Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova won her first match since the birth of her first child, then said she had been close to quitting tennis.
The Czech claimed a 7-5 6-1 win over Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round of the Italian Open in Rome.
Her victory ended a run of four defeats since the 35-year-old returned to competitive action after 15 months away during which she gave birth to her son Petr.
Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014 and reached number two in the world, said she had doubted whether she would return to the international arena.
“I was 95% that I would never come back. I had enough of tennis at that time. I was like, ‘I can’t do it any more’ – so we decided to try for a baby,” she told the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) website.
“I didn’t say anything because it wasn’t 100%. When I could do something finally after pregnancy, I played some tennis and it felt so good. I was laughing. Every shot I hit smoothly, I was like, ‘Wow – it’s still there’.”
Kartal progresses, Norrie out
Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal fought back from a set down to book her place in the second round at the expense of Kimberly Birrell.
Kartal saw off the Australian 4-6 6-3 6-4 in a gruelling match which lasted two hours and 10 minutes.
The 23-year-old, who was ranked outside the world’s top 250 a year ago but is now up to number 56, will play 30th seed Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic next.
British number three Kartal won her only WTA tour title at the Jasmin Open in Tunisia last year.
Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie suffered an early exit in Rome as he was beaten by Dusan Lajovic of Serbia in three sets.
Norrie struggled during a one-sided opening set which Lajovic won 6-1, but rallied and took the second 6-4 to level the contest.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova won her first match since the birth of her first child, then said she had been close to quitting tennis.
The Czech claimed a 7-5 6-1 win over Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round of the Italian Open in Rome.
Her victory ended a run of four defeats since the 35-year-old returned to competitive action after 15 months away during which she gave birth to her son Petr.
Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014 and reached number two in the world, said she had doubted whether she would return to the international arena.
“I was 95% that I would never come back. I had enough of tennis at that time. I was like, ‘I can’t do it any more’ – so we decided to try for a baby,” she told the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) website.
“I didn’t say anything because it wasn’t 100%. When I could do something finally after pregnancy, I played some tennis and it felt so good. I was laughing. Every shot I hit smoothly, I was like, ‘Wow – it’s still there’.”
Kartal progresses, Norrie out
Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal fought back from a set down to book her place in the second round at the expense of Kimberly Birrell.
Kartal saw off the Australian 4-6 6-3 6-4 in a gruelling match which lasted two hours and 10 minutes.
The 23-year-old, who was ranked outside the world’s top 250 a year ago but is now up to number 56, will play 30th seed Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic next.
British number three Kartal won her only WTA tour title at the Jasmin Open in Tunisia last year.
Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie suffered an early exit in Rome as he was beaten by Dusan Lajovic of Serbia in three sets.
Norrie struggled during a one-sided opening set which Lajovic won 6-1, but rallied and took the second 6-4 to level the contest.
Coronation Street star Charlie Lawson – who played Jim McDonald – was rushed to hospital after falling twice as doctors continue to investigate what might have caused it
Charlie shared an update with fans(Image: charlie_lawson1/X)
Coronation Street legend Charlie Lawson has issued an update from hospital. The actor – who played Jim McDonald in the ITV soap – was rushed to hospital by his physiotherapist after falling twice.
Charlie took to social media to share a video from his hospital bed, where he was undergoing examinations after falling twice. The actor explained he had had an MRI and was waiting on more examinations.
In a clip shared online, he said: “Hi folks, went to physio this morning and she sent me straight to A&E, which I did. They examined me. I have an MRI scan and I’m sitting waiting for the results.
“They’ve whisked me back in for more examinations so it’s not going awfully well at the moment. Anyway, I’ll keep you updated. They put a wristband on me and all sorts of craic. I’ve fallen over twice, so something going wrong down there.”
Charlie previously opened up about money worries, admitting he was struggling to heat his home. He played Jim for several years on the ITV soap but said 2024 was his worst year working in the industry.
Charlie gave an update from hospital(Image: charlie_lawson1/X)
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“2024 is the most unsuccessful year I’ve had in 44 years. And there are a lot of issues to do with that. I’ve got lots of white hair, I’m 64 and there are less parts around,” he said recently, “I’m in the living room with my shooting gear on because I’m a field sportsman and because I can’t have the heat on all day and it’s Baltic over here.
