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.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen could face suspension when Galatasaray take on Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Turkish club will host the English side at Rams Park in the first leg of their Round of 16 match, which kicks off at 8:45 pm.
Osimhen has already received two yellow cards in the competition this season during matches against Juventus and Atletico Madrid. If he gets another yellow card against Liverpool, he will miss the second leg of the tie in England next week.
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Under UEFA rules, a player is suspended for one match after collecting three yellow cards in the Champions League, unless the cautions lead to a red card.
Galatasaray could suffer a big setback if Osimhen is suspended. The Nigerian striker has been one of the team’s key players in Europe this season and has already scored seven goals in the competition.
He is now just one goal away from matching the record for the most goals scored by a player from a Turkish club in a single Champions League season. The record was set by Burak Yilmaz, who scored eight goals for Galatasaray in the 2012–13 season.
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Osimhen has also played at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium before. In 2022, he featured for Napoli in a Champions League match where the Italian side lost 2–0 to Liverpool. Earlier in that same season, Napoli had defeated Liverpool 4–1, with Osimhen winning a penalty during the match.
Despite the suspension concern, Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk has a fully fit squad available for the first leg in Istanbul.
However, Osimhen is not the only player close to suspension. Six other Galatasaray players are also one yellow card away from missing the return leg if they receive another booking.
Liverpool also have two players who could face suspension if they are booked during the match.
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The two teams already met earlier in this season’s Champions League league stage, where Galatasaray secured a 1–0 win at home with Osimhen scoring the only goal from the penalty spot.
Galatasaray finished 20th in the league phase with three wins, one draw and four defeats. They later reached the Round of 16 after beating Juventus in the play-off round with a 7–5 aggregate score.
Liverpool had a stronger run in the league phase, winning six matches and losing two to finish third in the standings and qualify directly for the Round of 16.
The second leg will take place at Anfield on March 18, where both teams will fight for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
But Rahm did not make the biggest leap in the world rankings among the competitors at LIV Golf Hong Kong. That honor belonged to two other former PGA Tour players who jumped up the ranking with top-10 finishes.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Matthew Wolff and Harold Varner III climb rankings after LIV Golf Hong Kong
Six players finished T8 in Hong Kong, which means a total of 13 LIV pros saw a significant boost in world ranking points.
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None more so than Matthew Wolff. In his brief PGA Tour career, Wolff captured one victory and reached as high as 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking. He even finished runner-up at the 2020 U.S. Open.
But Wolff’s game fell apart toward the end of his time on the PGA Tour, and he left for LIV in 2022. His struggles have continued there, where he has failed to pick up a win. Last year, he finished 42nd in LIV’s individual standings.
Over that time, Wolff saw his world ranking plummet. Before LIV Golf Hong Kong, Wolff had dropped to 2,305th in the OWGR. But one good finish made a world of difference.
Thanks to finishing 5th in Hong Kong on Sunday, Wolff skyrocketed 1,531 spots up in the ranking. However, his new ranking won’t get him into any majors: 774th.
Another LIV pro, Harold Varner III, made a similarly massive leap up the world rankings after Hong Kong. Varner III never won a PGA Tour event before leaving for LIV in 2022, though he’s fared better than Wolff on LIV. Varner III captured a victory at LIV Golf Washington D.C. in 2023.
At LIV Hong Kong, Varner III finished at 18 under, five shots short of Rahm and one shot better than Wolff. His solo fourth also earned him a ton of world ranking points. To start the week, Varner III was ranked 1,385th in the OWGR. Thanks to his solo-fourth finish, he moved all the way up to 589th.
You can see a complete list of the top-10 finishers from the 2026 LIV Golf Hong Kong event, along with their world ranking movement, below.
