Category Sports News

One of the first things Kamil Majchrzak did after claiming a spot in the Wimbledon fourth round was jog over to his wife Marta and plant a heartfelt kiss on her lips.

The Polish player credits her with helping him “survive” the darkest period of his life.

Not only had Majchrzak reached the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time, but the 29-year-old felt it was a redemptive moment having served a 13-month doping ban.

The world number 109, who has always maintained his innocence, missed all of the 2023 season after testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

“I’m incredibly happy after what I’ve been through to be back here at Wimbledon and living my dream,” Majchrzak, who returned from suspension at the start of 2024, told BBC Sport.

“My wife has been very strong for me and helped me survive the case and the process.

“She sacrificed a lot – not just during this period because we’ve been together a long time.

Going over to his wife and loved ones came moments after Majchrzak had secured the best win of his career.

His instant reaction to securing a straight-set victory over France’s Arthur Rinderknech was to fall backwards on to the grass – although he had to briefly sit up to check his forehand winner had not been deemed out.

When he climbed to his feet, he produced a euphoric slam-dunk leap and punched the air before shaking hands with Rinderknech.

The scenes were also a response to coming through a part of his life that he previously told BBC Sport felt “pointless”.

Majchrzak failed a doping test in 2022 and was told his urine showed traces of anabolic steroids.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) – the independent body set up by the sport’s governing bodies to catch dopers – issued a provisional suspension as per the rules.

At the start of his suspension, Majchrzak had played regularly at the four Grand Slams, represented Poland at the 2020 Olympics and reached a career-high ranking of 75.

Banned substances showed in three subsequent tests and Majchrzak argued a batch of herbal nutritional drinks was contaminated.

The ITIA’s testing of several unopened sachets of the supplement confirmed they explained the adverse findings in his test.

The ITIA agreed Majchrzak did not intentionally take banned substances. But he was found to be ‘strictly liable’ and should have known there is a “significant risk” with supplements.

Having already been provisionally banned for seven months, he decided not to continue challenging the 13-month suspension handed out.

“I’ve definitely changed as a person, I still believe I have some fears and [am] still scared because I don’t want to go through this again.

“The trauma is still with me but I’m dealing well with it.

It has been a long and varied journey back to the top of the game for Majchrzak, who estimates he spent “100,000 or 150,000 euros” (£85,000-£130,000) fighting his case.

Once he had served his suspension, he dipped into savings to travel the world trying to rebuild his career.

Relying on wildcards from sympathetic tournament directors, he was invited to play on the lowest rung of the professional ladder in Tunisia and Egypt, then moved on to Rwanda, China and Taiwan for ATP Challenger events.

Lots of victories meant his ranking quickly improved and the hard yards have eventually led to his first direct entry into a Grand Slam main draw since the 2022 US Open.

With his wife Marta by his side at Wimbledon, Majchrzak says the pair are “following our dreams” together.

On Sunday, he will face 17th seed Karen Khachanov for a place in the SW19 quarter-finals – having never previously won a main-draw match here.

Remarkably, Majchrzak also came into the grass-court season on a seven-match losing streak and then drew 2021 finalist Matteo Berretini in the first round.

“Matteo is one of the best grass-court players in the world, so my expectations were not that high,” Majchrzak said.

Fourth youth one-day international, Worcester

India 363-9 (50 overs): Suryavanshi 143 (78), Malhotra 129 (121)

England: 308 (45. 3 overs): Flintoff 107 (91), Pushpak 3-63

India won by 55 runs

Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi hit the fastest century on record in youth one-day internationals in a remarkable 143 as India beat England by 55 runs at Worcester.

Suryavanshi, who shot to fame by becoming the youngest player and century-maker at the Indian Premier League earlier this year, reached three figures in just 52 deliveries in a stunning display of boundary hitting.

The opener crashed 13 fours and 10 sixes in his 78 deliveries to power his side to 363-9.

His straight-hitting off pace and spin was particularly devastating but he also slashed cuts and heaved away sweeps.

The previous fastest century in youth ODIs was a 53-ball effort by Pakistan’s Kamran Ghulam against England in 2013.

Suryavanshi, who scored 86 in the third ODI earlier this week and 45 and 48 in the first two matches of the series, shared a partnership of 219 with number three Vihaan Malhotra for the second wicket.

