Messi scores maiden Ligue 1 goal as 10-man PSG open huge lead

Lionel Messi scored his first Ligue 1 goal as Paris St Germain opened a 13-point lead in Ligue 1 despite playing almost half an hour with 10 men in a 3-1 home win against Nantes on Saturday.

Messi found the back of the net with a curled left-footed effort from outside the box three minutes from time, adding to Dennis Appiah’s own goal after Randal Kolo Muani had cancelled out Kylian Mbappe’s first-half opener.

 

LIONEL MESSI SCORES HIS FIRST LIGUE 1 GOAL pic.twitter.com/xxvUE5NmAO

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 20, 2021

The result left PSG with 37 points from 14 games ahead of a Champions League trip to Manchester City on Wednesday, while Nantes are 11th on 18 points.

Messi has scored three goals in the Champions League since joining from Barcelona during the close season but the Argentine forward had not found the back of the net in his five previous appearances in Ligue 1.

“I’m happy with this first goal, I really wanted it. I had several chances before in this match and in the previous matches,” said Messi.

“I am very happy with this first goal in the league, I had already scored in the Champions League. I had chances but I didn’t convert them. I am very happy.”

PSG started brilliantly as Mbappe deflected Leandro Paredes’ long-range strike to put the hosts ahead after just two minutes.

The attacking trio coordinated nicely, with Mbappe shifting to the right wing and leaving Messi more on the inside. The Argentine came close in the 17th minute after being set up by Neymar.

Mbappe tormented the Nantes defence with his technique and brutal accelerations as he looked to find Messi.

 

Mauricio Pochettino and @KMbappe reaction after #PSGFCN! pic.twitter.com/KMR5w1JE6u

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) November 20, 2021

Nantes keeper Alban Lafont kept his team afloat with several saves as the visitors struggled to get into PSG’s half in a one-sided opening half.

Nantes put some pressure on after the break, but their attempts were too weak for Navas, who made his first proper save in the 61st minute to block Ludovic Blas’ strike.

But the keeper was sent off four minutes later for charging into Blas outside his area. With Gianluigi Donnarumma out with a bout of gastro-enteritis, Sergio Rico stepped in and Neymar was sent back to the bench.

Rico made a brilliant save in a packed goalmouth and parried Kolo Muani’s header in the 76th, but the striker followed up and netted with a back heel to put the visitors level.

But Appiah deflected a Messi cross into his own net in the 81st minute, before Messi sent the Parc des Princes crowd into raptures with his trademark curled strike.

 

Paris have won their last 1⃣1⃣ games at home in all competitions, our best run since August 2017-February 2018 (19). pic.twitter.com/yMdCKKcenA

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) November 20, 2021

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UK considering diplomatic boycott of Winter Olympics in Beijing

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing next year in protest at China’s record on human rights, the Times reported on Saturday.

An “active discussion” in government is ongoing, with Foreign Minister Liz Truss said to be in favour of the boycott, the newspaper said.

Under one option, British ministers would not attend the Games, although the ambassador to China would, Times added.

Five Conservative politicians wrote to Johnson urging him to ban any official UK diplomatic representation at the Winter Olympics in February, according to the report.

Under one option, British ministers would not attend the Games, although the ambassador to China would, Times added.

Five Conservative politicians wrote to Johnson urging him to ban any official UK diplomatic representation at the Winter Olympics in February, according to the report.

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‘We must win back trust’ – English cricket bodies unite to tackle racism

England’s major cricketing bodies collectively apologised on Friday to all those who have suffered racism and discrimination in the game following former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq’s revelations about the abuse he encountered.

Rafiq told a British parliamentary committee on Tuesday that he had suffered “inhuman” treatment in his time at Yorkshire and described the sport being riddled with racism in England.

A meeting was held on Friday at the Oval between the England & Wales Cricket Board, Marylebone Cricket Club, the Professional Cricketers’ Association, the National Counties Cricket Association and the First Class and Recreational County Cricket network.

The organisations released a joint-statement in which they said they would look at ways to make English cricket more open and inclusive before finalising a plan of action to be announced next week.

“Racism and discrimination is a blight on our game. To Azeem and all those who have experienced any form of discrimination, we are truly sorry. Our sport did not welcome you, our game did not accept you as we should have done. We apologise unreservedly for your suffering,” the statement said.

“We stand together against discrimination in all its forms, and are united as a sport to act…”

“Today, as a game, we discussed a series of tangible commitments to make cricket a sport where everyone feels safe, and everyone feels included. We will now finalise the detail and publish these actions next week.

“Our game must win back your trust.”

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said after the meeting that he will not step down from his role at the governing body and is “very motivated” to tackle racism within the sport.

