Arfield convinced Falkirk 'will shock people' in Premiership
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Reuters
9 minutes ago
- Reuters
Sinner cruises as Wimbledon seeds fall, Krejcikova survives
LONDON, July 1 (Reuters) - World number one Jannik Sinner stayed cool to reach the second round of Wimbledon while several of his fellow seeds including Italian compatriot Lorenzo Musetti and American hope Jessica Pegula crashed and burned on a sizzling Tuesday. Novak Djokovic will continue his bid for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title and standalone 25th Grand Slam title when the 38-year-old Serb will play Frenchman Alexandre Muller later when conditions improve after a second day of stifling heat. A red-hot Sinner effortlessly eased through beating fellow Italian and close friend Luca Nardi 6-4 6-3 6-0 in a victorious return to the Grand Slam stage after his epic French Open final defeat by Carlos Alcaraz last month. "First round matches are never easy, so I'm very happy about today. Obviously, for Italian tennis, a bit unfortunate," Sinner told reporters. "I know him quite well as a person. I tried to put away the friendship for a couple of hours. So it's all good." Sinner's other friend Musetti, last year's semi-finalist, was dumped out by Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili, who prevailed 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-1 on a muggy Court Two. Wimbledon dark horse Alexander Bublik, seeded 28th, was also unable to avoid the exit door, as the Kazakh showman was dragged into battle by Spaniard Jaume Munar and beaten 6-4 3-6 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 to continue the exodus of seeded men's players. Taylor Fritz let out a massive roar but it might as well have been a sigh of relief after the fifth-seeded American moved past big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-7(6) 6-7(8) 6-4 7-6(6) 6-4 in a match carried forward from Monday. His American compatriot Tommy Paul took out Briton Johannus Monday with little fuss, the 13th seed cruising 6-4 6-4 6-2, but it was the end of the road for 30th seed Alex Michelsen who fell 6-2 3-6 6-3 3-6 7-6(6) to Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic. On the women's side, defending champion Barbora Krejcikova was tested by promising 20-year-old Filipina Alexandra Eala, but she found best form to win 3-6 6-2 6-1 on her return to Centre Court after last year's surprise triumph. "I mean, what the hell (kind of tennis) she played in the first set?," said Krejcikova, praising her opponent. "She was smashing the ball and cleaning the lines, so wow, wow. She's going to be really good in a couple of years." While Eala missed her chance to make history, Zeynep Sonmez became the first Turkish woman to reach the second round at the grasscourt Grand Slam when she battled past Romania's Jaqueline Cristian 7-6(5) 6-3. Third seed Pegula was unable to put up a fight as she fell 6-2 6-3 in 58 minutes to Elisabetta Cocciaretto before Olympic champion and fifth seed Qinwen Zheng was beaten 7-5 4-6 6-1 by Czech Katerina Siniakova. Five-times Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek faced a tight opening set against Polina Kudermetova but the eighth seed won 7-5 6-1 while Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva advanced after a 6-3 6-3 victory over Mayar Sherif. Victoria Mboko found out a few hours before she faced Magdalena Frech that she had entered the main draw as a lucky loser due to Anastasia Potapova's pullout and the Canadian teenager rode her luck to stun the 25th seed 6-3 6-2.
