Category: 6. Sports

And then there was one.

This weekend’s Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by WillScot is the last of the 17 races on this year’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. The season has indeed flown by, in part because it seems Alex Palou wins every other race.

(For the record, he has won every other race, at least statistically.)

Palou, who recently secured his third consecutive series championship and fourth season title in the past five years, was on point to score win No. 9 last weekend at the Milwaukee Mile before Christian Rasmussen capitalized on the opportunity to take new Firestone tires with a late-race pit stop. That occurrence ended Palou’s bid to tie A.J. Foyt’s record of 10 series wins in a season – a mark matched by Al Unser in 1970 – ahead of the finale.

Still, a win by Palou this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway would give the Chip Ganassi Racing driver the most wins for a series driver in 55 years and equal Mario Andretti’s standout 1969 season (also nine wins).

Like Foyt, Unser and Andretti, Palou included a victory in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge to his season-long dominance.

Palou (photo, above) also can join a relatively short list of series drivers who have won at least seven poles in a season. Simon Pagenaud (2016) was the last driver to win as many.

In 2023, Palou became the first driver since Sebastien Bourdais in 2007 to clinch a series championship in advance of the season’s final race, and now the Spaniard has done it twice in three years. He will take a 165-point lead over Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward into Sunday’s 225-lap season finale (2 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).

Like Palou, O’Ward has secured his position in the final standings, and the second-place effort is the best of his career after finishing third in 2021 and fourth on two occasions (2020 and 2023). The fight for third involves Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon, who is seven points ahead of Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard. Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood trails Lundgaard by 21 points, so there still could be some shuffling within the top five.

The pursuit of the Rookie of the Year Award remains a tight one. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Louis Foster leads PREMA Racing’s Robert Shwartzman (photo, above) by seven points.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES made its Nashville Superspeedway debut in 2001, with Buddy Lazier beating Billy Boat. Jaques Lazier finished third. Alex Barron won the next year. But this will only be the second race held on the 1.33-mile oval since Dixon earned the last of his three consecutive race wins in 2008.

Colton Herta of Andretti Global w/Curb-Agajanian won last year’s race with O’Ward second and Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden third. Kirkwood won the NTT P1 Award and finished fourth in the race.

Ed Carpenter Racing’s Rasmussen could again be in the spotlight after earning the first series victory of his career last weekend in the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250. He has had a strong oval season, finishing sixth at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, third at World Wide Technology Raceway, sixth and eighth at Iowa Speedway and first at Milwaukee Mile. The champion of the 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone season became the series’ first first-time winner since Lundgaard in Toronto in 2023.

This weekend’s action begins Saturday with the first practice at 10:30 a.m. ET followed by qualifying for the NTT P1 Award at 2 p.m. and the final practice at 5:30 p.m. All these sessions will air live on FS2, FOX One, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

(Presented by Tennessee Sounds Perfect)

NEW YORK — For years, Renata Zarazua has labored at the fringes of big-time tennis, far from the spotlight.

Last year was the first time in the 27-year-old Mexican’s career that she played in all four Grand Slam singles main draws. The two titles on her resume are both WTA 125s, a year ago in Charleston and, in 2023, Montevideo. Her career-high ranking is No. 51.

Before Monday, the feisty 5-foot-3 player had never, ever beaten a PIF WTA Rankings Top 10 player.

But in sprawling Arthur Ashe Stadium, playing with fiery intensity and undeniable determination, Zarazua changed that with the biggest victory of her career, by an astounding 6-7 (10), 7-6 (3), 7-5 score over reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys.

Zarazua, who trailed by a set and 3-0, is the first Mexican woman to defeat a Top 10 seed at a Grand Slam since Angelica Gavaldon took down Jana Novotna at the 1995 Australian Open.

The match required a draining 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Check out these final point totals: Zarazua 131, Keys 125.