Harrison, who has held the position since 2015, was quizzed by members of a British parliamentary committee on Tuesday shortly after Rafiq’s account of racial slurs at the club.

“I feel very determined to lead this change through the game and make sure this blight is addressed in the game,” Harrison told reporters.

“I feel passionately about this issue. It’s something I feel to my core. I’ve been trying to drive an inclusive and diverse sport from the moment I arrived as chief executive in 2015. I feel very motivated and very supported to make sure that change happens in the game.”

“I do want to make sure I leave a game that has the right safe kind of environment for everyone to feel welcomed and feel a sense of belonging in.”

Earlier on Friday, the ECB said it would investigate the matter of an old image published in The Sun newspaper showing former England batsman Alex Hales in blackface at a fancy dress party.

Rafiq himself apologised on Thursday for using anti-Semitic language in 2011 during an exchange of messages on social media with another cricketer.

 

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Djokovic says Peng situation horrifying, says tennis must unite

World number one Novak Djokovic said tennis must stand together over the apparent disappearance of Chinese player Peng Shuai and described the ongoing situation as horrific.

Former doubles world number one Peng has not been seen or heard from publicly since saying on Chinese social media on November 2 that former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli coerced her into sex.

Amid growing concern about her whereabouts, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has threatened to pull tournaments out of China and the men’s ATP has demanded clarity from the Chinese authorities.

Asked for his thoughts following his victory over Cameron Norrie at the ATP Finals on Friday, Serbian Djokovic said he supported the WTA’s threat “100 percent”.

“I support the statement of WTA as an organisation and also their president absolutely,” he told reporters.

“The whole community, tennis community, needs to back her up and her family, make sure that she’s safe and sound because if you would have tournaments on the Chinese soil without resolving this situation, it would be a little bit strange.”

“I do understand why WTA has taken a stance like that.”

WTA chief Steve Simon said on Friday his organisation was at a “crossroads” with China and said they were continuing all efforts to reach out and hopefully speak to Peng directly.

Djokovic said the tennis authorities should unite to figure out what action to take.

“It’s important because this is horrifying. I mean, a person is missing,” the 34-year-old said.

“I hope that for the sake of tennis, Chinese tennis, Peng Shuai, to find her very soon. It’s terrible. I mean, this could happen to anybody in any part of the world.

“We just have to unite and stand together and show that there is no ignorance to this, that it’s not like it’s just I guess something that concerns China.

“It concerns the tennis world because she has been an international tennis athlete for many years. She deserves at least our support in this whole case.”

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‘Don’t get caught napping’ – pillow fighting enters combat sports arena

Pillow fighting is moving out of the bedroom and into the boxing ring when Pillow Fight Championship (PFC) holds its first live, pay-per-view event in Florida on January 29.

Steve Williams, the man with the dream of turning childhood horseplay into a professional combat sport, said PFC delivers all the drama of hand-to-hand combat without the gore of mixed martial arts or boxing.

“It’s not something where you sit there and laugh and feathers are flying,” Williams, CEO of PFC, told Reuters.

“It’s serious. It’s hardcore swinging with specialised pillows.”

Although the male and female competitors in January’s event mostly hail from the cutthroat worlds of MMA and boxing, children will still sleep soundly after seeing the bouts.

“The only difference between our fights and MMA fights is that nobody gets hurt,” he said.

“The fighters don’t like to get hurt, and there’s a lot of people who don’t want to see the blood. They want to see good competition, they just don’t want to see the violence.”

The fact that so many people grew up bashing their siblings, friends and parents with pillows makes the sport relatable, which he hopes will help tap into a new audience.

“You can call it an alternative sport, but we think it’s going to have mainstream appeal,” he said.

“Think about how they mixed country music with rap music and brought these diverse audiences together. That’s what we’re doing, and we hope it brings in a different kind of viewer.”

The three-round bouts will be available to view on sports streaming platform FITE.

 

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Hales defends 2009 image appearing to show him in blackface

Former England batsman Alex Hales has defended an old photo appearing to show him in blackface at a fancy dress party, saying it was a tribute to late rapper Tupac Shakur.

The Sun newspaper published the image on Thursday and said it was taken at a New Year’s Eve party in 2009.

“In 2009, I attended a New Year’s Eve musical tribute fancy dress party,” Hales, 32, told The Sun.

“I dressed in tribute to my musical hero, Tupac Shakur, someone who I’ve admired from childhood and, at the time, did not realise the offensive nature of this.

“I echo my statement from earlier in the week and stress how much I deplore racism and discrimination in all its forms.”

The Sun said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is investigating the matter.

Reuters was unable to get an immediate comment from the ECB.

