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American Rider Matteo Jorgenson Wins Paris-Nice Stage Race for 1st Time

Matteo Jorgenson of the US wearing the overall leaders jersey celebrates on the podium after winning the general clasification of the Paris-Nice cycling race in Nice, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Matteo Jorgenson of the US wearing the overall leaders jersey celebrates on the podium after winning the general clasification of the Paris-Nice cycling race in Nice, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
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American Rider Matteo Jorgenson Wins Paris-Nice Stage Race for 1st Time

Matteo Jorgenson of the US wearing the overall leaders jersey celebrates on the podium after winning the general clasification of the Paris-Nice cycling race in Nice, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Matteo Jorgenson of the US wearing the overall leaders jersey celebrates on the podium after winning the general clasification of the Paris-Nice cycling race in Nice, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

American rider Matteo Jorgenson won the Paris-Nice stage race for the first time on Sunday, with Belgian Remco Evenepoel clinching the final stage to finish second overall.
The 24-year-old Jorgenson, who races for the Visma–Lease team and lives in Nice, secured the biggest victory of his career after winning the Tour of Oman last year.
“To be honest, I never expected to win Paris-Nice. Until this year, I never thought it was possible. But here we are,” Jorgenson said. “I could barely sleep last night. I was so nervous. I felt pressure for the first time in my life. To ride with such a champion as Remco was a very special moment.”
Evenepoel beat him in a sprint to the line to win Sunday's eighth stage, a hilly 109-kilometer (68-mile) trek with two big climbs starting and finishing in Nice on France's Côte d’Azur.
Evenepoel and Jorgenson were both giving the same winning time of 2 hours, 50 minutes, 3 seconds, with Russian cyclist Aleksandr Vlasov crossing the line 50 seconds behind in third spot.
“I’m not going to get ahead of myself. It’s already a great achievement in my life,” the jubilant Jorgenson said, according to The Associated Press. “I will now try to enjoy it and keep my feet on the ground.”
In the overall standings, Jorgenson finished 30 seconds ahead of Evenepoel (Soudal–Quick-Step) and 1 minute, 47 seconds clear of countryman and childhood friend Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates), the overnight leader.
Evenepoel praised Jorgenson for staying with him when he surged ahead in the climbs.
“If you’ve seen my attacks today, only one guy could follow, it was Matteo,” he said. “Matteo is the deserved winner of this race.”

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Sports

European Football a 'Driving Force' for Newcastle, says Howe

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is targeting European qualification © Andy Buchanan / AFP/File
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is targeting European qualification © Andy Buchanan / AFP/File
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European Football a 'Driving Force' for Newcastle, says Howe

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is targeting European qualification © Andy Buchanan / AFP/File
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is targeting European qualification © Andy Buchanan / AFP/File

Howe's men are sixth in the table, two places and three points better off than their hosts with two games to go for each team.

Chelsea are in seventh place on 57 points -- the same as Newcastle.

As it stands, the team in sixth place at the end of the season will earn a spot in the UEFA Conference League, the third-tier European competition.

But if Manchester City beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final, the sixth-placed team would qualify for the Europa League and the side in seventh would enter the Conference League.

"Massive fixture for both teams," Howe said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, AFP reported.

"It's coming to the end of a long season for both clubs. We're desperate to do well in the game, we're desperate to finish as high as we can.

"We know European competition is there but it can also be a long way away if we don't get the results we need."

The Newcastle boss said his team were embracing the pressure after recovering from a poor start to the season and a damaging run of losses in December and January.

Howe, whose team flopped in this season's Champions League, said it was vital for Saudi-backed Newcastle to be in Europe.

"We need to be there as a football club," he said. "That's a driving force for us. We'll embrace the extra games, the travel, the experience, everything about the competition. We feel we're in a position to do it."

Howe said he was anxious not to underestimate misfiring United despite their poor form as Newcastle seek their first league double against the 20-time English champions since the 1930/31 season.

"We can't underestimate the challenge in front of us," he added. "That would be foolish. That would counteract everything that we need to be in this game.

"I think we don't underestimate Manchester United's qualities, we don't underestimate the magnitude of the game.

"We are preparing for a really tough match. We know it will be and we expect a good atmosphere."

Forwards Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson are doubts for the match at Old Trafford after suffering from illness and neither trained on Monday.

