Sports
Australian Open 2025 results: Aryna Sabalenka beats Paula Badosa to reach final and continue bid for third Melbourne title
Aryna Sabalenka will have the chance to become the first woman in 26 years to win three successive Australian Open titles after reaching the Melbourne final with a commanding win over Paula Badosa.
Belarusian top seed Sabalenka, who previously described Badosa as her “soulmate”, recovered from an early setback to win 6-4 6-2.
Badosa, contesting her first major semi-final, quickly went 2-0 up but the Spanish 11th seed would win just four of the next 16 games.
Sabalenka will face Iga Swiatek or Madison Keys in the final, where she will aim to emulate Martina Hingis’ three straight titles between 1997-99.
It was a 20th straight victory at the Australian Open for two-time defending champion Sabalenka.
She will keep her world number one ranking if Swiatek loses in the semi-finals – and if the Pole advances, the winner of Saturday’s championship match will take the top spot.
Should Swiatek join Sabalenka in the final, it would be the first time since 2018 that the Australian Open women’s final has featured the top two seeds.
Juventus’ hopes of reaching the Champions League last 16 were dealt a blow after a goalless draw away at Club Brugge.
Ferrari are reportedly ready to pounce on Max Verstappen’s uncertain future with Red Bull should Lewis Hamilton struggle to live up to expectations in his first year.
The 40-year-old heads into the 2025 season taking on a new challenge after leaving Mercedes for Ferrari.
Hamilton spent 12 seasons driving for Mercedes, winning six world titles in the process to go along with the single championship he won while driving for McLaren.
He’s established himself as one of the best F1 drivers in the history of the sport and has spoken of his optimism about the new season ahead.
Lewis Hamilton will be under pressure to perform at Ferrari
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Ferrari were close to challenging for the Constructors’ Championship last year and there will be an expectation for the team to kick on in 2025 and win their first piece of silverware since 2008.
Hamilton will have to hit the ground running and the British superstar is keen to prove himself against Charles Leclerc.
But there is a significant age gap between the two drivers and there have been concerns raised about Hamilton’s performance levels.
He struggled to match George Russell for qualifying pace last year, starting behind his former team-mate in 18 Grand Prix races.
Hamilton will need to improve this season if Ferrari have hopes of finishing ahead of Red Bull and McLaren.
The seven-time world champion signed a multi-year deal with Ferrari, meaning his current deal will see him compete until the end of the 2026 season at the least.
However, F1 Insider claim that Ferrari are willing to make a dramatic switch at the end of this year should Hamilton fail to live up to the hype.
Verstappen’s future at Red Bull remains unclear and it’s been reported he could opt to leave at the end of the season if he feels the team aren’t heading in the right direction.
The four-time world champion currently hasn’t given any indication that he plans to exercise the reported clause in his contract.
Lewis Hamilton was all smiles during his Ferrari test
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Hamilton is also looking forward to the season ahead with Ferrari after his debut test.
“When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face” he said.
“It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car. It was such an exciting and special moment, and here I am, almost 20 years later, feeling those emotions all over again.
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Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull
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“I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from everyone in the team to the tifosi [fans].
“But to now witness it first hand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring. That passion runs through their veins and you can’t help but be energised by it.
“I’m so grateful for the love I have felt from everyone in Maranello this week, we have a lot of work to do but I can’t wait to get started.”
Watch as Madison Keys beats Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open, setting up a final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Watch highlights as Bologna stun 2024 Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund as they come from behind to score two goals in two minutes, securing their first win in this season’s competition.
MATCH REPORT: Bologna 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
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Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry has likened snooker star Shaun Murphy to tennis legend Andy Murray, suggesting both athletes have faced similar challenges competing against all-time greats in their respective sports.
While Murray contended with tennis icons Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Murphy has shared the stage with snooker legends including Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump.
“He’s been in a period of players he’s kind of like snooker’s Andy Murray,” Hendry said of Murphy.
Murphy, 42, clinched his second Masters title on Sunday with a victory over Kyren Wilson at Alexandra Palace.
Snooker news: Stephen Hendry has likened snooker star Shaun Murphy to tennis legend Andy Murray, suggesting both athletes have faced similar challenges competing against all-time greats in their respective sports
PA
The triumph adds to his impressive collection of Triple Crown titles, which now stands at four.
