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GB's Norrie wins at Indian Wells, Zverev knocked out

British number two Cameron Norrie upset 23rd seed Jiri Lehecka to reach the third round at Indian Wells.
Norrie lost the first set in California but the world number 77 recovered to beat the Czech 3-6 6-4 7-5.
The 29-year-old will now face American Tommy Paul after the 10th seed beat compatriot Tristan Boyer 6-3 6-1.
Norrie, who beat Luca Nardi in the first round, claimed his biggest career title at Indian Wells in 2021 and has reached at least the quarter-finals of the hard-court tournament in three of the past four years.
Meanwhile, second seed Alexander Zverev was knocked out on Friday, despite winning the first set against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands.
The world number 43 fought back to beat the German 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) and is up against the 29th seed in the third round, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France.
Zverev has now failed to get past the quarter-finals in all four tournaments since losing to world number one Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final.
Asked if the chance of replacing Sinner - who is currently serving a three-month ban - as world number one has been on his mind, Zverev said: "It was in the beginning. Now it's less, because I'm just playing terrible.
"I have to find my game before thinking about that because to become world number one you have to win tournaments, and I'm not getting past the first or second round at the moment."

Ireland were handed their third defeat of the Under-20 Six Nations as a dominant first-half display helped France earn a 22-12 win in Cork.
Tries from Jon Echegaray and Tom Leveque put the visitors in control and despite losing flanker Noa Traversier to one of their three first-half yellow cards, a Lyam Akrab try extended France's lead.
The second yellow card of the game was pulled just before half time. This time it was lock Bartholome Sanson who was sent off for slapping the ball from the tail of an Irish maul.
On the stroke of half-time, Ireland were gifted a foothold in the game with a penalty try after a TMO review found Echegaray to have deliberately knocked on five metres from the French line as he became the third visiting player to be yellow carded.
While finding themselves down to 12 men at the start of the second half, it was their performance in the opening 40 minutes that set up France's victory.
Echegaray opened the scoring for the French with a sharp step and finish from close range before a textbook French backline move sent winger Leveque over for their second.
Blindside flanker Traversier was the first of the French to see yellow after an illegal clearout at the breakdown.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, France powered over for their third try through Montpellier hooker Akrab as he finished off a dominant five-metre maul.
However, the yellow carding of Sanson and Echegaray enabled Ireland to hit back with their penalty try.
France initially appeared to have notched a fourth try at the other end as Echegaray released scrum-half Baptiste Tilloles under the posts, but after a TMO review, the score was chalked off.
Moments later, Echegaray was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on as Ireland were awarded their touchdown.
Restored to their full complement in the second half, France secured their bonus point with another thundering maul, Akrab grabbing his second try of the night.
A consolation score for the Irish came late on from winger Ciaran Mangan as he dotted down in the corner.
Neil Doak's Ireland side will look to end their tournament on a high as they face Italy away, while France take on Scotland at the Stade Jean Bouin.
Ireland Under-20s: Daniel Green; Charlie Molony, Gene O'Leary Kareem, Eoghan Smyth, Ciarán Mangan, Tom Wood, Will Wootton, Billy Bohan, Mikey Yarr, Alex Mullan, Mahon Ronan, Billy Corrigan, Michael Foy, Bobby Power, Éanna McCarthy (capt).
Replacements: Henry Walker, Paddy Moore, Tom McAllister, Conor Kennelly, David Walsh, Clark Logan, Sam Wisniewski, Connor Fahy.
France Under-20s: Jon Echegaray, Tom Leveque, Simeli Daunivucu, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Nolann Donguy, Luka Keletaona, Baptiste Tilloes, Samuel Jean-Christophe, Lyam Akrab, Mohamed Megherbi, Bartholome Sanson, Corentin Mezou, Antoine Deliance, Noa Traversier, Baptiste Britz,
Replacements: Quentin Algay, Edouard-Junior Jabea Njocke, Jean-Yves Liufau, Jacques Nguimbous, Sialevailea Tolofua, Simon Daroque, Jean Cotarmanac'h, Oliver Cowie.

