Real Madrid's flawless start to the LaLiga season concluded with a 1-0 defeat against Real Betis. Substitute Troy Parrott scored the decisive goal, and goalkeeper Alvaro Valles saved a late penalty from Kylian Mbappe, securing a significant victory for Betis. Madrid manager Jose Mourinho expressed pride in his team's performance despite the loss.
Experienced Indian compound archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam is heading into her fourth Asian Games, aiming to focus solely on her performance. She highlights the rigorous preparation involving equipment and personal readiness, acknowledging the challenges of the sport. Jyothi also discusses the new women's team dynamics, emphasizing their growing cohesion and shared experience after participating in recent World Cup stages, with the Asian Games being their top priority this year.
Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami discusses his undiminished motivation and desire to reach the "next level" in his career, despite not playing for India since March 2025. He reflects on East Zone's Duleep Trophy final victory, which coincided with his 100th first-class match, and shares insights on playing domestic cricket, mentoring young players, and his tactical approach to bowling in challenging conditions.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist Gyaneshwari Yadav is preparing for the Asian Games, aiming to surpass her personal best of 199kg. She plans to leverage her CWG experience despite facing tough international competition from powerhouses like China and South Korea. Yadav also acknowledges the upcoming domestic challenge from Mirabai Chanu and Bindyarani Devi in the 53kg category but remains confident and inspired by Chanu.
Carlos Alcaraz is set to return to the US Open after a nearly five-month absence due to a wrist injury, with fellow professionals expressing confidence in his ability to quickly regain form despite the layoff.
'An experience I will never forget, what a welcoming, friendly, and welcoming people.'
Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has surpassed Mithali Raj to become the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket across all formats, achieving this milestone with a sensational 124-run innings against Hong Kong in the Women's Asia Cup 2026. Mithali Raj congratulated Mandhana on her achievement.
From Ustad Hotel to Salute, these Dulquer Salmaan Malayalam films prove why his homecoming with I'm Game is worth celebrating.
Indian chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh, an Arjuna Award recipient, is set to make her debut in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League Season 4 with defending champions Alpine Pipers. She will join a star-studded team including Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, and Vidit Gujrathi, expressing excitement for the rapid chess format and playing in front of a home crowd.
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, secured his spot in the US Open quarter-finals by defeating American Tommy Paul in straight sets. Alcaraz showcased a dominant performance, extending his major match-winning streak and expressing confidence in his return to top form after a wrist injury.
'If somebody is suggesting something sleazy, you need to take your decision and you know, leave from there.' 'No amount of work is more important than your dignity.'
World number three Carlos Alcaraz has voiced concerns over the demanding tennis calendar, stating that the packed schedule contributes to player injuries and fatigue.
Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting expresses concern over the diminishing role of One Day International (ODI) cricket due to the rapid expansion of T20 Internationals and franchise leagues worldwide. While he believes Test cricket will remain strong with support from major cricketing nations, Ponting fears the 50-over format will be played less frequently. David Warner also weighs in on the challenges and opportunities presented by the crowded T20 calendar.
Formula One leader Kimi Antonelli secured a sensational victory at his home Italian Grand Prix, climbing from 19th on the grid to first, dealing a significant blow to Mercedes teammate and closest championship rival George Russell.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a spectacular equaliser on his Everton debut in the dying moments of the game, securing a 2-2 draw against Manchester United after Benjamin Sesko had put United ahead late on.
Jessica Pegula overcame a disastrous opening set against Leylah Fernandez, rallying with resilience and composure to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 and reach the US Open fourth round.
Arsenal have officially signed England international Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa on a long-term contract for a reported 55 million, significantly boosting their defensive options ahead of their Premier League title defence.
Former Asian Games gold medallist Shiv Kapur expresses strong confidence in India's golf squad for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games, stating that anything less than a gold medal would be a disappointment given the talent pool. He highlights the potential of both men's and women's teams, including top players like Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar, to end India's long wait for a golf gold. The article also touches upon the healthy competition between Indian golf leagues.
Uzbek chess prodigy Javokhir Sindarov, set to challenge D Gukesh for the world crown, reveals he will only begin preparations for the highly anticipated match after competing in the Global Chess League and the Chess Olympiad this month, maintaining focus on immediate tournaments.
Woman Fide Master Pratitee Bordoloi and Grandmaster-elect Mayank Chakraborty have emerged as sole leaders in their respective categories at the Asian Junior Girls Classical Chess Championship and Open Championship in Mumbai after seven rounds. Both players secured crucial results to maintain their half-point advantage over their nearest rivals as the tournament progresses to its decisive stage.
