India’s players and coaches run during a practice session before an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between India and South Africa, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar believes the India team have not fully lived up to expectations in the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, but said the team’s best performance is still to come. He also pointed to one area that needs improvement before the Super Eight stage. India remained unbeaten in the group stage with wins over the United States, Namibia, Pakistan and the Netherlands However, the side showed difficulty against spin, batted cautiously in the middle overs and dropped chances in the field.Speaking on JioStar, Bangar said the team had made a steady start and had not dominated opponents, which meant they appeared slightly below their usual level.“However, the good thing is that their best is yet to come. Another positive aspect is that all the players have had a chance to feature in the playing XI, which augurs well in case there are any injury concerns later in the tournament. All the players are match-ready. If there is one department where they would want to improve, it would be catching, because we saw a few chances being dropped against Pakistan and the Netherlands,” he added, as cited by news agency ANI.Bangar said that with limited runs from Abhishek Sharma, the world’s top-ranked T20I batter who is yet to score in three innings, Ishan Kishan has become crucial for India. Kishan has scored 176 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 202.29, including two fifties and a 40-ball 77 on a slow track against Pakistan in Colombo. He also highlighted Suryakumar Yadav and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah as key players.“From here on, three players who are going to be extremely critical to India’s journey in this T20 World Cup are the men in form. That’s where I feel Ishan Kishan, given the way he has been batting and the lack of runs from Abhishek Sharma, becomes crucial. The onus is now on Ishan Kishan to provide those explosive starts. So, he is player number one. Player number two is Suryakumar Yadav. He has scored runs in most games on a consistent basis, while understanding the situation of the match. The third player is Jasprit Bumrah, because everybody is talking about the spin strength of this Indian team, but I believe Jasprit Bumrah will hold the key when the match is on the line, as far as bowling is concerned,” he concluded.India have struggled against spin through the tournament. They lost three wickets for 42 runs in eight overs of spin against the USA, and five wickets for 61 runs against spin in eight overs against Namibia. Their run rates in those matches were 5.25 and 7.6. Namibia off-spinner Gerald Erasmus returned 4/20 in that game.Against Pakistan, 18 overs of spin were bowled, and India managed 144 for six against spin at a run rate of eight per over. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha dismissed Abhishek Sharma, while Saim Ayub and Usman Tariq kept things tight. India hit only two boundaries in four overs against Tariq.India’s best return against spin came against the Netherlands, scoring 70 runs in eight overs and losing two wickets at a run rate of 8.75.India will begin their Super Eight campaign against the South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 22. They will then face the unbeaten Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26, before meeting the West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.

The most jam-packed Saturday slate of the college basketball season is imminently upon us. On the docket, we have twenty ranked teams in action throughout the day, headlined by a massive Big 12 showdown between No. 2 Houston and No. 4 Arizona, and a rare nonconference treat between No. 1 Michigan and No. 3 Duke. 

Conference races will take further shape as the big games play out, but more illuminating will be the form of the sport’s top title contenders. Rarely do we get tilts between highly-ranked teams, but we get No. 2 vs. No. 4 and No. 1 vs. No. 3 tipping off in the span of a few hours.

We also get No. 10 Illinois vs. UCLA in a pivotal Big Ten showdown, No. 6 Iowa State at No. 23 BYU in a meaningful Big 12 matchup, and the Darryn Peterson-led Kansas Jayhawks welcoming Cincinnati to Lawrence, Kansas.

