Injured Chelsea Defender Reece James to Miss Rest of Season

Chelsea's Reece James passes the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, April 1, 2023. (AP)
Chelsea's Reece James passes the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, April 1, 2023. (AP)
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Injured Chelsea Defender Reece James to Miss Rest of Season

Chelsea's Reece James passes the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, April 1, 2023. (AP)
Chelsea's Reece James passes the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, April 1, 2023. (AP)

Chelsea defender Reece James' injury-hit campaign came to an early end after he was ruled out for the final few weeks of the season on Tuesday because of a hamstring problem.

Fitness issues have limited the England right back to just 16 starts in the Premier League this season.

His latest injury came during the loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals last week, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said. James completed the game against the European champions at Stamford Bridge but a scan revealed the extent of the problem.

Lampard also said midfielder Mason Mount, who has been linked with a move away from the club, is also unlikely to play again before the season’s final game.

Mount is set to have surgery on a long-term pelvic problem. With uncertainty over a new contract, he could have played his last game for Chelsea.

“Medical staff have been trying, but we’ve got to a stage where he will have minor surgery,” Lampard said of Mount. “It’ll probably be a four-week recovery and we all know where that gets us to.”



Top Seeds Zverev and Sabalenka Advance with Easy Victories at Madrid Open

 Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 25, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev serves during his round of 64 match against Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut. (Reuters)
Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 25, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev serves during his round of 64 match against Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut. (Reuters)
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Top Seeds Zverev and Sabalenka Advance with Easy Victories at Madrid Open

 Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 25, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev serves during his round of 64 match against Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut. (Reuters)
Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 25, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev serves during his round of 64 match against Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut. (Reuters)

Top seeds Alexander Zverev and Aryna Sabalenka scored comfortable victories in their opening matches at the Madrid Open on Friday.

Zverev cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win over home favorite Roberto Bautista Agut, while Sabalenka triumphed 6-3, 6-4 against qualifier Anna Blinkova.

Zverev, the Madrid champion in 2018 and 2021, needed only 69 minutes to extend his winning streak to six matches. The German player moved to No. 2 in the world after capturing the Munich title last week.

"A good match, I knew I had to focus against Roberto," said Zverev, who improved to 24-5 in Madrid. "I knew that it was going to be a tough challenge. This is my favorite center court in the world, I only lost twice here in my entire life. I hope that stays the way throughout the next 10 days and that I can continue playing good tennis."

In the third round, Zverev faces Nuno Borges or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Sabalenka tops Blinkova Sabalenka, winner in Madrid in 2021 and 2023 and last year's runner-up to Iga Swiatek, converted three of her seven break opportunities to defeat the 76th-ranked Blinkova.

The top-ranked Sabalenka will face No. 28 seed Elise Mertens in the third round.

Anastasia Potapova upset eighth-seeded Qinwen Zheng, while 15th seed Amanda Anisimova lost 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 to fellow American Peyton Stearns. Sixth-seeded Jasmine Paolini eased past Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-2.

In other action on the men's side, fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz of the U.S. routed Christopher O'Connell of Britain 6-1, 6-4, and Casper Ruud beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-4.

Juan Manuel Cerundolo beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets, while Danill Medvedev advanced after Laslo Djere withdrew.