Earlier this week, ex-Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq, a player of Pakistani descent, testified before a British parliamentary committee and spoke of the discrimination he faced while at Yorkshire, saying the sport in England was riddled with racism.

On Wednesday, Hales denied there was “any racial connotation” in the name of his dog Kevin after allegations by Rafiq.

Julian Knight MP, chair of the British parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS), said the image is “incredibly disturbing and offensive”.

“This picture coming on the back of a week when cricket was shamed like never before is incredibly disturbing and offensive,” Knight told The Sun.

“The very soul of English cricket is now at stake.”

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Serena ‘devastated and shocked’ over Peng Shuai reports

Serena Williams voiced concern for fellow tennis player Peng Shuai, who has not been seen publicly since she accused a former vice-premier of China, Zhang Gaoli, of sexual assault.

The Chinese former doubles world number one said on social media this month that Zhang coerced her into sex and that they later had an on-off consensual relationship.

Her post was deleted a half-hour later.

“I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai,” 23-time Grand Slam winner Williams wrote in a Twitter post.

“I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible.”

Beijing has yet to comment on Peng’s initial allegation and discussion of the topic has been blocked on China’s heavily censored internet.

The head of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) on Wednesday voiced concern for Peng’s safety and doubts about an email it received, also released by a Chinese state media outlet, in which Peng was said to deny the sexual assault allegations.

Belgian former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters applauded the WTA, tweeting on Thursday: “Strong stand by WTA. All of us players, male and female, need to get behind this. We need to know she is safe!”

Strong stand by WTA. All of us players, male and female, need to get behind this. We need to know she is safe ! https://t.co/C5Zwl9jI9N pic.twitter.com/Us2CIJWA5N

— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) November 18, 2021

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) said in a statement to Reuters that it supported “a full and transparent investigation into this matter.”

“This must be investigated and we must not stay silent,” said Williams. “Sending love to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Peng’s case has prompted international outrage and concern across global sport, with World Cup winner Gerard Pique also joining the outcry on social media on Thursday.

 

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Cricket-India still strong despite big name absentees – NZ coach

New Zealand coach Gary Stead believes India will provide a major challenge on the upcoming test tour despite the absence of a few big names from their squad.

India skipper Virat Kohli has decided to skip the first of the two tests and batter Rohit Sharma, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will miss the series.

“They’re still very, very strong,” Stead said from Dubai after the Twenty20 World Cup final.

“When you go to India you traditionally think of spin-friendly wickets and I still see (Ravindra) Jadeja, (Ravichandran) Ashwin and Axar Patel in their lineup.

“They are obviously guys that have performed really, really well for them in the past three or four years.”

New Zealand will be looking to rebound from their loss to Australia in Sunday’s World Cup final but their squad will also be without a few familiar faces.

Seamer Trent Boult and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme opted out of the tour because of the prospect of spending more time in bio-secure bubbles, while batsman Devon Conway broke his hand at the World Cup.

Test regulars such as Ross Taylor, Tom Latham and Neil Wagner will return to the fold, however, as the Black Caps seek a first series triumph in India.

“We know it’s going to be a big challenge there,” Stead added.

“(But) we have some new guys, who will be nice and fresh, and maybe add a different dynamic to the squad.”

The series will include the first meeting between the countries in the longest format since New Zealand beat India to win the inaugural World Test Championship in June.

“It’s our first chance … to get out there and look at how we go about getting into the final again and defending what we won six or seven months ago,” said Stead.

The tour begins in Kapur on Nov. 25 with the second test starting in Mumbai on Dec. 3.

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Djokovic downs Ruud in ATP finals opener

World number one Novak Djokovic began his quest for a sixth title at the season-ending ATP Finals with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over Norway’s Casper Ruud in their round-robin encounter in Turin, Italy.

Djokovic suffered a fall and lost his opening service game but recovered to find his rhythm against Ruud, who is making his debut at the event following five tournament wins this season.

Ruud’s powerful forehand helped him keep pace with Djokovic for much of the first set. However, he was outplayed in the tiebreak as the 20-times major winner forced his 22-year-old opponent into a string of errors to take the opener.

It was plain sailing in the second set for the Serbian, who broke in the first game and dominated the longer rallies as Ruud struggled on serve before eventually going down in an hour and 31 minutes.

 

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Ghana end Bafana Bafana’s World Cup hopes

South African national soccer team, Bafana Bafana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar have been dashed. This following a  1-0 loss to Ghana from a dubious penalty in the first half.

The last time Bafana Bafana played in the World Cup was in 2010 when they hosted the tournament.

