Wales World Cup press conference Live updates as Gareth Bale and Rob Page speak ahead of USA opener
Wales' World Cup campaign kicks off in just over 24 hours' time.
Gareth Bale Sport News
Djokovic beats Fritz to reach final of ATP Finals
TURIN, Italy: Novak Djokovic kept his bid for a record-equaling sixth ATP Finals title alive by beating Taylor Fritz of the United States on Saturday to reach the final of the prestigious season-ending tournament.Djokovic, who went unbeaten through the group stage, won 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) in just under two hours in Turin, securing the win on his second match point.He has now won all six of his encounters against the 25-year-old Fritz.The Serb will face either third-seeded Casper Ruud or Andrey Rublev in Sunday’s final as he attempts to win his first title at the event since 2015 and match Roger Federer’s record.Djokovic had to recover quickly from a grueling three-hour win over Daniil Medvedev in his final group match, which had ended less than 24 hours previously.“I had to fight to survive,” Djokovic said. “I didn’t feel very reactive today or very comfortable.
Verstappen on pole as Red Bull lock-out Abu Dhabi front row
ABU DHABI: Max Verstappen outpaced team-mate Sergio Perez to grab pole position for Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Red Bull locked out the front row in a closely-fought qualifying session. The two-time world champion clocked a best lap in one minute and 23.824 seconds to finish two-tenths clear of the Mexican, delighting Red Bull after a week of reported rifts between the two drivers. Charles Leclerc was third ahead of Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz and the two Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who claimed his maiden victory last weekend in Brazil.
A World Cup 12 years in the making
DUBAI: The first FIFA World Cup to take place in the Arab world will kick off Sunday in Doha when the host nation take on Ecuador in the tournament’s opening match at Al-Bayt Stadium.
‘Down-to-earth’ Bale sets the tone for tight-knit Wales — Williams
DOHA: Wales midfielder Jonny Williams says captain Gareth Bale’s “down-to-earth” personality is a unifying force within the squad as the country prepares for its first World Cup appearance since 1958. Williams, who now plays for Swindon in England’s fourth tier, was part of the Wales squad that reached the semifinals at Euro 2016 after ending a 58-year absence from major tournaments. The Welsh also made the last 16 at Euro 2020 and will again look to the likes of Bale and Aaron Ramsey to lead from the front as they take on the USA, Iran and rivals England in Group B.
Bale ‘100 percent fit’ as Wales end 64-year wait at World Cup
Wales’ forward Gareth Bale takes part in an MD-1 training session at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on June 25, 2021, on the eve of their UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match against Denmark. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)
Bale, Lewandowski and Van Dijk: A 'now or never' World Cup for a trio of modern greats
For every generational talent to have left an indelible mark on a World Cup, there's another who has not been able to do likewise.
Bale says he is 100% ready to lead Wales at World Cup
Wales captain Gareth Bale says he is 100 per cent fit to play for his country at their first World Cup since 1958.