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Alcaraz Heads to Paris with Another Win over Sinner under his Belt

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the trophy after winning the Italy Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the trophy after winning the Italy Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Alcaraz Heads to Paris with Another Win over Sinner under his Belt

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the trophy after winning the Italy Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the trophy after winning the Italy Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Carlos Alcaraz heads to Paris for his French Open title defense having laid down a marker with his victory over world number one Jannik Sinner in Rome on Sunday which completed his collection of elite claycourt crowns.

Alcaraz's fourth straight win over Sinner saw the 22-year-old join Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Gustavo Kuerten and Marcelo Rios as the only men to have captured all three claycourt ATP Masters 1000 titles - Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome.

"Winning tournaments and lifting trophies give you a lot of confidence ... just to know you're on the right path and playing great tennis. I'm excited about what's to come for me," the Spaniard said after his Rome success.

"It means that I'm doing the right things and I'm going to keep doing the right things coming to Paris,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

Alcaraz made the ideal start to his campaign on the sport's slowest surface beating Lorenzo Musetti to claim his first Monte Carlo title, but then suffered an adductor muscle problem in Barcelona where he lost to Holger Rune in the final.

That fatigue-induced injury, combined with a left hamstring issue in the midst of a grueling spell, forced Alcaraz to skip the Madrid Open and left fans concerned about his status for the year's second major.

But the four-times Grand Slam champion dispelled any doubts about his fitness in Rome, reserving his most clinical performance for the final against Sinner and taking his record on clay to 27-2 since May 2024.

While Alcaraz has a long way to go to match the consistency of the now-retired Rafa Nadal on the surface, he possesses all the weapons to be just as ruthless, while his improved mental strength has helped him bear the weight of expectation.

The pressure to unseat Sinner at the top of the world rankings during the Italian's three-month ban for a doping violation seemed to unnerve Alcaraz and he crashed to defeats at Indian Wells and Miami.

"Something that I realized that I had to do is not think about anything else but enjoying," Alcaraz said after his triumph in Monte Carlo.

"I'm not thinking about the world rankings anymore. I just keep going, doing the things that I enjoy, that make me happy. It's stepping on the court, showing good tennis, that's it.

"If I win, great. If I don't, I'll learn and keep going."

Roland Garros begins on Sunday.

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Antonelli Leads Mercedes 1-2 as Verstappen Suffers Qualifying Shock

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
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Antonelli Leads Mercedes 1-2 as Verstappen Suffers Qualifying Shock

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Kimi Antonelli took pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes team-mate George Russell on Saturday as Max Verstappen suffered another qualifying nightmare.

Mercedes have claimed one-two finishes at both grands prix so far in a flying start to the Formula One season and they were again dominant in dry conditions at Suzuka.

The 19-year-old Italian Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history two weeks ago in China and he made it two in a row with a fastest lap of 1min 28.778sec.

Early championship leader Russell was second, 0.298sec behind, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri third and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fourth.

Antonelli, who won the first grand prix of his F1 career in China two weeks ago, said it was "a really clean session".

"There's still work to do in these big tracks with the energy, how to find a solution that allows us to push even more and drive without thinking too much," AFP quoted him as saying.

"But overall I think it was good fun."

Russell was fastest in Friday's first practice but he has trailed his younger team-mate in every session since then.

The British driver said he was struggling with his car for most of qualifying and admitted it was "not ideal" going into Sunday's race.

"I've been really comfortable with the car this whole weekend, it's just in qualifying something didn't quite feel right," he said.

"Let's see tonight, maybe we'll get some answers, maybe I can adjust my driving style to compensate."

Russell's problems paled into insignificance compared with those facing four-time world champion Verstappen, who exited in Q2 and starts from a lowly 11th on the grid for Red Bull.

The Dutchman, who has won in Japan for the past four years, took pole last year with a track-record lap time.

He has railed against new Formula One regulations that see a 50-50 split between conventional and electrical power, and labelled his car "undriveable".

"The car never turns mid-corner, but at the same time this weekend, it's just oversteering a lot on entry," he said.

"It's really difficult, unpredictable."

Verstappen, who finished sixth in Melbourne and retired from the Shanghai grand prix two weeks ago, added: "We have problems that I cannot explain in detail here."

