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Alcaraz Falls to Zverev, Medvedev Tops Rublev at ATP Finals 

Alexander Zverev of Germany reacts after winning his Red Group singles match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the Nitto ATP Finals tennis tournament in Turin, Italy, 13 November 2023. (EPA)
Alexander Zverev of Germany reacts after winning his Red Group singles match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the Nitto ATP Finals tennis tournament in Turin, Italy, 13 November 2023. (EPA)
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Alcaraz Falls to Zverev, Medvedev Tops Rublev at ATP Finals 

Alexander Zverev of Germany reacts after winning his Red Group singles match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the Nitto ATP Finals tennis tournament in Turin, Italy, 13 November 2023. (EPA)
Alexander Zverev of Germany reacts after winning his Red Group singles match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the Nitto ATP Finals tennis tournament in Turin, Italy, 13 November 2023. (EPA)

A sluggish Carlos Alcaraz was beaten 6-7(3) 6-3 6-4 by Alexander Zverev on his debut at the ATP Finals on Monday to continue his end-of-year slump with a third straight defeat.

The 20-year-old world number two, who missed last year's edition of the season-ending championship due to injury, put the blame for his loss squarely on the fast indoor surface at the cavernous Pala Alpitour in Turin.

"I don't know why they put this surface at the end of the year," the Spaniard said in his post-match news conference.

"All the tournaments we have played on hard court are so, so, slow and then we come here to the Masters (Cup) and they put this court so, so fast.

"I don't understand why they've set the speed so high for this tournament when we have never played on a surface like this all year."

Alcaraz is looking to become the youngest ATP Finals champion since Pete Sampras in 1991 and, despite the loss, still has a chance to advance to the knockout stages from the round-robin Red Group.

"This tournament is different for many things, and one of them is that it allows you to go through to the semi-finals despite losing the first match," Alcaraz posted on Instagram.

The Spaniard's next match is on Wednesday against Andrey Rublev, who went down 6-4 6-2 to Daniil Medvedev in his Red Group opener on Monday.

The Russian duo were expected to duke it out in another epic showdown after meeting in the final of the Dubai Open and the quarter-finals of the US Open earlier this year.

Fifth ranked Rublev, however, fell apart after losing the first set and failed to put up much resistance as Medvedev eased to a 7-2 career record in matches against his compatriot.

"I felt really good and was able to get the upper hand fast," Medvedev said.

"I like to play aggressive on my serve, but Rublev plays in such a style that he doesn't give me any other option because I don't have the power of Alcaraz or (Stefanos) Tsitsipas on my forehand."

The action continues on Tuesday with Tsitsipas taking on Holger Rune, and world number one Novak Djokovic facing Jannik Sinner.

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A Fugitive on the Run for Years Is Arrested When He Turns up at the Olympics to Watch Hockey 

Finland players vie for the puck against Slovakia players during the Men's Preliminary Round match Slovakia against Finland of the Ice Hockey competitions, at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano, Italy, 11 February 2026. (EPA)
Finland players vie for the puck against Slovakia players during the Men's Preliminary Round match Slovakia against Finland of the Ice Hockey competitions, at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano, Italy, 11 February 2026. (EPA)
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A Fugitive on the Run for Years Is Arrested When He Turns up at the Olympics to Watch Hockey 

Finland players vie for the puck against Slovakia players during the Men's Preliminary Round match Slovakia against Finland of the Ice Hockey competitions, at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano, Italy, 11 February 2026. (EPA)
Finland players vie for the puck against Slovakia players during the Men's Preliminary Round match Slovakia against Finland of the Ice Hockey competitions, at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano, Italy, 11 February 2026. (EPA)

A Slovak fugitive who had been on the run for 16 years was finally arrested when he turned up in Milan to support his national ice hockey team at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, police said Friday.

The 44-year-old man, who was not named, was wanted by Italian authorities for a series of thefts committed in 2010.

The carabinieri managed to track down and arrest the man Wednesday after he checked into a campsite in the outskirts of Milan, thanks to an automatic alert from the campsite reception.

