Mosope

Ben Shelton of the United States reacts during the third round singles match against Alexei Popyrin of Australia during day six of the 2023...

Today’s results mean there could be as many as five more first-time quarterfinalists in this year’s Australian Open, including teenage duo Holger Rune and Linda Fruhvirtova. Rune will face Andrey Rublev after the Russian was on form vs. Dan Evans, while the 17-year-old ousted compatriot Marketa Vondrousova with Donna Vekic next. Elsewhere, Grigor Dimitrov made Novak Djokovic sweat before Roberto Bautista Agut ended Andy Murray’s memorable run. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Straightforward victories for most on Day 6, as Fruhvirtova and Shelton big winners” →

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Korda outplays Medvedev, Lehecka downs Norrie, Zhu stuns Sakkari and more on Day 5

January 20, 2023January 20, 2023 Mosope

Sebastian Korda of the United States celebrates after winning a point during the third round singles match against Daniil Medvedev during day five of...

Adelaide 1 finalist and 29th seed Sebastian Korda produced some brilliant ball-striking as he stunned two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev in straight-sets to steal the show on an eventful Day 5 at this year’s Australian Open, with Jiri Lehecka a big winner after some tasty fourth-round ties on the women’s side were confirmed, including Swiatek-Rybakina and Pegula-Krejcikova. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Korda outplays Medvedev, Lehecka downs Norrie, Zhu stuns Sakkari and more on Day 5” →

UFC

Before Jessica Andrade matchup, Lauren Murphy believes Shevchenko isn’t going to win forever

January 20, 2023January 20, 2023 Mosope

Lauren Murphy reacts after the conclusion of her flyweight fight against Miesha Tate during the UFC Fight Night event at UBS Arena on July 16, 2022...

Ahead of her main card matchup against former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade this weekend in Brazil, former title challenger Lauren Murphy spoke about Taila Santos’ split decision defeat by reigning titlist Valentina Shevchenko – whose last display reinforces the belief she’s not untouchable after finding herself in danger against the Brazilian last summer. Continue reading “Before Jessica Andrade matchup, Lauren Murphy believes Shevchenko isn’t going to win forever” →

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Ruud, Zverev and Fritz all stunned, Murray weaves his magic again in epic on Day 4

January 19, 2023January 19, 2023 Mosope

Casper Ruud of Norway reacts in the round two singles match against Jenson Brooksby of the United States during day four of the 2023 Australian Open...

Casper Ruud’s four-set loss to Jenson Brooksby – on a brilliant Day 4 for American players not named Taylor Fritz – marks the first time a Grand Slam’s top two seeds have been knocked out before round three since this very tournament 21 years ago. Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka faces her Major-winning doubles teammate in the next round, Daniel Evans will meet a familiar foe while Andy Murray surpassed his Matteo Berrettini scalp after the longest match of his career.
Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Ruud, Zverev and Fritz all stunned, Murray weaves his magic again in epic on Day 4” →

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: McDonald beats hobbled reigning champ Nadal, Gauff outworks Raducanu on Day 3

January 18, 2023January 19, 2023 Mosope

Rafael Nadal of Spain waves goodbye to the crowd on Rod Laver Arena after losing against Mackenzie McDonald of the United States in his round two...

Reigning Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal was soundly beaten by 27-year-old American Mackenzie McDonald, a straight-sets defeat compounded after straining his left hip flexor deep in set two and severely struggled with subsequent movement. Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari had contrasting wins, Felix Auger-Aliassime recovered from two sets down to beat Alex Molcan while Auckland titlist Coco Gauff won a rocky battle against Emma Raducanu elsewhere. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: McDonald beats hobbled reigning champ Nadal, Gauff outworks Raducanu on Day 3” →

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Murray saves match point against Berrettini, Zverev and Jabeur survive on Day 2

January 17, 2023January 17, 2023 Mosope

Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates winning a point in their round one singles match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy during day two of the...

