Sinner Ends Djokovic Record Bid, To Face Alcaraz In French Open Final

After losing to Lorenzo Musetti, Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in a thrilling French Open semi-final on Friday, edging him into his first Grand Slam final.

In his first Roland Garros final, world number one Sinner defeated record-holder Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) to defeat Frenchman.

The 23-year-old Sinner praised him as the best player in the history of our sport, saying, “It’s amazing to play against him here.”

“Of course, I try not to think about this, but you can feel the tension before entering the court.”

On day 13 of the French Open tennis competition at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on June 6, 2025, Italy’s Jannik Sinner celebrates his men’s singles victory over Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF/AFP)

In a dramatic fight that lasted three hours and 16 minutes, Djokovic showed his signature fighting prowess, but his hopes of a comeback were ultimately undermined by three set points that were missed late in the third set.

Also read: Sabalenka Downs Swiatek As Gauff Ends Boisson’s French Open Run

Next month, the 38-year-old will make an attempt to claim a 25th Grand Slam championship at Wimbledon, breaking the previous record.

Alcaraz earlier made up his mind for Sunday’s final when Musetti’s fourth set, which included a leg injury, was interrupted by Musetti.

On day 13 of the French Open tennis competition, Novak Djokovic from Serbia plays Jannik Sinner against it in the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris, France, on June 6, 2025. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF/AFP)

Sinner, who hasn’t lost a set in the tournament yet, will be hoping to retaliate against Alcaraz after falling to the Spaniard in five sets in the semi-finals last year.

Alcaraz has won four of his matches against Sinner, winning the Italian Open final in May after Sinner resumed his three-month doping ban.

Let’s see what I can do, Sinner said, “Sunday will be very difficult because I know my head-to-head lately doesn’t look good against Carlos.”

In what appears to be a permanent changing of the guard, Djokovic’s exit ensures that Sinner or world number two Alcaraz will win a sixth successive major title.

The first Grand Slam final between two 2000-born men will be played.

Sinner and Alcaraz have never lost a major final.

The top two seeds will square off for the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on Saturday in the first Grand Slam competition since the 2013 US Open, with Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff facing off in the final.

Djokovic had opportunities, but Sinner consistently came out strong in the crucial moments, including when he broke right away after failing to serve the second set.

In the final 10th game of the third, the Italian fought off three set points in total, hitting 44 winners overall.

Musetti retires with injuries

When Italian Musetti called it quits due to a thigh injury, world number two Alcaraz was already leading 4-6, 7-6 (7 / 3, 6-0, 2-0).

The 22-year-old said, “It’s never great to go through or win a match when it’s this.”

He has had a fantastic clay season. I wish him the best of luck, a quick recovery, and a quick recovery.

In two days, Alcaraz will aim to claim his fifth Grand Slam.

He said, “It’s been three very difficult weeks, and I only have one step left.” I’ve been playing great tennis this tournament, and I’ll give it all on Sunday.

Before taking a one-set lead with a break in the tenth game, Musetti saved break points in the first and seventh games.

However, Musetti’s attempted passing shot into the net gave the Spaniard the lead into the second-set breaker, giving him the advantage to reach the third set point.

Musetti briefly received treatment on his left thigh after being unable to handle the force coming from the other side of the net in the third set.

Alcaraz continued to dominate the set, where Musetti, the eighth seed, only managed five points in 22 minutes.

Alcaraz thumped a forehand into the corner to give Musetti another break, and the 23-year-old immediately swung to the net to shake his opponent’s hand.

Arokodare On Target As Nigeria Hold Russia To 1-1 Draw In Friendly

In their international friendly on Friday, Russia and Nigeria drew 1-1, both teams displaying determination and positive traits throughout the entire contest.

In the 27th minute, Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi unintentionally converted the ball into his own net to give Russia the lead.

In the second half, the Super Eagles responded by leveling the score with a composed finish from Tolu Arokodare in the 71st minute after the Russian goalkeeper made an error.

Read more about Tolu Arokodare, the best African player in Belgium, in the news.

Although the Super Eagles didn’t give their best performance, they did so with grit and determination in Moscow.

Spurs Sack Postecoglou Despite Ending Trophy Drought

Just 16 days after the Australian club won the Europa League to end its 17-year trophy drought, Ange Postecoglou was fired as manager of Tottenham.

Tottenham won the first European trophy in 41 years to advance to the Champions League next season with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao.

Tottenham’s worst domestic campaign since 1976-1977 was condemned by the Australian for paying the price.

Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties, according to a statement posted on Tottenham’s official X account. “The Club can announce this after a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club.”

On April 13, 2025, during the English Premier League game between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England, Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou gestures on the touchline. (Photo by Justin TALLIS/AFP)  

Postecoglou’s successful tenure at Celtic came to an abrupt end, according to chairman Daniel Levy exactly two years after his arrival.

