Latest - Scott McLaughlin took another big step towards a third straight Supercars title with victory in a tense opening race at the OTR SuperSprint at The Bend.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Shell Ford driver fended off fellow New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen in the closing stages of the 31-lap sprint, taking the flag 0.6 seconds clear.
With Jamie Whincup managing just 10th from his lowly 14th-place grid slot, McLaughlin now leads the standings by 263 points.
McLaughlin can secure the title today and avoid a final round showdown at Bathurst if he ends the day 300 points clear of Whincup.
Djokovic won't rein in emotions at French Open
Novak Djokovic said he will not let the ball incident that caused his U.S. Open disqualification affect the way he manages his emotions on court as he makes his Grand Slam return at Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Serbian, disqualified in New York after accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball, bounced back by winning the title at the Italian Open, where his temper got the better of him as he smashed a racket in his quarter-final match.
While he said he would be more careful and that the U.S. incident had left a scar, Djokovic added that he will not rein himself in when it comes to showing his emotions on court.
"Of course, it was a shock for me and a lot of people. But that's life, that's sport. These things can happen," Djokovic, who is chasing an 18th Grand Slam singles title at the French Open, said.
"But I don't think that this will have any significant negative impact on how I feel on the tennis court.
"I mean, I won the tournament in Rome just a week later after what happened in New York. I did not feel any kind of emotional disturbance or difficulty to actually be able to play or still express my emotions in whatever way."
However, the world number one said he would not soon forget what happened in New York and that will affect his behaviour.
"Obviously I am going to be extra careful of hitting a tennis ball around the court," added Djokovic.
- Reuters
Dutch rider claims double at World Road Cycling Championships
Anna van der Breggen of the Netherlands claimed the road race gold medal in emphatic style at the world championships, prevailing after a long solo ride to add to her time-trial title for a rare double.
Van der Breggen, who had already won gold two years ago in Innsbruck, Austria, jumped away from a reduced pack on the climb to the Cima Gallisterna in the penultimate lap, 41.5 km from the finish, and never looked back.
"It was a really hard race right from the beginning. The climbs are really tough but in the third lap I felt strong. We made the race harder and I just went for it. Everybody was tired," said Van der Breggen.
The 30-year-old Olympic champion, who had geared up for the race by winning the Giro Rosa earlier this month, gave the Netherlands their fourth title in a row in the women's road race.
Van der Breggen is also the second woman, after France's Jeannie Longo in 1995, to achieve the road race-time trial double since the solo effort against the clock was added to the world championships in 1994.
Niamh Fisher-Black was the best of the New Zealand riders in 15th, Mikayla Harvey finished in 22nd and Georgia Williams in 46th.
Venus into ATP 500 final
New Zealand tennis player Michael Venus and his Australian doubles partner John Peers have rallied from losing the first set to reach the final of the ATP 500 tournament in Hamburg.
Michael Venus Photo: Photosport
Venus and Peers have beaten Dutchman Jean-Julien Rojer and Romania's Horia Tecau 3-6, 7-5, 10-6 in 1 hour 28.
They will face the Croatian pair of Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic for the title.
Venus and Peers got off to a slow start in the semi final but fought their way back into the match in the second set and played a strong match tie break.
They led 6-2 and withstood a fightback from Rojer and Tecau before winning four points in a row to close out the victory.
Injury sours Marshall's Tigers farewell
New Zealand rugby league player Benji Marshall's Wests Tigers career has ended with broken ribs and a battered knee.
Marshall lasted just 18 minutes in the Tigers' 28-24 loss to the Paramatta Eels in the NRL after a high hit from Parmatta's Will Smith saw him leave the field.
Tigers officials confirmed medial ligament damage to Marshall's knee after being twisted awkwardly in the tackle.
Marshall is not wanted by the Tigers next season but he plans to play on.
Stoppage time goal secures EPL win
Manchester United beat Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 away in the Premier League after an incredible finale in which Bruno Fernandes struck the winning goal from the penalty spot in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
Bruno Fernandes Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Neal Maupay had given away the penalty with a handball, which led to a VAR review, after referee Chris Kavanagh had blown the fulltime whistle.
Kavanagh eventually gave the penalty and Fernandes lashed into the net from the spot, moments after Solly March had levelled for Brighton in the fifth minute of added time.
A brilliant solo strike from Marcus Rashford had given United the lead in the 55th minute after Rashford and Mason Greenwood had goals ruled out for offside and Brighton had seen a penalty decision overturned by a VAR review.
Brighton, who hit the woodwork five times, took the lead when Maupay coolly slotted in a penalty in the 40th minute after a foul by Fernandes.
But the visitors soon levelled with an own goal from Brighton defender Lewis Dunk, who tried to prevent United captain Harry Maguire from reaching a Nemanja Matic pass following a free kick but instead sent the ball into the net.
- Reuters
Chelsea turn around three goal deficit
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham struck a 93rd-minute equaliser as they battled back from three goals down to draw 3-3 at West Bromwich Albion in their Premier League clash.
An error by Marcos Alonso led to Callum Robinson opening the scoring for West Brom in the fourth minute and the Irish striker forward made it two when Chelsea's new signing Thiago Silva, who was given the captain's armband, miscontrolled the ball.
Kyle Bartley was left unmarked to add a third in the 27th minute with a close-range finish to send Chelsea in three down at the break, but Mason Mount threw the Blues a lifeline with a goal 10 minutes into the second half.
Callum Hudson-Odoi made it 3-2 in the 70th minute but it took until stoppage time for Chelsea to find an equaliser when Abraham pounced on a loose ball in the box and slammed it home to snatch a point for Frank Lampard's side.
- Reuters