Francesco Laporta is on top of the leaderboard at the halfway stage of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The 29-year-old from Italy fired a stunning round of nine under par 63 to lead Matthew Fitzpatrick and Rafa Cabrera Bello by a shot going into Saturday's third round.
Meanwhile world number one Brooks Koepka struggled to a three over par 75 to sit seven shots off the pace.
Sabalenka sails past Rybakina to set up Miami Open final against Gauff
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has eased past Elena Rybakina 6-4 6-3 on Thursday to book a Miami Open final against Coco Gauff as the world number one bids to become the fifth woman to complete the 'Sunshine Double' after her title win at Indian Wells.
Croatia beat Colombia 2-1 in World Cup warm-up
Croatia has secured a 2-1 win over Colombia in a World Cup warm-up match on Thursday, overturning an early deficit with goals from Luka Vuskovic and Igor Matanovic.
Italy, Sweden and Denmark close in on World Cup spots
Italy moved within one win of ending their 12-year World Cup absence with a 2-0 qualification playoff semi-final victory over Northern Ireland on Thursday thanks to second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean.
Gauff crushes Muchova to reach Miami Open final
Coco Gauff delivered a commanding 6-1 6-1 demolition of Karolina Muchova on Thursday to book her place in the Miami Open final, her sixth WTA 1000 final.
Iran bans sports teams from travelling to countries it deems 'hostile'
Iran has banned national and club sports teams from travelling to countries it considers hostile until further notice, Iranian media reported on Thursday, citing the Sports Ministry.