Kansas’ Bill Self gets candid on Darryn Peterson ‘checking out’: What’s right, what’s ‘false’, what’s next

Isaac Trotter

Advertisement

Our team of experts has picks below straight up and against the spread for all the day’s biggest games.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook | All times ET

Cincinnati at No. 8 Kansas

1 p.m. on CBS,, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App, Paramount+ Premium: KU is 6-3 against the spread at home this season and playing its best basketball — aside from a confounding no-show loss at Iowa State last Saturday — for most of the last month. I’m laying the points on the Jayhawks with this pick. The Darryn Peterson noise has reached deafening levels in recent days after yet another early exit, and I think he will be out to prove he’s the unquestioned No. 1 prospect in this year’s NBA Draft class. Pick: KU -11.5(Boone)

No. 4 Arizona at No. 2 Houston

3 p.m. on ABC, fuboTV (try for free): It’s hard to envision a world in which Arizona goes from zero losses to three in the short span of less than two weeks. But that’s a reality I’m picking here. It’s a tough task to face this Houston team anywhere, much less at home, and much less without the services of Koa Peat. Tommy Lloyd’s team is capable of keeping this close, but the Coogs have too many weapons. Pick: Houston -5.5 (Boone)

No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 3 Duke

6:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): A take I believe in that could very well age poorly: This Michigan line is too low. I’d have guessed this would be Michigan -6 or -7. It leads college hoops in scoring margin, has the No. 1 defense in adjusted efficiency at KenPom and is, at least on paper, terrificly equipped to match what Duke does best. I’m laying the points with the Wolverines. Pick: Michigan -2.5 (Boone)

No. 10 Illinois at UCLA

9 p.m. on Fox, fuboTV (try for free): Things have gone sideways for UCLA in a hurry after a swing up to Michigan this week resulted in two losses to Michigan and Michigan State by 30 and 23 points, respectively. Mick Cronin will have his Bruins playing for pride, if nothing else, as they return home to face Illinois. Whether that will be enough remains to be seen — I think Illinois wins this one, say, 75-70 — but the Bruins manage to put up a respectable showing in a loss. Pick: UCLA +6.5 (Boone)

No. 6 Iowa State at No. 23 BYU

10:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): It’s tough to feel good about BYU right now after it lost sharpshooter Richie Saunders to a season-ending ACL injury. So I’m going with my gut here with Iowa State to snag a road win. This Cyclones team is dangerous defensively and playing with a full head of steam after picking up wins over Kansas and Houston in the last week. A shorthanded Cougars team can still put up a fight, but I don’t think they have the horses to get it done vs. this ISU team. Pick: ISU -3.5 (Boone)

Who will win and cover in every college basketball game? Visit SportsLine to get picks from the model that simulates each game 10,000 times and is up more than $1,200 for $100 players on its top-rated spread picks the past six years. 

Team Akwa Ibom shone brightly at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Niger Delta Games at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on Friday, 20 February 2026. The event was filled with colour, music, and unity. The Akwa Ibom contingent was at the centre of the dance segment, as athletes from different states danced together in groups, reflecting the unity and regional integration goals of the games.

Beyond the energetic dance display, Akwa Ibom also received special recognition at the ceremony. Former Akwa Ibom State Governor and current Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, received loud cheers when he was announced to give his address, which was delivered on his behalf by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong.

Distinguished sons of Akwa Ibom also played key roles at the event. Mr Edidiong Stephen served as one of the comperes and delivered with distinction, while Guinness World Record holder George Iniabasi Essien, popularly known as Mighty George, hosted the red carpet.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Mrs Rosemary Ubia, was also present and joined the athletes on the dance floor in an inspiring moment, adding to the celebratory atmosphere of the evening.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, praised the vision of the Niger Delta Games and aligned it with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He said the competition was here to stay and called on governors in the region to support the NDDC in co-funding the event.

Dr Ogbuku described the games as a platform to discover future national and Olympic champions, stressing that the aim is to tap talents from the amateur level and sustain their development. He added that the games promote regional integration by helping athletes build bonds and friendships.

In their remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo said the Niger Delta is blessed with both natural and human resources and commended the NDDC for initiating the games.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the Niger Delta Games as a powerful investment in the future of Nigerian youths. He said the maiden edition showed that young people respond with excellence when given opportunities and that the second edition builds on that foundation.

He noted that beyond medals, the games focus on talent discovery and creating pathways into the multi-billion-dollar sports industry. He urged the NDDC and stakeholders to continue investing in youth development programmes and called on athletes to embrace sportsmanship.

