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☆ Haaland hits new record, but Man City lose top spot to Arsenal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

But Trent Alexander-Arnold drilled in an 80th-minute equaliser with his right foot to deny City a 24th successive home win in all competitions. The result left City on 29 points from 13 games with Liverpool one point behind and Arsenal later claimed a late 1-0 victory at Brentford thanks to Kai Havertz's header. Arsenal leapfrogged Liverpool and City into first place with 30 points. Haaland did what he does best, firing home after Alisson's poor clearance had found its way to Nathan Ake. Not only in the goal -- around the goal, in all situations he was a really important player and a really good game from him," Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said.

Persons: Erling Haaland, Alisson, Andy Cole, Trent Alexander, Arnold, Kai Havertz's, Haaland, Nathan Ake, Alexander, Trent, Juergen Klopp, Aaron Ramsdale, Bryan Mbeumo, Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, Havertz stooped, Mikel Arteta, Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino, Alexander Isak, Raheem Sterling's, Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle's, Thiago Silva, Reece James, Anthony Gordon, Pochettino, Joao Pedro, Lewis Dunk, Jacob Brown, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Premier League, Brentford Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Brentford, Newcastle United, Brighton, Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest, Sunday, Newcastle, Luton Town, Burnley, West Ham United, Bournemouth, Sheffield United, Thomson Locations: Liverpool, Newcastle, Forest, Crystal

☆ Sinner stuns Djokovic then doubles up to send Italy into Davis Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MALAGA, Spain, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Italy returned to the Davis Cup final after a gap of 25 years as Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in both singles and doubles to secure a 2-1 victory over Serbia on Saturday that earned the 1976 champions a title clash with Australia. "It was for sure the game-changer today," Sinner said of his singles heroics at 4-5. "Obviously playing doubles in the decider of a Davis Cup tie is not easy. We are a very complete team and each one of us is really happy to be here. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Pritha Sarkar, Clare Fallon and Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Lorenzo Sonego, Djokovic, Miomir, Martin, Filippo Volandri's, Lleyton Hewitt's, Kecmanovic, Lorenzo Musetti, Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro, Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Musetti, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Pritha Sarkar, Clare Fallon, Toby Davis Organizations: Davis, Serbia, Martin Carpena Arena, Australia, Serbian, ATP, Djokovic, men's, Thomson Locations: MALAGA, Spain, Italy, Serbian, Finland, Netherlands, Bengaluru

☆ Classy Newcastle thrash Chelsea 4-1 as James sees red
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEWCASTLE, England, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak netted on his return from injury, while two quick-fire second-half goals and a late Anthony Gordon strike gave the Magpies a 4-1 Premier League win over 10-man Chelsea at St James' Park on Saturday. Chelsea drew level 10 minutes later as Raheem Sterling was brought down on the edge of the box, and the winger stepped up to drill the resulting free kick past the flat-footed Nick Pope. Newcastle almost went in ahead at the break as a free kick from fullback Kieran Trippier hit the crossbar, but there was little indication of the collapse to come from Chelsea in the second half. Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, slammed his side after a result that leaves them 10th on 16 points, saying it was their worst game of the season. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Pritha Sarkar and Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Chelsea, Isak, Lewis Miley, Raheem Sterling, Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Gordon, Jamaal Lascelles, Robert Sanchez, Joelinton, Thiago Silva, Reece James, Eddie Howe, Howe, Mauricio Pochettino, Pochettino, Philip O'Connor, Pritha Sarkar, Toby Davis Organizations: Newcastle United, Magpies, Premier League, St James, Chelsea, Newcastle, Thomson Locations: NEWCASTLE, England, Chelsea, Newcastle

☆ Australia outclass Finland to return to Davis Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MALAGA, Spain, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Australia reached a second successive Davis Cup final when Alex de Minaur overpowered Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4 6-3 after Alexei Popyrin beat Otto Virtanen 7-6(5) 6-2 to earn the 28-time champions a 2-0 win over Finland on Friday. "Extremely proud moment but I could have not done it without these guys," De Minaur said, pointing to his team. Popyrin, a late switch for the injured Thanasi Kokkinakis, grabbed the first break in the second set when Virtanen hit two successive double faults as Australia sensed an opportunity. "It's nerves that I've never experienced before in my life, the nerves playing the first tie, the first rubber of a Davis Cup, winning my first live rubber of a Davis Cup. De Minaur said Australia would be tricky opponents for any team in the final and tipped the doubles duo of Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell to play a vital role.

