Daily News 19

Author: Jordan Hayes

  • Winston-Salem Open: Arthur Fery Reaches First ATP Tour Final After James Duckworth Retires

    Winston-Salem Open: Arthur Fery Reaches First ATP Tour Final After James Duckworth Retires

    Arthur Fery reached his first ATP Tour final after James Duckworth retired with an injury during their Winston-Salem Open semi-final.

    The 24-year-old Briton was leading 6-4 2-1 when Australian opponent Duckworth, who had taken a medical timeout after the opening set, was forced to forfeit the match.

    Fery is the first British player to reach the final of the ATP 250 tournament. His breakthrough run in North Carolina continues an impressive rise that began with his surprise appearance in the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.

    He has since climbed to a career-high world ranking of 33, overtaking Cameron Norrie to become British number one.

    “I am really happy to be in the final,” said Fery.

    “Not the way I wanted it to end at all. I hope James will get well soon and rest up for next week. But I am very happy to be through.”

    Fery will face Ignacio Buse in Saturday’s final in North Carolina after the 22-year-old Peruvian defeated France’s Benjamin Bonzi 6-2 4-6 6-1.

    Buse, ranked 36th in the world, is seeking his second title of the season after defeating Tommy Paul at the ATP 500 tournament in Hamburg in May.

    Fery’s rapid rise continues before US Open

    Just eight weeks ago, before his remarkable run to the Wimbledon semi-finals, Fery was ranked outside the world’s top 100.

    His first ATP final appearance against Buse comes ahead of next month’s US Open, where he narrowly missed out on a seeding.

    Fery has been drawn to play Italian 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti in the opening round at Flushing Meadows in New York.

  • ‘I want to lead’: Wirtz Sets Clear Liverpool Target

    ‘I want to lead’: Wirtz Sets Clear Liverpool Target

    Florian Wirtz has acknowledged that he was highly critical of his performances during his first season at Liverpool, but the Germany international now feels ready to assume greater responsibility under new head coach Andoni Iraola.

    The £116 million playmaker believes he has developed physically and mentally since moving to England. Wirtz is also determined to help Liverpool return to the level where they regularly challenge for major trophies.

    Wirtz ready for bigger Liverpool role

    After reflecting on his difficult first campaign, Wirtz sees his progress as a foundation for a more influential role at Anfield. His development under Iraola will be closely watched as Liverpool seek to re-establish themselves among the leading contenders for major silverware.

    Source: tribuna.com

  • Zak Brown Explains Why He Chose the Washington, D.C., IndyCar Race Over the Dutch GP

    Zak Brown Explains Why He Chose the Washington, D.C., IndyCar Race Over the Dutch GP

    McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown chose to attend IndyCar’s first Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., rather than the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, despite McLaren ultimately securing pole position and victory with Lando Norris.

    Speaking to Will Buxton in an interview with SPEED, Brown explained that his decision was based on where he could have the greatest commercial impact across McLaren’s racing operations.

    “I’d like to be at both, but I’ve not been able to figure that out,” said Brown. “So, I use my double-triple top-secret laptop to dial into Holland. My role is to go where I can have the most impact on our racing teams, where’s the most commercial activity, the biggest growth for the different racing series we’re in and the teams.

    “And this race is epic. I’ve not seen anything like it, so I needed to be here, and fortunately, when you have a great group of people, reality is — don’t tell anyone — but our three racing teams can survive just fine when I don’t make a race weekend.

    “Witnessed the pole Lando has in Holland (interview took place before race day), so it’s a little bit more difficult for me to take credit for that. I’ve told my three guys (in IndyCar), someone needs to have a pole here so I can take credit for it here.”

    The commercial impact of IndyCar’s Washington race

    The IndyCar event attracted several prominent business leaders, as well as the president of the United States. FOX later reported that the Freedom 250 Grand Prix was IndyCar’s most-watched non-Indy 500 race since 1995, averaging more than 3.2 million viewers.

    “At the end of the day, that’s why I’m here,” said Brown. “We’ve got great partners in Holland, but this is new, so we have a lot of first-time partners here, a lot of prospects here, the attention that this has brought to IndyCar, the NTT IndyCar Series is awesome, and so, I had to be here. It’s kind of a no-brainer.”

    While Norris went on to win the Dutch Grand Prix from pole position, Arrow McLaren narrowly missed out on victory in Washington. Christian Lundgaard finished second behind race winner Kyle Kirkwood, while McLaren teammates Nolan Siegel and Pato O’Ward placed sixth and 16th, respectively.

