Swiatek and Rybakina Serve up Bagels en Route to Victories at Indian Wells 

Iga Swiatek of Poland plays a backhand in her match against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 09, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland plays a backhand in her match against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 09, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Swiatek and Rybakina Serve up Bagels en Route to Victories at Indian Wells 

Iga Swiatek of Poland plays a backhand in her match against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 09, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland plays a backhand in her match against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 09, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Defending champion Iga Swiatek crushed Dayana Yastremska 6-0 6-2 and 2023 champion Elena Rybakina powered past Britain's Katie Boulter 6-0 7-5 to reach the fourth round of Indian Wells on Sunday with displays of dominance.

Swiatek, seeded second, is aiming to become the first woman to win the tournament three times and the Polish player looked eager to do so in as little time on court as possible, reeling off 10 games in a row and needing just 65 minutes to see off her Ukrainian opponent.

"At the end I got a bit tired, it's always hard to finish a match like that but I'm happy that I kept my intensity up in the last game to close it," she said.

"I had control from the beginning so I'm happy with the performance for sure."

It was Swiatek's second bagel set of the tournament after she overwhelmed Caroline Garcia 6-2 6-0 in her first match.

The five-times major champion has not won a title since her triumph at Roland Garros in 2024, her longest drought since winning her first major title in 2020.

She served a one-month suspension in October for a failed drug test and has seen Aryna Sabalenka take her world number one ranking but said the California desert is an ideal setting to get back to winning ways.

"It's amazing, I love coming here," she said.

"I already have my routine so it feels like home. It's for sure the place to be and a great place to play tennis."

Swiatek will face 15th seed Karolina Muchova in the round of 16 after the Czech player beat her compatriot Katerina Siniakova in the afternoon.

After cruising through the first set, Rybakina fell behind 5-3 in the second before regrouping.

She stretched to hit a sensational defensive shot in a game where she broke back for 5-5 and broke again on match point to seal the win.

Rybakina, who missed last year's tournament due to an illness, will play ninth-seeded teenager Mirra Andreeva in a rematch of their Dubai semi-final, which the Russian won in three sets en route to becoming the youngest player to win a WTA 1000 title.

Andreeva is coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, who the 17-year-old said was keeping her focused.

"She already told me that she booked a court at 12 p.m," she told reporters after her night match. "I see not much time passed from the match... she's just like this, but it's not bad."

Ukrainian Elina Svitolina upset 14th seed Danielle Collins 6-2 6-4 and will face another American, fourth seed Jessica Pegula in the next round after she breezed past China's Wang Xinyu 6-2 6-1.

Svitolina's countrywoman Marta Kostyuk beat American wildcard Caroline Dolehide 6-3 6-3.

MEDVEDEV, TSITSIPAS ADVANCE

On the men's side, Stefanos Tsitsipas showed off his impressive athleticism and defense, leaping for overheads and speeding around the court to beat Italy's Matteo Berrettini 6-3 6-3.

"I'm approaching these matches with determination and willingness to just leave it all out there on the court," Tsitsipas said.

"I want to get out there on the court and be a gladiator, and that's how I approach every single match I get to play."

The Greek eighth seed will face battle-tested Holger Rune after the Danish player dug deep to outlast Frenchman Ugo Humbert 5-7 6-4 7-5 with the backing of the crowd on center court.

"I tried to be brave," Rune said of his play over the final two games of the match.

"The energy on this court was truly amazing."

Daniil Medvedev was on court for just 10 minutes before his American opponent Alex Michelsen was forced to retire due to illness after two games.

The Russian fifth seed has lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells final the past two years, and the Spaniard is once again on the opposite side of the draw.

Medvedev will next face popular American Tommy Paul, who notched his 50th win at a Masters 1000 tournament with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Britain's Cameron Norrie.

Unheralded Japanese player Yosuke Watanuki was all smiles while upsetting American Frances Tiafoe 6-4 7-6(6) to notch the biggest win of his career.

"I tried to enjoy today," said Watanuki, who is ranked world number 349. "Even though I missed a terrible backhand, it is Indian Wells, center court. So even though I missed, I was happy,"

Tallon Griekspoor toppled 29th-seeded Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Sunday after stunning top seed Alexander Zverev in the previous round.

Griekspoor pounded 10 aces and broke Mpetshi Perricard's mighty serve twice en route to the win.

Southern California native Marcos Giron came from behind to beat Alexei Popyrin 5-7 6-3 6-3 in a match where the struggling Australian converted just one of his 15 break point chances.

It is the 31-year-old Giron's first time reaching the fourth round of the tournament.



Newcastle Must Grow Under Camp Nou Pressure, Urges Howe

Newcastle's head coach Eddie Howe attends a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
Newcastle's head coach Eddie Howe attends a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
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Newcastle Must Grow Under Camp Nou Pressure, Urges Howe

Newcastle's head coach Eddie Howe attends a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
Newcastle's head coach Eddie Howe attends a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)

Newcastle coach Eddie Howe on Tuesday called on his players to grow rather than shrink under the lights at Camp Nou when they face Barcelona in the Champions League last 16.

The Premier League club outplayed the Spanish champions in the last 16 first leg, but a late Lamine Yamal penalty to snatch a 1-1 draw last week on Tyneside.

Newcastle, aiming to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in the club's history, know the challenge will be different on Wednesday at the home of the five-time winners.

"I don't think they will (be overawed), we've got an experienced group, we've got many players who have played in so many big games now we've become accustomed to it," Howe said.

"You almost want that size of the game to lift the players and to make us grow -- certainly we can't shrink -- but with many, many internationals within the squad I don't see that as an issue.

