Sports News

Russian and Belarusian flags have been banned from the Australian Open tennis tournament after a courtside incident. Spectators were initially permitted to bring the flags into Melbourne Park on the condition they did not cause disruption. But the organizers reversed that decision after fans displayed a Russian flag during a match between Ukraine's Kateryna Baindl and Russian Kamilla Rakhimova.

Bournemouth has agreed a deal for Lorient winger Dango Ouattara. Ouattara has scored six goals and provided six assists in 18 Ligue 1 appearances this season. New Bournemouth owner, Bill Foley, is attempting to buy a stake in Lorient, which has been an advantage in reaching agreement for the winger.  

Emma Raducanu has moved into the second round of the Australian Open with a straight-set win. On the opening day in Melbourne, Raducanu won 6-3 6-2 against Germany's Tamara Korpatsch. She rolled her ankle in Auckland 11 days ago and a beaming smile after sealing victory.

Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the Australian Open with a knee injury. This comes a day before he was scheduled to play his opening match. The Wimbledon runner-up, said he was devastated he could not play in Melbourne. According to his physiotherapist, Will Maher, Kyrgios did not pull up great from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic on Friday.

Manchester United has agreed a deal to sign Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst on loan for the rest of the season. The Burnley forward spent the first half of the season at Besiktas but is now heading to Manchester for a medical before the move can be completed. A deal has been reached for his loan at the Turkish club to be terminated. Weghorst scored eight goals and registered four assists […]

Lionel Messi scored in his first game for Paris St-Germain since winning the World Cup. Messi, had an extended break after netting seven times during the World Cup, which Argentina won by beating France on penalties in the final. PSG are six points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after second-placed Lens could only draw 2-2 at Strasbourg.

Chelsea has signed Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix on loan for the rest of the season. The Portugal international has also signed a one-year extension to his Atletico contract through to the summer of 2027. Felix has gone on to score 34 goals in 131 appearances in all competitions, with 18 assists.

Cristiano Ronaldo's new club Al Nassr says his contract does not include any commitment to back a Saudi Arabia bid to host the 2030 World Cup. According to the club, his deal does not entail commitments to any World Cup bids. Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup with Greece and Egypt.

Three Britons won in the first round of qualifying for next week's Australian Open. Katie Boulter edged out American Caroline Dolehide 6-3 3-6 7-6 (10-5). Lily Miyazaki beat American Hailey Baptiste 6-4 7-5, with Jodie Burrage easing past Elysia Bolton of Australia 6-2 6-4. But Liam Broady lost in Melbourne, he was defeated 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (10-7) by Ecuador's Emilio Gomez after a near three-hour battle.