Howe said it was "fingers crossed" Isak would train on Tuesday.

On Wilson, he added: "We'll see. We haven't seen Callum yet, so we'll see if he's available to train today. If not, then I'm sure he'll be fit for Brentford."

Newcastle have confirmed they will travel to Japan for a pre-season tour to face Urawa Red Diamonds on July 31 and Yokohama F. Marinos at the Japan National Stadium three days later.

Sports

Maradona Heirs Say his Golden Ball Trophy Was Stolen. They Want to Stop its Auction

Francois Thierry, the sports expert at Aguttes auction house, presents the Diego Maradona's Golden Ball trophy in the case display, near Paris, France, 13 May 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
Francois Thierry, the sports expert at Aguttes auction house, presents the Diego Maradona's Golden Ball trophy in the case display, near Paris, France, 13 May 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
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Maradona Heirs Say his Golden Ball Trophy Was Stolen. They Want to Stop its Auction

Francois Thierry, the sports expert at Aguttes auction house, presents the Diego Maradona's Golden Ball trophy in the case display, near Paris, France, 13 May 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
Francois Thierry, the sports expert at Aguttes auction house, presents the Diego Maradona's Golden Ball trophy in the case display, near Paris, France, 13 May 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Diego Maradona's heirs will launch a lawsuit to try and stop the auction of a trophy he was awarded after the 1986 World Cup won by Argentina, their lawyer told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The Golden Ball trophy rewarding the best player of the tournament had been missing for decades after it disappeared in unclear circumstances and only recently resurfaced. It is set to be auctioned in Paris next month, the Aguttes auction house said last week.
Maradona, who died in 2020 at age 60, captained Argentina in its 3-2 win over West Germany in the 1986 final in Mexico City. Before that were the “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” in a 2-1 win over England in the quarterfinals.
Maradona’s heirs say the trophy was stolen and claim the current owner cannot be entitled to sell it.
Gilles Moreu, a lawyer working with Paradox Lawyers firm, said he will throw an urgent request to the president of the Nanterre judicial court near Paris to have the Golden Ball withdrawn from the auction. He told the AP he will also request a judicial sequestration of the trophy and file a complaint for theft and concealed theft.
Aguttes said the trophy reappeared in 2016 among other lots that were acquired from a private collection at auction in Paris.
Maradona received the award in 1986 at a ceremony at the Lido cabaret on the Champs-Élysées. It subsequently disappeared, giving rise to rumors.
Some say it was lost during a poker game or sold to pay off debts, Aguttes said. Others say Maradona stored it in a safe in a Naples bank that was robbed by local gangsters in 1989, when he played in the Italian league. Maradona’s heirs believe it was stolen from the bank.
Moreu, who represents two daughters of Maradona, say the heirs found out only recently that the trophy had been stolen. According to the lawyer, Maradona's family wants the sale to be banned because it believes the Golden Ball belongs to them.
Moreu said he was contacted by an Argentine colleague after the two daughters discussed the matter with the other heirs, who gave their approval to the legal action.
The auction house's argument is the person who bought the trophy years ago was not aware it had been stolen.
“If the owner of an object can claim ownership under French law, it is on the obvious condition that his or her good faith cannot be called into question,” the Paradox Lawyers firm said in a statement to the AP. “This cannot be the case for the owner of a trophy that was famously stolen from Diego Maradona and whose heirs can legally claim ownership.”
Moreu said, "It doesn’t appear that the seller contacted Diego, which wasn’t that complicated."
The auction house said it expects the trophy “to fetch millions due to its uniqueness.”
Bidders will be asked to make a deposit of 150,000 euros ($161,000) to participate in the June 6 auction.
The Hand of God goal came when Maradona punched the ball into England’s net. Four minutes later, he weaved through England’s midfield and defense and past goalkeeper Peter Shilton for what FIFA later declared the greatest goal in World Cup history.

Sports

Aryna Sabalenka Survives Three Match Points to Make Rome Quarters 

Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2024 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after winning her round of 16 match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. (Reuters)
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2024 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after winning her round of 16 match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. (Reuters)
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Aryna Sabalenka Survives Three Match Points to Make Rome Quarters 

Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2024 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after winning her round of 16 match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. (Reuters)
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2024 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after winning her round of 16 match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. (Reuters)

World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka saved three match points en route to defeating No. 16 seed Elina Svitolina 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7) in a late-night marathon in the Round of 16 of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Monday in Rome.

