women

China's teenage 223cm basketball player 'just a little girl'

  • The official website for the Women's Basketball World Cup describes Zhang as "epically tall", noting she first came to international prominence when she was crowned MVP at the U18 Women's Asia Cup two years ago.
  • Chinese teenage basketball player Zhang Ziyu stands 223cm (7ft 4in) and towers over opponents at the Women's World Cup -- but off the court she's "just a little girl".
  • The official website for the Women's Basketball World Cup describes Zhang as "epically tall", noting she first came to international prominence when she was crowned MVP at the U18 Women's Asia Cup two years ago.
Chinese teenage basketball player Zhang Ziyu stands 223cm (7ft 4in) and towers over opponents at the Women's World Cup -- but off the court she's "just a little girl".
That was the assessment of the giant 19-year-old by team-mate Han Xu after China's 74-70 overtime win over the Czech Republic on Sunday in Germany.
The teenage centre scored three points in just over 10 minutes on court against a physical Czech side, having been more of a threat against reigning champions the United States in a 94-61 loss to start the tournament.
After that defeat, USA superstar Caitlin Clark had warm words for Zhang, saying: "I've never played against a woman of that size and she obviously presented some challenges for us.
"I think she's a wonderful player and you see how young she is.
"You can tell she's still growing and learning how to play and how to leverage her advantage, which is her size.
"There's not much you can do to stop her when she gets it really close to the basket."
Zhang's height is listed at 223cm on the website of world governing body FIBA, making her already taller than NBA great Shaquille O'Neal, and even in a sport where height matters, she stands out in women's basketball.
Zhang might be destined for the WNBA, but Clark and Han warned against placing too many expectations on the teenager.
"In life she's just a little girl," said Han, who top-scored for China with 22 points against the Czechs.
"I always want to give her good energy... she can finish to the rim and protect the paint.
"I think she is a great player and we just keep thinking (about) how to use her better and hope she can be more aggressive."
The official website for the Women's Basketball World Cup describes Zhang as "epically tall", noting she first came to international prominence when she was crowned MVP at the U18 Women's Asia Cup two years ago.
Footage and images of Zhang looming over her opponents have gone viral online, but Clark said there was more to her than just that.
"She's still a very young player, but to be this young and to be in a World Cup and to go up against the top players is only going to help her continue to grow," said Clark.
"So I think if she continues to develop, then there's definitely a place for her."
bur-pst/dh

Eur

African players in Europe: Mbeumo fires solo goal as United draw

  • AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues: ENGLAND BRYAN MBEUMO (Manchester United) Mbeumo struck in the 46th minute, racing through to drill a fierce finish past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
  • Cameroon striker Bryan Mbeumo scored a superb solo goal for Manchester United, who surrendered the lead twice in a 2-2 Premier League draw against Everton at the weekend.   
  • AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues: ENGLAND BRYAN MBEUMO (Manchester United) Mbeumo struck in the 46th minute, racing through to drill a fierce finish past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Cameroon striker Bryan Mbeumo scored a superb solo goal for Manchester United, who surrendered the lead twice in a 2-2 Premier League draw against Everton at the weekend.   
AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:
ENGLAND
BRYAN MBEUMO (Manchester United)
Mbeumo struck in the 46th minute, racing through to drill a fierce finish past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. It was the 27-year-old's second goal in three games this term after scoring in the 5-2 win against Ipswich.
SPAIN
NICOLAS PEPE (Villarreal)
Ivorian winger Pepe opened the scoring for Villarreal with his second goal of the season in a 3-2 La Liga defeat by Deportivo La Coruna. The former Arsenal forward curled home brilliantly to take advantage of Deportivo's goalkeeper coming out and failing to reach the ball.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Deportivo La Coruna)
Promoted Depor recorded an impressive victory at Villarreal and it was mostly thanks to a sensational display from key striker Aubameyang. The 37-year-old former Gabon international set up goals for Luismi Cruz and Zakaria Eddahchouri to pull the Galician side level. Then, in the final stages, Aubameyang charged through and slid home for his fourth goal in four games.
ITALY
ASSANE DIAO (Como)
Senegal winger Diao scored in each half as Champions League qualifiers Como came from behind to hammer Genoa 4-1 in Serie A. His first goal came from a volley and the second through a shot into the corner of the net.
GERMANY
SERHOU GUIRASSY (Borussia Dortmund)
Guirassy showed the full range of his game when he scored a goal and created another in Borussia's stunning 3-2 comeback Bundesliga win over Hoffenheim. With the hosts 2-0 up, the Guinea international cut the lead by chipping over the Hoffenheim 'keeper with 61 minutes gone. Just five minutes later, Guirassy threaded an expert pass for Fabio Silva to equalise.
BILAL EL KHANNOUSS (Stuttgart)
Moroccan El Khannouss's excellent solo goal stunned Cologne and put Stuttgart on track for a dominant 4-1 victory. The former Leicester player collected the ball well outside the box and nutmegged two Cologne defenders before blasting a low shot into the bottom left corner.
FRANCE
ERNEST NUAMAH (Lyon)
The Ghana winger, who suffered a serious ankle injury last year, completed the scoring on 53 minutes for Lyon in a 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Auxerre. Nuamah won the player-of-the-match award after also setting up the opening goal.  
bur-dl/jc

AUS

Australian Rules limits contact training to reduce concussion

  • Multiple players have been forced into retirement due to repeated concussions and there is a class action case pending against the AFL, the governing body.
  • Australian Rules football's governing body on Monday announced limits on contact training in a bid to reduce concussion cases that have long blighted the sport.
  • Multiple players have been forced into retirement due to repeated concussions and there is a class action case pending against the AFL, the governing body.
Australian Rules football's governing body on Monday announced limits on contact training in a bid to reduce concussion cases that have long blighted the sport.
Head trauma has become one of the most pressing issues facing the hugely-popular game, which is characterised by forceful collisions, tackles and high jumping catches.
Multiple players have been forced into retirement due to repeated concussions and there is a class action case pending against the AFL, the governing body.
The new rules stem from recommendations by a coroner after the death of former player Shane Tuck, who died in 2020 aged 38 and was subsequently diagnosed with the degenerative brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
"The health and welfare of our players is the AFL's highest priority," said Laura Kane, the AFL's executive general manager for health and football operations.
"We recognise head trauma is a risk for Australian football, as it is for all contact sports globally, which is why the AFL's comprehensive concussion and head trauma framework is in place."
Starting in 2027, all 18 clubs will be restricted to 120 minutes a week of contact training during the first month of pre-season, including just one hour of high-intensity contact work.
From week five of pre-season until kick-off, the limit will rise to 160 minutes and 120 minutes respectively to accommodate match simulation conditions.
Clubs will not be allowed to put players through high-intensity contact training on consecutive days and must provide vision to the governing body on request.
It follows a two-year consultation involving club football bosses, coaches, medical staff and players, which showed concussions occurred most commonly in match simulation and small-sided high-intensity drills.
"The framework is based on world-class medical advice and is constantly evolving as we deepen our learning and understanding," added Kane.
"The prevention and management of head trauma, and the introduction of AFL pre-season contact training limits is a further step towards achieving our goal of being a global leader in brain health and concussion and head trauma."
mp/dh

