Ferrari Revel in Putting Red Bull under Pressure

Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 24, 2024 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. celebrates with his team after winning the Australian Grand Prix along with second placed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 24, 2024 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. celebrates with his team after winning the Australian Grand Prix along with second placed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. (Reuters)
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Ferrari Revel in Putting Red Bull under Pressure

Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 24, 2024 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. celebrates with his team after winning the Australian Grand Prix along with second placed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 24, 2024 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. celebrates with his team after winning the Australian Grand Prix along with second placed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. (Reuters)

Thousands of red-clad Ferrari fans descended on Lygon St in Melbourne to party in the Italian restaurant strip until the wee hours of Monday after Carlos Sainz's unlikely win in the Australian Grand Prix.

The Italian Formula One team will hope the celebrations continue at Suzuka in two weeks after Albert Park breathed new life into the championship.

Sainz and team mate Charles Leclerc's 1-2 in Australia trimmed Red Bull's lead to four points in both the drivers' and constructors' title races, a major momentum shift following Max Verstappen's Middle East dominance.

Ferrari had the fortune of Verstappen flaming out with a brake problem at Albert Park which ended Red Bull's two-year run of avoiding DNFs (non-finishes) on race-day.

Ferrari nonetheless leave Melbourne delighted by the pace of their SF-24 car after being trounced by Red Bull in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

"This weekend is good evidence that when we are putting everything together, and I'm not sure that we'll be able to do it every single weekend, we can put (Red Bull) a little bit under pressure," said team boss Frederic Vasseur.

"It's when they are under pressure that they will also have more mistakes. We have to continue in this direction."

With triple world champion Verstappen topping the podium ahead of team mate Sergio Perez in the season's first two races, Red Bull were blindsided by setup struggles from the get-go in Melbourne.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said Red Bull had not got to grips with conditions while Ferrari, clearly, had.

"I think the nature of the surface (was a factor), as well. I think that the tire graining here in particular was something that Ferrari looked in control of," he said.

"Certainly from Friday their long runs looked good."

Perez, who finished fifth after the floor of his car suffered damage, said Ferrari "absolutely" had the pace to beat Verstappen had the Dutchman gone the distance.

However, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was unconvinced.

"I spoke to Max and he said that, despite the problems, he kept up with Sainz's pace relatively easily," Marko told Sky Sport.

"With Max in the race, it would have turned out completely differently."

Ferrari may not know where they sit until their next proper duel against Verstappen, who won 19 out of 22 races last season and will be eager to hit back at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Mercedes, by contrast, can have little doubt of their place in the pecking order, with Melbourne confirming their also-ran status.

With no championship points at Albert Park and their first double DNF since 2018, the Silver Arrows have slumped to fourth in the championship, 71 points behind leading Red Bull.

The free-fall may continue as the Brackley-based team battle to understand the fluky performance of their overhauled W15 car.

"We haven't swallowed a dumb pill since 2021. It's just we don't understand some of the behaviors of the car," said team boss Toto Wolff.



Chelsea’s Martinez Undergoes Surgery After Collision at Everton

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez of Chelsea reacts during the English Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea, in Liverpool, Britain, 17 October 2026. (EPA)
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez of Chelsea reacts during the English Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea, in Liverpool, Britain, 17 October 2026. (EPA)
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Chelsea’s Martinez Undergoes Surgery After Collision at Everton

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez of Chelsea reacts during the English Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea, in Liverpool, Britain, 17 October 2026. (EPA)
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez of Chelsea reacts during the English Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea, in Liverpool, Britain, 17 October 2026. (EPA)

Emiliano Martinez has undergone surgery following his collision with Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, the Chelsea goalkeeper said on Sunday, after his club's 2-0 Premier League victory.

Pedro Neto's double on Saturday at the Hill Dickinson Stadium ended Everton's unbeaten start to the league season, but Chelsea's victory was overshadowed by the lengthy injury stoppage in the second half.

Martinez and Branthwaite came together when Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall whipped ‌a free kick ‌into the box and, although the ‌defender ⁠was back on ⁠his feet after treatment, the Argentina goalkeeper required treatment from paramedics.

The 34-year-old was eventually strapped to a stretcher and carried off the field before being taken to hospital with a concussion, as Argentine media reported he had suffered a jaw injury in the collision.

Martinez, wearing a hospital gown, posted on ⁠social media early on Sunday: "Thanks to everyone for ‌the messages. The operation went ‌well.

"The most important thing is that we won, and kept a ‌clean sheet. In a few weeks we'll be back."

Martinez's ‌injury forced Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso to give Mike Penders his Premier League debut, and the 21-year-old keeper helped Chelsea keep their first clean sheet in the league since January.

Penders, a Belgian youth ‌international, will likely have to step in until Martinez is cleared to return to training.

Chelsea ⁠host Tottenham ⁠Hotspur in the league next Saturday followed by a League Cup fourth-round game at Liverpool on October 28 and a home Premier League match against Manchester United three days later.

"Mike has personality. He's brave and we have full trust with him. He did well," Alonso told reporters.

"He played in the cup games and whenever he's needed, like the other players whenever they are needed they can perform.

"It's all about the squad, that all the players feel important and can have their moment whenever they are needed, and that's very positive."


