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Aryna Sabalenka described Victoria Mboko as a “future Grand Slam champion” after holding off the Canadian teenager to maintain her bid for a first Indian Wells title, but two-time winner Iga Swiatek went out.

Mboko pushed world number one Sabalenka hard in the opening set, but the Belarusian dominated the tie-break before finally cracking the 19-year-old’s serve in the fifth game of the second set on the way to a 7-6 (7-0) 6-4 win.

Sabalenka, a two-time runner up at Indian Wells, praised her opponent’s bravery and said she has “no doubt” Mboko is destined for great things.

“A future star, a future Grand Slam champion, no doubt about that,” Sabalenka said of Mboko.

“It’s incredible to see these young girls these days, how brave they are. They go out there, they go after their shots, they’re aggressive, they’re fighting.

“It’s incredible to see and for sure we are going to play many more matches in the future.”

Four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka will face 14th seed Linda Noskova in the semi-finals of the prestigious WTA 1,000 event, after the Czech ended Australian qualifier Talia Gibson’s run with a 6-2 4-6 6-2 victory.

Swiatek, champion at Indian Wells in 2022 and 2024, was beaten in three sets by Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who will face Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina for a place in the final.

World number two Swiatek, who will drop below Rybakina in the rankings next week, was beaten 6-2 4-6 6-4.

Svitolina capitalised on a series of double faults to secure three breaks of serve and take the opening set in 38 minutes.

Swiatek responded to force a decider, but ninth seed Svitolina secured the only break in a tight third set before closing out the match to reach the semi-finals for the first time in seven years.

Alexander Zverev said it felt “very special” to become just the fifth player to reach the semi-finals of all nine ATP Masters 1,000 tournaments and join elite company after he booked his place in the last four at Indian Wells.

The German claimed a confident 6-2 6-3 victory over Frenchman Arthur Fils to reach the last four of the California-based tournament for the first time.

By completing the set of Masters 1,000 semi-final appearances, Zverev joins a club featuring only the ‘Big Four’ of the men’s game – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

“It’s very special to be one of five players in history to ever do it,” Zverev said.

“For sure, yeah, it’s something that I’m very proud of.”

Zverev has taken the title at five of the nine Masters 1,000 events, but he has never won a Grand Slam title despite reaching three major finals.

The fourth seed will have to snap a five-match losing streak against world number two Jannik Sinner if he is to move one step closer to the Indian Wells trophy.

Sinner, the reigning Wimbledon champion, sealed his own spot in the semi-finals with a rapid 66-minute 6-1 6-2 win against American Learner Tien.

The world number two, who is trying to become champion at Indian Wells for the first time, is also bidding for his first title of 2026 after a semi-final exit at the Australian Open and a quarter-final defeat in last month’s Qatar Open.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz will face Daniil Medvedev in the other men’s semi-final, after both players overcame British opponents.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said he gives the “game everything” after breaking the 63-year-old NBA record for the most 20-point games in a row.

The reigning MVP scored 35 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 104-102 win against the Boston Celtics – extending a sequence of scoring at least 20 points that began on 1 November 2024 and now stands at 127 consecutive games.

The legendary Wilt Chamberlain held the previous record with a 126-game streak between October 1961 and January 1963.

“All the records and accomplishments are great, but they don’t matter if you don’t win and that’s all that was on my mind,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who starred for the Thunder as they won the NBA title last season.

Gilgeous-Alexander made history when he sank a 20-foot jumper with seven minutes and four seconds remaining in the third quarter as he reached 21 points in the game.

He went on to add 14 more points in a performance which also included nine assists and six rebounds.

“I just give the game everything I have,” said the 27-year-old Canadian.

“There are so many things in basketball and life that you can’t control. I’ve just found success in focusing on the things I can control and giving my best effort.

“I put my head down and done those things and look up and I’ve accomplished a few things.”

“When do you hear of a young boy from England going to the best academy in the world?”

Ajay Tavares’ former youth coach Vik Khanna asks an interesting question. The answer is… almost never.

Tavares is a unique talent in more ways than one. The 16-year-old prodigy has already achieved something truly rare.

Only a select handful of English players have been signed by FC Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy before.

And only one English player – Aston Villa’s Louie Barry currently on-loan at Stockport – has lived at the complex famous for producing Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi, to name just a few.

Until now.

Even those closest to Tavares describe his rapid rise through the ranks from grassroots football in a small Norfolk market town to the prestige of Barcelona via Norwich City as “beyond unbelievable”.