The President also said the progress of the Niger Delta is inseparable from the progress of Nigeria and expressed hope that the games would strengthen unity and discover new talents.

President Tinubu officially declared the 2nd Niger Delta Games open. Music star Patoranking then took the stage, delivering an electrifying performance that provided the perfect ending to the event.

The 2nd Niger Delta Games features 16 sports events and brings together athletes from nine participating states. Dunamis-Icon Limited is the rights owner and organiser of the games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Bayelsa State emerged champions at the maiden edition held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in 2025, while Team Akwa Ibom will be looking to improve on their sixth-place finish from the first edition.

After investing 18 months in meticulous planning, Don’t Hope Do’s owners and team will finally gauge their strategy’s success during the Group 1 sprint at Caulfield.

Trainer Simon Zahra believes the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on Saturday at Caulfield provides Don’t Hope Do’s top shot at Group 1 glory.

In partnership with cousin Mathew Ellerton, Zahra helped prepare Booker for the 2019 Oakleigh Plate win, was assistant trainer for River Dove (2023) and Miss Kournikova (2001) under Ellerton, and contributed to John Hawkes’ team for Sports in 2000.

“Mathew and I won three, and we didn’t think Booker could win,” Zahra said.

“We sort of knew what type of horse it takes to win it, and whether this bloke is up to that class, time will tell, but the weight certainly helps.”

Don’t Hope Do boasts four triumphs across 15 starts, specialising in rapid distances between 1000m and 1100m.

Stakes level has seen him twice before, with a fourth in the Listed Wylie Handicap at Morphettville last September and a recent first-up runner-up effort in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on February 7.

“We’ve placed him quite well over the last 12 months, but I said to the owners, probably 18 months ago, the Oakleigh Plate was probably the race for him,” Zahra said.

“The 1100 (metres) at Caulfield, he loves it, he’ll get in with no weight, so that was the plan and, so far, it’s worked.

“We put him up against better sprinters in the Rubiton at set-weights and thought if he can compete with them then under handicap conditions in the Oakleigh Plate, he’ll run him.

“We didn’t have him screwed down, we left a little in the tank in case we got into the Oakleigh Plate and we’ve got him there.”

Oak Hill, first, and Hedged, third, from the Rubiton Stakes carry unchanged weights from that day two weeks ago, while Don’t Hope Do unloads 4.5kg.

In addition, Don’t Hope Do has filled a placing in each of his three Caulfield starts, with a win among them last October.

“He loves it here, especially the 1100 (metres),” Zahra said.

“He might get to the front a bit easier with Jigsaw and some of those horses not running.

“We’ve drawn well, so we’ll see how we go.”

Discover top racing odds for the Oakleigh Plate via betting sites.

It’s pretty clear that Lindsey Vonn has a long road ahead.

In one of her first runs at the Milan Cortina Olympics earlier this month, fresh off a ruptured ACL she suffered a week before the Games, Vonn fell, resulting in a compound fracture of her leg.

The 41-year-old was hoping to have some hardware around her neck, but instead, it’s now inside her body.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM 

Lindsey Vonn speeds down the course during alpine skiing women’s downhill official training at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Vonn underwent her fifth surgery on Thursday — this one accompanied by “a lot of plates and screws” that took more than six hours, she announced on Instagram.

“Made it through surgery… it took a bit more than 6 hours to complete. As you can see, it required a lot of plates and screws to put back together but Dr. Hackett did an incredible job. Thank you Dr. Viola for the surgery assist as well!!” Vonn posted.

“With the extent of the trauma, I’ve been struggling a bit post op and have not yet been able to be discharged from the hospital just yet… almost there. Baby steps. Will explain the injury and what it all means soon.”

United States’ Lindsey Vonn arrives at the finish area of an alpine ski women’s downhill training, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.  (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

USA WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM BRINGS OLYMPIC GOLD BACK HOME IN OT THRILLER OVER CANADA

Vonn posted a video of herself being wheeled into another room and photos of X-rays with the plates and screws.