Persons: Alex de Minaur, Emil Ruusuvuori, Alexei Popyrin, Otto Virtanen, Lleyton Hewitt's, De Minaur, Alexei hasn't, Popyrin, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Virtanen, I've, Matthew Ebden, Max Purcell, We've, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Toby Davis, Ed Osmond, Ken Ferris Organizations: Davis, Finland, Friday, men's, Finns, Ruusuvuori, Canada, Australia, Thomson Locations: MALAGA, Spain, Australia, Canada, United States, Serbia, Italy, Finland, Malaga, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Fuengirola, Bengaluru

☆ Switzerland to bid for 2030 or 2034 Winter Games
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A view shows the Olympic Rings in front of the Olympic House, headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), during the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Lausanne, Switzerland, March 28, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsGENEVA, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Switzerland on Friday announced it would bid for either the 2030 or 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, which would be the third time the Alpine country has hosted the event. Japan's northern city of Sapporo last month dropped its bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics and said it would consider hosting the Games in 2034 or in subsequent years. According to studies by the IOC's future host commission for Winter Games, only 10 nations would be able to host the snow sports of the Olympic Winter and Paralympic Games by 2040. Switzerland - which hosted the Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz in 1928 and 1948 - has struggled in recent years to get its population behind its Olympic bids.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Jurg Stahl, Urs Lehmann, Moritz, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Noele, Toby Davis Organizations: Rings, Olympic House, International Olympic Committee, REUTERS, Rights, Paralympic Games, Swiss Olympic Association, Olympic, IOC, Swiss, Swiss Ski Association, Games, Winter Games, Swiss Olympic, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Thomson Locations: Lausanne, Switzerland, Salt Lake City, United States, Sweden, France, Japan's, Sapporo, St, Milan

☆ Sinner doubles up as Italy down Netherlands, reach Davis Cup semis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MALAGA, Spain, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Italy's Jannik Sinner won his singles match and paired up with Lorenzo Sonego to claim a doubles victory as the former champions beat the Netherlands 2-1 to book their place in the Davis Cup semi-finals on Thursday. Italy, who won their only Davis Cup title in 1976, will now take on a Serbia side featuring world number one Novak Djokovic or Britain who meet in their quarter-final later on Thursday. The changes worked well for both teams in a high-octane clash but Sinner and Sonego won the crucial points in front of a boisterous crowd to send Italy through. World number four Sinner, who was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the ATP Finals title clash on Sunday, got them back into the quarter-final tie with an impressive display against Griekspoor. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris and Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sinner, Lorenzo Sonego, Sonego, Tallon Griekspoor, Wesley Koolhof, Davis, Novak Djokovic, Botic van de, Matteo Arnaldi, Paul Haarhuis, Jean, Julien Rojer, Filippo Volandri, Simone Bolelli, Arnaldi, Van de Zandschulp, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris, Toby Davis Organizations: Davis, eventual, France, ATP, Griekspoor, Thomson Locations: MALAGA, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Serbia, Bengaluru

☆ Hamilton denies Red Bull talks, accuses Horner of 'stirring'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Horner told the Daily Mail newspaper there had been "several conversations over the years" about Hamilton joining the team who are currently dominant with triple world champion Max Verstappen. Most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest," said the team boss. "SERIOUS TALKS"Horner told the Daily Mail that Hamilton, who has not won a race since 2021, also had talks with Ferrari chairman John Elkann earlier in the year. There were definitely conversations, perhaps with (Ferrari team boss Fred) Vasseur, too. Hamilton, who has said he sees himself at Mercedes "until my last days", denied the Ferrari speculation at the time.

