Elena Rybakina beats Zheng to reach Doha Quarterfinals
Elena Rybakina moved into the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open after defeating Qinwen Zheng 4–6, 6–2, 7–5.
Rybakina dropped the first set but responded in the second. In the deciding set, she built a 5–2 lead before Zheng fought back to level the score. Rybakina stayed composed and closed out the match to secure the win.
The result sends Rybakina into her third straight Doha quarterfinal. It is also her ninth consecutive victory and her 22nd win in her last 23 matches.
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Speaking after the match, Rybakina praised Zheng’s performance.
“She played really well. In some moments incredible shots. Serve also. It’s nice to see her back. I’m super happy I managed to win. I was leading in the third set and couldn’t get my opportunities. But happy in the end it went my way.”
Rybakina will next face Victoria Mboko in the quarterfinals. She leads their head to head 2–1 and won their most recent meeting in Tokyo last season.
A key figure at Barcelona has revealed details about Marcus Rashford’s loan deal
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer, Maria Ortega and Mark Whiley Sports Reporter
19:30, 12 Feb 2026
Barcelona sporting director Deco has commended Marcus Rashford for flourishing despite the “enormous demands” of playing for Manchester United.
The Barca legend also disclosed that on-loan Rashford was on the verge of signing with another team last summer. Rashford, 28, moved to Catalonia after falling out of favour with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
He spent the latter half of the previous season on loan at Aston Villa before Barcelona came calling. It has now been revealed just how keen Villa were to retain the England international.
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However, according to Deco, once the opportunity arose, Rashford only had one destination in mind. “Yes, definitely,” the Barcelona icon told Sport when questioned if he and the rest of the board are satisfied with Rashford’s development.
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“I think it wasn’t easy to come here. He has played at a very high level, with enormous demands at a club like Manchester United. Then he spent six months at Aston Villa, where he did a very good job.
“In fact, Aston Villa, they would have kept him if it had been possible. I know this because I’ve spoken to people there. But he only wanted to come to Barca, and that’s a very positive thing. We were able to secure a loan.
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“The fact that he took a pay cut to make it happen is a clear demonstration that he really wanted to come, and we’re very happy about that. He’s a player who contributes a lot to the team.”
Deco, 48, is correct to highlight that the wage reduction was crucial in facilitating Rashford’s loan to Barcelona. The Spanish giants’ financial situation prevented them from matching his previous £300,000-a-week terms at United, but he accepted a decrease to £225,000 weekly to complete the switch.
The Portuguese director is also accurate in suggesting that this gesture revealed just how determined Rashford was to join. This has been evident in his displays so far at the Camp Nou, where he has netted 10 goals and provided another 13 assists in 34 appearances.
But even that figure may prove too steep for Barca. This follows suggestions indicating the Catalans have enquired with United about whether they can pay a reduced amount to make Rashford’s move permanent.
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That may not align with United’s plans, particularly considering recent reports suggesting interim manager Michael Carrick would like him back at Old Trafford should he land the job on a permanent basis.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Team India registered a crushing 93-run victory in their T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Namibia on Thursday, February 12. It was their second win in as many games in the tournament.
Asked to bat first, the Men in Blue posted a total of 209/9 on the board. Ishan Kishan slammed a brilliant half-century first up, scoring 61 runs off just 24 balls at a strike rate of 254.17. At the backend, Hardik Pandya struck a terrific fifty as well, making 52 runs off 28 balls.
For Namibia, their skipper Gerhard Erasmus was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 4/20. Namibia started well in the chase, getting to 57 runs in the powerplay. However, they failed to sustain the momentum and were eventually bowled out for just 116 runs in 18.2 overs.
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It was an all-round bowling performance from India. Hardik and Axar Patel bagged two wickets each while Varun Chakaravarthy claimed three. Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shivam Dube chipped in with a wicket each as well.
On that note, let us take a look at five records made during India’s 93-run triumph against Namibia.