Vonn recently revealed that her beloved dog of 13 years, Leo, died the day after her crash.

“I said goodbye to my big boy as I laid in my hospital bed,” Vonn wrote on X. “Been some of the hardest days of my life and still have not begun to process his passing… I will always love you Leo.”

United States’ Lindsey Vonn is airlifted away after a crash during an alpine ski women’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.  (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Vonn, 41, needed to be airlifted off an Italian mountain in a frightening scene during her downhill competition. She returned to the United States earlier this week.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter

Floyd Mayweather has announced he plans to make a shock return to professional boxing.

Mayweather last fought professionally in August 2017 when he defeated MMA fighter Conor McGregor in their crossover bout, as the American retired with a perfect 50-0 record.

He has taken part in a number of exhibitions since then, with one of them even set to come this year when he is scheduled to meet fellow boxing icon Mike Tyson, with it reported this week that the bout will take place in the Congo in April.

Mayweather isn’t stopping there with his boxing plans though, after it was announced he has signed an exclusive agreement with CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS to resume his professional boxing career.

The five-weight world champion is now 48-years-old, but he has explained why he is making the decision to return.

“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing – from my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards – no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event – then my events. And I plan to keep doing it with my global media partner, CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS.”

CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS co-founders Richard and Craig Miele also commented on the news.

“Signing Floyd Mayweather to un-retire after he captures another world-wide audience with his Mike Tyson match-up, highlights our commitment to providing our global audience with the most high-profile fighters in the sport.

“Floyd will once again continue to dominate boxing with the biggest audience and highest gross events of all time, and we are proud and privileged to be able to do with our global team at CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS.

Advertisement

“We look forward to even more announcements that will excite fans and continue to build the sport in 2026!”

Mayweather will first go ahead with his exhibition with Tyson, but now a surprise comeback on the professional stage also awaits.

Australia celebrate after winning the T20 World Cup cricket match (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Australia ended their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign with a big win over Oman, but the victory came too late to change their fate. They were already out of the tournament after losing to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, so this match was only about pride.Australia bowled first and dominated Oman. Adam Zampa was the star with the ball and took four wickets, while Xavier Bartlett and Glenn Maxwell took two wickets each.

Oman struggled to score and were bowled out for just 104 runs in 16.2 overs. Wasim Ali was the top scorer for Oman with 32 runs, but the rest of the team failed to build partnerships.After that, Australia chased the target very quickly. Captain Mitchell Marsh played an aggressive innings and scored 64 runs without getting out, and Travis Head added 32 runs. They hit many boundaries and sixes and made the chase look easy. Australia finished the match in just 9.4 overs, which is one of the fastest chases in the tournament for a target above 100 runs.Marsh and Head shared a strong 93-run partnership and attacked the Oman bowlers from the start. Their hitting helped Australia win by nine wickets in dominant fashion.Even though the win was impressive, it could not hide how poor Australia’s campaign had been.Their early exit shocked fans and experts, and many people are now calling for a major review of the team’s performance and future plans.In the match, Oman had some early moments, but they kept losing wickets. Australia’s bowlers kept the pressure on, and Oman could not recover. Australia finally played like a strong team, but the performance came when it no longer mattered in the tournament.

The verdict is still out on J.J. McCarthy’s trajectory as a long-term starter for the Minnesota Vikings, but wide receiver Justin Jefferson believes McCarthy has youth on his side. When asked recently to describe McCarthy in two words, Jefferson didn’t hesitate, replying, “Young bull.”

Jefferson didn’t overthink it — his short answer landed as a real endorsement as Minnesota leans toward McCarthy.

McCarthy faces a crucial Year No. 3 in the NFL, and the 2026 campaign will tell all about his immediate future.

Jefferson’s Two-Word Message for McCarthy

No one has ever questioned the man’s youth.

Jefferson on McCarthy

Yahoo Sports caught up with Jefferson this week, asking him to play the Word Association Game, and the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year obliged.