Open

'Super-human' Alcaraz books US Open quarter-final clash with Shelton

BY REBECCA BRYAN

  • Alcaraz grabbed the first break of the contest in the final game of a tight first set.
  • Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz posted his most convincing win in his injury return at the US Open, downing Tommy Paul in straight sets on Sunday to line up a quarter-final clash with Ben Shelton.
  • Alcaraz grabbed the first break of the contest in the final game of a tight first set.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz posted his most convincing win in his injury return at the US Open, downing Tommy Paul in straight sets on Sunday to line up a quarter-final clash with Ben Shelton.
Two-time women's defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also advanced, booking a last-eight date with Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova.
Second-seeded Alcaraz, playing his first tournament since he was sidelined by a right wrist injury in April, looked closer to his brilliant best in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Paul, the 20th-seeded American who posed the Spaniard's sternest test yet.
"I played my game," said Alcaraz, who unleashed 33 winners as he moved fluidly around the court, thwarting Paul at every turn in the two-hour 20-minute match.
He'll face red-hot Shelton -- a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 winner over Stefanos Tsitsipas -- for a place in the semi-finals.
"I tried to play my style," Alcaraz said. "Tommy is such a talented player. His shots are pretty dangerous and sometimes it's really difficult to control the ball when it comes to you. 
"I just tried to be ready for a battle and tried to be aggressive all the time."
Alcaraz grabbed the first break of the contest in the final game of a tight first set.
From there he was in control. He broke Paul twice in the second set and again early in the third.
He finished it off with a gutsy hold of serve in which he saved a pair of break points, the second with a swinging forehand volley that he followed with a forehand winner to set up the only match point he needed.
"I'm really happy with the performance today," Alcaraz said.
Shelton, who needed four sets in each of his first three matches, raised his game to dismantle former world number three Tsitsipas in just one hour and 52 minutes.
The American, riding high after a strong August that included a title at the ATP Montreal Masters, blasted a dozen aces and never faced a break point.
"I played a complete match from start to finish," said Shelton, who was looking forward to taking on Alcaraz.
"I think the level that he's been playing at is really, really impressive. To not play for five months then do what he's done so far this tournament has been super-human."
"I think it's going to be fireworks on Tuesday night," Shelton said.

Sabalenka on track

Sabalenka kept her bid for a rare US Open three-peat on track with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over American Taylor Townsend.
The Belarusian, whose world number one ranking is on the line in New York, will face a tough quarter-final against sixth-ranked Czech Noskova, who edged dangerous Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.
Sabalenka needed all of her resolve against the multi-faceted Townsend, whose blistering service returns and net prowess flummoxed the Belarusian star in a first set that opened with five breaks of serve.
But her sustained power and precision proved too much and after falling behind 3-1 in the second set she won the last five games to seal the match.
"I was just trying to stay focused on myself and play not only point by point but ball by ball," Sabalenka said.
"I'm happy that I was able to turn around that second set."
Noskova needed six match points to seal her victory over Kostyuk, failing to convert two in the second set.
"I am more than relieved," Noskova said. "This match was so tough, emotionally more so than physically."
American Frances Tiafoe, the 11th seed who has twice reached the semi-finals in Flushing Meadows, booked his quarter-final berth with a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) victory over former champion Daniil Medvedev.
"Hell of a match," Tiafoe said. "I played well when it counted."
Tiafoe will face compatriot Alex Michelsen for a place in the semi-finals. Michelsen defeated Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 6-4.
Women's third seed Jessica Pegula also advanced the US cause. Pegula, one of the players with a chance to supplant Sabalenka atop the rankings in New York, reached the last eight with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Romanian Sorana Cirstea.
She will play fellow American Emma Navarro, who defeated Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-2.
bb/amz

Open

Philippine sensation Eala looks forward to Asian Games 'fun'

  • Proud Filipino Eala has been a regular at the Southeast Asian Games, winning singles gold last year, and she added: "I think it's a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December, I had such a great time.
  • Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala said she can't wait to experience the "really fun environment" of the Asian Games after a battling defeat in the third round of the US Open.
  • Proud Filipino Eala has been a regular at the Southeast Asian Games, winning singles gold last year, and she added: "I think it's a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December, I had such a great time.
Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala said she can't wait to experience the "really fun environment" of the Asian Games after a battling defeat in the third round of the US Open.
The rising 21-year-old will be favourite to win women's singles gold when the Games begin in Japan on September 19.
At the previous edition of the Games, in 2023 in China, Eala went home with bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles.
Much has changed for Eala since, last month becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA singles crown and now ranked 18 in the world.
Her ground-breaking exploits have made her a superstar back home.
"I love playing and competing with the Philippines team," Eala said after her agonizing three-set loss to United States teenager Iva Jovic in New York on Saturday.
Proud Filipino Eala has been a regular at the Southeast Asian Games, winning singles gold last year, and she added: "I think it's a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December, I had such a great time.
"I think they are really memories that stick with me."
China's Zheng Qinwen won Asian Games singles gold three years ago on home turf.
She will not defend her title in Aichi-Nagoya.
Also not involved will be Japan's four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who will be in action at the China Open in Beijing.
Eala will miss Beijing knowing that gold at the Asian Games will seal an automatic berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Eala is set to play at the Singapore Open on September 21-27, with the Asian Games women's singles starting the same day that Singapore ends. 
bur-pst/dh

