Former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick hit a superb, bogey-free 63 to claim a one-shot lead over Viktor Hovland after a punishing second round at the RBC Heritage in South Carolina.
On a day of sweltering heat and unpredictable wind, the Englishman moved to 14 under par with an impeccable round helped by a stroke of fortune at the par-three 14th.
After pulling his tee shot towards the trees, Fitzpatrick’s ball struck a cart path, ricocheted back on to the green, and was only prevented from trickling into the water by a well-positioned sprinkler head.
He capitalised fully, holing the subsequent 30-foot putt for an improbable birdie.
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“Yeah, it was lucky, there’s no two ways about it,” Fitzpatrick said. “Sometimes you need that in a week, so it’s nice to get, and then even nicer to take advantage of it.”
The 2023 champion followed up with two further birdies in his final three holes to surge ahead of the field.
Norway’s Hovland remains his closest challenger after a stunning birdie at the 17th kept him in the hunt.
“I wouldn’t say I striped it today, but at least I kind of kept the ball in front of me, and that’s what you’re trying to do on this golf course,” Hovland said.
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World number one Scottie Scheffler, playing alongside Fitzpatrick, produced a characteristically disciplined 67. Despite hitting every fairway, the American struggled to convert several birdie opportunities and sits seven shots adrift.
Jordan Spieth was among those to suffer in the tricky conditions, carding three double bogeys in a frustrating 72, while Akshay Bhatia hit 11 birdies in a round of 63 to climb back to -6.
The protracted disagreement over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between the Senegal national football team and the Morocco national football team is likely to drag on for months, with proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport still ongoing.
Legal experts in sports say the arbitration could last between nine and twelve months. Without a fast-tracked process, a final decision may only arrive after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prolonging uncertainty over who should officially be crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The delay is largely due to the complicated nature of the case, as CAS judges aim to carry out a detailed review and deliver a solid legal ruling. It is understood that Morocco has chosen the standard arbitration route instead of an expedited hearing, a decision seen as a way to strengthen its legal arguments.
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This has led to a rare situation in African football. While officials have provisionally acknowledged Morocco as winners, the trophy is reportedly still in Dakar and linked to Senegal. The unusual arrangement has continued to stir debate and confusion among supporters and stakeholders across the continent.
Until CAS reaches a final verdict, the dispute over the AFCON final will remain unresolved, leaving the competition’s official outcome uncertain.
Matias has entered the Queensland Derby discussion thanks to his commanding success in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m).
This came just 35 minutes on from his stablemate Snitzel Dancer’s win in the Group 3 Carr Stakes.
Prior to his stud career at Arrowfield, Ryan had Snitzel capture the Oakleigh Plate; there, the stallion excelled, claiming four Australian Sires Premierships and producing 27 individual Group 1 winners, three of whom won the Golden Slipper.
Snitzel died last year aged 22, but with Matias and Snitzel Dancer, he is set for a fifth Sires title this season, reaching 15 individual stakes winners (others max 8), progeny prize money over $20.5 million, $4 million ahead of The Autumn Sun.
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“Snitzel is just a freak of a horse,” said Ryan, who now trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou.
“He was outstanding on the racetrack and a phenomenon at stud – and he’s still throwing stakes winners.”
As the $2.70 market elect, Matias became Snitzel’s newest stakes victor with a lengthier-than-expected margin in the Frank Packer Plate over Providence ($7.50), Pictor ($13) third by a half-length.
The trainer announced Matias heads to the Queensland Derby, alongside Snitzel Dancer targeting the Queensland Oaks in Brisbane’s winter three-year-old carnival.
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“This race was the deciding point, whether he ticked the 2000m box,” Ryan said.
“I know he’s by Snitzel but his first three dams either won or ran a place in the Oaks.
“The Queensland Derby has always been the aim since he won the Grand Prix up there in December.
“I think we will run in the Rough Habit Plate. I know it’s a month between runs, I know he’s a big, gross horse but you can’t overwork him. Then it’ll be a fortnight into the Derby.”
