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Alaphilippe can slay demons at Liege-Bastogne-Liege

World champion Julian Alaphilippe has the opportunity to put some embarrassing near misses behind him when again attempts to win cycling's Liege-Bastogne-Liege on Sunday.

Djokovic into Belgrade final after fighting past Khachanov

Novak Djokovic reached his first final of the year at the Serbia Open on Saturday after recovering from a set down to beat Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-1 6-2.

Asian Games to go ahead in Hangzhou: Malaysian official

The 2022 Asian Games in China will go ahead, the Olympic Council of Malaysia said Saturday, denying claims that it was facing the possibility of being postponed.

Arsenal see off sorry Man Utd to take control of top-four battle

Arsenal took control of the battle to finish in the Premier League top four with a 3-1 win over Manchester United to all but end the Red Devils' hopes of Champions League football next season.

Former Springbok Wannenburg dies after Texas vehicle crash

Former Springbok Pedrie Wannenburg, who died after a multi-vehicle crash in Texas this weekend, was a "gentle giant", a family friend told AFP on Saturday when confirming the tragedy.

Russell and Mercedes find speed while rivals look ahead

George Russell was fastest in Saturday's free practice in a strong headwind as champions Mercedes bounced back from a disastrous opening day at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Hawks hold off Heat, Bucks thrash Bulls in NBA playoffs

Trae Young delivered the game-winner for Atlanta in a 111-110 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday as the Hawks clawed their way back into their NBA playoff first-round series.

Top-ranked Ko shares Los Angeles LPGA lead with Hataoka

World number one Ko Jin-young fired eight birdies in a seven-under par 64 on Friday to grab a share of the second-round lead alongside Japan's Nasa Hataoka in the LPGA's Los Angeles Open.

Golf great Greg Norman wants to play British Open

Golfing great Greg Norman intends to come out of retirement and compete at the British Open in July, a report said Saturday, with the Australian saying: "I love St Andrews."

'Incredible' Alcaraz reaches Barcelona semi-finals and world top 10

Carlos Alcaraz defeated top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a three-set rollercoaster to reach the Barcelona semi-finals on Friday and become the youngest player since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to make the world top 10.

Alcaraz defeats Tsitsipas to reach Barcelona semi-finals and reach top 10

Carlos Alcaraz defeated top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a three-set rollercoaster to reach the Barcelona semi-finals on Friday and become the youngest player since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to reach the world top 10.

Brazil surfing champ returns after mental health break

Brazilian surfing champion Gabriel Medina has announced his return to competition after a break for mental health reasons.

Swiatek powers past Raducanu for 21st successive win and into Stuttgart semis

World number one Iga Swiatek racked up her 21st successive win as she powered into the Stuttgart semi-finals by beating US Open champion Emma Raducanu in straight sets on Friday.

Pakistan's Masood hits back-to-back double centuries

Pakistan opener Shan Masood on Friday hit a second successive double century in the English county championship to take his aggregate to 608 runs in four innings.

Mercedes 'underperform' in worst F1 qualifying since 2012

Struggling Mercedes "underperformed as a team" on Friday when they failed to make the final session of qualifying at a race for the first time in a decade, said Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen on pole for Emilia-Romagna GP sprint race as Mercedes flop

World champion Max Verstappen secured pole position on Friday for Saturday's sprint race at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after outpacing Charles Leclerc by 1.2 seconds in a rain-hit qualifying.

Halilhodzic rules out Morocco World Cup recall for Ziyech and Mazraoui

Coach Vahid Halilhodzic, who led Morocco to the 2022 World Cup, said his decision not to pick Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech and Ajax full-back Noussair Mazraoui is a "finished story".

Rovanpera shines in Rally of Croatia rain and fog

Kalle Rovanpera battled through rain and dense fog to lead the Rally of Croatia on Friday as the young Finn looks to keep his lead of the world championship.

Mohamed Salah undecided over Liverpool future

Mohamed Salah admits he has not decided if he wants to stay at Liverpool beyond his current contract as the Egypt star sparked fresh speculation about a possible Anfield exit.

Badosa reaches Stuttgart semi-finals and takes world number two ranking

Spain's Paula Badosa will move up to the world number two ranking after reaching the semi-finals of the WTA tournament in Stuttgart on Friday with a hard-fought win over Ons Jabeur.

Lampard would take draw at Liverpool as Everton battle to survive

Everton manager Frank Lampard said Friday he would happily take a draw against "incredible" Liverpool even though his side desperately need points to survive.

Guardiola 'loves' title tension as Man City bid to hold off Liverpool

Pep Guardiola is relishing the tension as Manchester City seek to hold off Liverpool in a gripping Premier League title race.

Marquez leaves rivals trailing in his wake at rainy Portimao

Marc Marquez shone in the rain on Friday setting the fastest cumulative time in the first two practice sessions for the Portuguese MotoGP at Portimao.

Fury heavier than Whyte ahead of heavyweight title showdown

Tyson Fury weighed in 11 pounds (five kilogrammes) heavier than challenger Dillian Whyte ahead of his WBC heavyweight title defence against his British rival at Wembley on Saturday.

Mane-inspired Senegal to begin AFCON title defence against Benin

Sadio Mane-inspired Senegal will begin their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title defence at home to Benin during June, according to the 2023 qualifying calendar released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Mercedes boss so frustrated he wants 'to strangle' himself

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff has been so tortured by his team's cars struggle for pace and performance this season that he has wanted 'to strangle' himself to end the agony.

World champions South Africa choose Toulon as base for World Cup pool stages

Reigning world champions South Africa will base themselves in Toulon for 28 days of the pool stages of next year's Rugby World Cup, it was announced Friday.

'Seville lives to the rhythm of football. We want to win this for them' - Fekir

Real Betis have an outside shot of finishing in La Liga's top four, a place in the Champions League still within their grasp, but for Nabil Fekir nothing would beat a victory on Saturday.

Ferrari duo revel in rain for Emilia Romagna practice

Championship leader Charles Leclerc topped the times ahead of his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz in Friday's rain-hit opening free practice for this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Hamilton ready to invest in Chelsea takeover bid

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said Friday that being part of a consortium bidding to take over English Premier League club Chelsea was too great an opportunity to pass by.

Irish centre Henshaw signs contract extension

Robbie Henshaw "will play a big role" in achieving the goals of both Leinster and Ireland in the years to come said IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora after the centre signed a contract extension on Friday.

Russian Olympic champion Rylov banned for attending pro-invasion rally

Russia's double Olympic swimming champion Evgeny Rylov has been banned for nine months by world governing body FINA after attending a rally hosted by President Vladimir Putin supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ex-Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir signs for Gloucestershire

English county cricket club Gloucestershire announced on Friday they had signed former Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir on a three-match deal.

Iranian snooker player Vafaei proud of history-making exploits

Hossein Vafaei may have bowed out of the world snooker championship at the first hurdle but he said being the first Iranian to appear at the sport's showpiece event was "a very big achievement for me and my country".

Grizzlies rally to shock Timberwolves, Warriors push Nuggets to brink

The Memphis Grizzlies erased a 26-point deficit to stun the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-95 on Thursday and take a 2-1 lead in their NBA playoff series.

Grizzlies shock Timberwolves with epic comeback, Mavs hold off Jazz

The Memphis Grizzlies clawed back from a 26-point deficit to stun the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-95 on Thursday and take a 2-1 lead in their NBA playoff series.

Grizzlies rally to shock Timberwolves in NBA playoffs