Author: Raghav Singh

Elise Mertens secured Belgium’s victory over Canada with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 triumph against Victoria Mboko. Her 2-hour and 5-minute win followed a stunning 6-4, 6-2 victory by Zizou Bergs against World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime, putting Belgium on the brink of the quarterfinals.

Path to Advancement

Despite winning the tie, the Belgdigihunt require a clean sweep to advance. If Canada wins the mixed doubles, they will progress to the knockout rounds.

Mertens showcased a stellar serving performance, taking a one-set lead by holding at love in each of her first four service games and breaking Mboko decisively to love in the sixth game. Although Mboko demonstrated fighting spirit, Mertens earned the crucial break of serve in the fourth game from a 30-0 deficit and won an impressive 93% of points behind her first serve overall, according to WTA reports.

Bergs Makes History

Earlier, Bergs secured his second career Top 10 victory in 1 hour and 28 minutes over Auger-Aliassime, having also defeated then-World No. 9 Andrey Rublev 10 months ago in Miami.

“I actually forgot this was my second Top-10 win, so that’s really huge, actually, especially with a convincing way of playing,” Bergs said.

“I just looked at it as a match. This is a little different format, so we’re still down. We still have to win a lot of matches today, so that was more the focus and today I just had to get the job done,” he added.

Auger-Aliassime enjoyed the best season of his career in 2025, reaching the US Open semi-finals and competing in the Nitto ATP Finals. He looked sharp in his first match of the season against Zhang but was unable to dominate in the same manner against Bergs, who saved all five break points he faced.

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol will undergo surgery later this week after breaking his shinbone in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, the Premier League club reported.

The 23-year-old Croatia international was forced off after 51 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Fellow center-back Ruben Dias also left the field due to injury around half an hour later.

“Manchester City FC can confirm that Josko Gvardiol has suffered a tibial fracture to his right leg. The defender will have surgery later this week and assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and expected prognosis,” the club’s statement read.

The already depleted defense faced further challenges when Gvardiol had to be assisted off the pitch following an awkward collision on the halfway line early in the second half. Ten minutes from the end of normal time, Dias was also forced out with the game finely balanced.

“This is a hard moment, but it will never define me. I know who I am and where I come from. I’ll fight every day to return stronger. I will rise again, better than ever,” Gvardiol wrote on Instagram.

In response to its growing injury concerns, City has recalled academy graduate Max Alleyne from his loan spell at Championship side Watford. The 20-year-old could be included in the squad for Wednesday’s league clash against Brighton.

After the match on Sunday, when asked if Dias had suffered a muscle problem, Pep Guardiola responded, “Yes, it looks like it. I didn’t speak with the doctor but if Ruben is out it is because he felt something. Of course we have a lot of injuries. John Stones is missing for many months; Ruben will be out and Josko will be out.

“Always we know with Nathan that he cannot play regularly. After what happened last season, if we stay strong we will find a solution and the spirit will be there. If the spirit is there, we will be there.”

The draw with Chelsea means Manchester City is undefeated in its last 10 matches across all competitions, with eight wins and two draws, and it has moved back up to second place in the table, although it sits six points behind league-leaders Arsenal.

La Liga returned this weekend with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid both securing victories, albeit in different styles. Real Madrid convincingly defeated Betis 5-1, while Barcelona triumphed 2-0 over Espanyol in an away match.

With these results, Barcelona maintained their four-point lead over Real Madrid, sitting at the top of the standings with 49 points compared to Madrid’s 45. Villarreal follows in third place with 38 points, while Atletico Madrid is fourth, sharing the same number of points but placed lower due to goal difference.

As the dust settles on the weekend’s matches, here are some observations from Spain:

1. Joan Garcia stakes his claim
Until now, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has resisted calls for Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia to join the national squad. However, if Garcia continues his impressive form, it will be challenging to exclude him from the World Cup team, even if De la Fuente remains loyal to Unai Simon, David Raya, and Alex Remiro. Garcia was outstanding on his return against his former club, Espanyol. Despite facing a hostile reception from the fans, he made several crucial saves that kept Barca in contention before Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski secured the victory late in the game. While strikers usually grab the headlines, Garcia’s performance earned him well-deserved praise.

