Brighton’s Yasin Ayari struck twice and Alexander Isak was on target as Sweden proved too strong for Tunisia and sealed a 5-1 win in their World Cup opener.

Isak put his injury-wrecked first season with Liverpool behind him, grabbing Sweden’s second goal before seizing on a defensive mishap to provide Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres with the third.

Tunisia cruised through qualifying without conceding a goal, but were behind inside seven minutes in Monterrey as they failed to deal with a ball over the top.

Goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh beat Isak to the ball and Gyokeres’ follow-up was blocked, but Ayari – who has a Tunisian mother but opted for the country of his birth – rifled in from outside the box.

Elias Saad forced a save from Kristoffer Nordfeldt at the other end, but Sweden doubled their advantage just before the half hour, a counterattack releasing Isak on the left before he cut inside and found the far corner past the flailing Chamakh who misjudged his dive.

The Swedes looked comfortable but their advantage was halved just before the break, Omar Rekik heading in a cross from Hannibal Mejbri.

Sweden stretched their advantage just before the hour as they seized on another Tunisian error, Isak catching the dawdling captain Ellyes Skhiri in possession outside the box and fed Gyokeres who had plenty of time and space to fire home.

Mattias Svanberg added a fourth goal seconds after arriving as a substitute with VAR overturning an original offside decision after ruling a slight flick by Isak played him onside, Ayari then fired in his second as the ball again broke loose outside the box in the closing seconds.

PA

A tight finish and a stewards’ inquiry did little to derail Nobler’s charge, as the emerging import recorded his third consecutive victory at Rosehill, signalling a bright future.

The former Irish gelding, who commenced his Australian career in March, has now strung together three wins on the trot, adding Saturday’s Ranvet Handicap (2000m) to his previous mile successes at Randwick and Gosford.

Hitting his stride halfway up the straight, the $2.90 favourite found enough to fend off the fast-closing King Pedro ($4.40) by a mere nose, with Perfect Play ($7.50) trailing by 1-1/2 lengths in third.

The protest was lodged by apprentice jockey Anna Roper, riding King Pedro, against Siena Grima aboard the winner, alleging interference near the 200-metre mark after King Pedro had to divert its path when the inside run beside Nobler closed.

However, stewards swiftly dismissed the objection. Presiding stipe Tom Moxon informed Roper that while a narrow opening did appear, it closed before she could fully establish her running and the shift came from the horse to her inside, Skycatcher.

Darren Beadman, representing trainer Chris Waller, indicated that Nobler has impressed the team since arriving in Sydney and is poised for better races next preparation.

“He’s acclimatised well since he has come over here,” Beadman said.

“I think he could make his presence felt at the back end of our spring carnival, so now is probably a good time to tip him out and get him ready for something a little bit better.

“He’s certainly taken it all before him since he has come up to Sydney. He’s an athletic horse, a very clean-winded horse. Impressive.”

While Nobler battled to maintain his lead in his first attempt over a middle distance on Saturday, Beadman was adamant the gelding had the constitution to extend further in time.

He was also impressed by the ride from stable apprentice Grima, stating that her tactical decision to wait for clear running before the turn, rather than taking a chance, was instrumental.

“She had a choice at the 600, that was the difference between winning and losing,” Beadman said.

“She got the horse out into clear spaces and let him go through his gears.”

Grima went on to complete a running double for the stable aboard Surf’s Up in the Petaluma Handicap (1400m).

With the spring carnival approaching, the racing odds for Nobler’s future starts will be closely watched by punters across Australian betting sites.

Match Details

Fixture: (6) Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen

Date: June 15, 2026

Tournament: Lexus Nottingham Open

Round: First Round (Round of 32)

Venue: Nottingham Tennis Centre, Nottingham, UK

Category: WTA 250

Surface: Grass

Prize Money: $283,347

Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports

Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen preview

Former top 10 players Maria Sakkari and Zheng Qinwen will clash in the first round of the Nottingham Open 2026.

A semifinal appearance at the Qatar Open was Sakkari’s most notable result during the hardcourt swing. She salvaged her clay swing with a third-round finish at the French Open. She had won only one match across four tournaments prior to the clay court Major.

Sakkari kicked off her time on grass at last week’s Queen’s Club Championships. She faced defending champion Tatjana Maria in the first round. Despite her best efforts, Sakkari couldn’t outfox her rival and lost the match 6-3, 6-3.

Zheng returned to the tour in February following an injury hiatus. She made the third round of the Qatar Open upon her comeback, and then reached the fourth round of the Miami Open.

Zheng made the third round of the Madrid Open and the Italian Open ahead of the French Open. She was stunned by Maja Chwalinska in the first round in Paris. It marked her earliest exit from the clay court Major. Her woes continued at the Queen’s Club Championships as well. She was knocked out by Jaqueline Cristian in the first round.

Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen head-to-head

Their rivalry is tied at 2-2. Zheng won their previous meeting at the Charleston Open 2025 in straight sets.

Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen odds

(Odds via BetMGM)

Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen prediction

Both players began the grass season on a losing note at last week’s Queen’s Club Championships. Sakkari has put together an 11-12 record this season, while Zheng has compiled a 7-7 record.

Zheng lost her first couple of meetings against Sakkari and has since won their next two matches. This will be the pair’s first showdown on grass, a surface neither player counts as their best.

Zheng has a 5-11 career record on grass, and has lost her last three matches on the surface. Sakkari has a 27-25 career record on grass. However, she has won only five matches on grass for the past two years. Despite a competitive rivalry between them, Zheng’s dismal record on grass makes her the underdog in this contest.

Pick: Maria Sakkari to win in straight sets.

Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen betting tips

Tip 1: The match will have at least 20 games.

Tip 2: Sakkari to win at least one set with a score of 6-3.