Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Spurred on by boisterous French fans in the crowd, 2020 Australian Open junior runner-up Arthur Cazaux kept his cool under pressure and produced a fantastic display with ball-striking variation and persistence to outsmart eighth seed Holger Rune in four sets during their second-round contest – reiterating how another breakthrough youngster has risen into prominence over recent months. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2024: Arthur Cazaux makes big surprise splash at Holger Rune’s expense”
Riding a two-fight win streak, Quebec-born featherweight Charles Jourdain will make his first appearance at home in Canada come Saturday night against Sean Woodson on the UFC 297 prelims. Knowing better opportunities lay ahead should he continue winning, the 28-year-old can’t afford to get distracted here. Continue reading “Featherweight Charles Jourdain knows composure key in UFC 297 homecoming”
Multiple ball clubs were interested in Toronto’s All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, yet it was the Indiana Pacers who put up the requisite assets needed to complete what has turned into a three-team trade for him. Considering they’ve already got key big man Myles Turner and a burgeoning star in Tyrese Haliburton to complement him, will it work out in the long-run? Continue reading “Pacers’ Pascal Siakam pursuit shows change in strategy, but will it pay off?”
Andy Murray departed the Australian Open with a painful whimper on Monday, two other former champions have decisions to make after early exits elsewhere but the former world no. 1’s dilemma feels more pressing as retirement lingers. Meanwhile, the media adulation for a returning Emma Raducanu must be tempered if she’s to blossom as many expected would happen much sooner. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2024: Murray must regroup again, Raducanu back refreshed and more”
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka experienced contrasting starts to their respective Australian Open title defences on Day 1 this year, where Croatian teenage qualifier Dino Prizmic pushed his idol to unexpected waters in a four-hour battle on Rod Laver to kick off the night session. Sabalenka meanwhile, will hope to produce more of the same devastating hitting given her draw… Continue reading “Australian Open 2024: Djokovic-Prizmic thrilled, Kyrgios’ media musings and more”
Magomed Ankalaev promised a statement showing and delivered a beautiful second-round knockout finish of Johnny Walker in their light-heavyweight main event, extending his unbeaten streak to 12 before calling for a shot at Alex Pereira’s newly-earned UFC title. Elsewhere, there were big wins for Brunno Ferreira, Mario Bautista and lightweight veteran Jim Miller on the main card. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 84: Ankalaev stakes claim for LHW title shot after R2 KO win vs. Walker”
World no. 1 Novak Djokovic looks to make more history at the Major where he’s been most successful during his illustrious career, while Aryna Sabalenka returns to the scene of her career-best achievement twelve months ago knowing no woman has successfully defended their title since Serena Williams in 2014. Judging by the draws, completed yesterday, it’s easy to see why. Continue reading “Australian Open 2024: Draw analysis, storylines as year’s first Major beckons”
One-time title challenger Magomed Anklaev and the unpredictable Johnny Walker are both talking a good game ahead of Saturday’s Fight Night main event at light-heavyweight, but which contender will reign supreme once and for all this time around to banish the controversy from their UFC 294 matchup? Continue reading “Ankalaev-Walker rematch headlines UFC Vegas 84 – both are saying the right things”
Trae Young hit some clutch free-throws, Dejounte Murray added 25 and the Atlanta Hawks held their poise to outlast a short-handed Philadelphia 76ers team at home. Yet Wednesday night’s overtime win belonged to small forward Jalen Johnson (25 pts, 16 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks), who shone when called upon in ways many hadn’t come to expect from the third-year man. Continue reading “Jalen Johnson hails team chemistry, Hawks outlast Embiid-less 76ers in OT”
A strained calf and toe sprain have sidelined Jimmy Butler for eight games and counting, but the Miami Heat star remains optimistic about the immediate future and is encouraged he’s feeling less pain now than has been the case across two issues in a month. Just don’t ask him about his unavailability through injury deeming him ineligible to win end-of-season awards, mind. Continue reading “Jimmy Butler happy to close in on injury return, unbothered by awards ineligibility”
.jpg)
I spoke to world champion boxing coach Manny Robles last week after he was announced as the new coach of LA Elite in the Team Combat League about a variety of topics: ranging from why he decided to explore a new venture in an ever-changing sport, his corner work for Rafael Espinoza’s stunning world title win over Robeisy Ramirez to an overview of 2024 and much more besides. Continue reading “Exclusive: Manny Robles interview – 2024 plans, predictions after coaching Rafael Espinoza’s world featherweight title win”
Riding a five-fight win streak since their main event ended abruptly after an accidental eye poke rendered him unable to continue, #2 welterweight Belal Muhammad has persistently poked Leon Edwards who now holds UFC championship gold three years later. If he gets his long-awaited wish at a title shot as expected, the 35-year-old cannot underperform as Colby did last month. Continue reading “Belal barking up an Edwards-shaped storm that very soon, he’ll have to back up”
Mo and Sports 