2. Gonzalo offers an alternative to Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe was absent from the Real Madrid lineup that triumphed over Betis, but young striker Gonzalo Garcia shined with a hat-trick, proving he can be a vital asset to the team. Benefiting from some lapses in defense, Gonzalo scored via a header, a volley from outside the penalty area, and a back-flick, clinching the three points for Real Madrid. Beyond his goals, Gonzalo’s playstyle as a traditional ‘number nine’ allowed him to contribute significantly by linking up with his teammates, differing from Mbappe, Vinicius, and Rodrygo, who favor wide runs in attack.

3. More away-day blues for Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid started 2026 by dropping more points on the road after a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad, who were led by their new coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. While Matarazzo will be pleased with his team’s fighting spirit, Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone must rue yet another disappointing away performance that leaves Atletico 11 points adrift of FC Barcelona and jeopardizes their title aspirations once more.

4. Sporting gesture from Aspas
Celta Vigo enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 victory at home against a Valencia side increasingly at risk of relegation on Saturday. The match concluded with Hugo Alvarez netting Celta’s fourth goal, while Valencia goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala sustained a hamstring injury and was replaced in goal by midfielder Pepelu. Despite the opportunity to seek a fifth goal, Celta captain Aspas instructed his teammates to avoid shooting in the final minutes, showing respect to a struggling opponent. This sporting gesture is commendable and reflects the spirit of fair play in football.

Former Zimbabwe skipper Tatenda Taibu, the ambassador for the upcoming ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, praised the tournament for being a prestigious platform that showcases talented young stars from around the world, setting many players on the path to successful senior careers.

Taibu is well-versed in this, having participated in two editions of the tournament, in 2000 and 2002, where he was named Player of the Tournament in the latter event. He enjoyed a remarkable senior career, earning 150 ODI caps for Zimbabwe and becoming the youngest Test captain in history at the age of 20.

Reflecting on his U19 experience, Taibu remarked, “As soon as I got the call, my mind raced back to when I was U19 myself, and it feels nice to be a part of that again. Being the player of the tournament will always stick in my mind for the rest of my life.” He continued, “I’ve been involved in two ICC U19 World Cups myself, in 2000 in Sri Lanka and in 2002 in New Zealand, where I was named Player of the Tournament.”

He also discussed the pressures of representing one’s country at such a young age while emphasizing the importance of enjoying the game. “There is a bit of pressure; you are playing for your country, and you want to do well. Everyone will be trying to use this as a trampoline to jump into professional cricket. However, they must not forget to enjoy the game. You play well when you enjoy cricket. When you put yourself under pressure, it might go a bit south,” Taibu said. “It’s the memories that we remember. Yes, the numbers will always be there, but it is the memories that go a long way. When I look back at my U19 time, it is the memories and the people that I hold onto.”

In 2002, Taibu delivered standout performances despite Zimbabwe not advancing beyond the group stage. The 42-year-old made his first-class debut at 16 and his senior international debut at 18. He retired at 29 but remains actively involved in cricket as the head coach of Papua New Guinea. Currently based in the UK, he expressed excitement about returning home for the tournament. “Being back home will feel good. I am looking forward to seeing how Zimbabwe cricket is doing and where it is from the grassroots all the way to the elite. I can’t wait to watch all the players from the different countries playing in Zimbabwe and experiencing the lovely warmth of Africa,” he added.

Taibu also anticipated large crowds at the tournament in Zimbabwe, stating, “There is no doubt that there are going to be large crowds, especially in Harare. Bulawayo doesn’t have as big crowds, but sometimes they are actually the loudest. The love for the game has gotten better over the years in Zimbabwe.”

Zimbabwe is placed in Group C alongside England, Pakistan, and Scotland. The tournament is set to kick off on January 15, featuring 41 matches over 23 days.

Former World No.1 and the world’s most successful player, Novak Djokovic, has decided to pull out of next week’s Adelaide International, which serves as a build-up event for the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam tournament. Djokovic, who has captured 24 Grand Slam titles to date, stated that he is not physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International, leading to his withdrawal from the event.

Djokovic’s Statement

“To all my fans in Adelaide, unfortunately, I’m not quite physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International next week,” Djokovic said in a statement issued via social media on Monday. “It’s personally very disappointing as I have such great memories of winning the title there two years ago. I was really excited about returning as it truly felt like playing at home,” he added.

Djokovic mentioned that his focus is now on preparing for the Australian Open. The 38-year-old Serbian has won the Australian Open title 10 times, with victories in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023.

“My focus is now on my preparation for the Australian Open, and I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon and seeing all the tennis fans in Australia,” Djokovic stated.

