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The Guardian
25-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Raducanu races into quarter-finals with win over Osaka to regain British No 1 slot
Emma Raducanu will reclaim the British No 1 ranking after winning her first meeting with the four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka in confident fashion. The clash was hotly anticipated but proved to be not that much of a contest, with Raducanu comfortably clinching a 6-4, 6-2 victory to reach the quarter-finals of the Citi Open in Washington. Speaking on Sky Sports, Raducanu said: 'I thought it was going to be a really difficult match. Naomi's won four slams, she's been world No 1, won Masters [titles]. She's so dangerous and on the hard courts I think she's particularly comfortable. I knew I was going to have to play really well and manage my own service games, which I'm really proud of how I did. 'I was making some inroads in her service games after I got used to it a little bit. I'm really pleased with how I handled the ball speed and the conditions here in DC.' The result means the 22-year-old will once again overtake Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter to become the top-ranked British player as she looks to secure a seeding for next month's US Open. Raducanu ended Boulter's two-year run at the top of the domestic standings in June but she then slipped back to 46 in the world after losing a close tussle with Aryna Sabalenka in the third round of Wimbledon. Her two victories here, though, could mean Raducanu returns to the top 40, and she will definitely pass Boulter following her opening-round defeat by Maria Sakkari. It will be the Greek that Raducanu plays next, and the Briton has not dropped a set against her in their three previous meetings. Raducanu was sharp from the start against Osaka, who continues to search for a way back to the top of the game after giving birth to daughter Shai two years ago. A double fault from the Japanese gave Raducanu the first break in the fifth game and the British player was rock solid on serve as she wrapped up the opening set. Raducanu is without a coach in Washington amid uncertainty over the future of her partnership with Mark Petchey and has only her hitting partner, Alexis Canter, in her corner, but there was no lack of direction in this performance. She was helped to another break at the start of the second set by more errors from Osaka, who created a first chance on the Raducanu serve at 1-2 but could not take it. Raducanu's serve has improved markedly under Petchey and was her key weapon here as she moved through to a third quarter-final in Washington with strong hopes of going further. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Cameron Norrie could not match Raducanu, though, the British men's No 2 beaten 7-6 (3), 6-3 by the American 14th seed, Brandon Nakashima. Dan Evans' hopes of another deep run in Washington two years after he won the title are also over after he lost 6-2, 7-6 (4) to France's Corentin Moutet.
The Guardian
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Mason Lino's last-gasp drop goal stuns Leeds and boosts Wakefield's playoff hopes
Wakefield Trinity edged a thrilling West Yorkshire derby with Leeds Rhinos, with Mason Lino's drop goal in the final act of the contest securing victory to move them into the Super League playoff places. In front of a sell-out crowd, the biggest at Wakefield for well over a decade, Trinity – who were playing in the Championship last year – underlined their playoff credentials to inflict a potentially decisive defeat on Leeds in their own pursuit of the top two. The game seemed destined to be heading for golden point extra time with the scores level at 14-14 before, with seconds remaining, Lino kicked a nerveless drop goal with what proved to be the last kick of a pulsating game to move Trinity into the top six. The Rhinos, who missed the chance to go third here, will rue this as a missed opportunity. It was a statement victory for Daryl Powell's side, who are playing in front of crowds three times bigger than when they were relegated from Super League with a whimper two years ago, but are now reborn under the ownership of Matt Ellis. They appear to be bona fide contenders for the race for Old