Sabalenka also endured an injury to her lower back/hip area that required a long medical timeout and kept going.

"I gave it all today," said Sabalenka, the two-time Australian Open champ from Belarus. "I couldn't give up. I couldn't leave the court. I felt like if my body allows me to play even 15 percent of my best tennis, I'm going to stay there, I'm going to fight."

Svitolina, a Ukraine native, took a 6-5, 40-15 lead in the third set before Sabalenka saved consecutive match points to bring the score level at deuce. She went on to win the 12th game, forcing the tiebreaker.

Sabalenka took a 6-5 lead for her first match point, but Svitolina served and won the next two points to swing the score in her favor. Sabalenka saved her third match point down 7-6 and ended up winning the final three points of the match.

"Sometimes I think you need to accept these tough challenges when everything is against you and fight through it," Sabalenka said. "It's a good preparation for the Grand Slams because in the Grand Slams sometimes not everything is going. your way and you have to fight through it."

In the quarterfinals, Sabalenka will face Latvian No. 9 seed Jelena Ostapenko, who is also coming off a lengthy match. She rallied past Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) in two hours and 46 minutes.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland also played Monday and advanced to the quarters with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Angelique Kerber of Germany. Swiatek was patient as Kerber saved 9 of 13 break points.

"For sure, wasn't easy," Swiatek said after her latest win. "I'm happy in important moments at the end of both sets I was ready to break. I got my focus up a little bit. At the end that's what made the difference, so I'm happy."

Swiatek, who won the title in Rome in 2021 and 2022, is due to face Madison Keys in the quarters. The 18th-seeded American needed an hour flat to dispatch Romanian No. 28 seed Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-1.

It will be Keys' first appearance in the quarterfinals at Foro Italico since 2016.

Keys is joined by two other Americans in the quarters. No. 3 seed Coco Gauff outlasted Spaniard Paula Badosa 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 to advance. No. 13 seed Danielle Collins beat Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu 6-0, 6-3 in 67 minutes for her 18th win in her past 19 matches.

Gauff's next opponent is seventh seed Qinwen Zheng of China, who beat Japan's Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4. Collins will meet No. 24 seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who knocked out fifth seed Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-4, 6-1.

Sports

Gauff Says Tweaked Serve Needs Time to Take Off 

USA's Coco Gauff serves to Spain's Paula Badosa during the Women's WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 13, 2024. (AFP)
USA's Coco Gauff serves to Spain's Paula Badosa during the Women's WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 13, 2024. (AFP)
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Gauff Says Tweaked Serve Needs Time to Take Off 

USA's Coco Gauff serves to Spain's Paula Badosa during the Women's WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 13, 2024. (AFP)
USA's Coco Gauff serves to Spain's Paula Badosa during the Women's WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 13, 2024. (AFP)

American Coco Gauff has accumulated 35 double faults in three matches at the Italian Open, but the world number three said the technical changes to her serve only need time to settle.

A potent serve can be a powerful weapon in tennis, but US Open champion Gauff has struggled with her delivery in the clay swing, averaging almost 10 double faults in the five matches that she played on the slower surface ahead of Rome.

Gauff sent down 11 more in Monday's 5-7 6-4 6-1 win over Paula Badosa, but the 20-year-old said after making the quarter-finals that she was already seeing some improvements ahead of the French Open which starts on May 26.

"I'm going big on the first serve, so I know I'm probably going to miss more. It's just finding the balance of going big but also knowing when to slow down just to get the serve in," Gauff, the 2022 Roland Garros runner-up, told reporters.

"I bet on myself to continue to go big. I know when I go big and my serve goes in it's dangerous. Even though this tournament I want to win, I'm trying to think long-term. I don't want to lose the 120 (mph) serve by not going for it."

World number two Aryna Sabalenka famously struggled with her serve over the last few years before a stint with a biomechanics trainer turned her weakness into a weapon, which she deployed to great effect en route to winning two Australian Opens titles.

Gauff, who is coached by Brad Gilbert and Jean-Christophe Faurel, said she was also trying to make technical tweaks.

"It's tough to do in-season and in-tournament," she said.