His career achievements include a UK Championship and a World Championship title.
Hendry believes Murphy’s talent should have yielded even more success, stating: “He should have won more than one, that’s how good he is.”
JUST IN: Luke Littler receives warning about ‘scandal’ after darts star turned 18
Snooker news: Shaun Murphy won the Masters on Sunday night
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The Briton was particularly emphatic about Murphy’s natural ability in the sport.
“He’s up there with the top three of all-time in terms of the talent to play snooker, his technique, all the shots he can play,” the Scot remarked.
The seven-time world champion noted that Murphy’s capabilities should have translated into more titles, with the former tennis star claiming three majors during his career before hanging up his racket back in the summer.
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“There’s very few better. But it’s always been that thing: Does he have the concentration? Does he have the focus? Is he nasty enough?” Hendry questioned.
According to Hendry, Murphy displayed a transformed approach during his recent Masters victory.
The snooker legend highlighted Murphy’s work with Peter Ebdon as a key factor in his improved focus.
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“He was a different player last week. I think working with Peter Ebdon has focussed him,” Hendry observed.
“It was complete focus, even when he was in his chair he never took his eyes off the table, it was all serious.
Snooker news: Shaun Murphy has had to compete with Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins throughout his career
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“A lot of the time he looks around, his mind wanders, you can physically see his body language change, he’s too relaxed.
“I thought he was on it all week, it was very impressive.”
Kick-off 15:00 GMT unless stated
Friday, 7 February
Ayr United v Hibernian (19:45)
Saturday, 8 February
Aberdeen v Dunfermline Athletic (12:30)
Dundee v Airdrieonians
Livingston v Cove Rangers
St Johnstone v Hamilton Academical
Celtic v Raith Rovers (17:30)
Sunday, 9 February
Rangers v Queen’s Park (15:30)
Monday, 10 February
St Mirren v Heart of Midlothian (19:45)
Paris St-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani has joined Juventus on loan until the end of the season.
The 26-year-old has made 14 appearances for PSG this campaign but has not featured since 6 December.
Premier League clubs including Tottenham and Manchester United showed interest in signing the Frenchman.
Kolo Muani was given a five-year contract by PSG when he joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for £76.4m in September 2023.
“His arrival in Turin comes as an important addition to Thiago Motta’s squad, bringing both quality and experience to the attack, whether he plays centrally or out wide,” said Serie A club Juventus.
“Welcome to Juventus, Randal!”
Kolo Muani grew up in the outskirts of Paris and began his career at Nantes before moving to Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt.
The France forward has struggled to make an impact at PSG this season and fell out of favour with manager Luis Enrique.
He has scored eight goals in 27 games for Les Bleus, and came close to netting a late winner in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina.
Luke Littler has been warned that the press wants a ‘scandal’ from him after the youngster recently celebrated his 18th birthday.
The teenager has become a household name over the past 12 months or so and his stock has never been higher after he recently secured World Darts Championship glory at Alexandra Palace.
Littler was Google’s most-searched athlete last year and everybody is desperate to know more about the prodigy as he continues to scale dizzying heights.
His birthday celebrations were low-key this weekend, with the Warrington-born star snubbing the chance to have a first legal pint in order to play on his Xbox.
Luke Littler has been warned that the press wants a ‘scandal’ from him after the youngster recently celebrated his 18th birthday
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Littler’s father, Anthony, was also seen picking up some fish and chips for the darts star and the rest of the family.
The nation has been gripped by Littler fever over the past year but darts star Vincent van der Voort, who is a PDC Tour Card holder, has now warned the 18-year-old that the press will be looking for a ‘scandal’ now he’s officially an adult.
Speaking on the podcast ‘Darts Draait Door’, he said: “He was the up-and-coming guy for a while and now he’s there.
“He’s also loved by the press, but in the long run that’s going to change.
“When you’re still a kid, they’re still lenient on you. Once they see you as an adult, they don’t mind taking you under.
“Luke will have to watch out for it. You’re about to get that the press wants a scandal from him, too.
“There are stories that people are paid to try to frame other people. So that will be watchful for him.”
Van der Voort has also told Littler to expect more press requests going forward.
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He continued: “They always want to know what you think of something.
“It will be hard for him to start cancelling things, because the PDC wants him for everything.
“Nobody needs to feel sorry for Littler, because he gets paid handsomely for it.