Between the interviewer and Jefferson, the conversation went like this: “J.J. McCarthy? Young bull. Sam Darnold? Doubted. Drake Maye? Unpredictable. Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Smooth. Puka Nacua? Feisty. Justin Jefferson? Icy.”

Jefferson has been asked rather frequently in the last several weeks about McCarthy, and his answers remain consistent: Jefferson has his back.

“His Quarterback”

Kay Adams chatted with Justin Jefferson two weeks ago, and the conversation quickly turned to Minnesota’s quarterback conundrum. She asked about McCarthy’s future as the 2026 QB1.

Jefferson said, “That’s not my decision. I don’t care who’s throwing me that ball. That’s not my main priority. That person that’s throwing that ball needs to throw that ball, and lead us to into that big dance at the end of the season. As of right now, JJ is my QB. For me, it’s to get him to where we need to go; it starts off right now in the offseason and getting better now.”

While that sounds like a vote of confidence for McCarthy, the “as of right now” caveat is notable. Jefferson’s statement leaves open the possibility, perhaps intentionally, that the team might pursue a quarterback through free agency or trade.

Jefferson added, “If you look at the film, he’s done very good things. Obviously, it wasn’t the most spectacular thing, those are things he understands that there are some things to work on. JJ is a really good QB.”

McCarthy’s Wacky 2025 Performance

McCarthy performed all over the board in 2025. He started the season with an absolute bang, winning the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award in his first-ever start after delivering a 4th Quarter comeback at the Chicago Bears. Fans rejoiced. A week later, he suffered a high ankle sprain and missed five games. He returned on the road at a hostile Detroit Lions house and played quite well in a crucial win.

Then, the doldrums set in. McCarthy struggled with basic quarterback functionality, seeming to get hot only in the 4th Quarter with the game on the line. A brutal three-game stretch after the high ankle sprain ended with a concussion against the Green Bay Packers.

When McCarthy returned from the concussion, he tore apart lousy defenses, sponsored by the Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants, even looking like a fringe Pro Bowler in spots.

Of course, he sustained a hairline hand fracture at New York. The injury woes continued.

The Vikings finished 2025 knowing they had a young quarterback with the juice for big-time throws, questionable mechanics, a clutch gene, and an utterly alarming tendency toward injuries.

He May Have to Win a Battle

When the 2025 season ended, head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to reporters at his year-end press conference, proclaiming his team’s goal was to create a deep quarterback room this offseason. That seemed to put McCarthy on notice — or at least insinuate that a veteran quarterback was on the way to compete with McCarthy.

Most believe Minnesota will find a way to add a prominent quarterback in the coming weeks, a list that might include Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, Malik Willis, Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Tua Tagovailoa, or Geno Smith.

SI.com‘s Mark Morales-Smith wrote about the possibility of Murray joining the Vikings, “This would be an ideal landing spot for Murray. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has proven that he can get the most out of quarterbacks and was the coach who helped Sam Darnold turn his career around.”

“Murray has shown significantly more upside and potential than Darnold did before heading to Minnesota. If he landed in Minnesota, he would immediately sneak his way into the low-end QB1 conversation heading into the 2026 fantasy season.”

The Vikings could also add a better QB2 — they preferred Sam Howell, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer last season — like Jimmy Garoppolo or Gardner Minshew, instead of Kyler Murray or Mac Jones type.

We shall see who enters the mix to challenge the Young Bull. Free agency is 17 days away.

Once again, the Minnesota Vikings are facing an annual tradition of having question marks in their secondary going into the offseason.

As of now, the Vikings have just four cornerbacks under contract for 2026, and two of them are former undrafted free agents in Dwight McGlothern and Zemaiah Vaughn. They also have question marks at safety after Josh Metellus had a relatively disappointing season, and we may finally have to face the reality that Harrison Smith has played the final snaps of his illustrious career.

Inevitably, Minnesota will have to add more depth in their secondary, and PFF has picked the Vikings as the top landing spot for a veteran cornerback as free agency approaches.

Vikings Picked for Veteran CB

That cornerback is Mike Hilton, who PFF has ranked as the 58th-best free agent this offseason.

