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Fabiano Caruana, R Praggnanandhaa Share Lead After Round 1 Of Candidates Tournament

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Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa kicked off his campaign at the prestigious Candidates Tournament by breaking through the defenses of Dutchman Anish Giri to secure a full point and now shares the lead after the first round with American GM Fabiano Caruana and Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov in Paphos. In an eventful first round, World Cup champion Sindarov showcased his excellent tactical skill to turn the tables on Russia’s Andrey Esipenko, while pre-event favourite Caruana stunned fellow American Hikaru Nakamura. The other game of the eight-player double round-robin tournament between Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum and China’s Wei Yi ended in a stalemate with both players sharing a point.

In the women’s section being held simultaneously, Indian Grandmaster and Women’s World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh drew with Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk, a last-minute replacement for Koneru Humpy, while R. Vaishali survived some anxious moments before sharing the point with Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva.

It was, in fact, a day of stalemates in the womens’ section as Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina drew with compatriot Kateryna Lagno and the all-Chinese clash between Zhu Jiner and Tan Zhongyi also ended in a shared point.

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Praggnanandhaa had been struggling in recent months leading up to the Candidates but has now bounced back in style, and Giri, one of the most consistent and solid players on the circuit, was simply no match for him on Saturday.

It was a battle of nerves as the Indian began with the Grand Prix Aatack to challenge Giri’s Sicilian Defense with the black pieces, and whether the opening achieved its intended effect is debatable, but it certainly gave Praggnanandhaa a valuable lead on the clock.

Giri is not used to surprises and while he was resourceful enough in the early middle game and equalised, Praggnanandhaa won a pawn in the ensuing rook-and-minor-pieces endgame.

Giri, running low on time, blundered in a lost rook-and-pawns endgame with a pawn less. The rest was easy for Praggnanandhaa.

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But perhaps the most impressive game was played by Caruana who used his white pieces to perfection.

Nakamura was close to levelling the game as the middle game arrived, but the American, who is currently more active as a streamer than as a player, found himself in an opposite-coloured bishops middle game where his bishop was restricted to a passive role.

Caruana sealed the game with precise calculation in the endgame.

The Candidates is being contested in both the Open and Women’s sections to determine the challengers for the next World Championship matches against reigning champions D Gukesh and Ju Wenjun of China.

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Results (round 1) Open: R Praggnanandhaa (Ind) beat Anish Giri (Ned); Javokhir Sindarov (Uzb) beat Andrey Esipenko (Rus); Matthias Bluebaum (Ger) drew with Wei Yi (Chn); Fabiano Caruana (USA) beat Hikaru Nakamura (USA).

Women: Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus) drew with Kateryna Lagno (Rus); R Vaishali (Ind) drew with Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kaz); Divya Deshmukh (Ind) drew with Anna Muzychuk (Ukr); Jiner Zhu (Chn) drew with Zhongyi Tan (Chn).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Sinner completes Sunshine Double with straight-sets win in Miami

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Jannik Sinner continued his remarkable run of form by defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 to win the Miami Open and complete the Sunshine Double.

The victory marks the first time in nine years that a male player has won both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season.

Even more impressive, Sinner achieved the feat without dropping a single set in Miami and has now won three consecutive Masters 1000 titles without losing a set.

  • “I’m Strong Enough” — Sabalenka after Miami Title“I’m Strong Enough” — Sabalenka after Miami Title

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His current run includes 34 consecutive sets won in Masters 1000 events, extending a record, alongside 17 straight match victories at that level. The Miami title is his seventh Masters crown and the 26th ATP title of his career.

Speaking after the match, Sinner reflected on both the achievement and the timing of his success ahead of the clay-court season:

“I’m really really happy. I’m also happy to go back home now.” 

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“It’s significant because before going on clay and going back home.. with not only one, but two trophies.. it means a lot to me. Making here the Sunshine Double for the first time, it’s incredible. It’s something I would’ve never thought. It’s so difficult to achieve. We made it somehow. I’m very happy.” ❤️

Sinner also acknowledged Lehecka’s performance and resilience after recent injury struggles:

“First of all Jiri, it’s amazing to see you back playing this kind of level. I know you’ve had some tough tough times with a lot of injuries. But seeing you here.. I know you as a person, you’re an amazing person. Keep it up you and your team and family. I’m extremely happy for you.” ❤️

He went on to credit his team for their role in his consistency and development:

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“Of course my team, thanks for pushing me. I know not all of my team is here. I guess they’re watching at home. Amazing work you’re doing with me. I try to give every day my best. We had some very great practice days before Indian wells. Seeing this kind of result makes me happy, even more happy the level we’re trying to produce and the player we are trying to achieve. Thank you so much.” 