Tottenham finished 17th in the table after losing 22 of their 38 Premier League games, trailing only relegated trio Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton.

The board has determined, “Unanimously, that a change should be made in the best interests of the club,” according to the statement.

“While winning the Europa League this year is considered one of the club’s greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions that align with this success.

It is crucial for us to be able to compete on a number of fronts, and a change of strategy will give us the best chance for the upcoming season and beyond.

“This is one of the toughest decisions we have ever had to make, and it is neither a rush-or-daily decision.”

We made the wise choice, in our opinion, to give us the best chance of succeeding in the long run, not the quick choice.

Postecoglou had vigorously defended his track record throughout the season and was bewildered by the uncertainty surrounding his eventual resumption following the success of the trophy.

Spurs and “Forever connected,” &nbsp

When he cupped his ear to Chelsea in a defiant gesture following a goal that was eventually rejected, he had a verbal altercation with Tottenham fans during the game.

The 59-year-old bowed out gracefully in response to his turbulent time in north London.

“I feel pride,” is my dominant emotion. He said in a statement released shortly after his sacking that the chance to lead one of England’s historic football clubs and restore the glory it deserves will live with him forever.

That night in Bilbao marked the culmination of two years of dedication, unwavering faith, and hard work.

I’ll never forget having that conversation with those who genuinely love this club and seeing how much they benefited. We will always be connected.

After suffering from injuries, Postecoglou concentrated on keeping his key players hydrated and ready for the Europa League in the later stages of the campaign.

Even winning Tottenham’s first trophy since the 2008 League Cup wasn’t enough to save him, despite the gamble having paid off.

In the past six years, Levy has fired him as the fifth manager.

The two most popular candidates for Postecoglou’s replacement are reportedly Marco Silva and Thomas Frank, Brentford manager.

Before taking over as manager of Australia and winning the 2015 Asian Cup, the Australian enjoyed success at the inaugural meetings of Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory.

Postecoglou and the Yokohama F-Marinos relocated to Japan and won the J League in his second season in 2019.

In just two seasons at Celtic, he won five awards, including two Scottish titles, and made his international football breakthrough.

Postecoglou’s Tottenham career started off so well, winning rave reviews for his aggressive play in the “Angeball” style.

However, a colossal chance to earn a place in the Champions League was ruined by a string of season-ending defeats.

Postecoglou boldly declared that he “always wins things” in his second year in September 2024.

Even the euphoria from the Europa League victory couldn’t save him from the axe, but he made it.

Raphinha Wins Liga Player Of The Year As Yamal Gets Youth Prize

After Barcelona won the domestic double, Brazil’s Raphinha was chosen as the team of the year in La Liga.

The 28-year-old, who joined Barca from Leeds in his third season, added 18 goals and nine assists.

The diligent right-winger is a skilled dribbler and diligent back-tracker.

READ MORE: &nbsp, Yamal, Williams, Williams, Williams, Spain, France, Nation’s League Thriller

Lamine Yamal, a teenage striker for Barcelona, took home the under-23 award.

Raphinha was about to leave the Catalan club at the end of the season, but Hansi Flick, the new coach, gave him the captain’s job and gave him an extension until July 2028.

Yamal, Williams Dazzle As Spain Beat France In Nation’s League Thriller

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, both stars of Spain, stunned La Roja in a thrilling thriller against France in Stuttgart on Thursday, clinching a Nations League title with Portugal.

As the two wingers cut France’s impromptu defense to ribbons, Yamal scored a brace, Williams added an assist, and Williams added a pair of goals.

The Euro 2024 champions also had Mikel Merino and Pedri on their scoring charts.

Before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal, Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half penalty, which gave Spain a 5-1 lead.

A Spain own goal and a stoppage-time strike from Randal Kolo Muani, all but enough to give France three late goals, were not enough.

Yamal, who is only 17 years old, claimed Spain “deserved to win.”

The game was excellent, he continued, “We played very well even though it was a little too close at the end.”

Spain and Portugal will face off in Munich on Sunday in an all-Iberian Nations League final, while France will face hosts Germany in Stuttgart earlier in the day for the bronze medal.

Merino, a gleeful goalscorer, once admitted: “It was a crazy game. Nobody wants to concede so many goals, so it’s not the best game for the coaches; the fans will enjoy it.

We’ll be thinking about this for a very long time.

Despite their late exit, Spain appear to be a more complete team than they were a year ago when they won the European Championship in a dominant manner.

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Spain is effective, France is dangerous.

The 5-4 goal was scored by France’s forward No. 12 Randal Kolo Muani (C) on June 5, 2025, in Stuttgart, Germany, in the UEFA Nations League semi-final game between Spain and France. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)

In the first half, Didier Deschamps chose to use Ousmane Dembele as his weapon over Mbappe, who was more dangerous.