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Ryan hailed jockey Nash Rawiller’s performance aboard Matias as “a beautiful ride.”
Matias exhibited solid staying power according to Rawiller in taking the Frank Packer Plate.
“I don’t know what time they ran (2m 02.43s) but it was a genuinely run race,” Rawiller said.
“My bloke was turned out to perfection. He’s been a horse that’s been building to this now for 12 months.
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“You know, I think we just saw the furnished product, the sort of horse we thought he would be from day dot.
“Like I said, it was a genuinely run, staying-type race and he just thrived on that and he loved it.”
Visit premier betting sites to check racing odds for key races including the Queensland Derby.
Benson Kipruto (Kenya) and Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu have formed a chasing couplet in behind the runaway leader, yet John Korir’s gap is widening, rather than closing. 36km down; six and a bit to go.
Harry Latham-Coyle20 April 2026 16:22
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Boston Marathon
That lead is 22 seconds at the 21-mile mark for the defending men’s champion. It’s looking good for John Korir.
You can still throw a blanket (admittedly, a broad one) over the women’s field. Nip and tuck entering the crucial miles, though the scarlet-haired Annie Frisbie is showing strongly as the American looks to improve on an eighth-placed finish 12 months ago.
Harry Latham-Coyle20 April 2026 16:20
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And just like that…
John Korir might be gone. There’s still a long way to go, of course, and time enough for a similar move, but there are 10 kilometres of open road ahead of a 29-year-old improving with age. Can he go quicker than last year and, perhaps, challenge Geoffrey Mutai’s course record (2:03:02) from 2011?
Harry Latham-Coyle20 April 2026 16:14
Here comes John Korir!
Watch your back, Milikesa – here comes John Korir! With renewed energy, the defending champion accelerates past the leader and keeps striding on, engine whirring smoothly as he goes. Scary closing speed from the Kenyan, now at the head of the race as Mengesha attempts to cling to his coattails.
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Harry Latham-Coyle20 April 2026 16:11
Milikesa Mengesha leads by 12 seconds
It’s a 12-second advantage for Milikesa Mengesha, with John Korir among a trailing quintet looking to make up that gap in the last 12 kilometres. Mengesha is a long way ahead of the course record as things stand, though this gruelling course will sap the legs.
Harry Latham-Coyle20 April 2026 16:06
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Halfway mark for women
Through the halfway mark for the women in a smidge over 1min 11sec. Sharon Lokedi, the defending champion, looks rock solid, nestled in the pack.
Harry Latham-Coyle20 April 2026 16:00
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Boston Marathon – elite men
Mengesha set his PB in that Berlin run, and was also a winner in Shanghai last year. He’s the sort of calibre of athlete who can get away from even a strong field.
He drifts away from the rest of the runners for a bit, choosing a different path nearer a large fence. A bit more shelter from the wind? It’s tough to say but Mengesha looks strong.
No such obvious movement in the women’s event, seven kilometres back down the road.
Milkesa Mengesha leads the Boston Marathon (Getty)
Harry Latham-Coyle20 April 2026 15:57
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Boston Marathon – elite men
And here is another insurgent: Milkesa Mengesha took out a marathon major in Berlin a couple of years ago and is making his presence known.
Harry Latham-Coyle20 April 2026 15:52
It’s hotting up
Back to the men, who are nearing the 25km mark, and a sight to worry the field. Defending champion John Korir moves up alongside Lemi Berhanu with effortless ease. Zouhair Talbi, born in Morocco but American-based, is right up there, too, though few are yet out of the running.
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Harry Latham-Coyle20 April 2026 15:50
Eden Rainbow-Cooper on her Boston Marathon triumph
“It took a lot. But having great weather, having the crowds, there is no better time to give it all, right?
“For me, it’s all in. I know once I get to the top of the hill, I have a bit of a rest, and the quicker I get to the top, the quicker it is over.