“When he got into Norwich, there was no surprise, he was that good,” Khanna tells BBC Look East.

Khanna – who coached Tavares from under-8s through to under-12s at Aylsham FC Jaguars – tried to think of when a move like this has happened before for a young English prospect.

“I can’t think of a single player,” he said. “Not from the England camp or certainly even a Norwich camp.”

Tavares is most definitely in exclusive company after signing for Barcelona in February.

Aside from Barry, who spent six months at La Masia before signing for Aston Villa six years ago, only Marcus McGuane has played at the academy for Barcelona B between 2018 and 2020.

Oliver Matthews still plays for the under-16s at Aylsham, a club around 12 miles from Norwich with 40 teams and more than 600 players, and he recalls Tavares “taking on opponents with ease” even at a very young age.

“I remember his technical ability, his ability to see the whole pitch and his scanning was just better than anyone else’s,” Matthews said.

“You could tell from when he was young that he was going to make it high up in football.”

Fellow former team-mate Kam Khanna echoed the sentiments that Tavares “stood out for his ability on the ball”.

Despite his natural talent, the route to the Catalonian giants has not been straightforward for Tavares, according to his father Helio, with years of dedication to “training, late nights, early mornings and the family spending money”.

“At the age of nine he came for a trial at Norwich, he was so shy, he didn’t show his football,” he said.

Tavares failed to break into the Canaries academy on that occasion but would try again three years later and successfully made it into Norwich’s under-12s in 2022.

“I think that was the point where he started flying,” said Helio. “At 13, this is when I would say the explosion came.”

After progressing to the Norwich under-18 and under-21 sides, as well as the England youth teams, Tavares also made a first team appearance for the Canaries in a pre-season friendly against Dutch Eridivisie outfit Volendam last summer.

He is now part of the Barca Juvenil A under-19 squad, primarily playing as a winger.

Norwich City manager Philippe Clement agrees, even if the club were understandably keen to keep hold of one of their prized young assets.

“There are a few things that are maybe disappointing but overall one of the local Norwich guys can go to La Masia and show his talent there and I think it’s a point you need to be proud of as a club,” Clement told BBC Radio Norfolk.

Clement said the club tried to persuade Tavares to stay at Carrow Road but because of different contract rules in Spain compared to the UK, they “do not have any means to tie a player down at that age”.

“Then the second part of the story is also that he not only has his UK passport but a Portuguese passport, so that makes it much easier for foreign teams to bring him in,” he added.

“On the other side, I think everybody needs to be also really proud. Everybody in the academy, Ajay himself, his family, to have a chance to work in Barcelona is also a really big opportunity.

Khanna said you could “tell by his work rate” that Tavares was determined to play football at “the best level he could”.

“He broke in early in the Norwich team, he broke in early in the England team and to be playing at under-19s level at Barcelona at the tender age of 16, it sums up that he’s well respected,” Khanna said.

Helio believes his son’s raw attributes of “pace and speed” are what attracted Barcelona to make their move.

“I believe this one [La Masia] can see their soul,” he said. “They can develop him to become even better as a winger.

Norwich’s sporting director Ben Knapper said he was sad to see such a talented player leave but that the club’s overriding sense is one of “immense pride”.

“Ajay’s progress has been a testament to the fantastic work of everyone connected with our academy,” he said.

“We couldn’t be prouder to see him take this step to one of the most iconic football clubs and academies in world football.”

Vik Khanna is still pinching himself.

“You hear the stories, don’t you, that young kids go through and make it up to Premier League level,” he added.

“You never think that it’ll be the kids that you get involved in that you see here at Aylsham.

Manchester United have not enjoyed recent finals against Chelsea.

The Blues swept the domestic trophies last season, including the Women’s FA Cup, defeating United 3-0 at Wembley.

It was the second time in three seasons Chelsea had ruined United’s day and hopes of a big prize in the FA Cup, but manager Marc Skinner hopes it will be different when the two teams meet in Sunday’s Women’s League Cup showpiece (14:15 GMT) at Ashton Gate.

United are full of momentum, having booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League, and they sit second in the WSL, a point and place above Chelsea.

“We don’t fear Chelsea – we respect them because you have to,” Skinner told BBC Sport. “This is a different Chelsea team and this is a different Manchester United. We’re more experienced now and we’ve got good depth.

“We just have to not get too worried about the opponent and get to that level regardless. Our aim is to try to beat Chelsea.

