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Emma Raducanu comes through gruelling battle to reach Transylvania Open final

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Emma Raducanu is one win away from her maiden WTA Tour title after reaching the final of the Transylvania Open.

The British number one beat Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-5 3-6 6-3 in an epic semi-final to take her place in Saturday’s showpiece in Cluj.

She now has a shot at winning her first tournament since her incredible US Open success in 2021 and announcing herself as a real force on the WTA Tour.

It completed an impressive day for home tennis as Katie Boulter made it into the final of the Ostrava Open, meaning that two British women will compete in different WTA Tour finals on the same day for the first time.

What sort of physical or mental condition top seed Raducanu will be in for the final against either Sorana Cirstea or Daria Snigur remains to be seen after she made it through one of the toughest matches of her career.

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It was a war of attrition for Raducanu against the eccentric Ukrainian, who, adorned in face tattoos, adopted some frustrating tactics, including heavy use of ‘moon balling’ and slices.

The teary Briton was left physically shattered after a near three-hour battle.

“What an incredible match,” she said during her on-court interview. “I think all props to my opponent today.

“She played incredible makes it so tricky to put any ball past her. You think it’s past her, and then the ball is on your baseline or on your sideline so it’s so difficult.

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“I’m just most proud of how I competed, how I came back in the third set, how I managed the match.

“I honestly don’t know if I could have done it without everyone’s support.”

The world number 91 adopted her infuriating tactics especially well late in the first set after Raducanu had broken to go 5-4 up.

It paid off as she broke back, but Raducanu stayed strong to claim another break in a mammoth game at 5-5 and then served the set out with relative ease.

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She then broke in the opening game of the second set to raise hopes of a more comfortable route to victory as the Briton opened up a 3-1 lead.

But her Ukrainian opponent would just not go away and turned the set on its head with a run of five successive games to level up as Raducanu had no answers to her unusual style.

Raducanu showed her fighting spirit after trailing 2-1 in the decider to took back control of the match, winning 16 straight points to move on the brink of victory.

She missed three match points on Oliynykova’s serve, but finally finished the job to wrap it up.

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Earlier, British number four Boulter beat American Katie Volynets 6-1 6-3 to secure a place in the Ostrava Open final.

Boulter broke in the opening game and then the fifth to establish a 4-1 lead, before taking the set as Volynets’ serve faltered again.

World number 96 Volynets regrouped for the start of the second set, forcing an early break in the first game, but Boulter responded immediately to level at 1-1.

Boulter then went on the offensive with some power hitting across the court.

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Another break in game eight left her serving for the match, which she closed out after recovering from 0-40 down to hold her nerve and progress to a fifth career WTA final.

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India crash out of AFC Women’s Asian Cup without a single point after 1-3 loss to Chinese Taipei | Football News

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India crash out of AFC Women’s Asian Cup without a single point after 1-3 loss to Chinese Taipei
India vs Chinese Taipei (Photo from @IndianFootball on X)

NEW DELHI: India crashed out of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after losing 1-3 to Chinese Taipei in a crucial group-stage match on Tuesday. The result ended India’s campaign despite the team dominating large portions of the game and creating several chances but failing to convert them.India needed to win by at least two goals to keep their hopes alive, especially after earlier defeats to Japan and Vietnam. Although Japan beat Vietnam 4-0 in the other match, India could not produce the required result.Chinese Taipei took the lead early in the 12th minute after a defensive error. A poor back pass from Sanju left goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu out of position, allowing Y H Su to score into an empty net. India responded with attacking intent and eventually equalised in the 39th minute, when Manisha Kalyan unleashed a powerful long-range strike to score India’s only goal.However, just before half-time, Chinese Taipei regained the lead in dramatic fashion. After Pyari Xaxa handled the ball in the box, a penalty was awarded. Although Y Y Hsu struck the post, the rebound deflected off Panthoi and rolled into the net, putting India behind again.India pushed hard in the second half and created several opportunities but failed to finish them. Their attacking efforts left gaps at the back, which Chinese Taipei exploited in the 77th minute when Yu-Chin Chen ran through the defence and scored the third goal after rounding the goalkeeper.India had a few late chances through Sanfida and Manisha, but the Chinese Taipei goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep them out. The defeat meant India exited the tournament despite qualifying for the competition on merit for the first time and putting up a spirited performance.