Injured Swiatek Goes Down Fighting in Wuhan Open Semi-final

Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 17, 2026 Poland's Maja Chwalinska embraces Poland's Iga Swiatek after winning their semi final match REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 17, 2026 Poland's Maja Chwalinska embraces Poland's Iga Swiatek after winning their semi final match REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
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Injured Swiatek Goes Down Fighting in Wuhan Open Semi-final

Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 17, 2026 Poland's Maja Chwalinska embraces Poland's Iga Swiatek after winning their semi final match REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Tennis - WTA 1000 - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 17, 2026 Poland's Maja Chwalinska embraces Poland's Iga Swiatek after winning their semi final match REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

A left-leg injury derailed Iga Swiatek as she went down fighting to Polish compatriot and childhood friend Maja Chwalinska 7-5 6-1 in the Wuhan Open semi-finals on Saturday.

French Open runner-up Chwalinska, who was Swiatek's junior doubles partner, will face Sonay Kartal in the final after the Briton beat Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(9) 7-6(5) in the first semi-final.

Swiatek was 5-3 ahead in the first set but fellow 25-year-old Chwalinska saved two set points and took a 6-5 lead before the six-time Grand Slam winner had to take a medical timeout.

After receiving ⁠treatment, Swiatek continued ⁠the match with a bandaged left thigh, but found it difficult to put pressure on her leg and struggled to chase returns across the court.

She completed the match and the two players, who have known each other since they were 10, shared a quiet handshake after their first competitive clash in 10 years.

Swiatek's physio Maciej Ryszczuk posted on X: "I told her three times to stop the match ⁠because it was a risk to her health.

"She made the decision herself to carry on playing, and since she’s made that decision, I’ll support her as best I can."

An emotional Chwalinska said she could not believe she had won.

"She is a great champion, living legend, she won everything. So it was a great honor for me to share the court with her today," Chwalinska said about Swiatek.

With Swiatek losing, world number six Elina Svitolina secured her place in the WTA Finals, becoming the seventh player to qualify for next month's year-ending championship, with only one spot still up for grabs.

Former French Open ⁠champion Ostapenko was ⁠left ruing her mistakes as she squandered 4-1 leads in both sets to lose to Kartal, who is ranked 136 places below the Latvian.

Ostapenko was undone by her 41 unforced errors, including two straight double faults while serving for the first set. She hit the ground with her racket, frustrated with wayward and netted returns, as Kartal stayed calm to reach her second final on the tour, Reuters reported.

"At times she is unplayable and sometimes you just have to ride the wave. Mentally, I think this is one of the best performances I've had in my career," said the 24-year-old Kartal, who returned in September after a six-month absence due to a back injury.

Both Kartal and Chwalinska will play their first WTA 1000 final when they face each other on Sunday.


Messi Brace Lifts Inter Miami to 3-1 Win in Atlanta

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his second goal against Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his second goal against Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
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Messi Brace Lifts Inter Miami to 3-1 Win in Atlanta

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his second goal against Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his second goal against Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Lionel Messi scored twice in the space of four minutes to lift Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory at Atlanta United on Saturday as the Herons' MLS title defense continued to gain steam with the playoffs approaching.

The 39-year-old superstar tops the Major League Soccer scoring chart with 25 goals, six ahead of Croatian striker Petar Musa of FC Dallas and Philadelphia's Milan Iloski.

At the same Atlanta stadium where Messi helped Argentina beat England in the World Cup semi-finals in July, Messi delivered two scintillating goals to secure Miami's third straight victory, AFP reported.

German Berterame, who put Miami up 1-0 in the 45th minute, turned provider, finding Messi who weaved through the Atlanta defense to unleash a left footed shot from the center of the box and make it 2-0 in the 56th minute.

Four minutes later Messi struck again, breaking away on a pass from Luis Suarez and getting the better of hapless Junior Alonso to fire past Atlanta keeper Lucas Hoyos.

Messi had helped put Miami on top shortly before halftime, heading the ball to Suarez who shook off his defender in the box and lofted a pass that Berterame nodded home to make it 1-0.

Messi was credited with an assist, that saw him pull level with LAFC's Son Heung-min atop the assists table. Messi is the first player in MLS history to record at least 15 assists in three straight seasons.

Messi now has four goals in three matches since his emotional Argentina send-off. Miami, who clinched a playoff berth on Wednesday, won their third straight game under Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez, who took over as coach last month.

Fafa Picault converted a penalty in the 89th minute to pull a goal back for Atlanta, but at second-from-bottom in the Eastern Conference Gerardo Martino's team are running out of time to turn things around in time to reach the playoffs.

Elsewhere, St. Louis City's MLS record-tying 19-match unbeaten streak ended with a 3-2 loss at Minnesota as Philadelphia's undefeated run reached 15 matches with a 2-2 draw with Charlotte.

Canadian Marcus Caldeira scored the game winner for Minnesota in the 86th minute after United fell behind early on St. Louis goals by Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro and South Korean winger Jeong Sang-bin.

Aziel Jackson answered for Minnesota in the 49th minute and Kelvin Yeboah netted the equalizer in the 68th.

St. Louis City, already headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2023, missed the chance to break the MLS unbeaten streak mark it now shares with Columbus, Dallas and Inter Miami.

City also saw their MLS-record 21-match unbeaten streak across all competitions snapped.

City had not lost an MLS match since falling 2-0 at Austin on May 3, with 13 victories and six drawn in the run.

Philadelphia had won eight MLS matches in a row before the fightback home draw with Charlotte.

Philadelphia lost 6-4 at Miami on May 24 but since then the Union have won 12 times and drawn three, taking 39 of a possible 45 points since Ryan Richter took over as interim head coach during the league's World Cup break.