#5 4th captain to pick a four-wicket haul in a T20 World Cup
Gerhard Erasmus became only the fourth captain to pick up a five-wicket haul in a T20 World Cup 2026 match. He joined Daniel Vettori, Zeeshan Maqsood, and Rashid Khan on the list. Vettori returned figures of 4/20 against India in Johannesburg in 2007.
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Zeeshan bagged 4/20 against Papua New Guinea in 2021. Rashid achieved the feat twice, both times in the 2024 edition. He bagged 4/23 against Bangladesh in Kingstown and 4/17 against New Zealand at the Providence Stadium.
#4 Fourth-fastest fifty for India in T20 World Cups
Opener Ishan Kishan smashed a 20-ball fifty during his blistering 61-run knock. His 20-ball half-century is the joint fourth-fastest for an Indian batter in T20 World Cup history.
The record for the fastest T20 World Cup fifty for a batter from the country is held by Yuvraj Singh, who had slammed a 12-ball half-century against England in the 2007 edition. KL Rahul (18 balls in 2021) and Rohit Sharma (19 balls in 2024) follow in second and third position. Ishan Kishan is tied with Yuvraj, who had also scored a 20-ball fifty in the 2007 edition against Australia.
#3 Second-most 200-plus totals in T20 World Cups
India posted a total in excess of 200 for the fourth time in T20 World Cups. They became the team with the second-most 200-plus totals in the history of the tournament, going past Sri Lanka and the West Indies, who have three 200-plus totals each.
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South Africa is at the top of this list with six 200-plus totals in T20 World Cup history. The Men in Blue had previously crossed the mark in 2007, 2021, and 2024.
#2 Biggest win for India in T20 World Cup (in terms of runs)
India’s 93-run victory against Namibia was their biggest win in terms of runs in T20 World Cup history. Their previous biggest victory had come against England in 2012, when they beat them by 90 runs in Colombo.
Their other biggest wins in terms of include a 73-run victory against Australia in Mirpur in 2014, a 71-run win against Zimbabwe at Melbourne in 2022, and a 68-run victory against England at the Providence Stadium in 2024.
#1 Extending most consecutive wins in men’s T20 World Cup history
India extended their most consecutive wins streak in men’s T20 World Cup history. The win against Namibia was their tenth consecutive victory in the competition. In the previous game against the USA, they broke the record with their ninth consecutive victory, having won eight in a row in the 2024 edition.
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No team has touched double figures in this aspect, barring the Men in Blue. South Africa and Australia have eight such wins each, while England have seven.
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision to disqualify him from the Winter Olympics.
Heraskevych was ruled out of the event by the International Olympic Committee before competition began, with his helmet, which features pictures of people killed in the war with Russia, judged to have contravened rules concerning statements in the field of play.
With the first two runs of the event having taken place after Heraskevych was disqualified and with the final two heats on Friday evening, he has requested either reinstatement or a supervised run to keep him in the competition pending a final decision by CAS, the body said.
A CAS statement read: “Mr Heraskevych argues that the exclusion is disproportionate, unsupported by any technical or safety violation and causes irreparable sporting harm to him.”
Heraskevych did not compete after in-person discussions with IOC president Kirsty Coventry at the Cortina Sliding Centre before the start on Thursday morning failed to yield a satisfactory conclusion.
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Speaking after the decision was announced, Heraskevych said: “Yesterday we had a formal meeting and today we had (one) just before the race with Mrs Coventry here, at the venue – me, my dad, and Mrs Coventry.
“In Ukraine now, we also have a lot of tears and I don’t want to downsize her feelings, but I believe that we should be controlled by the rules and I believe that we didn’t violate it.
“I want to also thank her for kind words, what she told me in this meeting. But as I told her, this situation again plays along with Russian propaganda, and it does not look good.
“I believe I did a great proposal for them this morning, when I proposed to allow me to use this helmet, and also to show solidarity with Ukraine, and give some generators for Ukraine.
