Jannik Sinner welcomed the competition from Alexander Zverev after defending his Wimbledon crown to win a fifth grand slam title, and hoped rival Carlos Alcaraz will return soon to provide even more.

Sinner overcame a tough four-set battle against Zverev as the Italian managed to bounce back from a difficult French Open for a second year in a row to become a two-time Wimbledon champion.

The world No 1 had won his last nine matches in a row against Zverev, winning 14 sets in a row, but this was much closer that previous meetings and the the final could have gone either way until Sinner found the crucial break in the third.

Sinner and Zverev, who ended his long wait for a grand slam title at last month’s French Open, have split the major titles while Alcaraz has been sidelined due to a wrist injury. The Spaniard is attempting to return in time for the hard-court season and could play the US Open.

“Big, big respect to Sascha, because he’s doing something amazing. His game is growing and growing,” Sinner said. “In the same time, that’s exactly what’s good, because you have always someone who is pushing you to the limit.

“We hope that Carlos is coming back, as well, because tennis needs him. Having Novak [Djokovic] still around, having all the young players coming, it’s really, really nice. At the same time, you always need to work hard and have moments like this.”

Sinner suffered a shock second-round exit from the French Open last month, as he wilted in the intense Paris heat and lost from two sets up against Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

He arrived at Wimbledon without playing a warm-up tournament on grass and took his time to find his form, but stepped it up later in the tournament to thump Djokovic in the semi-finals and beat Zverev in the final.

Last year, Sinner recovered from a tough French Open final defeat to Alcaraz, when he squandered three Championship points, to beat the Spaniard and win Wimbledon for the first time.

“I think every grand slam is different, you know. Different story, different environment, different feelings before the tournament,” Sinner said.

“For me this one means a lot because was a tough one after Paris again. Last year was also tough. But coming here, I tried to put myself in the best possible position to be as competitive as possible.

“We put in a lot of workdays in Monaco, very, very long. Definitely sacrificing a lot of my time and everything to be in this position Having this achievement, it means a lot to me. It was an amazing day today.”

Zverev was encouraged by his run to a first Wimbledon final and the new world No 2 felt the gap to Sinner was closing despite suffering a 10th defeat in a row to him.

“I think [so] yeah,” Zverev said. “He’s still the best player in the world. I do believe that. I think he is. I do believe there’s only two, maybe three guys – you have to give Novak that – who can challenge him.

“All of us have to be working for that goal. I’ll continue working for that goal. I think I’ve challenged him today. Not enough, obviously, because I still sit here as the loser, as the loser of the match. I will continue doing that. The big tournaments are still around the corner.”

Despite his controversial defeat to Floyd Mayweather in 2011, Victor Ortiz believes one other opponent posed a greater threat than the self-proclaimed ‘Best Ever’.

Having just dethroned Andre Berto with a unanimous decision victory, the American entered his clash with Mayweather as the WBC world welterweight champion.

Ortiz, however, was an almighty underdog against the generational great, who banked the first three rounds of their contest with relative ease.

The champion then resorted to launching intentional head butts, to which referee Joe Cortez responded by docking a point in round four.

With Cortez looking in the opposite direction, Mayweather simply took advantage of the situation and knocked his opponent out, with Ortiz later accused of not protecting himself at all times.

For that, it seems he largely had himself to blame, but either way, Ortiz remains convinced that Mayweather was not his toughest opponent.

Instead, the 39-year-old has told Pro Boxing Fans that Berto was the man to pose the most problems.

“The hardest guy I fought was Andre Berto, man. He hit so hard with both hands – speedy, accurate. That guy was not one to toy with.

“Both wars were hectic. Hats off to Berto.”

After winning their first encounter, Ortiz suffered a fourth-round stoppage defeat in their 2016 rematch, shortly after Berto lost a unanimous decision to Mayweather.

Elsewhere in his career, Ortiz also faced Marcos Maidana, who was generally considered a more ferocious puncher than both Berto and Mayweather.