"I feel from the night before my last match to now, it's better. It's only been two days. I'm trying."

Sports

Substitute Bags Two Late Goals in Villa Thriller with Liverpool 

Jhon Duran of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the sixth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Liverpool in Birmingham, Britain, 13 May 2024. (EPA)
Jhon Duran of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the sixth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Liverpool in Birmingham, Britain, 13 May 2024. (EPA)
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Substitute Bags Two Late Goals in Villa Thriller with Liverpool 

Jhon Duran of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the sixth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Liverpool in Birmingham, Britain, 13 May 2024. (EPA)
Jhon Duran of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring the sixth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Liverpool in Birmingham, Britain, 13 May 2024. (EPA)

Substitute Jhon Duran was a late savior for Aston Villa on Monday, scoring twice in the last five minutes against Liverpool to grab a remarkable 3-3 home draw and edge his team closer to next year’s Champions League.

Watched by Villa fan Tom Hanks, who was in the ground in a claret tracksuit top, Villa played its part in a thrilling match in front of a packed house that Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp described as “rocking.”

A win would have confirmed a place in the English Premier League top four for Unai Emery’s side and a place in the European Cup for the first time since 1983.

But the home side went behind in the second minute with a bizarre own goal from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, and although Youri Tielemans equalized soon after, goals from Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah put Liverpool in the driving seat.

Until Duran’s appearance after 79 minutes.

The Colombian scored in the 85th and 88th, the second an astonishing lob executed on the run that sent Villa and its supporters wild with joy.

“We created chances but we didn’t score,” Tielemans told broadcaster Sky Sports. “We got the draw and fought right until the end and that’s the most important thing. Unfortunately, we couldn’t score more, we felt like we deserved more in the first half. It’s unlucky but we’ll take the draw.”

Villa remained in fourth place, five points ahead of Tottenham.

Villa has one game left to play and Tottenham has two, starting with Tuesday night’s visit by league leader Manchester City.

The top four qualify for the Champions League. Liverpool was third, 14 points clear of Villa.

The atmosphere was electric at kickoff but the power was quickly sapped for the home side when Liverpool had the ball in the back of the net after just 62 seconds. Harvey Elliott’s cross from the right took a deflection and the wrong-footed Martinez fumbled the ball into his own net.

It took the home side just 15 minutes to recover. Ollie Watkins did well on the left flank and cut the ball back for the unmarked Youri Tielemans to slam home from around 16 meters.

Liverpool regained the lead but only after a lengthy VAR review. Luiz Diaz fed Joe Gomez on the overlap and his low ball across goal was turned in by Cody Gakpo.

Jarell Quansah made it three early in the second half when he headed home a cross from Elliott to bag his first league goal.

And then it was Duran Duran when the Colombian slotted home from just outside the box and then scored that astonishing lob.

“Jhon Duran is a special player,” Emery said on Sky Sports. “He was very clinical and today was important for him.”

The Aston Villa players will tune into Tuesday's Spurs-Man City game. Anything other than a Spurs win means Villa are into the Champions League.

“There’s some of us that have never been close to the Champions League in our life,” Villa captain John McGinn said. “We’ll have our Man City tops on tomorrow.”

Sports

Mbappe Gets Mixed Reception from Fans in Last PSG Home Game Before Scoring in 3-1 Loss 

PSG's Kylian Mbappe, center, celebrates with his teammates PSG's French League One title after the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP)
PSG's Kylian Mbappe, center, celebrates with his teammates PSG's French League One title after the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP)
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Mbappe Gets Mixed Reception from Fans in Last PSG Home Game Before Scoring in 3-1 Loss 

PSG's Kylian Mbappe, center, celebrates with his teammates PSG's French League One title after the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP)
PSG's Kylian Mbappe, center, celebrates with his teammates PSG's French League One title after the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP)

Kylian Mbappe got a mixed reception from Paris Saint-Germain fans in his last home game for the club before scoring in a 3-1 home defeat against Toulouse in the French league on Sunday.

Mbappe grabbed his league-leading 27th goal of the season in the eighth minute after sprinting clear and rounding the goalkeeper.

But defensive errors followed as French champion PSG slipped to only its second league defeat of the season, but third straight overall after back-to-back 1-0 losses against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semifinals.