Update on PTPA

Earlier in the day, Djokovic announced that he has “stepped away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association,” which he co-founded, citing concerns over “ongoing transparency and governance.” Djokovic and Canadian tennis player Vasek Pospisil established the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) as a not-for-profit entity to ensure that players have a unified, independent voice in shaping the future of professional tennis.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association. This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented,” Djokovic posted on X.

“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice – but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organisation,” the post continued.

“I will continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity. I wish the players and those involved the best as they move forward, but for me, this chapter is now closed,” he concluded.

HIL GC Clinches Thrilling 3-2 Victory Over SG Pipers

HIL GC edged past SG Pipers in a thrilling Men’s Hockey India League 2025-26 encounter, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory after a late penalty corner from Kane Russell sealed the contest in the dying seconds of their opening match of the competition.

Ky Willott (31′) and Dilraj Singh (56′) scored a goal each for the Pipers, while Kane Russell (35′, 37′, 60′) netted a hat-trick for HIL GC.

Match Overview

SG Pipers made a lively start to their Men’s Hockey India League clash against HIL GC, utilizing swift passing and early attacking moves to put their opponents under pressure. Their positive approach earned them a penalty corner in the fourth minute, but they could not capitalize on the opportunity.

HIL GC gradually settled into the contest, responding with attacking forays of their own to relieve the pressure. With less than five minutes remaining in the opening quarter, they earned a penalty corner, which unfortunately was wasted.

The closest chance of the quarter came in the dying seconds when HIL GC threatened to break the deadlock, but Pipers’ goalkeeper Tomas Santiago produced a close-range save, ensuring the first quarter ended goalless at 0-0.

Second Quarter Tension

The second quarter unfolded in an end-to-end fashion, with both SG Pipers and HIL GC stepping up the intensity and making frequent circle entries. Each side created multiple scoring opportunities, applying sustained pressure and forcing the defences and goalkeepers into action. Despite several close calls at both ends, neither team could find that decisive touch, leaving the score at 0-0 as the teams headed into the half-time break.

Third Quarter Action

Determined to break the deadlock, SG Pipers entered the third quarter with renewed intensity, and their approach paid dividends early on. Midfielder Ky Willott (31’) showed great composure inside the circle as he collected a pass, drove towards goal, and delicately lobbed the ball over HIL GC goalkeeper James Mazarelo to give his team a much-needed lead.

However, the advantage was short-lived. HIL GC responded strongly through drag-flick specialist Kane Russell (35’, 37’), who struck twice from penalty corners in quick succession, swinging the momentum in his side’s favour. With no further goals scored, the penultimate quarter concluded with HIL GC holding a 2-1 lead.

Final Quarter Thrills

Desperate to draw level, SG Pipers began the fourth quarter on the front foot, making multiple circle entries but struggling to find the finishing touch for much of the final period. HIL GC, meanwhile, threatened on the counter, looking to extend their lead but were repeatedly denied by fine saves from Pipers’ goalkeeper Tomas Santiago.

With less than five minutes remaining, the Pipers found a way back into the contest as Dilraj Singh (56’) converted a penalty corner to bring his side level. Unfortunately for them, relief was short-lived, as HIL GC earned a late penalty corner in the dying seconds, and Kane Russell (60’) made no mistake, completing his hat-trick and sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory for HIL GC in their opening match of the competition.

India’s Priyanuj Bhattacharya and Japan’s Miku Matsushima achieved contrasting victories to secure the U-19 boys’ and U-19 girls’ singles titles in the WTT Youth Contender 2026, held at the SAMA Indoor Sports Complex in Vadodara on Monday.

U-15 Champions Crowned

Sreejani Chakraborty and Aditya Das were named the U-15 girls’ and U-15 boys’ champions, while Aadya Baheti and Rajdeep Biswas lifted titles in the U-11 category.

The second edition of the WTT Youth Contender in Vadodara is being presented by the Sports Authority of Gujarat and hosted by the Table Tennis Association of Baroda, with a total of 226 players competing across U-11 to U-19 age categories.

U-19 Final Highlights

In the U-19 boys’ final, Priyanuj displayed composure during crucial points to defeat Sarthak Arya with scores of 12-10, 11-8, and 14-12. Meanwhile, Miku staged a comeback from a 1-2 deficit to overcome top seed Divyanshi Bhowmick, winning 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, and 11-3.