Sure enough, the rugged Argentinian won by stoppage in round six of their 2009 encounter, back when both eventual champions were campaigning at 140lbs.

A clash between Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson would arguably be the biggest all-American fight in the sport, and female boxing icon Claressa Shields has shared her prediction for how the bout would play out, if it were to happen.

‘Tank’ and Stevenson have been linked to a showdown for a number of years, with fans left debating whether the power of Davis could trump the technical skill of the Newark southpaw.

Both men have lost their lightweight world titles this year, despite neither suffering a defeat. Davis has been named as the WBA’s ‘champion-in-recess’, due to the fact that he has defended the belt just once since June 2024, with legal issues causing an extended period of inactivity for the three-division world champion.

Meanwhile, Stevenson stepped up to super-lightweight to claim Teofimo Lopez’s WBO super-lightweight crown back in January, fully intending to return to his natural division at lightweight in the aftermath. Yet, just days after his victory, the WBC stripped him of his 135lb world title because of unpaid sanctioning fees.

Nevertheless, fans remain keen to see Davis and Stevenson square off and on her social media account, five-division world champion Claressa Shields laid out her pick, willing to stake one hundred thousand dollars that Stevenson would come out on top.

What’s the bet 💵 I GOT 100K lil Tank ain’t Beating no Damn SHAKUR! https://t.co/4uajncDpH8

— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) July 10, 2026

“What’s the bet? I got $100K. Lil Tank ain’t beating no damn SHAKUR!”

Stevenson has now signed with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, leaving it unclear whether that makes a potential fight with Davis more or less likely.

The Minnesota Vikings have roughly $13 million in cap space, two weeks before training camp, and a new general manager chomping at the bit to make an impact. Before long, that man, Nolan Teasley, will make his next roster move, and we’ve asked our writers to predict it.

Question to our writers: “What is your prediction for the Vikings’ next roster move. It can be a trade, extension, free-agent signing — whatever you want.”

Here are their responses.

OLB Help Leads the Staff Forecasts

1. Harrison Smith Returns

Predictor: Wes Johnson

Smith has been contemplating retirement for a few offseasons, but I anticipate the safety will return for one more year. Minnesota values his communication, and Brian Flores relies on him to organize the secondary pre-snap.

Should Smith return for his 15th season, it would likely be on a team-friendly deal with a reduced snap count. That would allow a younger safety like Jay Ward to see increased playing time, while Smith could focus on crucial spots in games.

The Vikings won’t expect him to perform as he did five years ago. Instead, they need the most intelligent version of Smith for one final pursuit of a Super Bowl.

2. OL Liam Eichenberg Signed

Predictor: Dustin Baker

Eichenberg didn’t play last year due to injuries, and his career may be in jeopardy as a result. But for the purposes of this exercise, let’s assume he’s given a clean bill of health.

Needing depth at guard and versatility from a guy who can play center, the Vikings make sense for Eichenberg because of his connection to new assistant head coach Frank Smith. The pair crossed paths in Miami from 2022 to 2024.

On a cheap prove-it deal, Eichenberg signs to battle for backup guard roster spot.

3. Nothing Meaningful

Predictor: Tony Schultz

At first glance, I think most would look internally and try to buffer the salary cap. That would mean extending Brian O’Neill, who is at the top of the list. But if that was going to happen, why hasn’t it? New GM Nolan Teasley may have a plan to let his contract run out at the end of the year and go from there, rather than pushing the 31-year-old right tackle’s pay down the road.