Trafford come October. The opening exchanges were indicative of two sides pushing for success this year, with both completing at a high percentage rate and not affording the other an inch. However, when the first error did arrive it gave Wakefield an opportunity they wouldn't pass up, as Max Jowitt converted a penalty to open the scoring. Two minutes later, with the momentum behind them, Trinity went further ahead when a wonderful handling move led to Lachlan Walmsley crossing in the corner. Jowitt couldn't convert, but the hosts were certainly good value for their early six-point lead. That try came after Brodie Croft had been sent to the sin-bin for a trip on Lino but to their credit, the Rhinos dug in well for the 10 minutes they were at a numerical disadvantage, even kicking a penalty through the boot of Jake Connor to narrow the arrears to just four points. Jowitt then returned serve with another penalty, with points and gilt-edged attacking opportunities at a premium, to make it 8-2. But Leeds continued to improve as half-time approached and they got the try their efforts deserved as Sam Lisone forced his way over three Wakefield defenders, giving Connor a simple goal to make it 8-8 at the break. The tense, nervy nature of proceedings continued after half-time. Perhaps the biggest talking point in the 20 minutes after the restart was Leeds losing Connor to a freak incident after he was punched in the face by his teammate, James Bentley, as the pair attempted to tackle a Wakefield player. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion The contest then came alive in spectacular fashion in the final 15 minutes. Leeds had spent most of the second half defending their own line but in a rare foray down into Wakefield territory, they went ahead for the first time as Jarrod O'Connor grounded the ball under extreme pressure to put the visitors in front. With Jack Sinfield converting, you wondered if Leeds would be able to hold on from there with time ticking away. However, Trinity responded magnificently as Lino's inch-perfect pass sent Matty Storton across from close range – and Jowitt converted to make it 14-14 and set up a grandstand finale. The Rhinos came desperately close to snatching victory with Croft's drop goal going narrowly wide of the posts but Lino made no mistake at the other end, nervelessly kicking the winning point from long range to spark rapturous scenes.
The Guardian
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Oleksandr Usyk ordered to defend WBO heavyweight title against Joseph Parker
Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered by the World Boxing Organisation to defend his heavyweight world title against Joseph Parker. Saturday's spectacular knockout of Daniel Dubois in front of more than 80,000 people at Wembley ensured the Ukrainian was crowned undisputed world champion once again. Both parties have 30 days to agree terms or the WBO will proceed to a purse bid. Parker, the former world champion, is on a five-fight winning streak, including impressive wins over the former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder, Martin Bakole and Zhilei Zhang. Parker's impressive performances had earned him his first chance to win a world title in seven years against Dubois in February. However, Dubois withdrew because of an infection two days before the bout. Instead, Parker fought Bakole, winning with a second-round KO. The fight against Dubois was not rescheduled and the British fighter then signed to fight Usyk, leaving Parker waiting even longer for his world title opportunity. Parker's scintillating form has been much aided by his coach Andy Lee, who has also helped Hamzah Sheeraz and Ben Whittaker earn breakthrough stoppage victories against Edgar Berlanga and Liam Cameron respectively. Usyk, the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO champion, mentioned the possibility of defending his titles against Parker on Saturday, with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua being other possibilities. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Fury has insisted that the judges were wrong to award Usyk the victory in their two previous fights in Riyadh last year. Fury has claimed he is next in line, even posting on Instagram that the fight was set for April 2026.
