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Sevilla Strike Late to Boost Survival Hopes, Celta Edge Atletico

Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)
Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)
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Sevilla Strike Late to Boost Survival Hopes, Celta Edge Atletico

Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)
Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)

Akor Adams snatched Sevilla a late 2-1 victory over Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday to increase their chances of avoiding relegation.

Celta Vigo earned a 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid to keep their ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League alive, which were further boosted by Real Betis's 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad.

Nigeria forward Adams's 91st minute strike propelled record seven-time Europa League winners Sevilla provisionally up to 12th, three points clear of the relegation zone.

Espanyol, now without a win in 18 league matches -- all of 2026 to date -- sit 15th, two points above the drop zone, after a bad-tempered match with 10 yellow cards.

Tyrhys Dolan slammed home for Espanyol early in the second half at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, before the hosts hit back.

Sevilla defender Andres Castrin scored to level in the 82nd minute with the help of some poor handling by Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

In stoppage time Adams pounced on a loose ball and produced a clinical finish to secure a crucial victory for Luis Garcia Plaza's team.

"This comeback, I think it brings us closer, closer to what we've been looking for," Castrin told Movistar.

"It was essential to win here today, to get the three points with these wonderful people (the fans).

"Thanks to them -- they have lifted us, have carried us, and you could really feel the atmosphere, how it influenced those final minutes when the goal comes at the end."

Earlier Alaves, 18th and one point from safety, drew 1-1 against Elche, 13th, who are not yet safe from the specter of relegation either.

At Atletico's Metropolitano stadium Borja Iglesias scored a fine goal for Celta, sixth, to help them keep pressure on Real Betis, fifth.

The hosts, with nothing left to play for this season after Champions League semi-final elimination by Arsenal this week, are fourth and already assured of playing in that competition again next season.

It was confirmed earlier this week that five Spanish sides will qualify for the Champions League from La Liga, guaranteeing Atletico a spot.

- 'Happy to be in the fight' -

Spain international Iglesias's neat chip helped Celta move within three points of Real Betis, who face Real Sociedad later on.

"Even in the toughest moments this team has kept on dreaming," Iglesias told DAZN.

"Obviously it's not easy to compete at this level, we're happy to be in this fight right now.

"If we keep on looking upwards, just imagine... I think we deserve it, and we'll try to get it."

Real Betis threw away a two-goal lead in a draw at Real Sociedad, leaving them four points ahead of Celta with three games to go.

Former Manchester United winger Antony missed two huge chances before eventually sending the Andalucians ahead with the hardest of his opportunities, curling home from outside the box.

Ez Abde scored a superb second for the visitors soon after half-time, surging in down the left and whipping a strike into the top corner.

Orri Oskarsson pulled one back for the Basques, eighth, and Mikel Oyarzabal levelled from the penalty spot in the 90th minute after Aitor Ruibal handled.

Ruibal was later sent off for a second yellow card for a foul as Betis left frustrated.

On Sunday, La Liga leaders Barcelona can wrap up back-to-back Spanish titles if they avoid defeat against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Clasico at Camp Nou.

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Sports

Kyrgios Gets Month Ban for Cocaine, Enters Treatment Program

Australia's Nick Kyrgios after a match in December 2025. (Reuters)
Australia's Nick Kyrgios after a match in December 2025. (Reuters)
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Kyrgios Gets Month Ban for Cocaine, Enters Treatment Program

Australia's Nick Kyrgios after a match in December 2025. (Reuters)
Australia's Nick Kyrgios after a match in December 2025. (Reuters)

Nick Kyrgios has accepted and served a one-month ban for taking cocaine, the tennis anti-doping agency said Friday, clearing his return to the court after completing a treatment program.

The temperamental Australian, who reached the final at Wimbledon in 2022, failed a doping test during an ATP event in Mallorca on June 22.

Kyrgios was provisionally suspended on August 4 by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the 31-year-old admitting he made "a huge mistake".

In a statement Friday, the doping agency said Kyrgios had explained his use of the drug occurred socially during a night out before he was due to play in Mallorca.

The ITIA consulted an independent scientific expert at a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory who found his explanation was consistent with the level of cocaine found in his sample.

"As a result, the ITIA accepted that Kyrgios' use of cocaine was outside of competition," the ITIA said.

Under WADA rules, the default suspension for a breach of this type is three months, which can be reduced to one month if an individual commits to a treatment program.

"Kyrgios has entered into a treatment program," the ITIA added.

"As such, the player's suspension will end on September 3, 2026, subject to completion of the program. Prize-money and ranking points from the Mallorca event will be forfeited."

Boasting a big serve and booming ground strokes, Kyrgios was one of the sport's most dynamic players when at the top of his game.

He has won seven singles titles on the ATP Tour and rose to a high of 13 in the world in 2016.