Sports

Mourinho's Real Madrid European revival bid starts with Inter reunion

  • Inter beat Bayern 2-0 in the Champions League final at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium, winning the trophy for the first time since 1965 and becoming the first Italian team to win the treble.
  • When Jose Mourinho left Inter Milan for Real Madrid in the summer of 2010, after leading the Italian outfit to Champions League glory, he was at the peak of his powers.
  • Inter beat Bayern 2-0 in the Champions League final at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium, winning the trophy for the first time since 1965 and becoming the first Italian team to win the treble.
When Jose Mourinho left Inter Milan for Real Madrid in the summer of 2010, after leading the Italian outfit to Champions League glory, he was at the peak of his powers.
The Portuguese coach claimed an historic treble with Inter, clinching Serie A in the last week of the season and lifting the Coppa Italia.
Inter beat Bayern 2-0 in the Champions League final at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium, winning the trophy for the first time since 1965 and becoming the first Italian team to win the treble.
The day after the final Mourinho said it was likely his last match in charge and around a week later his appointment at Real Madrid was finalised.
Now 16 years on, and beginning his second stint at Madrid, Mourinho kicks off the record 15-time Champions League winners' European campaign against Inter on Tuesday at the Bernabeu.
Neither the veteran coach nor Inter have been able to reproduce that level of European success since.
Inter have reached the final on two subsequent occasions, beaten in 2023 by Manchester City and then thrashed by Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 showpiece.
Mourinho was unable to help Real Madrid past the semi-finals and after leaving the club in 2013 has mainly spent his time competing in lower levels of European competition.
The 63-year-old led Manchester United to the Europa League in 2017 and won the Conference League with Roma in 2022.

Back on top

Fished out of the relative wilderness by Madrid president Florentino Perez this summer after two seasons without a major trophy for Los Blancos, Mourinho's main task is to return the club to their European throne.
Only five coaches have won the trophy more times than Mourinho, who also lifted it with Porto in 2004 to kickstart his career and earn him passage to Chelsea and Europe's biggest leagues.
"My attraction to Real Madrid is due to its history, its frustrations in recent years and its expectations to win," said Mourinho in 2010, although the same holds true now, after a remarkable period of success ended.
In his first reign Mourinho helped disrupt Pep Guardiola's Barcelona's dominance within Spain but was unable to help Madrid end their wait for a 10th European Cup.
That came under his successor Carlo Ancelotti, who claimed three with Madrid over two spells at the club.
Zinedine Zidane also lifted the trophy three times in consecutive seasons, with Madrid winning six in a remarkable 10-year spell.
Perez credits Mourinho with building the foundations for those trophies.
"I'm glad my work had some positive impact, but the titles belong to Carlo, Zidane, the players, and the fans," said Mourinho.
Madrid's grip on the trophy has loosened during the past two years, knocked out in the quarter-finals by Arsenal in 2025 and last season they were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the last 16.
Mourinho's challenge is to prove both he and Real Madrid still can rule among Europe's elite, and stopping Luis Enrique's PSG retaining it for a third year running.
"Finishing without trophies at Real Madrid is not a successful season," said Mourinho in August.
The coach's second stint at Madrid started smoothly with three wins from three games, but on Friday they fell to their first defeat, 1-0 at Real Betis.
Inter's visit to the Spanish capital will be an early test of whether Mourinho can restore Madrid's European fortunes, against the club with which he last reached the pinnacle of the competition.
rbs/nf

RSA

Under-fire Labuschagne named in Australia Test squad for South Africa

  • "(We're) not shying away from the fact that we'd like some more runs from Marn... but we're also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad," Bailey said. 
  • Out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne can "still make a positive contribution", chief Australia selector George Bailey said Monday, after the struggling batsman was thrown a lifeline for the Test tour of South Africa.
  • "(We're) not shying away from the fact that we'd like some more runs from Marn... but we're also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad," Bailey said. 
Out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne can "still make a positive contribution", chief Australia selector George Bailey said Monday, after the struggling batsman was thrown a lifeline for the Test tour of South Africa.
Number three Labuschagne has failed to score a century since 2023 and flopped again in two home Tests against Bangladesh last month with scores of one, 31 and four.
He was subsequently axed from Australia's squad for three one-dayers in Zimbabwe and another three in South Africa preceding the Tests.
But selectors opted against a red-ball change for what will be the team's first Test series in South Africa since the infamous "Sandpapergate" ball-tampering scandal in 2018.
"(We're) not shying away from the fact that we'd like some more runs from Marn... but we're also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad," Bailey said. 
"Our batting group in its entirety, not just Marn, probably hasn't been functioning as successfully as we would like."
Asked if the South Africa series would be Labuschagne's last chance, Bailey dodged the question. 
"No, I wouldn't say that. But again, it's a hypothetical, isn't it?" he said.
Cooper Connolly, Matthew Kuhnemann and Michael Neser were also included in a 16-man squad which was otherwise unchanged form the last Bangladesh Test.
All-rounder Connolly's selection is another indication that the 23-year-old is seen as a long-term prospect while Kuhnemann was preferred to Todd Murphy as the second spinner behind Nathan Lyon.
Neser, who like Labuschagne was born in South Africa, provides back-up for the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Bailey said Connolly was primarily chosen for his batting, most likely as a middle order option but potentially as high as three.
"His overall development will continue to expand his ability to bat in a range of positions," he said.
Australia travel to Durban for the first Test on October 9 before the series moves to Gqeberha and Cape Town.
Only Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, Steve Smith and Matt Renshaw survive from their last Test series in South Africa, when Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all sent home in shame.
Smith was banned for a year and sacked as captain after conspiring to alter the ball using sandpaper during the third Test in Cape Town, while the now-retired Warner, considered the ringleader, was suspended for 12 months and stripped of all leadership roles.
Australia Test squad: 
Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
mp/pst

Dodgers

Ohtani 'unlikely' to pitch again this season, says Dodgers manager

  • Roberts on Sunday expressed hope that Ohtani could return to the Dodgers' batting lineup as soon as Monday. 
  • Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch again this season, team manager Dave Roberts said Sunday.
  • Roberts on Sunday expressed hope that Ohtani could return to the Dodgers' batting lineup as soon as Monday. 
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch again this season, team manager Dave Roberts said Sunday.
The Japanese has suffered multiple injuries, missing four consecutive games this week for the first time since he joined the Dodgers in 2023. 
Ohtani has not pitched in a game since July 3. He has battled inflammation and soreness, and experienced injury setbacks after bullpen throwing sessions. 
Roberts on Sunday expressed hope that Ohtani could return to the Dodgers' batting lineup as soon as Monday. 
But with just three weeks remaining of the regular season, Roberts downplayed the prospect of Ohtani returning to the mound as a full-fledged starter this year.
"Obviously if you're looking at the calendar, how much he's thrown in the last week, I think we can all do the math," said Roberts.
Asked if Ohtani might instead throw just an inning at a time as an opener, Roberts responded: "I think that's unlikely."
Ohtani has played a crucial role as the Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series the past two seasons, but his pitching role has been limited.
After undergoing two right elbow operations in 2023, Ohtani did not take the mound at all for the Dodgers until last June.
After a rehab-free off-season, this was meant to be the year Ohtani returned as a full-time two-way player, with the Japanese star targeting the Cy Young Award for outstanding pitching.
But that has been derailed by injuries to his left knee, right biceps and neck.
Ohtani's batting form has slumped in recent weeks as he has attempted to return as a pitcher.
amz/pst