The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
Arsenal ‘close to Viktor Gyokeres transfer with Gunners in advanced talks with Sporting after ruling out Benjamin Sesko'
ARSENAL are in advanced talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres after honing in on the Swede over their other target Benjamin Sesko, according to reports. The Gunners have been weighing up their options for a new centre-forward and it would appear they are now focusing on Gyokeres. 3 3 According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Arsenal feel like they are "touching the final line" when it comes to agreeing a deal for the Sporting Lisbon star. While it's also claimed they have already agreed a five-year contract with Gyokeres himself. Gyokeres has found himself trying to force a move away from Sporting this summer after claims that a gentleman's agreement to leave for a cut-price fee between him and the club has not been honoured. Sporting president Federico Varandas has claimed the club are happy to let Gyokeres leave for less than his release clause, but will stand firm when it comes to getting a fair price for the Portuguese league's top scorer. Citing the prices paid for some other players this summer, Varandas told O Jogo: "Sporting does not need to sell him, but we remain sensitive to the dreams of Viktor and any of our athletes. "After weeks of meetings, we are not asking for the release clause and will be reasonable regarding the price we ask for Viktor. Today, I believe there is a strong probability he will leave. 'We have been watching the market and I saw [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, leave for €65million. "I saw Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both forwards but who, in my opinion, do not have Viktor's market value or quality, being negotiated for around €75million. "Given the demands we consider fair, I believe Viktor could leave – unless he has the worst agent in the world, which is hard for me to believe, because he is one of the best footballers in the world." Adding: "I'm not going to say what the price is, the player knows what it is. Arsenal Plot Big Double Transfer For Eberechi Eze and Hugo Ekitike! | Transfers Exposed "I can tell you that Viktor won't leave for €60million plus €10million he won't, he just won't." Meanwhile Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the club's stance has left Gyokeres feeling "betrayed and tired". It's been claimed that Gyokeres has informed Sporting that he won't be returning to the club and has no intention of playing for them again. Gyokeres scored 39 goals in 33 league appearances last season, more than any other player in Europe's top 10 leagues. Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Sesko, but advancements in the Gyokeres deal would likely spell an end to those talks. The Gunners today announced the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on a £5m deal, with the Spanish goalkeeper set to play backup to first choice shot-stopper David Raya next season. While deals for Brentford 's Christian Norgaard and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi are also thought to be on verge of completion. 3
Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Man United 'are offered THREE players for Jadon Sancho' in ambitious swap deal that could see Red Devils finally shift the winger
Manchester United have been offered three players in a potential swap deal for Jadon Sancho, according to a report. Sancho hasn't played for United since publicly falling out with former manager Erik ten Hag in a clash that saw the former England winger hit back after the Dutchman had criticised his training levels. He then went on loan to former side Borussia Dortmund in Germany, before penning a season-long temporary stay at Chelsea that saw the Blues given the option to make it permanent for £25million at the end of the campaign. The London club did, though, decide not to do that, and ended up paying £5m to ensure Sancho would return back to United. He still has one year left remaining on his deal. There has, meanwhile, been no indication that current boss Ruben Amorim has any intention of integrating Sancho back into his squad, and the winger continues to be linked with a move away this summer. Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, the most recent chance for United to get rid of the star involves Juventus offering three players in a potential exchange deal. One of those players is no stranger to the Premier League, with Douglas Luiz having played for Aston Villa between 2019 and 2024, joining from Manchester City. Luiz has seemingly been on the chopping block at the Italian side for a long time, and could well make the move back to the English top flight and join United. It is also reported that the 27-year-old has been mentioned as a potential player in any swap deal for United winger Antony, who spent much of last season on loan in Spain with Real Betis. The second player offered for Sancho, meanwhile, is reportedly Dusan Vlahovic. Vlahovic is for sale in Turin, having scored 17 goals in 44 games last season. In total, he has netted 58 times for Juventus since joining from Fiorentina in 2022. The third and final player is thought to be Timothy Weah. Weah, formerly of Celtic and Lille, is an attack-minded right back and also a regular at international level with the United States. It is reported that United were made aware that all three players are for sale, though it is is unclear if all three would have been involved in a deal for Sancho. The idea is said to have only been raised during negotiations about the Englishman. Juventus are thought to be keen on signing Sancho, with no issues arising over a potential transfer fee. They aren't, though, believed to want to cover Sancho's full £250,000-a-week salary. Last month, meanwhile, it was reported that Sancho had agreed terms with Napoli, but no move materialised. Sancho is hoping to reinvigorate his career but it appears United are struggling to shift him. Despite his past success in Germany, Dortmund are not keen on offering him a route out of Manchester.