Newcastle: Obatoyinbo, Hearle, Doherty, Arnold, Stevenson, Connon, Stuart; Brocklebank, Blamire, McCallum, van der Walt, McDonald, Lockwood, Nield, Chick (capt).
Replacements: Fletcher, Rewcastle, Palframan, de Chaves, Leatherbarrow, James Elliott, Wilkinson, Spencer.
Bath: Emens, Cokanasiga, Ojomoh, Butt, McConnachie, Donoghue, Carr-Smith; Caldwell, Dunn, Verden, Richards (capt), Molony, Green, Staddon, Barbeary
Replacements: Spandler, van Wyk, Griffin, Cuckson, Reid, Le Roux, Hennessey, Coetzee.
Referee: George Selwood.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. Casual drag racing fans know big-name drivers such as Antron Brown, Tony Stewart, Ron Capps and Austin Prock.
By the end of this years NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, they may know Dave Richards name more prominently.
The Wellington, Fla., native is entering his second season of full-time Funny Car competition with Paul Richards Racing while having the backing from SCAG Racing.
Last season, Richards only reached one quarterfinal and failed to make the top 10 in points. However, theres more than what meets the eye.
For most teams in the Funny Car category, theyre prepared for the worst as they haul two, sometimes three cars to each event in case something goes wrong during a race weekend.
Richards didnt have that luxury last year as he and his teams full-time effort hung in the balance with every run.
We basically went through the whole year with one car, Richards said. So it was tough knowing that in the back of your mind you only got one race car.
We had new cars ordered, it was always a waiting and waiting and waiting. But really, I think last year was a building year and we ended pretty strong. In the beginning, we were fighting a lot of things. Some of it was tune-up related, some was car related, some was driver related.
It was a lot, but at least we survived. We made it to every race, which was our goal. The performance really started to pick up towards the end of the year and were looking forward to carrying that over into this year.
Does having only one car at the teams disposal lead to being conservative?
According to Richards, no, but the threat of destruction still lingers.
Its just something thats in the back of your mind, like, Man, if we mess this thing up, were done.
And actually, we did try to be done in Seattle last year, Richards explained. Soon as I hit the gas, we never really could figure out what happened, but it made a hard right and it just got out of control and I smashed the wall.
We thought we were done then, but we found a chassis builder, Steve Parker, out in Seattle. He took our car in and we fixed it Monday and Tuesday and hauled it down to Sonoma. So, we definitely have a never give up attitude. So we made it, and we finished the year with that car.
Fortunately for Richards, he no longer has to walk on thin ice.
The team enters a new era as theyve moved to an Indianapolis-based facility and for the first time, have two brand-new race cars.
We tested in Bradenton (Fla.) with the new cars, Richards said. Ive never had a brand-new race car. Even though everyone tells you, Oh they drive great and youll be able to tell a difference. We dont know until you get in it.
The first couple full passes in Bradenton, I was like, Wow. It actually drives. It turns when you want it to. Where a lot of times with an older car, youre along for the ride. Youll be muscling it and fighting it and it doesnt want to turn.
To have that new car, its just like the new car smell. Its just nice.
Now with the stars beginning to align for Richards and Paul Richards Racing, what comes next will be settled during the 20-race grind, which begins this weekend at the annual NHRA Gatornationals.
While the team may not have shown winning speed yet, Richards has high hopes.
To know that we have the same equipment or better than pretty much everyone out here is a good feeling, Richards said. So now its like, we have no excuses but to do well and were gonna. Were not gonna give up. Were gonna work our hardest.
I do really feel like its our time to shine. We got everything, we got the people that believe in us, and its like, Why not us?'

Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said trading for star winger Mikko Rantanen was a risk worth taking, even after Carolina failed to sign him and dealt him to the Dallas Stars before Friday's NHL trade deadline.
"Our organization is characterized by an aggressive approach. Being aggressive means taking some risks. It means taking some chances," Tulsky said. "If the team was already winning [Stanley] Cup after Cup after Cup, maybe that would be a time to be conservative, but we haven't gotten to where we want to be yet. Ultimately, that means you're taking some risks."
Rantanen was traded twice within two months. The Colorado Avalanche traded him to the Hurricanes on Jan. 24 in a blockbuster three-way trade that included Carolina acquiring Chicago Blackhawks winger Taylor Hall. Colorado received winger Martin Necas, who was Carolina's leading scorer this season, as well as Hurricanes center Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-rounder. The Blackhawks also took on half of Rantanen's $9.25 million salary cap hit to facilitate the trade.
Rantanen wasn't his dominant self in Carolina, scoring six points in 13 games while adjusting to what he described as an unexpected trade out of Denver.
The Hurricanes engaged in extension talks with Rantanen. Carolina presented Rantanen and his agent with a detailed contract proposal during the 4 Nations Face-Off, with ESPN's Kevin Weekes reporting that the average annual value of the deal was between $13 million to $14 million. But it became clear that the pending unrestricted free agent would not commit to Carolina before Friday's 3 p.m. ET deadline.
"My sense of it was that this just didn't feel like home for him, as far as I can tell. And that's OK. He's making an eight-year commitment," Tulsky said.
The Hurricanes were open to keeping Rantanen for the short term, with Tulsky calling it a "perfectly fine outcome." But he said the deadline offers were too enticing not to explore -- including the one from Dallas that the Hurricanes ultimately accepted.
The Stars traded forward Logan Stankoven, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick for Rantanen, the NHL's sixth-leading scorer over the past three seasons (279 points in 223 games). Both first-round picks are top-10 protected. Dallas agreed to the trade after coming to terms with Rantanen on an eight-year contract extension with an annual average value of $12 million.
Tulsky said trading Rantanen "wasn't the goal" but that the team is comfortable with how the situation ended up, praising Stankoven's potential and the draft capital the Canes acquired.
He lamented that Carolina couldn't use those picks before the trade deadline to bring in help for this season, citing how much time it took for Dallas to finalize its contract with Rantanen and for the teams to close their deal. The Hurricanes didn't have cap flexibility until the Rantanen trade was closed, and Tulsky said Carolina missed out on some players it was targeting in the interim.
Rantanen's decision to sign with Dallas marked the second straight season a star acquisition has spurned the Hurricanes. Winger Jake Guentzel was acquired at last season's deadline but left for the Tampa Bay Lightning as a free agent. Tulsky defended his franchise, saying the situations weren't similar and that "we've got a lot of high-end players that have signed here long term."
The first-year general manager said he expects to walk his players through the franchise's "team building" plans soon. Tulsky was emphatic that he has no regrets for acquiring Rantanen from Colorado.
"When you move him out, that's a loss for the current year. But we felt we were getting enough in this deal that it was the best thing for the organization in the long term," Tulsky said.
Winners and losers of the 2025 NHL trade deadline including the Panthers, Stars and double-flip deals

The days leading up to the 2025 NHL trade deadline were a furious final sprint as contenders looked to stock up for a postseason run while rebuilding clubs added prospects and draft capital.
After the overnight Brock Nelson blockbuster on Thursday, Friday lived up to expectations, with Mikko Rantanen, Brad Marchand and other high-profile players finishing the day with a different team than which they started it. All told, NHL teams made 24 trades on deadline day involving 47 players.
Which teams and players won the day? Who might not feel as well about the situation after trade season? Reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski identify the biggest winners and losers of the 2025 NHL trade deadline:
How important is Neymar's return to the Brazil squad?

Almost a year and a half after suffering a serious knee injury playing for Brazil -- and with little football in the meantime --- Neymar is back. Brazil's all-time top scorer has been recalled to the squad for CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers later this month against Colombia and Argentina. So that poses the question: How will the 33-year-old's return impact Brazil in these upcoming matches?
Is he ready?
A very good question, to which the answer is "probably not." True, he has exceeded expectations of his fitness since going back to Brazil to rejoin Santos earlier this year.
Neymar left Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal after coach Jorge Jesus decided not to register him for the league, saying that he was not keeping up with the rhythm of the others in training. But after coming off the bench in his first game for Santos, he has started the subsequent six -- twice staying on until the end -- and the team's results have certainly improved. He is in the process of regaining match fitness, and has done some excellent things, but almost all of them have been from set pieces.
He has been striking corners and free kicks with all of the old quality. But from open play, he is finding it hard to make an impact, especially in the vital space on the edge of the opposing penalty area. And most of these matches have been against minor opponents in the Brazilian Campeonato Paulista (São Paulo State Championship). Playing in World Cup qualification, against two of the best sides on the continent (the finalists of last year's Copa América) is a giant step up.
Why is he back?
Because there is a Neymar-shaped hole in the middle of the Brazil team.
"We have been waiting for him," said Brazil coach Dorival Júnior. "And this is the first time he's been available. The other players have been publicly expressing what he means to our group."
It would seem reasonable to conclude that if Brazil were sailing through the qualifiers, then there would be no need to rush him back so soon. As former Brazil international striker Dodô said on local TV, "It's not the right time. Given two or three months he'll be back at his best."
Dodô was aware that he was part of a small minority. Brazil are fifth in the table, with plenty of tough games ahead, such as an away trip to the altitude of Bolivia on the final matchday in September. In any previous World Cup qualifying campaign, there would be genuine concerns about missing out on the competition. But with six South Americans going through automatically to 2026 -- and the seventh having the chance of a play-off -- there is no need to panic. But there are plenty of reasons to be worried, not least because Brazil's objective is to win the World Cup fifteen months from now.
Also, if qualification is not really in doubt, the job security of the coach most certainly is. There is a need, then, for a short term fix, a morale boost, the return of the saviour.
Will he start these games?
Starting this weekend, things get serious for Santos. They are now in the semifinals of the Campeonato Paulista. From now on, there are no small teams, starting with historic rivals Corinthians on Sunday, with a title at stake.
So something will depend on how he comes through these games. He came off in last Sunday's quarterfinal win over Red Bull Bragantino feeling some muscular discomfort, and needing ice on his thigh. Dorival Júnior will be watching closely.
"We're not creating high expectations," ]the Brazil coach said.
"Putting all the responsibility on this comeback. He's going through a process of recuperation. We understand this, we are aware of this."
But the absence of both Lucas Paquetá and Andreas Pereira from the squad would seem to be significant. Neymar is the only one on the squad who would seem comfortable in the role of deep lying playmaker, which was the position he was already filling with Brazil when he was injured.
Where once Neymar was -- in the expression of former national team coach Tite both bow and arrow -- now he is more likely to be the former. With plenty of pace in front of him -- Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Savinho -- Neymar can now drop deep and thread passes before joining up with the attack. And even a Neymar largely restricted to set pieces can be useful. Given quality service, the centre-backs are very dangerous attacking the ball at corners. Neymar is one of the best supply lines in the business.