Asiad

World number one An sends Asian Games warning with China hat-trick

  • Shetty and Rankireddy will defend their Asian Games men's doubles title in Japan.
  • Badminton world number one An Se-young sent a warning for the Asian Games as she clinched her third China Masters title in a row in ominous fashion.
  • Shetty and Rankireddy will defend their Asian Games men's doubles title in Japan.
Badminton world number one An Se-young sent a warning for the Asian Games as she clinched her third China Masters title in a row in ominous fashion.
South Korea's reigning Olympic and world champion will defend her crown when the Asian Games begin on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan.
The 24-year-old will be overwhelming favourite after winning the China Masters on Sunday with a ruthless 21-17, 21-6 demolition of Tomoka Miyazaki in Shenzhen.
An did not drop a game all week on the way to her seventh title of the season.
"I'm so proud of myself. I'm really pleased with the result and I feel so happy," An said.
Despite being the undoubted dominant force in women's badminton once more this year, An said: "There are many players coming up and challenging.
"I don't think any match can be taken lightly." 
The men's singles final was surprisingly an all-Hong Kong affair, with world number 32 Jason Gunawan defeating Lee Cheuk-Yiu 21-9, 21-16.
In the men's doubles, India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty beat home duo He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu in a three-game battle.
Shetty and Rankireddy will defend their Asian Games men's doubles title in Japan.
"Going into the Asian Games winning a title definitely reassures us what we are working on is heading in the right direction," said Shetty.
"We will go back home, push ourselves to the limit, train for the next 10 days and go all guns blazing in Japan. We want to go out there and have some fun."
China's Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping won the mixed doubles while Sumire Nakade and Miyu Takahashi of Japan clinched the women's doubles crown.
bur-pst/dh

GT

Driver thanks 'superhero' rival for saving him from flaming race car

  • The 36-year-old Millroy suffered a huge impact in the multi-car crash during Saturday's race, which resulted in his car erupting instantly in flames.
  • A British racing driver thanked a "superhero" rival for pulling him from the flaming wreckage of his car after a horror crash in Shanghai, saying the quick response saved his life.
  • The 36-year-old Millroy suffered a huge impact in the multi-car crash during Saturday's race, which resulted in his car erupting instantly in flames.
A British racing driver thanked a "superhero" rival for pulling him from the flaming wreckage of his car after a horror crash in Shanghai, saying the quick response saved his life.
Loek Hartog stopped and leapt out of his own car to rush to the aid of Ollie Millroy during the China GT Championship race at the Shanghai International Circuit, home of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix. 
The Dutchman used a fire extinguisher on Millroy's Ferrari as a blaze raged before yanking open the driver's door and dragging him to safety.
"I am still alive tonight entirely thanks to one man," Millroy posted on Instagram.
"Loek Hartog stopped instantly with no flag marshals or fire crews in sight and risked his own life to get me out of the car," he added.
The 36-year-old Millroy suffered a huge impact in the multi-car crash during Saturday's race, which resulted in his car erupting instantly in flames.
"I don't remember anything... but I will remember his incredible act of bravery for the rest of my life," Millroy said. 
"One day I will tell our three kids this story and Loek will be the biggest superhero in history in their eyes too.
"I'm lying here tonight with five broken ribs, broken collar bone, broken hand and finger and a bruised lung, but it could have been much worse. 
"Thank you Loek. I owe you my life for your selfless act today."
Hartog, 23, played down his heroics in a social media note posted after visiting Millroy in hospital.
"It was terrifying and there were moments when I didn't know if I'd ever manage to get Ollie out," he said.
"But it's not about what I did. I'm sure many people in my position would have reacted exactly the same way.
"The most important thing is that Ollie is okay. Things could have turned out very differently today and I'm truly grateful that they didn't."
Millroy's team, AAI Motorsport, said they would "no longer participate in any races organised by China GT" in a statement that criticised safety standards at the circuit.
The team said Millroy's car "continued to burn for more than a minute" after the crash and that "no timely and effective firefighting and rescue operations were seen".
The China GT Championship organising committee said in a statement on Weibo: "We sincerely apologise for this accident and for the subsequent shock and distress it has caused.
"We will conduct a thorough review and investigation into this accident, and draw up more comprehensive plans to address any shortcomings.
"The championship organising committee extends its sympathies to Oliver Millroy, driver of car number 91, and the other drivers involved in the accident, and sincerely hopes for their speedy recovery.
"The committee also expresses its deep gratitude and respect to Loek Hartog, who was the first driver to arrive at the scene of the accident and provide assistance."
bur-dh/pst

Global Edition

PSG go for three in a row as Champions League returns

BY ANDY SCOTT

  • - Debutants - The only club outside Spain, England, Germany, Italy and France to have won the Champions League in the last 30 years remains Mourinho's Porto in 2004.
  • Another UEFA Champions League season gets going this week with the beginning of the league phase as Paris Saint-Germain bid to join the tiny band of clubs to have won the competition three years running.
  • - Debutants - The only club outside Spain, England, Germany, Italy and France to have won the Champions League in the last 30 years remains Mourinho's Porto in 2004.
Another UEFA Champions League season gets going this week with the beginning of the league phase as Paris Saint-Germain bid to join the tiny band of clubs to have won the competition three years running.
PSG successfully defended their title last season when they beat Arsenal on penalties in Budapest, retaining the trophy they won for the first time in their history 12 months earlier.
Luis Enrique's side have already secured their status as one of the competition's greatest teams by winning it back-to-back, something only Real Madrid had previously achieved since the inception of the modern Champions League in 1992.
Winning three in a row would be on another level entirely. Real did exactly that under Zinedine Zidane between 2016 and 2018, The only other teams to manage such a feat are Ajax (1971-73) and Bayern Munich (1974-76), while Madrid also won the first five editions of the European Cup from 1956 to 1960.
"Our objectives are clear. I want to win important trophies and there are none more important than the Champions League," said Luis Enrique, who also led Barcelona to glory in 2015.
The back-to-back titles for the French giants have coincided with the introduction of the new Champions League format, with 36 teams in the league phase now playing eight games against eight different opponents.
The Parisians struggled in the league phase in each of the last two campaigns, finishing outside the top eight and having to come through the additional play-off round to make the last 16.
Tough draws were partly responsible for that, and PSG will face some familiar opponents this time in Manchester City, Barcelona and Aston Villa.
With each passing year, the prospect of a team other than one of Europe's super clubs winning the Champions League seems more remote.