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“It was tough after my first Boston win and it has taken a lot to get back here. To take it from the front again, and run a very similar race to 2024, I’m so happy. To prove to myself I can do it again is such a big confidence boost.”
Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner comes home for a distant silver, with home hope Tatyana McFadden in for bronze.
Asterix’s success diverged from Waller’s typical victors by being rather unforeseen, as the ascending eight-year-old gelding jumped at $16.
Four years on from his New Zealand Derby conquest, Asterix struggled initially but recaptured form last summer, securing The Beauford and vice in the Christmas Cup.
Heading into the JRA Plate for his fresh start, Waller held reservations about Asterix’s showing, only to be overjoyed by the stayers’ swift finish that secured the prize, bolstered by Jason Collett’s astute handling.
“It’s taken a while for him to find his legs in Australia, but he’s certainly racing honestly now. That was a good win,.” Waller said.
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“That’s exactly what we wanted to see and I think there’s a Gosford Cup in about three weeks to consider.
“We’ll have a look at that first, it’s good prizemoney here in Sydney and then probably up to Queensland.”
Asterix ($16) charged through the bunch ridden by Collett to pip You Wahng ($9) by a long head on the wire, with favourite Travolta ($3.80) half a length adrift in third spot.
Collett commented that the race “played out really well” for Asterix.
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“His trials were really good coming into it, he had some freshness in his legs but starting off over 2000m may have been a question mark,” Collett said.”Chris said ‘be kind to him’ and we got a very kind run. Off a moderate tempo, we only had to get out late and sprint and he did that.
“I was pretty happy with that win, I think he’ll be in for a pretty good winter campaign.”
You Wahng, successful in last year’s Queensland Oaks, pointed towards impending triumphs via her solid second placing.
“She’s run very well so we will look at Brisbane again with her,” trainer Kris Lees.
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“It was encouraging to see her run so well and if we get some rain-affected tracks, then that won’t worry her, either.”
Following his run of misfortune yet rapid close for third, Waller pointed Travolta towards a likely Gosford Gold Cup entry on May 9.
“It wasn’t a pretty sight, was it? Just didn’t have any luck at the top of the straight,” Waller said.”By the time he got out, it was sort of too late, but I think it showed he’s much more effective over these shorter distances, so he’d probably go there too.”
Welcome along to the latest rendition of Sportskeeda Wrestling’s AEW News & Rumor Roundup. Today, we are looking at stories involving top pro-wrestling stars, including Buddy Matthews, Jade Cargill, and Wardlow, among others.
A popular female star has hinted at a return to the squared circle amid rampant WWE rumors. Meanwhile, Buddy Matthews took a subtle jab at Jade Cargill after a WWE Women’s Championship loss to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42, and Wardlow has issued a statement amid his absence from the Jacksonville-based promotion. This and more as we delve into the latest All Elite Wrestling news today. Let’s get this roundup started.
#5. Anna Jay hints at in-ring return amid WWE signing rumors
One of All Elite Wrestling’s longtime female competitors, Anna Jay, has seemingly teased her impending return to the squared circle amid swirling rumors of a potential jump to WWE. Jay first appeared for AEW at All Out 2019 and officially signed in April 2020, going on to face top names like Hikaru Shida, Britt Baker, Willow Nightingale, Kris Statlander, Julia Hart, Toni Storm, Mercedes Mone, and Megan Bayne. The Queen Slayer has been notably absent from television programming since November 2025, when she and her tag team partner, Tay Melo, were eliminated from the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship tournament by the MegaProblems (Megan Bayne and Marina Shafir). During this extended hiatus, reports emerged that Jay’s contract with Tony Khan’s promotion might be set to expire in the spring of 2026, fueling widespread speculation that she might jump ship to the sports entertainment juggernaut. That said, her latest social media activity suggests she is ready to return to wrestling, potentially in Tony Khan’s promotion.
