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John Higgins recovers to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in Crucible epic in World Championship last 16

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Four-time winner John Higgins produced a sensational recovery from 8-3 and 9-4 down to defeat Ronnie O’Sullivan 13-12 in a final-frame Crucible epic to reach the World Championship quarter-finals.

Seven-time champion O’Sullivan was seeking an eighth title to set a new outright record in the modern era, and twice held five-frame leads in Sunday’s second session.

But Higgins won the last three frames on Sunday and maintained that form by taking the first three on Monday as O’Sullivan lost six successive frames at the Crucible for only the fifth time.

In a high-quality thriller, played out in front of an enthralled crowd, O’Sullivan won the 20th and 21st frames to regain the lead at 11-10.

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In surely the match of the tournament, and one of the best in the 49 years at the Sheffield theatre, Higgins won two frames in a row to move one away at 12-11, but O’Sullivan’s break of 81 forced a decider.

Higgins had the first chance but missed a red into the middle at 16-0 to give O’Sullivan a lifeline, before the Englishman could only score eight points and failed to pot a red.

The Scot then made a break of 49 on his way to sealing a match-winning frame, with both players getting a standing ovation as the tie finished.

The 50-year-olds are two of snooker’s fabled ‘Class of ’92’, along with 51-year-old Mark Williams, with the trio having 14 world titles between them.

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Higgins, the champion in 1998, 2007, 2009 and 2011, will now play either 2010 winner Neil Robertson or world number 13 Chris Wakelin.

Robertson leads 10-6, with that match played to a finish in Monday’s evening session from 19:00 BST.

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Allyson Felix says she plans comeback to run at 2028 LA Olympics at 42

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Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field Olympian of all time, wants one more crack at adding more medals to her illustrious career.

The 40-year-old told Time she will be making a comeback in hopes of running in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, which will be hosted in her home city.  

“So many of us have been told not to do the big, bold thing,” Felix said to the outlet about her comeback. “You know, at this age, I should probably be staying home and taking care of my kids, doing all that. And just, why not? Let’s flip it on its head. Let’s go after the thing. Let’s be vulnerable.”

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Allyson Felix celebrating after 4x400 meter mixed relay race at World Championships

Allyson Felix, multiple sprint world champion, celebrates after the 4×400 meter mixed relay at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on July 16, 2022. The U.S. relay team won bronze in Felix’s final race. (Michael Kappeler/DPA)

Felix will be 42 when the Olympics begin in L.A., but the winner of 11 Olympic medals, including seven golds, across five different Games has seen others past 40 years old do what many consider impossible. Tom Brady, LeBron James and Lindsey Vonn were mentioned by Felix during the interview.

She wants to push past the age barrier, believing she can get one last shot at Olympic glory.

US OLYMPIAN ALYSA LIU WAS ONCE TARGETED BY CHINESE SPIES – HERE’S WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY ABOUT IT

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If Felix were to make the Olympic team at 42, she would be the first American sprinter to ever reach the Games in their 40s. And considering her specialty is sprinting, it will be quite the feat with the talent pool she’d be going up against.

Sha’Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Gabby Thomas and more will be vying for spots on the Olympic team come 2028. But that’s clearly not going to deter Felix, who many of these women likely looked up to since she burst onto the Olympic scene in Athens in 2004.

Allyson Felix celebrating after 4x400 meter mixed relay race at World Championships

Allyson Felix, multiple sprint world champion, celebrates after the 4×400 meter mixed relay at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on July 16, 2022. The U.S. relay team won bronze in Felix’s final race. (Michael Kappeler/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)

Felix won silver that year in the 200-meter sprint. Then, during the 2008 Games in Beijing, she won gold with the 4×400-meter relay team, while taking home silver in the 200-meter sprint.

Felix reached the height of her running powers during the London Games, notching gold in the 200-meter, the 4×100-meter relay and 4×400-meter relay. She was a part of the team in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo before announcing her retirement following the 2022 track season.

