Nadal battles past Draper into Australian Open second round
Defending champion Rafael Nadal battled past a man 15 years his junior and kickstart his bid for a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open Monday.
Australian Open Sport News
Gauff and Pegula ease into Australian Open second round
In-form Americans Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff raced into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday's opening day.
'Devastated' Kyrgios withdraws from Australian Open
The Australian Open was dealt a major blow when a "devastated" Nick Kyrgios announced his withdrawal ahead of his scheduled first-round match on Tuesday.
'Devastated' Kyrgios out of Australian Open with injury
Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the Australian Open on Monday without hitting a ball because of a knee injury, saying he was "devastated".
Nadal facing tough test in Australian Open defence
Rafael Nadal opens his Australian Open title defence Monday feeling vulnerable and against a dangerous young opponent, with women's top seed Iga Swiatek also facing a tricky encounter as she targets a maiden crown.
Dakar Rally to remain in Saudi Arabia, say organizers
AL-HOFUF, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia will continue to be the home of the Dakar Rally for the next few years with race director David Castera telling AFP “we still have so many deserts to explore.”Castera was speaking after Saturday’s penultimate stage with Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah poised for his fifth title.“I’m very happy we’re staying here, with so many deserts still to explore and with this country’s enormous potential,” he said.Motorsport’s toughest endurance test moved to the conservative Kingdom in 2020 after a spell in South America on an initial 10-year contract.Dakar organizers ASO announced the switch in 2019 saying a new chapter of the gruelling race’s history would be written in the “mysterious and vast deserts” of the land.Castera confirmed a clause in the Saudi deal to pull out after five years would not be taken up.“Today there’s been a big change, it’s progressing at a fast rate,” commented Castera.“I’m not here to play politics but to organize a sporting event which has the legitimacy to exist here because the terrain suits it.”Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in attracting high profile sporting events including tennis, golf and Formula One to its shores and is preparing a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.And last month five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Saudi side Al-Nassr in a deal worth 200 million euros.In the race, Al-Attiyah should complete the cruise to his fifth title.
Benzema looking forward after France disappointment
RIYADH: Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema says he has put his World Cup disappointment behind him and is focused on the future, starting with Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final.
Lampard will ‘go again’ after troubled Everton crash amid fans protest
LIVERPOOL: Frank Lampard insisted he still has the stomach for Everton’s relegation battle after his side crashed to a 2-1 defeat against fellow strugglers Southampton amid furious fan protests on Saturday. In a fresh sight of the turmoil enveloping Everton, the club’s board of directors were ordered to stay away from Goodison Park this weekend due to perceived security risks. The move came after offensive messages, including death threats to chairman Bill Kenwright, were made to specific individuals during the week.