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LIV world ranking movement after LIV Hong Kong (top 10 finishers)
1. Jon Rahm: 54 to 36 in the Official World Golf Ranking
Nov 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown after recovering a fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings are no longer “required” to select a cornerback in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. The club used its very first free-agent signing this week on a man named James Pierre from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gerald Alexander and Brian Flores Know the Player Well
Pierre brings an undercover stellar 2025 resume to Minnesota, so much so that fans can pencil him in as the CB3 as early as today.
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Gerald Alexander and Brian Flores Know Pierre Well
Alas, the Vikings’ CB depth fears have vanished.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) celebrates after securing an interception against the Cleveland Browns during fourth-quarter action at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, with the play unfolding on Dec. 8, 2024 as the Steelers defense sealed momentum late in the AFC North matchup. Pierre reacts while teammates gather around the turnover. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.
Pierre to MIN
Pierre to the purple team is basically official, barring a bizarre last-second change of heart.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Monday, “The Vikings have landed a new cornerback in the early stages of the free agent negotiating window. Cameron Wolfe of NFL Media reports that they have agreed to terms with James Pierre on a two-year deal. The contract is worth $8.5 million with $3.7 million in guaranteed money.”
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“Pierre signed with the Steelers after going undrafted in 2020 and returned to the team after failing to make the Commanders in 2024. Pierre appeared in 95 games over his six seasons in Pittsburgh.”
Minnesota was in the market for a budget cornerback — one with upside — and absolutely nailed that mission with Pierre for $3.7 million guaranteed. It’s a steal of a deal.
The Stats for Pierre
Looking for the statistical skinny on Pierre? We’ve got it. Here’s his work since 2020:
Pierre is 6’2″ and 190 pounds, instantly making him the Vikings’ tallest cornerback who projects to receive playing time in 2026. He’s also Lamar Jackson’s cousin.
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SI.com‘sJack Markowski on Pierre: “Pierre made a career-high five starts for Pittsburgh after re-signing with the organization on a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum last offseason. He did not allow a touchdown in coverage, per Pro Football Reference, while holding opposing quarterbacks to a completion percentage of just 42.9 on 35 targets across 376 coverage snaps.”
“Spotrac has Pierre’s market value currently set at a one-year contract for $1.873 million, which would mark a marginal raise from the $1.170 million salary he earned in 2025. Cornerback sticks out as one of Pittsburgh’s biggest needs, and the potential departure of Pierre is a main reason why.”
It’s also worth noting that Brian Flores stopped by the 2022 Steelers as a linebackers coach; he knows Pierre, too, as Pierre has worked for Pittsburgh his entire career.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) warms up on the field before kickoff against the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, with the pregame scene captured on Sep. 20, 2020 as players prepared for the early-season matchup. The Steelers later earned a narrow 26–21 victory over Denver in the contest. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports.
Markowski continued, “The team is in good shape with Joey Porter Jr. as its No. 1 option at the position following a stellar campaign that could very well earn him a top-of-the-market extension as he enters the final year of his rookie deal, but the depth is lacking.”
“Pierre blossomed into a true impact player for the Steelers in his fifth season with the organization last year, and while there are other enticing veterans in free agency, bringing him back is the easiest path forward. The issue, though, is that his market appears to be booming, complicating matters in the process.”
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The Revised CB Room
With the Pierre addition, here’s a look at Minnesota’s updated CB room:
Byron Murphy Jr.
Isaiah Rodgers
James Pierre
Dwight McGlothern
Zemaiah Vaughn
One would think the group needs at least one more credible defender — perhaps Fabian Moreau, the club’s veteran CB3 for most of 2025 — but during the most recent offseason, the Vikings were content with minimal depth. We shall see if that changes in 2026.
The Gerald Alexander Connection
Minnesota employed a man named Daronte Jones as the defensive passing game coordinator from 2022 to 2025, and he left this offseason to take the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator job, a sweet promotion. To backfill Jones’s job, Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores hired Gerald Alexander from the Steelers’ staff.