On handling setbacks, Sinner offered insight into the mindset behind his current form:

“When I lose I don’t want to put myself under the bus. It would be not fair to myself”

With the clay season approaching, Sinner’s consistency, composure, and level of play position him as one of the leading contenders on the ATP Tour.

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Man United’s full five-player injury and withdrawal list as Michael Carrick eyes top two finish

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Michael Carrick has five Manchester United injury concerns to contend with ahead of the Premier League clash against Leeds United

Manchester United have five players managing vastly different injury problems over the March international break. Michael Carrick has been rather fortunate regarding the fitness of his squad since his arrival as interim head coach, but that has somewhat changed over the last few weeks.

Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez have all missed at least the last month, while minor fitness concerns for Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko led to them withdraw from international duty with Cameroon and Slovenia, respectively.

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Neither are expected to miss the visit of Leeds United in a fortnight, with the two attackers competing for the striker spot in Carrick’s team. The duo will have spent the last week at Carrington alongside the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount.

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The latter has missed a significant period of 2026 but returned off the bench against Bournemouth earlier this month. Noussair Mazraoui missed that trip to the Vitality Stadium through illness but was able to join up with Morocco and played the full 90 minutes of their friendly against Ecuador.

Elsewhere, Martinez has not played since the draw with West Ham United in early February, but Carrick has issued a very positive update on his condition.

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He said: “[Lisandro is] closer, a lot closer. He’s getting there, so after this one. I think he’ll be alright.” Given the time spent out of the team, the Argentine could be eased back into the fold.

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Dorgu and De Ligt are also yet to return from extended absences, with the latter having not played since November because of a back injury.

It is a hamstring issue for Dorgu that Carrick has confirmed will keep him out for a bit longer, but he was able to deliver a positive update on the Netherlands international before the trip to Bournemouth.

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He said: “It’s [a] similar [situation] really, and frustrating for Matta. He’s obviously trying to work to get back, but it’s just the back issue, really, that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard to get him back as quickly as we can.”

While some of United’s injured defenders could be back for the game against Leeds in mid-April, Harry Maguire will definitely miss out as he serves a suspension for the red card picked up against the Cherries.

If neither De Ligt or Martinez are fit enough to feature from the off, Leny Yoro could end up being partnered at the back by Ayden Heaven.

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The 19-year-old has enjoyed his international break after being called up to train with the senior England squad. He returned to the under-20s later in the week and scored in their 3-3 draw against Italy.

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL

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Eagles GM Howie Roseman drops blunt response about AJ Brown trade questions

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Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was faced with many questions about wideout AJ Brown from the local media at the league meetings on Sunday. Brown has been linked with a trade away from Philly this offseason, after a frustrating 2025 season with the team.

However, Roseman opted to offer a blunt response regarding Brown amid the ongoing trade speculation around the wide receiver.

“I understand that there’s interest in the A.J. Brown story. I, unfortunately, don’t have a home under a rock,” Roseman said. “But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles. From my perspective, anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I’m going to go right back to that answer. But I understand the interest. I put on the TV, and I see that there’s interest, but my answer is A.J. Brown is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.”

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The Eagles acquired Brown via a trade with the Tennessee Titans in the 2022 offseason. He helped Philly reach two Super Bowls, winning one in 2025.

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It remains to be seen if Brown will remain with the Eagles next season.

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Howie Roseman’s Eagles will have No. 23 pick in 2026 NFL draft

Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman - Source: ImagnPhiladelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman - Source: Imagn
Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman – Source: Imagn

Howie Roseman’s Philly won the NFC East crown last season. However, the Eagles crashed out of the playoffs with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round.

Philly has the No. 23 pick in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft. Some draft experts have suggested that the Eagles might want to bolster their offensive line with their first selection this year.