"It's just making sure from my side that we get the plan right, they've got a lot of dangerous players that we need to deal with."

Newcastle are ninth in the Premier League in a frustrating campaign, but Howe said the club are in their best moment of the season.

"(The players) are the happiest they have been throughout the season, it's been one of a lot of change... early season we struggled to find our rhythm, our relationships in the team were new," continued Howe.

"Their confidence was affected slightly. We worked really hard to try and bring some stability to the team."

"In the last few weeks we've returned to a really good flow. It's been a much better feel, better individual performances in return, better collective performances."

Newcastle beat Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday with a strong defensive display, which Howe said the team would have to draw from against the likes of Raphinha and teenage star Yamal.

"You have to be optimistic and you have to be positive, and that's why the Chelsea result and performance was so important," explained Howe.

"We proved to ourselves that we can defend our goal really well... I think we're as good a place as we've been at any stage this season, both on and off the pitch.

"We had to be in this position to give ourselves the best chance, and now we're just putting it over the line."

Barcelona beat Newcastle 2-1 in the league phase at St James' Park before last week's draw, but Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier said his team were on a high heading into the clash against the La Liga leaders.

"Yeah, we feel really confident, (although) I think we've had a mixed season," Trippier told reporters.

"There's a really good feeling around the place, so we come here calm and relaxed, looking forward to the game tomorrow, it's a big opportunity, and we know the rewards are going to be there if we put in a good performance."

Howe said the game at Camp Nou was "probably" the biggest of his career and Trippier defended his coach against some criticism he has received this term.

"I have great respect for what he's done for this football club, he's remarkable," added the defender.


Hansi Flick Says Barcelona Will Be His Last Coaching Job

FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick attends a press conference following the training of the team held at Joan Gamper Sports Complex in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick attends a press conference following the training of the team held at Joan Gamper Sports Complex in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
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Hansi Flick Says Barcelona Will Be His Last Coaching Job

FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick attends a press conference following the training of the team held at Joan Gamper Sports Complex in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick attends a press conference following the training of the team held at Joan Gamper Sports Complex in Barcelona, Spain, 17 March 2026. (EPA)

Barcelona may be the last team Hansi Flick coaches.

Flick said on Tuesday he doesn't plan on coaching anymore when his stint with Barcelona is over. He spoke ahead of the match against Newcastle in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday. The teams drew 1-1 in England last week.

Newly re-elected club president Joan Laporta said he plans to extend the German coach’s contract until 2028. Flick said it's not the time to talk about renewing a contract which ends in 2027, but hinted he was keen to end his career at Barcelona.

“Everyone knows I’m happy here, but I also need to talk with my family,” the 61-year-old Flick said. “There will be time for that. I love working here. I’ve got a fantastic family and great support in Barcelona. In football, I always aim for the highest level. I’m not thinking about leaving. Barça will be my last club.”

He did not elaborate on a possible plan in place for his retirement.

Laporta was re-elected on Sunday for another five years after winning a leadership vote among members.

Flick, a former Bayern Munich and Germany coach, came to Barcelona in 2024.


Van de Ven Insists It’s ‘Nonsense’ to Say Players Don’t Care About Spurs’ Plight

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven attends a press conference in London, Great Britain, 17 March 2026. Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid on 18 March 2026 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match in London. (EPA)
Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven attends a press conference in London, Great Britain, 17 March 2026. Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid on 18 March 2026 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match in London. (EPA)
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Van de Ven Insists It’s ‘Nonsense’ to Say Players Don’t Care About Spurs’ Plight

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven attends a press conference in London, Great Britain, 17 March 2026. Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid on 18 March 2026 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match in London. (EPA)
Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven attends a press conference in London, Great Britain, 17 March 2026. Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid on 18 March 2026 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg match in London. (EPA)

Micky van de Ven is adamant that it is "nonsense" to suggest that Tottenham Hotspur players are indifferent about the threat of relegation from the Premier League.

Spurs are just a point above the bottom three and their season went from bad to worse with a club-record sixth consecutive defeat in a 5-2 loss away to Atletico Madrid last week in the first leg of a last-16 tie in the Champions League.

Spurs did rally with a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday to provide fresh belief and Van de Ven, criticized for a red card against Crystal Palace earlier this month, has dismissed accusations that some players have "checked out" in the battle to beat the drop.

"The only thing I can say is it's not true," he told reporters on Tuesday on the eve of the second-leg tie with Atletico.

"It would be strange if a player was in the dressing room now and saying, 'I'm going to leave either way, or... it doesn't affect me'. So, I think it's just nonsense."

The 24-year-old added: "The other day when we read something about one guy that said to everyone that he's probably going to leave and doesn't care about the situation they're in... People are just making things up.

"It's just frustrating for us because it brings so much more trouble, because the fans are starting to believe this.

"Trust me, all the people involved on the pitch, the staff, the players, everyone, they care so much about the situation we're in right now.

"We just want to turn things around and that's the most important, that's the main focus for everyone."

Van de Ven could only watch on television, following his red card against Palace, as Spurs battled hard for a point at Anfield and the Dutch defender is eager to play his part against Atletico, and in Sunday's relegation 'six-pointer' with Nottingham Forest.

"What they showed, the character they showed in the game was unbelievable, and when Richy (Richarlison) scores and it's 1-1, it's just happiness at home, screaming towards the TV," he said.

"Tomorrow it's just a beautiful game. We have nothing to lose. We want to do something special.

"We're going to do everything to change things around, tomorrow first, and then afterwards in the Premier League games coming up."