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Hamilton Closer Than Ever to First Podium with Ferrari

Formula One F1 - Mexico Grand Prix - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - October 25, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris poses for a picture after qualifying in pole position with second placed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and third placed Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Mexico Grand Prix - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - October 25, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris poses for a picture after qualifying in pole position with second placed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and third placed Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. (Reuters)
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Hamilton Closer Than Ever to First Podium with Ferrari

Formula One F1 - Mexico Grand Prix - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - October 25, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris poses for a picture after qualifying in pole position with second placed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and third placed Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Mexico Grand Prix - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - October 25, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris poses for a picture after qualifying in pole position with second placed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and third placed Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. (Reuters)

Lewis Hamilton said he was perfectly placed to secure a first podium with Ferrari, after qualifying third in Mexico on Saturday, and planned an aggressive start with nothing to lose.

The seven times world champion, who joined the Italian team in January from Mercedes, enjoyed his best qualifying in 20 races this season with teammate Charles Leclerc just ahead in second place.

"This is the first time we've both been up in the top three in qualifying this year and the team truly deserves it," said Hamilton, enjoying being back in a post-qualifying press conference.

"P3 (third on the grid) is kind of the perfect spot actually at this track, so I'm hoping I can make the most of that at the start. I think our race pace is not too bad."

Hamilton is a two times winner in Mexico, also clinching his 2017 and 2018 world championships at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

"I'm finally figuring out how to drive this car that Charles has been fortunate to drive for the past seven years in terms of the characteristics. I'm finally feeling like I'm getting there," he said.

Hamilton said he would be "racy" at the start, with McLaren's Lando Norris on pole.

"I don’t have anything to lose, but he (Norris) does ... we’ll be quite aggressive, I’m pretty sure. Hopefully we’ll be close enough to put up a good fight," said the Ferrari driver.

Norris could retake the championship lead from teammate Oscar Piastri if results go his way, while Ferrari have nothing to fight for other than second in the constructors' standings.

Monday will be the anniversary of Ferrari's last Formula One victory and Leclerc, who was on provisional pole until Norris put in a storming late lap, said it would mean a lot to win.

"We will do everything in order to get the first place into the first corner and then we'll see what's possible."

Leclerc doubted he would have had the pace to match Norris's time, even if he had been able to go again, but was happy with the car's performance.

"I think he (Norris) will be very strong tomorrow for sure but the start is definitely a chance for us to try and make something special, even though we're starting second on the dirty side (of the track)," said the Monegasque.

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Champion Gauff Cruises into French Open Second Round

US Coco Gauff celebrates after winning against US Taylor Townsend at the end of their women's singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
US Coco Gauff celebrates after winning against US Taylor Townsend at the end of their women's singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
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Champion Gauff Cruises into French Open Second Round

US Coco Gauff celebrates after winning against US Taylor Townsend at the end of their women's singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
US Coco Gauff celebrates after winning against US Taylor Townsend at the end of their women's singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026. (AFP)

Coco Gauff began her defense of her French Open title by dispatching fellow American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-0 at Roland Garris on Tuesday.

Townsend, who had beaten Gauff in their only previous meeting in 2019, broke in the opening game.

The 30-year-old held on her first two service games, but from 3-1 up in the opener, won only one more game. That was at 3-5 down in the first, when Townsend saved a set point on Gauff's serve but dropped serve immediately to lose the set and that ended her resistance.

Gauff galloped through the second set in 24 minutes and will face Egyptian Mayar Sherif in the next round.

Gauff applied ice during breaks in the cauldron of Philippe Chatrier but said that was only because her coach told her to.

"I'm from Florida so this is nothing," the fourth seed said on court. "Honestly I felt more bad for the fans. Dang you're watching in the heat and I hoped no one passed out. So I'm glad I finished quickly."

