عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Sinner Seizes Paris Masters Crown to Reclaim World Number One Ranking

Jannik Sinner of Italy poses for photographs with the trophy after winning his final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, 02 November 2025. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
Jannik Sinner of Italy poses for photographs with the trophy after winning his final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, 02 November 2025. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
TT
TT

Sinner Seizes Paris Masters Crown to Reclaim World Number One Ranking

Jannik Sinner of Italy poses for photographs with the trophy after winning his final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, 02 November 2025. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
Jannik Sinner of Italy poses for photographs with the trophy after winning his final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, outside Paris, France, 02 November 2025. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Italy's Jannik Sinner powered past Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 7-6(4) to capture his maiden Paris Masters title on Sunday, a triumph that catapulted the Italian back to the summit of the men's rankings ahead of the ATP Finals.

The second seed knew only victory would suffice to leapfrog rival Carlos Alcaraz atop the standings and he delivered in style to become just the fourth player in tournament history to lift the trophy without dropping a set.

For Auger-Aliassime, the stakes were equally high but the outcome crushingly different. The Canadian ninth seed needed the title to secure his spot at the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, but instead saw his hopes dashed in a high-quality final.

Sinner's Paris conquest marked his first Masters crown of the year and fifth title of 2025, extending his remarkable indoor hardcourt winning streak to 26 matches.

"It's huge, honestly. It was such an intense final here and we both knew what's on the line. Also him, he's in a very tough and difficult spot, but from my side I'm extremely happy," Sinner said in an on-court interview, according to Reuters.

"The past couple of months have been amazing. We've tried to work on things, trying to improve as a player. Seeing these kind of results makes me incredibly happy.

"Another title this year, it has been an amazing year, no matter what comes now in Turin. I'm extremely happy."

Sinner made his intentions clear from the opening game, breaking Auger-Aliassime's serve before consolidating the break as he controlled rallies while the Canadian leaked unforced errors.

Despite the majority of the crowd rallying behind the underdog, Auger-Aliassime struggled to match Sinner's relentless power and precision.

Sinner proved untouchable on serve, mixing deep groundstrokes with drop shots and half-volleys to bamboozle his opponent.

The Italian's dominance was complete in the opening set when Auger-Aliassime failed to earn a single break point while Sinner dropped just three points on serve, sealing the set with a flourish by firing a cross-court forehand winner.

The second set offered more resistance, however, as Auger-Aliassime showed his mettle, saving five break points.

But even his resolute defense could not crack Sinner's serving stranglehold as the set headed to a tiebreak.

Auger-Aliassime held his own in the tiebreak until a crucial error handed Sinner the advantage and the Italian needed no second invitation to surge into the lead.

Sinner then delivered the knockout blow on match point, forcing Auger-Aliassime wide during the rally before unleashing a searing backhand winner down the line to claim his fifth Masters crown.

Auger-Aliassime is set to play this week in Metz, where he had a first-round bye, in a last attempt to secure the final spot at the ATP Finals the following week.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

FIFA Hydration Breaks Spark Backlash, Blamed for Killing Momentum at the World Cup

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Austria v Jordan - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - June 16, 2026 Austria coach Ralf Rangnick speaks to players during a hydration break. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Austria v Jordan - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - June 16, 2026 Austria coach Ralf Rangnick speaks to players during a hydration break. (Reuters)
TT
TT

FIFA Hydration Breaks Spark Backlash, Blamed for Killing Momentum at the World Cup

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Austria v Jordan - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - June 16, 2026 Austria coach Ralf Rangnick speaks to players during a hydration break. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Austria v Jordan - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - June 16, 2026 Austria coach Ralf Rangnick speaks to players during a hydration break. (Reuters)

Curaçao fans went wild. The Germans were in shock.

Livano Comenencia had scored a goal for the smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the World Cup against four-time champion Germany.

At 1-1 in Houston a famous upset looked possible.

Then came the hydration break.

Curaçao lost the initiative, conceding two goals before halftime in what eventually became a 7-1 defeat to the Germans.

“I actually felt sorry for them,” former England striker Alan Shearer told The Rest is Football podcast. “They scored and then it was maybe 30 seconds after that it stopped. So it’s killed their momentum.”

FIFA’s new hydration breaks midway through each half — a novelty for this World Cup — were introduced to help players deal with the summer heat in the United States, Canada and Mexico. But critics say they’re having unintended consequences, ruining the flow of the game and giving coaches a chance to tactically shift momentum in their team’s favor.

While player welfare is a real concern with temperatures expected to exceed 90 F (32 C) in the hottest World Cup venues, some say the hydration breaks are just an excuse for broadcasters to go to commercials in the middle of the game.

“We’re in America, right? So, it’s like it is it’s like it’s a timeout,” former Ireland international Roy Keane said on The Overlap, a podcast that he co-hosts with long-time Manchester United teammate Gary Neville. “We love football because of the pace of the game ... what it’s doing is stopping the flow of the game, the momentum.”

A chance for coaches to huddle with the players

Rather than players merely taking on fluids, coaches have been seizing the opportunity to pass on in-game tactical instructions that would normally not be possible. And early indications are that it is having an effect.

“You can use the break to tell the players what they need to improve or what is good or what they should do better,” Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said. “So you can use it in different ways to your advantage, and this is what we will be doing.”

In eight of the first 16 games, there were goals scored within 10 minutes of the rehydration break.

Curaçao never recovered after the restart against Germany.

Morocco paid the price against Brazil in New Jersey, having dominated the game from the start and scored just before the first break. Less that 10 minutes after play resumed the game was level with Vinicius Junior equalizing.

Canada, the US, Australia, Scotland, Sweden and Iran have all benefited with goals soon after the break.