Arsenal to take next step?

The Premier League's financial strength means all of its representatives can be expected to feature prominently, with Arsenal chief among them.
Over the last three years, the Gunners have lost in the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, and then the final. There is therefore a logical next step for Mikel Arteta's side,
Arsenal topped the league phase last season with a perfect record. They have a tough start this time away to Napoli.
There are five English clubs involved, with Manchester City and Liverpool joined by the returning Manchester United and Villa.
Bayern Munich are formidable, while Jose Mourinho has returned to Real Madrid charged with the task of leading them back to continental glory. Barcelona are itching to get their hands on the trophy again.
It is hard to see beyond one of those clubs, although Inter Milan could have a say and Atletico Madrid will be desperate to reach a final to be held in their stadium.

Debutants

The only club outside Spain, England, Germany, Italy and France to have won the Champions League in the last 30 years remains Mourinho's Porto in 2004.
Plenty of new names will add freshness to the competition, including Como, who finished fourth in Serie A last season under Cesc Fabregas to qualify at the expense of AC Milan and Juventus.
Viking Stavanger are in the Champions League proper for the first time after winning a first Norwegian title in 34 years.
Sabah start with a trip to Old Trafford after winning a first Azerbaijani title and coming through four qualifying ties. Their manager, Valdas Dambrauskas, got into coaching with the money he made appearing on the Lithuanian version of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire'.
"Since I was 12, when I realised I will not be a professional player, I knew I wanted to be a football coach," he said in an interview with Flashscore.
"I cannot guess what would have happened without this game, but I believe I would have found a way to achieve my dream."
Sabah might not qualify for the next stage -- although compatriots Qarabag did that last season -- but just being in the league phase is worth almost 20 million euros ($23.2m) at a minimum, significant sums for clubs from lesser leagues.
The Champions League winners pocket around 90 million euros in prize money, before adding millions more, notably from television -- it is understood PSG earned around 150 million euros for each of their last two victories.
as/pb

open

Tiafoe tops Medvedev in straight sets at US Open

BY JOHN BIERS

  • Medvedev had won six of seven prior matches against the American, including a straight-set drubbing in the same round of the 2020 US Open.
  • American Frances Tiafoe swept past former champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets Sunday to advance to the quarter-finals of the US Open.
  • Medvedev had won six of seven prior matches against the American, including a straight-set drubbing in the same round of the 2020 US Open.
American Frances Tiafoe swept past former champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets Sunday to advance to the quarter-finals of the US Open.
A two-time semi-finalist at New York's Flushing Meadows, the 11th-seeded Tiafoe defeated seventh-seeded Medvedev of Russia 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth time in five years.
Medvedev held leads in two of the three sets, but was outplayed by the American at key junctures. 
"I played well when it counted," Tiafoe said. "Yeah, I came up with some crazy stuff, but it had to be that good against such a quality player in Daniil."
Tiafoe enjoyed loud support from the crowd in Louis Armstrong Stadium, where he has never lost. 
After the match, Tiafoe stood before the crowd and pointed to his ear, asking for noise. He also took a virtual basketball shot, acknowledging hoop stars Lisa Leslie, AJ Dybantsa and Victor Oladipo who were in his cheering section.
"The energy has been amazing," Tiafoe told a court-side interviewer. "It's like the people's court. I'm loving the energy for sure."
Medvedev had won six of seven prior matches against the American, including a straight-set drubbing in the same round of the 2020 US Open.
But Medvedev, who won the US Open in 2021 for his only Grand Slam, has had an up-and-down 2026.
He has won two ATP titles and notched a win over Carlos Alcaraz at the prestigious Indian Wells tournament. 
But Medvedev, who has reached six career Grand Slam finals, failed this year to advance beyond the round of 16 at any Grand Slam. 
Medvedev served for the first set, but was broken at 6-5 and then lost the tiebreaker decisively. 
Too often, Medvedev was unable to consolidate lead. He hit a brilliant backhand overhead to take a 4-3 lead in the third-set tiebreaker, but followed it up with a feeble backhand error. 
Still, the Russian held a set point in the third-set tiebreaker. But Tiafoe got the better of a net exchange between the men, then proceeded to take the next two points to seal the win.
"I should have played better in some moments of the match," Medvedev said.
"I should have made better shots, better decisions, actually. That's what made the difference."
Tiafoe, who reached the final of the pre-US Open warmup tournament in Cincinnati, will next play fellow American Alex Michelsen, a 22-year old who will play his first Grand Slam quarter-final.
Michelsen beat 27th-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 6-4.
In the 2022 semi-finals, Tiafoe lost in five sets to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, who would go on later that weekend to win his first Grand Slam title. 
The two men are in the same half of the draw, and are now just one round away from a potential rematch if both win their next matches.
jmb/amz