Andy Murray ended a near five-year long wait to down a top-20 player in a Major, saving a match point en route to outlasting last year’s semifinalist Matteo Berrettini. Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev and Ons Jabeur both survived some uncomfortable situations while volatile weather – from extreme heat to heavy rain – limited play elsewhere during a disrupted Day 2. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Murray saves match point against Berrettini, Zverev and Jabeur survive on Day 2” →

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Kyrgios withdraws, Nadal battles past Draper, Raducanu-Gauff in R2 + more on Day 1

January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 Mosope

Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts after a point against Britain's Jack Draper during their men's singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis...

Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev – last year’s champion and runner-up – won in contrasting circumstances. A genuine title contender withdrew through injury and needs surgery, while Iga Swiatek was pushed by a determined Jule Neimeier, an intriguing contest between Emma Raducanu and Coco Gauff is set for R2 and much more besides. Read on, for Day 1’s round-up. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Kyrgios withdraws, Nadal battles past Draper, Raducanu-Gauff in R2 + more on Day 1” →

NBA

The Wembanyama tank race: What does the Jakob Poeltl contract situation say about San Antonio?

January 15, 2023January 15, 2023 Mosope

Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets goes up for a rebound against Jakob Poeltl of the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter of the game at Barclays...

Jakob Poeltl. The 27-year-old Austrian big man is averaging 11.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game on 62.4 FG% for a rebuilding San Antonio Spurs ball club primed to battle other strugglers in hopes they get the number one draft pick this coming summer. Should they sell high while they have a chance before the deadline, or hold off with bigger plans in mind?
Continue reading “The Wembanyama tank race: What does the Jakob Poeltl contract situation say about San Antonio?” →

UFC

Leon Edwards: Khamzat Chimaev is not the untouchable monster UFC built him to be

January 14, 2023January 15, 2023 Mosope

Khamzat Chimaev speaks to the media following their UFC 279 win on September 9 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards believes unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev has been overvalued by the promotion, and in a recent interview with Michael Bisping, said as much as he prepares for his first title defence against former titlist Kamaru Usman in March.
Continue reading “Leon Edwards: Khamzat Chimaev is not the untouchable monster UFC built him to be” →

Tennis

AUS OPEN 2023: Nadal, Swiatek and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s first Major starts Monday

January 13, 2023January 15, 2023 Mosope

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand shot during a practice session ahead of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2023 in...

2023 brings a new year packed with resolutions, time-specific targets and compelling storylines too. With the year’s first Major tournament set to begin on Monday in Melbourne, here’s a news round-up before the big occasion finally gets underway – from player withdrawals, injury scares, progress reports from recent tournaments and my draw analysis for both tours.
Continue reading “AUS OPEN 2023: Nadal, Swiatek and more in round-up, draw analysis as year’s first Major starts Monday” →

Boxing

Hector Garcia: “I lost the battle but not the war, I’ll continue,” after Gervonta Davis R9 TKO loss

January 12, 2023May 9, 2023 Mosope

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 07: Gervonta Davis walks to his corner at the end of Round 8 against Hector Luis Garcia in their WBA World Lightweight Championship bout at Capital One Arena on January 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

After falling short for the first time in his six-year professional career last weekend, WBA world super-featherweight champion Hector Luis Garcia has offered his first words since the Gervonta Davis defeat and rather than dwelling on things he cannot change, the 31-year-old has now vowed to come back stronger for the experience, back at his natural 130lb weight division. Continue reading “Hector Garcia: “I lost the battle but not the war, I’ll continue,” after Gervonta Davis R9 TKO loss” →

Boxing

2022’s Fight of the Year: Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan – pulsating firefight with a dramatic finish

January 11, 2023May 9, 2023 Mosope

Leigh Wood knocks out Michael Conlan during the WBA World Featherweight Title fight between Leigh Wood and Michael Conlan at Motorpoint Arena...

We’re already into the second week of 2023, but there’s one end-of-year award that feels fitting to reflect upon now as recent news prepares both main event fighters for big opportunities in the first-half of 2023 – one as soon as next month. This one had an electric atmosphere, knockdowns and a 12-round contest ending with a dramatic knockout finish last March. Continue reading “2022’s Fight of the Year: Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan – pulsating firefight with a dramatic finish” →