Author: robin24

Jessica Pegula in action© AFP Jessica Pegula became the third American to reach the semifinals of the China Open after rallying to beat compatriot Emma Navarro on Friday.The fifth-seeded Pegula wasted six set points in the opener but dominated the next two sets to triumph 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-1“I told myself not to get too frustrated,” Pegula said. “Just stay calm, try to relax a little bit, and not try as hard to execute the game plan. That kind of allowed me to play more free.”Pegula next faces Linda Noskova, who eased past Britain’s Sonay Kartal 6-3, 6-4.The…

India defeated Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 final, but the post-match presentation turned chaotic when Indian players refused to accept the winner’s trophy from Mohson Naqvi The Indian cricket team, despite winning the Asia Cup 2025 by defeating Pakistan in the final on September 28 in Dubai, have not yet received the tournament trophy. The silverware remains locked in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) office in Dubai, reports Cricbuzz, following a controversy involving ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).The trophy was taken away from the Dubai International Stadium after the Indian…

Harry Kane is fit to feature for England as they aim to qualify for the World Cup with a win against  Latvia on Tuesday. England captain Kane missed the 3-0 friendly win over Wales on Thursday with an ankle problem sustained while playing for Bayern Munich recently. But the Three Lions’ record goalscorer, who has netted 74 times for his country, returned to training at the weekend and boss Thomas Tuchel expects Kane to start the qualifier in Riga. “It’s very easy with Harry, he can play, he is fit. We did the right thing. Top in training…

File image of Niki Lauda with Lewis Hamilton© AFP Ferrari have revealed the special livery that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s SF-25s will wear at this year’s Italian Grand Prix to celebrate 50 years since Niki Lauda’s championship-winning season. It also marks the first race at Monza for seven-time World Champion Hamilton since joining the Scuderia. Featuring more prominent white on the engine covers, alongside retro numbers and wheel covers, the car pays homage to the colourway of the Ferrari 312T that Niki Lauda took to the 1975 Drivers’ Championship and which earned the team the Constructors’ title…

Alexander Zverev on Saturday accused tennis authorities of favouring top-ranked rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in their choice of court surfaces, echoing criticisms made by Roger Federer. Some in tennis have charged that courts in tournaments have become too standardised and generally slower, which could give an advantage to certain players.  Asked his opinion after his straight-sets victory over Valentin Royer at the Shanghai Masters, Zverev was unequivocal.  “I hate when it’s the same,” said the 28-year-old German, who is ranked third in the world, behind Alcaraz and Sinner.”I know the tournament directors are going towards that…

India’s Harshit Rana(Creimas/Asian Cricket Council via PTI Photo) The debate surrounding young pacer Harshit Rana has intensified in recent days. His inclusion in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia sparked criticism, with former national selector Kris Srikkanth accusing Rana of being a “constant yes man” to head coach Gautam Gambhir. The remarks triggered a strong response from Gambhir, who addressed the media after India’s second Test against the West Indies, urging critics to be more responsible and cautioning against speaking merely for YouTube views.Ravichandran Ashwin has now joined the conversation, defending Gambhir’s stance and highlighting the need…

Kevin De Bruyne scored a pair of penalties as Belgium boosted their bid to qualify for the World Cup with a crucial 4-2 win against Wales on Monday. Rudi Garcia’s side trailed to Joe Rodon’s early opener at the Cardiff City Stadium. But De Bruyne levelled from the penalty spot and Thomas Meunier fired Belgium ahead before half-time. De Bruyne converted another penalty in the closing stages before Nathan Broadhead got one back for the hosts. Leandro Trossard extinguished Wales’ hopes of a dramatic finish as Belgium moved to the top of Group J. Belgium are two points…

Here’s a guide that tells you what you need to know about the Italian Grand Prix. It’s the 16th round of the 2025 Formula 1 season. — In the U.S., on ESPN2.— Other countries are listed here.Friday: First and second practice.Saturday: Third practice and qualifying.Sunday: Italian Grand Prix, 72 laps of the 5.79-kilometer (3.60-mile) Autodrome Nazionale Monza. It starts at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET/1300 GMT).Welcome to the “Temple of Speed”. Monza is one of the very oldest purpose-built race tracks anywhere in the world and its high-speed corners reward the most committed drivers. It’s the…

Amanda Anisimova with the China Open title© AFP Third-seeded Amanda Anisimova claimed the China Open with a 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 win over Linda Noskova in the final of the hard-court indoor tournament on Sunday.Anisimova, who ended fellow American Coco Gauff’s title defense in the semifinal, sealed the match with a backhand winner down the line and fell on her back as she won the trophy for the first time.Her rival gave her a tough challenge but ran out of steam in the closing stages of their encounter, which lasted one hour and 46 minutes.Anisimova, the runner-up at both…

Team India mimic celebrate winning the Asia Cup (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) New Delhi: The Indian cricket team may not have received the trophy for winning the Asia Cup last month, but hosting the tournament will add net surplus revenue of over Rs 100 crore to the Indian cricket board’s (BCCI) coffers. According to BCCI’s annual budget for 2025-26, a copy of which is in possession of TOI, the board expects to retain a net surplus of around Rs 6700 crore for the financial year 2025-2026 even as it stares at a rocky future with the IPL valuation seeing a slump…