TENNIS
Mensik collapses in heat
Jakub Mensik on Wednesday said it was “insane” to play a marathon match at the French Open in temperatures above 30°C, after collapsing with a cramp on court immediately after beating Mariano Navone. The 20-year-old needed eight match points to win 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (13/11) after 4 hours, 41 minutes on Court 6, completely exposed to the sun. “It’s insane to play in this weather, especially in front of the sun, to be there for more than four-and-a-half hours, it’s just insane,” Mensik told reporters. “Even with the breaks, you don’t have that much time, the ball boy can’t bring you a towel.” Mensik collapsed onto the clay straight after hitting the winning forehand. When his opponent came to greet him, he tried to get up, but remained stuck on his back. The umpire waited several seconds before coming to his aid and eventually medical staff arrived to help him.
Photo: Reuters
ATHLETICS
US$10m offered for record
The Enhanced Games organizer on Wednesday said it would offer a US$10 million bonus to any man who breaks Usain Bolt’s 100m world record at their event next year, sharply increasing the financial stakes for the controversial, drug-friendly competition. Enhanced said the prize would go to the winner of the men’s 100m final if he runs faster than Bolt’s 9.58 seconds, the time the Jamaican set in Berlin in 2009 and which is viewed as one of the most untouchable marks in the sport. The announcement followed the inaugural Enhanced Games, held on Sunday in Las Vegas, where one swimming “world record” was set.
SOCCER
Least-known player goes viral
New Zealand defender Tim Payne’s social media profile has exploded over the past few days after an Argentine influencer decided he was the least-known player at the FIFA World Cup. Valen Scarsini, known as “elscarso” on Instagram and TikTok, made a video encouraging his audience to give the Wellington Phoenix and All Whites defender’s account likes, comments and follows. In the space of a couple of days, Payne’s Instagram account went from 4,715 followers to 660,000 — outstripping New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, All Blacks rugby star Ardie Savea and Scarsini. “Was wondering why my socials were blowing up and found your post, man,” Payne said in the message to Scarsini. “Appreciate the love! Gracias, hermano.”
ATHLETICS
Games eyes obstacle course
The obstacle-course format popularized by the television show Ninja Warrior is to help shape the new-look modern pentathlon at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics under an agreement between Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) Television and the sport’s global governing body. TBS, creator of the Japanese program Sasuke, known internationally as Ninja Warrior, and the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) on Tuesday said they had agreed to collaborate on obstacle racing, the discipline that would replace equestrian show jumping in the modern pentathlon. The deal includes licensing rights for UIPM to use certain TBS-designed obstacles and program elements in its obstacle racing events. In Ninja Warrior, athletes race through a timed obstacle course that tests swinging, climbing, balancing and grip, with mistakes often sending them into the water below.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
KNICKS TAKE LEAD: San Antonio put on a 9-0 run to be up 95-94 with just over 2 minutes to play, but the rest of the game belonged to the New York Knicks It was past five minutes through the third quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday and the New York Knicks’ 11-game winning streak was in major jeopardy. The Knicks missed nine of their first 10 shots in the early part of the period and trailed the San Antonio Spurs by 14 points. They were floundering. Then something crazy happened. The Knicks found new life from an unlikely source: The Spurs. New York rallied to tie the game by the end of the period, gave up the lead briefly late in the fourth quarter, and pulled away late for a 105-95
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