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“I believe it’s a great way to show that you have solidarity with Ukraine and to remove all this scandal.
“Because also, from another point of view, this situation is very terrible for this venue and for this race. I believe because of IOC actions, that Olympic moment was stolen not only for me, but also from others from this venue.
“Because of this scandal, now all you (the media) are here, you’re not watching the race, and I believe it’s a terrible mistake made by the IOC.”
IOC spokesman Mark Adams said on Wednesday the organisation was “begging” Heraskevych to reconsider his position, with a compromise of a black armband suggested, but the slider remains convinced the rules have been misinterpreted.
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He said: “I believe it’s totally wrong to do this decision today. Especially when we had already on these Olympic Games other cases, when others in almost equal situations were treated differently and didn’t face any sanctions.
“Rule 50 has to do nothing with this helmet and despite that we were suspended. So I have really bad thoughts and I believe that this situation also plays along with Russian propaganda.
“I saw that this news was treated very well in Russia.”
Coventry stressed the IOC’s decision was not a political one and cited the wishes of the IOC Athletes’ Commission in refusing to make an exception for Heraskevych.
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Coventry said: “We’re not making a judgement on whether the message is political or not political, or has a statement or doesn’t make a statement. It’s any messaging, any form of messaging.
“That’s how the athletes back in 2020, 2021, came up with saying we should not allow any messaging on the field of play, on the podium and in the Olympic village.
“But they wanted other space – the mixed zone, talking to the press, press conferences, as soon as you come off the field of play, that’s there, he can do that. It’s just the field of play.”
It was later announced that Heraskevych’s accreditation would not be withdrawn after Coventry intervened, which means he can continue to be at the Games even if he is not being able to compete.
BRUSSELS — European champion Spain was drawn in the same group as England and Croatia for the next edition of the Nations League on Thursday.
The Czech Republic completes what looks like the most testing of the four top-tier League A groups.
Spain and England are ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the FIFA rankings and played each other in the final of Euro 2024, which Spain won. Croatia was a semifinalist at each of the last two World Cups.
Defending Nations League champion Portugal was grouped with Denmark, Norway and Wales.
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France was drawn against Italy, Belgium and Turkey.
Germany, Netherlands, Serbia and Greece are in the other League A group.
The 2026-27 Nations League group phase runs from September to November. The top two in the League A groups then play in the quarterfinals in March 2027, with the final tournament in June.
Ireland and Israel drawn together
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Ireland and Israel are in the same group in League B, which could be the cause of some tension.
Ireland’s soccer federation voted in November to submit a motion to UEFA to ban Israel from competitions organized by European soccer’s governing body.
The Football Association of Ireland cited two alleged violations of UEFA statutes by the Israel Football Association. The first was “organizing clubs in occupied Palestinian territories without the consent of the Palestinian FA,” and the second was “the alleged failure of the IFA to enforce an effective anti-racism policy.”
Group A1: France, Italy, Belgium, Turkey Group A2: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Greece Group A3: Spain, Croatia, England, Czech Republic Group A4: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Wales
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Group B1: Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, North Macedonia Group B2: Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia, Northern Ireland Group B3: Israel, Austria, Ireland, Kosovo Group B4: Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Sweden
Group C1: Albania, Finland, Belarus, San Marino Group C2: Montenegro, Armenia, Cyprus, Latvia/Gibraltar Group C3: Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Faroe Islands, Moldova Group C4: Iceland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Luxembourg/Malta
Group D1: Latvia/Gibraltar, Luxembourg/Malta, Andorra Group D2: Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
Preparing for Hong Kong, Ethan Brown kept his rich vein of form alive with a repeat Caulfield double inside three days, contrasting his successes on two on-money shots at Monday’s Super Bowl program held on the Heath circuit.
The rider dominated with untapped gelding Yes Yoshi ($1.65) in the third contest before a photo-finish triumph astride She’s A Hustler ($1.50) two events hence.
