945 Metro Sports

Gauff continues French Open defence with convincing win over Sherif
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Coco Gauff continued her French Open title defence with a straight-sets victory over Egyptian qualifier Mayar Sherif in the second round on Thursday.

The American fourth seed was too strong for the world number 129 on Court Suzanne Lenglen, winning 6-3, 6-2.

"It was a physical match, a tough match, my patience was really tested today," said Gauff.

The 22-year-old, who has reached at least the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in each of the past five years, was not at her best but was never in danger of suffering an upset defeat.

"No expectations," she insisted when asked if winning the title last year raised her hopes this time around. "I'm just having fun."

She broke Sherif seven times in total during a match in which both players struggled on serve, but sealed the win after an hour and 50 minutes.

Sherif has still never reached the third round at a Grand Slam tournament, after losing in round two for the fourth time in five years in Paris.

[AFP]

NBA set to introduce AI for objective calls, confirms commissioner Adam Silver
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league ⁠will use AI to automate a category of calls such as out-of-bounds decisions ‌to speed up games and reduce disputes over possession.

Silver ‌compared the system to Hawk-Eye technology ‌used in tennis, where electronic line-calling quickly determines ‌whether a ball has landed in or ‌out.

"We're going to move to a system like that where that whole category of calls will ‌be automatic," Silver said on ⁠ESPN's the Pat ‌McAfee Show on Wednesday.

"It's going to be Laker ​ball, Knick ball, whatever it is. Those calls will be done by an ​AI, automated system with cameras lined around the court."

The technology would make such decisions ⁠instantaneous and ​allow referees to focus on calls for contact and fouls.

"It will take all those so-called objective calls out of the hands of the ‌referees," he said. "You won't have to deal with challenges on those calls."

Silver did not provide an exact timeline for the introduction of the system but said it would be "fairly quickly".

The NBA has increasingly leaned on replay review and centralized decision-making to improve officiating accuracy, though reviews can slow the ‌pace of games.

Silver said referees would remain ​essential for interpreting physical contact, where judgment ‌is required to determine whether a player has been impeded.

"There's often contact on every play, but that doesn't mean there's a foul on every play," Silver ⁠said. "That's something that ⁠can't just be ‌done on camera."

[Reuters]

Magnier completes hat-trick as sprinters steal the show on 18th stage of Giro d'Italia
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Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) completed his hattrick on Thursday to secure his third stage win in the Giro d'Italia to recapture the maglia ciclamino as the sprinters stole the show on the 18th stage at Pieve di Soligo.

In the final kilometer, Jasper Stuyven served the stage win on a plate for Paul Magnier, who had to maneuver a very technical finale where the organizers probably had not anticipated such a big group of riders to arrive at Pieve di Soligo at the same time.

Magnier reacted first to launch a fierce sprint towards the finishing line, while several corners and wet roads made it practically impossible for anyone to challenge him, as Edoardo Zambanini and Jonathan Milan finished in second and third place on the day.

The main story of the stage was otherwise Afonso Eulálio crashing with just under 50 kilometers to go; however, the Portuguese rider wearing the white jersey was able to catch up to the rest of the peloton again.

As the riders entered the Muro di ca'del Poggio climb, Unibet Rose Rockets was in front with Jonathan Milan straight after. Eulálio then launched a fierce attack soon after and managed to create a promising gap to the peloton, but Sepp Kuss did not have any major problems reeling him in for Jonas Vingegaard.

Vingegaard, who continues to lead the Grand Tour race overall, then went to capture a few more KOM points at the summit of the climb as 15 riders in front opened up a gap to the rest of the peloton.

The large number of outsiders and puncheurs that survived the pace on the climb suddenly eyed the chance to grab an unlikely stage win while Corbin Strong's NSN man in front made the front split together with Orluis Aular.

With five km to go, Johannes Kulset then attacked with Eulálio on his back wheel. They had a gap of 10 seconds with 3.5 kilometers to go, and as the peloton then made contact with the GC group, Derek Gee immediately began chasing before Stuyven in the end set up Magnier for the stage win.

[Svend Bertil Frandsen]

Sinner suffers shock French Open exit to Cerundolo after succumbing to sweltering heat
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Jannik Sinner's 30-match winning run came to an abrupt halt at the French Open on Thursday as the world number one succumbed to sweltering conditions in a five-set, second-round loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

Sinner, the red-hot favourite at Roland Garros, appeared to be cruising to victory, holding a two-set lead and a commanding 5–1 advantage in the third, before suddenly taking a turn for the worse.

The Italian complained of dehydration and dizziness, saying he felt as though he might vomit, and was visibly struggling as temperatures once again climbed above 30 degrees during a record-breaking heatwave in France.

Sinner suddenly looked a shadow of himself, and an inspired Cerundolo seized his chance to pull off an improbable comeback, prevailing 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1.