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Miami Dolphins defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander smiles along the sideline during second-half action against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, with the moment captured on Aug. 14, 2021 as Miami’s staff monitored preseason play. Alexander watches from the sideline while the Dolphins evaluate defensive personnel during the exhibition matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports.
His first order of business? Bringing Pierre with him in free agency.
If the pattern holds, the Vikings could, in theory, also sign Asante Samuel Jr., who also patrolled Alexander’s secondary in 2025.
Pierre will turn 30 in September, so he does not have youth on his side. He ran a 4.59 forty at the 2020 NFL Combine — not a speedster.
NFL star defensive end Maxx Crosby has posted for the first time about his trade to Baltimore Ravens ever since the news broke on Friday.
On Sunday, Crosby posted an AI-generate picture of himself wearing the Baltimore Ravens home jersey and a black Ravens helmet with number 98 stitched infront, his signature number.
Thanks for the submission!
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“RAVENS FLOCK…. ITS TIME. 🐦⬛💎,” he wrote in the caption.
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
“Crosby crew is coming 🖤💜🔥,” she wrote.
Source: (Via Instagram/ @maxxcrosby)
Before this post, Maxx Crosby reflected on a seven-year journey with the Raiders in his podcast, “The Rush” and shared the clip on Instagram on Sunday.
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“Raider Nation has given me everything,” he said. “I had the chance to get married, have the most beautiful daughter in the world, and grow as a man, a player, a leader and a human being.”
Rachel Crosby was overwhelmed.
“Love you so much baby! So proud of you 🖤,” she commented under the post.
Source: (Via Instagram/ @maxxcrosby)
The trade agreement is set to become official on March 11, at the start of the new league year.
Crosby’s trade is historic, marking the first time in the Ravens’ 31-year history that they have traded a first-round pick for a veteran player.
By trading Crosby, the Raiders now hold the No. 1 and No. 14 overall picks in the 2026 Draft. They are widely expected to use the top pick on Heisman winner former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to lead their new era.
The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that clubs that fail to honour matches in the national preliminaries of the President Federation Cup will be fined N1 million.
The directive was made known by the NFF Director of Competitions, Ruth David, in a statement released on Monday.
According to the statement, the state preliminary matches of the competition will take place between March 22 and April 26, 2026. Clubs that fail to appear for a match after completing registration at the state level will be fined N500,000.
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The NFF also said the final matches of the state competitions must be played on April 25 or April 26, after which each state Football Association and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will submit two representatives for the national stage of the competition.
Meanwhile, the NFF Disciplinary Committee has announced several decisions following protests from clubs in the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Premier Football League.
In the case involving Gombe United and Jigawa Golden Stars, the committee found that Gombe United fans entered the field during the match and pressured the referee to change a goal kick decision to a penalty.
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As a result, Gombe United were fined N1 million for pitch encroachment. The centre referee, Terwase Chia, was suspended for the rest of the season for professional misconduct. Jigawa Golden Stars were also fined N500,000 for refusing to continue the match in protest. The match result was confirmed as 0–0.
In another case, the committee ruled on a protest involving Wikki Tourist and Katsina United.
The committee found that Wikki Tourist failed to provide adequate security, which allowed unauthorised persons into restricted areas. Supporters of the club were also found to have thrown dangerous objects onto the pitch.
Wikki Tourist were fined N2 million for poor security, N1 million for unsporting conduct, and another N1 million for throwing dangerous objects. The club was also ordered to play five home matches away from Bauchi as part of the punishment.
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In a separate decision involving Kwara United and Rivers United, the committee ruled that Kwara United failed to control their supporters, which led to harassment and injuries to match officials and players.
The club was fined N2 million for failing to provide proper security, N1 million for the behaviour of their supporters, and N2 million as compensation for damages and treatment of injured officials.
The committee also deducted three points and three goals from Kwara United’s total and ordered the club to play five home matches away from Ilorin.