Glasgow Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Kneecap slate John Swinney at Glasgow gig ahead of TRNSMT
The group were due to headline the King Tut's stage on Friday at Glasgow Green but were axed from the line-up amid a row over an investigation by counter-terror police into Liam Og O hAnnaidh. The member, who performs as Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence over the display of a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig in November last year. He was released on unconditional bail last month. On Tuesday, Kneecap performed a sold-out show at the city's O2 Academy. READ NEXT: 'Censorship of free speech': Kneecap fans at O2 Academy gig slam TRNSMT axe READ NEXT: 'Deeply questionable': Glasgow politicians question Kneecap TRNSMT axe (Image: (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)) In May, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called for TRNSMT to cancel the performance on July 11, saying that 'organisers of TRNSMT have got to consider that issue'. Around 10 minutes into their performance, the group asked the crowd: "What's your first minister's name?". They then swore before adding: "They stopped us playing TRNSMT but they can't stop us playing Glasgow." The band – consisting of Ó hAnnaidh, DJ Provai, and Moglai Bap – said they did not believe the TRNSMT cancellation was the festival's fault. (Image: Andrew Milligan) The group later said the festival row had suggested their gigs were "hate-fests" but that they were about inclusion and tolerance. Kneecap also led a chant against Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the performance after he also called for the band to be cut from Glastonbury. At the Worthy Farm festival, the band thanked Glastonbury for keeping them on the bill and told the crowd the "prime minister of your country, not mine, said he didn't want us to play". The biggest reaction all night came when Ó hAnnaidh said the British government had "done nothing for Ireland and nothing for Glasgow". The gig concluded with their track The Recap about their victorious court battle with the UK Government over a funding grant. Ahead of the Glasgow performance, a group of pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered near the O2 Academy, welcoming the band when they arrived. Kneecap posted a "hats off" to the activists on X, saying they were "buzzing to play one of our favourite cities". A number of fans and demonstrators spoke to The National outside the venue about their support for Kneecap. One woman from Lanark said: "I'm here for the music, but I'm also here for support. I'm here for Palestine. I'm here for a united Ireland. I'm here for a better future and for free speech." During the show, Ó hAnnaidh issued an expletive-laden critique of Israel, though added he meant "the government, not the people". The band also faced criticism after footage emerged from a 2023 gig appearing to show one member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Although the Metropolitan Police initially investigated the video, the force declined to take further action due to the offences being beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution. Kneecap said footage of their comments and of them holding the Hezbollah flag had been taken out of context.
The National
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Kneecap slate John Swinney at Glasgow gig ahead of TRNSMT
The group were due to headline the King Tut's stage on Friday at Glasgow Green but were axed from the line-up amid a row over an investigation by counter-terror police into Liam Og O hAnnaidh. The member, who performs as Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence over the display of a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig in November last year. He was released on unconditional bail last month. On Tuesday Kneecap performed a sold-out show at the city's O2 Academy. READ MORE: Kneecap fans at Glasgow gig rally around trio after TRNSMT axe In May, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called for TRNSMT to cancel the performance on July 11, saying that 'organisers of TRNSMT have got to consider that issue'. Around 10 minutes into their performance, the group asked the crowd: "What's your first minister's name?". They then swore before adding: "They stopped us playing TRNSMT but they can't stop us playing Glasgow." The band – consisting of Ó hAnnaidh, DJ Provai, and Moglai Bap – said they did not believe the TRNSMT cancellation was the festival's fault. (Image: Andrew Milligan) The group later said the festival row had suggested their gigs were "hate-fests" but that they were about inclusion and tolerance. Kneecap also led a chant against Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the performance after he also called for the band to be cut from Glastonbury. At the Worthy Farm festival, the band thanked Glastonbury for keeping them on the bill and told the crowd the "prime minister of your country, not mine, said he didn't want us to play". READ MORE: MP's 'we are Palestine Action' comment edited out of Hansard The biggest reaction all night came when Ó hAnnaidh said the British government had "done nothing for Ireland and nothing for Glasgow". The gig concluded with their track The Recap about their victorious court battle with the UK Government over a funding grant. Ahead of the Glasgow performance, a group of pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered near the O2 Academy, welcoming the band when they arrived. Kneecap posted a "hats off" to the activists on X, saying they were "buzzing to play one of our favourite cities". A number of fans and demonstrators spoke to The National outside the venue about their support for Kneecap. One woman from Lanark said: "I'm here for the music, but I'm also here for support. I'm here for Palestine. I'm here for a united Ireland. I'm here for a better future and for free speech." During the show, Ó hAnnaidh issued an expletive-laden critique of Israel, though added he meant "the government, not the people". The band also faced criticism after footage emerged from a 2023 gig appearing to show one member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Although the Metropolitan Police initially investigated the video, the force declined to take further action due to the offences being beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution. Kneecap said footage of their comments and of them holding the Hezbollah flag had been taken out of context.