As the lineups were announced at Parc des Princes, there were loud jeers from sections of the crowd when Mbappe's name was read out. But shortly after, ultra supporters from the CUP — Paris Ultras Collective — unfurled a banner in his honor behind one of the goals.

It read “Enfant de la Banlieu” (Kid from the Suburbs) in reference to the Parisian suburb of Bondy where Mbappe grew up. They also made a giant tifo in his image, featuring Mbappe in a trademark pose with his arms crossed. Mbappe went over to the fans and applauded.

After the final whistle, fans sang “On est les Champions” (We are the Champions) but did not chant Mbappe's name.

Mbappe publicly confirmed on Friday that he is leaving at the end of the season, having already informed the club in mid-February. He spoke Friday in a video posted on X and not through the club’s communications department.

Although he has yet to announce his destination, Mbappe is widely expected to join 14-time Champions League winner Real Madrid.

Mbappe's early goal was quickly canceled out by Dutch striker Thijs Dallinga following slack defending.

Midway through the second period, PSG’s defenders backed off and forward Yann Gboho curled a fine shot into the top right corner. With seconds remaining in stoppage time, striker Frank Magri volleyed in from close range.

“Even though we are champions, we shouldn’t lose in this manner,” PSG winger Ousmane Dembele said. “We have to give the best versions of ourselves in every game.”

Mbappe has three matches remaining — two league games and the French Cup final against Lyon on May 25 — to add to his club-record tally of 256 goals.

Also on Sunday, Monaco clinched second place with a 2-0 win at Montpellier.

Defender Kassoum Ouatara and France midfielder Youssouf Fofana grabbed the goals for Monaco, which is six points clear of both third-place Lille and fourth-place Brest.

The top three qualify directly for the Champions League and the fourth-place side enters the qualifying rounds.

Canada striker Jonathan David reached 19 league goals as Lille won 2-1 at Nantes, and veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted twice to move onto 16 goals as Marseille won 3-1 at home to Lorient.

Rock-bottom Clermont was relegated after losing 1-0 at home to Lyon. Also, Metz lost 2-1 at Strasbourg, and Rennes drew 1-1 with Lens.

Sports

Djokovic’s Rome Exit Opens Door for Sinner to Grab Top Ranking at Roland Garros 

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Chile's Alejandro Tabilo at the Men's ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 12, 2024. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Chile's Alejandro Tabilo at the Men's ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 12, 2024. (AFP)
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Djokovic’s Rome Exit Opens Door for Sinner to Grab Top Ranking at Roland Garros 

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Chile's Alejandro Tabilo at the Men's ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 12, 2024. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his match against Chile's Alejandro Tabilo at the Men's ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 12, 2024. (AFP)

Novak Djokovic's shock exit from the Italian Open on Sunday could prove to be a decisive moment in the race for the world number one spot, as the top-ranked Serb prepares for his French Open title defense with Jannik Sinner poised to leapfrog him.

Two days after accidentally being hit on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs in Rome, an off-color Djokovic crashed to his earliest defeat in the tournament he has won six times after a 6-2 6-3 third-round thrashing by Alejandro Tabilo.

Djokovic will remain 1,090 points ahead of Sinner before the year's second Grand Slam begins on May 26, but the 36-year-old is on shaky ground as he will be defending 2,000 points in Paris and winning the title may not be enough to stay on top.

"It was a very unfortunate, unlucky situation ... that guy leaned over the fence, and the bottle dropped from his rucksack and landed on my head," Djokovic said, reflecting on the freak accident that hurt his chances to pull away from Sinner.

"It was unexpected. I wasn't even looking up. Then I felt a very strong hit in the head. That has really impacted me. After that I got the medical care. Been through half-an-hour, an hour of nausea, dizziness, blood, a lot of different things.

"I managed to sleep okay. I had headaches. Yesterday was fine, so I thought it's okay. Maybe it's okay. Maybe it's not.

"The way I felt on the court was just completely like a different player entered into my shoes. No rhythm, no tempo, no balance whatsoever on any shot. It's a bit concerning."

With only six matches on clay, Djokovic will be slightly undercooked as he heads to Paris in search of a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Even if Djokovic goes on to win at Roland Garros, Sinner could rise to world number one for the first time on June 10 by reaching the championship match.

The 22-year-old Sinner, who skipped Rome with a hip injury sustained in Madrid, will be defending only 45 points in Paris but faces a race against time to be fully fit.