“Coming into the match, I was almost crying, I was so nervous,” Zarazua said in her on-court interview. “[Mexico is] a country we don’t have many tennis players. I could hear some Mexican cheering, so that was very nice.”

For context, consider that this was only her ninth major main-draw and she has never advanced past the second round. She’ll have that chance when she meets Diane Parry, a 6-1, 6-0 winner over retiring Petra Kvitova.

Zarazua was previously 0-6 against Top 10 players, losing most recently to No. 10 Elena Rybakina in Cincinnati earlier this month.

That she did it against Keys made the accomplishment even more impressive. Coming in, Keys led all women with 15 three-set victories and 10 comeback wins.

“I’m a little bit small in height, so coming [onto Ashe],” Zarazua said, “I was like, ‘Oh, my God, the court is so big. I just tried to find my way.”

Keys was her own worst enemy, hitting 89 unforced errors, against 46 winners. Zarazua was a more modest 34 and eight.

Zarazua evened their career series at 1-all. After winning 13 straight first-round matches in majors, Keys lost for only the sixth time in 49 first-round matches.

The first set was a match in itself, running some 72 minutes and featuring nine set points — five of them belonging to Zarazua, a Mexican ranked No. 82.

In the end, Keys saved them all. With the tiebreak score 10-all, with points at 51 each, Keys smashed a forehand winner and Zarazua’s tired forehand found the net. Keys responded with a fist pump and, sitting in the stands, actor Jeff Goldblum’s face wore a look of disbelief.

Keys ran out to a 3-0 lead in the second set, but Zarazua countered by going on a five-game streak. But serving for the set, she was broken by Keys (with another massive forehand winner) to level the frame at 5-all.

Naturally, it went to another tiebreak.

This time, Zarazua got off to a big lead; her forehand passing shot put her up 5-2. A Keys double fault brought her a set point, which she converted with a backhand winner.

The third set progressed on serve — until Zarazua broke Keys following a double fault and a backhand that soared long.

Serving for the match at 5-3, Zarazua was two points from the match, but two groundstroke errors gave the game to Keys and it was back on serve. Keys, again two points from defeat at deuce, escaped again for 5-all.

Zarazua broke Keys for the sixth time in the definitive game, when two Keys’ forehands found the net.

 

 

Barça head coach Hansi Flick has been named Coach of the Year at the 2025 SPORT BILD gala, organised by the prestigious German sports newspaper of the same name, one of the most widely read in the country. The event took place this Monday in Hamburg, at the historic Fischauktionshalle (the former fish auction hall now used as a cultural venue), in front of an audience of around 600 guests.

The Barça manager took part in the ceremony virtually from Barcelona, connecting live from the Barça Studios facilities. 

During his speech, Flick reflected on his role as the coach of a club the size of Barça. “As head coach, you’re on the front line” he said “You get criticised, but you also get praised when things go well. That’s just how it is. I’m very confident in what I do, but it takes a strong coaching staff around you to do an excellent job. And I have that here in Barcelona. Plus, it’s a lot of fun working with these people.”

Flick also highlighted the importance of his relationship with the players, saying “I think that’s what drives me, seeing the players every day, staying in contact with them. That’s the most important thing for me.”

Treble in first year

The award comes on the back of Flick’s first season at the helm of FC Barcelona, in which the team secured the domestic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup) and became one of the most eye-catching sides on the European and global stage. Thanks to a bold and attractive playing style, Barça won over fans and neutrals alike. The team also made a strong run in the Champions League, narrowly missing out on a place in the final after a hard-fought semi-final exit.

Another prize 

This is not the first time the manager has been recognised since taking over at Barça. On 2 June, Flick was named La Liga Coach of the Season 2025/26, an award given by the league itself. He is also set to attend the upcoming Ballon d’Or gala on 22 September, where he has been nominated for the Johan Cruyff Award, which honours the world’s best coach of the year.

All in all, this is another well-deserved accolade for Hansi Flick (this time from his home country of Germany) in recognition of his exceptional work and Barça’s impressive 2024/25 campaign.

