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French wildcard Lois Boisson shocks third seed Jessica Pegula at French Open

French wildcard Lois Boisson shocks third seed Jessica Pegula at French Open

Boisson's only real claim to fame prior to this year's tournament was being the player Britain's Harriet Dart complained to an umpire about, saying 'tell her to wear deodorant'.
But she came up smelling of roses on Monday afternoon after a famous win in the French capital.
It was an emotional victory for Boisson, who was due to make her debut in Paris last year only to suffer a serious knee injury a fortnight before the tournament which kept her out of action for nine months.
She will meet Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, the sixth seed, in the last eight.

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With questions over many I have every confidence in my massive 14-1 Epsom Derby NAP
With questions over many I have every confidence in my massive 14-1 Epsom Derby NAP

Scottish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

With questions over many I have every confidence in my massive 14-1 Epsom Derby NAP

It looks like this one could be written in the stars MATT CHAPMAN With questions over many I have every confidence in my massive 14-1 Epsom Derby NAP Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Aga wins the Aga Derby. That's fairytale stuff, isn't it? I'm not so sure. I'm talking, of course, about Midak, one of the French raiders supplemented into Saturday's Group 1 Betfred Derby, the world's most famous Classic beamed to you live on ITV. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Kings of Epsom - Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien - have an obvious chance with Delacroix... but I don't think they'll win the Derby Credit: PA Derby Day should always be something special for anyone who loves the thoroughbred. For many it's the ultimate test of the Flat racehorse, and it has tested the best. Winners like Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Nashwan and Sea The Stars... as well as those in defeat like Dancing Brave and El Gran Senor. The twists and turns are one thing, the stamina test over a mile and a half of the Epsom Downs another. Will he stay? That will be the question many ask about the majority of today's runners. It's certainly a doubt for 2,000 Guineas hero Ruling Court, who was hardly mentioned after being chased home by fast-finishing Field of Gold at HQ. Could it just be Ruling Court was the best horse for William Buick and Charlie Appleby? Time will tell. Delacroix really should stay for the Derby King of Trainers, Aidan O'Brien. But Ballysax and Leopardstown Derby Trial victor Delacroix is by Dubawi. In itself that is no bad thing. But the super stallion has had nine runners to date in seven different editions of the Derby and none of them has finished in the first four. Dubawi himself ran in the 2005 Derby, eventually going down eight lengths to Motivator. That was six years after his sire, Dubai Millennium, met the only defeat of his career when sent off the favourite for the Derby. Pride of Arras has only raced twice but looked very useful when romping home from Damysus in a slowly run Dante at York which saw The Lion In Winter pull his chance away in the first two furlongs. Ralph Beckett's challenger, ridden by Hector Crouch, is bred to stay and could be the real deal for owner-breeder Mrs David Aykroyd. Her colours are also carried by Amiloc, who hacked up at Goodwood the other day but can't run here as he's been gelded. Lambourn is a similar type to Los Angeles who ran well behind stable companion City of Troy last year. Another O'Brien raider, Lambourn is proven over further having landed the Chester Vase but he was beaten by Delacroix in the Ballysax. The other I want to mention, before I get on to Midak, is Stanhope Gardens, who is another for Beckett and has always appeared to be a Derby type. Last season Stanhope Gardens was only beaten a neck by Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket. That puts him bang in the mix. The son of Ghaiyyath is bred to stay well and had effectively a racecourse gallop at Salisbury the other day when winning an event put on especially for him. But let's get back to my French fancy Midak. 2 Mickael Barzalona celebrates riding Pour Moi to victory in Derby - and I think he'll be doing the same on Midak... though maybe not quite so early! Credit: PA:Empics Sport He runs in the colours of Aga Khan Studs SCEA in a Derby run in memory of His Highness Aga Khan IV. That means he carries the green and red silks that have been worn at Epsom by legends like Shergar, Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand. So, naturally, a Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Midak victory would be fairytale stuff under Mickaël Barzalona, who won this on Pour Moi in 2011. Midak is out of a mare by Sinndar and is already very useful. My hope is unbeaten in three races and his form suggests he's a solid, improving Group 2 horse, having scored well over an extended 1m2f at Saint-Cloud last time. He kept on well that day suggesting this trip would suit and of course he's bred for it. 'He's definitely a horse improving with his races and will definitely get the trip,' explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs. 'We're not sure on his form lines and how it stacks up, but all he can do is win and he's won every start. 'He's going to have to handle the track and he's a big horse with a big, long stride. Mickael Barzalona thinks he will handle the track because he's well balanced. 'We would be very happy to see him finish in the first three or even first five, but he is a bit of an unknown quantity and he does everything easily at home. It's a little bit of a shot in the dark, but we thought it was worth it.' It's the type of Derby to simply 'have a go'. And there would be no more poignant victory than one for Midak. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

'I love that club so much' - Lille star wants Man Utd transfer
'I love that club so much' - Lille star wants Man Utd transfer

