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French Open 2023 results: Stefanos Tsitsipas begins with victory over Jiri Vesely
Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame Jiri Vesely in four sets to reach the French Open second round.
Australian Open runner-up Tsitsipas lost the third set and had to save four set points in the fourth set tie-break to seal a 7-5 6-3 4-6 7-6 (9-7) victory over his 455th-ranked Czech opponent.
He will play Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena or American Emilio Nava next.
"I said to myself there's no chance this is going to a fifth set," Tsitsipas, 24, said.
"Jiri was a difficult obstacle. He gave me a hard time and I am happy I overcame it in such fashion."
Vesely only returned to competition in April after injuring his hamstring during last year's US Open.
The 29-year-old, who has contested just two ATP Challenger events since then, threatened to force a fifth set against Tsitsipas but failed to take any of his opportunities in the tie-break, allowing the Greek to rally from 6-3 down.
Tsitsipas, who lost to Novak Djokovic in January's Australian Open final, has not lost in the first round at Roland Garros since 2017.
Elsewhere in the men's draw, Britain's Dan Evans was beaten by Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets.
Russian 11th seed Karen Khachanov produced a stunning fightback from two sets down against France's Constant Lestienne, winning 3-6 1-6 6-2 6-1 6-3 after three hours and 41 minutes on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Poland's 13th seed Hubert Hurkacz was also forced to go the distance against Belgium's David Goffin, eventually prevailing 6-3 5-7 6-4 2-6 6-4.
American 24th seed Sebastian Korda faced no such problems in a 6-4 7-5 6-4 victory over compatriot Mackenzie McDonald.
French Open 2023 results: Dan Evans loses to Thanasi Kokkinakis at Roland Garros
Britain's Dan Evans said his focus was "thrown out" by an unusual foot-fault ruling in his French Open first-round loss to Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis.
He was a break up in the second set when he was penalised for crossing the centre line when serving, going on to lose 6-4 6-4 6-4.
While he said it was "not anywhere near the reason why" he lost, it did swing the momentum back to Kokkinakis.
"I lost all trust in where my feet were," the 20th seed said.
"But I was bottom drawer from start to finish and he was decent."
British men's number two Evans won for the first time at Roland Garros last year, but has now suffered a fifth loss in six first-round matches at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament.
"It was a difficult day, that's the bottom line, really. I was poor from start to finish," Evans, 33, said.
"[Thanasi] took advantage of it. He served well. It's frustrating really and that's about it."
Only two Britons - Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie - remain in the draw.
With Emma Raducanu injured, there are no British players in the women's singles after seven players lost in qualifying.
'It's a hard sport' - Evans frustrated at not cracking world top 20
Evans has long had a loveless relationship with the red dirt, but going into this year's French Open he said he was feeling "very prepared".
The clay-court swing started promisingly for the world number 25 with runs to the semi-finals in Marrakech and Barcelona.
However, he lost his opening matches in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome - the biggest tournaments going into Roland Garros - before heading to Paris.
In warm and lively conditions against wildcard Kokkinakis, Evans was unable to get on top of the Australian, who used his powerful forehand to force the Briton behind the baseline.
His serve came under pressure midway through the first set, with the Briton saving four break points in an 11-minute game to hold for 3-2 before his resistance ended when he next served.
The single break proved key in the opener but Evans reset at the start of the second and moved 4-1 ahead as he looked in a good position to level.
But Evans was annoyed by being penalised for the foot fault when he led 4-2 30-0 and the double fault swung momentum back to 108th-ranked Kokkinakis.
"It obviously threw me quite a bit because it just totally threw me and where I was then serving from," he said.
"My technique got thrown out. It's a very minor thing, but it became a pretty big thing in my head."
Evans lost the next four points as the Australian broke back in that game and then, after the 20th seed showed his anger by smashing a water bottle at the changeover, saw out the set by winning five games in a row.
With his exasperation increasingly evident, Evans dropped serve for 3-2 in the decider and belief seemed to be draining from him.
