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Hong Kong Open: Katie Boulter reaches third WTA final of year

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Hong Kong Open: Katie Boulter reaches third WTA final of year

British number one Katie Boulter came through a tough test against Chinese sixth seed Yue Yuan to win 6-2 5-7 6-2 and reach the final of the Hong Kong Open.

Boulter will play either Russian top seed Diana Shnaider or Canada’s defending champion Leylah Fernandez on Sunday as she bids for a third WTA title of the year.

The second seed, who is currently 29th in the world but will move up to at least 23rd when the rankings are next updated, is aiming to add to previous tournament victories in Nottingham and San Diego.

“I just wanted to finish my year on a career high, which is why today meant so much to me,” said Boulter, who reached her previous best ranking of 27th in March.

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“I have actually done that, so I have got nothing to lose tomorrow. I am just going to swing free and enjoy it.”

Boulter, 28, edged a competitive opening set and the two players shared four breaks of serve at the start of the second before 26-year-old Yuan broke her again in the 12th game to force a deciding set.

The Briton cranked up the intensity in the opening game of the final set, clinching it with a forehand winner on her fourth break point, and stormed into a 3-0 lead after Yuan served up a double fault to gift her the double break.

Boulter then showed real grit to fend off Yuan in a marathon fourth game before closing out the set against the world number 45 with her sixth ace of the match.

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Whoever she faces in the final will pose a tough test – Boulter has never played world number 14 Shnaider before, while she lost her only previous encounter against 32nd-ranked Fernandez.

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Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0: Gunners dealt major Premier League title blow as Gordon’s magical cross sets up early Isak winner

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Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0: Gunners dealt major Premier League title blow as Gordon's magical cross sets up early Isak winner

ALEXANDER ISAK’S header dealt Arsenal another blow in their Premier League title dreams.

The Swedish striker turned home a superb cross from Anthony Gordon to break the deadlock after just 12 minutes.

Alexander Isak headed in a superb opener for Newcastle

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Alexander Isak headed in a superb opener for NewcastleCredit: Getty
The Swedish striker gave David Raya no chance

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The Swedish striker gave David Raya no chanceCredit: Reuters

And in truth it was quite a comfortable victory as Arsenal did not really threaten Nick Pope’s goal.

The only nervy moment for the Toon Army came in the 93rd minute when Declan Rice squandered a glorious chance to head in at the back post.

That makes it three Premier League games without a win for the Gunners following the defeat at Bournemouth and draw with Liverpool.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

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The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.

Mikel Arteta debunks claims referees and VAR have conspiracy against Arsenal after flurry of controversial decisions
Anthony Gordon put in a delightful cross for the Isak header

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Anthony Gordon put in a delightful cross for the Isak headerCredit: AFP
The result could prove another crucial blow to the Gunners' title hopes

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The result could prove another crucial blow to the Gunners’ title hopesCredit: Getty
The Gunners have now gone three Prem games without a win

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The Gunners have now gone three Prem games without a winCredit: Alamy
Frustrations were clear to see for the visitors

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Frustrations were clear to see for the visitorsCredit: Rex
Mikel Merino was denied an equaliser when his effort was blocked

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Mikel Merino was denied an equaliser when his effort was blockedCredit: Getty
The game was Newcastle's Remembrance fixture

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The game was Newcastle’s Remembrance fixtureCredit: AFP

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MMA

Moreno or Albazi? Blanchfield or Namajunas?

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Moreno or Albazi? Blanchfield or Namajunas?

The UFC is back in Canada this week with two sets of 125-pounders at the top of the lineup.

UFC Fight Night 246 (ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Get main card pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below.

Trevin Giles vs. Mike Malott

Mike Malott vs. Trevin Giles

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Records: Giles (16-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC), Malott (10-2-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Past five: Giles 2-3, Malott 4-1
Division: Welterweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 11.02.24): Giles +260, Malott -325
Junkie pick results: Malott 11, Giles 0

Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Dustin Stoltzfus

Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Dustin Stoltzfus

Records: Barriault (16-8 MMA, 5-7 UFC), Stoltzfus (15-6 MMA, 2-5 UFC)
Past five: Barriault 2-3, Stoltzfus 2-3
Division: Middleweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 11.02.24): Barriault -200, Stoltzfus +165
Junkie pick results: Barriault 11, Stoltzfus 0

Ariane da Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius

Ariane da Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius

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Records: da Silva (17-9 MMA, 6-6 UFC), Jasudavicius (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Past five: da Silva 2-3, Jasudavicius 4-1
Division: Women’s flyweight
Rankings: Jasudavicius honorable mention
Odds (as of 10.28.24): da Silva +170, Jasudavicius -205
Junkie pick results: Jasudavicius 8, da Silva 3

Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro

Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro

Records: Machado (8-3-1 MMA, 0-2 UFC), Ribeiro (15-7 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Past five: Machado 3-2, Ribeiro 3-2
Division: Light heavyweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 11.02.24): Machado -150, Ribeiro +125
Junkie pick results: Ribeiro 8, Machado 3

Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas

Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas

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Records: Blanchfield (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC), Namajunas (13-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC)
Past five: Blanchfield 4-1, Namajunas 2-3
Division: Women’s flyweight
Rankings: Blanchfield No. 4, Namajunas No. 9
Odds (as of 11.02.24): Blanchfield -140, Namajunas +120
Junkie pick results: Namajunas 7, Blanchfield 4

Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi

Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi

Records: Moreno (21-8-2 MMA, 9-5-2 UFC), Albazi (17-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC)
Past five: Moreno 2-3, Albazi 5-0
Division: Flyweight
Rankings: Albazi No. 3, Moreno No. 5
Odds (as of 11.02.24): Moreno -165, Albazi +140
Junkie pick results: Moreno 6, Albazi 5

Preliminary card picks

Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Ivana Petrovic

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Although they don’t count toward the standings, MMA Junkie staff members still pick the fights on the prelims. Here are the results:

  • Pedro Munhoz vs. Aiemann Zahabi: Zahabi 6, Munhoz 5
  • Victor Henry vs. Charles Jourdain: Henry 6, Jourdain 5
  • Jack Shore vs. Youssef Zalal: Zalal 6, Shore 5
  • Rodrigo Nascimento vs. Alexandr Romanov: Romanov 10, Nascimento 1
  • Garrett Armfield vs. Serhiy Sidey: Sidey 6, Armfield 5
  • Chad Anheliger vs. Cody Gibson: Gibson 8, Anheliger 3
  • Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Ivana Petrovic: Horth 7, Petrovic 4

Check out all the main card picks below.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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Football

Watch Rovers' superb team goal against Ayr

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Watch Rovers' superb team goal against Ayr



Lewis Jamieson completes a fine team move to score his second goal in Raith Rovers’2-0 Scottish Championship win over Ayr United.



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Sport

England 82-0 Wales: Anna Davies scores five tries as rampant England claim record win

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England 82-0 Wales: Anna Davies scores five tries as rampant England claim record win

Anna Davies scored five tries as a rampant England side swept to a record 82-0 win over Wales at Headingley.

The margin of victory was 10 points better than the 72-0 success over Russia in the 2008 World Cup.

The result also means Stuart Barrow’s side have now scored 248 unanswered points in four Tests since their 20-6 defeat by New Zealand in the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022.

Wigan Warriors winger Davies’ effort saw her eclipse the mark for the most individual tries in a game for the Lionesses, previously shared by Emily Rudge and Leah Burke on four.

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Olivia Wood’s fifth-minute try set the tone for the hosts, with debutant Amelia Brown scoring a hat-trick and second row Paige Travis and Eboni Partington also crossing twice.

There were also tries for Erin Stott, Katie Mottershead and Hollie-Mae Dodd, who was making her first appearance for her country since joining Canberra Raiders in 2023.

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MMA

Michael Page explains how Polaris 30 opponent went from Donald Cerrone to Carlos Condit

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Michael Page explains how Polaris 30 opponent went from Donald Cerrone to Carlos Condit

Michael Page continues to put himself in matchups in the combat sports face that leave the community a bit stunned.

“MVP” will face former WEC welterweight champion and UFC interim titleholder Carlos Condit in the headliner of Saturday’s Polaris 30 grappling card in London. The event streams exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.

The longtime Bellator star, now UFC welterweight, is ready to add more exciting things to his résumé.

“I’d like to leave a legacy of being a true martial artist, like I can go wherever the fight takes me and be competitive in those areas.” Page told MMA Fighting. “It’s definitely a fun that I seem to blindside a lot of people all the time and just pick out these random things. But yeah, I’m excited for this one.”

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Page made his UFC debut at UFC 299 in March, defeating Kevin Holland via unanimous decision. “Venom” went on to face the undefeated Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303 in June and lost a close decision in a fight many believed was Garry’s toughest to date. The 37-year-old had plans to add to his martial arts arsenal prior to competing at International Fight Week, and after sharing that time in the octagon with Garry, it became a no-brainer.

How did Page get matched up with Condit? It wasn’t the original plan.

“So after my last fight — in fact, before my last fight — I was already saying to myself, I wanted to take a little bit of time out just to focus on grappling,” Page explained. “And then after the last fight, I was like, yeah, 100 percent, I really want to just focus on the grappling side of things. And then a friend of mine is good friends with one of the fight organizers and fight matchmakers of Polaris, and he just mentioned it obviously, well he’s from my gym and he just mentioned it to say like, ‘Oh yeah, if you’re going to do that, would you be interested in doing this [in] Polaris?’

“I was like, ‘Actually, yeah, gives me something to work towards as well as just improving my jiu-jitsu. So that’s how they initially started and they actually end up speaking to the matchmaker. Initially, it was supposed to be Donald Cerrone, actually. … and then he kind of went dark so I’m not sure what happened on his side, but they said, just in case, let’s look for some other people because the responses are not coming anymore, and then obviously Carlos, his name came up and it’s like, yeah, another great match, just a beast in the game, someone that I respect as well, I’ve watched before. and I thought, yeah, still another great fight. A great match up, and now we’re here.”

