PERTH: Stefanos Tsitsipas said on Thursday he seriously considered retiring from tennis in the depths of a struggle with serious back pain during much of the 2025 season. But the former world number three, now ranked 36th after playing just two Davis Cup matches since a second-round exit at the US Open, said his ongoing medical treatment appeared to be …

RABAT: Sudan must face 2022 champions Senegal in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after losing 2-0 to Burkina Faso in their final group game on Wednesday, while Algeria beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 at the same time. Lassina Traore’s early strike put Burkina Faso ahead at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, before Algozoli Nooh missed a …

LONDON: Aston Villa face a tough challenge at Chelsea on Saturday after muscling their way into the Premier League title race alongside Arsenal and Manchester City. The Gunners, top of the tree at Christmas, host Brighton, while Pep Guardiola’s in-form City travel to Nottingham Forest. Liverpool manager Arne Slot is grappling with a striker crisis after Alexander Isak fractured his …

Pakistan Under-19 cricket team mentor and former national captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has strongly criticised India’s conduct during the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 final, describing it as “unethical” and contrary to the spirit of the game, while praising his own side for responding with professionalism and sportsmanship. Pakistan delivered a commanding all-round performance in the final, defending a mammoth …

KARACHI: Deepesh Devendran went for a lofty shot, the ball hanging in the Dubai air for a brief, dramatic moment before Ahmed Hussain settled under it and completed the catch. With that simple act, Pakistan were crowned Under-19 Asia Cup champions. It was not just a victory; it was a statement. Beating India by 191 runs in a final is …