insert_link Sport Battle-tested Swiatek looks for French Open birthday boost Reigning champion Iga Swiatek will hope for an easier third round at the French Open as she turns 23 Friday after saving a match point against Naomi Osaka, while Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both target a place in the last 16. Swiatek has emerged as the dominant women's force at Roland Garros, where she holds a 30-2 record and is a three-time winner following her breakthrough Grand […] todayMay 31, 2024 6
insert_link Sport Zverev assault trial to open as he contests French Open A Berlin court will on Friday start hearing an appeal by Alexander Zverev against a fine for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, as the German tennis star competes at the French Open. Zverev, the world number four player, received a 450,000-euro ($487,000) fine in October but has appealed the ruling. The 27-year-old indicated last week that he would skip the opening of the proceedings in Berlin, which falls in the […] todayMay 31, 2024 15
insert_link Sport New Zealand Rugby’s reform proposal rejected by unions A bid to reform New Zealand rugby's governing body was rejected by heartland unions Thursday, a move that threatens to throw the game into disarray in the rugby-mad nation. Months of bubbling discord reached a head at a special general meeting in the capital Wellington, where the country's 26 provincial unions turned their back on a suite of far-reaching reforms aimed at loosening their grip on New Zealand Rugby's […] todayMay 30, 2024 8
insert_link Sport Djokovic moving in ‘positive direction’ at French Open Novak Djokovic believes he's moving in a "positive direction" as he targets a place in the last 32 of the French Open on Thursday. The world number one, chasing a fourth title at Roland Garros and record 25th Grand Slam, arrived in Paris in the midst of a worrying dry spell. For the first time since 2018, the 37-year-old has not made a final let alone add a title […] todayMay 30, 2024 12
insert_link Sport Debt-laden Melbourne Rebels kicked out of Super Rugby Rugby Australia on Thursday rejected a consortium's bid to take over the debt-laden Melbourne Rebels and shut down the club after 14 seasons in Super Rugby. The team went into voluntary administration in January owing almost Aus$23 million (US$15 million) – a large portion of it tax debt. Rugby Australia stepped in to reclaim the club's playing licence while paying staff wages for the 2024 season, before a consortium […] todayMay 30, 2024 16
insert_link Sport Eleven years on, Hummels and Reus hope to set things right at Wembley Eleven years after a heartbreaking Champions League final loss to arch-rivals Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund veterans Mats Hummels and Marco Reus are returning to Wembley on Saturday to set things right. This time around, 14-time winners Real Madrid, who eliminated Bayern in typical last-gasp fashion in the semi-finals, stand in the way. Hummels, 35, and 34-year-old Reus face an uncertain future ahead of what is likely their last […] todayMay 30, 2024 10
insert_link Sport Lobjanidze upstages Messi as Atlanta stun Miami in MLS Georgia international Saba Lobjanidze upstaged Lionel Messi with two goals as struggling Atlanta United stunned league leaders Inter Miami 3-1 on Wednesday in Major League Soccer. Lobjanidze stunned a star-studded Miami line-up with two long-range strikes either side of half-time to fire Atlanta into a 2-0 lead. Argentina superstar Messi threatened to inspire a comeback for the home side after pulling a goal back to make it 2-1 but […] todayMay 30, 2024 6
insert_link Sport Buttler eager for T20 world champions England to learn India lessons England captain Jos Buttler believes his squad will be better equipped to retain their T20 World Cup title after a miserable defence of their 50-over crown in India last year. England will be one of the favourites for the 2024 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States after beating Pakistan in the final in Australia two years ago. But it was a similar story when many […] todayMay 30, 2024 6
insert_link Local Gobabis and Rundu chess open tournaments conclude In separate chess tournaments held over the weekend on Saturday, 25 May, players participated in the Bank Windhoek 2024 Gobabis and Rundu Open Tournaments. The two events, facilitated by the Namibia Chess Federation (NCF) and supported by Bank Windhoek, took place in Gobabis and Rundu. Seventy-one participants competed in chess battles to prove their skill and excellence. With a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers, […] todayMay 29, 2024 8