Author: Raghav Singh

Daniil Medvedev had to put in significant effort to secure his spot in the third round of the Australian Open, grinding out a 6-7(9), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over France’s Quentin Halys on Wednesday at John Cain Arena.

Strong Start to the Season

This win marks Medvedev’s continued strong performance at the start of the 2026 season, extending his unbeaten streak to seven matches, equalling the best opening stretch of his career, previously set during his impressive 2021 campaign. Currently ranked World No. 11, Medvedev faced a well-known challenge in the early rounds of this major tournament. Although he kicked off the season with a series of straight-set wins during his title run in Brisbane, breezing through Grand Slam rounds has been more challenging.

The Russian has not advanced past the first two rounds of a major without dropping a set since Wimbledon 2023. This trend continued as he lost a dramatic 20-point tiebreak in the opening set against Halys. However, Medvedev regained his composure, securing early breaks in both the second and third sets to gain control of the match.

Unique Celebration

After clinching the match in four sets, Medvedev playfully addressed the camera with the words “Not 5 sets,” a humorous reference to his well-documented tendency for marathon matches at Melbourne Park.

With new coaches Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke by his side, the 2021 Australian Open finalist appears rejuvenated, showcasing the endurance and defensive resilience that characterized his most successful year. That season saw him reach the final in Melbourne, win his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, and lead Russia to victories in the ATP Cup and Davis Cup, finishing with a remarkable tour-leading 63 wins.

Next Up for Medvedev

This victory propels Medvedev into the round of 32 at a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2024 US Open, marking an end to a challenging phase in major tournaments. He is set to face Hungary’s Fábián Marozsán, who secured a comfortable win over Kamil Majchrzak.

Rublev Advances

In another match, Andrey Rublev also secured his place in the third round, defeating Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 in the opening match of the day on Margaret Court Arena. The 13th seed faced some pressure from World No. 151 Faria, who claimed the third set, but Rublev’s power and experience ultimately proved crucial.

After initially looking on course for a straight-sets victory, the World No. 15 regained his composure in the fourth set, holding serve under pressure and achieving a vital break at 6-5 to avoid a decisive set. This win marks Rublev’s seventh consecutive appearance in the Australian Open round of 32 and improves his early-season record to 4-1, highlighting a solid start to his 2026 campaign.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chair Jay Shah met with leaders of the Africa Cricket Association in Windhoek and emphasised the ICC’s commitment to expanding cricket across Africa.

He expressed his delight at watching future stars in action during an Under-19 World Cup match at Cricket Namibia’s newly developed NCG venue. “A productive day in Windhoek meeting with cricket leaders from the Africa Cricket Association as @ICC looks to grow and support the sport across the continent. I also enjoyed seeing future stars of the game at the #U19worldcup match at @CricketNamibia1’s terrific new NCG venue,” Jay Shah shared on X.

Namibia is splitting hosting duties with Zimbabwe for the ongoing U-19 World Cup, with both countries hosting 12 group-stage matches each.

In Namibia, matches are being played at the new Namibia Cricket Ground and the HP Oval, both located in Windhoek. In Zimbabwe, the venues include Queens Sports Club, Harare Sports Club, and Takashinga Sports Club in Harare.

Last year, Namibia hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Windhoek from August 31 to September 6, bringing together eight countries competing for two coveted spots at the Global Qualifier for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Namibia’s national men’s team made history last year by hosting South Africa for a historic one-off T20. This match not only saw Namibia inaugurate the new Namibia Cricket ground but also faced their neighbours, South Africa, for the first time in any international format, securing a narrow victory by four wickets.

The FNB NCG made history by hosting matches in the 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and is set to host the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, marking Namibia’s first time hosting World Cup games.

Former India captain Mithali Raj commended the Delhi Capitals for their recent victory against the Mumbai Inddigihunt, emphasizing skipper Jemimah Rodrigues’ composed, match-winning performance under pressure. She also evaluated the challenging road ahead for MI against an in-form Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Delhi Capitals secured a seven-wicket win over Mumbai Inddigihunt in the 13th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), marking the defending champions’ fourth defeat in the tournament.

