Novak Djokovic edges past Carlos Alcaraz to capture first tournament title in return to US soil
Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) on Sunday to avenge his Wimbledon final loss and capture the Western & Southern Open title in Cincinnati, Ohio.
2023-08-21 11:54
Millie Bright: England will bounce back from World Cup disappointment
Captain Millie Bright is confident England will emerge a stronger side after processing the gut-wrenching reality of finishing as World Cup runners-up. The Lionesses overcame obstacles and disproved doubters over the expanded month-long competition, which for the first time saw 32 teams whittled down to two, Spain and England, who were both making their debuts in the showpiece final. Olga Carmona’s first-half strike in Sydney proved enough to send La Roja home with the trophy, while England were reminded that football can be a game of cruel inches after Lauren Hemp’s near-opener pinged off the crossbar. Bright said: “The mentality has always been there. The character has been there, too. We show that, day in, day out, and in every game. We’ve just played in a World Cup final, it’s hard to see it like that at the moment. I’m proud of the girls. “We’ve played on the highest stage. We’ve had a shot at competing for the trophy we have always wanted but this isn’t the end of the journey and we will definitely bounce back. For now, though, we’ll let it settle.” While each of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses will rue and process the loss differently, their skipper is the sole member of the squad for whom the morning after also happens to be a birthday. Bright, who turns 30 today, inherited the captain’s armband before the World Cup from Euro 2022-winning skipper Leah Williamson, who was forced to miss the tournament after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in April. Beth Mead, last summer’s Golden Boot winner, was also unavailable for selection after she was unable to recover in time from the same problem, while Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby missed out with a separate knee issue. Perhaps some inside the England camp are now wondering what might have been had those European champions been available, or perhaps not, but the only regrets Bright was willing to share after coming so close to bringing the World Cup home to England were the minor moments that made the difference. “There are probably one million different feelings,” said Bright. “Pride, disappointment, heartbroken that we didn’t win. “We came off the pitch holding our heads high, knowing that we have given absolutely everything in the game. In the second half especially we left it all out there. “We didn’t take our chances today and those are the small margins that decide football in a final against a top, top team. “You get those chances and hit the crossbar, the keeper makes saves. They get theirs and put it in the net.” Bright, whose club boss Emma Hayes was an ITV pundit for the World Cup, will soon return to Chelsea where she looks a shoo-in to replace departed captain Magda Eriksson. But before the Blues kick-off their campaign in search of a fifth straight Women’s Super League (WSL) title against Tottenham on October 1, Bright and the Lionesses will face Scotland then the Netherlands in the new UEFA Women’s Nations League in late September. That competition will decide which two European teams will join co-hosts France at the Paris Olympics, which begin in just 340 days. Perhaps next year’s birthday will come accompanied with a fresh gold medal from those Games, but for now Bright is feeling grateful for the support that helped secure her World Cup silver. She added: “It’s been incredible. It’s surreal. Thank you for believing in us. I hope you have enjoyed the ride. It’s been amazing. It’s hard to see it like that. It’s been incredible. We’ve had an opportunity and we’ve gained a medal that not many other players have got.”
2023-08-21 11:53
Cowboys DeMarvion Overshown injury update was worse than imagined
The Dallas Cowboys found out that one of their top rookies in training camp, DeMarvion Overshown, is going to be sidelined for quite some time. Sadly, Overshown isn't the only rookie sidelined long-term.The Dallas Cowboys completed their second preseason game on Saturday, where they fell to...
2023-08-21 11:47
World Cup hero Carmona learns of father's death after firing Spain to victory
Within the span of hours this weekend, Spain's Women's World Cup hero Olga Carmona experienced a career high and a deep loss, the latter of which was kept from her so she could focus on Sunday's final.
2023-08-21 11:46
Ronaldo and big-spending Saudi clubs primed to dominate Asian Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo gets his first taste of Asian competition on Tuesday as Al-Nassr meets Shabab Al-Ahli of Dubai in a Champions League preliminary round playoff with the rest of the continent wondering if big-spending Saudi Arabian clubs can be stopped
2023-08-21 11:28
Winston directs 3 scoring drives as Saints hold on for 22-17 victory over Chargers
Jameis Winston directed three second-quarter scoring drives, and the New Orleans Saints defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 22-17
2023-08-21 10:46
Trevor Williams sharp for Nationals in 4-3 win over Phillies in MLB Little League Classic
Trevor Williams tossed two-hit ball over six shutout innings and led the Washington Nationals to a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night in front of hundreds of the best Little League World Series players from around the world
2023-08-21 10:29
Fed-up women players call out Rugby Australia 'inequality'
Australia's women's rugby team have slammed Rugby Australia over inequality and lack of investment in the game, highlighting the different treatment afforded to...
2023-08-21 10:16
World Cup-winning goal scorer Olga Carmona learns of father’s death minutes after final whistle
Spain's Olga Carmona's World Cup Celebrations have been marred by tragedy after she found that her father died just minutes after the game. The 23-year-old Real Madrid star secured a 1-0 win over England today in Sydney in the final. Carmona found out that her father died following the full-time whistle. Spanish FA said her father died just before the final got underway. Carmona posted an emotional tribute to her father after she helped her country to their first Women’s World Cup triumph. “Without knowing it, I had my star before the game started,” Carmona wrote. “I know that you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. “I know that you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace dad.” The 23-year-old had celebrated her goal on Sunday with a tribute to a friend who recently lost her mother. “I think all of us, we felt that this team had something special,” the defender said after Spain won the title. Writing on Twitter, the Spanish FA said: "We deeply regret to announce the death of Olga Carmona's father. "The footballer learnt the sad news after the World Cup final. We love you, Olga, you are part of Spanish football history. "We send out most sincere hugs to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain. "We love you, Olga, you are the history of Spanish football." A statement from Real Madrid read: “Real Madrid, our president and our board of directors are deeply saddened by the death of the father of our player Olga Carmona. “Real Madrid want to express our condolences and our love to Olga, her family and all her loved ones.” Carmona was named as player of the match in the final, after also scored a late winner in Spain's semi-final against Sweden. Read More Lionesses have ‘inspired millions’ despite falling short in first World Cup final Lionesses ‘won the hearts’ of fans despite World Cup defeat: ‘This is just the beginning’ Lionesses deserve honours after World Cup final run, says Labour leader Declan Rice is type of player everyone is looking for – Palace boss Roy Hodgson I’ll be there for him – Dele Alli always has friend in Spurs star Son Heung-min We won’t stop – Georgia Stanway vows England will ‘continue to break barriers’
2023-08-21 09:55
Djokovic survives 'toughest match' to beat Alcaraz in Cincy
Novak Djokovic needed five match points and nearly four hours to pull off a gritty victory over Carlos Alcaraz and claim a third ATP...
2023-08-21 09:51
3 fatal Team USA flaws exposed in comeback win over Germany, and other FIBA World Cup exhibition games
The United States beat Germany 99-91 thanks to 34 points from Anthony Edwards and finished 5-0 in FIBA World Cup warm-up matches. But their flaws were still apparent as ever in Sunday's game."That fear factor is gone," said Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton following the Unit...
2023-08-21 09:28
Red Sox star Justin Turner headhunting John Sterling with another foul ball
After hitting New York Yankees radio play-by-play announcer John Sterling with a foul ball earlier this year, Boston Red Sox infielder Justin Turner almost did it again on Sunday.The New York Yankees' 2023 season is one they would like to forget. Usually, perennial postseason contenders, th...
2023-08-21 09:17