In the boys’ category, top seed Abhinandh Pradhivadhi was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Naman Bhatnagar, who then lost to Priyanuj in the semifinals.

Girls’ Semifinal Drama

In the girls’ U-19 segment, Miku eliminated another leading Indian junior, Jennifer Varghese, with a scoreline of 6-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-4, and 11-7 in the semifinals. Jennifer had previously defeated defending champion Syndrela Das in the quarterfinals. Syndrela had also won the girls’ U-17 singles and U-19 mixed doubles titles in this edition of the WTT Youth Contender.

U-11 and U-15 Finals

Earlier, Aadya triumphed over Sakshya Santosh with scores of 15-13, 11-8, and 12-10 to secure the U-11 girls’ title, while Rajdeep Biswas won the U-11 boys’ singles final against Sharvil Karambelkar with scores of 11-8, 11-6, 11-13, and 11-4.

In the boys’ U-15 event, top seed Aditya Das showcased his dominance, defeating Sanjay Jagdish with scores of 11-4, 11-9, and 11-8. The girls’ U-15 final was tightly contested, with Sreejani edging out her opponent 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, and 11-5.

Quarterfinal Progress

Vivaan Dave advanced to the quarterfinals in the boys’ U-15 event after defeating Rishaan Chattopadhyay with scores of 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, and 11-3. He will face Rudra Jena, who triumphed over U-13 boys’ singles champion Dev Pranav Bhatt with scores of 11-4, 11-8, and 11-5.

In the U-15 girls’ singles, top seed Ankolika Chakraborty, second seed Naisha Rewaskar, and the promising Tanishka Kalbhairav also secured their spots in the last eight with impressive victories.

As the countdown to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 begins, the Gujarat Giants are gearing up with a blend of preparation and perspective. On Monday, the Adani Sportsline-owned franchise paid a visit to the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai to seek blessings ahead of the new season, which kicks off on January 9 in Navi Mumbai.

Team Visits Temple for Blessings

Head coach Michael Klinger and bowling coach Pravin Tambe were accompanied by players Tanuja Kanwar, Bharti Fulmali, and Ayushi Soni, along with Video Analyst Saurabh Walkar and Sanjay Adesara, chief business officer at Adani Sportsline. The temple visit provided a moment of reflection as the team sharpened its focus for the upcoming campaign.

Currently stationed in Mumbai for their pre-season camp, the Giants are fine-tuning combinations and settling into rhythm ahead of what promises to be a challenging season. Having reached the WPL playoffs for the first time last year, the emphasis this season is on building early momentum and sustaining it throughout the tournament.

Opening Match Details

The Gujarat Giants will face UP Warriorz in their WPL 2026 opener on Saturday, January 10, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The team is keen to build on last season’s momentum as it prepares for a title challenge.

Ashleigh Gardner Continues as Captain

Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner will lead the franchise in the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Gardner, a three-time T20 Women’s World Cup winner, took over the captaincy from her Australian teammate Beth Mooney last season. Under her leadership, the Gujarat Giants reached the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

“Experience in her stride. Belief in her voice. Ash Gardner steps up once more as our CAPTAIN, primed to take us to glory,” the Giants shared on social media.

Since the WPL’s inception in 2023, Gardner has been a vital part of the Gujarat Giants, scoring 568 runs and taking 25 wickets in 25 games. She was one of the two players, the other being Beth Mooney, retained by the Giants before the WPL 2026 Auction for Rs. 3.5 crore.

Last Season Highlights

Last season, Gardner stood out with her consistent all-round performances. Batting in the middle order, she finished as the leading run-scorer for the team with 243 runs in nine matches, boasting an impressive strike rate of 164.18 and an average of 30.37. The Aussie all-rounder also made significant contributions with her right-arm off-spin, claiming eight wickets at an economy rate of 8.03. Notably, she secured the Most Sixes award with 18 maximums to her name.

World Champion Minakshi, two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen, and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain kicked off their campaign with easy wins in the Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, on Monday.

This tournament marks the first instance where the men’s and women’s National Championships are being held simultaneously at the same venue, with 600 boxers participating in 10 weight categories each for both genders.

Women’s Competitions

• Nikhat Zareen (48-51kg), representing Telangana, blanked Nidhi of Chandigarh 5:0.
• Minakshi (45-48kg) also secured a victory, defeating V Lakshaya S Vijayan from Tamil Nadu by an identical margin.
• In the women’s 70-75kg category, Lovlina Borgohain faced no difficulty in defeating Krisha Verma by unanimous decision.