However, he did manage to rescue the break for 4-4 but was instantly broken back for 5-4 and Kokkinakis retained control to seal victory.
Afterwards Evans said it is "frustrating" not being able to crack the world's top 20 after spending most of the past three years in the top 30.
"I'm trying to do what I think is right to get there, but it's obviously not paying off," he said.
"It's hard. It's a hard sport. That's the bottom line."
French Open 2023: Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk booed after avoiding Aryna Sabalenka handshake
Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk said "people should be embarrassed" after she was booed off court following her first-round defeat by Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open.
Kostyuk avoided shaking hands with second seed Sabalenka after the Belarusian's 6-3 6-2 win.
Belarus is an ally of Russia and allowed troops to use its territory to launch last year's invasion of Ukraine.
Sabalenka said Kostyuk "didn't deserve to leave the court that way".
The pair did not have the traditional pre-match photo following the coin toss. After Australian Open champion Sabalenka sealed victory, Kostyuk walked straight to shake the umpire's hand and then to her chair, prompting boos from the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
"People should be honestly embarrassed," said world number 39 Kostyuk.
The 20-year-old added: "I want to see people react to it in 10 years when the war is over. I think they will not feel really nice about what they did."
Sabalenka was startled by the initial booing, thinking it was directed at her, before realising it was aimed at Kostyuk when the crowd again booed as the Ukrainian left the court.
"It was a very tough match, tough emotionally," said Sabalenka in her on-court interview.
"I thought the boos were against me so I felt a bit surprised. But then I felt your support."
'She should talk for herself' - Kostyuk criticises Sabalenka
Prior to the match, Sabalenka - who has repeatedly said on previous occasions "no-one supports war" - had said she understood if Kostyuk "hates" her.
Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Belarus' Victoria Azarenka at last year's US Open and also said seeing Russian flags being waved by supporters of Vladimir Putin at the Australian Open in January "hurt a lot".
Speaking at a post-match news conference, Sabalenka said passionately: "About the war situation, I said it many, many times: nobody in this world, Russian athletes or Belarusian athletes, supports the war. Nobody. How can we support the war?
"Of course we don't support war. If we could affect anyhow the war, if we could stop it, we would do it. But unfortunately, it's not in our hands."
However, Kostyuk criticised Sabalenka for not directly saying she opposed the war, and called on her to use her "big platform" after "rejecting her responsibility".
"She never says that she personally doesn't support this war," Kostyuk said.
"She should talk for herself I think, first of all. Then, talk about all the other athletes because I personally know athletes from tennis that support the war.
"To say nobody, I think is a little bit strong because I think you can only speak for yourself."
Sabalenka is one of the favourites for the title at Roland Garros and could become world number one if Iga Swiatek fails to reach the quarter-finals.
After a shaky start from Sabalenka, featuring two double faults, Kostyuk got the first break but it appeared to shock the 25-year-old into finding another level.
She broke back immediately to start a devastating run of six successive games to which Kostyuk had no answer.
Though she pulled a game back, Sabalenka continued to command play, saving two break points in what proved to be her final service game as she wrapped up the win on her first match point.
She will face fellow Belarusian Iryna Shymanovich, a qualifer, in the second round in Paris.
Legend player Ma Long, widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest, was honoured with a prestigious accolade in recognition of his extraordinary achievement of winning the Men’s Singles event three consecutive times in 2015, 2017, and 2019.
On the closing day of the ITTF World Championships Finals Durban 2023, Ma Long was awarded a half-size replica of the historical St. Bride Vase Trophy by ITTF Deputy President, Liu Guoliang.
During the ceremony, Ma Long gave an emotional speech on the significance of this achievement, saying, “When I was young, I never thought that one day I would be standing here with this special trophy. Being here today is really an honour for me. I want to thank my country, our great team, my family, my friends and fans, for always inspiring me, supporting me, and making me a better man. I also want to show my gratitude to my opponents, because without them, I would not be where I am today. I hope that more people will eventually know about table tennis and grow to like the sport. Thank you, South Africa. Thank you, Durban.”