Hilton is a rags to richest type of story as he began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. After bouncing around a little bit during his rookie year, he found a landing spot with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ultimately, Hughes would become a staple on defense in the 2017 season, appearing in all 16 games with four starts. Since then, he has put together nearly a decade of consistent NFL play before appearing in just two games during the 2025 campaign with the Indianapolis Colts.

Interestingly, though, Hilton has largely played as a slot cornerback throughout his NFL career. In fact, it’s overwhelmingly his top spot on defense. He has played 4766 snaps in the slot compared to just 140 snaps as a boundary cornerback in his nine NFL seasons.

If the Vikings were to bring Hilton in, that would mean Byron Murphy remains as one of the starting boundary cornerbacks in Brian Flores’ defense, which is the opposite of what many fans and pundits have advocated for.

The reasoning behind this move from Mason Cameron, the PFF analyst who picked the spot, is interesting though. Take a look:

“Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has a reputation for running the most aggressive, blitz-heavy defenses in the NFL. That scheme requires multifaceted cornerback play, particularly in the slot, where the Vikings frequently deploy Byron Murphy Jr. Although talented, Murphy struggled inside in 2025, ranking in the sixth percentile in slot PFF coverage grade (49.3). Adding a full-time slot cornerback to better fill out the roster would allow Murphy to remain outside, where he’s far more effective.”

Hilton also turns 32 years old in March, which means he likely isn’t a long-term solution for the Vikings at the cornerback spot. Especially after a 2025 season in which he was released by the Miami Dolphins after training camp and then suffered a season-ending injury in October, the end of his prime may be coming soon.

However, Cameron has an answer for that too:

“While Mike Hilton saw limited time on the field in 2025, his overall profile suggests he has far more to contribute in the right situation. Hilton could step in and man the slot role to a high level, evidenced by his 76.3 slot PFF coverage grade since the start of 2023 — the seventh-highest mark in the NFL over that span.

Additionally, the veteran cornerback could be used as a versatile weapon in blitz packages, as he has been in previous stops with the Bengals and Steelers, with whom he generated seven or more pressures in each full season of his career.”

We’ll see; maybe Brian Flores can make more magic happen in his defense this year.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.

Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey

After his unexpected defeat to Jakub Mensik in Doha, Jannik Sinner remained composed as he reflected on the loss and looked ahead to the rest of the season.

Mensik’s serving made the difference, particularly early on.

“In the first set he served very well, almost 90% of first serves in. It was difficult to return and in the third I suffered a hard break,” Sinner said. “I made a couple of too many errors, but it can happen. I’m a little disappointed with how I handled some moments, but it can happen.”

He pointed to the start of the deciding set as a turning point.

“I started badly in the third set, which was perhaps the key moment. There I made a few errors. I took that break there and after that I didn’t serve very well. Mensik played an excellent tie-break. Maybe I could have played the point at 4-3 better, but it’s easy to talk after the match.”

Despite the result, Sinner made it clear he is not concerned about his level.

“Every player faces ups and downs. I’ve had two incredible years and now I’m having a little downturn, but it’s not something that worries me. I know I can play better tennis.”

He added:

“It’s normal to go through some tough times; I’ve had even tougher ones in the past. I know how to come back.”

Looking ahead to the season, Sinner identified his main objective.

“One of my biggest goals will be Roland Garros, but that goal is still far away. I also have to remember what I’ve done in the last three years, where I’ve won a lot of matches and lost very few. The confidence to play good tennis is there.”

On suggestions of fatigue, he responded calmly.

“I wouldn’t call this ‘fatigue’ yet. I’ve only lost a couple of matches.”

Sinner confirmed he is feeling physically fine.

“I felt good, I didn’t suffer from the humidity. We’re working physically. I had some problems after Australia, but now I feel pretty good again. Everything is fine. I’m not worrying about anything at the moment.”

Indian Wells is next, followed by Miami, and then the clay season with Roland Garros firmly in his sights