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With a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime on Sunday, Jannik Sinner, the four-time Grand Slam champion, reclaimed his position at the top of the world rankings.

Also available to read: Sinner, Zverev, and Last Eight of the Paris Masters.

When the ATP rankings are updated on Monday, the 24-year-old will return to the pinnacle of men’s tennis in the wake of the current world number one Carlos Alcaraz of Spain’s crash out early in the tournament, where his maiden crown was held in Paris.

The Italian first climbed to the top of the rankings in June of last year, where he held it for 65 weeks before losing to Alcaraz in the US Open championship match in September.

After losing in a remarkable five-set final to Alcaraz earlier in the season, Sinner’s reign will taste even sweeter.

Sinner has now won five titles this year, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon, despite missing three months at the beginning of 2025 after twice testing positive for clostebol in March of last year.

However, it was his first 1, 000-level victory since Shanghai in October, with Sunday’s victory.

For ninth-seeded Canadian Auger-Aliassime, failing to pass the final setback in Paris-area prevented him from clinching a spot at the ATP Finals later this month.

However, Auger-Aliassime is the favorite to win the eighth and final spots in the season-ending competition after beating Lorenzo Musetti in the race to Turin.

The 25-year-old has experienced a renaissance in 2025 and reclaimed his place among the world’s top 10 despite being unable to add a fourth title to his list of accomplishments so far this season.

Power-Hitting

After dropping just one game in the semi-final match against third seed Alexander Zverev on Saturday, Sinner returned to where he left off by breaking Auger-Aliassime in the opening game to take the lead.

The Canadian forced Sinner to serve out the opening set, which he did in a typically effective manner, by refusing to let himself be cowed by the second seed’s power hitting from the baseline.

Both players’ only break point, which was a first set marked by impeccable serving, was converted by Sinner at the start of the match.

At the start of the second frame, Sinner forced a few break opportunities, but Auger-Aliassime made a huge first serve saver on each occasion.

As the number of winners grew, both men kept striking the ball clean.

In the seventh game, Sinner looked to have finally worn the Montreal-native down with his relentless pace and groundstrokes, but Auger-Aliassime exhibited grit to save three break points.

With the match now at 5-4, Auger-Aliassime made a sudden charge on Sinner’s serve, allowing the Canadian to force a decider to pass him by as the set rumbled toward a tie-break.

With a blistering backhand down the line on his first championship point, Sinner jumped out to win the tiebreaker with a score of 3-2 and never looked back.

After losing their first 10 Premier League games, Wolves fired head coach Vitor Pereira on Sunday.

After guiding the Wanderers to safety last season, Pereira announced a new three-year deal in September.

However, the club’s eight-year tenure in the top flight is seriously in jeopardized by a return of just two points this campaign.

Wolves are eight points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table after falling to Fulham with a 3-0 defeat on Saturday.

After a season without wins, Wolves have parted ways with head coach Vitor Pereira, according to a statement from the club.

Pereira and his coaches “made an immediate impact” when they arrived at Molineux last December, helping the team win the Premier League season for the second half.

However, this term’s results and performances fell short of acceptable standards, and as a result, a leadership change was deemed necessary.

After finishing 16th last year, Pereira had to deal with losing Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, and Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nelson Semedo both left for Manchester City and Fenerbahc, respectively.

Fans have been expressing frustration with Chinese owners Fosun for some time over a rumored lack of investment in the squad.

In his early years in charge, Pereira had become a popular figure and would frequently celebrate victories with supporters in nearby Molineux.

Following last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Burnley, he was forced to be escorted away from an angry confrontation with supporters because that relationship had soured this season.

With a 1-0 victory for Tottenham, Joseo Pedro finally ended his Chelsea goal drought, prolonging the club’s miserable home record on Saturday.

When Joao Pedro scored late in the first half of the London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Enzo Maresca’s side took the lead.

His first goal in nine games, which came against Fulham on August 30; it was also his first in all competitions.

Since leaving Brighton in a £60 million ($78 million) move in the close-season, the 24-year-old has scored just three goals for the Blues.

Chelsea moved into fourth place in the Premier League after winning third place behind third-placed Tottenham in goal difference with a third straight victory.

