The Japan Times

Only Messi can shirk defending: warns Monterrey coach before Dortmund clash

Monterrey coach Domenec Torrent warned his team every player must defend diligently if the Mexican club are to stand any chance of beating Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup last 16 on Tuesday.

Wimbledon qualifier Tarvet vows to get creative with expenses

Britain's Oliver Tarvet aims to be creative with his expenses after the amateur beat fellow qualifier Leandro Riedi in his first Grand Slam match at Wimbledon on Monday.

Alcaraz survives Fognini scare to launch Wimbledon title defence

Carlos Alcaraz survived a major scare from Italian veteran Fabio Fognini as the world number two started his bid for a third successive Wimbledon title with a marathon five-set victory on Monday.

'Starvation' days over as cyclists prepare to gorge on Tour de France

Not so long ago, cyclists heading into the Tour de France were skinny string beans weighing and measuring every grain of rice that entered their body but that image has not just gone, it's taken a seismic shift in the other direction.

Sabalenka boosted by hitting with Djokovic and Sinner at Wimbledon

Aryna Sabalenka said practising with Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner had sharpened her game after the world number one beat Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine 6-1, 7-5 in her Wimbledon opener on Monday.

Sabalenka cruises on Wimbledon's hottest opening day as Alcaraz launches title bid

Aryna Sabalenka kept her cool to cruise into the Wimbledon second round on the hottest opening day in the history of the championships as Carlos Alcaraz prepared to launch his bid for a third successive title.

Bosch breaks through as South Africa set Zimbabwe huge target

South African fast bowler Corbin Bosch ended stubborn resistance by Zimbabwe's opening batsmen with a wicket in the last over of the third day of the first Test at Queens Sports Club on Monday.

'No panic' says Medvedev after shock Wimbledon exit

Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev said he was "not panicking" after a shock first-round defeat at Wimbledon extended his dismal Grand Slam form this year.

Archer misses out as England unchanged for second India Test

England named an unchanged team for the second Test against India starting at Edgbaston on Wednesday, as Jofra Archer was made to wait for his return.

Top seed Sabalenka cruises into Wimbledon second round

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka cruised into the Wimbledon second round on Monday, beating Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine 6-1, 7-5.

Medvedev suffers shock early Wimbledon exit

Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev suffered a shock first-round defeat at Wimbledon on Monday, beaten by France's Benjamin Bonzi in the first round.

Britain's Tarvet says 'not here for the money' after landmark Wimbledon win

Britain's Oliver Tarvet shrugged off any bitter feelings about rules preventing him from collecting all of his Wimbledon prize money to beat fellow qualifier Leandro Riedi in the first round on Monday.

Tearful Jabeur forced to retire from Wimbledon first-round clash

Two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur broke down in tears before retiring from her first-round match against Viktoriya Tomova on Monday.

Alcaraz, Sabalenka in action on day one at sizzling Wimbledon

Carlos Alcaraz launches his bid for a third straight Wimbledon crown on Monday while Aryna Sabalenka seeks to banish a season of Grand Slam final misery as temperatures soared on the opening day of the championships.

Three talking points from Austrian Grand Prix

Lando Norris and his McLaren team flew home from Austria with a smile on their faces, but for Max Verstappen and Red Bull it was a humiliating day at their home race.

Wimbledon 'ready' for soaring temperatures

Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton said the Grand Slam was not used to baking summer temperatures but "we're absolutely ready for it" as the mercury soared in London on Monday.

French injury worries mount ahead of first All Blacks Test

Fullback Cheikh Tiberghien and wing Gabin Villiere are injury worries for France days away from their first Test with New Zealand in Dunedin.

India coach Gambhir faces growing pressure ahead of second England Test

Gautam Gambhir is under growing pressure ahead of the second Test against England after India's loss at Headingley made it seven defeats in 11 red-ball matches since he became coach last year.

Havili, Frizell among All Blacks in Australia-NZ XV to face Lions

David Havili and Shannon Frizell were among four All Blacks named Monday as part of an Australia-New Zealand XV to face the British and Irish Lions.

Kiss urges under-strength Reds to 'rip in' against Lions

Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss called on his side to dominate the breakdown and "rip in" against the British and Irish Lions after on Monday naming a team missing a host of key players.

Farrell expects Reds to be 'big step up' for Lions

Maro Itoje will captain a vastly changed British and Irish Lions for their second Australian match against Queensland Reds, with head coach Andy Farrell expecting the clash to be "a big step up".

All Blacks lose injured prop Williams for France series

New Zealand prop Tamaiti Williams was on Monday ruled out of the three-Test series against France with a knee injury that will require surgery.

The players to watch at women's Euro 2025

Spain will be favourites to win the women's Euro 2025 when the tournament kicks off in Switzerland on July 2, but the world champions will have some stiff competition.

England's nemesis Spain bid to add Euro title to world crown

Spain are aiming for their first ever women's European title as the reigning world champions head to Euro 2025 with a squad packed with stars from arguably the best club team in the world.

Vinicius rallying as Mbappe eyes Real Madrid return

One of the factors behind Real Madrid finishing the season without a major trophy was key attacker Vinicius Junior's drastic dip in form.

After outcry, rugby-inspired collision sport seeks new markets

Under bright lights and cameras in Dubai, two large men charge at each other down a narrow, plastic pitch, colliding head-on with a bone-jarring thud that sends one of them sprawling.

Alcaraz, Sabalenka in spotlight as Wimbledon gets underway

Carlos Alcaraz starts his bid for a third successive Wimbledon men's title, while volatile women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka will be in the spotlight as the grass-court Grand Slam gets underway on Monday.

Tour de France contenders and dark horses

A star-studded line-up sets off on the 2025 Tour de France from Lille on Saturday for one of the most keenly awaited editions of the 21-day race in recent times.

Pogacar seeks century as Tour de France returns to its roots

The Tour de France embarks on Saturday with superstar Tadej Pogacar's hunger for wins sharing top billing with the magnificent 3,338-kilometre route in the first edition since 2020 not to venture abroad.

Injured scrum-half Williams ruled out of Lions tour

The British and Irish Lions suffered a setback Monday with experienced scrum-half Tomos Williams ruled out of the rest of the Australia tour with a hamstring injury.

Ice-cold Freese to the rescue as US down Costa Rica in Gold Cup

Goalkeeper Matt Freese was the hero as the United States defeated Costa Rica 4-3 on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday.

Itoje back as captain as Lions ring changes for Reds clash

Maro Itoje will captain a vastly changed British and Irish Lions team for their second Australian match against the Queensland Reds, with only fly-half Finn Russell retaining his place from the starting XV that crushed Western Force 54-7.

The Japan Times - Sports (English)

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