Ma Long’s feat of securing the Men’s Singles title in three consecutive World Championships showcases his dominance over the years and has solidified his status as a true icon of the sport. Ma Long’s extraordinary achievements over his playing career also include winning five Olympic Gold medals, further cementing his status as a table tennis legend.
England World Cup winner and Saracens flanker Vicky Fleetwood has retired.
The 33-year-old, who made her England debut in 2011, won the World Cup in 2014 and ends her career with 82 caps.
She also featured at the 2017 World Cup, but missed out on a place at last year's tournament and a knee injury has kept her out of action since October.
"Rugby has given me so much to be thankful for and will forever hold a place in my heart," Fleetwood said.
"I can proudly say I put everything into playing for both my club and country - the blood, the sweat, the tears, the change of position from 15s to sevens and back again.
"It may not be the fairytale ending that everyone dreams of, but when you're not getting out of it what you put in, the sacrifices become harder to make and the enjoyment lessens."
Fleetwood won the Women's Premiership trophy in her first season with Saracens in 2015 and also has two Premier 15s titles.
She joined the England sevens programme for a year in 2017, winning Commonwealth Games bronze in 2018 before returning to union in 2019.
A talented junior hurdler before taking up rugby, she is set to move into coaching.
Bayern Munich's firing of club great Oliver Kahn after winning the Bundesliga title has led to a deepening public dispute between the two parties.
Bayern presented Jan-Christian Dreesen as their new chief executive on Sunday, with president Herbert Hainer defending the decision to fire Kahn before the club lifted the Bundesliga title for an 11th consecutive season a day earlier.
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Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic was also dismissed on Saturday following the last-gasp 2-1 win over Cologne.
"Especially in the second half of the season, you could see that we weren't playing as we would have wished," Hainer told a news conference, adding there were also doubts about Kahn and Salihamidzic's ability to turn it around.
The timing and manner of the club's decision have overshadowed the celebrations.
It also takes attention away from the Bayern women's team's potentially title-winning game against Turbine Potsdam on Sunday.
Kahn said in a tweet that he was forbidden "by the club" from attending the team's game in Cologne or the trophy presentation in Munich, and he told Sky TV that "it was the worst day in my life, taking away being able to celebrate with the guys."
Hainer said both Kahn and Salihamidzic were informed of their dismissals on Thursday and while Salihamidzic took the news well and subsequently traveled to Cologne with the team, "unfortunately, it didn't go so well" with Kahn.
"It was very emotional and we couldn't agree with Oliver in the end that the finish would be amicable," Hainer said.
"Then on Friday we sat down with the supervisory board in the extraordinary meeting and decided to dismiss Oliver Kahn. And because of this situation, of course, he couldn't go [to the celebrations] on Sunday or to Cologne on Saturday either."
However, Kahn has given a different account.
"The claim that I freaked out when I was informed about the dismissal is definitely not true," Kahn said in a tweet on Sunday. "It was a calm and factual conversation ... On Saturday morning I got the message that I can't go to the game. I accepted this decision calmly. Of course I'm disappointed, but I'm really happy about this championship and I'm happy for the team, the coach and our fans."
Bayern had said before Saturday's match that Kahn was not in Cologne because he was sick in bed at home. Hainer said Sunday that was what Kahn had told the club.
On Saturday, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel appeared unsure of his future following the dismissed of the men who had brought him to the club, but Hainer said Sunday he was certain the coach will continue.
"We had a very good talk and there no are thoughts [of leaving]," Hainer said. "I've no idea why Thomas Tuchel wouldn't be our coach."
Hainer said he will propose Tuesday at the club's shareholders' meeting that former chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge be added to the supervisory board. Rummenigge was replaced by Kahn in 2022.
But the club still needs a replacement for Salihamidzic as sporting director.
Hainer refused to comment on speculation linking Eintracht Frankfurt's Markus Krosche or Leipzig's Max Eberl with the position, except to say both teams are in the German Cup final, where Bayern would like to be.