They may also feel Caleb Tiernan will be ready by next year, making him expendable. In the end, other than the normal comings and goings of training camp bodies you’ve barely or never heard of, I think they do nothing of major consequence to the team. Teasley will eventually put his mark on the team in a big way, but I don’t think we’ll see it until the 2027 offseason.

t4. Brian O’Neill Extended

Predictor: Adam New

O’Neill will turn 31 in September and is in the last year of his contract. The Vikings absolutely should extend his stay in Minnesota with a new contract, and it should come sooner rather than later. O’Neill has become a Mr. Dependable on the right side of the offensive line and should be able to keep his standards up through another three- or four-year contract.

t4. Brian O’Neill Extended

Predictor: Josh Frey

Despite some flaws over the years, the Vikings have solved one of the more crucial positions on the roster: offensive tackle. Brian O’Neill is one half of that, and he has at least a few more years of quality football left in him. They should keep this tandem in place.

t4. Brian O’Neill Extended

Predictor: Sean Borman

This one isn’t overly complicated. The Vikings will re-sign O’Neill for another few years because why would they let their longest-tenured player walk away? O’Neill is also outstanding and consistent.

5. Signing Joey Bosa

Predictor: Ted Schwerzler

The EDGE rusher group still needs help after the Jonathan Greenard trade, and Joey Bosa is a free agent. Minnesota can find a match there and feel confident about their EDGEs going into the season.

6. Jadeveon Clowney Signed

Predictor: Cole Smith

My prediction for the Vikings’ next roster move is to sign Jadeveon Clowney. His prior history with Nolan Teasley helps, and he will be able to provide pass-rushing juice off the bench.

t7. OLB Signing

Predictor: Steve Hoikkala

Ever since the Jonathan Greenard trade, there has been concern about depth at EDGE behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. With the team not addressing the position in the draft, it is my opinion that they will look to sign someone this offseason.

Names out there as options could be Jadeveon Clowney, who is my preferred signing, Haason Reddick, who has recently been rumored as a possibility for the Vikings, or Kyle Van Noy.

t8. OLB Signing

Predictor: Ali Siddiqui

Jadeveon Clowney would be the best option, but others are still out there. Either Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Kyle Van Noy, or Haason Reddick would work too.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Trainer Annabel Archibald highlighted jockey Sam Clipperton’s bold tactical decisions after he partnered Mickey’s Medal to victory in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Clipperton employed some assertive tactics aboard Mickey’s Medal approaching the home bend, with the gelding responding admirably to the heavy track conditions, demonstrating ample energy and taking command of the race well in advance of the finish.

“It was a bold ride by Sam,” Archibald said.

“I was a little bit nervous when he put the horse into the race before the corner but he obviously felt he had the horse underneath him to do it.”

Clipperton indicated that Mickey’s Medal was travelling so proficiently during the race that he briefly entertained an unconventional manoeuvre at the home turn.

“I heard Annabel say it was a bold ride but at the top of the straight I was nearly going to go to the outside fence,” Clipperton said.

“But he was going so well I thought I had better not and he was too good, he quickened away, he put them to ‘bed’.

“He probably hit the front too early in the straight and might have clocked off a bit but he won well.”

Mickey’s Medal, priced at $15, crossed the line almost a length ahead of It’s A Knockout ($5.50), with Narbold ($6) securing third place a length behind, just ahead of the favourite Lugh ($3).

Archibald noted that Mickey’s Medal seemed to thrive in the extremely heavy track conditions.

“It is one of those days when horses are either handling this track or they’re not,” she said.

“Mickey’s Medal had only two goes on a heavy track previously and ran really well so we were hopeful coming here today.”

Clipperton commented that Mickey’s Medal “just travelled so well” throughout the race.

“He felt in the zone today,” the jockey said.

“I just wanted to keep him in his rhythm because he was handling the track so well.

“I had to ride him confidently and tried to build his confidence. He loved the ground and did a good job today.”

Consider checking out the latest online bookmakers for betting opportunities on the next major race.

Two of Cliff Brown’s prominent Group 1 runners are back in Melbourne, ready to commence their spring campaign preparations.

Sepals and Von Hauke have been enjoying a break in the Queensland heat following their second and third placings respectively in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm last month.

The duo arrived back in Melbourne during the week and will begin their training on Monday.