    Brown later praised the Washington event and described it as a tremendous success.

    Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren

    Photo by: Penske Entertainment

  • “Let’s be brave about being in Premier League” – Coventry’s Lampard

    “Let’s be brave about being in Premier League” – Coventry’s Lampard

    Frank Lampard and Tom Grennan have discussed why Coventry will play brave football in the Premier League this season.

    Source: www.bbc.co.uk

  • Frank Lampard: Coventry Boss on His Managerial Inspirations and Proving Doubters Wrong

    Frank Lampard: Coventry Boss on His Managerial Inspirations and Proving Doubters Wrong

    The Football Interview will air on BBC One at 12:45 every Saturday during the Premier League season. The programme will also be available on BBC iPlayer, BBC Football YouTube, and the BBC Sport website and app.

    The second episode of the new season, available on Saturday, 29 August, features musician Tom Grennan in conversation with Coventry City manager Frank Lampard.

    Frank Lampard on Mourinho and Ancelotti

    During his playing career, Lampard worked with several of football’s most respected managers, including Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Guus Hiddink and Rafael Benitez, as well as his uncle Harry Redknapp.

    Eight years into his managerial career, the Coventry City boss identified Mourinho and Ancelotti as the biggest influences on his management style.

    “Jose and Carlo are like both sides of the coin,” the 48-year-old told BBC Sport.

    “Jose was very on you, he transmitted his self-confidence, but if you stepped out of line or did something wrong, you’d feel the strength of him, whereas Carlo was chilled and calm. When you look back, you go, ‘that’s a nice environment to work in’. It felt like he trusted you. So I try and take little snippets. I’m probably somewhere in the middle.”

    Lampard played under Mourinho and Ancelotti at Chelsea, winning the Premier League and FA Cup with both managers.

    As he targets further success with Coventry, Lampard said finding the right balance between their contrasting approaches is essential.

    “I start to sometimes go towards being Jose, sometimes I go and be a bit more Carlo,” he added.

    “I’ve learnt that young managers, you come in and feel like you have to to criticise a bad performance or say something about an individual that turns up late. The more I’ve done this job, I realise that they’re all humans.”

    “Sometimes a lad comes in late, you don’t know the back story. And so trying to jump on him and being this hard man manager, you’ve got to be more Carlo. But then if you’re a bit more relaxed sometimes and people are on the pitch, not doing their job, sometimes you’ve got a bit more Jose.”

  • Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Who Benefited Most From the 2026/27 Champions League Draw?

    Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Who Benefited Most From the 2026/27 Champions League Draw?

    The 2026 World Cup is now in the past, and attention has shifted back to club football as the Champions League begins to take shape. The draw in Monaco on Thursday confirmed the eight league-phase opponents for Real Madrid and Barcelona in the 2026/27 competition.

    Although it is too early to identify the favorites, the two Spanish giants appear to have received contrasting schedules. Real Madrid will host Inter and travel to Arsenal, while Barcelona face major tests against Manchester City, PSG and Galatasaray.

    Real Madrid’s Champions League opponents

    Real Madrid, led by José Mourinho, will play four home matches and four away games during the league phase.

    The Spanish side will welcome Inter, PSV, RB Leipzig and LASK. The meeting with Inter appears to be the most difficult of their home fixtures, although playing at the Santiago Bernabéu could give Real Madrid an early advantage as they look to collect valuable points.

    On the road, Real Madrid will face Arsenal, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk and AEK Athens. Their trip to England to meet Arsenal is likely to be one of the most closely watched matches on their schedule.

    Barcelona face a demanding schedule

    Barcelona’s league-phase campaign includes several opponents capable of making the opening stage particularly challenging.

    At home, they will play Manchester City, Aston Villa, Feyenoord and Como. The visit from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City stands out as the headline fixture among their home matches.

    Hansi Flick’s team will travel to face PSG, Sporting CP, Galatasaray and Sabah. Their trip to Paris to meet the reigning European champions is clearly the toughest assignment in that group of away fixtures.

    The match will carry additional intrigue because the two teams will meet again after their encounter last season.

    Based on the names drawn, Real Madrid appear to have a slightly easier route through the 2026/27 Champions League league phase than Barcelona.

    Still, the draw is only the beginning. The true difficulty of each schedule will become clear once the matches begin and every opponent becomes a genuine test capable of influencing the course of the season.

