Sport from Saturday, August 22nd, 2026

The world's fastest bike rider, UAE Team Emirates-XRG's Tadej Pogacar, dazzled in Monaco by winning the first stage of the 81st Vuelta a Espana on Saturday two months after the roar of Formula 1 cars echoed around the windy streets of the principality.

New Zealand overcame a tough physical challenge to outscore South Africa five tries to one and win the first test 33-16 at Ellis Park on Saturday to go one-up in the four-match series.

Formula One champion Lando Norris beat Mercedes title contenders George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to earn McLaren a third successive Dutch Grand Prix pole position on Saturday.

Serena Williams will make a competitive return to the US Open alongside defending men's champion Carlos Alcaraz in the mixed doubles after the pair were handed a wildcard entry, tournament organisers said on Saturday.

Hull City marked their return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence with a deserved 2-0 victory over Manchester United while Tottenham Hotspur's lavish summer spending spree could not prevent a 3-0 drubbing at a superb Brentford.

George Russell has taken a morale-boosting Dutch Grand Prix sprint race win from pole position on Saturday while Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli extended his Formula One championship lead over Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton to 53 points.

Former world boxing champion Zolani "Last Born" Tete has been shot dead outside his home in South Africa's Eastern Cape province on Friday, police and the country's sports minister said.

Esha Oza will lead a 15-member UAE squad at the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026, starting August 28 at the Dubai International Stadium.

Frances Tiafoe has overcome Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(2) 7-5 on Friday to reach the Cincinnati Open semi-finals, setting up an all-American clash with Brandon Nakashima as the US Open approaches.

Arsenal have started their Premier League title defence with a bang, sweeping aside newly promoted Coventry City 3-0 with goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and captain Martin Odegaard in a dominant performance at The Emirates on Friday.

The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami superstar forward Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount for violating the league's policy on hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent, the league announced on Friday.