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Norrie loses to Zverev to end British singles hopes

Images courtesy of Getty

To put an end to British interest in Melbourne’s singles singles, Cameron Norrie lost to world number three Alexander Zverev in the third round.

Norrie won the second set despite a strong second set, but 2025’s Zverev, who finished 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, ultimately lost.

Norrie is no stranger to bringing home hopes; this is his fourth Grand Slam appearance as the last Briton to win a singles title.

The British number two was always faced with a difficult situation, having lost all six of his previous Tour-level encounters with Zverev.

In addition to the Grand Slam matches they played at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024, they also participated in both Grand Slams.

After receiving some of the best crowd support of his career in his second round victory over American Emilio Nava, Norrie was once again well-backed at Melbourne Park.

The 26th seed had broken up with the first set, but after losing, she reacted favorably.

Norrie scored his first break point since the second set when Zverev headed into the net at 5-4 to bring the match level.

However, just three games into the third set, the Briton’s momentum was halted, and Zverev made sure with a second break to regain his advantage. He had yet to defeat a top-five player at a Grand Slam.

As Zverev powered to a successful conclusion, Norrie was left shaking his head as the fourth set quickly came to an end.

At the Australian Open, GB’s Cash &amp and Glasspool stunned.

Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool discuss tactics during their Australian Open second-round matchImages courtesy of Getty

British top men’s doubles stars Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool were humiliated by Australian wildcard James McCabe earlier in the second-round.

The reigning Wimbledon champions Cash and Glasspool lost 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 to become the first all-British pair to top the year-end men’s doubles rankings.

The defending champions, fellow Briton Henry Patten and Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara, are the only remaining men’s doubles players in a men’s doubles draw that has already lost five of the top 10 pairings.

German fifth-seeded Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz, who were semi-finalists last year, both left on Friday.

Their bids ended early, along with those of Italy’s seventh seeds, Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli, eighth seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys, and ninth seeds Francisco Cabral and Lucas Miedler, who are also runners-up to 2025.

However, sixth seeds Christian Harrison and Briton Neal Skupski safely advanced to the third round against Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar from Spain, winning by 6-3, 6-2.

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Norrie loses to Zverev to end British singles hopes

Images courtesy of Getty

To put an end to British interest in Melbourne’s singles singles, Cameron Norrie lost to world number three Alexander Zverev in the third round.

Norrie won the second set despite a strong second set, but 2025’s Zverev, who finished 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, ultimately lost.

Norrie is no stranger to bringing home hopes; this is his fourth Grand Slam appearance as the last Briton to win a singles title.

The British number two was always faced with a difficult situation, having lost all six of his previous Tour-level encounters with Zverev.

In addition to the Grand Slam matches they played at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024, they also participated in both Grand Slams.

After receiving some of the best crowd support of his career in his second round victory over American Emilio Nava, Norrie was once again well-backed at Melbourne Park.

The 26th seed had broken up with the first set, but after losing, she reacted favorably.

Norrie scored his first break point since the second set when Zverev headed into the net at 5-4 to bring the match level.

However, just three games into the third set, the Briton’s momentum was halted, and Zverev made sure with a second break to regain his advantage. He had yet to defeat a top-five player at a Grand Slam.

As Zverev powered to a successful conclusion, Norrie was left shaking his head as the fourth set quickly came to an end.

At the Australian Open, GB’s Cash &amp and Glasspool stunned.

Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool discuss tactics during their Australian Open second-round matchImages courtesy of Getty

British top men’s doubles stars Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool were humiliated by Australian wildcard James McCabe earlier in the second-round.

The reigning Wimbledon champions Cash and Glasspool lost 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 to become the first all-British pair to top the year-end men’s doubles rankings.

The defending champions, fellow Briton Henry Patten and Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara, are the only remaining men’s doubles players in a men’s doubles draw that has already lost five of the top 10 pairings.

German fifth-seeded Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz, who were semi-finalists last year, both left on Friday.

Their bids ended early, along with those of Italy’s seventh seeds, Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli, eighth seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys, and ninth seeds Francisco Cabral and Lucas Miedler, who are also runners-up to 2025.

However, sixth seeds Christian Harrison and Briton Neal Skupski safely advanced to the third round against Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar from Spain, winning by 6-3, 6-2.

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  • Tennis

More on this story.

    • five hours ago
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    • two hours ago
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Hamilton says 2026 rules ‘huge challenge’ as Ferrari launch new car

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  • 6 Comments

Ferrari’s new car, Lewis Hamilton, described the 2026 Formula 1 season as “a huge challenge.”

Working on the new Ferrari vehicle for the sport’s new engine and chassis rules, according to the seven-time champion, who had a challenging debut season with the Italian team.

After failing to win a race in 2025, Ferrari are under pressure to compete this year.

