Sports

Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the second round of the US Open with a straight-sets mauling of big-serving American Reilly Opelka on Monday, while veteran Venus Williams made an emotional exit at the hands of 11th seed Karolina Muchova.

Neymar will miss Brazil's final two World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia next week, extending his absence from international duty to nearly two years.

Liverpool's 16-year-old debutant Rio Ngumoha struck a last-gasp winner to earn his side a rip-roaring 3-2 victory at Newcastle United after the 10-man hosts had battled back from two goals down at a boisterous St James' Park on Monday.

Daniil Medvedev's turbulent relationship with the US Open took another dramatic turn on Sunday as the former champion was shown the door by France's Benjamin Bonzi at the end of a chaotic first-round encounter.

Novak Djokovic delivered a lesson in Grand Slam tenacity to Learner Tien in the first round of the US Open on Sunday, battling past the American teenager 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2 to launch his latest quest for a record 25th major title.

Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green smashed blistering hundreds as Australia steamrollered South Africa by 276 runs in the final one-day international in Mackay on Sunday.

Striker Viktor Gyokeres announced himself to Arsenal’s fans with two goals in a 5-0 Premier League win over Leeds in his first home league game, with his opener reminding many of them of their previous hero in the number 14 shirt he now wears, Thierry Henry.

Veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara dropped curtains on his illustrious India career on Sunday after playing 103 Tests but failing to win back his place in the last two years.

The US Open's first round begins on Sunday with defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka looking to recapture top form, while former men's champion Daniil Medvedev faces a familiar foe whom he has failed to beat in previous meetings.

Ecuadorian champion Jhonatan Narváez won stage 2 of the Lidl Deutschland Tour in thrilling fashion for the UAE Team Emirates-XRG, coming out on top from a three-up sprint to take his first victory since the National Championships in February.

A goalkeeping blunder by Manchester City's James Trafford gifted Joao Palhinha a goal and Brennan Johnson also scored in Tottenham Hotspur's impressive 2-0 Premier League on Saturday.

South Africa have included Kagiso Rabada in their one-day international and Twenty20 squads to tour England next month, but the fast bowler will continue to be monitored for an ankle injury.

Heavy rain brought a stop-start evening session to a premature end at the Monterrey Open on Friday, with Russian second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova's semi-final against Czech Marie Bouzkova being moved to Saturday.

Chelsea's new signings and young talents hit their stride in the absence of injured talisman Cole Palmer on Friday as the Club World Cup winners ran wild in a 5-1 Premier League demolition of West Ham United.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on December 5.

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the club until 2029, City announced on Friday.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner, who has been recovering from illness, received a more favourable route to the US Open final than Carlos Alcaraz, while Aryna Sabalenka will be tested in her bid to retain her title after the draw was made on Thursday.

US Open mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori hope they have earned respect for their event after overcoming a field packed with singles stars to successfully defend their title.

Two-times Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff has parted ways with coach Matthew Daly just days before the start of the US Open, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

South Africa spinner Prenelan Subrayen has been reported for a suspect bowling action in the first ODI against Australia, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.

The UAE Falcons Federation has approved the launch of the Emirates Falcons International Cup, an international falconry championship set to be held annually from the 2025-2026 season. 

Veteran doubles experience overcame singles stardom as defending champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani reached the semi-finals at the US Open's reimagined mixed doubles on Tuesday, as the event kicked off with a new format and new fans.

Alexander Isak accused Newcastle United of breaking promises and misleading supporters in a social media statement on Tuesday that confirmed he wanted to leave the Premier League club.

Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty earned Real Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Osasuna in their opening LaLiga game of the season on Tuesday, giving Xabi Alonso a winning start in his first league match in charge of the hosts.

Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open mixed doubles event, where he was going to partner Katerina Siniakova, a day after illness forced the world number one to retire five games into his Cincinnati Open final.

Emirati racer Alia Abdulsalam Fairooz, driver for Team Mubadala, achieved a new personal best time of 48.34 seconds during her participation in the opening round of the Scandinavian Formula 4 Powerboat Championship in Norway.