Malhotra made a comparatively sedate 129 from 121 balls.

Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew, scored a century of his own as England attempted to chase 364, top-scoring with 107 (91), including seven fours and four sixes.

However, his knock, which followed a 104-run opening stand between BJ Dawkins and Joseph Moores, was in vain as England were bowled out for 308. Had England completed the chase, it would have been a record in the format.

by BBC Sport journalist Matthew Henry

This is the latest eye-catching moment for a player who shot to superstardom earlier this year.

Yes, it is only a youth international but Suryavanshi is the youngest player in either squad by two-and-a-half years. He has looked at least a level or two above the rest.

Amid all of the glitz and glamour, Suryavanshi became the youngest player to score a century in any top-level men’s T20 at the IPL in April.

As a result, when he travelled to the UK for this tour, he was stopped for selfies in the airport and on the plane from India.

He appears destined to go onto big things but India are understandably cautious and want to manage the attention he receives.

The teenager has been shielded from media opportunities while it is understood there have been countless offers for big-money sponsorship deals.

There are areas to improve. His fielding has looked weak on this tour, which is to be expected given his age.

In the face of their disappointment at the Allianz Stadium, the British and Irish Lions tried their best to talk up the positives of their unconvincing 21-10 win over the Waratahs, but it was the hardest of hard sells.

Head coach Andy Farrell said that the 50-point victories against the Western Force and the Queensland Reds weren’t what real touring was all about.

“The 50-pointers aren’t reality, really, are they? ” said Farrell. He sounded like a man who thought they were real enough when they happened.

“It was a different type of game [against the Waratahs] but we are we glad that’s happened to us,” he added, before saying: “It is good, isn’t it? “

The Lions got turned over so many times and became helter-skelter in attack. Farrell owned that to an extent, but his complaints about the pitch being watered were a touch cringe-inducing.

“The pitch was very wet and I was asking Mike Catt after the game and he was laughing,” said Farrell of the former England international who is now on the Waratahs coaching staff.

“I mean, that’s good tactics from them, isn’t it? That the ball’s slippery. “

He was asked directly if he believed the Waratahs deliberately watered the pitch before the game to make it harder for the Lions.

“I don’t know,” he replied. “I mean, Catty just laughed. We’ve seen that done plenty of times. I don’t know whether the pitch needed watering. “

As a piece of excuse-making it was wildly out of place. Maybe that’s why Farrell started to row back subsequently.

Was he not aware that the pitch at the Allianz is infamously greasy because of terrible drainage? Did he not know that they’re intending to dig it up soon? Did he not know that a ‘bomb cyclone’ hit Sydney earlier in the week?

“We know all that,” said Farrell. “But we have been here for two days now and it has been glorious. The pitch was OK and we are not complaining. “

It very much sounded like he was. Lock forward Scott Cummings, who made an impressive return to form, said later that the pitch was “a bit boggy”. It really wasn’t.

But even if it was, so what? These are the British and Irish Lions we’re talking about. The elite. A wet ball? Who cares?

Waratahs coach Dan McKellar had a bit of fun at Farrell’s expense when talking about the rain that fell on the city.

“Andy was probably sunning himself in Brisbane on Tuesday, but it wasn’t pleasant in Sydney, that’s for sure,” he said.

The power of Owen Farrell is something to behold. When the cameras panned to him at the Allianz on Saturday, the entire crowd reacted, some with pantomime booing, others with cheering. The one thing they weren’t was indifferent.

Farrell, who arrived in Sydney on Friday, took it well, smiling and laughing. The guy is pure box office. We’re all still talking about why he’s been parachuted into this squad. The coach’s son, yes, fine, we get it. But what else is going on here?

Some observers say that this was always going to happen and that Farrell will definitely be in the Test 23 for Brisbane. They’re convinced of it. The intrigue is fantastic.

His father’s official explanation in midweek is that he felt his squad was a little short at inside centre with Sione Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki the only options. Terrific ones, in fairness.

Is there more to it? Does he have doubts about Fin Smith’s readiness to back up Finn Russell on the bench? Does he have issues around the leadership of the squad – is everyone too nice and/or too quiet?

If those are views he shares, then Saturday might have only reinforced them. Smith struggled in running the backline and the direction of the team was all over the place for most of the evening.

