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Williams' 1,000th Match Ends in Defeat at Italian Open

Serena Williams leaves the court at the end of her match against Nadia Podoroska, in Rome. (AP)
Serena Williams leaves the court at the end of her match against Nadia Podoroska, in Rome. (AP)
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Williams' 1,000th Match Ends in Defeat at Italian Open

Serena Williams leaves the court at the end of her match against Nadia Podoroska, in Rome. (AP)
Serena Williams leaves the court at the end of her match against Nadia Podoroska, in Rome. (AP)

Serena Williams' 1,000th tour-level match ended in defeat as she marked her return to action with a 7-6 (6), 7-5 loss to Nadia Podoroska on Wednesday in the second round of the Italian Open.

The eighth-seeded Williams, who hadn't played since the Australian Open, came from a break down twice in the opening set and saved the first three set points she faced in the tiebreaker before Podoroska converted her fourth. The Argentine went on to win in 1 hour, 58 minutes.

“It’s tough to have a first match on clay. It was definitely kind of good to go the distance and to try to be out there, but clearly I can do legions better,” said Williams, who has won the Italian Open four times.

“Maybe I do need a few more matches, so I’m going to try to figure that out with my coach and my team and see what we would like to do. ... I have been training for months, but it feels definitely different on clay to make that last adjustment.”

The 24-year-old Podoroska took a 5-2 lead in the second set but was broken at love the first time she tried to serve out the match. However, she broke Williams again in the 12th game to seal her third career win over a top-10 player.

In the men's tournament, Rafael Nadal was playing local teenager Jannik Sinner.

Earlier, third-seeded Daniil Medvedev lost 6-2, 6-4 to fellow Russian Aslan Karatsev.

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Mbappe and Tchouameni Join Real Madrid Training ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
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Mbappe and Tchouameni Join Real Madrid Training ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)

Kylian Mbappe trained on Friday after recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of the Clasico against Barcelona, with Aurelien Tchouameni also involved following his bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde.

Top goalscorer Mbappe had been sidelined for two weeks but Real said the French striker completed part of the group session two days before their trip to Barcelona, AFP reported.

Tchouameni also took part in the training the day after his altercation with Valverde resulted in the latter reportedly needing stitches.

The team confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both players after the training ground clash, one of a spate of such incidents.

Tensions are high at Real with the prospect of a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Leading by 11 points, Barcelona only need a draw in the Clasico to be crowned Spanish champions again.

 

 

 

 

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Arteta Calls for Arsenal Focus on 'Huge' West Ham Clash

May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Arteta Calls for Arsenal Focus on 'Huge' West Ham Clash

May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal must re-focus for Sunday's "huge" Premier League clash at West Ham after the emotional high of reaching the Champions League final.

The Gunners will be crowned English champions for the first time in 22 years if they can win their final three league games.

A trip to relegation-threatened West Ham appears to be their toughest task remaining, AFP reported.

Arteta's men then host relegated Burnley before facing Crystal Palace just days before the Eagles play in the Conference League final.

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for just the second time in their history with victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but Arteta stressed there was little time to look ahead to facing Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

"Stay present, live in the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire we have shown all season, or more," said the Arsenal boss, referring to his message to his players.

"We are closer and closer and everything we do is going to matter."

The Gunners are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table but have played one game more than Pep Guardiola's men.

The result at the London Stadium could also have huge ramifications for Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham.

Spurs are just one point above 18-place West Ham in the battle to avoid the drop.

"Understanding the conditions of the game for both clubs, it's huge, obviously," said Arteta. "We know the importance of it, we know what we want and what we have to do to win the game."

The Spaniard said Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber remain out and are facing a race against time to feature in the Champions League final on May 30.

"There's a fair bit to do," he said. "Everything has to be so smooth and quick if they want the chance to play any minutes."

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Dutch Forward Kluivert Returns from Knee Surgery for Bournemouth Ahead of World Cup

FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
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Dutch Forward Kluivert Returns from Knee Surgery for Bournemouth Ahead of World Cup

FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Netherlands forward Justin Kluivert's return for Bournemouth after a four-month absence from knee surgery could boost his hopes of playing in the World Cup.

The 27-year-old Kluivert, who hasn't played since early January, is expected to be in Bournemouth's squad for its Premier League game at Fulham, The Associated Press quoted manager Andoni Iraola as saying on Friday.

The Cherries enter the weekend in sixth place — currently the Europa League spot — with three games left in the season.

Kluivert injured his left knee in Bournemouth's 3-2 loss to Arsenal on Jan. 3 and had surgery a few days later. He had scored two goals this season. He's been training with the team for the past two weeks.

Kluivert, the son of Dutch great Patrick Kluivert, returned to the national team under coach Ronald Koeman in November 2024 after a six-year absence.

The Dutch open their World Cup campaign against Japan on June 14 in Group F. They also face Sweden and Tunisia.