Men’s Competitions

• In the men’s bouts, Sagar (47-50kg) triumphed over Ashutosh 5:0.
• Sumit (70-75kg) also won by the same margin against Arshpreet Singh.
• Young star Hitesh (65-70kg) recorded a dominating 5-0 victory over Ankit.
• In the 55-60kg weight class, Sachin dominated Tushar with a 5:0 win, and Ankush (50-55kg) defeated Suraj Bhan by the same scoreline.

Earlier on Sunday, 2018 Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal of SSCB and Sagar from Haryana registered contrasting wins to advance in the Championships. Amit, competing in the Bantamweight category, dominated Usman Mohd Sultan of Bihar to secure an unanimous decision. In the heavyweight category, Sagar had to work hard against Edwin of Kerala but managed to win by a split decision. Lalrambuat from Mizoram also claimed victory in the bantamweight category by winning against Santosh Kumar of Odisha.

Other prominent names competing at the Nationals include reigning World Champion Jaismine, World Championships bronze medallists Pooja Rani and Parveen, former World Champion Nitu Ghanghas, and Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar among women. In the men’s section, notable participants include World Boxing Cup Finals gold medallists Hitesh and Sachin, along with World Boxing Cup Finals silver medallist Abhinash Jamwal and Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal.

Each member association has sent a maximum of 10 male and 10 female boxers. Athletes who participated in the World Boxing Cup Finals in Noida in November 2025 received direct entry into the nationals. Only boxers born between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 2006, are eligible to compete.

All medallists in Olympic weight categories will be called for the national camp, while only gold and silver medallists from non-Olympic weight categories will be part of the camp following the Nationals.

Sangam Challengers showcased a composed and resilient performance to defeat Kanpur Warriors 37–32 in the opening match of Day 12 of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2. This victory marked their third consecutive win and propelled them from seventh place to second on the league table.

### Match Highlights

The crucial encounter, characterized by its significance in what is shaping up to be a do-or-die week, was attended by television actors Anup Upadhyay and Vishwajeet Soni, who enjoyed the action at the Noida Indoor Stadium.

Kanpur Warriors started aggressively, applying early pressure that pushed Sangam close to an all-out situation. However, just as Kanpur seemed poised to take control, Sangam Challengers executed a crucial super tackle, halting Kanpur’s momentum. This pivotal moment allowed Sangam to turn the tides by inflicting an all-out on Kanpur Warriors, firmly placing the match in their favor.

### Dominant Performance

Sangam did not allow Kanpur to settle during this phase, continuing to apply pressure with disciplined defense and controlled raiding, extending their lead before halftime. The second half began with Sangam striking early, forcing another all-out on Kanpur, which opened up a significant cushion on the scoreboard.

Although Kanpur Warriors displayed determination in attempting a comeback by tightening their defense and executing two back-to-back super tackles, reducing the deficit to ten points, Sangam responded smartly by slowing down the game tempo. They managed their raids carefully, preventing Kanpur from gaining sustained momentum.

### Key Contributions

A vital aspect of Sangam’s control was the defensive effort led by captain Mayank Malik, who delivered an outstanding performance with eight tackle points, effectively denying Kanpur’s raiders at critical moments and thwarting any chance of a late turnaround.

Sangam Challengers ultimately sealed a 37–32 victory, continuing their upward trajectory and solidifying their position as the league enters a decisive phase.

### League Standings

With this result, the league standings saw a significant shift. Lucknow Lions remain atop the table with 12 points, while Sangam Challengers have climbed to second with 10 points following their third consecutive win. Gazab Ghaziabad sits third with 10 points, alongside Brij Stars, also with 10 points, intensifying the race for the top spots. With only three to four matches remaining for each team, every fixture during this do-or-die week holds increased importance.

Earlier, Day 11 of UPKL Season 2 featured a powerful on-court display from Sangam Challengers, who dismantled Kashi Kings by forcing multiple all-outs and securing a comprehensive win.

Brij Stars delivered a defensive masterclass, defeating Awadh Ramdoots 36–13 by neutralizing their key raiders and inflicting three all-outs. The day concluded with Gazab Ghaziabad’s strong comeback victory over JD Noida Ninjas, supported by Uday Dabas and Aman Rana, lifting Gazab to second place. With five teams tied on 10 points, the title race has intensified sharply.