The driver will play a key role in energy management, understanding the new systems, and contributing to the development of the car, according to Hamilton.

A 50-50 split in the power-units between the electrical and internal combustion sides of the hybrid engines has been a key element of F1’s new regulations.

    • 17 December 2025
    • 10 December 2025

The 41-year-old Briton added, “The 2026 season is a huge challenge for everyone, and it’s probably the biggest regulation change I’ve ever gone through.”

Everything revolves around a new era beginning with a team of professionals who are working together to advance in the same direction.

Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, said: “The 2026 regulations demand even greater preparation, especially for us drivers. We have been heavily involved in the project’s development from the beginning because there are many new systems to understand and optimize.

One of the most significant aspects of the project is that “we drivers will have to adapt quickly, relying more on instinct and then increasingly on precise data,” according to the article.

The first pre-season test will be held privately at Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next week, and the new SF-26 car will debut at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track on Friday.

Teams can run on three of the five days without using any independent media, and there is no such thing as a test.

“We dedicated a lot of time to the concept phase to capture as much of the new regulatory and technical context as possible,” said Ferrari technical director Loic Serra.

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Hamilton says 2026 rules ‘huge challenge’ as Ferrari launch new car

Image gallery to skip

  • 4 Comments

Ferrari’s new car, Lewis Hamilton, described the 2026 Formula 1 season as “a huge challenge.”

Working on the new Ferrari vehicle for the sport’s new engine and chassis rules, according to the seven-time champion, who had a challenging debut season with the Italian team.

After failing to win a race in 2025, Ferrari are under pressure to compete this year.

The driver will play a key role in energy management, understanding the new systems, and contributing to the development of the car, according to Hamilton.

A 50-50 split in the power-units between the electrical and internal combustion sides of the hybrid engines has been a key element of F1’s new regulations.

    • 17 December 2025
    • 10 December 2025

The 41-year-old Briton added, “The 2026 season is a huge challenge for everyone, and it’s probably the biggest regulation change I’ve ever gone through.”

Everything revolves around a new era beginning with a team of professionals who are working together to advance in the same direction.

Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, said: “The 2026 regulations demand even greater preparation, especially for us drivers. We have been heavily involved in the project’s development from the beginning because there are many new systems to understand and optimize.

One of the most significant aspects of the project is that “we drivers will have to adapt quickly, relying more on instinct and then increasingly on precise data,” according to the article.

The first pre-season test will be held privately at Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next week, and the new SF-26 car will debut at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track on Friday.

Teams can run on three of the five days without using any independent media, and there is no such thing as a test.

“We dedicated a lot of time to the concept phase to capture as much of the new regulatory and technical context as possible,” said Ferrari technical director Loic Serra.

related subjects

  • Formula 1

More on this story.

    • thirty-six minutes ago
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    • 17 hours ago
    Brad Pitt points standing next to F1 co-star Damson Idris

Victoria Beckham could be beaten in chart race by Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article36601799.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_JS393826088.jpg

Victoria Beckham, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson are all in the running for the number one spot in the charts this week, with the official chart being announced at 6pm

The race is heating up between Victoria Beckham, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson to claim the coveted official No1 chart position this week.

At 6pm the country will discover who’s nabbed the top spot, currently occupied by DJO’s End of Beginning. There’s plenty riding on this for all three musicians. Victoria, 51, is aiming to secure her first solo number one on the official music charts, after reaching the summit of the iTunes chart on Thursday.

At the same time, Harry, 31, and Louis, 34, find themselves competing against each other as ex-One Direction bandmates.

Following Brooklyn’s explosive six-page statement in which Victoria’s estranged son alleged his mother danced ‘inappropriately’ at his 2022 wedding, a remarkable social media movement has propelled one of her solo tracks up the charts.

Victoria’s 2001 release Not Such An Innocent Girl, a number that highlighted Posh Spice’s provocative choreography, rocketed to number one on the iTunes chart across the UK and Ireland on Thursday.

“Nothing says ‘British Culture’ like collectively deciding to send Posh to the top of the charts because her son roasted her on Insta. Imagine both their faces,” states a viral Instagram post that’s been reshared by celebrities including Katherine Ryan and Luisa Zissman.

Victoria’s youngest lad Cruz also pitched in with promotional support, featuring his mum’s track on one of his Instagram Stories on Thursday.

The chart surge has been fuelled by a social media movement intent on ‘fixing the national tragedy’ that ‘Victoria is the only Spice Girl without a solo #1.’

The revelation may offer a crumb of solace to Victoria, who has reportedly been left ‘devastated’ following the bitter family rift involving her son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz.

Despite once proudly proclaiming himself a ‘mama’s boy’, Brooklyn’s scathing statement appeared to target Lady Beckham specifically, with his harsh words allegedly leaving her ‘on the floor in pieces’.

