Federer to serve as Le Mans starter
Roger Federer will serve as official starter for this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans sportscar race in June, organisers said on Thursday.
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Swiatek survives Eala scare to start Madrid Open defense
MADRID: Defending Madrid Open champion Iga Swiatek survived a debut scare to beat rising teenage star Alexandra Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday and reach the third round in the Spanish capital. The 19-year-old Filipino, who beat Swiatek in straight sets on a shock run to the Miami Open semifinals in March, claimed the first set as the world number two struggled. Swiatek, who has been below her best so far this season, found her rhythm in the second set and eventually downed Eala, ranked 72nd, with ease in the third. “It wasn’t easy to get into the rhythm and the right timing and I’m happy that I was just patient,” Swiatek told Spanish broadcaster TVE. “I always love playing here, for sure I’m proud of my performances in the last two years.” Eala broke Swiatek in the first game and produced two battling holds on her first two service games, saving two break points in each as the Pole hunted for a way back in. The exciting Filipino saved another break point in the sixth game before breaking Swiatek to love for a 5-2 lead in the Madrid sun. Clay court expert Swiatek recovered a break but Eala was able to serve out her advantage, capturing her third set point when the five-time Grand Slam champion sent a backhand long. Swiatek only converted one of six first-set break points against the resilient Eala, who won both of hers. The teenager again broke in the first game of the second set, but this time Swiatek, who has four French Open titles, was able to respond immediately. When Eala broke again for a 3-2 lead, Swiatek followed suit to get back on serve, with the Pole raising her level toward the end of the second set. She broke to love in the 10th game to force a deciding set and sped through it, securing breaks in the second
'Go Habs Go' has got to go: STM to support sports teams en français only
Montreal's transit agency will be removing the word "Go" from its electronic displays when supporting local sports teams to comply with a directive from Quebec's French-language watchdog. The move is raising eyebrows of even the most ardent defenders of the French language at the National Assembly.
France's Nolan Traore, projected top-20 pick, to enter NBA draft - ESPN
French guard Nolan Traore, a projected top-20 pick, will enter the 2025 NBA draft, he told ESPN on Thursday.
Diallo delivers strong start, win for Canada after late entry into Madrid Open main draw
Montreal's Gabriel Diallo made the most of a last-minute spot in the Madrid Open, beating Belgium's Zizou Bergs 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round on Thursday in Spain.
Pioneer Hadjar flies two flags as an Arab in F1
LONDON :Formula One rookie Isack Hadjar has two flags in his room, the French tricolore and Algeria's red star and crescent on green and white.
Alcaraz blames ‘demanding sport’ for Madrid withdrawal but should be fit for French Open
MADRID: Home-crowd favorite Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid Open on Thursday because of muscle injuries, saying he didn’t want to risk making things worse before the French Open. The third-ranked Spaniard blamed his injuries on the “really tight” schedule that is part of the “demanding sport” of tennis. Alcaraz said he has not fully recovered from the upper leg ailment that bothered him during the Barcelona Open final last Sunday. He also said he has a left leg injury.
Lyon's OL stadium chosen to host 2027 Champions Cup final
The OL stadium, home of French Ligue 1 team Olympique Lyonnais, has been selected to host the 2027 European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Finals, organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) said on Thursday.