President Donald Trump created a task force Friday to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which will bring the globe's premier soccer tournament to North America at a time when his on-again, off-again tariffs have ratcheted up tensions across the continent.
"I think it's going to make it more exciting," Trump said of playing the World Cup amid sharp rhetoric among leaders of the host nations. "Tension's a good thing."
The task force, which Trump will chair, will coordinate the federal government's security and planning for the tournament, which is expected to draw millions of tourists to the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"It's a great honor for our country to have it," Trump said of the World Cup after meeting with officials from FIFA, the international soccer governing body. He said he'd like to attend multiple games.
Preparations are ramping up across the continent alongside tensions between the United States and its neighbors as Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose tariffs before backing off, spooking markets and leading to fears of a trade war and economic downturn. He also has spoken pejoratively of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and mused about Canada becoming a U.S. state, which has boosted national pride north of the border.
For 2026, the World Cup will expand to 48 teams playing 104 matches across three nations. Seventy-eight of 104 matches will be played in the U.S., with 13 games each in Mexico and Canada, and as many as six matches a day. The final will be played July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the task force will ensure that each of the visitors, who will travel from around the world, "feels safe, feels happy and feels that we are doing something special."
"So we're here to create and to make the best show on the planet ever," Infantino said. He gave Trump a personalized game ball and unveiled an elaborate trophy that will go to the winner of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will pit top soccer clubs against each other this summer ahead of next year's matchup of national teams.
Trump later brought Infantino to show off the trophy at the start of a White House cryptocurrency summit. The United States, where soccer has grown in popularity but remains a niche sport, represents a major growth area for soccer, Infantino said.
Infantino likened producing the World Cup to holding three Super Bowls daily for a month, a dizzying security and logistical challenge for the host governments.
The Trump administration will face a second test on the global sports stage in 2028, when the Summer Olympics will be held in California, the first time the Games will be in the U.S. since Salt Lake City hosted in 2002.
Sources: Raiders acquire QB Smith from Seattle