Since beating Burnley on the opening weekend of the season in August, Tottenham haven’t won at home in the league.

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Their miserable home league performance in 2025 began with Frank’s successor Ange Postecoglou, but the former Brentford boss has not yet found a solution.

Tottenham have performed much better on the road this year, winning 3-0 at Everton in their previous top-flight match despite losing in the League Cup fourth round at Newcastle in midweek.

However, Tottenham fans are beginning to express dissatisfaction with Frank’s prosaic tactics, which contrast sharply with the club’s “to dare is to do” philosophy.

When Lucas Bergvall suffered a head injury and was replaced by Xavi Simons, a concussion replacement, Frank was struck by an early injury blow.

Bergvall pleaded with Tottenham’s medical staff to allow him to remain on, but when they refused, he enraged one of the doctors before Frank intervened to calm the situation.

Sloppy Spurs, &nbsp

Chelsea’s main threat came in the first half when Alejandro Garnacho fired a distance challenge on Guglielmo Vicario from the distance.

Midway through the second half, Vicario suffered a knee injury, but he was able to continue after receiving treatment and immediately came to Tottenham’s aid.

Vicario stood up to repel his low strike as Pedro Porro’s clearance rebounded off Garnacho to Joao Pedro inside the area.

However, Joao Pedro was not let down by his 34th minute opener, which made amends for that mistake.

On the edge of the Tottenham area, Moises Caicedo tenaciously harried Simons and Micky van de Ven before winning possession and directing the ball to Joao Pedro, who fired into the roof of the net from six yards.

Tottenham’s poor defending caused Frank to kick a water bottle out in disgrace on the touchline.

Joao Pedro almost struck again after taking Malo Gusto’s pass and unleashing a powerful effort that Vicario tipped over.

After the ugly challenge on Reece James was declared “not serious foul play,” Rodrigo Bentancur may consider himself fortunate to escape with a booking.

Robert Sanchez was equal to it when Tottenham finally made contact with him on the stroke of half-time with a Mohammed Kudus volley.

Unmarked, Enzo Fernandez headed wastefully over James’ cross shortly after the break.

Frank’s side admitted to giving up possession far too easily, and their supporters became increasingly frustrated as a result of their lack of attacking momentum.

Tottenham never seriously threatened a late escape, but the fans’ anger increased as Vicario’s temper grew.

As struggling Nottingham Forest held to a 2-2 draw at home by struggling Arsenal, Arsenal brushed Burnley aside with a 2-0 victory on Saturday to take the top of the Premier League.

To put an end to their painful two-decade wait to become English champions, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have won five league games in a row.

After scoring his first league goal since mid-September at Turf Moor, Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal the lead after a Declan Rice corner in the first half.

In the 35th minute, England midfielder Rice himself scored the visitors’ lead twice before half-time.

READ ALSO:  Arteta Concerned Over Players’ Welfare In Arsenal Fixture Pile-Up

Arsenal have enviable options in attack, winning nine games in a row in all competitions, but their defense relies on a rock-solid defense, which has conceded just three league goals in 10 games so far this season.

When Casemiro scored the opener in the first half to take the lead, Manchester United, who are now looking for their fourth straight league win, appeared to be looking to move up to second place.

After the break, Forest, who had not scored a league goal since September 20, roared back and gave themselves back.

In the 48th minute, Morgan Gibbs-White headed home, but Nicolo Savona scored just two minutes later to end a dramatic turn.

United, who have greatly improved in recent weeks following a subpar start to the season, were saved with Amad Diallo’s sweet volley in the 81st minute.

Forest, who replaced Ange Postecoglou with Sean Dyche as manager last month, is still four points adrift in the championship table.

After suffering a humiliating 3-0 defeat at Fulham at Craven Cottage, Rock-bottom Wolves are eight points away from safety.

When Emmanuel Agbadou was dismissed later in the first half, Wolves were reduced to 10 men after Ryan Sessegnon’s opener was scored early.

In the 62nd minute, Harry Wilson doubled Fulham’s lead, and Yerson Mosquera’s own goal put an end to Wolves’ misery.

With a header from Jean-Philippe Mateta and an own goal from Nathan Collins, Crystal Palace won for the first time in four league games, 2-0.

