James O'Brien 
British hopes at the US Open were extinguished when Harriet Dart fell 6-2 6-2 to 25th seed Marie Bouzkova and Francesca Jones lost 6-4 6-4 to 14th seed Iva Jovic in the second round. The defeats left no Britons remaining in either the men’s or women’s singles draws, despite a record nine British entries.
England loose‑head prop Beno Obano has agreed to join French Top 14 side Pau after the current season, meaning he will step away from the England Test set‑up for the duration of his contract. The move follows a recent injury‑hit period and comes as England coach Steve Borthwick focuses on domestically‑based players for upcoming tournaments.
Teenage English snooker prodigy Stan Moody defeated four-time world champion John Higgins 4-2 in the last‑16 round of the British Open, securing a place in the quarter‑finals. The win came after Moody built a 3‑2 lead with a 46 break and sealed the match with a 69 clearance. He will next face fellow Englishman Liam Highfield in Cheltenham.
Bradford Bulls broke a run of five consecutive home defeats by beating Castleford Tigers 32‑22 at Odsal Stadium. The win was driven by a dominant forward pack and a prolific performance from scrum‑half Chris Atkin, who set up multiple tries. The victory lifts Bradford into a points tie with several teams as they chase survival in their first Super League season back.
Arsenal Women confirmed the deadline‑day signing of French defender Elisa de Almeida from Paris Saint‑Germain for an estimated £550,000 on a three‑year deal. The 28‑year‑old, a versatile centre‑back with 52 caps for France, joins a side dealing with defensive injuries and aiming for their first WSL title since 2019. Manager Renee Slegers praised her experience and composure.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticised the 43% rise in ticket prices for the 2027 Ashes Test at Edgbaston, saying it could price many fans out of the series. The ECB defended the pricing as in line with other major UK sporting events, but the backlash highlights concerns over accessibility.
Matt Fisher starred for Surrey with a career‑best 6‑25, helping dismiss Yorkshire for just 82 in their second innings. The day saw a total of 23 wickets fall, a rare occurrence at the Oval, and left Surrey needing 158 more runs to win as they chased 185. Both sides sit near the bottom of the Division One table, fighting to avoid relegation.
Issy Wong delivered an outstanding bowling performance, claiming five wickets in the second ODI between England Women and Ireland at Derby. It marked her first five‑wicket haul in ODI cricket for England, highlighting her rising impact in the women’s game.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke confirmed that centre‑back Joe Rodon has suffered a serious hamstring injury and will be sidelined for eight to ten weeks. The 28‑year‑old was forced off after 34 minutes in the 1‑1 draw with Brentford, prompting concerns over Leeds’ defensive options ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean told Jamie Vardy’s podcast that he would give himself “mini‑challenges” during games, such as not blowing the whistle for long periods or remaining in the centre circle. His comments have sparked criticism from other officials, who say the claims undermine the professionalism of refereeing.