The Las Vegas Raiders have traded for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, reuniting him with head coach Pete Carroll, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler on Friday.
Las Vegas gave up a 2025 third-round pick for Smith, sources said. The deal ends his five-year stint in Seattle, where he revived his career and became a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
Smith has one year and $31 million left on his contract. The Raiders are taking on all $31 million, a source told ESPN's Brady Henderson. The Seahawks will save that $31 million in cash and cap space while taking on $13.5 million in dead money.
In 2024, Smith, 34, completed 70.4% of his passes while throwing for 4,320 yards, 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He helped the Seahawks finish 10-7, but they were unable to make the playoffs in their first season under coach Mike Macdonald.
While starting all 17 games, he broke his own franchise record for passing yards and completion rate, carrying an offense with an overmatched line and no consistent run game. He also led four game-winning drives, giving him nine over the past two seasons to tie Patrick Mahomes for the most in the NFL in that span.
Smith's last game-winning drive came in the Seahawks' Week 18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
But Smith's 15 interceptions were the third most in the NFL. Four of his interceptions came in the red zone (most in the NFL). His 21 touchdown passes tied for 13th, and his QBR of 53.8 (21st) was his lowest in three seasons as Seattle's full-time starter. He was sacked 50 times (third most).
"Geno's our quarterback," Macdonald said last month, one of several times he's publicly endorsed the signal-caller since the end of last season. "I don't understand the conversation. It's pretty obvious this guy is a heck of a quarterback. He's our quarterback. We love him. Can't wait to go to work with him."
Smith ranks 21st in Total QBR over the past two seasons. He had the league's seventh-best QBR in 2022, when he made the Pro Bowl, was named AP Comeback Player of the Year and led the Seahawks to a wild-card berth after taking over as starter in the wake of the Russell Wilson trade.
The Seahawks re-signed Smith to a three-year, $75 million contract in March 2023. That deal gave him the opportunity to make an additional $30 million via contract escalators. Smith hit $6 million of those escalators with his performance last season. That $6 million was added onto the $10 million roster bonus Smith was set to earn on March 16.
Smith unsuccessfully argued for a new deal last offseason after seeing several quarterbacks cash in with big-money extensions, and he was upset that the Seahawks would not give him one, according to multiple sources. It was a nonstarter for the organization given its policy of not renegotiating contracts with more than one season left.
The $25 million average of Smith's last deal ranked 19th among quarterbacks (it was 20th before the New York Giants released Daniel Jones) and last among full-time starters not on their rookie contract.
The Seahawks were working to extend Smith's contract over the past week, but when progress was not being made, the Raiders stepped in and showed interest in acquiring him. With the Seahawks struggling to get a new deal done, they opted for a third-round pick instead.
Since Carroll became the Raiders' coach in February, he made it known that he wants to start winning immediately. During the NFL scouting combine, Carroll said the team's "win now" approach should factor into every decision the team makes in shaping the roster for the 2025 season.
"We are trying to take it as far as we can as soon as we possibly can," Carroll, 73, said. "I'm not looking for a grace period. ... I don't think that way at all."
Smith is expected to be the seventh Raiders quarterback to start in a game since the team moved on from Derek Carr following the 2022 season.
During the combine, general manager John Spytek said the team would explore every avenue in adding a quarterback after Las Vegas finished 4-13 under Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell and Desmond Ridder, who started one game. Minshew is expected to be released at the start of the new league year, a source told ESPN.
Carroll and Spytek mentioned O'Connell and Carter Bradley would have a chance to compete for the job. At the same time, Spytek said, "We've got to win more games too."
While Smith is an upgrade from the Raiders' previous starters, they have plenty of work to do to surround their new quarterback with offensive talent. Las Vegas has players to work with such as Brock Bowers, who led all tight ends in receiving yards (1,194) during his rookie campaign. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers recorded his first career 1,000-yard season after three straight years with at least 800.
ESPN's Brady Henderson contributed to this report.

New York Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson is expected to miss at least two weeks after spraining his right ankle late in Thursday night's overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Brunson, attempting a shot with 1:24 remaining in the extra period, came down on the foot of Lakers guard Austin Reaves after being fouled on a drive to the basket, rolling his ankle in the process. Visibly in pain, Brunson was helped up by teammates and stayed in the game to make both free throws and tie the score at 107. He then went to the locker room.
Brunson led the Knicks with 39 points and 10 assists. He sent the game into overtime with a three-point play after the Lakers rallied from a double-digit deficit midway through the fourth quarter.
It's hard to overstate Brunson's importance to the Knicks' explosive offensive attack. The two-time All-Star, who finished fifth in last season's MVP voting, has controlled the ball for an NBA-high 8.7 minutes per game this season, according to Second Spectrum data. Brunson's late-game play has been particularly noteworthy, with his 145 points in clutch scenarios tied for most in the league.
The 28-year-old captain is seventh in the league in scoring (26.3 points per game) and eighth in assists (7.4).
The team said Friday it will provide an update on Brunson's status in "approximately two weeks."
Brunson's injury could not come at a worse time for the Knicks. The loss to the Lakers began a five-game West Coast trip.
New York, which is 40-22 and in third place in the Eastern Conference, remains in Southern California to face the Clippers on Friday night before facing Sacramento on Monday night, Portland on Wednesday night and Golden State on March 15.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.