Dembele, who is returning from Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League triumph, wasted a chance by passing pass instead of shooting in a one-on-one situation with the ‘keeper.

Spain regrouped just as Theo Hernandez’s long-range effort erased the top of the crossbar with a moment’s notice.

Spain immediately paid for the pair of goalscorers from La Roja’s Euro 2024 final, Williams and Oyarzabal, who had already scored 22 minutes later.

Yamal threw his shot into the top of the net after a tear down the right, holding off three defenders with his back to goal before finding Williams.

When Oyarzabal dinked the French defense, allowing Merino to collect and hammer past an off-balance Maignan, Spain had a three-minute lead.

Later in the half, France had better chances as Dembele blocked a grateful Unai Simon with a straight shot after finding space in the box three times.

Spain was stripped of what would have been an incredible third just before half-time by the narrowest of offsides.

Martin Zubimendi cut it back for Huijsen in a blatantly practiced free-kick play.

France missed two important chances in the second half before Spain once more doubled in a hurry.

With 54 minutes left, Yamal won and won a penalty, taking Williams’ hand and hurriedly heading home.

Williams set up Pedri for a fourth time just one minute later, but France was reeling.

With just over 20 minutes left, Mbappe won and scored a penalty, but Yamal stepped up again to stifle French hopes of a likely comeback.

France scored two late consolation goals thanks to four changes made by Spain as their thoughts turned to Sunday.

Through Daniel Vivian, Spain forced to concede an own goal after substitute Cherki scored a long-range effort.

In stoppage time, Kolo Muani scored in the fourth minute to reduce the deficit, but Spain held on as France made a late comeback.

Uzbekistan, Jordan Qualify For Their First-Ever World Cup, South Korea Through

Uzbekistan and Jordan will now face South Korea, who has always been a participant in the tournament, in the following year. On Thursday, the two countries made history by qualifying for their first World Cup.

Uzbekistan, one of Asia’s fastest-growing national teams, drew 0-0 with the UAE in Abu Dhabi to move into Group A, but top spot is still in play after qualified Iran lost to Qatar 1-0 in Doha.

Iran leads Uzbekistan by two points going into the final set of matches for the third round on Tuesday.

The top two teams from each of the three Asian groups advance to the World Cup, while those who finish third and fourth, which are Qatar and the UAE, will enter a fourth round of qualifying.

South Korea defeated Iraq 2-0 in Basra to secure their place in an 11th&nbsp, straight World Cup.

Ronaldo defeats Germany’s jinx in the Nations League Final, read more.

On June 5, 2025, South Korea’s No. 13 Midfielder, No. 13 Kim Jing-yu, celebrates with his teammates after scoring the team’s first goal in the Iraq-South Korea match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier at Basra International Stadium in Basra. Hussein FALEH/AFP (Photo)

With the victory, Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu, who had earlier won 3-0 against Oman earlier on Thursday, who had ultimately proved sufficient to make their participation at the expanded 48-team showpiece in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, claim top spot.

King Abdullah II of Jordan congratulated the team on social media.

His team, which includes stars and cadres of whom we are proud, well-deserved this historic distinction, he wrote on X.

“Our sincere supporters and supporters deserve special thanks.”

The 2023 Asian Cup runners-up etched their name in the record books with Ali Olwin’s hat-trick.

After a VAR review, Ali Al Hamadi’s foul on Cho Yu-min was upgraded to a red card midway through the first half, which reduced Iraq to 10 men.

Oman and Palestine are still able to advance to the fourth round of qualifying, leaving Iraq third in Group B. Oman will host Palestine on Tuesday while Iraq will face Jordan in Amman, where Palestine defeated Kuwait 2-0 in Ardhiya.

Saudi Arabia and Australia will square off on Tuesday for the second-place spot in Group C.

Following their last-gasp victory in Perth against group leaders Japan, Australia are still in the lead&nbsp.

In the 90th minute, Aziz Behich rifled into the corner in front of more than 57, 000 fans, giving Tony Popovic’s side a crucial victory in the end.

“We know there is room to improve and room to grow, but we’ve done something special tonight,” Popovic said of his team’s prolonged dominance of an experimental Japan side.

With a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in Riffa, Saudi Arabia made sure the race for second place would end in secrecy. Herve Renard’s men are still three points adrift of second-placed Australia thanks to goals in either half from Musab Al Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al Obud.

To overtake the Socceroos, the Saudis will need to win by five goals in Jeddah.

In his September replacement, Popovic, said: “We all contributed to getting us to this point. We want to travel to Saudi Arabia to finish the project.

With a 1-0 victory over China, Patrick Kluivert’s country kept their hopes alive for the first World Cup since 1945.

So far, Indonesia is fourth overall, one point behind Saudi. The only goal was scored by Ole Romeny, who had just passed a VAR check that had left China rooted to the bottom of the group and had put an end to their hopes of winning a second World Cup with his controversial penalty just before halftime.