Verstappen was involved in a public confrontation on Thursday when he ejected a reporter from his news conference.

McLaren's world champion Lando Norris was fifth, followed by Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Alpine's Pierre Gasly.

Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar was eighth, with Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvid Lindblad of RB rounding out the top 10.

Piastri will be desperate to make an impact in Sunday's race after missing the first two grands prix of the season.

The Australian said his qualifying session was "pretty well executed" after also finishing fastest in Friday's second practice.

"It's nice to be closer," said Piastri of his third place on the grid.

"I think we're learning more and more about the car and about the power unit every weekend."

Esteban Ocon of Haas, Audi's Nico Hulkenberg, RB's Liam Lawson, Alpine's Franco Colapinto and Williams' Carlos Sainz went out in Q2 with Verstappen.

Haas driver Ollie Bearman, who finished fifth at the Chinese Grand Prix, was a shock faller in Q3 and will start from 18th.

Cadillac pair Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas went out with him, as did Williams' Alex Albon and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

The Aston Martin pair, who have yet to complete a grand prix so far this season as they struggle with extreme vibration, finished bottom of the timesheets.

Sports

Defending Champion Sabalenka and Gauff Meet for Miami Open Title

Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
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Defending Champion Sabalenka and Gauff Meet for Miami Open Title

Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are back on a big stage in the final of the Miami Open as their growing rivalry heats up.

Gauff, the South Floridian who beat Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open finals, will meet the top-seeded Belarusian at Hard Rock Stadium at 3 p.m. EDT.

This WTA 1000 final will mark their 13th meeting, with the series knotted at 6-6. They faced off three times in finals in 2025. Sabalenka won the last meeting in the group stage of the WTA Finals in November.

“We’ve played so many matches, and it’s physical when I play her every time," Gauff said. “She’s playing great tennis. She’s definitely world No. 1 for a reason and it’s going to be a great challenge."

Gauff is making her first Miami Open final appearance. The Delray Beach, Florida product had never made it past the fourth round in her hometown tournament.

“She’s a fighter,’’ The Associated Press quoted Sabalenka as saying. “She’s a great player. We played a lot of tight matches, a lot of big finals. She is an incredible player. I’m really excited to face her in the final. I think it’s going to be a great battle. I cannot wait to play that."

Sabalenka is attempting to win the “Sunshine Double” — the back-to-back March hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.

Sabalenka won in California on March 15 with a three-set victory over Elena Rybakina. Gauff had to retire during her third-round match against Alexandra Eala in Indian Wells because of a nerve injury in her left forearm. Gauff said her team wanted to skip the Miami Open but she insisted.

"With Coco, you know that you have to play an extra ball, and the ball always comes back, sometimes not perfect, but it’s always back on your side," Sabalenka said. “She pushes you into the long rallies and I think that’s what makes her difficult.”

Sabalenka’s new residence is Miami and she has a strong Brazilian following because of her Brazilian fiance, Georgios Frangules.

“I’m super curious how the stadium is going to be on Saturday,’’ Sabalenka said. “It couldn’t be a better final. I feel happy for her that she’s finding her tennis back."

Sports

Barcelona's Raphinha to Miss Champions League Quarters Due to Injury

Brazil's Raphinha takes a shot during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Brazil's Raphinha takes a shot during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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Barcelona's Raphinha to Miss Champions League Quarters Due to Injury

Brazil's Raphinha takes a shot during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Brazil's Raphinha takes a shot during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Barcelona attacker Raphinha will miss their Champions League quarter-final tie with Atletico Madrid early next month after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Brazil, the LaLiga side said.

The 29-year-old, who has scored 19 goals in all competitions ⁠for Barcelona this ⁠season, picked up the injury on Thursday in Brazil's 2-1 defeat by France in Foxborough.

"The player is returning to ⁠Barcelona to begin the appropriate treatment. The estimated recovery time is five weeks," Reuters quoted Barcelona as saying in a statement on Friday.

Barcelona, who are four points clear of Real Madrid in LaLiga, host Atletico in the first leg ⁠of ⁠their Champions League quarter-final on April 8 with the return in Madrid on April 14.

Raphinha scored twice in Barcelona's thumping 7-2 victory over Newcastle United in the round of 16 earlier this month.