Sinner arrived in Paris on the back of winning all three of the clay-court Masters titles, with his odds of completing a career Grand Slam enhanced further by the absence of injured rival Carlos Alcaraz.

Instead, the 24-year-old suffered his earliest exit at a major since losing at the same stage of the French Open in 2023.

"It's tough for him (Sinner). I think I was a little bit lucky," said Cerundolo, who goes on to play Martin Landaluce or Vit Kopriva in the last 32.

"I feel sorry for him. He was deserving to win, and then I don't know what happened to him. Maybe cramping, maybe the pressure, but I hope he recovers."

It was another bitterly disappointing ending at Roland Garros for last year's runner-up, who held three championship points 12 months ago before losing to Alcaraz.

There were few signs of what was to come as Sinner sailed through the first two sets, picking up where he left off after a typically efficient opening-round win.

But the wheels began to come off with the finish line in sight.

Sinner left Court Philippe Chatrier to receive medical treatment while serving for the match at 5-4, albeit 0-40 down. He returned minutes later, but Cerundolo sensed his opportunity against an ailing opponent.

The Argentine won 18 consecutive points as he clawed his way back from the brink, breaking Sinner three times in a row to send the match to a fourth set.

Sinner, hunched over periodically in the shade at the back of the court between rallies, earned three break points early in the fourth but couldn't capitalise.

Cerundolo, the world number 56 with just two Grand Slam match wins before this tournament, took advantage and broke twice more to run away with the set and force a decider.

The Buenos Aires native didn't blink as Sinner tried to gamely hang on, Cerundolo putting away the struggling top seed for the biggest win of his career.

"I'm super happy," said Cerundolo. "I'm going to keep trying to play my best. It's a tournament I really like to play, clay is my best surface."

[AFP]

Valgren wins 17th stage of Giro d'Italia to secure first stage victory in Grand Tour ever
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The 34-year old Michael Valgren (EF Education - EasyPost) on Wednesday secured the fifth Danish stage win at the Giro d'Italia when he won the 17th stage from Cassano d'Adda to Andalo (202 km) and gailed his first stage win in a Grand Tour ever.

He launched a thunderous breakaway on the final kilometre to the finish, just as he had done earlier this year in the Tirreno-Adriatico to arrive solo at the finish with a late attack.

The EF Education-EasyPost rider held up a lucky charm made by his son as he celebrated the win ahead of Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility) and Damiano Caruso (Bahrai Victorious) while Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) comfortably retained his Maglia Rosa.

The 34-year-old formed a fine partnership with Movistar's Einer Rubio with 20 kilometres to go, as the pair led up the final 8% incline towards the finish. But Valgren had plenty of patience as he made his decisive move 500 metres away from the finish line to speed away from the pursuing bunch, not waiting for a sprint finish to decide the race, as Rubio was finally caught.

"I'm actually quite slow in a sprint", said Valgren after the win, according to TV2 Sport. "Adam Blythe asked me this morning about my maximum power, and I'm almost embarrassed by it. It was my chance to attack. When I have good legs, I'm good at it."

"It was a strange day in such a large group. We did not cooperate well. I was frustrated that we didn't really race until the end. It was really hard. I was on the border and didn't get food for some time. The car was far behind. I was afraid of going sugar cold. Fortunately, the stage was not 500 m longer."

"I have been missing this win. I deserve it. I have told other media that my career has been good, but I have been missing a grand tour stage. Today it arrived in Italy. Apparently, I drive well in Italy. I am happy to be here."

The race continues on Thursday with the 18th stage which is a 171-kilometer route from Fai della Paganella to Pieve di Soligo

[Svend Bertil Frandsen]

Giant Lionel Messi statue in India to be taken down after 'swaying in the wind'
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A giant statue of football superstar Lionel Messi erected in India to mark his visit last year is "swaying in the wind" and will be removed, a lawmaker told AFP on Wednesday.

Workers have scrambled up the 21-metre (70-foot) golden-coloured statue in the eastern city of Kolkata in West Bengal, throwing ropes around its shoulders to secure it.

The sculpture showing the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami star raising the World Cup trophy was unveiled during Messi's so-called GOAT Tour of India in December.

But West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee said it was no longer safe.

"The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government," he said.

"We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind."

Workers on Wednesday used ropes to attempt to secure the statue, which looms over a busy road.

Mukherjee said it was not clear when it would be brought down.

"Removal has proved easier said than done," he said. "We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity."

He did not say whether the statue would be re-erected at another site.

Argentina is set to begin its World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. Messi has not formally confirmed his plans to play in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what would be a record-matching sixth appearance at the tournament. He remains the side's talisman for the defence of the title they won in Qatar four years ago.