“They spelled well,” Brown remarked.

“I visited them a few weeks ago at Newington Farm, and they were in great shape.

“It was a long campaign, and they raced on a heavy track last start, but they will recommence work on Monday, and we will take it from there.”

Brown mentioned that plans for Group 1 winner Sepals are still fluid, although a trip to Sydney for the King Charles III Stakes, which has recently attained Group 2 status, is a possibility.

A longer-term goal could be the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

“The Champions Mile in Cup week, if he can handle the mile, but we will have to see how he comes up,” Brown said.

“Perhaps the King Charles, but there will be many top horses competing there, and I thought many of the four-year-olds might target The Golden Eagle.

“I believe Von Hauke could be a strong contender for the Epsom Handicap under handicap conditions over the mile; that would be advantageous.”

Brown explained that with only 13 starts under his belt, Sepals has not yet reached his peak performance, while Von Hauke, a rising seven-year-old, has finally come to understand what racing entails.

“My horses continue to improve with age,” Brown noted.

“Sepals has only had 12 or 13 starts, while Von Hauke is turning seven and is still in excellent condition.

“I don’t worry too much about the two-year-olds. I prefer to acquire them later, give them time, and purchase that type of horse.

“We have only 25 horses in training. Two of them competed in the Stradbroke, and we’ve had several other city winners this year, but there are no two-year-olds in the stable.

“It is purely a timing-based decision.”

Explore racing betting markets for upcoming events.

Jannik Sinner was at his clinical best as he successfully defended his Wimbledon title with a bruising four-set victory over French Open champion Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final. The world number one recovered from losing the first set in a match largely dominated by serve, eventually wearing Zverev down to secure a 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 6-4 win. The Italian was rewarded for his perseverance in an attritional contest with his first Grand Slam title since lifting the trophy at the All England Club 12 months ago.

Sinner’s fifth Grand Slam crown is just two behind the majors tally of his injured rival Carlos Alcaraz after notching his 100th match win at tennis’ four biggest events.

He hit 58 winners against only 25 unforced errors in three hours and 46 minutes on Centre Court, refusing to buckle against an in-form Zverev who brought a 13-match winning streak at the majors into the final.

Sinner has banished the memories of his shock second-round exit from the French Open at the hands of Juan Manuel Cerundolo when he blew a two-set lead last month.

The closest Sinner came to crashing out of Wimbledon was in the first round when he had to come from behind to beat Miomir Kecmanovic in five sets.

It was plain sailing from then on for Sinner, who has become a fearsome force on grass.

The 24-year-old now boasts a remarkable 44-3 win-loss record this year after winning his sixth title of the season.

Zverev had never even reached the quarter-finals in nine previous visits to Wimbledon, but had been a man reborn in London after finally breaking his Grand Slam duck in Paris.

He managed to take a first set off Sinner in seven meetings, but could not kick on to snap a now 10-match losing streak against a seemingly unbreakable rival.

Zverev, who was bidding to become the first German man to win the trophy since Michael Stich in 1991, will climb above Alcaraz to second in the ATP rankings on Monday.

Zverev left frustrated

Zverev saved the only break point of a tight first set dominated by serve as it went to a tie-break.

The first 15 points of the breaker went with serve, with both men saving set points, before Zverev clinched with a fizzing forehand winner.

There were no break points in the second set as the players again efficiently bludgeoned their way to 6-6, but this time Sinner stepped it up in the tie-break to level the match.

Zverev finally created his first break point in the seventh game of the third set, but slipped when Sinner dinked over a drop-shot winner.

He clutched his knee and Sinner crossed the net to check on his injured opponent as the crowd held its breath, but was helped to his feet by the Italian.

Sinner made his move in the next game as Zverev’s serve finally broke down.

Zverev threw his racquet angrily across the turf after looping a forehand long on a break point which had seen Sinner lying flat on the turf earlier in the rally.