Open

Shelton steams into US Open quarter-final clash with Alcaraz

  • The Spaniard delivered his most convincing display of the tournament in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over American Tommy Paul, and Shelton said it would take "special tennis" to beat him.
  • Eighth-seeded Ben Shelton overpowered former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to book a US Open quarter-final date with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
  • The Spaniard delivered his most convincing display of the tournament in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over American Tommy Paul, and Shelton said it would take "special tennis" to beat him.
Eighth-seeded Ben Shelton overpowered former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to book a US Open quarter-final date with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Shelton -- riding high after a strong August that included a title at the ATP Montreal Masters, where he didn't drop a set -- dominated on serve.
The American blasted a dozen aces and never faced a break point in a match lasting just one hour and 52 minutes.
Shelton put 71 percent of his first serves in play and won 84 percent of those points.
"I was focused today," said Shelton, a 2023 US Open semi-finalist. "I played a complete match from start to finish."
Shelton powered through the opening set in 31 minutes, breaking Tsitsipas on the way to a 3-0 lead and breaking again to pocket the set.
He seized control of the second set with a break for 4-2, setting up his chance with a delicate drop shot to end another thumping baseline rally.
A forehand winner down the line had put Shelton up 5-2 when Tsitsipas called for the trainer.
He engaged in a lengthy conversation with the physio before receiving medication as Shelton became increasingly restive.
Tsitsipas then held at love, but Shelton was on the move again and closed out the set in the next game with an emphatic forehand winner.
He bagged another early break in the third set and cruised home.
Now he awaits Alcaraz, the seven-time Grand Slam champion who opted to make the US Open his first tournament back from a four-month injury layoff.
The Spaniard delivered his most convincing display of the tournament in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over American Tommy Paul, and Shelton said it would take "special tennis" to beat him.
"I think the level that he's been playing at is really, really impressive," Shelton said. "I think it's going to be fireworks on Tuesday night."
It was a disappointing ending for Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist who hadn't made the second week of a major in more than two years.
The Greek has been in resurgent form this season, playing pain free after battling back trouble last year.
bb/amz

open

Pegula tops Cirstea to reach US Open quarter-finals

  • World number two Elena Rybakina is assured of ascending if she reaches the quarter-finals, even if Sabalenka wins he third straight US Open crown. jmb/bb
  • Former US Open finalist Jessica Pegula defeated Sorana Cirstea of Romania in straight sets Sunday to advance to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.
  • World number two Elena Rybakina is assured of ascending if she reaches the quarter-finals, even if Sabalenka wins he third straight US Open crown. jmb/bb
Former US Open finalist Jessica Pegula defeated Sorana Cirstea of Romania in straight sets Sunday to advance to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.
Third-seeded Pegula, one of the players who could supplant Aryna Sabalenka atop the world rankings in New York, needed 84 minutes to polish off the 6-3, 6-4.
Both sets followed a similar pattern, an aggressive Pegula jumping out to big leads before the Romanian cleaned up her play enough to narrow the lead, but not enough to catch up to the American.
Pegula wrapped up the first set in 38 minutes with a break of Cirstea's serve.
In the second Cirstea twice recovered breaks, but Pegula broke her one more time to seal the win.
The American clinched the victory when she got the upper hand in a rally and eventually forced an error out of Cirstea, who bowed out of her final Grand Slam having said she'll retire at the end of the season.
Pegula will next play either fellow American Emma Navarro, seeded 26th, or 21st-seeded Anna Kalinskaya of Russia.
Pegula will have to go all the way to a first Grand Slam title to have any chance of claiming the world number one ranking. World number two Elena Rybakina is assured of ascending if she reaches the quarter-finals, even if Sabalenka wins he third straight US Open crown.
jmb/bb

Open

Enjoying the moment: Alcaraz steps it up to reach US Open quarter-finals

BY REBECCA BRYAN

  • Alcaraz finally gained the first break of the contest in the final game of a tight first set.
  • Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, gaining confidence with every match, cruised into the US Open quarter-finals on Sunday with a comprehensive victory over Tommy Paul.
  • Alcaraz finally gained the first break of the contest in the final game of a tight first set.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, gaining confidence with every match, cruised into the US Open quarter-finals on Sunday with a comprehensive victory over Tommy Paul.
The second-seeded Spaniard, playing his first tournament after a four-month absence with a right wrist injury, beat Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to reach his fifth quarter-final at Flushing Meadows -- where he won the first of his seven Grand Slam titles back in 2022.
"Really happy to see where my level is right now," Alcaraz said. "Beating Tommy Paul is always great feedback to see where you are, and (I'm) just really happy about everything I've done today.
"I think I returned pretty well. I saw really well the game today, what I had to do in every moment, using the right things in every moment. So I'm just really happy."
The 23-year-old, who claimed his seventh Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, had admitted to some trepidation as he opted to make his injury return at the final Grand Slam of the year.
After wins over Roman Safiullin, Jaime Faria and Wu Yibing, Alcaraz pointed to some rust -- a few more forehand errors than he liked to see and some suspect decision making on court.
But he put it all together against Paul, his first top-25 opponent of the tournament.
Alcaraz has now won seven of nine meetings with the American, and he dominated on Sunday, firing 33 winners from all points of the compass as he moved fluidly around the court, adjusting his return position to keep Paul off-balance.
Alcaraz finally gained the first break of the contest in the final game of a tight first set.
From there, it was almost all Alcaraz. He broke Paul twice in the second set and again early in the third.
He finished it off in style as he saved a pair of break points in the final game, the second with a swinging forehand volley followed by a forehand winner to set up the only match point he needed.
Paul certainly didn't see many weaknesses in the Spaniard's game.
"He's still hitting his forehand hard and off the court," Paul said. "I feel like he's maybe mixing things up on the return a little bit more.
"I think going into the match I saw his first-serve speed maybe was dropped a little bit from before he took time off, but I thought he made up with it with his first ball after his serve."
It still wasn't perfect, Alcaraz said.
"I just had to be hard with myself, saying again the serves can be better," he said. "But I'm just happy, and I'm going to enjoy this moment, for sure."
bb/js