 

Pakistan aren’t exactly overwhelming favourites to lift the Asia Cup trophy for the first time in the T20 format next month. They are, after all, coming into the continental event off the back of a first ODI series loss against West Indies in 34 years, thanks to a 202-run thrashing in the series decider earlier this month.

Their form in the shortest format under Salman Agha’s leadership is slightly better, but not enough for them to earn the favourites tag like India, who have been the standout T20I side since the start of 2024, deservedly winning the T20 World Cup along the way.

Rauf remains bullish on Pakistan’s chances despite recent record

Pacer Haris Rauf, however, thinks otherwise. In a clip that’s going viral on social media, Rauf claims Pakistan won’t just defeat India in their upcoming group-stage meeting in Dubai on 14 September, he believes they’ll make it 2-0 against Suryakumar Yadav’s men should the two teams meet again in the Super Fours – where the top two teams from each group face each other once in a round-robin format to decide to finalists.

In the clip, the individual holding the camera – presumably a fan – asks Rauf about the possibility of Pakistan meeting India twice in the tournament.

“Dono apne hai, Inshallah,” (Both matches are ours, God willing),” says confident Rauf in reply.

Watch:

Haris Rauf on Pakistan vs India. 🇵🇰🔥 pic.twitter.com/1nywqFxGou

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) August 24, 2025

The 31-year-old pacer has featured in each of the last five T20I meetings between India and Pakistan – three of them in T20 World Cups (2021, 2022 and 2024) and twice in the 2022 Asia Cup, which had also taken place in the UAE.

Rauf had struck twice early during India’s chase of a tricky 160-run target set by Pakistan in their 2022 T20 World Cup meeting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, helping the Babar Azam-led side reduce the Men in Blue to 31/4.

Virat Kohli, however, produced a scarcely believable 82 not out which comprised a memorable six down the ground off Rauf, punching a length ball with a straight bat despite being cramped for room.

As for their next T20 World Cup meeting in New York City in June last year, Rauf produced an even better spell, collecting 3/21 as Pakistan bundled India out for 119. This time, it was a Jasprit Bumrah special (3/14) that once again thwarted their hopes of collecting a victory, allowing India to sneak away with a six-run win.

How is Barbora Krejcikova celebrating her first-round win in New York?

By building LEGOs, of course.

The two-time Grand Slam champion got off to a hot start at the US Open on Monday, defeating 22nd seed Victoria Mboko in straight sets. And with that out of the way, she’s turning her attention to her little plastic toys.

“I passed by the LEGO store,” the World No. 62 said in her on-court interview after her 6-3, 6-2 upset of the 18-year-old Canadian. “There was a huge queue, so I didn’t go inside, but I have a project. Actually my coach has it in his room, and I still didn’t get it.”

Though she didn’t specify exactly what the project is, she mentioned roses, so perhaps it’s this?

The 29-year-old seems to be relishing her time back in New York — where she reached the quarterfinals in 2021 — taking advantage of the incredible restaurant selection and the many ice cream spots scattered across Midtown Manhattan. 

“We’re staying close to Times Square,” she added, “so it’s very alive and I’m enjoying it. It’s been good, and I hope I can be here as long as I can.”

She’ll certainly be here a little bit longer after an impressive victory over one of the hottest players on the Hologic WTA Tour. Krejcikova controlled the match from start to finish, mixing slices with heavy groundstrokes to take the recent Montreal champion out of her rhythm. She won 81% of her first-serve points and dropped just five games in an efficient hour and 23 minutes.

Now she gets a couple of days off — ample time to work on her LEGO project — before her second-round match against Moyuka Uchijima on Wednesday. The Japanese 24-year-old, ranked 94th in the world, outlasted Olga Danilovic 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-6 (9) on Sunday in one of the most entertaining matches of the first round. This will be their first career meeting.

 

Dibling, who has been capped twice by England Under-21s, made his Southampton debut as a 17-year-old in August 2023.