It was not our day today. We are disappointed. We carried you, in our hearts South Africa. We fought hard. We wanted a World Cup as badly as you did. From all of us – THANK YOU for the belief and support along this journey. #WCQ2022

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) November 14, 2021

 

DRC, Ghana through to playoffs 

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana both won their respective World Cup qualifying groups on Sunday, advancing to the March playoffs that will determine Africa’s representatives at Qatar 2022.

DR Congo beat Benin 2-0 in Kinshasa to finish one point ahead of their visitors in Group J while Ghana’s 1-0 home win over South Africa at Cape Coast also meant they pipped their guests in Group G.

The two countries join Egypt, Mali, Morocco and Senegal in the final stage of the African preliminaries.

The 10 group winners play five two-legged ties to decide the African representation for Qatar and the remaining four group winners will be decided on Tuesday.

Andre Ayew’s disputed first half penalty was enough to allow Ghana to edge South Africa on goals scored after they both finished on 13 points, and with the same goal difference.

DR Congo were awarded a generous penalty inside the opening 10 minutes to allow veteran striker Dieumerci Mbokani to give his side the lead. Ben Malongo added the second with a close-range header with some 15 minutes left.

The Congolese finished with 11 points, one more than Benin.

Also on Sunday, Ismaila Sarr scored a double for Senegal as they beat Congo 2-0 in Dakar to finish their group campaign unbeaten. They also amassed 16 points in Group H but had already booked their place last month.

Coach Aliou Cisse left out forward Sadio Mane, who had suffered a hip injury in the draw with Togo last Thursday. He returned to his club Liverpool on Saturday, Senegalese officials said.

Mali, who had already ensured top place in Group E last week, also finished unbeaten and with 16 points as they beat Uganda 1-0, courtesy of a first half strike from Kalifa Coulibaly.

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Ruud welcomes big stage as he prepares for Djokovic opener in Turin

Norwegian trailblazer Casper Ruud said he is ready for the big stage when he takes on world number one Novak Djokovic in his debut match at the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday.

Ruud is the first player from Norway to qualify for the elite eight-player tournament having risen to eighth in the ATP rankings on the back of a stellar season.

The 22-year-old has won five ATP titles this year, all but one on clay, and has posted victories against fellow Turin qualifiers Matteo Berrettini and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Five-time champion Djokovic presents a baptism of fire at the Pala Alpitour but Ruud insists he is now feeling comfortable competing on the world’s biggest arenas.

“This year has been a big step for me, I’ve got more comfortable on the big stage,” Ruud told reporters. “This is one of the biggest stages on the ATP Tour.

“The court feels good and I’m looking forward to Monday. I’m happy with the group I am in.”

Ruud will also face Tsitsipas and Russian Andrey Rublev in the Green Group with the top two advancing to the semi-finals.

“It feels exciting (as he is) the toughest player to play in the world,” said Ruud. “He knows the routine and has won the event many times. He almost won four majors this year, and there was only one player that stopped him.

“I did watch the US Open final, so I may ask Daniil (Medvedev) how he beat him! Novak is a complete player with pretty much no weaknesses. I will try and enjoy the moment, but I know it’s a tough task ahead on Monday.”

Ruud sealed his place in Turin at the Paris Masters this month and said that released some pressure after months of checking the rankings and watching his rivals.

“There were a lot of nerves involved, and pressure,” he said. “It’s my debut (in Turin), and I’d like to play at this event again, but for now I will enjoy the moment.

“I want to play my next three matches without pressure, because the last few months there has been almost too much pressure!”

 

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F1 frontrunners Verstappen and Hamilton face possible sanctions in Brazil

Formula One title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton both faced possible sanctions on Saturday after being accused of breaking the rules ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

On a day of drama in Brazil after qualifying for a Saturday sprint race that determines Sunday’s starting grid, Mercedes driver Hamilton and then Red Bull’s championship leader Verstappen caught the stewards’ attention.

Seven times world champion Hamilton dominated qualifying at the Interlagos circuit but his car then failed a technical check, with the risk of demotion to the back of the sprint field.

Stewards ordered the rear wing assembly to be impounded and the car stored overnight.

A spokesman for the governing FIA said the officials were awaiting further evidence that would not be available until morning.

A statement then delivered another bombshell by summoning  Verstappen and a team representative to a meeting at 0930 local time (1230 GMT) for an alleged breach of the international sporting code.

Video footage posted by a fan on social media showed Verstappen seemingly checking with his hands the rear wings of his Red Bull and Hamilton’s Mercedes after they had parked up post-qualifying.

Article 2.5.1 of the sporting code states that “no operation, checking, tuning or repair is allowed” in that secure

area unless authorised by officials.

Hamilton, 19 points adrift of Verstappen with four races remaining, already has a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race after Mercedes changed the engine in his car.

