Sports & Casinos UK

‘Servebot’ fires down 25 aces to beat British playerKatie Boulter into third round after win over TausonJack Draper suffered a tough defeat in his opening match at the Miami Open as he could do little to ­neutralise a dominant serving performance from Reilly Opelka, who fired down 25 aces in two sets en route to a 7-6(3), 7-6(0) win.The defeat is a difficult setback for Draper, the 25th seed, as he ­continues to navigate the early stages of his return to competition from a bone bruise injury that forced him off the tour for seven months. Miami is just the third ATP tournament of his comeback. Continue reading...

Clot appeared in his arm after injection in wrong place‘I will never let the devil stop me from getting a gold’On a night of dizzying speed and freakish drama, track and field found itself a new sprint sensation. It came in the form of Jordan Anthony, a 21-year-old American with one heck of a story, along with the first global gold medal around his neck.“The devil is always going to try, but I will never let him stop me from getting a gold medal,” he said after winning one of the great world indoor championships 60m races of all time in 6.41secs, the fourth-fastest time in history. Continue reading...

Former boxing world champion’s cause of death was hanging but his intention was unclear, inquest concludesA coroner has said she “cannot be satisfied” that British former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton intended to take his own life.Hatton, 46, was found dead in his home on 14 September, with the inquest concluding that the official cause of his death was hanging.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

Everton manager: ‘I don’t think they have explained it well enough’Anger at Everton over perceived double standardsDavid Moyes has called on the Premier League to provide a fuller explanation of why Chelsea were not deducted points for breaking financial rules under the ownership of Roman Abramovich.Everton were deducted 10 points in November 2023, reduced to six on appeal, plus a further two points later that season for breaches of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). Nottingham Forest were deducted four points that season for a PSR breach. The Premier League had argued for a 12-point deduction for Everton over the first offence – a breach of £19.5m over a three-year period – and an eight point deduction for Forest. Continue reading...

Jefferson hurt left ankle on untidy early landingMiami (Ohio)’s charmed season ended by TennesseeKentucky reach second round after OT thrillerIowa State forward Joshua Jefferson sprained his left ankle in the opening minutes of the second-seeded Cyclones’ 108-74 rout of No 15 seed Tennessee State on Friday, leaving the All-American’s status in question for the rest of the NCAA Tournament.The Cyclones’ second-leading scorer and top rebounder did not appear to be touched as he drove the lane for an open layup. But his entire 240lb body came down on his left ankle as it turned beneath him, and Jefferson immediately dropped to the floor in front of the Iowa State bench as a hush came over a crowd filled with Cyclones fans. Continue reading...

Record signing has been injured since DecemberSalah to miss Saturday’s league match at BrightonArne Slot has confirmed Alexander Isak will be available for Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain as he nears recovery from a fractured leg.The £125m British-record signing has not played since 20 December and has yet to resume full training but, in a boost to Liverpool’s prospects of overcoming the European champions, he is on schedule to feature when the teams meet at the Parc des Princes on 8 April. Isak will clearly not be ready to start after almost four months out but will offer Slot an option from the bench. Continue reading...

‘Years without a trophy, it adds more drive’Manager not revealing if Arrizabalaga will playMikel Arteta has urged Arsenal supporters to “attack the final” alongside his players when they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.The Premier League leaders remain in contention for four trophies this season but almost six years have passed since they last lifted major silverware, when Arteta won the FA Cup in his first season in charge. “When you have been in this position and [gone] years without winning a trophy obviously it adds more necessity, but as well more drive because you really want it and that’s something that we have,” said the Arsenal manager. “That is something really important for us and something that we’ve been trying to achieve for a while, and I know we have the opportunity to do it.” Continue reading...

Bath 62-15 SaracensFinn Russell kicks 17 points and Arundell scores twiceChampions Bath left no doubt about their appetite for another title as they swept Saracens aside 62-15 at the Rec to regain top spot. The Londoners started brightly and did not lack effort but Bath’s killer instinct earned them nine tries in front of another capacity crowd.Scotland’s Finn Russell kicked 17 points from seven conversions and a penalty. Russell and the club captain, Ben Spencer, were straight back into action after ultimately frustrating Six Nations campaigns with their respective countries. Continue reading...

Under Friday night lights, Manchester United stumbled. A day to remember for Harry Maguire became a night of regret when he was shown a red card during a madcap second-half flurry of own goals, gaffes and disputed penalties. Twice United had the lead against Bournemouth, twice they were soon pegged back. Eli Junior Kroupi’s penalty snatched yet another draw for Andoni Iraola’s Premier League specialists, the fifth in succession, their 15th this season; the record is 18.That made it six games in succession United have failed to beat Bournemouth, a side they continue to struggle with. Michael Carrick’s regime have changed plenty for the better over 10 games but here came a disorderly echo of a troubled recent past, a stall in the Champions League chase. Continue reading...

Team says ‘timing just didn’t work out’ for visitNo NBA team has visited during a Trump presidencyThe reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder will not visit the White House during their trip to the nation’s capital this weekend.A Thunder spokesperson confirmed Friday that a “timing issue” will prevent the team from making the traditional appearance. Oklahoma City face the Wizards in Washington on Saturday. Continue reading...