Djokovic had endured a bumpy season even before the bottle incident as the Serb's bid for a record-extending 11th title at the Australian Open was snuffed out by eventual champion Sinner in the semi-finals.

He then fell to lucky loser Luca Nardi in the Indian Wells third round before being outlasted by Casper Ruud in the Monte Carlo semi-finals, sparking fear among fans that his aura of invincibility was slowly fading.

Despite winning three out of the four Grand Slams last year, Djokovic split with long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic and fitness coach Marco Panichi in a bid to rediscover his best form ahead of Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics.

Talk of terminal decline may still be premature and Djokovic could silence critics by winning a fourth title at the claycourt major, but he admitted things must improve fast after reaching May without a trophy for the first time since 2018.

"Everything needs to be better in order for me to have at least a chance to win it," said Djokovic.

Sports

Gvardiol Proving His Worth After Early Struggles, Says Guardiola 

Football - Premier League - Fulham v Manchester City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - May 11, 2024 Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol celebrates scoring their third goal with Phil Foden. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Fulham v Manchester City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - May 11, 2024 Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol celebrates scoring their third goal with Phil Foden. (Reuters)
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Gvardiol Proving His Worth After Early Struggles, Says Guardiola 

Football - Premier League - Fulham v Manchester City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - May 11, 2024 Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol celebrates scoring their third goal with Phil Foden. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Fulham v Manchester City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - May 11, 2024 Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol celebrates scoring their third goal with Phil Foden. (Reuters)

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol struggled to find his feet at the Premier League club but is now growing in confidence after his goal-scoring exploits in the title run-in, manager Pep Guardiola said.

The 22-year-old left back joined the treble winners from German club RB Leipzig in August, signing a five-year deal for a reported fee of 90 million euros ($97 million).

The Croatian international, who had not scored in his previous 32 appearances for City, has now netted five times in his last seven matches to help his side's push towards a record fourth successive title.

"There is an aspect in football and in life and that is confidence, confidence when you do things and it's game time, a lot of games and talking about the not proper things that you do and the good things," Guardiola told reporters after Saturday's 4-0 thrashing of Fulham.

"And you cannot forget it is his first Premier League season... so it is not easy to handle it and he struggled in the beginning a little bit, because he came into a team who had just won the treble and he was a little bit shy.

"He signed for many, many years and he has proved to himself that he can do it and play with us."

Guardiola gave his players three days off after their 5-1 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers this month.

"On the first day, he (Gvardiol) went into the training center to make a recovery, so his focus is football and he wants to be better and better and when this happens, you have something special on your hands," the Spaniard said.

City, second in the table with 85 points and one behind Arsenal who have played a game more, travel to fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

Sports

Ten Hag Laments Man Utd’s Injuries After Home Loss to Arsenal 

Eric ten Hag manager of Manchester United salute supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal in Manchester, Britain, 12 May 2024. (EPA)
Eric ten Hag manager of Manchester United salute supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal in Manchester, Britain, 12 May 2024. (EPA)
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Ten Hag Laments Man Utd’s Injuries After Home Loss to Arsenal 

Eric ten Hag manager of Manchester United salute supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal in Manchester, Britain, 12 May 2024. (EPA)
Eric ten Hag manager of Manchester United salute supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal in Manchester, Britain, 12 May 2024. (EPA)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag blamed an injury crisis at the Old Trafford club for a poor campaign after his side fell to a 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday - their ninth home defeat across all competitions this season.

United, who have now equaled their tally for most defeats at home in a season, had at least six defenders out through injury, as well as playmaker Bruno Fernandes and forward Marcus Rashford.

Ten Hag, who has been forced to play defensive midfielder Casemiro at center-back in recent matches, has seen his side now concede 82 goals this season in all competitions - their most in a single campaign since 1970-71.

"I don't know where we should be when we had all the players on board, but definitely it is if there are players all on board, then you will get more points," Ten Hag told the club's website.

"Definitely, you will (have) more consistency, especially in the backline because yeah, now we concede a lot of chances, a lot of goals and last year we had the most clean sheets in the Premier League.

"You can't progress a team when, in particular in certain key areas, it is like swimming with your hands behind your back, then you have to keep your head up and above the water level, this is what we are trying to do.