The Briton had clocked a fastest time of one minute 07.934 seconds with Verstappen 0.438 slower, a considerable margin around one of the shortest laps on the calendar.

“Let’s go,” exclaimed Hamilton over the team radio.

Three points are to be won in the sprint but Hamilton’s chances of taking them were thrown into doubt by a measurement of millimetres.

Formula One technical delegate Jo Bauer reported the uppermost rear wing adjustable positions did not comply with the rules for a maximum distance of 85mm when the drag reduction system was deployed.

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Egypt draw in Angola to advance to African World Cup playoffs

Egypt survived a scare to claim a 2-2 draw away to Angola and become the fourth side to win their group in the African World Cup qualifiers and progress to March’s playoffs that will decide the continent’s five teams at the World Cup in Qatar next year.

Egypt rallied from two goals down to secure the point they needed to ensure they win Group F with a game to spare, moving to 11 points from five matches and an unassailable four-point lead at the top of the standings.

It had looked as though they would have to delay their celebrations when debutant Helder Costa and M’Bala Nzola, with a penalty, put Angola 2-0 up.

But Mohamed Elneny pulled a goal back just before halftime and Akram Tawfik grabbed the equaliser after an hour, much to the relief of new Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz, as they joined Mali, Morocco and Senegal in the next stage.

Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a second-half penalty as they moved into second place in the group with a 1-0 home win over Libya.

African champions Algeria kept their destiny in their own hands with a 4-0 drubbing of minnows Djibouti in Group A.

The victory leaves Algeria two points ahead of second-placed Burkina Faso, with the two teams set to clash in a winner-takes-all final qualifier in Blida on Tuesday, where the north Africans will advance if they avoid defeat.

Algeria rested a number of regulars on Friday but never looked like dropping points as Youcef Belaili put them ahead on the half-hour mark having missed a penalty moments earlier.

Said Benrahma scored his first international goal to extend the advantage and captain Sofiane Feghouli added a third before halftime.

Substitute Islam Slimani claimed the fourth.

Burkina Faso could only manage a 1-1 draw with Niger in neutral Marrakech, with the latter ahead after 11 minutes through a Youssef Oumarou penalty.

The Burkinabe equalised early in the second half through Issoufou Dayo, also from the spot.

Morocco’s Belgian-born Ryan Mmaee scored twice and Imran Louza got the other goal as they eased to a 3-0 win over Sudan to maintain their 100% record in Group I.

Guinea played out a 0-0 draw with Guinea-Bissau in their dead rubber clash in Conakry in the other match in the group.

 

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F1 title task is as steep as it can be, says Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton said the task of overhauling Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to win a record eighth Formula One title felt “as steep as it can be” with four races remaining and 19 points between them.

The 36-year-old Mercedes driver has five wins to his Dutch rival’s nine this season, with Verstappen chasing his third in a row in Brazil this weekend.

Asked on Thursday whether he felt Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix was a “must-win”, the Briton replied that “every race is a must-win race”.

Brazil is expected to favour the Red Bull more than Mercedes, with Verstappen the most recent winner there in 2019 and before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s race.

“They’ve had a strong car all year, they’ve had the strongest car,” said Hamilton. “I think we’ve done as good as we could.”

“Last time here they were incredibly strong so we’re anticipating again they’ll be very hard to beat this weekend. But where there’s a will there’s a way, hopefully.”

The Brazilian round will also be third and final sprint event of the season, with qualifying on Friday for a 100 km race on Saturday that decides the starting grid for Sunday’s main grand prix.

More points are available, with three for the winner on Saturday.

Hamilton said that would be of no benefit if Red Bull were quicker, and anti-clockwise Interlagos was one of the hardest layouts to overtake on.

There has also been speculation that Hamilton could need a new engine, which would trigger a five-place grid drop and further damage his title hopes.

“I can’t really comment at the moment. I don’t think the engines have even arrived this morning,” he said, referring to delays in the freight arriving from Mexico. “As far as I know, my engine’s fine. But I’ll find out later on.”

 

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‘See you in January!” – Medvedev signals will play Australian Open

World number two Daniil Medvedev has indicated he will play at the Australian Open in January as speculation continues to swirl around the availability of champion Novak Djokovic.

Medvedev, beaten by Djokovic for the title in February, tweeted a photo of himself holding the runner-up trophy at Melbourne Park with the caption: “See you in January! @AustralianOpen”.

See you in January! @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/PByYSBmFUJ

— Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) November 9, 2021

Medvedev had said in late-October he could not confirm he would play the tournament in southern Victoria state, where authorities have said they will ban players who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

The Russian has refused to disclose his vaccination status, saying he prefers to keep his medical records private, a stance similar to world number one Djokovic.