The fugitive was then taken to Milan’s San Vittore prison to serve a pending sentence of 11 month and 7 days, the carabinieri said.

The man did not manage to see the opening game in which Slovakia’s hockey team beat Finland with a sound 4-1 at Milan’s Santagiulia Arena on Wednesday.

Sports

Slot Says Liverpool Monitoring Player Workloads amid Congested Schedule

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Liverpool - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - February 11, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Liverpool - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - February 11, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts REUTERS/Scott Heppell
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Slot Says Liverpool Monitoring Player Workloads amid Congested Schedule

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Liverpool - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - February 11, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Liverpool - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - February 11, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Liverpool are closely monitoring ‌player workloads to avoid further injuries during a congested run of fixtures, manager Arne Slot said ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Midfielder Wataru Endo suffered an injury in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Sunderland, adding to Liverpool’s growing list of absentees, with defenders Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong already sidelined.

"We have three clear priorities: FA Cup, Champions League qualification ‌and Champions ‌League," Slot told reporters at Anfield ‌on ⁠Friday.

"We are also ⁠aware of the limited options, so the load management is important, the last thing we need is another injury, so that is always the tough thing for a manager, to make the best decision every time. It wouldn't be the ⁠first time a player gets injured ‌if they have to ‌play three (games) in seven (days).

"Most important thing is we train ‌today, listen to the players, see how they ‌feel and make the best decisions."

Slot confirmed Endo faces a long spell out with an ankle injury and said academy players could be involved against Brighton, said Reuters.

"I ‌am always looking at the younger players, a few of them are closer ⁠and closer ⁠to first-team football," the Dutch manager said.

"Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni have had that and games like this could be an option, but it is about the right balance. We play a strong team and who to play is something to think about."

Liverpool are sixth in the Premier League with 42 points from 26 games, 13 behind leaders Arsenal. They have also secured a direct place in the Champions League playoffs with a top-eight finish.

Sports

Flick Calls Atletico Thrashing a ‘Wake-up Call’ as Simeone Hails Electric Energy at Metropolitano 

Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone, left, and Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick greet each other before the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)
Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone, left, and Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick greet each other before the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)
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Flick Calls Atletico Thrashing a ‘Wake-up Call’ as Simeone Hails Electric Energy at Metropolitano 

Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone, left, and Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick greet each other before the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)
Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone, left, and Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick greet each other before the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)

Barcelona manager ‌Hansi Flick labelled his team's humbling 4-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg as a "wake-up call" and urged his side to learn from the chastening experience.

At a raucous Metropolitano Stadium, Atletico handed the defending champions their heaviest loss of the season, leaving Barcelona a mountain to climb in the return leg at Camp Nou.

Flick, candid in his post-match assessment, bemoaned his team's lack of cohesion but remained defiant about their ‌prospects in the ‌second leg.

"Look, we didn't play well ‌as ⁠a team. And ⁠when you don't play like that, you don't play well. There was a long distance between players. There was a lack of pressing," Flick told reporters.

"Sometimes it's good to learn a lesson like that. Today was a wake-up call, a tough defeat. We have to accept this lesson."

The ⁠German coach admitted his side were second-best ‌from the opening whistle, though ‌he saw some improvement after halftime.

"We didn't play well from the ‌first minute. We have a young team, but that's ‌no excuse. The second half was better... But we'll fight. We have two 45-minute halves to score two goals in each half," Flick said.

While Flick addressed his team's shortcomings, Atletico boss ‌Diego Simeone was full of praise for both his players and the electric atmosphere ⁠at the ⁠Metropolitano, which he said spurred them to a standout performance.

"You could feel incredible energy in the stadium, and life is energy," Simeone said.

"It was directed from our fans towards us, and we were able to match it... I think we played very well. Today's match will be remembered regardless of how the tie ends.

"Our fans need these matches, these important nights. We were able to repay their enthusiasm in the best possible way."

The second leg takes place in a fortnight, with Barcelona left clinging to Flick's resolve and Atletico inspired by their commanding lead.