3 5-7 10-6Italians went up 4-0 in tiebreak before Swiatek double fault sealed winItalians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori have retained their mixed doubles title at the US Open on Wednesday, overcoming Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud 6-3 5-7 10-6 in the competition’s reimagined format that drew some of the top singles players.The defending champions, who needed a wild card entry into the competition that prioritised singles rankings, relied on their veteran experience to outfox the Polish-Norwegian duo. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori reaffirm supremacy to win US Open mixed doubles final

In a draw filled with many of the best singles tennis players in the world, the Italians made a decisive case for the importance of teamwork in this disciplineAcross two frantic days in New York, Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani repeatedly made their intentions clear. As the only doubles specialist team in a tournament that had banished the rest of their kind, they were on a mission to prove their worth by succeeding on the court.Shortly before midnight on an Arthur Ashe Stadium still filled with raucous spectators, the mission was complete. They triumphed in spectacular fashion at the reimagined US Open mixed doubles championship by closing out the star singles pairing of Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, the third seeds, 6-3 5-7 (10-6) in a supreme, intense tussle to defend their title. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori win ‘reimagined’ US Open mixed doubles final – as it happened

Errani/Vavassori win 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 over Swiatek/Ruud $1m prize at stake in revamped US Open mixed doublesFirst set: Pegula/Draper 3-3 Swiatek/Ruud* (*denotes next server)Pegula caps a love hold with a sharply angled volley into the tramlines. Still on serve in the opener. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Swiatek/Ruud v Errani/Vavassori: US Open mixed doubles final – live updates

Swiatek/Ruud defeat Pegula/Draper in first semi-finalErrani/Vavassori oust Collins/Harrison in second semi$1m prize at stake in revamped US Open mixed doublesFirst set: Pegula/Draper 3-3 Swiatek/Ruud* (*denotes next server)Pegula caps a love hold with a sharply angled volley into the tramlines. Still on serve in the opener. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago US Open mixed doubles champions make firm statement: ‘We’re playing for them’

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, the 2024 winners, were previously critical of the new-look event

Politics

3 w. ago US Open mixed doubles: Draper/Pegula beat Alcaraz/Raducanu, Djokovic/Danilovic in action – as it happened

Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud, Jessica Pegula/Jack Draper, Sara Errani/Andrea Vavassori and Danielle Collins/Christian Harrison reached the last fourThe last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will be best of three sets, but first to four games not six. If a game goes to deuce, the winners of the next point take it – there’s no advantage. If a match is level at a set apiece, a 10-point match tiebreak will settle it.Breaking: Danielle Collins and Christian Harris replace Sinner/Siniakova. Continue reading...

Events