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley on Tuesday declined to answer any questions on the tournament regarding players’ vaccination status. Medvedev and Djokovic have built an intriguing rivalry since the Australian Open decider, which the Serb won comprehensively.

Medvedev upset Djokovic’s bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title in the final of the US Open in September.

Djokovic overhauled Medvedev on Sunday to win a record-extending sixth Paris Masters title.

 

 

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Djokovic wants to coach when he calls time on career

Novak Djokovic plans to become a tennis coach once he calls time on his playing career as he has no intention of taking his knowledge “to the grave”, the world number one told Serbian media after clinching the Paris Masters on Sunday.

Djokovic secured a record-breaking 37th Masters title and his sixth in Paris with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 win over Russia’s world number two Daniil Medvedev, who won his maiden grand slam trophy when he beat the Serbian in September’s US Open final.

Djokovic, who is also assured of finishing the season as the world number one for a record seventh time, also heaped praise on Medvedev and was confident the 25-year-old Russian would eventually succeed him as the world’s top-ranked player.

“He is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world at the moment and if he stays healthy he will win many more grand slam tournaments,” said the 34-year old from Belgrade.

“I’d have hardly any work to do if I was to coach him. He is probably my biggest rival at the moment and he is very close to becoming the world number one. He is the leader of a new generation and his game has no weaknesses.”

Djokovic is level on 20 grand slams each with peers Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal and stressed he was eager to nurture future talents when he hangs up his racket.

“I’d have hardly any work to do if I was to coach him. He is probably my biggest rival at the moment and he is very close to becoming the world number one. He is the leader of a new generation and his game has no weaknesses.”

Djokovic is level on 20 grand slams each with peers Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal and stressed he was eager to nurture future talents when he hangs up his racket.

“I try to pass on to new generations everything that I’ve learned. Knowledge can be a curse if you don’t use it.

“What am I supposed to do when I retire, take it to my grave so that those who come after me are unable to benefit from my philosophy, work methods and approach?

“For me, it’s only logical that the next step should be to pass my knowledge on to others. I see myself in various roles in the future and I am glad that I can also develop as a coach.”

Djokovic will head to the November 14-21 season-ending Masters in Turin before leading Serbia at the Nov. 25-Dec. 5 Davis Cup finals, where the 2010 winners aim to clinch their second title in the competition.

But his bid to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open title and 21st major honour in January is still in doubt as Djokovic has repeatedly declined to reveal whether he has been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The state of Victoria, where the event takes place in Melbourne, has introduced a vaccine mandate for professional athletes, although authorities have not yet clarified what the requirement will be for those coming from abroad.

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West Ham end Liverpool’s unbeaten run with memorable win

West Ham United showed that their place in the Premier League’s top four was fully warranted as they outmuscled Liverpool for a memorable 3-2 victory at a rocking London Stadium on Sunday.

Victory for high-flying West Ham ended Liverpool’s club record 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions and lifted them above Juergen Klopp’s side into third place in the table.

What always looked like a tough fixture for Liverpool began badly when keeper Alisson, who endured a difficult afternoon, flapped a cross into his own goal after four minutes.

Liverpool were rarely allowed to find their usual fluency but they were level by halftime thanks to a moment of magic from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Those expecting the visitors to find another gear after the break were left disappointed as it was West Ham who took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Craig Dawson hit the bar for West Ham early in the second half as Liverpool wobbled at the back, before Pablo Fornals restored West Ham’s lead in the 66th minute before Kurt Zouma rose to head in West Ham’s third in the 74th minute.

Substitute Divock Origi gave Liverpool a lifeline with a shot on the turn in the 82nd minute and Sadio Mane should have levelled in stoppage time but the hosts clung on for a victory that would be celebrated into the night by the home fans.

West Ham’s fourth consecutive league win moves them to 23 points from 11 games with Juergen Klopp’s side one point behind them and the Hammers head into the international break just three points behind leaders Chelsea.

It was a doubly joyous day for Hammers boss David Moyes who had not tasted a league win over Liverpool for 11 years, losing 10 and drawing four in the interim period as manager of Everton, Manchester United, Sunderland and West Ham.

“I want us to challenge the teams in the top four, I do not know who they will be but I want us to challenge,” Moyes said.

“This result shows that we’re really in with a good chance of challenging.”

It was a day to forget for Liverpool, who have dropped five points in their last two league games, and especially Alisson.

 

Defeat in the capital.#WHULIV pic.twitter.com/EQZKayTXEp

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 7, 2021

The game was only four minutes old when he flapped at a Fornals corner under pressure from Angelo Ogbonna and the ball ended up in the net. He hoped for a reprieve via a VAR check but the goal was rightly allowed to stand.