He went on to make 44 appearances in total for the Saints, scoring four goals, playing predominantly as a left-footed winger on the right flank or as an attacking midfielder.

Dibling, who has taken the number 20 shirt, said the chance to play under Moyes was a major part in his decision join the Merseyside club.

“I think the manager is perfect for me,” he added.

“Obviously he’s helped so many players before who were in my position. I’ve spoken to him and I know he’s going to be good for me.

“My aim for this season is just to play as many games as I can and to help the team as much as I can with goals and assists. As a team, hopefully we can have a good season and see where it goes.”

Moyes said Dibling is a “talented young English player” with “lots of potential”.

“Tyler adds to our attacking options and we will support him in his future development,” he added.

“We are eager to build a team that Evertonians can enjoy watching and be proud of, and Tyler can help us achieve that.”

Former Southampton and Everton winger Theo Walcott said it was a “good deal” for Everton.

“I think the fact they are in the new stadium, he will thrive there. I’ll be intrigued to see where he fits in because he will want to start,” Walcott told the Monday Night Club.

“When you play for Everton you have to run. At times, in a very poor Southampton team he was working his socks off, but it’s a different kind of pressure, playing for Everton Football Club.

“I do hope it goes well for him. The new stadium, new players and personnel, it fits the bill for me, it’s a really good move.”

A “nervous” Norrie was worried about being first on court at 11:00 local time and need to fuel up before playing an opponent who was ranked inside the top 20 a year ago – and against whom he had lost three of four past meetings.

Ultimately the 30-year-old did not need to be overly concerned, as Norrie was leading 7-5 6-4 when Korda, 25, ended the match early.

American Korda only returned to tour action last week following a near three-month shin stress fracture lay-off.

He called a medical timeout at the start of the second set against Norrie when he appeared to be struggling with an abdominal issue.

Although Korda persevered for the remainder of the set he was unwilling to go any further, sending Norrie through to face either Argentine Francisco Comesana or American Alex Michelsen.

Norrie, who withdrew from the 2024 US Open with an arm injury, made his debut at Flushing Meadows in 2017 but still feels the nerves in New York.

“I was very nervous for the match,” said Norrie.

“Playing a Grand Slam match at 11am and trying to get rice down at 10am is not easy!”

On Korda’s retirement, Norrie said: “I feel for Sebastian. He’s been out the whole summer, he’s an amazing talent and he’s beaten me the last few times we’ve played.

“It’s tough to see him ending like that.”

Kvitova has been a fan favourite for many years thanks to her huge groundstrokes and booming left-handed serve.

There were fears her career would end prematurely after she was stabbed in her left hand by an intruder at her home in 2016.

The attack damaged tendons and nerves in her playing hand but she returned to playing in June 2017 and went on to reach the Australian Open final two years later.

In recent years she has fallen down the rankings and last made the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam in 2020.

Kvitova missed the entire 2024 season to have her son, Petr, and only returned to action in February.

It took her five tournaments to register her first victory – which came against Irina-Camelia Begu on clay in Rome in May – but that was her only win since becoming a mother.

Almost two months on from bidding a tearful goodbye to Wimbledon – which she called her “special place” – Kvitova called time on her career at the tournament where she twice reached the quarter-finals.

After quickly going down a break against world number 107 Parry, she rallied to reach 40-0 on serve then saved a break point to get her first game on the board.

But that proved to be her only success in a one-sided first set that Parry wrapped up in just 25 minutes.

Kvitova exited the court between sets to regroup – already visibly emotional at the prospect of this being her last match – but the second followed a similar pattern.

Winning just four points behind her own serve, Kvitova suffered a second-set bagel as Parry saw out a clinical victory.

“Since I wake up this morning, I felt it. I felt it would be not good,” Kvitova added.

“I couldn’t eat. I was really nervous. couldn’t move, I couldn’t swing, I couldn’t do anything.

“It was really difficult but I’m glad I did it.”