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Brazil's World Cup Challenge Faces Morocco Test in Group C

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will lead the Brazil attack at the World Cup © MIGUEL J RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will lead the Brazil attack at the World Cup © MIGUEL J RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP
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Brazil's World Cup Challenge Faces Morocco Test in Group C

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will lead the Brazil attack at the World Cup © MIGUEL J RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will lead the Brazil attack at the World Cup © MIGUEL J RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP

Brazil's credentials to end a 24-year wait to be world champions will be tested from the off as 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and a Scotland side seeking a historic breakthrough pose threats to the Selecao.

After consistent failure when faced with stern European opposition in the knockout stages, Brazil have turned to the coach who has won more Champions Leagues than anyone else in Italian Carlo Ancelotti to deliver a sixth star on the famous yellow jersey.

Brazil's preparations have been dominated by the soap opera surrounding Neymar's inclusion in Ancelotti's squad.

The 34-year-old will feature at his fourth World Cup despite not having been capped in the past three years.

Yet with Neymar likely to play just a peripheral role on the field, the real key will be how Ancelotti gets the best out of an unbalanced squad.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker and centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos provide a defensive base that is arguably the best in the tournament.

But there are clear deficiencies at full-back, central midfield and centre-forward compared to Brazil squads of old.

Ancelotti was parachuted in towards the end of an unconvincing qualifying campaign, during which Brazil lost six of 18 matches.

Friendly defeats to Japan and France since the former Real Madrid coach took charge have done little to inspire confidence.

Yet the five-time Champions League winner has a proven track record when it comes to knockout football.

Ancelotti also got the best out of Vinicius Junior during their time together in Madrid.

Given the opportunity to step out of the shadow of club team-mate Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius is the one world-class attacking talent that could carry his country to glory.

- Morocco change coach -

However, defeat in their opening game to African powerhouses Morocco would set alarm bells ringing for Ancelotti's men.

Led by Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi, the Atlas Lions stunned Spain and Portugal on their route to the last four in Qatar.

They beat Brazil for the first time in their history shortly afterwards in 2023, AFP reported.

But the Moroccans' momentum was halted in a chaotic end to the African Cup of Nations on home soil earlier this year.

Senegal walked off after the hosts were awarded a stoppage time penalty.

On returning to the field, Brahim Diaz fluffed his spot-kick and Senegal went on to win 1-0 after extra-time.

Morocco were later controversially crowned champions by the Confederation of African Football, but the repercussions of defeat were still felt.

Walid Regragui, who led his country to becoming the first African semi-finalists at a World Cup, departed as coach in March to be replaced by Mohamed Ouahbi.

Scotland will aim to play the role of spoilers in their return to the world stage for the first time in 28 years.

Steve Clarke's side boast Champions League, Europa League and Serie A winners in Andy Robertson, John McGinn and Scott McTominay respectively and will be targeting progress beyond the group stage for the first time.

An opener against Haiti gives the Scots the perfect chance of a flying start.

Sports

Messi Suffers Muscle Strain, Return Date Undetermined

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Messi Suffers Muscle Strain, Return Date Undetermined

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was suffering from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring when he requested a sub Sunday during a 6-4 win over the visiting Philadelphia Union, the club said Monday.

"After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring," Reuters quoted Inter Miami as saying in a statement. "The timeline for his return to physical activity ⁠will depend on ⁠his clinical and functional progress."

Messi was seen grabbing at his upper thigh before he asked to sub out in the 73rd minute, and he headed directly to the locker room.

Messi's ailment ⁠comes about one week before Argentina begins to prepare for its World Cup title defense at a training camp in Kansas City, Kan.

It's unclear whether Messi will have to miss any time due to the overload. The Major League Soccer season has now begun its World Cup break, and Messi, 38, may return to ⁠training ⁠with Argentina or may need to rest further before matches begin.

Argentina plays Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, Mo. for their first group- stage match. Messi and company will also face Austria and Jordan as part of Group J.

Messi helped Argentina win its first World Cup since 1986 and its third overall four years ago in Qatar. He won the Golden Ball for the tournament's top player.