Monday, 23 March 2026

Author: AFP

Nadal enters the unknown

MONTE CARLO (Principality of Monaco): Rafael Nadal offered a low-key appraisal Monday of his chances for a record-extending 12th Monte Carlo Masters title as he prepares to return from his latest injury lay-off. The 32-year-old Spaniard, whose bad knees and constant stoppages from competition have defined his career as king

Woods set to chase more major glory after Masters win

AUGUSTA (United States): Tiger Woods ended his 11-year wait for a 15th major title at the Masters. Now the golf world is wondering whether the hunt to overhaul Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 major titles is back on. The cheers and raw emotion of Woods’ victory at Augusta National on

Dakar Rally to be held in ‘unknown’ Saudi Arabia in 2020

PARIS: The Dakar Rally will be held in Saudi Arabia from 2020, organisers announced Monday, offering contestants an “unknown landscape and uncharted terrain”. “After 30 years of discovering the beauty of Africa and a decade of adventure exploring the spectacular landscape of South America, a new chapter in the history

Cherono in last gasp Boston Marathon win

BOSTON: Kenya’s Lawrence Cherono sprinted to victory in the Boston Marathon on Monday, overhauling Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa in the final few metres of the gruelling race to claim a thrilling win. In damp, chilly conditions, Cherono, Desisa and Kenya’s Kenneth Kipkemoi broke away from the field over the final few

Tiger wins 15th major title with spectacular victory

AUGUSTA (United States): Tiger Woods completed an epic comeback from career-threatening injury and scandal by winning the 83rd Masters on Sunday, capturing his 15th major title to end an 11-year major drought. The 43-year-old American superstar, who underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2017 due to chronic back pain, seized his

Gilbert clinches Paris-Roubaix in cat-and-mouse struggle

ROUBAIX (France): Belgian veteran Philippe Gilbert won the Paris Roubaix cobbled classic on Sunday after a cat-and-mouse final struggle with Germany’s Nils Politt. Gilbert’s compatriot and teammate Yves Lampaert was third. Six riders, including defending champion Peter Sagan, broke away with around 55km remaining but the Deceuninck-Quick-Step pair Gilbert and

Garin becomes first Chilean ATP champion in a decade

LOS ANGELES: Christian Garin (pic) claimed his first ATP title on Sunday, weathering a solid challenge from Casper Ruud to post a three-set win in the final of the US Men’s Clay Court Championships. The 22-year-old Garin, who is part of the ATP’s next generation of stars, beat Ruud 7-6

Djokovic quietly confident for Monte Carlo

MONTE CARLO (Principality of Monaco): Novak Djokovic said on Sunday he is working to ensure that last month’s sub-par hardcourt performances do not affect his seasonal bow on clay in Monte Carlo. The world number one kicks off at his home event starting in the second round against either Philipp

Nishikori tips Federer for clay comeback success

MONTE CARLO (Principality of Monaco): Roger Federer may not be playing at the Monte Carlo Masters but the Swiss legend was still at the forefront of 2018 finalist Key Nishikori’s thoughts on Sunday. “Everything is possible (for Federer),” Asia’s top player predicted. Federer is due for a return to the

US teenager Anisimova wins maiden WTA title

PARIS: American teenager Amanda Anisimova won the first WTA title of her young career on Sunday with a comeback victory over Australian Astra Sharma in Bogota. The 17-year-old, playing in only her second final, fought back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. The sixth seed was also