“You have lean times, I mean last year the heat was on all the time in the winter, this year it will not be. Debbie is manager of a women’s refuge, she has a wage. I have a wage at the moment until January so we’re all right but we haven’t been abroad this year, we don’t eat in The Ivy when we go back to Belfast. You cut your cloth. I live 50ft from a local bar in my village – The Rodney so I don’t have to get a taxi there, I can walk there and get a tab. There are a lot of people worse off than me. We have two incomes coming into the house – they’re not huge but we’re better off than an awful lot of people.”
Since leaving the soap, Charlie has blasted the programme – insisting it won’t be around in 10 years time.
Charlie played Jim McDonald(Image: ITV)
“I don’t watch it. It’s a different animal now. It’s issue driven now as opposed to when I was there in the 90’s, it was character driven. It’s issue driven now, there’s a degree of wokery involved, there’s a degree of political correctness involved and also there are subjects that need to be touched upon, whereas in my day it was character driven,” he said.
“I don’t think Corrie will be around in 10 years time. I don’t think it’s going to be having a 94th birthday because television is fundamentally different. I also think EastEnders days are numbered and Emmerdale Farm’s days are numbered because of the ratings.”
Coronation Street star Charlie Lawson – who played Jim McDonald – was rushed to hospital after falling twice as doctors continue to investigate what might have caused it
Charlie shared an update with fans(Image: charlie_lawson1/X)
Coronation Street legend Charlie Lawson has issued an update from hospital. The actor – who played Jim McDonald in the ITV soap – was rushed to hospital by his physiotherapist after falling twice.
Charlie took to social media to share a video from his hospital bed, where he was undergoing examinations after falling twice. The actor explained he had had an MRI and was waiting on more examinations.
In a clip shared online, he said: “Hi folks, went to physio this morning and she sent me straight to A&E, which I did. They examined me. I have an MRI scan and I’m sitting waiting for the results.
“They’ve whisked me back in for more examinations so it’s not going awfully well at the moment. Anyway, I’ll keep you updated. They put a wristband on me and all sorts of craic. I’ve fallen over twice, so something going wrong down there.”
Charlie previously opened up about money worries, admitting he was struggling to heat his home. He played Jim for several years on the ITV soap but said 2024 was his worst year working in the industry.
Charlie gave an update from hospital(Image: charlie_lawson1/X)
Article continues below
“2024 is the most unsuccessful year I’ve had in 44 years. And there are a lot of issues to do with that. I’ve got lots of white hair, I’m 64 and there are less parts around,” he said recently, “I’m in the living room with my shooting gear on because I’m a field sportsman and because I can’t have the heat on all day and it’s Baltic over here.
“You have lean times, I mean last year the heat was on all the time in the winter, this year it will not be. Debbie is manager of a women’s refuge, she has a wage. I have a wage at the moment until January so we’re all right but we haven’t been abroad this year, we don’t eat in The Ivy when we go back to Belfast. You cut your cloth. I live 50ft from a local bar in my village – The Rodney so I don’t have to get a taxi there, I can walk there and get a tab. There are a lot of people worse off than me. We have two incomes coming into the house – they’re not huge but we’re better off than an awful lot of people.”
Since leaving the soap, Charlie has blasted the programme – insisting it won’t be around in 10 years time.
Charlie played Jim McDonald(Image: ITV)
“I don’t watch it. It’s a different animal now. It’s issue driven now as opposed to when I was there in the 90’s, it was character driven. It’s issue driven now, there’s a degree of wokery involved, there’s a degree of political correctness involved and also there are subjects that need to be touched upon, whereas in my day it was character driven,” he said.
“I don’t think Corrie will be around in 10 years time. I don’t think it’s going to be having a 94th birthday because television is fundamentally different. I also think EastEnders days are numbered and Emmerdale Farm’s days are numbered because of the ratings.”