    Source: www.marca.com

  • Dave Roberts Risks Spoiling Tarik Skubal’s Emotional Return to Detroit and Pushing Away Dodgers Pitcher

    Dave Roberts Risks Spoiling Tarik Skubal’s Emotional Return to Detroit and Pushing Away Dodgers Pitcher

    Tarik Skubal’s first start in Detroit as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers was always going to be an emotional occasion for the reigning Cy Young winner.

    The left-hander delivered an impressive performance against his former team, holding the Detroit Tigers to four hits and one run over six innings while striking out seven batters. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts removed Skubal after only 83 pitches, preventing him from pitching deeper into the game.

    Dave Roberts takes cautious approach with Tarik Skubal

    Television cameras later captured Roberts and Skubal discussing the decision in the dugout. Skubal was visibly disappointed, although the exchange did not appear heated. He had hoped to remain in the game as long as possible during his emotional return to Detroit.

    After the game, Skubal discussed the situation briefly and explained that Roberts told him the Dodgers would need him over the long haul. Los Angeles is focused on winning another World Series, and keeping Skubal healthy will be crucial to those ambitions.

    Roberts’ decision ultimately worked. The Dodgers’ bullpen shut out the Tigers over the final three innings, while Freddie Freeman delivered the game-winning hit in the eighth inning.

    Source: www.marca.com

  • Key Chiefs Player Becomes Serious Doubt as Season Nears, Putting Patrick Mahomes Under Pressure

    Key Chiefs Player Becomes Serious Doubt as Season Nears, Putting Patrick Mahomes Under Pressure

    For the Kansas City Chiefs to bounce back in 2026, nearly everything will need to fall into place. Patrick Mahomes and Rashee Rice must remain fully healthy, Travis Kelce will need to rediscover his best form, and the team’s defensive additions must quickly develop chemistry.

    Despite the questions surrounding the roster, head coach Andy Reid could have expected the offensive line to be one of the Chiefs’ strongest units. Kansas City has considerable talent on the interior and at both tackle positions. However, talent alone does not guarantee consistency.

    Josh Simmons injury raises questions for Chiefs

    The Chiefs are experiencing that reality with left tackle Josh Simmons. Kansas City’s first-round pick last year endured a turbulent rookie season. He rushed back from knee surgery to start in Week 1, stepped away from the team during the season because of a family situation, and struggled to produce consistently when he was on the field.

    Given Simmons’ significant talent, he is widely expected to remain Kansas City’s starting left tackle this season and for years to come. That plan depends on him being available, however. Simmons is currently sidelined with a back injury.

    Reports from local beat writers indicate that the Chiefs are not overly concerned about the injury itself, but the team may have questions about how Simmons is managing the situation. According to Chase Snyder, Simmons decided to undergo additional testing. Although the Chiefs believe the injury is minor, Simmons is taking a cautious approach and pursuing every measure to ensure he is fully healthy.

    Some fans also felt that Reid appeared slightly perturbed when asked about Simmons’ injury during a recent press conference.

    The concern has grown because of Simmons’ prolonged absence last season, which was described as “mysterious” at the time. Still, the young tackle is likely fine and should return sooner rather than later.

    Even so, Simmons’ absence from practice is not ideal for the Chiefs. He needs as many repetitions as possible to improve and develop, particularly during a season when Mahomes may need more protection than usual.

  • North Carolina Tar Heels vs. TCU: How to Watch Bill Belichick’s Team’s First College Football Game and Kickoff Time

    North Carolina Tar Heels vs. TCU: How to Watch Bill Belichick’s Team’s First College Football Game and Kickoff Time

    TCU vs. North Carolina: 2026 NCAA Football Week 1 Odds, Kickoff Time and How to Watch

    The college football season opens with a high-profile 2026-27 NCAA Division FBS matchup as the TCU Horned Frogs host the North Carolina Tar Heels in Week 1. Sportsbooks have installed TCU as a clear favorite, while North Carolina enters as the underdog seeking an early upset.

    The season opener will help shape the narrative for both teams, with discipline, offensive execution and overall form still to be established on the field. TCU has the benefit of playing at home, while Bill Belichick’s North Carolina team faces an immediate road test.

    Uncertainty is typically at its highest in an opener. Offensive chemistry, depth along the line and game tempo have yet to be tested, adding extra interest to the betting markets.

    North Carolina vs. TCU kickoff time

    North Carolina vs. TCU is scheduled for Friday, August 27, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The game is part of Round 1 of the NCAA Division FBS regular season and will be played with the TCU Horned Frogs listed as the home team.