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During a recent live stream on Twitch, fans asked Anna Jay about her favorite ring gear, prompting her to drop a major hint about her eventual comeback. While she could not pick a favorite outfit, she revealed that she has brand-new gear ready whenever she returns, noting that it features a red color palette.
Jade Cargill suffered a major setback during her WWE Women’s Championship defense at Night 2 of WrestleMania 42. The former AEW TBS champion had originally captured the title by defeating Tiffany Stratton at Saturday Night’s Main Event 41 in October, and she went on to defend it against Michin, B-Fab, and Jordynne Grace. During her highly anticipated clash against 2026 Elimination Chamber winner Rhea Ripley at the Shows of Shows, Cargill utilized outside help from her henchwomen, Michin and B-Fab, to try and retain the gold.
In a shocking moment during the match, Cargill even pulled from the playbook of a popular AEW superstar, hitting Ripley with her own version of Kenny Omega’s devastating One-Winged Angel finishing maneuver. However, executing the Best Bout Machine’s near-unbeatable move was not enough to secure the pinfall. Iyo Sky eventually interfered to neutralize Cargill’s allies, allowing Ripley to plant the champion with the Riptide and officially capture the WWE Women’s Title.
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#3. Buddy Matthews takes a subtle dig at Jade Cargill following Rhea Ripley’s Win At WWE WrestleMania 42
Following Rhea Ripley’s monumental victory over Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42, AEW star Buddy Matthews took to social media to celebrate his wife’s championship win. Matthews, who was in attendance at The Showcase of the Immortals to support the Eradicator, posted a photo on his Instagram story reacting to the title change. Seemingly taking a direct shot at the defeated Jade Cargill, Matthews captioned the image with:
“We having the last laugh!! 😂😂”.
While Matthews is currently celebrating his wife’s success, his own in-ring future remains uncertain following an unfortunate injury. The 37-year-old Australian native has not competed since February 2025, when he injured his foot during his entrance at the Grand Slam Australia event and lost to Kazuchika Okada.
#2. Wardlow issues statement following non wrestling TV return
Wardlow has been a dominant force in AEW, but his momentum has repeatedly been halted by injuries, preventing him from receiving a sustained main-event push. After missing over a year of action in 2024, Mr. Mayhem made a shocking return at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view in August 2025, attacking Swerve Strickland, only to be sidelined again by a torn pectoral muscle. While his professional wrestling career remains on pause, the former AEW TNT Champion has made his television return outside the ring, starring as the character Fang on the rebooted American Gladiators series on Prime Video.
Following the show’s premiere last week, Wardlow took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes photos and celebrate the show’s success. He noted that American Gladiators was trending at number eight on the top 10 shows and encouraged fans to help push it to the number one spot, thanking everyone for the love and support.
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“Well closing the weekend with #AmericanGladiators trending at #8 on top 10 shows! Let’s get it to that #1 spot! Thank you to everyone that watched and for all the love I’ve been receiving. Means the world. What did yall think of the first three episodes!? More coming next Friday on @primevideo 🐺💪🏽🇺🇸 Here’s a little bts from one of my favorite photo shoots ever!” he wrote.
#1. AEW began promoting All In: London tickets right after WrestleMania 42 ended
The professional wrestling world was focused on Las Vegas this weekend for WWE’s WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium, an event that drew both praise and criticism online for its production and match quality. Immediately after Night 2 of The Showcase of the Immortals concluded, All Elite Wrestling seized the moment to take a massive dig at their competition by launching a promotional push for their upcoming stadium show. AEW took to social media to aggressively promote All In: London, scheduled for August 30 at Wembley Stadium, highlighting that their lowest available tickets start at just £31.70, significantly cheaper than WWE’s stadium tickets.
This promotional strategy comes as Tony Khan’s company prepares to expand its pay-per-view schedule following the major successes of Revolution and Dynasty earlier in 2026. According to the latest reports, the Jacksonville-based promotion has officially filed a trademark for “AEW Redemption,” which will debut as a new pay-per-view event later in 2026.