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Condit retired from MMA after dropping a decision to Max Griffin at UFC 264 in July 2021. “Natural Born Killer” competed in 24 UFC/WEC bouts, winning the WEC welterweight title in March 2007, and then defending in three times before moving over to the UFC. Condit captured the interim UFC welterweight belt with a victory over Nick Diaz at at UFC 143 in February 2012 before losing via unanimous decision to Georges St-Pierre nine months later at UFC 154 in the Fight of the Night.

The fan-friendly fighter would get one more crack at UFC gold, losing a controversial split decision to Robbie Lawler at UFC 195 in January 2016 in MMA Fighting’s Fight of the Year.

For Page, sharing the mat with Condit will be an honor, and the result is not as important as what the encounter will mean in his martial arts journey.

“In all honesty, it’s just the experience, full stop,” Page said. “One aspect of my game that I want to improve on is the grappling — but not in the way, maybe, people might think. I feel the space I want to improve on is the grappling under the lights. It’s very different. Now, I grapple regularly in the gym, and I have been for many years and I love grappling. I actually do love jiu-jitsu.

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“Obviously, when I’m fighting, I don’t care to take it to a place that I am weaker than in terms of my strengths — [which] is my striking — so it’s not a place I want to take it to. But I really do enjoy jiu-jitsu. I do find here’s been a few matches where I get to a certain spaces of grappling and I end up being in like a conscious state of, ‘Oh yeah, I should do this now, I should do that,’ and you can’t fight in a fight being conscious like that. It has to be drilled, it has to be subconscious, you have to be reactive, otherwise you are 10-20 steps behind. If you’re having to go through a thought process because they’ve moved on, they’ve moved on.

“So it’s that side. That’s why Polaris has really intrigued me because I was like, ‘Actually it allows me to train my BJJ, but then also experience it under the lights with people watching and with that pressure. So I really want to just do that. That’s the only experience I want to take away from it. Other than that, like I said, I just love being a martial artist and just showing my skills in every aspect.”

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Motorsports

“I would not have won without first-corner lead” in Malaysian GP sprint

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Jorge Martin says the sprint race at Sepang on Saturday could have had an entirely different outcome had he not toughed it out with polesitter Francesco Bagnaia to take the lead midway through the first corner.

As it happened, factory Ducati rider Bagnaia fell out of second place on the third lap of the race, leaving Martin (Pramac Ducati) to stretch his points advantage from 17 to 29 with a straightforward victory.

The Italian’s fall highlighted the difficulty of trying to follow and overtake another rider in MotoGP – as did Martin after the race.

“If I hadn’t taken first position straight away today, I wouldn’t have won,” said Martin. “I think Pecco would have won and I would have been second. So to start well is really important.

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“Nowadays, either you are like Enea [Bastianini] who can come from behind, or it’s impossible to win if you’re not in first position at the beginning.”

Martin also showed some sympathy for Bagnaia having been caught out at the slow, left-hand Turn 9.

Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“It’s been a really critical corner all weekend,” he added. “You have like three different asphalts on the perfect line. And at one point, there’s no asphalt! So it’s like motocross; super difficult. You need to ride a really precise line at that corner.

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“I had a few moments there in my time attack yesterday and also today. And sometimes I had to [back off] there during the race too in order not to crash.”

Martin added that his sprint victory was not as easy as it looked after Bagnaia’s retirement.

“After Pecco’s crash, it was difficult to manage the situation,” said Martin. “But I was able to do it well. 

“You do have to think about the fact that Pecco has crashed. You think ‘be careful, you need to finish’. At one point I even thought I might have to [let Marc past] and finish second. 

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“But I had a lead of eight-tenths, so it made no sense to wait for him. So I said ‘okay, let’s keep doing the thing you know how to do’. 

Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“I was really focused on my braking references, just trying to do everything the same without changing anything.”

Martin’s successful Saturday means he could wrap up his maiden championship in the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.

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But he does not plan to take a particularly cautious approach or get bogged down in the permutations.

“When I try to relax, I get more nervous and everything gets more difficult,” he said when asked if he felt more breathing space with the extended points advantage.

“Today I was a bit nervous in the morning, so I said to Gino [Borsoi, his team manager], ‘Gino, I will go for it.’ I don’t want to finish second or third, I want to go for it. If Pecco is stronger, he will win. And if he’s not, he won’t’.

“Tomorrow will be a bit more of the same. If Pecco is much stronger, it’s okay. But I will do my best, because it’s the only way I can really be at 100% and focused.”

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Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

He noted that Bagnaia will be a dangerous competitor on Sunday given he has no choice but to win. 

“It’s a privilege to have this advantage at this point,” said Martin. “But it’s not over until it’s over.

“Tomorrow will be a really long race and Pecco will risk a lot to win. He has nothing to lose now – it’s all or nothing. To beat him under those conditions is really tough.”

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However, Martin also echoed Bagnaia’s suspicion that the championship leader is unlikely to finish lower than second – despite his chaser’s hopes that other riders can take points off the Spaniard.

“We are a step in front of the others, so I think in the worst case I will try to finish second,” said Martin.

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