Danny Welbeck, the unstoppable star of the Premier League, scored his sixth goal of the year for Brighton against Leeds 3-0. Diego Gomez also scored twice.

Chelsea and Tottenham have a chance to finish second in the table when Tottenham take on their London rivals in the early evening kick-off.

In the late kick-off, champions Liverpool take on Aston Villa in an effort to end a four-game losing streak that has ended their title defense.

At the end of September, Arne Slot’s men were 12 points clear of Villa’s Unai Emery, but the two teams are now tied for 15 points in the midtable.

Manchester City will host Bournemouth on Sunday when they begin their Premier League campaign on Saturday.

In response to recent criticism, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick stated on Saturday that he will “protect” teenage star Lamine Yamal.

The 18-year-old winger struggled last weekend when Barca, the champions, lost, leaving them five points adrift in La Liga.

Yamal’s comments before the game, which made headlines among Los Blancos supporters and a significant portion of the Spanish media, were also controversial.

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Before Barca’s game against Elche on Sunday in La Liga, Flick stated, “We speak with him… we are very honest together, he with me and I with him, and this is the best way.”

“I will always be there for him,” he declared. He’s a fantastic player, fantastic guy, young player, and great leader for us.

Yamal has been dealing with a groin injury for a few weeks, but despite starting the Clasico, he still appears to be affected by it.

Lamine is excellent. He’s doing well, he said in a recent conversation, and I just spoke to him.

He obviously experiences some days of pain, but now he really works hard and does a lot better in these areas. This is what we can say because he is on a good evolution.

Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo are back at work, according to the German coach, but Barca are still without Pedri Gonzalez, Gavi, and Joan Garcia, among others.

Lewandowski and Olmo’s returns, according to Flick, had contributed to improving the training’s quality.

The last two training (sessions) were excellent, added Flick, “What I can see now with Dani and also with Lewy back.”

“They raise the standard and quality, and they also raise the level of the other players, as well as the younger players. It’s nice to see, and we’ll probably show it tomorrow.

Eder Sarabia, a former Barca assistant coach under Quique Setien, will lead the promoted side as they take on Elche at the Olympic Stadium.

Shehu Dikko, the national sports commission’s chairperson, has refuted allegations that the $1.2 million FIFA fund was used to extort funds for the construction of the mini-stadium in Kebbi State.

No one collected the funds, according to Dikko, who claimed in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, insisting that FIFA had managed the project funds directly.

No one collected the money because that is where people are getting it wrong. They can defend themselves, but I’m not here to defend the NFF.

What happens to the NFF has an impact on the entire sports ecosystem, according to the leader of the country. Therefore, he said, “we need to set the record straight for people to understand how this works.”

The Munich Allianz Arena will host the 2028 Champions League final.

He explained that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is denied access to the funds because the governing body appoints consultants, oversees contracts, and pays contractors directly under FIFA’s project structure.

I was in charge of FIFA projects, and I am familiar with its operation. Because FIFA manages its projects directly, no one collected the funds. The NFF’s job is to give the people’s wishes and land. According to Dikko, FIFA then chooses consultants, conducts procurement, and pays the contractor directly to complete the project.

The NSC chairman clarified that the project was approved in 2015 and that procurement started in 2016, clarifying that the project was not valued at the current exchange rate.

This project is not worth the $1.2 million it currently costs. The value was about $ 300 million when it was approved in 2015. He explained that that was the project’s original value at the time.

He added that construction and contract signing was postponed due to delays in obtaining land and gathering documentation, which FIFA’s appointed contractor then started doing.

A public tender and procurement procedure took place prior to the project signing. Simply put, people take pictures and assume they are incomplete. The project’s initial stage was only represented by the structure that was shown, according to Dikko.

Following widespread criticism of its appearance and value, the Birnin Kebbi mini-stadium project, which was funded through FIFA’s Forward Programme, has come under serious scrutiny.

FIFA’s use of the stadium’s image on its social media banner, which sparked outcry and inquiries into an investigation, led to the ensuing controversy.

Dikko reaffirmed that FIFA is still in charge of managing the project, insisting that all funds were handled honestly and to the highest standards.