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Cheltenham Festival 2026 live: Champion Day results and tips before 4:00 Champion Hurdle after Johnnywho wins Ultima

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Lossiemouth one of the ‘best backed’ horses of the day

Time for the main event of day one at 4pm – the Champion Hurdle.

Lossiemouth has generated a lot of hype – with BOYLE Sports stating that the seven-year-old mare is ‘one of the best backed horses of the day’.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BOYLE Sports, said: “Birthday boy JP McManus has already been in the winners’ enclosure twice today, but punters have been keen to take on The New Lion in the Champion Hurdle. Lossiemouth has been all the rage in the betting and is one of the best backed horses of the day.”

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Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:53

WATCH: Johnnywho upsets favourite Jagwar

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:41

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3.20 – Handicap Chase results

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:39

Winning jockey Richie McLernon ‘thrilled’ with Johnnywho

Richie McLernon is speaking to ITV: “I thought the ground was a little quick. Everything just unfolded for me. Jumped when I need him to, he answered every call. Absolutely thrilled.”

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:33

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JohnnyWho wins Handicap Chase

Jagwar making ground on Quebecois over the final hurdle, but it is Johnnywho that takes the Handicap Chase! Quebecois gave it all but clearly did not have the outright pace on the final run-in.

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:28

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3.20 – Handicap Chase

Quebecois has opened up a gap again ahead of the final three jumps. Margaret’s Legacy makes a mistake on the third-last jump, costing the challenger.

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:27

3.20 – Handicap Chase

The final open ditch is navigated well by the entire field. Three hurdles to go, with Quebecois still first.

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Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:26

3.20 – Handicap Chase

Eight fences to go, and Quebecois does not want to relinquish a lead held all race. Jagwar is edging towards the front, but the favourite has work to do.

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:25

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3.20 – Handicap Chase

Still Quebecois in the lead, opening up a bigger gap over Margaret’s Legacy. Knight of Allen almost buckles but recovers well, at the cost of falling way off the group.

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:24

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3.20 – Handicap Chase

Jagwar remains a way off the leaders with 12 fences to go. We still have a full field.

Jack Tanner10 March 2026 15:23

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“He’s certainly up there” – Chelsea legend John Terry claims Blues are ‘lucky’ to have summer signing in their squad

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Chelsea legend John Terry has showered special praise on Blues summer signing Joao Pedro, claiming the player is one of the best strikers in the Premier League.

Pedro, 24, hit the ground running at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after departing Brighton & Hove Albion in a £60 million deal last July. He scored three times in the Club World Cup, helping the Blues lift the trophy in the process.

The Brazilian has maintained his fine form in the ongoing 2025-26 season as well, finding the back of the net 18 times in 39 games across competitions for Chelsea. He has also laid out nine assists for his new teammates so far.

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After Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior labelled Pedro a ‘world-class striker’ earlier this week, Terry has echoed a similar sentiment about the former Watford star. The 45-year-old former Blues captain said on TikTok (h/t Metro):

“Big praise from Liam Rosenior this week for Joao Pedro who has been in excellent form and we are very lucky to have him. He’s scoring goals but the variety of goals he scores, he scores goals with his left foot, he scores goals with his head. He shows great composure one-on-one where he does that little dink over goalkeepers as well.”

Likening Pedro’s playing style to Blues icon Didier Drogba, he added:

“I think his link-up play has been excellent as well, it’s got better and better week after week and that’s only going to grow and improve as he grows and gets a little bit older. It just enables you to hit him. We had the same when Didier played as well. You can hit him when you’re under a little bit of pressure and get yourself up the pitch and in the opposition half.”

Lauding the Brazilian’s work rate off the ball, Terry concluded:

“I love that he does the dirty work as well. When strikers are prepared to do the dirty work, it makes everyone else’s job a little bit easier and he’s often the one setting the tone in games as well. I’m expecting loads more to come from him, he’s certainly up there with the best strikers in the league this year.”

How have other Chelsea strikers performed?

Apart from Joao Pedro, Chelsea also signed another striker in Liam Delap in 2025. Subsequently, the Blues sent Nicolas Jackson on loan to Bayern Munich, and sold Christopher Nkunku to AC Milan last summer.

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Delap, 23, has struggled to find his feet amid Pedro’s excellent run of form. He has netted just three goals in 34 overall matches for his new side since leaving Ipswich Town for around £30 million last June.

On the other hand, Marc Guiu has only made 12 appearances across competitions for the west London outfit this season, scoring just two goals.