Brown’s pair of engagements were Yes Yoshi and She’s A Hustler, his premiere raceday encounters with each.
Ciaron Maher’s She’s A Hustler shrugged off three short-priced disappointments from her prep’s outset, hampered early according to Brown, who felt the slim margin understated her performance around the tight track.
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“It’s hard being back and wide around this track and I know she’s only won by the barest of margins, but there was a lot more merit (to the win) than it looked,” he said.
“She’s on the way up. She’s a very nice horse going forward and (there’s) no better way to kick off your prep.”
She’s An Artist, a Trapeze Artist filly with a 50% strike rate from six goes, repelled Excess ($13) in a short half-head thriller at 1100m BM78 level, Along The River ($6) one length back in the minor placing.
Yes Yoshi provided Brown a cruise, the Yes Yes Yes youngster sealing back-to-back wins via a decisive 1-1/4 length routing of Savitri in the 1200m Class 1, impressing post his Sale debut heroics.
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Trained by Charlotte Littlefield, the immature three-year-old’s display drew this observation from Brown:
“He’s a big baby at the minute, but for him to win like that and show that sort of sort of ability as immature as he is is quite exciting going forward,” Brown said.
Mirroring his Saturday conquests aboard Observer and Light Infantry Man, Brown’s haul tied him for second on 29 with Craig Williamson on the Victorian jockeys’ metro premiership, seven adrift of hurt leader Mark Zahra.
Yet the 26-year-old’s confirmed Hong Kong deal for the final quarter-season spells limited local time left.
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Doubles were also recorded by Jamie Mott and Logan Bates amid the seven-race slate.
Leading online bookmakers offer enhanced prices on Caulfield feature clashes.
Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (13) runs after hitting a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning during game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced a one-year, $10 million extension with veteran third baseman Max Muncy on Thursday.
The deal includes a $7 million salary for the 2027 season and a $10 million club option for 2028 that includes a $3 million buyout. He will earn $10 million in 2026.
Also on Thursday, free-agent utility man Enrique Hernandez broke some news of his own by referencing his expected return to the Dodgers on Instagram.
“What else did you expect?!!! 3 in a row has a nice ring to it! #WeBack,” Hernandez wrote along with posting a picture of himself wearing a Dodgers’ World Series champions T-shirt.
The Dodgers have yet to confirm the news on Hernandez, however The Athletic reported the contract is for one year and $4.5 million. He played last season on a one-year, $6.5 million deal.
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Muncy, 35, is a two-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion entering his ninth season with L.A. in 2026.
He batted .243 with 19 homers and 67 RBIs in 100 games last season and added three homers in the playoffs.
Muncy’s World Series Game 7 homer against the Toronto Blue Jays was his 16th in the postseason, a team record.
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He is a career .229 hitter with 214 homers and 604 RBIs in 1,020 games for the Oakland A’s (2015-16) and Dodgers.
Hernandez, 34, batted .203 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 92 games last season. He spent nearly two months on the injured list with elbow discomfort and returned Aug. 26 after fears his season was done because of the injury.
He ended up having left elbow surgery last November and his status for the start of the 2026 season is uncertain.
In 12 major league seasons, nine of which have been with the Dodgers over two separate stints, Hernandez is a career .236 hitter with 130 home runs and 470 RBIs in 1,275 games.
The City of Preston Gymnastics Club collected the 2026 British Gymnastics Foundation, Transforming Lives Through Gymnastics Award.
A Lancashire-based gymnastics club has won a prestigious title at the British Gymnastics Awards.
The City of Preston Gymnastics Club collected the 2026 British Gymnastics Foundation, Transforming Lives Through Gymnastics Award.
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This award recognises an outstanding person or organisation who/that has done most to help the British Gymnastics Foundation to transform lives through gymnastics.
