Sports from Friday, February 6th, 2026

World no 11 Ekaterina Alexandrova will take on world no 56 Hailey Baptiste at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open semi-finals on Friday after ending Alexandra Eala’s run in straight sets.

North Korea has opened its national winter games, state media reported, as athletes from the reclusive state sit out the Milan Cortina Winter Olympicsafter failing to secure qualification spots.

France has launched the defence of their Six Nations title in emphatic fashion, sweeping Ireland aside 36-14 at the Stade de France on Thursday.