“I think this win will do a great deal for Delhi Capitals, especially for Jemimah Rodrigues. As we discussed in the pre-show, it was important for her to get those runs, and she stood tall despite losing partners,” Mithali stated during the JioStar broadcast.

“She stitched vital partnerships with Laura Wolvaardt and then with Marizanne Kapp. It was great to see her play her natural game on this wicket. I mentioned earlier that this surface would suit Jemimah, and she proved me right. She took her time, played her usual drives, and then cut loose with the cuts, scoop shots, and reverse sweeps.”

“She didn’t get the first reverse sweep right, but the second one went for a boundary, which was crucial for the run-ball equation. She targeted the shorter boundary well and was aware of the field placements set by the bowlers. She handled the pressure effectively and stayed focused to guide the team home,” she added.

DC’s win was driven by Rodrigues’ calm and well-paced unbeaten 51, helping them climb from the bottom of the table into a four-way tie on four points, following the already-qualified RCB.

DC’s chase of 155 runs began brightly, with Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee putting on 57 runs without loss in the powerplay. However, the momentum dipped in the middle overs, as boundaries dried up and both openers were dismissed quickly. Rodrigues then took charge, anchoring the innings alongside Laura Wolvaardt. After the Protea captain’s unfortunate dismissal, the DC skipper accelerated, hitting timely boundaries and a significant six.

In the end, Rodrigues fittingly guided DC to victory, finishing unbeaten on 51 as Kapp struck the winning six off Nat Sciver-Brunt, clinching a momentum-shifting victory for Delhi Capitals.

Commenting on the partnership between Lee and Rodrigues, Mithali remarked, “I was impressed with both batters. This isn’t an ideal wicket for immediate big shots, yet they found boundaries. Mumbai Inddigihunt’ bowlers were a bit guilty, as the first over from almost every bowler was down the leg side, and the batters took full advantage of those deliveries.”

“Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma capitalized well during the powerplay, making it seem like they didn’t have to run hard for singles. In previous games, this is the kind of start Delhi Capitals have sought in the powerplay, which played a major role in securing the win.”

Regarding the challenges facing Mumbai Inddigihunt in their next match against the unbeaten RCB, Mithali said, “RCB has been in great form from the very first game and has won five matches in a row. Mumbai Inddigihunt still have to face RCB, a team they have already lost to, so they face tough challenges ahead.”

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the third round of the Australian Open after defeating Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan with a score of 6-3, 6-1 in just 32 minutes.

This match marked the first encounter between Sabalenka and former World No. 83 Bai, who faced a challenging year with injuries, arriving in Melbourne ranked No. 702 in the world. Wednesday’s victory was Sabalenka’s 25th singles match win as the World No. 1, making her the sixth player since 2000 to achieve this milestone, joining the ranks of Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin, Ash Barty, and Iga Swiatek.

The two-time champion, Sabalenka, recorded her seventh consecutive win to kick off 2026. This victory also marks her progression to the third round of the Australian Open for the sixth consecutive year. In addition to her impressive 7-0 record to start the year, she remains undefeated in second-round matches in Melbourne.

Bai found herself on the back foot early, struggling to find the necessary pace, quickly falling to 0-5 within the first 15 minutes. A couple of aces allowed her to finally get on the scoreboard, but Sabalenka’s grip on the opening set tightened when she was broken while serving for it.

Having successfully defended 25 of 38 break points in the qualifying rounds and the first match, Bai faced three more in a lengthy nearly 10-minute game before Sabalenka regained control, according to Australian Open reports.

Despite initially jumping to a 4-0 lead in the second set, Sabalenka experienced some challenges. However, her persistence ensured she stayed on course, closing the match in 74 minutes and setting up a third-round meeting against either the 28th seed Emma Raducanu or Anastasia Potapova.

Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina maintained her strong start to the 2026 season, securing a second-round victory with a score of 7-5, 6-1 over Linda Klimovicova. She will face another new opponent, Diana Shnaider, in the third round, marking the first confirmed seeded match of the tournament. Shnaider managed to save two match points against Australian wildcard Talia Gibson to complete a comeback, winning 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Gabriel Jesus’s first Champions League goals since November 2023 helped Arsenal secure a 3-1 victory over Inter Milan, marking eight wins from eight and guaranteeing a top-two finish in this season’s Champions League.

Match Highlights

• Jesus scored twice from inside the box during the first half.
• Inter Milan’s Petar Sucic equalized with a fierce strike.
• Arsenal’s David Raya made a crucial double save from Federico Dimarco before the break.

Arsenal substitute Viktor Gyokeres curled in a goal with just six minutes remaining in an engaging second half, ensuring the Gunners maintained their perfect record, while Inter suffered their third consecutive defeat in the league phase.

With this win, Arsenal set their longest-ever winning streak in Europe’s premier club competition, ensuring they finish no lower than second in the table. This secures their place in the last 16, as well as home advantage in the second leg of the knockout phase.

Tottenham’s Triumph

In other news, Tottenham boosted their chances of claiming a top-eight finish with a convincing 2-0 win over Dortmund.

• The home side started strong, taking the lead when Cristian Romero turned in Wilson Odobert’s low cross.
• Daniel Svensson was sent off shortly after, and Spurs added a second goal as Dominic Solanke marked his return from injury.

Tottenham confidently protected their 2-0 lead in the second half, with promising chances for Xavi Simons to extend the scoreline.

Manchester City Setback

Meanwhile, Manchester City faced a setback, losing 3-1 to Bodo/Glimt, jeopardizing their hopes of a top-eight finish in the Champions League.

Bodo/Glimt’s central striker Kasper Hogh scored twice within the first two minutes of the match, exploiting counter-attacks to set up a famous victory. Jens Petter Hauge curled in a superb third goal for the home side before Rayan Cherki pulled one back for City from the edge of the box.

City’s hopes of a comeback suffered a blow when Rodri received a red card after two quick yellow cards. With an early kick-off, City remains in the top eight, but this position is threatened as the rest of the matchday seven games unfold.

A win against Galatasaray is essential for them to avoid a play-off.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice against one of his former clubs as Real Madrid eased past Monaco 6-1 at home, boosting their chances of finishing in the top eight of the Champions League league phase.

The striker, who began his career at Monaco, put Real Madrid ahead after five minutes with a clinical finish from a through ball by Fede Valverde. He then slid in at the far post 20 minutes later to make it 2-0 at halftime.

Franco Mastantuono added a third in the 51st minute as Monaco left big gaps at the back. Thilo Kehrer then turned the ball into his own net. Vinicius Junior made it 5-0, and Jude Bellingham added a sixth after Jordan Teze pulled a goal back for Monaco.

In another match, Luis Suarez struck in the 74th and 90th minutes as Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Paris Saint Germain 2-1 at home, moving up to sixth in the standings.

PSG were dominant for most of the game and had two strikes ruled out before falling behind when Suarez finished coolly in the 74th minute. Substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia equalized with a wonderful curling effort five minutes later, but there was time for Suarez to head in a rebound, securing the victory for Sporting.

Meanwhile, Ajax clinched a dramatic victory against winless Villarreal thanks to Oliver Edvardsen’s late strike.

After a goalless first half, the home side broke the deadlock when Tani Oluwaseyi powered past Vitezslav Jaros. Ajax responded through Oscar Gloukh’s free-kick 12 minutes later. With the scores tied in the final minutes, Ajax substitute Edvardsen latched onto a low cross and swept the ball into the bottom corner.

In other action, Olympiacos picked up their first win in 14 games against German opposition by defeating Leverkusen 2-0 in Piraeus.

The hosts opened the scoring inside two minutes through Costinha, and Mehdi Taremi finished off a quick counterattack to double their advantage just before half-time. Leverkusen created several opportunities throughout the game, but Kostas Tzolakis was consistently equal to their efforts.

Dev Meena, the national record holder in pole vault, has alleged that Indian Railways has taken no action after he and fellow athlete were forced to deboard a train and cut short their travel from Mangaluru to Bhopal at Panvel in Maharashtra for carrying his five-meter long pole on the train.

