Archives, Specials

Australian Open 2022: Nadal recovers to beat Medvedev in five-hour marathon, seals 21st Major

Spain's Rafael Nadal holds the trophy after winning against Russia's Daniil Medvedev in their men's singles final match on day fourteen of the...

Six months out injured, unsure if he would even be playing this tournament. Down two sets to love, seemingly out and physically drained. Rafael Nadal refused to lose faith, fighting his way back to produce a remarkable comeback and beat US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in an epic Grand Slam Final lasting more than five hours. Not a bad way to clinch a 21st Major title. Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Nadal recovers to beat Medvedev in five-hour marathon, seals 21st Major”

Archives, Specials

Australian Open 2022: Barty secures third Major, first home champion in 44 years

Australia's Ashleigh Barty poses with the trophy after victory in her womens singles final match against Danielle Collins of the US on day thirteen...

This wasn’t vintage tennis but didn’t need to be. World no. 1 Ashleigh Barty recovered from a 5-1 second set deficit to overcome Danielle Collins in straight-sets (6-3, 7-6), clinching a heavily-anticipated home Major for Australia and doing so without dropping a set all tournament long. Continue reading “Australian Open 2022: Barty secures third Major, first home champion in 44 years”

Archives, Specials

2021’s Sleeper Fight of the Year: Jermell Charlo vs Brian Castano – an action-packed duel

Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano exchange punches during their Super Welterweight fight at AT&T Center on July 17, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. The...

As almost all media outlets and respected journalists have completed their end-of-year awards for combat sports in 2021, a pulsating title unification bout surprisingly not getting a lot of love in the Fight of the Year category is Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano – which easily exceeded expectations, had a surprising result and a rematch is already slated for February 26, 2022. Continue reading “2021’s Sleeper Fight of the Year: Jermell Charlo vs Brian Castano – an action-packed duel”

Archives, Specials

2022 must be about less talk and more action for returning Keith Thurman

Keith Thurman works out for members of the media ahead of his fight against Manny Pacquiao on July 20th at St Pete Boxing Club on July 10, 2019 in St...

Former unified welterweight world champion Keith Thurman has already outlined his ambitious plans for a big 2022, three bouts in the new year – starting on PPV against Mario Barrios in early February. However, after his previous comments on a planned comeback proved premature, how much stock should we truly buy ahead of his long-awaited return? Continue reading “2022 must be about less talk and more action for returning Keith Thurman”

Archives, Specials

Tyrese Haliburton’s recent surge shows Sacramento have long-term puzzle to consider

Tyrese Haliburton of the Sacramento Kings celebrates with teammates Terence Davis and Maurice Harkless after a play in the second quarter against the...

Tyrese Haliburton has now recorded six games with 20+ points this season — five have come since December 17, with franchise guard De’Aaron Fox missing four outings during that stretch after entering the league’s health and safety protocols. Given the startling statistics with and without his backcourt partner, do Sacramento have a potential long-term issue on their hands? Continue reading “Tyrese Haliburton’s recent surge shows Sacramento have long-term puzzle to consider”

Archives, Specials

After a productive 2021, Belal Muhammad seizing his chance in flimsy 170lb division

Belal Muhammad has his hands wrapped prior to his fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After logging a productive 2021 in the Octagon, Belal Muhammad has now entered rarefied air at 170lbs – the welterweight’s top five rankings. Having called out rising two-weight star Khamzat Chimaev as well as a rematch against Leon Edwards after their short-notice date ended with an inadvertent eye poke in March, it feels like the 33-year-old will soon get his wish. Continue reading “After a productive 2021, Belal Muhammad seizing his chance in flimsy 170lb division”

Archives, Specials

Johanna Konta’s retirement: Injuries don’t cloud her legacy as Britain’s tireless hope

Johanna Konta of Great Britain celebrates her victory against Simona Halep of Romania in their Ladies' Singles Quarter Final Match at Wimbledon on...

Having announced her retirement on Dec. 1, Britain’s Johanna Konta – a three-time Major semi-finalist and former world no. 4 – was plagued by troublesome injuries and some streaky form, underselling the country’s greatest hope in the women’s game across the last decade and more. Here, I look back as the 30-year-old waved goodbye quietly before the new year. Continue reading “Johanna Konta’s retirement: Injuries don’t cloud her legacy as Britain’s tireless hope”

Archives, Specials

Ja Morant is right to feel hurt, but Memphis must show their star some love

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies stands during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 20, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee....

Memphis Grizzlies’ franchise star Ja Morant returned from a 12-game absence on Monday, but the 22-year-old point guard was hurt by heckling home fans courtside who suggested he “sit back out,” en route to their 102-99 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder – amidst a deep dive into whether they’re actually a more efficient unit without his ball-dominant tendencies. Continue reading “Ja Morant is right to feel hurt, but Memphis must show their star some love”

Archives, Specials

Sergio Aguero’s abrupt retirement, aged 33, is upsetting but tinged with relief

Kun Aguero of FC Barcelona announces his retirement from football due to a heart condition during a press conference at Nou Camp on December 15, 2021...

Less than six months into his Catalan adventure, Manchester City’s all-time top goalscorer wept during the announcement as he explained what we’ve known for a few weeks now: having to retire prematurely with a heart condition. But as we reflect on his greatest moments and angrily wonder what could’ve been, I’m relieved he’s okay at a time where nothing is certain. Continue reading “Sergio Aguero’s abrupt retirement, aged 33, is upsetting but tinged with relief”

Archives, Specials

Fury’s camp posturing over Whyte title defence shows why the best often hibernate

Mark Tibbs and Dillian Whyte are seen in the ring after the British Curiserweight Title fight between Richard Riakporhe and Jack Massey at York Hall...

Needless posturing about a prospective title defence against domestic rival Dillian Whyte next year by co-promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren surrounding Tyson Fury’s homecoming has only served to shine a light on why The Gypsy King’s resume remains flimsy at the highest level – as well as why the bulk of the world’s best often hibernate much longer than they should. Continue reading “Fury’s camp posturing over Whyte title defence shows why the best often hibernate”

Archives, Specials

Paolo Banchero, Duke and the all-important question still to be answered

Julien Soumaoro of the Gardner Webb Runnin' Bulldogs defends Paolo Banchero of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of their game at Cameron...

Through four appearances to start the new season, Duke’s 6’10 power forward star Paolo Banchero is averaging 17 points on 62.5% shooting and 8.5 rebounds per game. Seeded ninth in the ACC, they are unbeaten (5-0) at the time of writing. But as they look towards an uncertain future in the months ahead, will their Seattle-born five-star recruit be allowed to flourish? Continue reading “Paolo Banchero, Duke and the all-important question still to be answered”

Archives, Specials

Anett Kontaveit astonished by top 10 rankings surge, but she really shouldn’t be

Anett Kontaveit of Estonia competes in her women's final match against Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia during on Day Seven of the VTB Kremlin Cup at...

Having sown the seeds for her progression last year with new career-high Grand Slam finishes in Melbourne and Flushing Meadows, Estonian rising star Anett Kontaveit [9] is said to be in disbelief after surpassing Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur to officially qualify for next week’s WTA Finals – another career first as her resume continues to blossom. There’s no reason she should be. Continue reading “Anett Kontaveit astonished by top 10 rankings surge, but she really shouldn’t be”