Klopp was perplexed by the decision.

“The first they score is a foul on the goalkeeper, the arm goes into Alisson’s arm so how can he catch it? That makes no sense,” he said.

Liverpool were a little lucky not to be down to 10 men after Diogo Jota caught Ogbonna with his elbow, forcing the West Ham player off, although Klopp suggested West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell got away with a reckless challenge on Jordan Henderson.

But they got back into the game when Alexander-Arnold played a short free kick to Mohamed Salah who then stopped it for the English defender to curl past Lukasz Fabianski and temporarily silence the home fans.

Fabianski made a crucial save from Mane’s volley after the break and minutes later West Ham went back ahead as Fornals went clean through and beat Alisson with a low shot that the Brazilian stopper might have saved.

When Zouma headed in shortly after for his first West Ham goal, again with Alisson found wanting, it felt like the roof was coming off the former Olympic Stadium.

 

Our win today ended Liverpool’s 25-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

This team = pic.twitter.com/OuHEqqX8Rb

— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 7, 2021

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Djokovic downs Medvedev to claim record sixth Paris Masters title

Novak Djokovic won a record-extending sixth Paris Masters title and a record 37th premium title by avenging his US Open final defeat against Russian Daniil Medvedev with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 victory in Sunday’s showpiece match.

The Serbian, who is guaranteed to finish the year as world number one for a record seventh time, beating Pete Sampras’s mark, needed time to break Medvedev’s sturdy defence but was unstoppable once he found his opening.

Djokovic was looking to avoid ending a season without a Masters title for the first time since 2017 and kept his focus throughout to accomplish his mission.

 

What a day, what a week. Blessing after blessing. My loves both my children witnessing this moment. Crown for years of hard work. My amazing team. Fantastic matches. Many memories to take away. Grateful to bring home another tree in the woods to where this wolf sleeps pic.twitter.com/j5T5TScHeZ

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) November 7, 2021

World number two Medvedev was overwhelmed in the third set and bowed out of the contest on the first match point when Djokovic unleashed a superb forehand winner down the line.

“I consider myself a student of the sport, and I really respect and admire all of the past champions that paved the way for me and, all the generations that are playing tennis right now,” said Djokovic.

“We are enjoying the benefits of this game in every sense because of the past champions that made the tour the way it is today.

“I’m very grateful for that. Of course, when I surpass one of the past champions, particularly someone that I looked up to when I was a kid like Pete Sampras, it means the world to me. It’s kind of a surreal feeling.”

Two months after Medvedev denied Djokovic a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam men’s singles title at Flushing Meadows, the Russian was hoping to lock his opponent into a backhand-to-backhand battle again.

Defending champion Medvedev broke in the opening game as Djokovic made a flurry of unforced errors.

The world number one levelled for 2-2 but Medvedev stole his serve again to move 4-3 up with a splendid sliced backhand at the net.

The Russian then held serve twice to pocket the first set when Djokovic returned long.

The Serbian, however, turned the tables in the second set, going 3-1 up as Medvedev buried a backhand into the net.

Djokovic served and volleyed to save a break point at 5-3 and saw off a second with a big serve. Medvedev set up a third with a spectacular block at the net but the top seed’s first serve again came to the rescue.

Djokovic eventually took the match into a decider with an ace on his third set point.

He broke for 3-2 courtesy of three unforced errors by Medvedev and stole his opponent’s serve again to move 5-2 up.

Serving for the match, Djokovic gave Medvedev too much space and the Russian pulled a break back but his tank was empty and he surrendered on his serve in the next game.

Medvedev complained he had been bothered by a spectator making too much noise in the crowd.

“I got mad because crucial, crucial moment, 5-2 for him, double break, even if I manage to get the break back, we all know that against Novak it’s tough to actually come back from this score,” he told a news conference.

“I got mad because it was not nice, and it was done on purpose. Some of the spectators, they were just into the match and you could feel it. You’re getting ready for serve, they were like, Allez, Novak, or Allez, Daniil. But you could feel it was like they are just trying not to be in the game, and you wait.

“This one was done, when I did the toss already, it was done by a Serbian spectator… I hope he doesn’t watch tennis anymore.”

 

When I see people who embrace their nature and identity and work hard to get better every day – I know they are in for greatness. I am looking forward to seeing more of you @DaniilMedwed. I know I won’t have it easy with you around and you are a great rival to have. pic.twitter.com/ScGY8zm32m

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) November 7, 2021

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Cheptoo dedicates New York run to slain Olympian Tirop

Kenyan Viola Cheptoo dedicated her second-place run in Sunday’s New York City Marathon to Olympian and compatriot Agnes Tirop, who was found stabbed to death in her home last month, and said she would work to bring awareness to gender-based violence.