Iga Swiatek captured her first Cincinnati Open title on Monday by beating Jasmine Paolini 7-5 6-4, with the Pole third seed sending a powerful message ahead of the US Open.

Kyle Edmund has been forced to retire at the age of 30 after going through a turbulent few years due to injuries, the former British number one said.

English golfer Marco Penge has claimed the title of Closing Swing champion on the DP World Tour after victory at the Made in Denmark Championship, which also sees him move to second in the Race to Dubai.

Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori headed home an early corner, aided by a weak challenge from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, to earn a 1-0 victory at Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, spoiling the hosts' season opener.

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been told to improve his batting against spin and boost his overall strike rate to be considered for Twenty20 Internationals, coach Mike Hesson said.

Al Wahda and Khorfakkan led the first round of the ADNOC Professional Football League, with Al Wahda defeating Ajman 2-0 and Khorfakkan beating Al Jazira 3-2 during their matches on Sunday.

UAE's Khamzat Chimaev has become the new UFC middleweight champion after a dominant display against title holder Dricus Du Plessis during the UFC 319 at the United Center in Chicago.

Former Pakistan captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan could not make the cut for the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Erling Haaland struck twice as Manchester City kicked off their Premier League campaign with a crushing 4-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Aston Villa survived defender Ezri Konsa's dismissal to salvage a 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle United in their Premier League opener on Saturday, with the visitors missing want-away striker Alexander Isak as they created chances but failed to finish.

Australia's Glenn Maxwell produced an unbeaten half-century in a tense chase to help the hosts edge out South Africa by two wickets in the third and final Twenty20 International and complete a 2-1 series victory in Cairns on Saturday.

Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo thanked his teammates, Liverpool and match officials for their support after the Ghana international reported racist abuse during Friday's Premier League season opener at Anfield.

Former Australia test captain Bob Simpson, who ushered in the country's modern-day golden era of cricket as its coach, has died aged 89, Cricket Australia said on Saturday.

Elena Rybakina powered into her first Cincinnati Open semi-final after stunning defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-1 6-4 on Friday, while five-times Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a second-set blip to beat Andrey Rublev.

Fulham manager Marco Silva has criticised the club's "passive" approach in the close-season transfer window, with only one signing secured ahead of their Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner swept past Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-0 6-2 on Thursday to reach the Cincinnati Open semi-finals, with the world number one extending his hardcourt winning streak to 25 matches.

The MENA Golf Tour is set to return later this year, with former DP World Tour Chief Operating Officer and Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) board member Keith Waters appointed as Chairman and Commissioner.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka cruised into the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals with a 6-1 7-5 victory over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Wednesday, while men's top seed Jannik Sinner beat Adrian Mannarino following a lengthy rain delay.

Lucas Chevalier impressed on his debut as Paris St Germain’s new first-choice goalkeeper on Wednesday in their Super Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur, drawing praise from manager Luis Enrique.

The rankings of the clubs participating in the draw for the new season of the AFC Champions League that will be held next Friday in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur have been unveiled.

Two-time US Open singles champion Venus Williams has received a wildcard entry into this year's tournament, organisers said on Wednesday, as the 45-year-old American continues her age-defying return to the court.

Al Wasl topped the list of the most active and highly valued clubs in the 2025-26 ADNOC Pro League summer transfer market ahead of the new season beginning August 16.

The UAE national team is set to compete in the Brno 2025 Para Trap World Championships, scheduled to take place in the Czech Republic from September 9 to 15.

Carlos Alcaraz beat Hamad Medjedovic 6-4 6-4 to reach the Cincinnati Open last 16 on Tuesday, battling the sweltering Ohio heat to notch a tour-leading 50th victory of the season before the evening session was suspended due to rain.

