Soccer-Mbappe inherits Real Madrid's number 10 jersey after Modric exit
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New Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Anastasija Sevastova ousts two-time defending champ Jessica Pegula in Montreal
MONTREAL: Anastasija Sevastova saved nine of 13 break points on Friday while recording a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula in the third round of the National Bank Open in Montreal on Friday. Sevastova of Latvia had a first-serve percentage of 71 percent while rallying to upend the third-seeded Pegula. Sevastova, 35, had a hard time explaining what happened. "Somehow, I was down 2-0 in the second set and started to play better and better," Sevastova said. "Third set, I played really good. Just trying to stay on the court as long as possible." Pegula appeared to be sailing when she won eight of the first 11 games. But Sevastova won the next four games to jumpstart her comeback. After winning the second set, Sevastova lost the opening game of the third set before steamrolling Pegula the rest of the way. Pegula was perplexed over her collapse. "It was a strange match for me," Pegula said. "I felt like I was in complete control, and then I played a couple of terrible games." Sevastova was ranked as high as No. 11 in 2018 before injuries hampered her career. She was ranked No. 396 entering Friday's match. In 2018, Sevastova advanced to the US Open semifinals before losing to eventual runner-up Serena Williams. She will next face the winner of that 2018 US Open — Naomi Osaka. Osaka, a former No. 1 player, moved into the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over No. 22 Jalena Ostapenko of Latvia. Osaka of Japan had five aces and converted 6 of 9 break-point opportunities. Ostapenko trailed 3-1 in the second set when she attempted to rally. She moved within one game before Osaka closed it out. No. 6 Madison Keys struggled early before recovering for a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Caty McNally. No. 16 seed Clara Tauson of Switzerland notched a 6-3, 6-0 triumph over Yuliia Starodubtseva. There was little drama to be found in the four night matches. No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland breezed past Germany's Eva Lys 6-2, 6-2; No. 5 seed Amanda Anisimova dismissed Great Britain's Emma Raducanu 6-2, 6-1 in 64 minutes; and No. 10 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine spent just 55 minutes to defeat Russian Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-1. The only three-setter of the bunch saw Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova take down Swiss 17th seed Belinda Bencic 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-3. Muchova saved 10 of 11 break points to keep herself afloat. — REUTERS
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Red Bull reprimanded after Verstappen throws towel on track
FORMULA ONE stewards issued a reprimand to Red Bull on Friday following an unusual incident involving Max Verstappen discarding a face towel from his car during practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The four-time world champion was called to explain the incident after the second session at the Hungaroring, with stewards reviewing video evidence. 'Shortly after Car 1 was released from its garage, the driver of Car 1 (Verstappen) was observed to have thrown a towel out of the cockpit,' the stewards stated. Verstappen clarified that the towel had slipped from his lap to the side of the seat while in the garage, and the team was unaware it remained inside. 'When the driver realised it was there, he moved to the far right of the track and attempted to throw it as far away from the car and the track as possible,' the statement continued. Despite his efforts, the towel landed on the asphalt and remained there until the session concluded. Stewards acknowledged that leaving the towel inside the cockpit posed a greater risk, as it could have obstructed the footwell and hindered Verstappen's control of the car. They ruled that Red Bull had released the car in an unsafe condition, though the violation was deemed less severe than if a hard object had been left inside. - Reuters
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Brazil's tactical balance tested as Colombia rematch looms in Copa America final
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's Copa America - Semi Final - Brazil v Uruguay - Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, Quito, Ecuador - July 29, 2025 Brazil's Giovana celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates REUTERS/Cristina Vega/File Photo (Reuters) -Brazil have cruised into the Women's Copa America final with dominant scorelines and solid performances, but their biggest challenge awaits in Saturday's rematch against Colombia, a side determined to dethrone the defending champions. Arthur Elias's team has not leaned on star power to reach the final. Instead, Brazil's run has been defined by tactical balance: a disciplined backline, coordinated pressing, sharp execution on set pieces, and exploiting their opponent's defensive miscues. Their success is largely down to a core of new figures, such as Amanda Gutierres, who is the leading scorer for the team in the tournament with five goals and plays a central role in attack. Her brace in their semi-final win over Uruguay underscored her sharp positioning and composure in front of goal. "Hard work pays off," the Palmeiras striker said after the 5-1 victory. "Nothing is forced, everything happens at the right moment." Meanwhile, the experience of Marta continues to anchor the group. The veteran playmaker, who returned from international retirement for this tournament, was named MVP in the semi-final after a standout performance, assisting the opening goal and converting a penalty. Captain Marta's energy in Quito's altitude, along with her leadership and vision, has brought balance to a side still finding their rhythm. "We knew what to do when we had the ball, especially finding the passes between the lines," Marta said, also praising Brazil's defensive response after a shaky start to the second half. "(Goalkeeper) Claudia and the girls at the back sorted things out." While defensively solid with just two goals conceded in five matches, Brazil's intensity lapses have created openings that Colombia, led by Linda Caicedo and Mayra Ramirez, could punish. Their group-stage goalless draw saw Colombia dominate for 70 minutes after goalkeeper Lorena's red card, highlighting the fine margins the eight-time champions must control in the final. Brazil may not dazzle for 90 minutes, but their formula built on discipline, rotation and rising confidence has proved effective. Colombia represent their sternest test yet, but with a blend of energy and experience the reigning champions are positioned to complete their mission again. (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