The top seed immaculately served it out to love, sealing a two-sets-to-one lead with an ace.

Zverev gamely tried to prolong the contest but his race was run when Sinner broke for a 4-3 advantage in the fourth set.

He wrapped up the title on serve despite a dramatic final game featuring arguably the two best rallies of the match, falling to the turf in celebration after slapping away a forehand winner on his first match point.

jc/smg

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon trophy on Sunday with a four-set victory over Alexander Zverev.

Sinner beat Zverev 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Centre Court to claim his fifth Grand Slam and his second consecutive Wimbledon title.

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It was another masterful performance from the world number one, who extended his gap at the top of the ATP rankings.

Sinner has since received thousands of congratulatory messages, not least from Zverev, but one in particular caught the eye.

Formula 1 celebrates Jannik Sinner after his Wimbledon title defence

The official Formula 1 social media account congratulated Jannik Sinner on his victory at Wimbledon this weekend.

Sinner is an avid motorsports fan and has attended the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the last two years.

The Italian is even an ambassador for the sport, known as a “Friend of F1”, and this is why F1 celebrated his Wimbledon success.

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F1 posted: “Back-to-back Wimbledon Champion! Congratulations to friend of F1 Jannik Sinner on defending his Wimbledon title!”

India batter Yastika Bhatia (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

India Women moved to the brink of a historic maiden Test victory at Lord’s after a dominant third day, powered by Yastika Bhatia’s record-breaking maiden century before the bowlers reduced England to 130/6 in pursuit of an improbable 457-run target.With just four wickets separating them from scripting history at the Home of Cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side ended the day firmly in control despite a spirited lower-order resistance from Amy Jones and Mady Villiers.

Yastika scripts history at the Home of Cricket

Resuming Day 3 with a healthy first-innings lead, India continued to pile on the runs despite England enjoying a better opening session with the ball. Lauren Bell removed Smriti Mandhana (70) early before also dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues. Sophie Ecclestone then trapped Harmanpreet Kaur lbw as England briefly clawed their way back into the contest.However, Yastika Bhatia remained unfazed. Displaying remarkable composure and elegant strokeplay, the left-hander brought up her maiden Test century to become the first-ever woman to score a Test hundred at Lord’s. Her memorable knock of 113 off 158 balls also became the highest score by an Indian woman in the third or fourth innings of a Test match.England spinner Sophie Ecclestone fought tirelessly and completed her fourth five-wicket haul in Women’s Tests, but lacked support from the other end as India continued to dominate.

Richa Ghosh provides late fireworks

Following Bhatia’s departure, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh injected fresh momentum into the innings with a brisk unbeaten 50 off 52 balls, taking the attack to the England bowlers. With India’s lead swelling beyond 450, captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared the innings at 341/7, leaving England with a mammoth 457-run target to survive or chase down.

Indian pacers rip through England’s top order

India’s bowlers wasted little time in tightening their grip on the contest.Debutant Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare produced another outstanding new-ball spell, removing openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier inside the opening four overs. Beaumont’s dismissal also marked the end of her international career, while former captain Heather Knight, playing her final Test before retirement, was later dismissed by Kranti Gaud and received a touching guard of honour from the Indian team as she walked off.England’s problems deepened when Sneh Rana bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt with a beauty before Sayali breached Alice Capsey’s defence, reducing the hosts to 59/5.

Jones, Villiers delay the inevitable

Just when India appeared set to wrap up the match on the third evening itself, Amy Jones and Mady Villiers mounted a determined fightback. The duo stitched together a resilient 67-run partnership, frustrating the Indian attack and briefly keeping England’s hopes alive.The stand was eventually broken in spectacular fashion as Richa Ghosh pulled off a stunning close-in catch at silly point to dismiss Villiers off Sneh Rana’s bowling. Jones continued her resistance, bringing up a gritty half-century, but England still finished the day in deep trouble at 130/6, requiring another 327 runs with only four wickets in hand.