Marco Bianchi 
Russian player Karen Khachanov was defeated by Germany’s Alexander Zverev in three tight sets in the US Open semi‑final. After the match Khachanov criticised Zverev’s lengthy ball‑bouncing routine, saying it disrupted his rhythm, while Zverev admitted he had no clear reason for the habit.
The opening day of the 2026 Solheim Cup showcased spectacular shots from Europe’s Lottie Woad and the United States’ Nelly Korda. The highlights underline the competitive spirit as the teams vie for the prestigious trophy.
West Ham United midfielder Edson Alvarez has publicly denied allegations that he was involved in a kidnapping scheme targeting a film producer in Mexico. The accusations were made by journalist Juan Jose Lopez Ordonez, who claims Alvarez was aware of the plot, but Alvarez issued a statement rejecting any involvement and threatened legal action.
Welsh snooker prospect Liam Davies produced a stunning 4-1 victory over world champion Wu Yize in the third round of the English Open in Brentwood, marking his first appearance in a ranking event quarter‑final. The win was highlighted by a 105 break and came as other top players, including Mark Selby and Judd Trump, battled through tight matches in the same tournament.
Archie Brown scored a fine equaliser for Fenerbahce as they held Roma to a 1-1 draw in their Champions League group match, marking the Turkish side’s return to the competition. The result secures a point for both teams in the group stage.
Rory McIlroy posted a one‑under‑par 69 in windy, rainy conditions at Trump International Golf Links, leaving him four strokes behind Chilean Joaquin Niemann, who leads after round one of the Irish Open. The result keeps McIlroy in contention to defend his 2025 title and chase a third Irish Open victory.
Isao Harimoto, a Hiroshima‑born survivor of the 1945 atomic bomb, passed away at 86. He is celebrated as the NPB’s all‑time hits leader and the only player with both 500 home runs and 300 steals, and was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Coco Gauff and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina are set to clash in the US Open semi‑final, a match that will decide who reaches the tournament final. The two have met twice before, with Gauff winning in 2022 and Rybakina taking the 2026 Canadian Open semi‑final. Both players have strong Grand Slam semi‑final records, making this a highly anticipated showdown.
Ulster Rugby has brought in former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt as a coach development adviser, a move welcomed by forwards coach Clarke Dermody who highlighted Schmidt’s meticulous approach. Dermody also discussed the team’s pre‑season progress and upcoming fixtures as they prepare for the United Rugby Championship season.
Stephen Warnock praised an “exceptional” performance from Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who netted the decisive winner in Liverpool’s 2-1 Champions League triumph over Atletico Madrid at Anfield. The victory secured Liverpool’s progression in the competition.