2 h. ago The Fabien Galthie gambles that put pressure on France’s Six Nations title defence

With veterans Gregory Alldritt, Damian Penaud and Gael Fickou omitted, Galthie has looked to the future as France bid to go back-to-back

Events

34 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

35 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

38 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

66 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

4 d. 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

5 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

5 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

9 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

9 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

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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 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

3 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

3 w. ago 7 transfers Liverpool can make happen in January as Arne Slot faces dilemma

Liverpool's title defence hasn't gone exactly to plan and manager Arne Slot and his staff will be making decisions on the future of a number of players in January

Politics

3 w. ago World Darts Championship order of play: Full Saturday schedule and start times as Luke Littler resumes title defence

The full Saturday schedule and start times as Luke Littler is back in action as he aims to become the first back-to-back champion in a decade

Politics