Momentum maps have shown how games have shifted after the new stoppages in play.

The hydration breaks also affect the experience of fans watching the games at stadiums. There were boos from the crowd on the first hydration break in the game Tuesday between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Breaks will be implemented regardless of the weather

Referees pause the games 22 minutes into each half, with players given three minutes to rehydrate.

FIFA stipulated that the breaks would occur regardless of the weather, venue or location, meaning the Spain vs. Cape Verde match in Atlanta on Monday was interrupted despite being under a roof and in an air-conditioned stadium.

The governing body said it was to “ensure equal conditions for all teams, in all matches.”

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the breaks make sense in “extreme” heat conditions but questioned whether they were necessary at every match.

“Pause, freshen up and continue. Tomorrow, when the temperature that we’ll have in this stadium is chill, maybe these breaks are not so needed, but we need to abide by the rules," he said.

Norway coach Staale Solbakken agreed.

“I can understand it when it’s like it’s been in Greensboro (North Carolina), when it’s been 35 degrees (95 Fahrenheit) and a really hot climate and there’s a bit of vibration in the air – then I think it’s fine. But I don’t like it otherwise. I think it’s unnecessary," he said.

Broadcasters cutting to commercials

Aside from the sporting impact on games, the stoppages have been criticized for damaging the spectacle for fans, with broadcasters using the opportunity to take commercial breaks.

In the United States, Fox immediately goes to commercials during the hydration breaks. Telemundo, a Spanish-language US broadcaster, does not.

Unlike in US professional sports like baseball, basketball and football, commercial breaks have not been a common feature in football except during the half-time break.

“Every time going to a commercial is a bit ... not really (something) that I like,” said Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, who watched World Cup games on TV before the Dutch began their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Japan. “I think for the neutral watchers on TV it’s also not great.”

France coach Didier Deschamps, however, said this is the changing face of football.

“It’s not two half times, it is four quarter times basically that we’ve got. This is what’s been decided and so the players and the coaches adapt to this new reality,” he said.

It is not known if FIFA will implement hydration breaks at all future World Cups, but the English Football Association said it was unlikely to be in place for the European Championship, hosted by the UK and Ireland in 2028.

Sports

Bernardo Silva Joins Real Madrid on 2-year Deal Following Manchester City Exit

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva speaks during a farewell ceremony after his last match for the club after a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva speaks during a farewell ceremony after his last match for the club after a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
TT
TT

Bernardo Silva Joins Real Madrid on 2-year Deal Following Manchester City Exit

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva speaks during a farewell ceremony after his last match for the club after a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva speaks during a farewell ceremony after his last match for the club after a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Manchester City great Bernardo Silva has joined Real Madrid on a two-year contract, the Spanish club said on Wednesday.

The Portugal international is one of the most decorated players in City’s history, winning many major trophies including six Premier Leagues and one Champions League. He made 460 appearances and scored 76 goals during a nine-year stint with the club.

In his final season in the north of England, Silva won both the English League Cup and the FA Cup. He is currently playing at the World Cup with Portugal.

His trophy haul includes three FA Cups, five League Cup successes, three Community Shields, a FIFA Club World Cup and a UEFA Super Cup winner’s medal.

“Real Madrid C. F. and Bernardo Silva have reached an agreement for him to become a Real Madrid player for the next two seasons, until June 30, 2028,” The Associated Press quoted Madrid as saying in a statement.

The 31-year-old midfielder joined from Monaco in 2017.

Sports

Jordan Can Hold Heads High Despite Debut Defeat to Austria, Coach Says

Jordan's head coach Jamal Sellami speaks during a news conference, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif., ahead of the World Cup Group J match between Austria and Jordan. (AP)
Jordan's head coach Jamal Sellami speaks during a news conference, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif., ahead of the World Cup Group J match between Austria and Jordan. (AP)
TT
TT

Jordan Can Hold Heads High Despite Debut Defeat to Austria, Coach Says

Jordan's head coach Jamal Sellami speaks during a news conference, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif., ahead of the World Cup Group J match between Austria and Jordan. (AP)
Jordan's head coach Jamal Sellami speaks during a news conference, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif., ahead of the World Cup Group J match between Austria and Jordan. (AP)

Jordan ‌can hold their heads up high after delivering an "honorable performance" on their World Cup debut, coach Jamal Sellami said following his side's 3-1 defeat by Austria in Group J on Tuesday.

Austria took the lead with their only real moment of quality in the first half when Romano Schmid curled into the top corner, but Jordan hit back after the break when Ali Olwan pulled them level.

Yazan Al-Arab's own goal ‌restored Austria's advantage and though ‌Jordan ⁠poured forward in search ⁠of a second, substitute Marko Arnautovic's penalty deep into added time finally ended their resistance.

The result leaves Jordan third in their group on goal difference above Algeria, who lost 3-0 to Argentina on Tuesday.

Sellami said the final score flattered Austria and ⁠did not do justice to his side's ‌endeavour.

"I think that the ‌result doesn't reflect the effort made by the Jordanian ‌team, but personally I'm very happy and proud ‌of their performance," Sellami told reporters.

Jordan are renowned for their ability on the counter, but were particularly impressive with the way they attacked Austria, even when the score ‌was 1-1.

"No one was expecting us to be that bold, that proactive and ⁠to ⁠be that capable of benefiting from the available opportunities," Sellami said.

Ultimately, the difference between the two sides was the quality at Austria's disposal, including from the bench in the form of record scorer Arnautovic.

"We've not been able to win against Austria because it has players at Real Madrid (David Alaba) and Bayern Munich (Konrad Laimer)," Sellami added.

He also bemoaned the loss of forward Yazan Al-Naimat to a knee injury in December.

"If Naimat was with us today, the result would've been different," Sellami said.