The NFF stated that all the decisions are subject to the right of appeal.
Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush was the match winner on Saturday night as they beat Newcastle 3-1 in the FA Cup
17:00, 09 Mar 2026
Pep Guardiola could not hide his delight on Saturday night as Manchester City progressed to the FA Cup quarter finals. Despite going behind early on to Newcastle, City rallied and were deserving winners.
The Egypt international repaid Guardiola’s faith with a match-winning brace that earned him praise from the boss. “He’s a top striker and the finishing, especially our second goal and our third is his biggest quality. He has to improve in small spaces and his first control but he deserved it.”
The unfortunate thing for Marmoush is he will almost certainly lose his place to Haaland on Wednesday night for the trip to Real Madrid. The Norwegian was rested specifically with the Champions League in mind.
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However, that does not mean Marmoush’s efforts were in vain. MEN Sport has looked at the 27-year-old’s performance at St James’ Park and spotted three ways he can offer City a different threat without Haaland.
Pressing
Haaland is an exceptional athlete but there are some things City sacrifice to have a goalscorer of his quality on the pitch. One of those can be pressing from the front. Guardiola once said he loved it when Haaland ‘presses like an animal,’ and while that is in his repertoire, it is not a constant in his game.
What was impressive about Marmoush was how quickly he closed down the Newcastle defence throughout the match. In the second half, he did exceptionally to win the ball from Malick Thiaw to spark an opportunity for Jeremy Doku to cross.
Finding pockets
Considering how good he is, it is no surprise Haaland sees scoring goals as ‘easy’. In a recent interview, the striker admitted he was inspired by Leicester City icon Jamie Vardy when he was growing up.
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Vardy, much like Haaland, loves to play off the last man and use his pace to score. This is a trait Haaland adopted and nobody can argue with its effectiveness.
Interestingly, Marmoush showed for his second and City’s third, how he can offer something entirely different. Instead of looking for Matheus Nunes to play the through ball, the striker held back to allow himself a pocket of space on the edge of the box to fire past Aaron Ramsdale.
It was a smart decision as Newcastle’s defenders frantically regathered their shape. He still had a lot to do, but that difference to Haaland can give opposition teams a major headache.
Invisible man
When a centre-back sees he will be coming up against Haaland, they know instantly he will be their sole focus. As we saw at the Etihad against Newcastle last month, Dan Burn’s job was to effectively wrestle with Haaland and stop him from scoring.
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It worked but opened up space for other players and, ultimately, City won. Haaland plays a selfless role in that respect and that can be forgotten.
What was striking about Saturday night was how often defenders were not man marking Marmoush. He became the invisible man just gliding under the radar before popping up to score.
His first was a prime example. By the time the ball reached him at the back post, Newcastle’s players were not alert to the danger and Marmoush was free to fire in.
Marmoush will not be the centre-forward at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night. But, Guardiola will be delighted the striker has added another dimension to an already stacked attack.
NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) congratulated India cricket team after their victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand national cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.India registered a commanding 96-run victory in the summit clash, lifting the trophy in front of a packed home crowd.