“And that can only get more now.”
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Luke Littler has been told to expect a busy schedule by darts star Vincent van der Voort
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Littler recently took part in the Bahrain Masters, the same competition he won a year ago.
He was unable to go all the way in the Middle East, however, with Stephen Bunting reigning supreme instead.
Littler will be hoping to bounce back this weekend at the Dutch Darts Masters.
He is the fourth seed for the competition and was beaten by Michael van Gerwen in last year’s final.
Luke Littler will be hoping to add to his silverware haul at the Dutch Darts Masters
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The winner for the competition will scoop £20,000 in prize money.
Littler is guaranteed £1,250 just from playing.
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) says its deputy leader Veron Mosengo-Omba will not face legal action after an investigation by the Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office into payments made to bank accounts in the country.
Mosengo-Omba, who hails from DR Congo but also holds Swiss nationality, had denied any wrongdoing and met with the prosecutor’s office in the canton of Fribourg in November to answer questions.
When the preliminary investigation was announced in October, he said on social media, external that the payments related to “remuneration and bonus” he had received from Caf since becoming general secretary and that they were made in “full transparency” and “full compliance with Caf statutes”.
Having previously worked for football’s world governing body Fifa, Mosengo-Omba was appointed general secretary in March 2021 following the election of South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe as Caf’s president.
The pair have often talked about their ambition to improve the organisation’s reputation when it comes to integrity and governance, with Mosengo-Omba previously telling BBC Sport Africa that the organisation was “toxic” before their arrival.
Responding to the news that Mosengo-Omba faces no action in Switzerland, Caf said, external it was “pleased that there continues to be adherence and compliance within Caf and the Caf secretariat, with the culture and commitment to ethics, transparency and governance that was introduced since the presidency of Dr Patrice Motsepe”.
The Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office in Fribourg has been contacted for comment.
Sports
Madison Keys makes ‘blacked out’ admission after beating Iga Swiatek to reach Australian Open final
Madison Keys has admitted she feels as though she ‘blacked out’ during her Australian Open win over Iga Swiatek on Thursday.
The American is through to the second Grand Slam final of her career after a 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8) victory at the Rod Laver Arena.
Keys was delighted after her triumph, with the 29-year-old set to face Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.
And she’s now revealed that she felt like she ‘blacked out’ at one point in the match due to the intense nature of the clash.
Madison Keys has admitted she feels as though she ‘blacked out’ during her Australian Open win over Iga Swiatek on Thursday
REUTERS
“I’m still trying to catch up to everything that is happening, I’m in the finals,” she said.
“That match was such high level and she [Iga Swiatek] played so well and I just felt like I was fighting to stay in it.
“I then ran with the second [set] and the third was just a battle and to be able to be standing here and be in the finals is absolutely amazing and I’m so excited that I get to be here on Saturday.
“I feel like even though I lost the first set I was playing some better tennis at the end of it and that I had a little bit of momentum going into the second set.
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“To be able to run with that second set and really just be able to settle was really nice.
“In the third set it was so up and down and there were so many big points and break point chances that neither one of us got.
“I feel I blacked out at one point and I was just there running around so just to be able to stay in it and stay fighting, and then a ten-point tie-breaker for an extra dramatic finish.”
Keys will have to be at her brilliant best in order to topple Sabalenka.
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The world No 1 beat Paula Badosa, her close friend, to reach the final of the competition.
And Keys has admitted she’s looking forward to facing Sabalenka, despite her rival’s obvious quality.
“I think at the end we were both battling some nerves and really just pushing each other and it came who can get this final point and who can kind of just be a little bit better than the other one, and I’m happy it was me,” she continued.
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Madison Keys was too strong for Iga Swiatek in their Australian Open clash on Thursday
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“There will definitely be some big hitting [against Sabalenka] and definitely not a lot of long points.
“But she’s obviously going for her third Australia Open and I’m excited to get to play her.
“I’m really excited for the challenge and I don’t know, Saturday is very far ahead in my brain right now.”
Madison Keys will meet Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday
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Should Sabalenka go all the way this winter, she’ll emulate Martina Hingis by winning three Australian Open titles in a row.
Keys and her final opponent have met five times over the years, with Sabalenka winning four of those clashes.
The 29-year-old’s sole Grand Slam final appearance came back in 2017 when she lost to Sloane Stephens.
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