Persons: Lewis Hamilton, Christian Horner, Red Bull Formula, Horner, Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Abu, messaged, I've, Mercedes, Ferrari, Verstappen, Red Bull, John Elkann, Fred, Vasseur, Elkann, Alan Baldwin, Ken Ferris, Toby Davis Organizations: Red Bull, Briton, Mercedes, Daily Mail, Prix, Sky Sports, FIA, Thomson Locations: ABU DHABI, Abu Dhabi, Monaco, London

☆ Formula One trials AI to tackle track limits breaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsABU DHABI, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Formula One's governing body is trialling artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle track limits breaches at this weekend's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Paris-based FIA said it would be using 'Computer Vision' technology that uses shape analysis to work out the number of pixels going past the track edge. By the title-deciding Qatar weekend in October there were eight people assigned to assess track limits and monitor 820 corner passes, with 141 reports sent to race control who then deleted 51 laps. Stewards said this month that their inability to properly enforce track limits violations at turn six was "completely unsatisfactory" and a solution needed to be found before the start of next season. Malyon said the extra Computer Vision layer would reduce the number of potential infringements being considered by the ROC, with still fewer then going on to race control for further action.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, ABU, Abu, Tim Malyon, Malyon, I’ve, Alan Baldwin, Toby Davis Organizations: REUTERS, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, FIA, October's U.S, Prix, Stewards, Computer, Thomson Locations: ABU DHABI, Abu Dhabi Grand, Paris, Qatar, Austin, ROC, London

☆ Gutsy Australia see off Czechs to make Davis Cup semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I've never seen anything like it live," Ebden said of their comeback victory. "I've seen it on TV back in the day, comebacks when your backs are against the wall. But what Alex did to give us the chance to come out here and fight was incredible. We were inside thinking we're one game away from being out of here and ... winning and going to the semi-finals, we couldn't be more proud. Australia were without Thanasi Kokkinakis, who was forced to withdraw from the Finals with an ankle injury.

Persons: deportes Martin, Matthew Ebden, Max Purcell, Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka, Adam Pavlasek REUTERS, Violeta Santos Moura, Jiri Lehecka, Adam Pavlasek, Alex de Minaur, I've, Ebden, Alex, Tomas Machac, Jordan Thompson, Lleyton Hewitt's, Thompson, Machac, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Lehecka, De, De Minaur, that's, I'm, Novak Djokovic's, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Toby Davis Organizations: Australia, Palacio, deportes, deportes Martin Carpena, Czech, Rights, Davis, Novak Djokovic's Serbia, Thomson Locations: Czech Republic, Malaga, Spain, Australia, Finland, Canada, United States, Friday's, Czech, De Minaur, Italy, Netherlands, Thursday's, Bengaluru

☆ Austria outclass Euro 2024 hosts Germany in 2-0 win
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VIENNA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Austria outplayed a toothless Germany to win 2-0 in their friendly on Tuesday, ending their year on a high while piling more pressure on the embattled Euro 2024 hosts who had Leroy Sane sent off early in the second half. Marcel Sabitzer's low drive in the 29th minute put the dominant hosts, who have qualified for the Euros, in front with Germany posing no threat in attack and needing 32 minutes for their first shot on goal. Austria shot out of the blocks and overwhelmed the error-prone Germans with a high-pressing game. While the hosts carved out several chances, including a golden opportunity for Michael Gregoritsch who failed to beat Trapp when one-on-one, Germany had to wait 32 minutes for their first effort towards goal. Germany's disappointing evening was complete when Baumgartner added a second goal, with Austria missing more chances late in the game.

Persons: Leroy Sane, Marcel Sabitzer's, Austria's Christoph Baumgartner, Kevin Trapp, Julian Nagelsmann, Nagelsmann, Michael Gregoritsch, Trapp, Thomas Mueller, Sane, Phillipp, Baumgartner, Karolos, Toby Davis Organizations: Thomson Locations: VIENNA, Austria, Germany, Turkey

☆ Son bags double for South Korea as top sides win in Asian qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Japan, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia all won, while Kuwait and North Korea scored a flurry of goals en route to victories. Australia and Palestine players stood for a minute's silence ahead of their game, which was played in Kuwait due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Son was in top form as South Korea completed back-to-back wins at the start of their challenge for a place at the 2026 finals. Players held a minute's silence ahead of kickoff before Souttar scored the game's only goal with an 18th-minute header. Kuwait, meanwhile, thrashed Afghanistan 4-0 away to move into second place in Group A behind Qatar.