Among Brooklyn’s litany of allegations was the claim that his mum ‘hijacked’ his first dance at his 2022 wedding and ‘danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone’.

Brooklyn and Nicola have been central to the bitter family split that’s seen them boycott major family occasions in recent months, including his dad Sir David’s landmark 50th birthday celebrations and knighthood ceremony.

Victoria was the final Spice Girl to launch a solo career, but despite massive promotional pushes in the early Noughties, she couldn’t replicate the individual triumphs of her fellow band members.

Not Such An Innocent Girl marked her official solo debut, yet despite an extraordinary media blitz, she was pipped to the number one position by Kylie Minogue’s smash hit Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.

Several months prior, Victoria’s collaboration with production duo True Steppers and ex-boyband member Dane Bowers on Out of Your Mind also fell short in an epic chart battle.

Ironically, that track actually achieved the highest first-week sales for any solo Spice Girl single, shifting over 180,584 copies in mere days. s but was pipped to the post by Spiller and Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love), after a highly-publicised chart showdown.

Victoria, who swiftly moved into fashion design after her musical ventures faltered, has previously disclosed that producers would mute her microphone during Spice Girls performances.

Meanwhile, One Direction devotees will be watching closely to see which former band member comes out on top this week.

Harry is back with Aperture, the lead single from his forthcoming fourth album KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY whilst Louis releases Imposter, the featured track from his third LP How Did I Get Here?

Article continues below

Victoria Beckham could be beaten in chart race by Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article36601799.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_JS393826088.jpg

Victoria Beckham, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson are all in the running for the number one spot in the charts this week, with the official chart being announced at 6pm

The race is heating up between Victoria Beckham, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson to claim the coveted official No1 chart position this week.

At 6pm the country will discover who’s nabbed the top spot, currently occupied by DJO’s End of Beginning. There’s plenty riding on this for all three musicians. Victoria, 51, is aiming to secure her first solo number one on the official music charts, after reaching the summit of the iTunes chart on Thursday.

At the same time, Harry, 31, and Louis, 34, find themselves competing against each other as ex-One Direction bandmates.

Following Brooklyn’s explosive six-page statement in which Victoria’s estranged son alleged his mother danced ‘ inappropriately ‘ at his 2022 wedding, a remarkable social media movement has propelled one of her solo tracks up the charts.

Victoria’s 2001 release Not Such An Innocent Girl, a number that highlighted Posh Spice’s provocative choreography, rocketed to number one on the iTunes chart across the UK and Ireland on Thursday.

“Nothing says ‘British Culture’ like collectively deciding to send Posh to the top of the charts because her son roasted her on Insta. Imagine both their faces,” states a viral Instagram post that’s been reshared by celebrities including Katherine Ryan and Luisa Zissman.

Victoria’s youngest lad Cruz also pitched in with promotional support, featuring his mum’s track on one of his Instagram Stories on Thursday.

The chart surge has been fuelled by a social media movement intent on ‘ fixing the national tragedy ‘ that ‘ Victoria is the only Spice Girl without a solo #1. ‘

The revelation may offer a crumb of solace to Victoria, who has reportedly been left ‘devastated’ following the bitter family rift involving her son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz.

Despite once proudly proclaiming himself a ‘ mama’s boy’, Brooklyn’s scathing statement appeared to target Lady Beckham specifically, with his harsh words allegedly leaving her ‘ on the floor in pieces’.

Among Brooklyn’s litany of allegations was the claim that his mum ‘ hijacked ‘ his first dance at his 2022 wedding and ‘ danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone’.

Brooklyn and Nicola have been central to the bitter family split that’s seen them boycott major family occasions in recent months, including his dad Sir David’s landmark 50th birthday celebrations and knighthood ceremony.

Victoria was the final Spice Girl to launch a solo career, but despite massive promotional pushes in the early Noughties, she couldn’t replicate the individual triumphs of her fellow band members.

Not Such An Innocent Girl marked her official solo debut, yet despite an extraordinary media blitz, she was pipped to the number one position by Kylie Minogue’s smash hit Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.

Several months prior, Victoria’s collaboration with production duo True Steppers and ex-boyband member Dane Bowers on Out of Your Mind also fell short in an epic chart battle.

Ironically, that track actually achieved the highest first-week sales for any solo Spice Girl single, shifting over 180, 584 copies in mere days. s but was pipped to the post by Spiller and Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love), after a highly-publicised chart showdown.

Victoria, who swiftly moved into fashion design after her musical ventures faltered, has previously disclosed that producers would mute her microphone during Spice Girls performances.

Meanwhile, One Direction devotees will be watching closely to see which former band member comes out on top this week.

Harry is back with Aperture, the lead single from his forthcoming fourth album KISS ALL THE TIME. DISCO, OCCASIONALLY whilst Louis releases Imposter, the featured track from his third LP How Did I Get Here?

Article continues below