French tennis star Gael Monfils played his final Grand Slam match at the US Open, losing to Learner Tien. The charismatic 40-year-old received an emotional send-off from the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd, who celebrated his entertaining career with chants and a video tribute. Monfils, set to retire at the end of the season, expressed gratitude for the fans' love and shared a warm moment with his young opponent.
Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed he was not surprised by Nick Kyrgios's recent drug suspension, stating he 'pretty much expected' it and knew about the positive cocaine test before the official announcement.
A self-styled Hindutva influencer, Swatantra Bhardwaj, accused of attacking a student agitator's father, purportedly claimed a phone call from Delhi minister Kapil Mishra helped him avoid jail. This sparked strong reactions from opposition parties, including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, who questioned the BJP's protection of such individuals. Delhi Police, however, clarified that the injuries were simple and legal action was taken, denying any undue influence.
Novak Djokovic, a four-time champion, suffered a shock first-round exit at the US Open, losing to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in a gruelling five-set match, marking his earliest Grand Slam departure since 2006.
Second seed Elena Rybakina secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory over American wildcard Thea Frodin in the first round of the US Open, easing concerns about her recent leg injury. Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion, showed no signs of discomfort as she began her quest for the title and the world number one ranking. Frodin, making her Grand Slam main-draw debut, displayed flashes of brilliance but ultimately couldn't overcome the Australian Open champion.
Local golfer Vishesh Sharma, 19, secured his first professional title at the Rs one crore Telangana Golconda Masters, finishing one stroke ahead of Amardeep Malik. The victory significantly boosts his season earnings and secures his spot in the DP World India Championship.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola expressed relief at the closure of the transfer window, stating it allows his side to fully concentrate on securing their first Premier League win of the season against Ipswich Town.
The Asian Junior Chess Championships will host 157 players from 10 countries in Mumbai from August 16-26. The tournament, featuring Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats, offers Grandmaster and International Master norms to winners and showcases top U20 talent, including leading Indian and international players.
Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams played what was likely their final U.S. Open doubles match, losing to Maya Joint and Chan Hao-ching in a thrilling three-set encounter. Despite the defeat, the match was a celebration of their illustrious careers, drawing 23,000 adoring fans to Arthur Ashe Stadium who cheered every point of the iconic sisters.
Linda Noskova eased to a straight sets win over Thailand's Lanlana Tararudee on Wednesday to reach the US Open third round.
Teenage golfer Vishesh Sharma and veteran Amardeep Malik are tied for the lead at 14-under 126 after the second round of the PGTI Telangana Golconda Masters. Sharma, who matched a course record in round one, maintained his strong performance, while Malik climbed to the top with a solid five-under 65.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz made a strong return to competitive tennis after a five-month wrist injury layoff, defeating Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the US Open, showcasing his powerful forehand with over 20 winners.
Anthony Andrews, a highly successful coach in Indian women's football, has been appointed as the assistant coach for the India U17 women's national team. He will continue his dual role with East Bengal FC while preparing the Young Tigresses for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.
Formula One world champion Lando Norris has announced a contract extension with McLaren until at least the end of 2030, expressing his desire to spend his entire career with the team.
'You can't be selfish when you're thinking about nature. It has to be good karma.' 'If we prevent textile waste from going to the landfills, it's good karma.'
Former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who lost his spot in the national team after struggles with form and an inconsistent IPL season, has stated he is working hard for a comeback. The 35-year-old, a key player for Mumbai Indians, last played for India in Tests and ODIs in 2023.
Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched the China Masters Super 750 title, overcoming a strong Chinese pair in a thrilling comeback. This victory, their second of the 2026 season, provides a significant confidence boost ahead of the Asian Games, where they plan to play "all guns blazing." The duo attributed their success to a "mindfully aggressive" strategy and improved service.
France achieved a historic double victory at the World Championships, with Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue winning mixed doubles and Alex Lanier securing the men's singles title. This unprecedented success is attributed to decades of strategic investment in a national badminton system, including national and regional centres, coach education, and a focus on holistic player development, aiming to elevate France among traditional Asian powerhouses in the sport.
A Pakistani court has ordered the return of 21-year-old Hindu girl Shirimati Reeta to her parents after she was allegedly lured, pressured to convert to Islam, and marry a Muslim man. Reeta, who had gone missing from Sindh, was recovered by police in Punjab and stated in court her desire to return home, highlighting the ongoing issue of forced conversions among minority girls in Pakistan.
Akane Yamaguchi, a three-time world champion, has reached her fourth World Championships final and is poised to become the first women's singles player to win four titles. She attributes her smooth campaign to playing without pressure and adapting well to conditions, expressing readiness for a tough final against An Se Young.