Open

Zverev seeks US Open last eight as Osaka faces Rybakina

BY REBECCA BRYAN

  • She reached the Australian Open third round, made the last 16 at Roland Garros and had a best-ever quarter-final run at Wimbledon that included a victory over Sabalenka.
  • Top-seeded Alexander Zverev headlines the action at the US Open on Monday, taking on Luciano Darderi for a place in the quarter-finals.
  • She reached the Australian Open third round, made the last 16 at Roland Garros and had a best-ever quarter-final run at Wimbledon that included a victory over Sabalenka.
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev headlines the action at the US Open on Monday, taking on Luciano Darderi for a place in the quarter-finals.
After two marathon five-setters to open his campaign, French Open champion Zverev had a smoother ride against Alejandro Tabilo and he'll be looking to improve further against the 21st-seeded Italian.
As he has in each of his matches, Zverev will again anchor the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium, on a day offering plenty of compelling fourth-round contests.
AFP Sport looks at three matches to watch on Day 9 of the US Open:
Naomi Osaka (JPN x13) v Elena Rybakina (KAZ x2)
Rybakina leads head to head 1-0
-- World number two Elena Rybakina has brushed off talk of the No. 1 ranking, but the pressure is nevertheless on the two-time Grand Slam winner from Kazakhstan, who only needs to reach the semi-finals to knock Aryna Sabalenka out of the top spot.
The reigning Australian Open champion has yet to drop a set, but she'll be stepping up in class against Osaka -- whose four Grand Slam titles include two US Opens.
More than two years since she returned to the tour after an extended maternity leave, Osaka is on an upward trajectory.
She reached the Australian Open third round, made the last 16 at Roland Garros and had a best-ever quarter-final run at Wimbledon that included a victory over Sabalenka.
She'll have to avoid the mid-match dips that marred her victories over Katerina Siniakova and Elise Mertens if she's to have a chance to knock off Rybakina.
"I know she's one of the best players in the world, so I have no choice but to come with a high level," Osaka said. "I think that's when the most exciting tennis is."
Francisco Cerundolo (ARG x24) v Alexander Blockx (BEL x28)
Blockx leads head to head 1-0
-- Upset third-round victories propelled Cerundolo and Blockx into new US Open territory.
Cerundolo, the highest-ranked Latin American player on the ATP Tour, rallied from two sets down to topple ninth-seeded American Taylor Fritz and continue his best-ever run in Flushing Meadows.
The 21-year-old Belgian Blockx, seeded at a major for the first time, shocked fifth-seeded French Open finalist Flavio Cobolli in four sets to reach the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Ranked 116th in the world 12 months ago, Blockx said that was his goal coming in -- one he'll now need to re-set.
That starts with Cerundolo, who fell to Blockx in their only prior meeting at the clay court Madrid Masters this year.
"Now, conditions are completely different," Blockx said. "We are both really confident, playing good tennis, so it will be an exciting match."
Iga Swiatek (POL x8) v Zheng Qinwen (CHN)
Swiatek leads head to head 7-1
-- Six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek may have the upper hand in this rivalry, but Zheng's lone win over the Polish star was a big one -- in the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics on the way to singles gold.
Since that triumph, Zheng has seen her rise derailed by injury, with a lengthier than expected return from elbow surgery last year seeing the former world number four's ranking plummet so far that she had to come through qualifying to gain a US Open berth.
She'll ride the momentum of an epic comeback into her fourth-round clash with Swiatek, having rallied from 0-5 down in the final set to stun Madison Keys in three in the third round.
The last qualifier to reach the US Open women's singles fourth round was Emma Raducanu -- who went on to win the title in 2021.
Swiatek will be a big obstacle in Zheng's path to a similar feat. Although she has endured a disappointing year by her standards, the Pole has come on strong in the build-up to the Open, capturing her first title of the year in Toronto.
bb/js  

open

Noskova edges Kostyuk to reach US Open quarter-finals

BY JOHN BIERS

  • Noskova took a bathroom break after the second set, as she did in the Wimbledon final against fellow Czech Karolina Muchova when she also found herself in a third set after squandering match points.
  • Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova reached the quarter-finals of the US Open on Sunday, edging Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk in three sets.
  • Noskova took a bathroom break after the second set, as she did in the Wimbledon final against fellow Czech Karolina Muchova when she also found herself in a third set after squandering match points.
Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova reached the quarter-finals of the US Open on Sunday, edging Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk in three sets.
The Czech Noskova, who has largely flown under the radar in New York despite winning Wimbledon, beat Kostyuk 7-5, 5-7, 6-4, finally sealing the win on her sixth match point when Kostyuk netted a backhand return.
"I an more than relieved," Noskova said after booking a last-eight showdown with two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. "This match was so tough, emotionally more so than physically."
After a hard-fought first set, Noskova, seeded sixth, appeared poised for a relatively straightforward win, holding two match points while serving for the second set up at 5-4.
But Kostyuk, who has won two titles in 2026, slapped a forehand winner on the first and saved the second by drilling a ball at Noskova, who was at the net and couldn't handle the volley.
Riding momentum and loud crowd support in Louis Armstrong Stadium, Kostyuk went on to take the next two games to force a third set.
In the third set, the Czech scored a key break at 3-3. 
But with Noskova serving at 5-4, Kostyuk saved three more match points but couldn't return a strong serve from Noskova, who fell to her knees after finally finishing the two hour and 27-minute match.
Noskova took a bathroom break after the second set, as she did in the Wimbledon final against fellow Czech Karolina Muchova when she also found herself in a third set after squandering match points.
"I just had to leave the court. There was a lot of noise, but obviously I had to restart. I had to refocus, kind of put it behind me, which was not easy at all," Noskova said.
"It's always the most important thing to kind of get yourself back mentally after such opportunities, either in Wimby or here."
Kostyuk said after the match that she has been playing  with a right wrist injury and planned to get an MRI now that the tournament is over.
"I wasn't 100 percent for sure," said Kostyuk, who smiled in the later stages of the second as the crowd "started going crazy" as she saved match points.
"I've never had the whole stadium cheer for me like this, and it was so loud, and yeah, I wanted to soak it in, and it kept going until the rest of the match," she said. "So it was incredible. So nothing else but smile about it."
Kostyuk, a vocal critic of the Russian invasion of Ukraine who has spoken of the toll on her family, said she enjoyed the atmosphere despite losing.
"I just lost a match. Of course, it's a Grand Slam. It was very close match, but I'm very happy, and nothing about the result of the match is gonna change it," Kostyuk said. "It's just a tennis match. I mean, come on, all good."
jmb/bb