Persons: Korea's Son Heung, Min, Tingshu Wang, Ueda, Heung, Son, Yan Junling, Lee Kang, Jung Seung, Yan, Thais, Suphanat Mueanta, Mano Polking's, Ayase Ueda, Hajime Moriyasu's, Jong Il Gwan, Harry Souttar, Kuwait's Jaber Al, Souttar, Oston Orunov, Igor Sergeev, Mohanad Ali, Jesus Casas, Darren Lok, Amadoni Kamolov, Saudi Arabia's Saleh Al Shehri, Jordan, Abdalla, Ali Mabkhout, Michael Church, Angelica Medina, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, AFC, Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre, REUTERS, China, Japan, North Korea, Thailand, Singapore, North, Syrians, Syria, Palestine, Ahmad, Iraq, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, United, Bahrain, Thomson Locations: China, Republic of Korea, Shenzhen, Republic, Korea's, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, Korea, Myanmar, Syria Australia, Palestine, HONG KONG, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, North, Israel, Syria, Jeddah, North Korea, Yangon, Australia's, Gaza, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Iran, Hong Kong, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Manila, Oman, India, Yemen, Nepal, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Islamabad, Saudi, Afghanistan

☆ Newcastle get green light to loan players from Saudi Pro League - media
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Newcastle United will be allowed to loan players from sides controlled by their Saudi owners in the January transfer window after a vote on a temporary ban on related-party loans did not get enough support from Premier League clubs, British media reported on Tuesday. Thirteen Premier League clubs voted in favour of the temporary ban on loan moves between teams under the same ownership at a shareholders' meeting on Tuesday, the BBC reported, falling one vote short of the number needed for it to be introduced. The vote means that Newcastle, who in October 2021 were acquired by a group led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), will be permitted to loan players from other clubs also owned by the fund. PIF owns majority stakes in the Pro League's "big four" clubs -- Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal -- who signed players including Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Ruben Neves and Neymar in the last transfer window. Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: PIF, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Ruben Neves, Neymar, Anita Kobylinska, Toby Davis Organizations: Newcastle United, Premier League, BBC, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Thomson Locations: Newcastle, Ittihad, Al, Ahli, Hilal, Gdansk

☆ Budimir seals Croatia qualification for Euro 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Borna Sosa's cross from the left was perfect for the forward to get ahead of his marker and score from six yards out. Turkey topped the pool with 17 points from their eight games, one more than Croatia. Wales had to settle for a place in the playoffs, while Armenia's dream had been extinguished before their final game. It is a sixth successive qualification for the continental finals for Croatia, and their seventh overall, having finished second and third at the last two World Cups, but never gone beyond the quarter-finals at the Euros. Croatia had to be patient but when Budimir headed them in front just before the break, it eased the tension and was just reward for their ambition.

Persons: Ante Budimir, Marcelo Del Pozo, Ante Budimir’s, Budimir's, Luka Modric, manfully, Kamo, Dominik Livakovic, Budimir, Modric, Mario Pasalic’s, Nair Tiknizyan, Andre Calisir, Ognjen Cancarevic, Nick Said, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, Copa, Copa del Rey, Real Madrid, Osasuna, Estadio, La, Armenia, Croatia, Wales, Thomson Locations: Copa del, Seville, Spain, Croatia, Germany, Zagreb, Armenia, Turkey

☆ Wimbledon suffers expansion plan blow after council refuses permission
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Naturally, we are disappointed by the London Borough of Wandsworth's decision," Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of the All England Club, said in a statement. A post from the London Borough of Wandsworth on X, formerly Twitter, confirmed the decision: "Wandsworth's planning committee votes to refuse Wimbledon tennis expansion plans." In 2018 the AELTC's 65 million pounds ($81 million) bid for Wimbledon Park Golf Club was accepted by members. The tennis club argues that its expansion plans would actually return private land back to the public. Lawmaker Stephen Hammond, who represents the Wimbledon constituency, said he was pleased Wandsworth had refused the plans.

