Sports News

Elena Rybakina, who defeated two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open title, was born in Russia's Moscow on June 17, 1999. However, Elena changed her sporting nationality from Russia to Kazakhstan in 2018. The 27-year-old has won three Grand Slam titles, including two in 2026. She reached the French Open quarterfinals in 2021 and 2024.

India opener Smriti Mandhana revealed she wrote blank cheque at 13 as part of her manifestation routine while dreaming of buying a house for her parents. "That was my only aim...I saw my mother work really hard to get us to where we are," she said, recalling her family lived on rent. She added she bought a house at 18.

Aryna Sabalenka smashed her racquet and told a cameraman "F**k off" after losing the US Open 2026 final to Elena Rybakina 4-6, 7-5, 2-6. The two-time defending champion was chasing her third straight US Open title. Sabalenka later said it was "really tough" to control her emotions and that she wanted to let out all her aggression and disappointment.

Former India player Dinesh Karthik criticised Pakistan after their 3-0 Test series loss to England, saying, “They're doing a disservice to Test cricket.” "This Pakistan team is very ordinary. In...first two matches, they didn't even play 90 overs across two innings in...Test match," Karthik added. "I don't think they can compete against...lot of Test-playing nations at this point," he stated.

Pakistan remain at the bottom of World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings after suffering a 0-3 whitewash in England, with their points percentage dropping to 14.81. England climbed to 38.54%, but remain sixth. Australia lead with 80%, followed by South Africa at 75% and New Zealand at 72.22%. Bangladesh are fourth, India fifth, Sri Lanka seventh and West Indies eighth.

Ex-India batter Cheteshwar Pujara revealed that Australian players used to sledge him during the 2018 and 2020-21 Test series. "[They used to say], 'You won't get a chance in...IPL if you bat like this'," Pujara added. "I wanted to go back to that Aussie player...and tell him that you'll get that reward even by performing well in Tests," he stated.

Mohammed Shami's continued absence from India's squad has once again sparked debate, with questions being raised over whether his age is influencing the selectors' decisions. However, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has dismissed the theory, pointing instead to the need for a fully fit Shami and India's evolving bowling combination.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has hinted at a major review of the teams Test setup after England completed a 3-0 series whitewash with an eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston. Babar said Pakistan's management and selectors would sit down to assess the teams mistakes, discuss player combinations and decide on the best possible playing XI for upcoming assignments.

Ben Shelton's run to the 2026 US Open final has brought attention to the tournament's rich history of Black American excellence. From Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson to Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, and Coco Gauff, six Black American tennis stars have won US Open singles titles, breaking barriers and leaving an enduring impact on American tennis.