At Wimbledon in 2022 he reached the championship match, losing in four sets to Novak Djokovic.

Despite his natural talents that was as good as it got, with problems off court including severe injuries to his right elbow, left wrist, hip, knees, shoulders and collarbone.

He has had numerous surgeries, the most serious a complete reconstruction of his right wrist in 2024 and is now ranked 918.

The Australian has barely played in recent years and was last on court as a wildcard entry in the men's doubles at Wimbledon in July this year, when he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.

Kyrgios, who has hinted previously at retirement, was contrite when the news of his cocaine use emerged last month.

"I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine," he posted on Instagram at the time. "I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it.

"I'm sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I'm sorry to the kids who follow me.

"I know the example this sets and I'm deeply disappointed in myself."

Sports

Efficient Rybakina Reaches US Open Third Round

Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, ponytail flies as she serves to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, of Spain, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP)
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, ponytail flies as she serves to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, of Spain, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP)
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Efficient Rybakina Reaches US Open Third Round

Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, ponytail flies as she serves to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, of Spain, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP)
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, ponytail flies as she serves to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, of Spain, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP)

Second-seeded Elena Rybakina advanced to the third round of the US Open Thursday, seeing off Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4.

The Kazakh dominated most of the match with heavy, deep ground strokes and big serves that the Spanish baseliner struggled to handle. Rybakina moved well and did not show effects of a left heel injury that has clouded her prospects in the week before the tournament.

Rybakina was broken while serving for the match at 5-3 when the Spaniard lifted her level. But Rybakina immediately broke back, returning Bouzas Maneiro's serve forcefully to finish the match in just over an hour.

"I'm super glad, super happy to be here," Rybakina said afterwards, adding that she was "very proud" of strong play through two rounds despite imperfect preparation.

The 2026 Australian Open champion, Rybakina had been playing well in the US Open warmup tournaments, reaching the final in Toronto and winning matches the following week in Cincinnati.

But she was forced to retire from the latter event in the quarter-finals due to an injury that made her a question mark heading into the tournament.

Now the 2022 Wimbledon champion needs just three more wins to reach the semi-finals and be assured of overtaking Aryna Sabalenka atop the world rankings.

Her best showing at the US Open was in 2025 when she fell in the fourth round to Marketa Vondrousova.

She'll be out for revenge in her next match against Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva, who beat Maria Sakkari 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.

Starodubtseva stunned Rybakina in the second round at Roland Garros this year.

Sports

Gauff Downs Badosa to Reach US Open Third Round

Tennis - US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 3, 2026 Coco Gauff of the US reacts during her second round match against Spain's Paula Badosa. (Reuters)
Tennis - US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 3, 2026 Coco Gauff of the US reacts during her second round match against Spain's Paula Badosa. (Reuters)
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Gauff Downs Badosa to Reach US Open Third Round

Tennis - US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 3, 2026 Coco Gauff of the US reacts during her second round match against Spain's Paula Badosa. (Reuters)
Tennis - US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 3, 2026 Coco Gauff of the US reacts during her second round match against Spain's Paula Badosa. (Reuters)

Coco Gauff battled into the third round of the US Open on Thursday with a straight sets victory over Spain's Paula Badosa.

Gauff advanced to a meeting with another Spaniard, Cristina Bucsa, after powering past Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in just under two hours.

The 22-year-old American star, who is chasing a repeat of her 2023 US Open victory, had lost five of her eight previous meetings with Badosa.

But Gauff never looked like letting their latest encounter slip with a largely confident performance to open the Arthur Ashe Stadium evening session.

"Obviously, you know, I would prefer maybe not to play somebody I've lost to so many times second round. But I think today was a big confidence booster.

"And I think getting through in straight sets too makes a big difference. Yes, I was battle-tested, but I think it was a good battle where I wasn't out on the court for three hours."

After a steady start, the American broke Badosa in the seventh game of the opening set when the 28-year-old Manhattan-born Spaniard fluffed a risky drop shot into the net.

Gauff held serve to love to go 5-3 up before comfortably clinching the set with another rock-solid service game.

Gauff looked to be ready to take control early in the second set, when Badosa was broken in the third game -- again attempting a delicate drop volley which fell short.

Badosa though broke back to knot the set at 4-4 and then held off two break points to move into a 5-4 lead.

After Gauff levelled to make it 5-5, the two women swapped breaks of serve to set up the tie break, with Gauff sealing victory on her second match point when Badosa smacked a backhand long.

Gauff, whose game was in disarray this time last year, said she feels more at ease now in pressure moments of a match.

"I definitely feel more comfortable, especially on the serving end of things," she said.

"I mean, she broke me two times, one time serving for it. I wasn't too upset. I was, like, I don't think I could have served that much better.

"So I think that's the part of my game where I feel less pressure and I know I can get a big serve in when I need to. It's just about if my opponent responds, and she did.