It is anticipated that the nominated person or organisation will have transformed lives through gymnastics, using one of the British Gymnastics Foundation’s charitable programmes.
City of Preston Gymnastics Club consistently goes above and beyond in supporting gymnastics families and the wider community. Their caring ethos shines through in everything they do, from offering funding assistance and fee reductions to organizing fundraising initiatives that ease financial pressures for families when they are going through difficult times.
The club’s commitment to transforming lives was powerfully demonstrated last year, when they rallied local people and tradesmen to help renovate the home of one of their gymnasts.
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The gymnast’s mother was receiving treatment for a stage 4 diagnosis, and the family’s kitchen renovation had been left unfinished. The club not only ensured the kitchen was completed but also arranged for other rooms to be decorated and for the garden to be brightened with plants donated by the community.
A spokesperson from the club said: “We’re truly honoured to receive this award. It’s actually quite emotional, because everything we do as a club is rooted in care and community. Supporting our families through both the joyful moments and the most difficult times is simply what we believe a club should do. This award really belongs to our members, families, volunteers, coaches and supporters – we’re just so proud and grateful to be part of such an incredible community at City of Preston Gymnastics.”
This act of compassion reflects the club’s true spirit: they are more than a place for sport, they are a hub of kindness, resilience, and support. City of Preston Gymnastics Club embodies what it means to transform lives, showing that their heart extends far beyond the gym floor.
British Gymnastics CEO Sarah Powell said: “The 2026 British Gymnastics Awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional people, delivering, participating, or supporting the wonderful sport of gymnastics. This year’s finalists embody the passion, dedication, and care that ensure gymnastics stays enjoyable, safe, and accessible for all, creating positive change for individuals and communities.
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“To all our finalists and winners, congratulations on this outstanding achievement. Your commitment inspires us every day, and you should feel incredibly proud of the impact you’ve made. Thank you for everything you do.”
The 2026 British Gymnastics Awards recognise exceptional people and organisations that help keep gymnastics enjoyable, safe, and open to everyone, making a positive contribution to individuals, local communities, and wider society. Visit British Gymnastics Awards for more information.
Cleveland Browns star edge rusher Myles Garrett dominated the NFL this season, winning Defensive Player of the Year unanimously, and now hopes his girlfriend, Chloe Kim, dominates the Olympics.
The 25-year-old completed her qualification run in the women’s halfpipe on Wednesday, and Garrett made sure to capture it all. The 30-year-old was pictured with a camera bag and was snapping photos throughout Kim’s run.
Kim tore her labrum in her left shoulder just a month before the Olympic Games in January after falling in a training session, but is competing. She had the best qualifying run of the day on Wednesday with a score of 90.25.
Chloe Kim of Team United States competes in run two of the women’s snowboard halfpipe qualification on day five of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 11, 2026.(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Kim is seeking a third consecutive gold medal in the women’s halfpipe, and would be the first snowboarder to ever do it. Shaun White, the legendary American snowboarder, won three gold medals in the event, but not in consecutive Olympics.
“I’m just going to do what I came here to do, and if they decide to give it to me, then awesome,” Kim said this week, via NBC News.
“But I’m really just grateful to be in the position where I’ve won all these events multiple times. The fact that I’m able to be here and riding and being confident is all I can ask for.”
Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, left, and United States’ Chloe Kim smile after the women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 11, 2026.(Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)
Garrett, who set the NFL’s single-season sack record this season with 23, said that Kim had been a rock for him during the football season and that he wants to be the same for her.
Read More About The 2026 Winter Olympics
“We’re both just so supportive of one another,” Garrett told People.
United States’ Chloe Kim reacts during the women’s snowboard halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, on Feb. 11, 2026.(Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)
“She’s always texting, she’s always calling to see how I’m doing during the year and I’m doing the same right now, checking on her, seeing how she’s feeling, emotionally and physically.”
The couple have been linked since May 2025 and seemed to make their romance official in November 2025 when they shared a pregame kiss.
