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New Zealand Captain Wood Fit and Fired Up for World Cup

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Australia v New Zealand - Brentford Community Stadium, London, Britain - October 17, 2023 New Zealand's Chris Wood Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Australia v New Zealand - Brentford Community Stadium, London, Britain - October 17, 2023 New Zealand's Chris Wood Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo
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New Zealand Captain Wood Fit and Fired Up for World Cup

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Australia v New Zealand - Brentford Community Stadium, London, Britain - October 17, 2023 New Zealand's Chris Wood Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Australia v New Zealand - Brentford Community Stadium, London, Britain - October 17, 2023 New Zealand's Chris Wood Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo

New Zealand captain Chris Wood says he is fully fit for the World Cup and his long injury battle has made him hungrier for success as the All Whites look to reach the knockout phase for the first time.

After undergoing surgery on his left knee in December, the 34-year-old striker returned to action for Nottingham Forest last month before being included in New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley's squad for the June 11 to July 19 finals in North America.

New Zealand's record scorer with 45 goals in 88 appearances, Wood said he had moved past the recovery phase with his knee and was looking forward to locking ⁠horns with Iran, ⁠Egypt and Belgium at the World Cup.

"I'm fully back to full fitness. I've been playing games now for over a month-and-a-half, so I feel good, feel up to speed, which is nice, and ready to continue to attack the off-season," he told reporters in a video call on Friday.

"I'm just happy to be back firing both for Forest and for the national team coming into this World Cup period.

"And it's just ⁠given me that hunger to strive and achieve more, definitely."

Wood and defender Tommy Smith are the only players in the squad who represented New Zealand the last time they played at the World Cup when it was hosted by South Africa in 2010.

Then 18, Wood came off the bench in the group matches against Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay.

New Zealand bowed out with three draws but won acclaim for going through unbeaten in their second World Cup and first since 1982.

Wood said the current squad was completely different, much more a technical, ball-playing side versus the "run-through-brick-walls" players of 2010.

He was nonetheless confident they could get out of their ⁠group.

"That's our aim, ⁠and then build from there. We're under no illusion it's going to be tough, but we think we've got the quality in our dressing room to be able to do that," Reuters quoted him as saying.

New Zealand kick off their World Cup against Iran on June 15 in Los Angeles, a match that will be in the spotlight following the United States and Israel's military strikes against the Middle East nation.

While Iran's preparations have been disrupted by the conflict, Wood said they would be no pushovers.

"I believe they're 21st, 22nd in the world, so no mugs in that sense," he said.

"So they're going to be tough to beat and tough to perform against.

"I know the (NZ) coaching staff is doing all they can to do the analytic side of it for (Iran). And we'll be ready on and off the pitch for them."

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Alcaraz Advances to Japan Open Final

World number three Carlos Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in the Japan Open final. Rie KIKUCHI / AFP
World number three Carlos Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in the Japan Open final. Rie KIKUCHI / AFP
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Alcaraz Advances to Japan Open Final

World number three Carlos Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in the Japan Open final. Rie KIKUCHI / AFP
World number three Carlos Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Valentin Vacherot in the Japan Open final. Rie KIKUCHI / AFP

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the final of the Japan Open on Monday after securing a hard-fought 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 victory over fellow Spaniard Jaume Mun ar in Tokyo.

The world number three clinched the win despite struggling with mistakes, particularly near the end of the first set, while his 49th-ranked opponent put up a brave fight, said AFP.

Alcaraz unleashed a barrage of big serves and aggressive returns to keep Munar off-balance and running along the baseline, occasionally mixing in delicate drop shots that wowed the packed crowd at the Ariake Colosseum.

Munar maintained his composure to stay competitive especially late in the opening set, as Alcaraz hit shots wide and long and racked up four double-faults in that set alone.

Nevertheless, Alcaraz kept pressure on his opponent, showering him with precise forehands, fast volleys and drop shots, breaking Munar's serve in the first, third and ninth games of the second set.

Alcaraz dominated the final set, wrapping up the match in two hours and 31 minutes.

In the final, Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka of Czechia or Valentin Vacherot from Monaco, who are set to square off in the other semi-final later Monday.

Sports

Rybakina Withdraws from Wuhan with Injury after China Open Exit

Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns a ball to Alina Charaeva, of Armenia, during the second round of the women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns a ball to Alina Charaeva, of Armenia, during the second round of the women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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Rybakina Withdraws from Wuhan with Injury after China Open Exit

Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns a ball to Alina Charaeva, of Armenia, during the second round of the women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns a ball to Alina Charaeva, of Armenia, during the second round of the women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

World number one Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from this month's Wuhan Open due to a foot injury, tournament organizers said on Sunday, a day after the Kazakh suffered a shock defeat in her opening match at the China Open.

Rybakina, who lost to world number 118 Alina Charaeva in Beijing, said she would take time away ⁠from competition to ⁠recover.