So, enter Faz Jnr, but when? Not on Wednesday against the Brumbies, says his father. He might still be getting over the jet-lag.

Next Saturday in Adelaide against the invitational Australia-New Zealand team? All things being equal, definitely.

What about after that? If you believe that Owen can step into a Lions Test match squad (covering 10 and maybe 12) after not playing in nine weeks, having not played particularly well before that and having not featured in an international game for 20 months, then you’re convinced that he can return to his best stuff at the mere sight of the red jersey, as if the last year doesn’t matter.

Playing for Toulouse gives you a certain aura, especially when you’re holding down a place every week and have just won back-to-back French titles.

Blair Kinghorn, who arrived in Australia on Monday, played nicely on the left wing but he will be in the 15 jersey come the Tests, unless things go badly awry.

The Waratahs had a depleted squad on Saturday but gave the Lions a mighty scare. What was McKellar’s gameplan?

“We wanted to put them under a lot of pressure with our press defence,” he said before the match.

“They’re an outstanding team but they’ve got two arms and two legs and if we take away their time and space, and if we back that up with accuracy in our physicality, then we can create turnover opportunities. “

And, boy, did they create turnover opportunities.

Charlie Gamble, who we can be safe to call an unheralded openside, won turnover after turnover. The Lions were routed on the floor. They coughed up possession 20 times and gave away 13 penalties.

The Waratahs severely dented the Test match hopes of a number of Lions.

Hugo Keenan was praised by Farrell for playing the game – maybe the effects of a bug were still with him to an extent – but he had a really rough night.

Mack Hansen, praised to the hilt by Farrell after his performance in Perth, probably took a step back.

Huw Jones and his partnership with Sione Tuipulotu had its moments, but what’s with all the touchline-to-touchline rugby from the 28-year-old? He’s devastating when going direct. Is this lateral movement part of Farrell’s grand plan?

“We made line breaks the whole time when we were direct and it didn’t matter if we were playing off nine or off 10,” said Farrell. “When we were direct we were good. ” So why not go direct more often?

The call between ‘Huwipulotu’ and ‘Ringaki’ (humble apologies, Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki) is as tight as a drum.

Does Farrell go with his trusted Irish pair? Jones bounced right back into contention with his two tries. He looks like he’s regaining his edge again after injury.

We picked a prospective squad in this space last week and there are a few changes.

Online, somebody thundered that this writer should be sent home because Jac Morgan was left out of the 23. Time is running out and emotions are running high.

Test squad: Kinghorn, Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu (Aki), Lowe, Russell (F Smith*), Gibson-Park (Mitchell); Genge (Schoeman), Sheehan (Cowan-Dickie), Bealham (Furlong), Itoje, McCarthy, Chessum (Beirne), Van der Flier, Conan (Pollock)

Lancashire Lightning moved top of the T20 Blast North Group with a second victory in 24 hours as they comfortably beat bottom club Derbyshire Falcons at Emirates Old Trafford.

After the hosts posted a solid 178-6, Red Rose bowler Luke Wood took two wickets in the first two balls of a Derbyshire reply that never got out of second gear.

Victory by 42 runs moved Lancashire four points clear of second-placed Durham with five games to go before the quarter-finalists are locked in.

Doomed Derbyshire, meanwhile, already face a scenario where even winning all of their five remaining games might not be enough to progress to the last eight.

In contrast, Lancashire are on a roll having won their past four Blast fixtures and will go into their final five games with a spring in their step aside from Liam Livingstone, who batted with a runner, adding 35 in 22 balls after pulling his hamstring.

The leg spinner did not appear for the second half of the game.

It did not much matter after Wood’s pacey in-swingers delivered the two-wicket burst in the first two deliveries of Derbyshire’s innings, having Caleb Jewell caught at slip and bowling Martin Andersson with a perfect off-stump yorker.

Wayne Madsen briefly threatened to make the match interesting with 53 from 40 balls but when he became the second victim of Chris Green’s second over, the Derbyshire reply rather fizzled out.

Billy Dodds was part of the Rangers legends dream team chosen to revitalise the Ibrox side after Philippe Clement was sacked in January with his side 13 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

With Barry Ferguson as head coach, and Dodds and Neil McCann as assistants, Rangers still finished 17 points adrift in second place.