The 55-year-old Dreesen, who was vice-chairman of the supervisory board since 2014, hinted that he will take a more holistic approach than Kahn, who was known for his sometimes brusque manner.
"I'm firmly convinced that what happens on the field also reflects what's going on in the club as a whole. Everything around it is also a team," Dreesen said.
"When people enjoy their work and have trust in each other, it works better as a team and is more successful in the long term."
Bayern's Bundesliga win on Saturday was its 11th straight and a record-extending 33rd German championship altogether.
LIVE: Latest from final day of 2022-23 Premier League season
It's the final day of the 2022-23 Premier League season on Sunday, and there's a lot to play for. Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford are fighting for the final place in the Europa Conference League; while at the bottom of the table, two of Everton, Leicester City and Leeds United will join Southampton in the Championship next season.
Don't miss a moment of the action as ESPN brings you all the latest updates, commentary and analysis beginning Sunday at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Rayudu to retire from IPL after final against Titans, promises 'no U-turn'
Yorkshire haunted by defeat again as Alex Lees adds to Headingley hurt
Durham 217 for 3 (Lees 90, Robinson 64*) beat Yorkshire 189 for 7 (Tattersall 39, Raine 3-27) by 28 runs
A badly-publicised switch to a Sunday morning start at 11.30am under slate-grey Headingley skies does not immediately strike you as the future of T20 cricket and it failed to bring any change of fortune for Yorkshire as they succumbed to a comprehensive 28-run defeat against Durham. Still, as various websites also revealed that the game was starting at 3.30pm and 6pm, at least they could console themselves that they would have two more goes to put it right. More on those results later.
Disgruntlement is rife as Yorkshire's winless runs since August 21 in all competitions drags on. When the pressure is on, they look psychologically damaged, their sense of self weakened by the schisms in the county over not just the racism allegations, but the way they were handled. Senior pros wondering what they have let themselves in for; kids wondering when the misery will all end.
About 6000 turned up, the rest presumably in mourning for the possibility of Leeds United's potential relegation from the Premier League a few miles down the road later in the day. Yorkshire look a poorer side in T20 than in the Championship and, in the Championship, they are bottom of Division Two. The Roses T20 is at Headingley on Thursday and Lancashire will never have been stronger favourites.
Down in Happy Valley, the soap opera runs on apace. Alternative candidates to the return of Colin Graves as chair, a figure associated with the fallen old regime but the man who could tip Yorkshire into bankruptcy, now include not just a Saudi prince and Indian investors, but apparently no lesser figure than Mike Ashley, the former Newcastle United owner and majority shareholder of Fraser's Group, who is worth around £2.5 billion so he could spare a £20m loan or so to keep the club functioning and have a little dabble in cricket.
Ashley's involvement does not immediately smack of an obsessively progressive future, but as the average progressive appears to have about £80 in the bank, a mortgage, and no spare time, it might be politic not to be too picky about these things. And at least the replica shirts would be discounted.
Yorkshire had made an ideal start when Matthew Fisher removed Graham Clark for nought with the first legitimate ball of the innings, finding early outswing to have him caught at the wicket. Clark had made an unbeaten hundred in Durham's 10-wicket trouncing of Northants two days earlier - Durham's first hundred in this competition for six years - whereas Fisher had suffered a terrible night at Worcester, looking many a mile away from the bowler who won an England Test debut in the Caribbean little more than a year ago. But patterns in T20 can change in an instant and with the ball swinging, for Fisher bowling was a happier undertaking.
But Lees, with that mournful power of his, soon reestablished Durham's superiority. David Wiese curbed Lees' leg-side blows, but was just as readily picked through the off side. Yorkshire's bowling became ragged and somewhat downcast. Stands of 85 with Michael Jones and 111 with Robinson were built without much threat.
Litte moments can encapsulate a side's morale. There have been few finer fielders in county cricket than Adam Lyth, but he dropped a challenging catch when Lees was 73, pedalling back at mid-off. Wiese, the unfortunate bowler, followed up with a full toss which Lees duly deposited into the West Stand to secure his best T20 score.