"I'm very sorry to the fans who were looking forward to seeing me play," Reuters quoted Rybakina as saying in an Instagram story shared by the tournament.

"I'll take some time ⁠to rest and recover. Thank you for your understanding and continued support."

The 27-year-old has been managing a lingering lower leg and foot problem that also forced her to retire from her Cincinnati quarter-final against Iga Swiatek in August.

Despite the setback, Rybakina recovered in time for the US Open, where ⁠she ⁠claimed her third Grand Slam title, rose to world number one and became the first player to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals.

Rybakina is next expected to compete in Ningbo, where she will attempt to defend her title.

The Wuhan Open is scheduled to take place from October 12 to 18.

Sports

Verstappen Wins Rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

04 October 2026, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of team Red Bull Racing celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain in Malaysia at Sepang Circuit on Photo: Mohd Faizol Aziz/BERNAMA/dpa
04 October 2026, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of team Red Bull Racing celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain in Malaysia at Sepang Circuit on Photo: Mohd Faizol Aziz/BERNAMA/dpa
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Verstappen Wins Rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

04 October 2026, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of team Red Bull Racing celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain in Malaysia at Sepang Circuit on Photo: Mohd Faizol Aziz/BERNAMA/dpa
04 October 2026, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of team Red Bull Racing celebrate after winning the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain in Malaysia at Sepang Circuit on Photo: Mohd Faizol Aziz/BERNAMA/dpa

Red Bull's Max Verstappen won a chaotic rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Sunday for his first victory of the season after the race start was delayed by more than 90 minutes due to treacherous conditions at the Sepang International Circuit.

Verstappen was the last driver to win in Sepang in 2017 before it was taken off the calendar and the Dutchman, who had also taken pole, gave Red Bull a first victory with their own power unit despite an early setback when he lost the lead before turn one.

"It's a really nice one after the year that we've had and the progression that we've made. So I'm incredibly proud of everyone. It is super nice to win here," Reuters quoted Verstappen as saying.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was second for Mercedes and now has an 84-point lead over his closest rival and teammate George Russell, who was third when he retired with a suspected power unit issue with five laps remaining.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finished third despite a tire gamble that had dropped the Briton down to 18th at the start of the race.

"Obviously, we had the wrong call at the beginning, which was so difficult and I could see everyone just pulling away," Hamilton said.

"I thought that ⁠was kind of ⁠race over for us, but I just kept my head down. The guys did a great job with the pit stops."

Antonelli held on to second from Hamilton in the closing laps.

"Today was the maximum we could have done... On our side, a lot of work to do," Antonelli said.

"We've been struggling a bit more than usual, but still really happy to come away with P2."

The last four laps were a straight shootout for podium places after a lengthy safety car period and that was when Hamilton, who had been chasing Red Bull's Isack Hadjar for several laps, made his move.

Charles Leclerc, who had also been closer to the back of the grid at ⁠the start of the race amid the chaos of a wet track, salvaged fourth for Ferrari when he overtook Hadjar with two laps to go.

Hadjar finished fifth ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri. Liam Lawson was seventh while Fernando Alonso was eighth for Aston Martin, their best result of the season.

The season had not yet had a wet race where the 2026 cars could be tested and the rain - which had stayed away in practice and qualifying - arrived with heavy showers sweeping across the circuit, delaying the start.

After a suspended start procedure, the second start had drivers split between intermediate and slick tires but it was the former that thrived early in the race.

When the lights went out, Antonelli accelerated through the middle from third on the grid to take the lead from Verstappen while Russell shot past on the outside to move up from seventh to second.

But Verstappen's recovery began on lap six when he attacked Russell, overtaking the Briton by diving down the inside of turn four ⁠to set his sights on Antonelli.

The ⁠Italian had to defend his position until lap 10 when Valtteri Bottas spun his Cadillac into the gravel, bringing out the safety car as Verstappen pitted while the two Mercedes cars double stacked to switch to slick tires.

When the safety car came in, Verstappen stayed glued to Antonelli's rear tire before overtaking the Italian on turn three, with Russell also surging past his team mate on the next turn to flip the order.

Verstappen looked comfortable setting the pace up front as he set fastest laps and extended his lead over Russell to over four seconds as a frustrated Antonelli informed the team that he had the pace to chase the Dutchman.

An impatient Antonelli overtook Russell on lap 21 to move up to second while behind them Hamilton had quietly been chipping away on his ageing soft tires to move up to fifth behind Hadjar.

But Antonelli missed his braking point at turn 15 and went briefly off track, hitting the pit lane bollard and costing him valuable time as Verstappen extended his lead to eight seconds.

When the second safety car came out towards the end for Alex Albon's Williams that was stuck in the gravel, Russell suddenly parked his car on the main straight and shook his head as he got out of the car with a suspected power unit issue.