Persons: Paul Childs, Sally Bolton, Bolton, Stephen Hammond, Wandsworth, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, REUTERS, Wimbledon, England Tennis Club, London Borough, All England, Twitter, Hall, England, Project, Daily Mail, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, London Borough, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Merton, Wandsworth's

☆ France held to 2-2 draw as Greece spoil flawless qualifying campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ATHENS, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Greece came from a goal down to hold France to a 2-2 draw in their final Euro 2024 qualifier in Group B on Tuesday, denying Didier Deschamps' side a perfect record in their qualifying campaign. Randal Kolo Muani scored just before halftime before Greece levelled in the 56th minute through Anastasios Bakasetas and Fotis Ioannidis gave the hosts the lead five minutes later. Deschamps made eight changes to his starting lineup with Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann the only players who started on Saturday when they demolished 10-man Gibraltar 14-0 in a record Euro qualifying win. Greece, Euro 2004 champions, levelled in the 56th minute through midfielder Anastasios Bakasetas, who struck with a volley from outside the box, and Fotis Ioannidis gave Greece the lead five minutes later. France substitute Kylian Mbappe, who ended the qualifying campaign with nine goals, had a last-gasp chance to seal the win but hit the bar deep into stoppage time.

Persons: Didier Deschamps, Randal Kolo Muani, Fotis Ioannidis, Youssouf Fofana, Les Bleus, Deschamps, Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot, Antoine Griezmann, Griezmann, Olivier Giroud teed, Kolo Muani, Anastasios Bakasetas, Fofana, Kingsley Coman, Kylian Mbappe, Anita Kobylinska, Toby Davis Organizations: France, Thomson Locations: ATHENS, Greece, France, Netherlands, Gibraltar, Gdansk

☆ Morocco win but other heavyweights humbled in World Cup qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CAPE TOWN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Ghana and South Africa both suffered embarrassing defeats in World Cup qualification on Tuesday while top contenders Cameroon, Guinea, Senegal and Zambia also found it tough on the road as they all dropped points. On a busy day of 15 matches across the continent, there were also wins for Burkina Faso, the Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia and Uganda. But it was the Comoros, with a population of around a million, and Rwanda, ranked 140 in world football, who tore up the form book in beating Ghana and South Africa respectively. It was Rwanda’s first victory in their last 11 home matches and took them top of Group C, where they lead not only South Africa but also Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The next round of African qualifiers will be played in June, with the continent now turning its focus to January’s Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast.

Persons: Moroni, Myziane Maolida, Innocent Nshuti, Gilbert Mugisha, Patson Daka, Hakim Ziyech, Bertrand Traore, Dango Ouattara, Tunisia’s, Youssef Msakni, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Cameroon, Burkina, Ocean, African, Nations, Rogers Mato, Cape Verde Islands, Niger, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sao Tome, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Ghana, South Africa, Guinea, Senegal, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda, Comoros, Rwanda, Cameroon, Africa, Butare, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Togo, Botswana, Somalia, Libya, Mauritius, Angola, Cape, Eswatini, Qatar, Tanzania, Dar, Lilongwe, Sao Tome e Principe, Ivory Coast, Cape Town

☆ Djokovic destroys Sinner to win record seventh ATP Finals title
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TURIN, Nov 19 (Reuters) - A ruthless Novak Djokovic destroyed home favourite Jannik Sinner to win the ATP Finals title for a record seventh time on Sunday -- reaching yet another milestone in his incredible career. A sell-out crowd in Turin's Pala Alpitour had hoped to cheer the 22-year-old Sinner to the biggest title of his career but Djokovic was simply in a different league. At one point Djokovic won 14 points in a row against a player ranked fourth in the world before Sinner briefly slowed the march of the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Djokovic also failed to convert break points that would have given him a 5-2 lead as a few errors crept into his game. The crowd tried their best to energise their man but Djokovic moved on towards victory and a Sinner double fault ended the contest.

Persons: Novak, Turin's Pala Alpitour, Djokovic, Sinner, Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefan, Tara, I've, Jannik, Carlos, Spain's, Holger Rune, ender, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: ATP, Thomson Locations: TURIN, Turin's, Saturday's

☆ Di Giannantonio takes Qatar GP win, Bagnaia extends championship lead
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Victory marked a special weekend for Di Giannantonio, who also finished second in Saturday's sprint . I was struggling with the front (tyre) but I saw Pecco (Bagnaia) making little mistakes," a grinning Di Giannantonio said in a post-race interview. Bagnaia lost the lead with four laps to go but the Ducati rider has still put one hand on the rider's championship after extending his lead over Martin to 21 points. Up front, Di Giannantonio did not let up. "We managed to do a perfect start, I tried to create a gap but Diggia (Di Giannantonio) was incredible.