Kenyan police last month arrested the husband of the 25-year-old two-time World Championship bronze medallist Tirop, whose funeral two weeks ago was attended by over 1 000 mourners.

Cheptoo was with Tirop in September when she smashed the women-only 10-kilometre world record in Germany, crossing the line in 30 minutes and 1 second.

“It’s been really challenging,” said Cheptoo, who flew home with Tirop from Germany to Kenya. “There were no signs of abuse because she kept it to herself, and just knowing how she was murdered, the pain that she went through has really affected me.”

Tirop had finished fourth in the 5 000m at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Cheptoo is among a group of athletes who came together with Tirop’s family to form “Tirop’s Angels,” a foundation that aims to raise awareness of violence against women.

“We want women… to be able to speak up, and we know a lot of athletes are suffering in silence,” she said.

Cheptoo finished behind compatriot and Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir at the famed five-borough race on Sunday in her marathon debut.

“I ran this race for Agnes,” said Cheptoo. “When it got really tough I just kept thinking, you know, Agnes would have been running in New York in a year or two.”

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Man City cruise to derby win as United home woes continue

Premier League champions Manchester City cruised to a 2-0 win over struggling Manchester United in their derby at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Gifted two goals by United in the first half, City were happy to control the game after the break, while their hosts failed to present any sort of real threat.

Derby dominance #ManCity pic.twitter.com/t1pz7GIpzZ

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 6, 2021

“The best way to silence Old Trafford is to have the ball and we did it,” said City manager Pep Guardiola.

“I know how big talented players like Cristiano (Ronaldo) are, they suffer when they don’t have the ball. We wanted that,” he added.

It was ultimately a disappointing derby with City’s superiority in all areas confirmed abundantly while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s showed once again they simply lack enough quality to mount even a token title bid.

An hour has been played in #MUNMCI, and we remain behind by two.

Big push for the last 30 minutes, lads #MUFC pic.twitter.com/ckgoanN1iu

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 6, 2021

There has been constant speculation over Solskjaer’s future since the 5-0 home loss to Liverpool two weeks ago, but the Norwegian said his focus was on getting the team back to the promising form they had shown earlier in his reign.

“We can’t, or I can’t, look at myself and say this is the way I want Man United to play. I’m in good communication all the time with the club,” he said.

“I work for Man United, I want the best for Man United and, of course, as long as I’m here, I want to do what I can do to improve this,” he added.

United are now winless in their last four home league games, losing three of them. City are second, two point behind leaders Chelsea who host Burnley later on Saturday.

City were handed an ideal start, going ahead in the seventh minute with an own goal from United defender Eric Bailly, who stretched out a leg but turned a low Joao Cancelo cross into his own net.

Cristiano Ronaldo forced Ederson into a full-stretch save with a fine volley, but that turned out to be United’s sole effort on the City goal.

United, shaky at the back despite playing a three-man central defence, relied on goalkeeper David De Gea to keep them in the game as the Spaniard made a series of saves.

De Gea smothered a close range effort from Gabriel Jesus and tipped over a long-range shot from Cancelo before reacting well to stop another potential own goal after Victor Lindelof turned a low Phil Foden ball towards his own net.

The Spanish keeper then rose to the challenge again to deny Kevin De Bruyne as City searched for a second.

The Reds remain a goal behind after 25 minutes at Old Trafford.

Keep pushing, lads #MUFC | #MUNMCI pic.twitter.com/3Riq9P7lQ3

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 6, 2021

But just before the break, Pep Guardiola’s side profited from more woeful United defending with Luke Shaw inexplicably leaving a Cancelo cross deep to the back post, allowing Bernardo Silva to sneak in and poke a shot goalward that crept past De Gea.

It was a moment which undid all De Gea’s work and left United with a mountain to climb in the second half. In truth, however, they hardly got to base camp.

Substitute Jadon Sancho brought some life to United on the wing but there was no real pressure on City’s unruffled back line, while at the other end the visitor’s twice could have added to their tally.

De Bruyne at the back post blasted a volley wide and then Foden drilled a low shot wide of De Gea’s left-hand post.

United are eight points behind Chelsea in fifth place but are likely to fall further back after Saturday’s later games, while City very much remain in the race for top spot.

“We had the game of our lives today. Everything went right, a lot of possession and chances. We dominated from start to finish,” said Foden.

Game of our lives out there today!! That’s for you, City fans pic.twitter.com/RgrqXJHQJU

— Phil Foden (@PhilFoden) November 6, 2021

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