Marco Bianchi 
Iga Swiatek, the Polish world No.1, suffered a shocking defeat at the US Open after holding a 5-0 lead in the first set of her round‑of‑16 match against China’s Qinwen Zheng. The loss prompted former champion John McEnroe to comment on the unexpected collapse and discuss the role of Swiatek’s coach, Francisco Roig. Zheng advanced to the quarter‑finals while Swiatek’s campaign ended earlier than expected.
Ukrainian world No.10 Marta Kostyuk reached the last eight of the Guadalajara Open after a first‑round bye and a walkover when Taylor Townsend pulled out sick. She is set to face eighth‑seed Liudmila Samsonova in the quarter‑finals.
World Cup‑winning coach Luis de la Fuente has agreed a new deal that will keep him in charge of the Spain national team until 2032, extending his tenure beyond the original 2028 expiry. The extension ensures continuity as Spain prepares to defend the 2030 World Cup on home soil and begins its 2026‑27 Nations League campaign.
Juan Carlos Ferrero, who last coached Carlos Alcaraz until the end of the 2025 season, announced in a Movistar interview that he intends to return to coaching. He did not name a specific player but three names were highlighted as potential candidates: rising Spaniard Rafael Jodar, Canadian Felix Auger‑Aliassime and world‑number‑one Jannik Sinner.
Four‑time world champion Max Verstappen dominated an exhibition go‑kart event at Silverstone, overtaking all 100 amateur participants in just 14 laps. The field, made up of media personalities and a YouTuber, was quickly reduced as Verstappen surged from 37th to first, finishing with 21 laps to spare.
Cliftonville have confirmed that Jim Magilton will stay on as manager despite Glentoran’s approach to replace their departing boss Declan Devine. The 57‑year‑old will lead the Reds when they host Glentoran in the Irish Premiership later this week.
Hibernian have dismissed head coach David Gray after a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock, leaving the club ninth in the Scottish Premiership. The decision also saw assistants Liam Craig and Craig Samson depart, with John Potter taking charge for the upcoming game against Aberdeen.
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic announced via Instagram that he will return to the China Open in Beijing after a 11‑year absence, having last won the event in 2015. He expressed excitement about playing at the National Tennis Centre and thanked Chinese fans for their support. The announcement comes as he looks to rebound from an early exit at the US Open.
In the US Open third round, Iva Jovic defeated Alex Eala 7‑5, 3‑6, 7‑5, extending her 3‑0 head‑to‑head record. Former WTA player Andrea Petkovic later predicted on a podcast that Eala, being two years older, will win a Grand Slam title before Jovic.
Philippe Coutinho, the former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder, signed for Santos FC for the remainder of the season, linking up with his Brazil teammate Neymar. The move marks the first time the two friends will play together at club level after Neymar returned to Santos earlier last year.