Metro

time2 hours ago

  • Metro

'I love that club so much' - Lille star wants Man Utd transfer

Lille defender Thomas Meunier has declared his love for Manchester United, saying he'd cycle all the way to England to complete the transfer. The Belgium international right-back has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund. Meunier, who joined French club Lille in July 2024, has never tested himself in the Premier League – but if he could – he'd move straight to Old Trafford. At the age of 33, it seems unlikely that the defender's dream of playing for United will come true but that hasn't stopped him from being a huge fan. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Meunier, capped 69 times by his country, told Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen: 'If they (Man Utd) ever ask me, I'll cycle there! 'But maybe it's better this way. Suppose I play there and have a bad time. I wouldn't want to hate Manchester United, because I love that club so much. 'I went to watch them a few weeks ago, against Bilbao. In with the fans, singing, à fond (fully). 'Je suis un vrai. (I am a real one). I go to watch them at least once every season. 'But of all the home games I've seen in all those years, they've only won two. You have to have a self cruelty side to be a United supporter, right?' It's not the first time Meunier has spoken of his admiration for United, also doing so when linked with a transfer back in 2019 when he was at PSG. During that interview, Meunier described United as a 'beautiful' and 'exceptional' club. Three years ago, Meunier once again had his heart set on a move to United but it never materialised and he ended up staying at Dortmund instead. Meunier has enjoyed success with a number of other clubs despite never playing for his beloved United. He won the Belgian Cup and Belgian Pro League with Club Brugge in 2015 and 2016 respectively. More Trending During his four-year stint at PSG from 2016 to 2020, Meunier clinched three Ligue 1 titles and two Coupe de France trophies. After a Champions League runner-up finish with PSG in 2020, he moved to Dortmund, helping the Bundesliga side land the German Cup in 2021. Following his four-year spell with Dortmund, Meunier had a brief stint at Turkish club Trabzonspor before joining Lille just over 12 months ago. He was named in the Marca/Forbes World Cup All-Star team in 2018, having helped Belgium to a third-placed finish at the tournament. MORE: Ange Postecoglou warned by former Tottenham star over Daniel Levy silence MORE: Ray Parlour tells 'great' Chelsea star to snub shock Arsenal transfer MORE: Man Utd make new Bryan Mbeumo offer with final warning to Brentford

Ex-Man Utd star Nemanja Matic handed ban after covering anti-homophobia sign
Ex-Man Utd star Nemanja Matic handed ban after covering anti-homophobia sign

Daily Mirror

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Ex-Man Utd star Nemanja Matic handed ban after covering anti-homophobia sign

Nemanja Matic covered up an anti-homophobia logo during Lyon's final game of the season, with Ligue 1 chiefs coming down hard on the former Manchester United star Former Manchester United star Nemanja Matic has been handed a four-match ban for covering up an anti-homophobia logo on his Lyon shirt. The midfielder joined the French side 18 months ago from Ligue 1 rivals Rennes. Matic has been a key player for Lyon, even captaining them on occasions. He was brought on as a late substitute in their final day triumph over Angers, which helped them secure qualification for the Europa League. ‌ The final day was Ligue 1's dedicated period to show support for the LGBT+ community. The games coincided with International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May. ‌ Clubs put a rainbow patch on their shirt sleeves, as well as a symbol which had the word 'homophobia' in French crossed out with a red line and 'football' underneath. Matic appeared on the pitch with a piece of white material covering the rainbow logo. The 36-year-old was blasted for the move by France's sports minister Marie Barsacq, who said: ' Football has a massive platform, and the (French Football) Federation is determined to put this issue on the clubs' and supporters' agenda. 'Homophobic insults and behaviour are no longer acceptable. Society has evolved, and the language in football must change with it. There's a full range of sanctions available, and they must be applied.' He was subsequently charged by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), which governs French football. Their disciplinary committee have now confirmed the punishment, with Matic handing a two-match ban, with a further two matches suspended. He has also agreed to participate in an awareness-raising campaign on the fight against homophobia within six months. An LFP statement read: 'After hearing the player, the Commission sanctioned him with a two-match suspension and a two-match suspended sentence. ‌ 'Furthermore, the Commission offered the player—who immediately agreed during the hearing—to participate, within six months, in an awareness-raising campaign on the fight against homophobia in football, in collaboration with an expert association working alongside the LFP throughout the season with clubs and supporters.' Le Havre's Ahmed Hassan has been handed the same punishment after also covering up the rainbow logo on his shirt. Homophobia remains a huge problem in football, with Josh Cavallo, the first-ever top-flight star to come out, urging players to stand with LGBT+ people. 'The thing I would say to them is this could be your brother, it could be your mum or dad or sister who is experiencing this or going through this. To see them taking it away is bascially saying they're not included or accepted,' he told Mirror Football in an exclusive interview last year. ‌ 'So it is quite hurtful. They don't realise how impactful that could be to the LGBT+ community. It breaks my heart every time I see something like that. It's not on. If you're a football player, you have certain responsibilities. 'There's certain things you can or can't say on the pitch because you'll get sent off. There's things you can and can't do in the public right as a professional athlete. So doing that for me, is disgusting. 'It's just saying you don't like associating yourself with a certain group or people, which for me is my life. So, I find it quite disgusting. Everyone wants to be your friend, everyone wants to be an ally, but when it comes to the times we to speak up together, or need support, that's when we count on our allies.'

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