The Japan Times

Ominous Alcaraz sweeps into Australian Open third round

Rampant four-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz dropped just five games in an ominous display of strength at the Australian Open on Wednesday to sprint into the third round.

'Queen Wen' deposed in huge shock at Australian Open

Last year's beaten finalist Zheng Qinwen was knocked out of the Australian Open in the second round by Germany's Laura Siegemund on Wednesday in the biggest shock of the tournament so far.

Zheng dumped out in huge shock as shaky Sabalenka battles through

Last year's runner-up Zheng Qinwen was knocked out of the Australian Open on Wednesday in the biggest shock so far while defending champion Aryna Sabalenka had to battle serve jitters to make the third round.

'Queen Wen' Zheng deposed in huge shock at Australian Open

Last year's finalist and fifth seed Zheng Qinwen was knocked out of the Australian Open in straight sets on Wednesday in the biggest shock of the tournament so far.

Shaky Sabalenka overcomes serve struggles to stay alive in Melbourne

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka battled through serving woes Wednesday to make the Australian Open third round, but it was a less-than-convincing display by the world number one.

Williams, Vine vie for season-opening Tour Down Under crown

Defending champion Stephen Williams, former winner Jay Vine and 2018 Tour de France victor Geraint Thomas headline the 25th staging of Australia's Tour Down Under this week, heralding the new UCI WorldTour season.

Maresca 'concerned' as Chelsea winless run stretches to five games

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca expressed his concern at the Blues' reaction to conceding in a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth as their winless Premier League run stretched to five games on Tuesday.

'Outstanding' Liverpool deserved more than Forest draw: Slot

Arne Slot insisted Liverpool deserved to beat Nottingham Forest after the "outstanding" Premier League leaders needed Diogo Jota's equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw against their title rivals.

Guardiola laments Man City decision-making in Brentford collapse

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City's lack of care with the ball was the reason for their late collapse from 2-0 up to draw 2-2 at Brentford on Tuesday.

Marseille dumped out of French Cup on penalties

Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille were dumped out of the French Cup on Tuesday, losing to Lille on penalties in a dramatic tie in the last 32 at the Velodrome after Luis Henrique's stunning strike had rescued them in normal time.

Liverpool frustrated by Forest, Man City blow late lead at Brentford

Liverpool's charge towards the Premier League title was halted by stubborn Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw between the top two on Tuesday as Manchester City's resurgence came undone in a 2-2 draw at Brentford.

Djokovic, Sabalenka chase history as Australian Open hits round two

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka will step up their bids for tennis history at the Australian Open on Wednesday, where Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka will also be in second-round action.

Golf star Woods pledges support amid 'unimaginable loss' of LA fires

Golf superstar Tiger Woods has pledged support for communities devastated by the wildfires that have killed at least 24 people and changed the face of Los Angeles over the past week.

Liverpool held by Forest, Man City blow late lead at Brentford

Liverpool's charge towards the Premier League title was halted by stubborn Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw between the top two on Tuesday as Manchester City's resurgence came undone in a 2-2 draw at Brentford.

Leverkusen win to go one point behind Bayern, Kiel down Dortmund

A second-half goal from Alex Grimaldo sent Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-0 home win over Mainz, closing the gap with league leaders Bayern Munich to one point.

Jota rescues leaders Liverpool in Forest draw

Liverpool salvaged a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest as Diogo Jota's equaliser rescued the Premier League leaders from a damaging defeat against their unexpected title rivals on Tuesday.

Title chasers Atalanta held by Juve, Milan hand Conceicao maiden Serie A win

Atalanta creeped closer to Serie A leaders Napoli on Tuesday after drawing an entertaining match with Juventus 1-1 and moving to within four points of the summit.

Man City blow late lead at Brentford, Chelsea held by Bournemouth

Manchester City's upturn came undone as Brentford hit back to draw 2-2 on Tuesday, while Chelsea were also held by the same scoreline at home by Bournemouth.

Rast charges through on second run to win Flachau slalom

Camille Rast surged through the field on the second run on Tuesday to take the women's World Cup slalom in Flachau, Austria.

Grimaldo scores as Leverkusen go one point behind Bayern, Dortmund lose

A second-half goal from Alex Grimaldo sent Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-0 home win over Mainz, closing the gap with league leaders Bayern Munich to one point.

Pressure builds on Dortmund boss Sahin after loss at Kiel

Borussia Dortmund's struggles in the league continued with a 4-2 loss at Holstein Kiel on Tuesday, raising the heat on under-fire coach Nuri Sahin.

Lazio sack doc who performed far-right falconer's penis op: club owner

Lazio on Tuesday sacked the club doctor responsible for performing penis surgery on their fascist-sympathising falconer, who was dismissed the day before for publishing the results of the operation online.

Aston Villa sign Dutch forward Malen from Dortmund

Aston Villa bolstered their attacking options on Tuesday with the signing of Dutch international Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund.

Jesus suffers ACL injury as Arsenal eye January transfers

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus will need surgery on a serious knee injury as Gunners boss Mikel Arteta scrambles to replace the Brazilian in the January transfer window.

Klopp excited about Red Bull role as he dismisses return to management

Jurgen Klopp expressed excitement on Tuesday about his new job as head of global soccer at Red Bull while also dismissing any suggestion the role could be a precursor to returning to management in the near future.

Klopp hopeful Salah will agree new Liverpool deal

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed hope on Tuesday that Mohamed Salah will sign a new contract to stay at Anfield beyond the end of this season.

Spurs boss Postecoglou battles ongoing injury crisis ahead of Arsenal clash

Ange Postecoglou said Brazil forward Richarlison is fit to face Arsenal on Wednesday but Timo Werner will miss out as the Tottenham boss continues to juggle a daunting injury list.

Teen qualifier Fonseca 'wants more and more' after Melbourne upset

Fearless 18-year-old qualifier Joao Fonseca declared he wants "more and more" after beating ninth seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets on his Grand Slam debut on Tuesday in a major Australian Open shock.

'80-minute captain' Itoje named England rugby skipper

England coach Steve Borthwick said having a captain who could last the whole match had been a factor in his decision to appoint Maro Itoje as skipper for the Six Nations in place of Jamie George.

Court rules German football clubs must pay police costs at 'high-risk' matches

Bundesliga clubs across Germany may be forced to cover the costs of police at certain 'high-risk' games, after a German court upheld a ruling in the city state of Bremen.

Saudi al-Rajhi takes Dakar lead as al-Attiyah wins stage 9

Qatari Nasser al-Attiyah hit the gas on Tuesday to win stage 9 of the Dakar Rally as Saudi Yazeed al-Rajhi took the lead in the drivers' standings.

Australia back-row forward Tom Hooper signs for Exeter

English Premiership club Exeter on Tuesday announced the signing of Australia back-row forward Tom Hooper, who will arrive ahead of the 2025/26 season.

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