Persons: Racing's Fabio Di Giannantonio, Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin, Di Giannantonio, Bagnaia, Luca Marini, It's, Martin, Marini, Marc Marquez, Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo, Jack Miller, Giannantonio, we've, Jorge, Rohith Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Qatar, Prix, MotoGP, Circuit, VR46 Racing, Ducati, Thomson Locations: LUSAIL, Qatar, Bengaluru

☆ Cummins says World Cup triumph pinnacle of Australia's stellar year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AHMEDABAD, India, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Australia skipper Pat Cummins said Sunday's World Cup final win over India that earned his nation a record-extending sixth title in the format marked the pinnacle of a spectacular 2023 season for the team. "That's huge, I think that's the pinnacle of international cricket, winning a one-day World Cup. And yeah, it's just the whole cricket world stops with this World Cup. To win a World Cup in India, it's been a fantastic eight weeks. The World Cup's got such rich history, I'm sure it's going to be around for a long time," Cummins added.

Persons: Pat Cummins, Rohit Sharma's, Cummins, It's, it's, Mitchell Starc, masterminding, Pat, Starc, That's, gee, Australia's, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Toby Davis Organizations: India, Cummins, England, Australia, Thomson Locations: AHMEDABAD, India, Australia, Ahmedabad

☆ McLennan replaced by Herbert as Rugby Australia chairman in boardroom coup
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

New Australia rugby union coach Eddie Jones poses with Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan and CEO Andy Marinos after his first news conference since his reappointment, which was held at Matraville Sports High School, in Sydney, Australia January 31, 2023. REUTERS/Nick Mulvenney/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Hamish McLennan was replaced as chairman of Rugby Australia (RA) by former Wallabies centre Dan Herbert late on Sunday as the fallout from the country's early World Cup exit continued to reverberate. McLennan, a successful businessman who had overseen the hiring of Eddie Jones to run the ill-fated World Cup campaign, immediately resigned from the board. "Australia will host the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025, the Men's 2027 Rugby World Cup and the Women's 2029 Rugby World Cup and the 2032 Olympic Games," he added. RA paid tribute to McLennan's role in helping the game get through the COVID pandemic, which brought the governing body close to bankruptcy, and in securing the hosting of the men's and women's World Cups.

Persons: Eddie Jones, Hamish McLennan, Andy Marinos, Nick Mulvenney, Dan Herbert, McLennan, Herbert, Jones, Dave Rennie, Phil Waugh, Rugby Australia's, Toby Davis Organizations: New Australia rugby, Rugby Australia, Matraville Sports High School, REUTERS, Rights, Wallabies, Australia, New South Wales Rugby Union, Australian Capital Territory, ACT, Super Rugby, Irish Lions, Rugby, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, England, Queensland

Snowballs of Paris 2024 Olympics and a miniature of the Eiffel Tower are displayed at the official store during the Paralympic Day at Place de la Republique, Paris, France October 8, 2023. "If we don't have commitments at the beginning of 2024, then in January, February, March, April, we will take action," CGT union representative Celine Verzeletti told Reuters. The French government and the Paris 2024 organising committee did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. France's Alliance police union this week gave the government a Dec. 31 deadline to respond to its demands. State-owned transport operator RATP has also started talks with workers, offering daily extra payments of 15 euros, according to French media reports.

Persons: Sarah Meyssonnier, Celine Verzeletti, Stanislas Guerini, Verzeletti, Emmanuel Macron's, David Leyraud, Tassilo Hummel, Toby Davis Organizations: Eiffel, Republique, REUTERS, Rights, CGT, Reuters, Labour, Games, Paris, France's Alliance police, Alliance, France, HP, State, Thomson Locations: Paris, France

☆ Sainz hit with Las Vegas grid drop after drain damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Formula One F1 - Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S - November 16, 2023 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. walks into the pits REUTERS/Mike Blake Acquire Licensing RightsLAS VEGAS, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Ferrari's Carlos Sainz will have a 10 place grid penalty at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a loose drain cover wrecked his car and forced the cancellation of Thursday's opening practice. Race stewards turned down the Italian team's request for penalty-free repairs because they said they were obliged to apply the regulations as written. "I think it's tough for a team to arrive in Vegas and to have this kind of incident," he said. First practice lasted only eight minutes before Sainz's Ferrari hit the drain cover in a storm of sparks. "You've got to say that's force majeure, that's nothing of their own doing," he told Sky Sports television.