"Still, we are in a cup final, this is good but if you want to progress a team we need fit players. You have seen with our opponent today that only one player for (Arsenal) was not available. We had so many."

United are eighth in the league standings with 54 points. Their remaining league fixtures include a home game against sixth-placed Newcastle United on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

They face Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 25.

The Dutchman, however, said his team produced a much improved performance against Arsenal - who went top of the table after the match - having suffered a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace last week.

"I can only be happy. And I think it's a compliment for this team that the ones who played, they executed with all that they could and they were competitive and they were fighting. And then you see you can get a result," he said.

Sports

Leverkusen Beats Bochum 5-0 to Extend 50-Game Unbeaten Run 

Leverkusen supporters celebrate the team being 50 matches unbeaten in all competitions this season after the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Bochum and Bayer Leverkusen in Bochum, Germany, 12 May 2024. (EPA)
Leverkusen supporters celebrate the team being 50 matches unbeaten in all competitions this season after the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Bochum and Bayer Leverkusen in Bochum, Germany, 12 May 2024. (EPA)
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Leverkusen Beats Bochum 5-0 to Extend 50-Game Unbeaten Run 

Leverkusen supporters celebrate the team being 50 matches unbeaten in all competitions this season after the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Bochum and Bayer Leverkusen in Bochum, Germany, 12 May 2024. (EPA)
Leverkusen supporters celebrate the team being 50 matches unbeaten in all competitions this season after the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Bochum and Bayer Leverkusen in Bochum, Germany, 12 May 2024. (EPA)

Bayer Leverkusen erased memories of its last defeat almost a year ago by beating Bochum 5-0 away in the Bundesliga to stretch its unbeaten start to the season to 50 games across all competitions.

Sunday’s win atoned for Leverkusen’s 3-0 loss to Bochum at the same ground on the final day last season. Xabi Alonso’s team has not lost any game since – a run that has eclipsed Portuguese club Benfica’s record of 48 consecutive games unbeaten in all competitions from late 1963 to early 1965.

No other top-flight European team remained unbeaten for as long as Leverkusen, which has already wrapped up its first Bundesliga title and will play in both the German Cup and Europa League finals.

“I think already the Bundesliga – you can’t imagine how much that means for the club or the fans,” Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich said. “We’ll lift the trophy next week in our stadium. It’s going to be very emotional. And then we go to Dublin and we go to Berlin. We want to get two titles there and then go on vacation with the triple in our backpack.”

Leverkusen faces Italian team Atalanta in the Europa League final in Dublin on May 22, three days before it plays Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final in Berlin.

Bochum made an encouraging start Sunday but was undone by Felix Passlack’s sending off in the 15th minute for bringing down Nathan Tella, who was through on goal.

Arthur crossed for Patrik Schick to open the scoring in the 41st and there was still time before the break for Victor Boniface to tuck away a penalty awarded for Keven Schlotterbeck’s foul on Tella.

A young Bochum supporter in the stands struggled to contain his tears. The home team needed a point to be sure of Bundesliga survival.

Leverkusen controlled the game without too much exertion. Amine Adli scored, then set up the next for Josip Stanišić, who set up the next for Álex Grimaldo.

Leverkusen took its league tally to 87 points with one round remaining, while Bochum remains three points above the relegation zone before its final game at Werder Bremen next weekend.

TUCHEL’S FAREWELL

Lovro Zvonarek scored minutes into his first Bundesliga start to help injury-hit Bayern Munich beat Wolfsburg 2-0 in Thomas Tuchel’s last home game in charge.

The 19-year-old Zvonarek fired in for Bayern off the far post in the fourth minute, and Leon Goretzka grabbed the second goal nine minutes later.

Bayern threatened to run riot despite the absence of injured forwards Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman. Wolfsburg’s defense regrouped as Bayern’s intensity dropped.

Tuchel, who agreed in February to leave after the season, was able to take off goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with some 15 minutes remaining. Neuer was making his 500th Bundesliga appearance.

Swedish defender Matteo Vinlöf went on at the same time for his Bayern debut, and Zvonarek went off in the 90th for the 18-year-old Jonathan Asp-Jensen to make his debut.

Hoffenheim routed relegated Darmstadt 6-0 in the early game.

St. Pauli clinched promotion from the second division.