World number five Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of the Australian Open first round by fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. The epic five-set match ended 7-6, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 in four hours, 41 minutes. It’s only Nadal’s second ever opening round defeat at a major tournament. Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, former world number one Ana Ivanovic beat the unseeded Tammi Patterson 6-2, 6-3.
Messi suffers muscle strain, Miami reschedule preseason finale
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi did not participate in training on Wednesday due to a muscle strain in his left hamstring, with his injury leading to the postponement of what was supposed to be the reigning MLS Cup champions' preseason finale.
Man City and Villa close gap on Arsenal, Liverpool edge Sunderland
Manchester City have halved Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League to three points with a 3-0 win overvisitors Fulham, while Aston Villa stayed in the frame with a late 1-0 victory at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.
Djokovic withdraws from Doha with fatigue
Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from next week’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha due to fatigue, the tournament organisers said on Wednesday.
Rutherford and Motie shine as West Indies sink England
Sherfane Rutherford struck an unbeaten half-century and Gudakesh Motie produced a brilliant display of spin bowling as West Indies thumped England by 30 runs in a Twenty20 World Cup Group C encounter on Wednesday.
Australia begin T20 World Cup with win over Ireland
Australia launched their Twenty20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 67-run victory over Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday, powered by four-wicket hauls from Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa.
The UAE's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has announced the official working hours for federal entities during the holy month of Ramadan.
Team Kazakhstan “C” has been crowned the overall champion of the seventh edition of the UAE SWAT Challenge 2026.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the final day of the seventh UAE SWAT Challenge at the Al Ruwayyah training ground in Dubai.
