Gallery: Weekend In Sport
The 2024 tennis season got underway with the return of the Australian Open this weekend, and it saw a few first round shocks. Meanwhile, O’Sullivan won again and Fleetwood and McIlroy faced off in Dubai…
Andy Murray has been knocked out of the Australian Open in the first round after a subdued display against Argentine 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
The 36-year-old former Wimbledon champion showed little emotion as he lost 6-4 6-2 6-2 on the second day of the Melbourne tournament.
Murray, a five-time finalist, failed to reach the second round for only the second time in his past 13 appearances.
Coco Gauff, who won her maiden major title at the US Open in September, won 6-3 6-0 against Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova suffered a shock exit on day two. Ranked seventh in the world, she became the highest seed to fall so far in round one, suffering a 6-1 6-2 defeat by Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska.
Back in November, Sky agreed five-year broadcast partnerships with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
Ronnie O’Sullivan fought back to claim a record-extending eighth Masters title with a thrilling 10-7 victory over Ali Carter at a raucous Alexandra Palace.
O’Sullivan, already the youngest-ever winner of the tournament, becomes the oldest-ever champion too, aged 48.
He trailed 6-3 in the evening session but then reeled off seven of the next eight frames to seal his win.
O’Sullivan’s victory means he earns the £250,000 top prize, with Carter taking home £100,000.
Back in October, the World Snooker Tour (WST) announced a new deal with online casino MrQ.
Tommy Fleetwood birdied the final two holes to win the Dubai Invitational by one shot from Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence on Sunday.
It was a rollercoaster round from McIlroy, who led by a shot going into the last hole but hooked into the water and carded a bogey.
Overnight leader Fleetwood capitalised as he drained his birdie putt to post a four-under 67 and finish on 19 under.
In better news for McIlroy, sports and entertainment investment company Apex has invested in the TGL, a new tech-driven golf league which has been developed by McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
Oscar Bobb scored a stoppage-time winner as Manchester City moved within two points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League with victory over Newcastle in a breathless encounter at St James’ Park.
Manchester City scored a stoppage-time winner at St. James’ Park to secure a 2-3 win against Newcastle United and move to within two points of leaders Liverpool.
After falling 2-1 behind in the first half Kevin De Bruyne came from the bench to inspire the victory.
Just four minutes and 35 seconds after he came off the bench, the Belgian found the net before assisting Bobb’s winner in the final minutes of the game.
Josie Knight won gold on the final day of the European Track Cycling Championships to help Great Britain finish top of the medal table.
Knight won women’s individual pursuit by just three thousandths of a second ahead of Germany’s Franziska Brausse.
Anna Morris took bronze in the same event, while Emma Finucane won silver in the women’s keirin.
Britain end with six golds and 14 medals overall in Apeldoorn – their best tally at a European Championships.
Saracens suffered a club record 55-15 European defeat as Matthieu Jalibert inspired Bordeaux Begles to a superb nine-try Investec Champions Cup win.
The thrashing means Saracens have lost five of their past seven games.
Before Christmas, Saracens appointed The Romans as its new PR agency.
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