The L’Oreal Revitalift retinol has been praised for making skin look younger and making fine lines less visible, and it’s now been slashed from £32 to £14 in a limited time offer
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The L’Oreal Paris Retinol Night Serum is now on sale(Image: Amazon)
If you ask anyone with a skincare routine what one of their main goals is, you’ll no doubt hear the words “anti-ageing” mentioned somewhere. From preventing the early signs of ageing for as long as possible, to trying to minimise fine lines and wrinkles that have already appeared, trying to turn back the clock on our skin is something almost everyone is aiming for.
Retinols are one of the most effective ways to do this, which is why it’s no surprise that the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Night Serum has been voted Amazon’s number one best seller in the evening skincare serums category. As well as its glowing reviews, another reason we suspect it’s been given this lofty accolade is thanks to the current offer that lets you snap it up with more than 50% off.
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Usually priced at £31.99, Amazon has currently slashed the price to £14.39, meaning you could snap up two bottles for the price of one if you’re a fan of the serum. For those who have yet to try it and are wondering why it’s so popular, the retinol-based serum helps to minimise fine lines and wrinkles, smooth skin texture, minimise the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation and leave skin looking generall more youthful.
The L’Oreal retinol helps reduce signs of ageing(Image: Amazon)
It also offers L’Oreal’s highest concentration of pure retinol, giving your skin three times more than the brand’s other skincare products. Although this is good news for regular retinol users who are looking for something stronger, retinol newbies don’t need to be put off. As with any retinol-based product, you can start slow and steady with the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Night Serum, and once your skin has become accustomed to it you can start to increase the frequency that you use it.
The serum also includes hyaluronic acid and aloe vera which help to rehydrate and soothe your skin, which can offset some of the drying and sensitivity-increasing side effects that some retinols can cause. But whatever you do, don’t forget to use SPF afterwards, as your skin will be more sensitive to the sunlight after using it.
If you are worried about the sensitivity aspect, the BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil, £18, is a great alternative which focusses on skin-soothing ingredients that help repair and protect your skin barrier. It still gives you all the benefits of regular retinol, such as reducing signs of ageing and dark spots, without any of the harshness.
The serum is highly rated on Amazon(Image: Amazon)
Hydration is also super important when it comes to using a retinol, so if you want to double up on your L’Oreal Pure Retinol Night Serum with a complementary product, this Bundle at LookFantastic is ideal. You’ll get both the Revitalift Laser Retinol Serum and the L’Oréal Paris Hyaluronic Acid Serum, and it’s also on sale down from £56.98 to £28.49.
Amazon reviewers have also praised the serum, with one saying: “Thumbs up totally does what it says will be ordering more before they get sold out leaves my face feeling refreshed and renewed go buy and try.”
Another said: “Does what it says, noticed a great difference in my skin, lines a great less visible,” whilst another agreed: “Beautiful scent, skin looks younger.”
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One did complain: “Loved it until my face started peeling all over!”
Leeds Rhinos asked them to overturn Sunday’s contentious defeat to the Birmingham Panthers, but the Netball Super League (NSL) has said it is “conducting a review.”
The Panthers won 71-69 at Worcester Arena, but the Rhinos believe they should have won in regulation time.
In the final minute of the game, Joyce Mvula appeared to have scored a two-point super shot that would have brought Leeds to a level playing position.
After the death, the Rhinos hoped they had won by scoring a one-pointer.
The visitors later discovered that the visitors had received only one point for the mistake they had made.
Mvula appeared to shoot from the two-point area of the shooting circle in response to Rhinos’ claims in replays.
In the final five minutes of each quarter, shooters could score two-pointers from a marked-out area thanks to the introduction of the super shot.
The game was tied at 59-59 due to the one-point decision, which shocked Leeds fans who were obviously shocked and lost in extra time.
Geva Mentor, a former England captain who plays for the Leeds Rhinos, posted a message on X calling for the NSL to “save the integrity of our sport.”
Although the NSL confirmed to BBC Sport on Tuesday that it was reviewing the incident, how the organization might handle the unusual situation is still a mystery.
The match officials are not equipped with any video technology during games.
Leeds Rhinos Netball said in a statement that they had filed an appeal with the competition’s Netball Super League to contest the outcome of their round 8 game against the Birmingham Panthers.
The game ended in regular time, which is what the appeal is based on.
