A single break proved enough for French 16th seed Caroline Gracia to win the opening set against her rusty opponent before dominating a second set tie-break to win 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) in the first round.

Third seed Medvedev battled tough conditions on Margaret Court Arena against French qualifier Terence Atmane, who smashed his racquet, served underarm and retired in tears after suffering bad cramping that forced him off court while losing 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 1-0.

Jones was re-appointed in December in Japan – a job he held before from 2012-15 – six weeks following his departure from coaching Australia after a dire showing at the Rugby World Cup.

Mohamed Salah saved Egypt from an embarrassing defeat in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, while Nigeria were held by Equatorial Guinea despite Victor Osimhen getting on the scoresheet.

The 22-year-old’s time of 28min 46sec bettered by 28sec the previous mark set by Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw two years ago.

Jannik Sinner admitted he already has half an eye on an Australian Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic after a hard-fought opening-round victory over Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp on Sunday.

The African showpiece never fails to entertain and this year’s tournament should be no different

Three fine cricketers have retired early and unhappily, but it’s not all doom and gloom

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Just a week before the World Cup, SA Under-19 cricket captain David Teeger has been stripped of his duties, with the team citing fears that he could be targeted by protesters over his pro-Israel views.

Haaland has missed City’s last eight games with a foot injury suffered in early December in a major blow to their hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) said it has been advised that protests over the conflict are likely to target the tournament’s venues and focus on the teenager, with a risk of ‘conflict or even violence’.

Tim Southee became the first player to 150 wickets in Twenty20 internationals as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 46 runs Friday in their series opener in Auckland.

The 24-team tournament, which concludes with the final on 11 February, is the first in the West African country in four decades, since just eight nations featured in the 1984 edition won by Roger Milla’s Cameroon.

Andy Farrell succeeds Warren Gatland, who has led the Lions on their last three tours to the southern hemisphere dating back to 2013.

Sancho had been frozen out at United for most of the season after becoming involved in a public spat with manager Erik ten Hag.

The 42-year-old Saudi Toyota driver was unable to repair his Hilux after an accident which occurred 51km into the stage, organisers said in statement.

Top seed Novak Djokovic was drawn Thursday against a qualifier or lucky loser to begin his bid for an 11th Australian Open crown, and could meet fellow Grand Slam champion Andy Murray in the third round.

Serial Africa Cup of Nations underachievers South Africa are under immense pressure to excel at the 2024 tournament in the Ivory Coast, says star forward Percy Tau.

More rain is predicted for Thursday’s fixture where last year’s bottom two sides, the Durban’s Super Giants and MI Cape Town are set to meet at Kingsmead.

Senegal captain Sadio Mane predicts that ‘a really difficult group’ lies ahead for the Africa Cup of Nations holders when they face Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea.

World number one Swiatek has won 17 of her 18 matches since she lost in the fourth round of her US Open title defence, going on to win the China Open and the WTA Finals.