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina holds up the trophy after winning against Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova (not in picture) in the final match at the Women’s Tennis Grand Prix WTA tournament in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany, on April 19, 2026. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP via Getty Images)
Elena Rybakina beat Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the Stuttgart title.
The first set was close, with both players holding serve, but Rybakina took it 7-5. From there, she pulled away. The second set was one-sided, and she moved through it quickly to finish the match in straight sets.
Rybakina had to save two match points earlier in the tournament before going on to win the title. This is her second Stuttgart title and the 13th of her career. It is also her second title of 2026, taking her to 25 wins for the year.
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After the match, she spoke about her opponent and her team.
“I want to congratulate Karolina with a great week. I know it’s tough to lose in the finals. But I hope we play many more together. Congrats to your team with the great week.”
“I want to say a big thanks to my team. Without you guys it wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for always pushing me to do better and improve every day. Thank you so much.”
The 2024 US Open semi-finalist retired from his first round match in Barcelona when trailing Tomas Martin Etcheverry 4-1 in the deciding set. Struggling with his movement, the physio had applied tape to an area below his right knee before the final set began.
He also wore tape on the knee at times in Indian Wells in early March, where he beat Novak Djokovic en route to the quarter-finals.
Draper had a lot of ranking points to defend in Madrid and Rome.
He reached his first clay court final in Madrid last year – losing to Casper Ruud – and followed that with a run to the quarter-finals in Rome.
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A total of 850 points will fall from his ranking, and that is likely to see him drop outside the world’s top 70.
Draper reached a career high of four in June last year, but will now be unseeded for the French Open and most likely for Wimbledon, too.
The former British number one has had a lot of injuries in his short career.
He missed six months of the 2023 season because of a shoulder injury and had hip problems leading into last year.
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He recovered superbly to win his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, as well as finishing runner-up in Madrid, before bone bruising in his left serving arm allowed him just one singles match post Wimbledon.
His comeback match was on Davis Cup duty for Great Britain in Norway in February. After beating Viktor Durasovic, Draper reflected on how he has managed to cope with so much time away from the sport.
“I’ve kind of taken a step back from tennis in this period,” he told BBC Sport.
“Tennis is a bubble, and sometimes you can get distracted that it’s all that matters in life. When [I] have time out, I use it wisely to make sure that when I try and come back to tennis, that I’m ready to go all the way again.”
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With Emma Raducanu also missing Madrid to continue her recovery from illness, and Sonay Kartal absent with a back injury, Katie Boulter and Cameron Norrie are the only two British players in the main draw in the Spanish capital.
WBO welterweight world champion Devin Haney is yet to fight this year and is now on the lookout for an opponent for a first defence of his 147lb crown, after negotiations for his touted unification fight have collapsed.
Haney dethroned Brian Norman Jr back in November to become a three-division world champion but ‘The Dream’ has not fought since, as fans continue to demand a rematch with bitter rival Ryan Garcia.
However, speaking to Fight Hub TV, Romero ruled that fight out, as he fumed at Team Haney for being ‘deceitful’ during negotiations.
“They were just lying the whole time. They said that I sent them a great offer, did they not? They said all of the stuff was right but they wanted a way out because Devin doesn’t have a chin. They like to waste people’s time.”
“Those guys are deceitful, they lie non-stop. Every thing that Devin and Bill touch gets shattered. Every promotional company, every thing, because they do not do anything. They cannot generate views, they cannot generate income for anybody and they know that.
“So, they didn’t want to bet on themselves because they know that they are not worth anything. I never want to hear them call me out again or bring me up or any of that stuff. It is dead. There is no if, and or buts about it, it is dead. It is done.”
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As a result, both Haney and Romero will now be pursuing alternative options, faced with defending their belts rather tha unifying.
Eta’s Union Berlin side fell to an unfortunate 2-1 defeat to fellow strugglers Wolfsburg but the social media discourse was marred by the usual comments, with Union’s social media admins taking several users to task.