    Kickoff times across the United States are:

    • Central Time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Pacific Time: 9:00 a.m.

    Where to watch North Carolina vs. TCU live in the United States

    Viewers who want to watch the Tar Heels’ first game, scheduled to be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, can watch the matchup on ESPN or stream it through FUBO.

    How North Carolina and TCU enter the season opener

    Because this is the first game of the season, neither team has a win-loss record. The betting market, however, gives TCU an implied 72.4% probability of winning, compared with 27.6% for North Carolina.

    That is a sizable gap for a season opener and reflects the market’s confidence in the home favorite. In American football moneyline betting, there is no tie outcome: bettors choose between two possible winners.

    North Carolina vs. TCU betting odds

    The outright winner market strongly favors TCU:

    • TCU Horned Frogs: 1.37 (implied probability 72.4%)
    • North Carolina Tar Heels: 3.55 (implied probability 27.6%)

    At 1.37, a TCU moneyline bet offers limited value because the potential return is small relative to the stake. That consideration is especially relevant in Week 1, when a favorite can start slowly and the upset risk may not be fully reflected in the price.

    North Carolina at 3.55 represents a more speculative value bet. Bettors who believe the Tar Heels can win on the road would receive a significantly higher return. The straightforward market view is that TCU should win; the key question is whether the Horned Frogs can win by the margin suggested by the spread.

    Total points: Over/Under

    The total-points market features two closely priced lines:

    • Over/Under 47.5: Over 1.92, Under 1.92
    • Over/Under 48: Over 1.94, Under 1.89

    Point spread

    The available handicap lines are:

    • TCU -7.5 at 1.92
    • TCU -8 at 1.91
    • TCU -8.5 at 1.91
    • TCU -10.5 at 2.09
    • North Carolina +7.5 at 1.96
    • North Carolina +8 at 1.92
    • North Carolina +8.5 at 1.85
    • North Carolina +10.5 at 1.71

    The spread is centered around eight points in TCU’s favor, a margin slightly larger than a touchdown and a two-point conversion. It gives the Horned Frogs a meaningful advantage without making the matchup appear completely one-sided.

    The central betting question is whether North Carolina can cover the spread. Taking North Carolina at +8.5 or +10.5 offers protection against a narrow defeat, a plausible outcome if TCU wins without pulling away. Covering a double-digit spread in Week 1 remains a demanding task for any team, even at home.

    Source: www.marca.com

  • Anthony Richardson Trade Rumor: Top 3 Landing Spots for Former No. 4 Overall Pick by Colts

    Anthony Richardson Trade Rumor: Top 3 Landing Spots for Former No. 4 Overall Pick by Colts

    When the Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Richardson fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, the quarterback was widely viewed as a high-risk, high-reward prospect. Two years into his NFL career, however, the risk appeared to be outweighing the potential. His 2025 season ultimately became a major setback.

    Veteran Daniel Jones decisively won the Colts’ quarterback competition and helped turn Indianapolis into one of the NFL’s most productive offenses. Jones suffered a torn Achilles in early December, but Richardson was already on injured reserve after fracturing his orbital bone during a pregame warmup on October 13.

    As the Colts prepare for the 2026 season, Jones has recovered well and remains the clear starter. Richardson is not guaranteed the backup role, either, with Riley Leonard also competing for the second-string position.

    That competition may not reach a conclusion in Indianapolis. A report from Benjamin Allbright suggests Richardson could be traded “in the next few weeks,” with teams contacting the Colts to express interest in acquiring the former first-round pick.

    Several teams could offer Richardson a potential landing spot, both as an immediate backup and as a possible future starter.

    New York Jets

    The New York Jets have been searching for a long-term quarterback solution for years. They are entering the 2026 season with the much-maligned Geno Smith as their starter and fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik as the backup.

    Because Smith is playing under a one-year contract, Richardson could position himself to compete for the starting job in New York as soon as 2027.

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    Baker Mayfield remains firmly established as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting quarterback, but the team has not given him the long-term contract he sought during the offseason.

    With Jake Browning currently behind Mayfield, Richardson could have a realistic opportunity to win the backup role this season. If his development progresses as hoped, he could potentially succeed Mayfield in 2027.

    Atlanta Falcons

    The Atlanta Falcons also face uncertainty at quarterback. Michael Penix Jr. has yet to show much during his NFL career, while Tua Tagovailoa has struggled during the preseason and could be traded soon.

    That situation could give Richardson a clear opportunity to compete for playing time and rebuild his career in Atlanta.

    Source: www.marca.com