To top it, Meena, who holds the national record of 5.40m in men’s pole vault, claimed that he, along with fellow athlete Kuldeep Yadav and his coach Ghanshyam Yadav, were humiliated by a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE). They were forced out of the train, detained at the station for five hours, and made to pay a fine of Rs 5000.

According to reports, the ticket examiner enforced the latest luggage rules of Indian Railways on the athletes’ five-meter carbon fiber poles, valued at Rs 2 lakh each, and removed them from the train.

“We were humiliated by the railway official. Despite repeated requests, we received no help and were forced to pay the fine. We tried our best to explain what the pole vault is, but he refused to listen. It was extremely embarrassing. Later, we decided to record a video of the incident. The video went viral, but no action was taken. We have also informed the Sports Minister,” Dev Meena mentioned regarding the ordeal.

Dev Meena, who set the national record of 5.40m in men’s pole vault at the World University Games in Bochum, Germany, in July 2025, urged Indian Railways to allow sports gear with proper charges, warning of the impact on juniors and careers.

“The authorities should issue us an official letter so that such incidents do not happen in the future, and we can present the letter whenever required,” said the national record holder in men’s pole vault.

This is not the first time that athletes have faced trouble while travelling with their equipment in and out of the country. For years, shooters have faced issues while travelling with their guns and ammunition. Most sportspersons usually try to carry their costly equipment with them, fearing that it could be damaged due to mishandling when checked in at the airplane’s cargo hold or loaded in the luggage compartment of a railway train. There have been numerous complaints regarding this in the past.

An unbeaten 65 by all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s 41 guided Mumbai Inddigihunt to a total of 154/5 in 20 overs against Delhi Capitals in the 13th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the Kotambi Stadium on Tuesday.

Strong Finish by Sciver-Brunt

Sciver-Brunt played a pivotal role in transforming Mumbai Inddigihunt Women’s shaky start into a competitive total. Under pressure during the Power-play, Mumbai found stability with Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 65 off 45 balls. Her innings transitioned from cautious to aggressive, shifting momentum when she hit a six on the last ball, pushing MI past 150 and applying pressure on Delhi.

Delhi’s Early Control

Delhi took charge early in the game. Marizanne Kapp and Nandani Sharma dominated the Power-play, dismissing Sajana for 9 and Hayley Matthews for 12, leaving Mumbai at 23/2 in just six overs. Kapp’s figures—only 8 runs conceded in four overs—highlighted her effectiveness, as her tight bowling restricted easy runs, forcing MI to focus on survival. They reached 47/2 at the first timeout, with Sciver-Brunt on 8 and Harmanpreet Kaur at 18, still aiming to rebuild.

Key Partnerships

The turning point arrived as Sciver-Brunt found her rhythm, with the third-wicket partnership gaining momentum. They added 50 runs in 45 balls, with Mumbai reaching 50 in 9.4 overs and 100 in 13.6 overs. Sciver-Brunt achieved her half-century off 34 balls, gaining confidence. However, just as they appeared dominant, Harmanpreet fell for 41, caught off N. Sree Charani, breaking their crucial 78-run partnership.

Exciting Final Overs

The final overs were filled with excitement. At the second timeout, MI was at 119/3 in 16 overs, but Charani made crucial strikes in the 18th over, dismissing Nicola Carey for 12 and Amanjot Kaur for 3, the latter following a successful DRS review. Nonetheless, Sciver-Brunt remained steady, finishing with 65 off 45, while Sanskriti Gupta contributed a brisk 10 off 5, hitting some late boundaries. MI scored 42 runs in the last five overs, with the last-ball six securing a strong finish at 154/5 after a rocky start.

Bowling Highlights

Shree Charani was the standout bowler for DC, claiming 3 wickets for 33 runs, while Kapp completed her spell with 1 for 8.

Brief Scores:

Mumbai Inddigihunt Women 154/5 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver Brunt 65 not out, Harmanpreet Kaur 41; Shree Charani 3-33, Marizanne Kapp 1-8) against Delhi Capitals.