The German football association (DFB), in the form of vice-president Celia Sasic, said this style of community management was “absolutely the right thing”. In an interview with the t-online portal, Sasic added that: “The comments are unacceptable. They’re not directed solely at a single individual, but call into question values that are central to our sport: respect, fairness, and equality.”
Eta wants focus on football
As has been her way throughout the storm of the last week, Eta tried to keep the focus on the football but did acknowledge the abuse. “It says more about the people posting it online than about the people being talked about,” she said postmatch.
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Helen Nkwocha is one of the few women who has had a similar direct experience. The Black British coach became the first woman to coach a men’s European top-division football team in 2021 when she took over as head coach of Tvoroyar Boltfelag of the Faroe Islands.
“As female coaches, especially if we are coaching at a competitive level, we experience that sort of thing a lot,” she told DW. “In the Faroe Islands, I actually got a racially offensive message and lots about no one knowing where the Faroe Islands is.”
Nkwocha said it is important that Union continue to back Eta. “I’m sure it wouldn’t be the first time she would have been faced with adversity,” she said. “I think a club always needs to be smart when they recruit a new coach. I don’t think they should make too big deal out of it and stay focused on the football.”
Women’s football ‘done a disservice’
While Union have celebrated the appointment, both they and Eta have tried to normalize a story that has made headlines across the world.
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Another, more subtle, element of the sexism underpinning much of the reaction has been the suggestion that Eta — hired on a temporary basis until the end of the season — will automatically choose a potential job offer for the men’s position above her planned move to Union’s women’s team.
“I’m not having a discussion that says if she does well she stays with the men, if she does badly she coaches the women. That does women’s football a disservice,” said Union president Dirk Zingler after the game.
Marie-Louise Eta’s Union Berlin were dominant against Wolfsburg but could not take their chancesImage: Darius Simka/IMAGO
While men’s coaches in women’s football are commonplace, a woman taking charge of a high level men’s team remains unusual, even if it has happened in lower European leagues. Professional footballer Robin Afamefuna, captain of fourth-division club Fortuna Köln and a cultural anthropologist whose research focuses on sexism and racism in football, said Eta’s example will be important.
Visibility of coaches important for the future
“When we talk about visibility and role models, about what young girls see now, then commitment is very important,” Afamefuna told DW. “Girls see that there is a possibility of doing this job someday. And that simply wasn’t available before.”
The DFB has about 4,000 female coaches who hold a C or Pro license and are authorized to coach professional teams. But despite recent progress, Afamefuna said society has some way to go before these women get the same chances as their male counterparts.
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“It’s a very deeply rooted, structural, systemic problem that affects women in football,” he added. “We have to talk about the fact that women are disadvantaged in football, and these structures need to be broken down.”
While Eta’s debut has shown football’s patriarchal structure can be challenged, the reaction to it has highlighted the truth that there are plenty of hurdles still to jump.
Ben Shelton defeated Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 7-5 to win the Munich title.
Shelton took control early, winning the first set 6-2. The second set was tighter, with Cobolli pushing back, but Shelton held his nerve to close it out 7-5.
The win marks his fifth career title and his second on clay. It also makes him the first American man to win a clay title above ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi in Rome in 2002.
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After finishing runner-up in Munich last year, Shelton returned and went one step further this time.
After the match, he reflected on the moment and thanked those around him.
“Most important, I wanna thank God first of all. I feel blessed to be playing here, to have the people around me that I do. These experiences on tour are important and special. I don’t take it for granted. Like I said I’m grateful and very blessed.”
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He also praised Cobolli and his team.
“I wanna congratulate Flavio. I know this was an emotional week for you. Some of the tennis you were coming up with was outstanding. Your match yesterday was a privilege to watch… The work you and your team do, always smiling, playing football… you’re a big personality. A big reason our game is growing.
“To your whole team, your family, your father who’s not here… you guys are the best. Keep it going. Top 10 soon. Just happy to see the progress both of us have made throughout the last few years.”
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