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Alexander Zverev completes dominant Laver Cup victory for Team Europe in London

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World number two Alexander Zverev sealed Team Europe’s record-extending sixth Laver Cup title with a straight-sets victory over American Learner Tien, giving them a 13-5 win against `Team World at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday. Team Europe, captained by Yannick Noah, entered the third and final day needing two victories to reclaim the trophy.

Sunday’s matches were worth three points each, with the first team to reach 13 points claiming the Laver Cup. Match wins were worth one point on Friday and two points on Saturday. French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli of Italy teamed up ⁠with Czech Jakub Mensik to open the final day’s action, moving ​Team ⁠Europe to within one win of the title after a 7-5 6-3 victory over Team World’s Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur that extended their lead to 10-5.

French Open and US Open champion `Zverev then took centre stage against Tien, with the German prevailing 7-6(3) 6-3 to seal the title for Europe.

Team Europe celebrate with the Laver Cup trophy
Team Europe celebrate with the Laver Cup trophy (Getty)

The victory marked the fourth ‌time Zverev had helped to clinch the Laver Cup for Team Europe. He also secured the winning points in Chicago in 2018, Geneva in 2019, and in Boston in 2021 when he won the doubles alongside Russian Andrey ‌Rublev.

Zverev’s victory sparked jubilant celebrations, with the European players leaping in celebration and singing on court. “I’m happy that I did it today,” Zverev said. “But massive credit to the entire Team World. They pushed us all the way.

“I think we had a great team, great team chemistry and a great team effort. We’re definitely happy that we won!” Seven-times Grand Slam champion ⁠Carlos Alcaraz, who returned at Flushing Meadows after a lengthy layoff due to a wrist injury and has looked sharp since, had been scheduled to face Australian De Minaur in a later singles match.

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Alexander Zverev of Team Europe celebrates
Alexander Zverev of Team Europe celebrates (Getty)

Rising 20-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar was due to play Fritz, but neither match was needed after Zverev wrapped up the contest. “We had three chances to close it out in the singles,” Zverev added. “Especially with Carlos playing after me, I think that gives me a lot of confidence and gives me a little bit of freedom to play.

“But still, it was an incredibly tough match. Credit to Learner as well. “I think Carlos is also very happy that I closed it out. ​And me too, by the way! I’m very happy that I won.”

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio and Swiss tennis great Roger Federer, a co-founder and co-owner `of the Laver Cup, were among the spectators at a packed O2 Arena. Team World is made up ⁠of players from continents outside Europe. The annual tournament, which began in 2017, is intended to be tennis’ equivalent of golf’s Ryder Cup.

Team Europe lifted the trophy in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024 before adding this year’s crown, while Team World won the title in 2022, 2023 and 2025. The 2027 edition, which will mark the tournament’s 10th staging, will be held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

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Jets running back Breece Hall ruled out vs. Lions with thigh injury

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The New York Jets backfield took a big hit on Sunday.

Starting running back Breece Hall was ruled out for the remainder of the Jets’ game against the Detroit Lions with a thigh injury, the team announced.

Hall was tackled out of bounds by Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske and appeared to land awkwardly before being ruled out shortly after.

The 25-year-old had 55 yards on 16 total touches before exiting. Hall has 265 scrimmage yards and one touchdown so far this season.

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Braelon Allen is in line to get most of the touches out of the Jets’ backfield in Hall’s absence.

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Equatorial Guinea vs Sierra Leone Prediction and Betting Tips

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Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone will be looking to bounce back from their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers opening-day defeat when they square off at Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo on Monday. This will be the first meeting between the two sides since January 2022, when the National Thunder secured a 1-0 victory in their AFCON Group E clash.

Equatorial Guinea were denied a dream start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against DR Congo courtesy of goals from Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa.

Coming off their group-stage exit in 2025, Equatorial Guinea are aiming to secure a fourth consecutive AFCON appearance since back-to-back absences in the 2017 and 2019 editions.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone were left disappointed in Thursday’s group opener as they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Zimbabwe after throwing away a two-goal lead in the final 20 minutes at the Stade Ben M’Hamed El Abdi.

After Alie Conteh and Sallieu Tarawallie put Sierra Leone in front heading into half time, a brace from Wolverhampton Wanderers man Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa’s 76th-minute strike saw Zimbabwe snatch all three points in El Jadida, Morocco.

Head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa will hope his side can provide an immediate reaction on Monday as Sierra Leone look to secure just their second AFCON appearance since back-to-back first-round exits in the 1994 and 1996 editions.


Equatorial Guinea vs Sierra Leone Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

  • With four wins from the last seven meetings between the sides, Sierra Leone boast a superior record in the history of this fixture.
  • Equatorial Guinea have picked up two wins in that time, while the two nations have settled for a share of the spoils once.
  • Sierra Leone have failed to win eight of their last nine AFCON qualifying games, losing six and claiming two draws since June 2023.
  • Equatorial Guinea are on a run of six straight competitive games without a win, losing five and claiming one draw since beating Sao Tome and Principe 3-2 in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers back in September 2025.

Equatorial Guinea vs Sierra Leone Prediction

Having stumbled into the campaign, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone will look to steady their ship and get their qualifying journey back on track.

Equatorial Guinea are a stronger side on paper, and given their home advantage, we are backing them to secure maximum points here.

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Prediction: Equatorial Guinea 2-0 Sierra Leone


Equatorial Guinea vs Sierra Leone Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result – Equatorial Guinea to win

Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – No (There have been fewer than three goals scored in five of Equatorial Guinea’s last six games)

Tip 3: Over 4.5 bookings – No (There have also been fewer than five bookings in four of the hosts’ last five matches)

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