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Since then, Felix was inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2025, while serving as part of the International Olympic Committee’s Athlete’s Commission as well as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s Board of Directors.

So, while Felix is involved heavily in the Games for the U.S., she wants to be back on the track.

Allyson Felix speaking onstage at the Social Impact Summit in Los Angeles

Allyson Felix speaks onstage during the 2025 Social Impact Summit by The Hollywood Reporter and Social Impact Fund on July 24, 2025, at the DGA in Los Angeles, Calif. (Monica Schipper/The Hollywood Reporter)

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Felix did return to competitive running last year, but she said she will seriously begin training for an Olympic comeback in October.

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If Felix doesn’t make the team in the end, she said she will be present at the 2028 LA Games with her children to cheer on those representing the Stars and Stripes.  

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Jodar beats Fonseca to reach First Masters Round of 16

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Rafa Jodar defeated João Fonseca 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 in Madrid to reach the round of 16 of a Masters event for the first time.

The match was close early on, with both players sharing the first two sets. Jodar won a close first set, lost the second, and then took over in the final set to seal the win in front of the home crowd.

The 19-year-old continues an impressive run of form. He has now won 11 of his last 12 matches, including his first top-10 win in the previous round.

  • Sinner continues winning run with straight-Sets victory in MadridSinner continues winning run with straight-Sets victory in Madrid

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After the match, Jodar spoke about how tight the contest was and gave credit to his opponent.

“It was very tough. João is always a very tough player. These matches are decided by very small details and very small points. I think I did a great job in those points, trying to play my game.”

He also praised Fonseca’s progress this season.

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“He’s a very young player, a great player. I wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season and his career.”

Jodar also spoke about his own level and what comes next.

“I’m very, very happy with my level. I’ll try to recover well and think about the next match.”

This result marks another step forward for Jodar as he continues his run in Madrid.

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Rhea Ripley Reunites With Popular WWE Star Following SmackDown

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WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley is among the most popular stars on the roster. She reunited with a fellow babyface last week.

The Eradicator spent a lot of time with Damian Priest in The Judgment Day. They were both ousted from the faction at WWE SummerSlam 2024. The two parted ways a couple of months later to focus on their respective singles careers.

Despite The Archer of Infamy’s move to SmackDown in January 2025, The Terror Twins crossed paths on several occasions in the past 12 months. After winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match earlier this year, Ripley also joined the blue brand to feud with the then WWE Women’s Champion, Jade Cargill.

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Rhea Ripley recently reunited with Damian Priest backstage. Earlier today, R-Truth posted a picture featuring himself, Priest, and Rhea posing with their respective title belts, recreating an iconic movement from two years ago.

“🙌🏾 Groundhog Day 👀 @RheaRipley_WWE @ArcherOfInfamy,” Truth wrote.

You can check out the tweet below:

While Rhea Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to win the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42, Damian Priest and R-Truth scored a surprising win over The MFTs’ Tama Tonga and JC Mateo on the March 20 edition of Monday Night RAW to become the new WWE Tag Team Champions.

Popular WWE star hinted at potential match against Rhea Ripley

Former WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was shockingly left off the WrestleMania 42 card. She addressed her absence from the PLE in a recent interview with Joey Karni.

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The Buff Barbie noted that the surprising WrestleMania absence could set her up for bigger opportunities at SummerSlam, competing for the WWE Women’s Championship or main eventing WrestleMania 43.

“I fully believe everything happens for a reason. Me not being on this year’s Mania is setting me up for something bigger. Whether that’s SummerSlam in Minnesota this year and fighting for the WWE Women’s Championship or main eventing next year’s WrestleMania, I fully believe everything happens for a reason,” Stratton added.

On the latest edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Tiffany Stratton defeated Giulia to become the new WWE Women’s United States Champion. After her win, it is likely that The Buff Barbie will cross paths with The Nightmare anytime soon.