Ahmedabad erupts as Team India arrive at hotel after T20 World Cup win
The triumph marked a historic milestone as India successfully defended the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title, becoming the first team in the tournament’s history to retain the trophy. The victory was also significant as India became the first nation to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on home soil, making the occasion even more memorable for millions of fans.Under the leadership of captain Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian team showcased fearless and dynamic cricket throughout the competition. With explosive batting, disciplined bowling and exceptional fielding, the side remained consistent across all phases of the tournament and delivered when it mattered most.The BCCI also praised head coach Gautam Gambhir and the support staff for their leadership, planning and preparation, which helped build a confident and well-balanced team capable of performing under pressure.“The Board also commends the Men’s Selection Committee for identifying and backing a group of players who combined experience with youthful energy, resulting in a formidable squad that delivered on the biggest stage. The BCCI also thanks all its affiliated State Associations for their continued contribution in helping achieve this vision,” BCCI said in a statement.Congratulating the team, BCCI president Mithun Manhas said, “Winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is a moment of immense pride for the entire nation. To defend the title and achieve this feat on home soil makes it even more special. The team played outstanding cricket throughout the tournament under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and the guidance of Head Coach Gautam Gambhir. I congratulate every member of the squad, the coaching staff and the selectors for this remarkable accomplishment.”BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, “Indian cricket is currently in its golden phase. India hosted two major ICC events — the ICC Women’s World Cup last year and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup — and to emerge champions in both is simply remarkable. This success is also a reflection of the strong foundations laid over the years through progressive planning and vision. The contributions of Mr Jay Shah during his tenure in strengthening Indian cricket’s structures and global standing have played a significant role in shaping this era of excellence. Kudos to Captain Suryakumar Yadav and his fearless group, the team management led by Gautam Gambhir and the selectors for building a balanced side capable of excelling on the world stage yet again.”BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla added, “This victory is the result of collective effort, meticulous preparation and the commitment shown by the players and support staff throughout the tournament. The team has displayed remarkable composure and confidence in high-pressure situations, a hallmark of champion sides. To win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in front of our home fans makes the moment even more special and memorable. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of ICC Chair Mr Jay Shah, whose strong leadership continues to strengthen the global growth of the game. We thank the ICC for organising such a wonderful tournament that showcased the very best of T20 cricket. This triumph will remain a historic milestone for Indian cricket and a source of immense pride for the entire nation.”
Fans of ENHYPEN have expressed frustration online after another schedule change affected the group’s video call fansign event. On March 8, the organizers of the event titled [VIDEO CALL EVENT 2] ENHYPEN ‘THE SIN: VANISH’ announced that the event would no longer take place on its previously scheduled date of March 10, 2026.
In an official notice shared online, the organizers says that the event has been postponed due to “unavoidable circumstances.” The video call event will now take place on April 2, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. KST, while the test call for participants has been scheduled for 7:00 p.m. KST on the same day.
In the notice, the organizers apologized to participants and fans who had been preparing for the event. They stated that the team would work to provide a “smoother and more stable service” and asked fans for their understanding regarding the change.
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The announcement came shortly after another disruption related to ENHYPEN’s another online fansign events earlier in March. On March 2, a separate video call event involving ENHYPEN was canceled only two hours before its scheduled start time. At the time, the organizers explained that the postponement was due to the members’ poor health.
The second cancellation drew criticism from some fans, many of whom had already adjusted their schedules to participate in the event. Several participants also raised concerns about the lack of earlier notice. One fan wrote online,
“If you’re going to do that, you should give me a refund. What are you doing taking the money?”
One fan wrote (Image via TheQoo)
Others also questioned the repeated schedule changes and expressed confusion about the newly announced date.
“Shouldn’t there be a clause that allows cancellation when changing the date of the call? It’s so arbitrary. What if I don’t receive the test call? What if someone else shows up during the call? Threats are rampant” said this fan.
“I don’t think there’s any need to badmouth the members. I’m just annoyed by companies that treat fans’ time and money as a joke” wrote this user.
“Is there a problem with Hello Live? Why does it keep doing that in the episodes they do?” asked another fan.
Some ENHYPEN fans said the situation suggested that there might be additional factors behind the postponements.
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“There must be something going on. There’s no communication ” said one netizen.
“It seems like there’s trouble with the record label, probably due to money ” read a comment,
“At this point, it seems like there really was a contract problem” wrote this user.
“It seems like there’s trouble with the record label, probably due to money” added this fan.
ENHYPEN’s THE SIN: VANISH surpasses 2 million first-week sales, continues steady run on Billboard charts
Meanwhile, ENHYPEN began 2026 with a strong commercial performance following the release of their seventh mini-album THE SIN: VANISH on January 16, 2026. The album recorded high sales both domestically and internationally soon after its release. Data from Hanteo Chart showed that THE SIN: VANISH sold 2,075,056 copies between January 16 and January 22, becoming the first album of 2026 to surpass two million copies within its first week.