They nevertheless impressed in Europe, reaching the Europa League quarter-finals, but that was not enough for Ferguson and his team to be given the job permanently by the incoming US-based consortium.

Dodds believes Ferguson’s staff “would have had to nail every result” to be given the job permanently.

He revealed that “right up to the last moment”, when they drew 2-2 away to Hibernian, they were unclear about their futures.

“Barry had the interview during the week and on the Sunday or Monday morning Barry phoned to give us the news that he wasn’t getting the job,” Dodds revealed.

“It was disappointing, because I think we certainly brought something to Rangers on the training ground – the big tanker was slowly turning,” he said.

“We went in and it was really flat, but when we left, they were thriving. “

Dodds did not wish to speculate on what had caused the atmosphere to be low when they arrived.

However, he recalled that chief executive Patrick Stewart and chairman Fraser Thornton said they had “invigorated” the training ground within a couple of days.

“I was like ‘what’? We’ve given two of the most basic training sessions, but people were speaking again,” he added.

Despite the improved atmosphere, Dodds believes the “mentality” of some Rangers players meant they were “so vulnerable” and unable to handle adversity.

“Right away, I thought there were a few weak ones,” he revealed. “Good boys, good players, but some of them lacked the mindset.

“When you go to a club, you tend to find that 30% of signings are not right and 70% are, and that 70% pulls the 30 along. But at Rangers it was probably the opposite.

“Too many players you could see going into their shell. You could see there was no response either in their eyes or in their brain – they couldn’t handle going behind.

“Some who were tidy players who were probably not quite the level of Rangers and never had the right mental strength to win games that were ugly.

Striker Hamza Igamane has beenj linked with a £15m summer move to Lille.

Dodds, who admits the Moroccan’s lack of English made coaching him difficult, thinks that “is good money” for a 22-year-old who arrived from AS FAR in his homeland in July 2024.

“He’s got so much talent, but he’s got to do more for the team. He has a bit to learn,” he said.

Cyriel Dessers is another striker who has been tipped for a summer sale.

As a pundit, Dodds had been one of those who thought the striker needed to be more clinical and, as his coach, encouraged the Nigeria international to take fewer touches before striking for goal.

“The big man is brilliant, a gentleman,” he said. “He is a sponge and wants to learn.

“If you look at his physique, you would think he would like holding the ball up. He hated it. He wanted to run in behind all the time.

Dodds also had praise for central midfielders Nico Raskin, Mohamed Diomande and Connor Barron.

He revealed that he, McCann and Ferguson had to work hard to turn Belgian international Raskin into a highly effective box-to-box midfielder as “he wanted to sit as a six”.

Dodds also did not realise how good Diomande was until he started to work with the 23-year-old.

“An absolute dog of war,” he said. “Technically quite good – not brilliant, but decent – and just an all-round good player. “

Dodds thinks the competition for a place in Rangers’ defence “is going to be fierce” for captain James Tavernier, especially with the arrival of fellow right-back Max Aarons on loan from Bournemouth.

However, he was “amazed” at how Tavernier “was willing to learn” at the age of 33 and was surprised when the Englishman said nobody had previously sat him down and told him he had to improve defensively.

Ferguson dropped Jack Butland after the England-capped goalkeeper suffered a loss of form and Dodds said that, while the 32-year-old was hurt, he understood.

“He has the powers of recovery – he is a top goallie,” he said. “We put him back in for the last couple of games of the season and he was excellent. “

What now for Rangers and Martin?

Dodds says the arrival of a couple of centre-backs, and the possibility of another, was an indication of where Rangers were weak last season.

Meanwhile, the addition of midfielders suggests there could be some players leaving Ibrox, while at least one striker and a pacey wide player are the priorities.

Dodds pointed out that, when opponents sat deep, “maybe there wasn’t enough creativity, especially in domestic games”, so he could understand why Rangers hae signed the Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth.

He thought it was the kind of “resilience and mental strength” from British or Scottish players that he, Ferguson and McCann would have liked to introduce themselves this summer.

Dodds thinks there have been “too many changes at Rangers”, from new chairmen, directors, chief executives and team managers in recent years.

“I just hope they get a bit of stability now,” he said. “If they get all that, they would not be too far away.