The Japan Times - Sports (English)

Mickelson says world golf rankings need LIV events to be credible

Six-time major winner Phil Mickelson on Thursday backed moves to award world ranking points for events on the breakaway LIV Golf circuit, saying it would help maintain the "credibility" of the global leaderboard.

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Rising tennis star Tiafoe reaches Japan Open quarter-finals

Frances Tiafoe came through a second set battle on Thursday to reach the Japan Open quarter-finals, then said he wasn't bothered by rising expectations because "I wanna win for me".

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Verstappen looks for 'perfect weekend' in Japan to retain title

Max Verstappen said Thursday that he needs "a perfect weekend" to clinch his second straight Formula One championship at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

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Ex-Australia captain Paine out cheaply on return from sexting scandal

Former Australia captain Tim Paine was out cheaply Thursday in his first match since a sexting scandal ended his international career, with his return failing to inspire his state side Tasmania.

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For Saudi fan, road to World Cup is a desert trek

The idea hit Abdullah Alsulmi earlier this year, while he was watching a television show in which a senior Qatari official promised an "exceptional" experience at the upcoming World Cup.

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Grandmaster Hans Niemann defends reputation after cheating claims

American international grandmaster Hans Niemann said Wednesday he "won't back down," after the chess platform chess.com reported he has "probably cheated more than 100 times" in online games.

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Woodman to Scarratt: Five to watch at the women's Rugby World Cup

The women's Rugby World Cup begins Saturday in New Zealand with the hosts and England, who are on a record 25-match winning streak, among the favourites.

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China's Zhao out of Hong Kong Masters snooker with Covid

Hong Kong's bid to reboot its pandemic-hit international sports scene ran into a hiccup on Thursday as snooker player Zhao Xintong withdrew from a high-profile tournament after testing positive for Covid.

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England hot favourites at record-breaking women's Rugby World Cup

Confident England are red-hot favourites but holders and hosts New Zealand will have a point to prove when the women's Rugby World Cup starts on Saturday in record-breaking fashion.

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Choice of Saudi for Winter Games reflects worsening environment for major events

The decision to award the 2029 Asian Winter Games to Saudi Arabia may have been greeted with amazement but it follows a double logic.

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Kang eyes happy homecoming at LPGA Mediheal Championship

Danielle Kang hopes her successful comeback from a spinal tumor can inspire others as she chases a seventh LPGA Tour victory in familiar surroundings on Thursday.

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Real Madrid take control in Europe with smooth Shakhtar win

Real Madrid established a stranglehold at the top of their Champions League group with a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, which should have been far more emphatic.

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Haaland scores double as City cruise, Chelsea boost knockout hopes

Erling Haaland continued his remarkable goalscoring form by netting twice as Manchester City thrashed FC Copenhagen 5-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Chelsea saw off AC Milan to revive their hopes of reaching the last 16.

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'Not human' Haaland at the double as Man City thrash Copenhagen

Erling Haaland only needed 45 minutes to add two more goals to a remarkable start to his Manchester City career as the English giants thrashed FC Copenhagen 5-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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PSG held at Benfica despite Messi stunner

Paris Saint-Germain were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday despite Lionel Messi's brilliant curling strike.

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Chelsea swat aside AC Milan to revive Champions League bid

Chelsea climbed back into contention for a place in the Champions League last 16 with an impressive 3-0 victory against AC Milan on Wednesday.

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Di Maria-inspired Juve beat Maccabi to kick-start Euro campaign

Juventus got off the mark in the Champions League with Wednesday's 3-1 win over Maccabi Haifa powered by an inspired performance from Angel Di Maria.

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Real Madrid take control with smooth Shakhtar win

Real Madrid established a stranglehold at the top of their Champions League group with a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, which should have been far more emphatic.

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Haaland at the double as Man City thrash Copenhagen

Erling Haaland only needed 45 minutes to add two more goals to a remarkable start to his Manchester City career as the English giants thrashed FC Copenhagen 5-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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Worcester rugby future at risk after players' contracts terminated

Worcester's Premiership future is hanging by a thread after the club was partially liquidated on what director of rugby Steve Diamond labelled the "darkest day for English rugby".

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LIV players to get ranking points, MENA Tour says

Events on the LIV Golf breakaway circuit are set to be awarded world ranking points after a strategic alliance announced on Wednesday by the MENA Tour.

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Hart howler helps Leipzig to Champions League win over Celtic

A blunder from Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart helped RB Leipzig to a 3-1 home win on Tuesday, their first Champions League victory of the season.

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European football 'united' as Ukraine joins Spain, Portugal 2030 World Cup bid

Ukrainian football association (UAF) president Andriy Pavelko said European football was "united" after his country was added to Portugal and Spain's bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

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Ex-Spain star Xabi Alonso replaces Seoane as Bayer Leverkusen coach

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has been named as Bayer Leverkusen's new coach, replacing Gerardo Seoane after he was dismissed by the Bundesliga club on Wednesday.

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Swiatek wins first match since US Open as Tomljanovic retires

Iga Swiatek won her first match since clinching the US Open title on Wednesday as Ajla Tomljanovic retired injured from their second-round tie in Ostrava.

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European football 'united' as Ukraine added to Spain, Portugal 2030 World Cup bid

Ukrainian football association (UAF) president Andriy Pavelko said European football was "united" after his country was added to Portugal and Spain's bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

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Nunez hoping one goal will change his luck at Liverpool

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is hoping one goal is all he needs to kickstart his Anfield career after a difficult first few months on Merseyside.

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Djokovic demolishes Garin in Astana first round

Novak Djokovic brushed aside Chile's Cristian Garin 6-1, 6-1 in 64 minutes on Wednesday as he breezed into the second round of the Astana Open.

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Rugby stars at troubled Worcester lose jobs after court ruling

Players and staff at troubled Worcester will have their contracts terminated after part of the Premiership Rugby club was wound up in the High Court on Wednesday.

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Showtime as Hawks face Bucks in NBA's Gulf debut

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young on Wednesday promised to dazzle Gulf fans as the NBA debuts in the oil-rich region with two pre-season games in Abu Dhabi this week.

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Boxing chiefs 'prohibit' Benn v Eubank Jr fight after failed dope test

British boxing chiefs said on Wednesday they had "prohibited" a fight between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr after Benn failed a drugs test ahead of the scheduled weekend bout in London.

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Fritz recovers from Covid to oust Duckworth in Tokyo

American Taylor Fritz said he surprised even himself after climbing out of his sickbed, flying to Tokyo and beating Australian James Duckworth at the Japan Open on Wednesday.

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