South Africa levelled the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia after Dewald Brevis smashed an unbeaten 125 off 56 balls to set up their emphatic 53-run victory in the second match in Darwin on Tuesday.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka kept her Cincinnati Open title defence alive by claiming a 7-6(3) 4-6 7-6(5) victory over Emma Raducanu in a marathon third-round clash on Monday, while men's top seed Jannik Sinner overcame Canadian Gabriel Diallo.

The UAE Football Association has approved the national team's schedule for September as they prepare for two Asian play-off matches for the 2026 World Cup.

UAE national jiu-jitsu players have won three medals on the second day of the World Games Chengdu 2025.

German third seed Alexander Zverev swatted aside home hope Nishesh Basavareddy 6-3 6-3 in the second round of the Cincinnati Open on Sunday, as Canadian Open winner Ben Shelton advanced when Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli retired injured.

Liverpool have conceded too many goals in pre-season and need to adapt defensively when they begin their Premier League title defence, manager Arne Slot said on Sunday after his side lost the Community Shield to Crystal Palace.

With second place on the fifth and final stage in the Vuelta a Burgos cycling event, Isaac del Toro claimed overall victory to seal his second stage race victory of the season.

Two Japanese boxers have died days after suffering brain injuries in separate fights on the same card, boxing associations and media reports said.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka saved 12 break points to survive her Cincinnati opener against Czech Marketa Vondrousova 7-5 6-1 on Saturday, as the men's defending champion Jannik Sinner cruised past Colombian qualifier Daniel Galan 6-1 6-1.

New Zealand completed their biggest win in test cricket with a crushing innings and 359-run victory over Zimbabwe to clinch the series 2-0 in Bulawayo on Saturday.

Manchester United have signed Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko from Germany's RB Leipzig on a contract until 2030, the Premier League club said on Saturday.

England's Tommy Fleetwood, seeking his elusive first win on the PGA Tour, followed a first-round 63 with a second-round 64 Friday to take the lead at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the opening tournament of the season-ending FedEx Cup playoffs.

Manchester United opened the doors on Friday to their 50 million pound ($67.22 million) redevelopment of their men's first team building at the Carrington Training Complex, a week before the Premier League season kicks off.

Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko staged a stunning comeback on Thursday to beat four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6 6-4 6-1 and secure her maiden WTA Tour title at the Canadian Open in Montreal.

Chelsea centre back Levi Colwill suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in training, the Premier League club said, with the 22-year-old expected to miss much of the new season.

Barcelona stripped Marc-Andre ter Stegen of the captaincy on Thursday as a feud escalated between the Germany goalkeeper and the club over his injury status amid the Catalans' attempts to register new signings.

Endurance athlete Ghani Souleymane is kicking off a challenge at Dubai's Kite Beach on Friday: 100 consecutive, 100km triathlons in 100 days, ending on the start line of the Dubai T100 in November. 

Teenager Victoria Mboko survived a first-set wobble to battle to a 1-6 7-5 7-6(4) win over 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and set up a Canadian Open showdown with Naomi Osaka, while men's top seed Alexander Zverev was stunned by Karen Khachanov.

The US Open announced $90 million in prize money will be on offer at this year's final major, marking the largest purse in tennis history, up 20 per cent from 2024.

Emirates has signed a seven-year partnership with 34-time Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munchen, positing the airline as Platinum Partner of the German club's first team from the 2025-26 to 2031-32 seasons.

Four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka reached the semi-finals of the Canadian Open for the first time after beating Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-2 6-2 in the quarters on Tuesday, while Ben Shelton eliminated Alex de Minaur on the men's side.

Walt Disney's ESPN has reached a deal with the National Football League to acquire NFL Network and other media assets from the league in exchange for the NFL taking a 10 per cent equity stake in the sports network.

Former Porto captain Jorge Costa died on Tuesday at the age of 53 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the club's training centre, the Portuguese side said.

Abu Dhabi has created sporting history by attracting the sailing regatta Cowes Week to its shores in January 2023, consolidating its position as the Middle East's sports capital.

Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit has outlined exactly why football is failing to properly address racism within the game in an exclusive interview with Off Script on Dubai Eye 103.8.