On its release day alone, the album sold more than 1.6 million copies, becoming the highest first-day sales figure recorded by any album this year. THE SIN: VANISH is the group’s fourth album to exceed two million first-week sales and the third album to reach the milestone within a single week, following ROMANCE: UNTOLD and DESIRE: UNLEASH.
The album also continued to perform on international charts. According to the March 7 chart update published by Billboard on March 3, THE SIN: VANISH ranked No. 95 on the Billboard 200, the publication’s main album chart. The release remained on the chart for six consecutive weeks since debuting at No. 2 on the January 31 chart.
In addition, the album held No. 2 on the World Albums chart for three consecutive weeks and ranked No. 7 on the Top Album Sales chart. ENHYPEN as a group also appeared at No. 57 on the Artist 100 chart.
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Outside of music promotions, ENHYPEN continues to engage with fans through their self-produced variety show EN‑O’CLOCK. New episodes of the show is released every Thursday on the group’s official YouTube channel.
Tom Kitten etched his name in the record books as the first to defend the All-Star Mile title successfully with a nail-biting win at Flemington.
Last year’s Group 1 renewal went to the Godolphin horse under James Cummings’ preparation, but this Saturday’s result stemmed from a new training arrangement at season’s outset with Anthony and Sam Freedman.
Staying in touch with $2.35 favourite Pride Of Jenni throughout, the $3.90 chance Tom Kitten produced a supreme effort ridden by Craig Williams to hold off Evaporate ($12) by a short-neck, the market elect beaten a further head for third.
The gelding holds a flawless record in two autumn runs, kicking off with victory in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield February 7.
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The Freedmans shunned the Group 1 Futurity Stakes over 1400m there a couple of weeks back, instead targeting Saturday fresh off a trial at Caulfield Heath in the past month.
After a spring that unravelled with a late barrier scratch in the Memsie Stakes, Sam Freedman hailed Tom Kitten as an extraordinary galloper.
“He’s been to the top for a long time, and we’ve been blessed to get him into the stable in the last eight or nine months,” Freedman said.
“We were disappointed with the spring we had with him. We felt he was going well, but we were chasing our tail, but this prep, I don’t know what it is.
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“I rang Dad this morning and said he’s a different horse. He looks amazing, he’s holding more condition, he’s racing heavier than he was in the spring.
“Sometimes you are a victim when horses change yards. They go onto a different feed, a few changes can happen pretty quickly.
“He’s now in a nice routine at Pinecliff, gets out into a paddock during the day.
“He’s a remarkable horse and turns up every time.
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The Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 28 presents a straightforward next assignment for Tom Kitten, yet Freedman suggested the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) at Randwick April 4 as potentially ideal.
“I feel he’s best fresh at a mile,” Freedman said.
“We might see him in the Doncaster more likely than the Australian Cup.
“He might grind away late like he wants the 2000 metres, but he likes a strong tempo where he can sit back and stalk them.
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“We’ll have a chat as he’s also entered in Dubai and Hong Kong, so there’s plenty of options for him.
“The beauty of him is he’s an easy horse to work with.”
This was Williams’ maiden All-Star Mile win since its 2019 inception.
He’d been runner-up the preceding pair on Mr Brightside, losing to Tom Kitten last year and Pride Of Jenni in 2024.
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He sat out 2023 injured during Mr Brightside’s success.
“This horse beat me last year in this race on Brightside and because we haven’t got Brightside now, if you can’t beat them, join them, I thought,” Williams said.
“He’s just a big, strong individual and he knows it. He’s content and we saw it today under race pressure.”
Visit premier betting sites to find racing betting markets for All-Star Mile follow-ups.
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