Persons: Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr, Mike Blake, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, Spaniard Sainz, Ferrari, Fred Vasseur, Sainz's Ferrari, McLaren, Zak Brown sympathised, You've, Alan Baldwin, Toby Davis Organizations: Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip, LAS VEGAS, Ferrari, Sky Sports, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Vegas, London

[1/5] Formula One F1 - Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S - November 16, 2023 Stewards use a crane to remove the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz Jr. after the cancellation of the first practice session due to a drain cover that came off the asphalt and hit the car. The survival cell, engine, battery and control electronics were all damaged beyond repair during an incident that Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur called "unacceptable." "I think it's tough for a team to arrive in Vegas and to have this kind of incident," he said as mechanics rebuilt Sainz's car. read moreAlpine driver Esteban Ocon's chassis also needed to be replaced due to damage but he too returned for second practice. The sessions along the transformed Strip marked F1's return to Las Vegas for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Persons: Carlos Sainz Jr, Sainz, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Frederic Vasseur, Esteban Ocon's, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Valtteri, Alfa Romeo, Red, Max Verstappen, Verstappen, I've, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, I'm, Vasseur, McLaren, Zak Brown, Toto Wolff, Wolff, Leclerc, Haas, Nico Hulkenberg, Kevin Magnussen, Rory Carroll, Alan Baldwin, Miral Fahmy, Toby Davis Organizations: Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip, VEGAS, Ferrari, FIA, Aston, Alfa, Briton, Liberty, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Vegas, Qatar, Las Vegas, Monaco, Baku, Los Angeles, London

☆ Lebanon and Palestine draw 0-0 in World Cup qualifier held in UAE
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 16 (Reuters) - Palestine drew 0-0 with Lebanon on Thursday in a World Cup qualifier played without fans in the United Arab Emirates due to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Despite starting official training only four days ago, the Palestinians started the game well. Karim Darwich missed a good chance for Lebanon three minutes into the second half and Palestine, ranked 94th by FIFA, had a Tamer Seyam shot saved by Lebanon goalkeeper Moustafa Matar. Lebanon's Ali Al Haj shot into the side netting after 87 minutes before Matar saved Oday Dabbagh's close-range shot with his out-stretched leg in the final minute. The Palestinians usually host games at Al-Ram's Faisal Al-Husseini Stadium on the West Bank but they will meet Australia next in Kuwait on Nov. 21.

Persons: Hassan Maatouk, Atta Gaber, Karim Darwich, Moustafa Matar, Lebanon's Ali Al Haj, Matar, Oday Dabbagh's, Ram's Faisal Al, Ashraf Hamed Atta, Toby Davis Organizations: United, Palestinian, FIFA, Al, West Bank, Australia, Thomson Locations: Palestine, Lebanon, Emirates, Israel, Gaza, Beirut, Sharjah, Asia, Kuwait

☆ Australia kick off 2026 qualifying with 7-0 rout of Bangladesh
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Australia kicked off Asia's second round of World Cup qualifying with a 7-0 demolition of Bangladesh on Thursday as Graham Arnold celebrated a record 59th 'A' international as Socceroos coach. "Overall it was a good performance but I think we still need to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal," Arnold told reporters. Australia face Palestine in Kuwait next week, their next step on the road to the 2026 finals in North America. Thursday's match also marked the 50th anniversary of Australia sealing qualification for the 1974 World Cup, the nation's first appearance at the global showpiece. Australia are bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the seventh time, and sixth time in succession, having reached the round of 16 at last year's tournament in Qatar.

Persons: Graham Arnold, Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Duke, Arnold, Harry, Craig Goodwin, Brandon Borrello, Connor Metcalfe, Mitul Marma, Duke, Metcalfe, Borrello, Maclaren, Jordan Bos, pouncing, Massimo Luongo, pinged, Lewis Miller, Kusini Yengi, Luongo, Aiden O’Neill, Frank Farina, Ian Ransom, Andrew Heavens, Toby Davis Organizations: MELBOURNE, Socceroos, 183rd, Melbourne, Thomson Locations: Australia, Bangladesh, Palestine, Kuwait, North America, Qatar, Melbourne

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