Sports

La Rochelle half-backs lead fightback against Toulouse

  • Toulouse lock Thibaud Flament pointed out that after winning last year's playoff final on June 27, his team had a shortened pre-season.
  • La Rochelle fought back from a brilliant 12-minute burst by visiting Toulouse to beat the defending champions 30-27 with the last kick of the opening round of the Top 14 season on Sunday.
  • Toulouse lock Thibaud Flament pointed out that after winning last year's playoff final on June 27, his team had a shortened pre-season.
La Rochelle fought back from a brilliant 12-minute burst by visiting Toulouse to beat the defending champions 30-27 with the last kick of the opening round of the Top 14 season on Sunday.
Toulouse cruised to a 14-point half-time lead, but La Rochelle's half-backs, Antoine Hastoy and Nolann Le Garrec, scored 16 second-half points between them to drag their team to victory.
"There were a lot of imperfections in the first half but the lads showed great character to come back and get the victory," La Rochelle hooker Pierre Bourgarit told Canal Plus.
"It's easier to build on a victory than on a defeat."
La Rochelle, who brought in 11 players over the summer after their last campaign was derailed by injuries, enjoyed an early territorial edge and took the lead on 14 minutes.
La Rochelle ran a short-range free-kick and hulking 21-year-old lock Charles Kante Samba banged over.
Toulouse responded with three quick tries.
In the 17th minute, star Italian centre Tommaso Menoncello, the champions' only summer signing, raced on to a pass in his own half and slalomed past three flailing home defenders before diving over the line.
Five minutes later, the Toulouse forwards flexed their muscle, rucking the home pack backwards before lock Emmanuel Meafou bludgeoned over.
Then fly-half Romain Ntamack scampered through a gap to score.
Fullback Thomas Ramos converted all three tries and added a penalty before the break. Le Garrec kicked a conversion for La Rochelle who trailed 24-10 at half-time.
Le Garrec plunged over after prolonged home pressure, converted and then booted a penalty to cut the deficit back to four points after 55 minutes.
Ramos responded with a penalty.
When Toulouse prop Georges-Henri Colombe was yellow carded for an offence in defence, La Rochelle opted to scrum against a weakened pack. That set up fly-half Hastoy to slant through and score, before converting to tie the scores.
With eight minutes left, La Rochelle hooker Tolu Latu rammed his shoulder into face of a crouching Matthis Lebel and saw red.
Ramos missed the go-ahead penalty. 
As time ran out, the depleted home team dragged themselves upfield and won a penalty. Hastoy let the final hooter sound and then booted it over for the win.
"A rather difficult opening day but we found answers and it was good to win like that," said Hastoy.
"A penalty like that rewards all the work."
Toulouse lock Thibaud Flament pointed out that after winning last year's playoff final on June 27, his team had a shortened pre-season.
"La Rochelle started the second half with more energy and desire and regained the initiative," he said. "We became spectators."
pb/jc

SerieA

Gatti salvages Juve draw with AC Milan in Serie A

  • Parma and Monza got their first points of the season in a 1-1 draw, while Artem Dovbyk's injury-time strike also got Bologna on the board for the campaign with a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo. jc/pb
  • Federico Gatti came off the bench and scored an injury-time equaliser as Juventus snatched a 1-1 draw with AC Milan in Serie A on Sunday.
  • Parma and Monza got their first points of the season in a 1-1 draw, while Artem Dovbyk's injury-time strike also got Bologna on the board for the campaign with a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo. jc/pb
Federico Gatti came off the bench and scored an injury-time equaliser as Juventus snatched a 1-1 draw with AC Milan in Serie A on Sunday.
Both teams arrived at the Allianz Stadium after starting the season with back-to-back wins and remained unbeaten after a hard-fought affair.
The result leaves Roma and Inter Milan as the two teams with 100 percent records after three games, with Lazio attempting to join them when they face Udinese on Monday.
"We didn't deserve to win, and Juve didn't deserve to lose," Milan coach Ruben Amorim told DAZN.
"We lost possession too often and didn't play well, but we've only been working together for two months."
Juve coach Luciano Spalletti was critical of Randal Kolo Muani after he missed several chances in their first match of the season against Frosinone.
But he insisted he still has faith in the France striker, despite his wait to get off the mark in his second spell at the club.
"I chose him to lead our attack and I am sticking with that choice," said Spalletti.
"I will stick with it until the end of the season, and we'll see then just how far he has taken us."
Juventus had the better of the first half but visiting goalkeeper Mike Maignan made an excellent save to keep out Francisco Conceicao's shot from their clearest chance.
The Portugal winger went even closer 10 minutes into the second period, but fired his effort off the base of the post after being found by Manuel Locatelli.
Milan grabbed the lead in the 68th minute with their first shot on target of the match.
After Juve striker Randal Kolo Muani was left on the ground appealing for a free-kick, the away side broke.
Samuel Chukwueze fed 19-year-old substitute Alphadjo Cisse, who cut inside and swept a low finish past Juve goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and into the bottom corner.
Juve brought on Nick Woltemade with 15 minutes left for his debut after joining on loan from Newcastle on deadline day.
But it was another substitute who rescued the hosts a point, as centre-back Gatti powered a header in off the bar from Teun Koopmeiners's free-kick.
Frosinone made it consecutive victories as Georgia international Giorgi Kvernadze's late goal grabbed them a dramatic 3-2 win over fellow promoted side Venezia.
Parma and Monza got their first points of the season in a 1-1 draw, while Artem Dovbyk's injury-time strike also got Bologna on the board for the campaign with a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo.
jc/pb

GER

Minnows Augsburg sink Frankfurt to top Bundesliga table

  • Earlier on Sunday, Mainz cantered to a 5-0 win at Hamburg, with Phillip Tietz bagging a brace and Sheraldo Becker, Phillipp Mwene and Ransford Koenigsdoerffer scoring for the visitors.  dwi/pb
  • Bavarian minnows Augsburg came from a goal down to a 4-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday, while a dominant Mainz put five goals past Hamburg.
  • Earlier on Sunday, Mainz cantered to a 5-0 win at Hamburg, with Phillip Tietz bagging a brace and Sheraldo Becker, Phillipp Mwene and Ransford Koenigsdoerffer scoring for the visitors.  dwi/pb
Bavarian minnows Augsburg came from a goal down to a 4-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday, while a dominant Mainz put five goals past Hamburg.
Augsburg's victory brought them to the top of the Bundesliga table after two matches, the first time the club, who were promoted to the top flight in 2011, have ever ended a round in first position. 
Bayern Munich's surprise scoreless draw at Schalke on Saturday meant their 67-matchday streak atop the Bundesliga table came to an end after more than two years. 
"As people we live for moments like this," a beaming Augsburg coach Manuel Baum told reporters. 
"When we see each other in a few years, we'll tell stories about how we were the ones who topped the table with Augsburg. That's something to enjoy for a day. 
"I even took a screenshot of the standings."
Augsburg won thanks to goals from Arijon Ibrahimovic, Robin Fellhauer, Alexis Claude Maurice and Fabian Rieder after Jonathan Burkardt had opened the scoring for the hosts. 
Earlier on Sunday, Mainz cantered to a 5-0 win at Hamburg, with Phillip Tietz bagging a brace and Sheraldo Becker, Phillipp Mwene and Ransford Koenigsdoerffer scoring for the visitors. 
dwi/pb