Chelsea’s dominant record over United extends to the WSL, where they have never lost in 12 meetings, winning 10 of them.

But the gap has been closing.

This season, Chelsea needed an extra-time winner to knock United out of the FA Cup in their fifth-round tie and were held to a 1-1 draw in their WSL meeting in October.

It has been a turbulent time for the Londoners as they have fallen nine points behind WSL leaders Manchester City. Manager Sonia Bompastor has come under pressure and off-field issues – including the departure of much-loved head of women’s football Paul Green – have sparked debate and concern.

Suddenly, the ‘mentality monsters’ appear vulnerable – but can United take advantage?

“I don’t want to use this moment of vulnerability to do anything other than pretend we’re playing them at their best. Prepare for their best, and you can beat Chelsea,” Skinner said.

“We all know they’re an incredible team. Nobody’s denying that. But if we can get to our best levels in any game, I genuinely believe we can beat any team.

“Whatever form Chelsea are in, I’m going to challenge my team to be ready and focused on winning that game of football.

“Chelsea will do that. They’re not bothered about Manchester United, so we won’t be worried about them.”

Despite United’s strong campaign so far, some fans remain unconvinced.

This is the fourth successive season in which they have reached a domestic cup final, but they are yet to mount a genuine WSL title challenge and have lifted just one major trophy, the 2024 FA Cup, in their eight-year professional existence.

So can the club achieve more? Is Skinner getting the best out of his squad? Should United’s ambitions be more than just reaching finals?

“When you reach a certain level of experience in finals, you don’t want to not be experiencing them year-in, year-out. We also know that [in] the league, the teams behind the top four are investing more than enough to make it an open league,” said Skinner.

“The top-tier teams still spend the most and London City Lionesses are not far behind. We have to set our own markers at Manchester United. Whether you love it, or hate it – we’ve just got to compete. Sometimes we have to find different ways to do it.

“I’m not going to say my job isn’t to get us into cup finals and try to win them every year. All I’d ask is that if there’s a season where that doesn’t happen, you look at the context.

Skinner’s management will continue to be scrutinised, but he believes he has learned to be more ruthless with decision-making this season.

Balancing Champions League football with domestic duties for the first time, attempting to maintain their position in the WSL’s top three, and fighting for trophies, has meant rotating his squad, using players out of position and managing injuries.

Expectations have increased thanks to strong signings, but competition for places in the starting XI has left Skinner with tough decisions.

He knows there will be disappointed players when he selects the team to walk out at Bristol City’s ground to face Chelsea for the first of five games in 14 days for United.

“When I don’t rotate, people say, ‘you should rotate’. When I do rotate, they say, ‘you shouldn’t rotate’. No wonder I don’t listen any more!” said Skinner.

“It’s what’s needed for the game. Those decisions get harder and harder. I’m having conversations with players that haven’t played as many minutes as they want. I don’t think people see that. It hurts both humans on a deep level.

“A player thinks the reward is solely on the minutes. It might just be the fit – it might be that someone else is in better form. Those are the hardest conversations I have.

“It’s been a full turnaround since last season and the level I’ve been playing at, at the minute it’s unbelievable”.

Rewind to this time last year and Rob Baloucoune was preparing to return to action for Ulster after 11 months out with a hamstring injury, with hope of ending his international exile far from being at the forefront of his mind.

He played and scored his side’s first try in Ulster’s comeback victory over Stormers on 27 March, but was replaced after 47 minutes and suffered another hamstring problem that ruled him out of the end of the campaign.

An ankle injury then further delayed his comeback for the 2025-26 season, but since regaining full fitness in October, Baloucoune has been a regular for the province and has been back doing what he does best – scoring tries.

His six tries for Richie Murphy’s side saw him earn an Ireland recall for this year’s Six Nations.

While he sat out the disappointing opening day defeat against France, he was handed his Six Nations debut in a much-changed Ireland side for the visit of Italy.

It was his first Ireland cap since November 2022 and he grasped the opportunity with both hands, taking his club form on to the international stage.

He scored against Italy and again against England in the following game where he produced all-action performance in a famous win, before another good display in a victory over Wales last week.

Baloucoune is now one of the first names of the team sheet for Andy Farrell and will start his fourth successive game as Ireland face Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

So, what does Baloucoune put his good form down to?

It’s a simple formula really; playing consistently and being injury-free, something he has not had the luxury of doing in the past two years, has helped increase his self-belief to perform at his best on the pitch.