Defending champions Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and hosts Odisha have advanced to the semifinals of the Women’s National Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2026 following impressive performances in the quarterfinals on Day 5 of the elite competition.

Tuesday’s matches marked the start of the decisive knockout phase, setting the stage for two exciting semifinal clashes scheduled for Wednesday.

Quarterfinal Highlights

Played across venues in Bhubaneswar and Khordha, the quarterfinals showcased the depth of talent and competitive spirit of women cricketers with visual impairment from across the country.

• Madhya Pradesh vs. Maharashtra
  At the Hitech Cricket Ground in Bhubaneswar, Madhya Pradesh Women delivered a dominant all-round performance by posting 201/1 in their allotted 20 overs. Their disciplined bowling effort restricted Maharashtra Women to 102/8, resulting in a comprehensive 99-run victory.

• Karnataka vs. West Bengal
  In another one-sided contest at KT Global School Ground in Khordha, Karnataka Women asserted their supremacy with a formidable total of 262/4. West Bengal Women were held to 128/8, as Karnataka cruised to a massive 134-run win.

• Odisha vs. Rajasthan
  The afternoon session at Hitech Cricket Ground featured the hosts Odisha Women, who rose to the occasion by scoring 177/3. Their bowlers kept Rajasthan Women in check at 116/9, clinching the match by 61 runs.

• Andhra Pradesh vs. Gujarat
  Rounding off the semifinal line-up, Andhra Pradesh Women showcased a clinical chase at KT Global School Ground. After restricting Gujarat Women to 132/3, Andhra Pradesh reached 133/2 in just 13.5 overs, registering a convincing eight-wicket victory.

Upcoming Semifinals

The tournament now transitions into its most anticipated phase, with the semifinals scheduled for January 21, 2026, at the Hitech Cricket Ground, Bhubaneswar.

As the competition intensifies, the semifinals promise high-quality cricket, fierce rivalries, and inspiring performances, bringing the tournament a step closer to crowning the national champions of women’s cricket for the blind.

Schedule:

• Semifinal 1: Madhya Pradesh Women vs Andhra Pradesh Women
• Semifinal 2: Karnataka Women vs Odisha Women

With their tournament on the line, Hyderabad Toofans secured a narrow 3-2 victory against HIL GC in their last league stage match of the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) at Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. Zachary Wallace, Amandeep Lakra, and Shilanand Lakra scored for Hyderabad, while Kane Russell netted a brace for HIL GC.

Match Overview

The opening exchanges saw HIL GC controlling possession before Hyderabad Toofans took the lead against the run of play, scoring from a penalty corner. Zachary Wallace (6’) found the back of the net after a deflection, evading James Mazarelo in goal. HIL GC quickly responded, equalizing in just two minutes as Kane Russell (8’) scored from their first penalty corner with a precise dragflick.

In a must-win situation, the Toofans demonstrated resilience, responding immediately from their second penalty corner as Amandeep Lakra (8’) rifled his dragflick past the keeper, giving his side a 2-1 lead at the end of a thrilling first quarter.

Second Quarter Action

The Toofans pressed forward in the second quarter, forcing James Mazarelo into action on several occasions. Their persistence paid off when Shilanand Lakra (27’) doubled their lead by scoring from close range.

Despite the two-goal deficit, HIL GC created numerous opportunities and remained a consistent threat throughout the first half.

Second Half Developments

HIL GC started the second half strongly with Kane Russell (31’) scoring his second goal, converting another dragflick from a penalty corner and narrowing the gap to one goal. Both teams displayed attacking intent as they sought to add to their scores, but neither could capitalize on their chances.

HIL GC remained relentless in their pursuit for an equalizer, recording 18 circle entries in the final quarter. However, they were unable to penetrate a resolute Toofans defence, which held firm to secure all three points.

Tournament Implications

With this crucial win, the Toofans have kept themselves alive in the tournament, moving to third position on the points table. Meanwhile, HIL GC now finds itself in fourth place after this result.