The potential Yorkshire saw when they signed Ben Mike from Leicestershire has yet to come to the fore, although he did dismiss Lees when Jafar Chohan took a fine diving catch at deep backward square. If there was optimism to be had perhaps it came in the shape of this slender legspinner, a graduate from the South Asian Cricket Academy, who bowled three relatively inexpensive overs.
Robinson's 64 from 30 was a typically inventive affair from one of the summer's most eye-catching young cricketers and it reduced Jordan Thompson, in particular, to headshakes as his mix-ups failed to stem the flow. Thompson is Yorkshire's bellwether bowler, his mood often revealing their general state of mind, and it was not good.
Yorkshire lack much, but they lack a death bowler most of all and Robinson's finale - a six over long-on and four through extra cover - left Thompson with the most expensive figures of the day.
Yorkshire's response with the bat never convinced. Lyth's brief spree had a sense of "stuff it" about it, his 24 from 8 ending when a shot went all Virgin Galactic and Robinson held the catch after a successful re-entry. (Branson's space rocket, incidentally, was called VSS Unity which is a concept that would never catch on in Yorkshire).
Shan Masood, the captain charged with turning things round, chipped weakly to short midwicket and when Dawid Malan's loft of Nathan Sowter fell short of the extra cover boundary, Yorkshire's three batters of undeniable quality had all perished for 65 by the seventh over. Matthew Revis' lumbering run-out after Jonny Tattersall called him for an off-side single added to the sense of chaos and, although Tattersall and Jordan Thompson did a spot of window-dressing, Ben Raine dismissed both.
When will this end? Romain Rolland, the French dramatist and novelist of a century or more ago, famously called for "pessimism of the intelligence, which penetrates every illusion, and optimism of the will." That powerful combination of realism and idealism is at the heart of Yorkshire's challenge. Authenticity is hard to find.
It is difficult to envisage the arrival of a united Yorkshire after Lord Kamlesh Patel's colossal mismanagement of a delicate and unacceptable state of affairs and when, instead of a general desire for a better, more harmonious future, there is so much conflict and resentment. Change will only come from within and ultimately it is down to those in charge to drive it, inspire it and finance it.
Which brings us to Adil Rashid, who sharp-eyed readers will have noticed is yet to make an appearance in the Blast, and whose absence has not been officially explained by either England, to whom he is centrally contracted, or Yorkshire.
Yorkshire have privately intimated that England want Rashid to undergo a considerable period of rehab which will presumably extend to the start of the white-ball internationals in September, which might be understandable - because legspin is an arduous undertaking and his shoulder could well be creaking like a horror film door - were it not for the fact that nobody was talking about rehab when he went to the IPL, played only the first two matches and for the next six weeks with Sunrisers Hyderabad was most at risk of bench rot.
If Rashid is not playing quite why he is not being utilised in promotional work around minority-ethnic areas, with the blessing of ECB, is hard to understand. Does he not recognise that he could play a major role? But that's the problem with revolutions. Administrators and politicians protect their backs, few players show an interest in the bigger picture, self-interest and distortions are everywhere, and the whole shebang trundles on.
David Hopps writes on county cricket for ESPNcricinfo @davidkhopps
PSG's Rico in intensive care after riding accident
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico is in intensive care following a horse riding accident, the club said on Sunday.
The Ligue 1 champions confirmed Spanish media reports that Rico, PSG's second-choice goalkeeper, is in the ICU at Sevilla's Virgen del Rocio hospital.
"Paris Saint-Germain learned of Sergio Rico's accident on Sunday and are in constant contact with his family," PSG said in a statement.
Spaniard Rico, 29, joined PSG in 2020 after a season-long loan at the club.
He previously enjoyed spells at Sevilla, Fulham and Mallorca. He has also been capped once for Spain in 2016.
"Lots of strength and speedy recovery, @sergiorico25" Sevilla said in a message posted to Twitter.
PSG clinched a record 11th French league title after drawing 1-1 at Strasbourg on Saturday.
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