“My ability to play games repeatedly is something that’s been a big focus of mine, trying to be in training consistently and being able to do that has allowed me to build confidence each game I’ve played and being able to do that continuously is a big factor in my game,” he said.

On Saturday, Baloucoune will come up against two more wingers playing at the peak of their powers in Scottish duo Darcy Graham and Kyle Steyn.

Both wingers have registered three tries each to keep Scotland in the hunt for the Triple Crown and the championship.

Baloucoune is relishing the opportunity to show he belongs alongside such high-calibre wingers as Ireland also look to retain the Triple Crown and keep their outside hopes of a championship win alive.

“I enjoy the opportunity to play against different types of winger and that will definitely be the case this weekend,” he added.

“Scotland have been class this championship and have really exciting backs and the wingers have been playing well, but I also see it as an opportunity to show my ability on the pitch and back myself defensively.

“Kyle Steyn is a physical character, I’ve played [against] Darcy Graham a few times at Edinburgh, he’s nippy and works round the nines quite well which is something I need to work on in my game, but they’re two class wingers, they know how score and that’s a main focus for every winger, so they’re doing well.

“It will definitely be a challenge at the weekend, but I back myself and looking forward to the challenge.”

Jack Draper was penalised with a controversial hindrance call as Daniil Medvedev ended the Briton’s Indian Wells title defence in the quarter-finals.

Draper fell to a 6-1 7-5 defeat by former world number one Medvedev, but the Russian was booed after the tense moment midway through the second set.

World number 14 Draper, serving at 5-5 0-15, briefly stretched his arms out wide during a rally to signal he thought Medvedev’s forehand had gone long.

The rally continued for another seven shots before Medvedev netted a backhand.

Two-time finalist Medvedev then asked umpire Aurelie Tourte for a video review to see whether Draper had been guilty of hindrance – making either an action or a noise to disturb an opponent.

Loud boos rang around Stadium Court 2 as the decision was announced, with Draper slipping to 0-30 on serve.

His next point – an ace – was greeted with delight by the crowd, but he was subsequently broken and Medvedev completed victory in the next game.

The two players had a long, but cordial, chat at the net as they shook hands, with Medvedev saying “If you’re mad at me, I’m sorry” and Draper responding “I’m not at all – but I don’t think it distracted you enough”.

Draper said afterwards he was not angry with Medvedev and did not blame him.

“First of all, Daniil was the stronger player fair and square,” the 24-year-old told BBC Sport.

“It’s a difficult situation for the ref. I don’t think I did enough to hinder him, but at the end of the day I did make a slight thing with my hands.

“On one hand, I get it, but on the other, I don’t think it was enough to distract Daniil.

“If he had missed the next ball and it was very clear that I had hindered him, then I would get it.

“I think he’s played the rules quite well. The rally carried on and I was able to win the point so I don’t think I should have lost the point. I think it’s pretty harsh.”

Medvedev, who goes on to play Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals, said he did not feel “good” about the incident but denied he had cheated.

“Was I distracted big time? No,” the world number 11 said.

“Was I distracted a bit? Yes. Is it enough to win the point? I don’t know.

“If you look on the first forehand I do after it happened, I think I could have done a better shot if there was no gesture from Jack.

Regardless of the controversy, it was a dominant display from Medvedev. It took Draper 49 minutes to create a break point – and Medvedev subsequently sent three aces flying past him to hold serve.

Draper was playing in only his second ATP event since last August’s US Open and began to look very tired in the closing stages.

He will fall from 14 to 26 in the world rankings on Monday and will lose the British number one spot to Cameron Norrie.

Draper admitted he had not been able to recover sufficiently from the physically and emotionally draining third set tie-break victory over Novak Djokovic on Wednesday evening.

“If someone was to say that I was going to be here in the quarter-finals after what I’ve been through the last nine months – only myself, and my family and my team know how much it affected me – that was enough for me,” Draper added.

“Today I ran out of steam and I wasn’t able to compete again a day later with one of the best players in the world, and that’s just totally normal.”

Since February 2025, players have been able to request a video review at Masters 1,000 events for decisions such as foul shots, hindrances and scoring errors.

Hindrance can occur in two ways – either through a corrected call by an official or an on-court incident.

The ATP rulebook states that any distractions caused by a player “result in the loss of a point” regardless of if the hindrance was intentional or unintentional.

It also states that umpires must take care “to ensure rulings do not result in providing a player with two opportunities to win a point”.

A deliberate hindrance is defined as “the player meant to do what it was that caused the hindrance or distraction”.