India - a nation of 1.4 billion - is a cricket powerhouse, but struggles on the football pitch and is 142nd on the FIFA rankings. Football, however, is the country's second favourite sport, according to research by data company Nielsen released on Wednesday.

[AFP]

Attorneys general of New York and New Jersey to subpoena FIFA over ticketing practices
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The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey ⁠on Wednesday said they had issued a subpoena to FIFA over the soccer governing body's ticketing ‌practices after media reports raised concerns about fans' seat locations for ‌the upcoming World Cup.

New York Attorney General Letitia ‌James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in ‌a press release they are specifically requesting details about ‌ticketing practices for the eight World Cup matches being played in New Jersey, including the July 19 final.

The attorneys general ‌also said some fans have reported that ⁠they did not ‌receive the tickets in the category they paid for. According to ​the press release, some fans who selected and paid for Category 1 tickets, which were ​the closest areas to the field, were assigned seats further back in Category 2 areas.

"New Yorkers have been ⁠waiting years for ​the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets," James said. "No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for ‌seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive."

The attorneys general said they will also investigate FIFA's ticket prices for 2026 World Cup matches, which they said have "far exceeded" those of any previous World Cup tournament.

"Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated. But FIFA has turned buying a ticket to ‌the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake ​scarcity, and impossibly high prices - all at the ‌expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans," Davenport said.

FIFA declined to comment.

The 2026 World Cup begins on June 11th and is being hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

"New Jersey is excited to host the World Cup and welcome fans from across the globe. But no one should be allowed to exploit New Jersey fans or those coming to our state," New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said in a statement.

"I applaud Attorneys General Davenport and James for standing up ‌on behalf of consumers and investigating whether they have been misled."

Ticket pricing controversy
Ticket prices for the World Cup have become as much a headline as the matches themselves, especially when their face value is compared to the ticket pricing summary originally listed in the bid book by the three host nations.

FIFA is using dynamic pricing for the first time at this year's World Cup. That system allows for the cost of tickets to fluctuate based on a variety of factors such as real-time demand, inventory and the popularity of an event. Tickets on FIFA's official resale platform have skyrocketed.

Due to a backlash over exorbitant prices, FIFA introduced a small number of $60 tickets that are tucked high in the ‌top corners of stadiums.

In March, dozens of U.S. lawmakers called on FIFA to lower the cost of ​tickets for the 2026 World Cup, saying in a letter to the organisation that the ‌use of dynamic pricing had turned the event into an exclusionary enterprise at the expense of fans.

Speaking at the 76th FIFA Congress last month in Vancouver, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said demand for tickets had reached unprecedented levels, with 500 million requests already recorded for the expanded 48-team tournament.

"We've sold 100% of the inventory that we've put on the market, which is, more ⁠or less, 90% of the global inventory so ⁠far," Infantino said.

[Reuters]

Novak Djokovic battles past Valentin Royer to seal place in French Open third round
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Novak Djokovic continued his latest tilt at a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title with a four-set victory over France's Valentin Royer to reach the third round of the French Open on Wednesday.

Just like in his opening match, the 39-year-old saw off a home player at Roland Garros, this time moving past world number 74 Royer 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Djokovic, a 24-time major winner, will next meet either rising Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca or Croatia's Dino Prizmic in the third round.

"Obviously the feelings on the court are different when you win," Djokovic said. "It was a match in very difficult (weather) conditions.

"I think Valentin merits a big round of applause for his performance today."

"I hope I won't play any more French players for the rest of the tournament," he added with a wry laugh.

Djokovic secured the crucial break in the sixth game of the opening set as he seemed to read his opponent's mind when he preemptively shuffled across the net to his backhand side before putting away a volley winner when he had moments prior looked stranded in mid-court.

The former world number one laid down an instant marker at the start of the second set as he broke Royer to get his nose in front.

Djokovic then broke again to take a 4-1 lead, before serving out the set, as he showed no signs of wilting under the heat and home support in Paris.

Royer, born some five kilometres from the Roland Garros complex, gave the local fans cause to cheer when he twice cancelled out Djokovic breaks to level at 3-3 and 4-4 in the third set.

He then brought centre court to its feet as he recovered from 3-0 down in the tie-break to force a fourth set.

Djokovic opened the set with a battling hold of serve as he seemed to flag in the late afternoon sun with the match fast approaching the three-hour mark.

But the three-time French Open champion dug deep to stay in the fight and one stretching forehand from wide out beyond the net post brought a smile to his lips as Royer disbelievingly watched it rip off the clay just inside his baseline.

That moment of brilliance was all Djokovic needed to revitalise himself as he broke for a 3-1 lead in the very next game, before serving out his spot among the last 32.

[AFP]

FIFA World Cup 2026 - African Teams Group Stage Guide
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Ten African nations, One Mission 🏆 Group fixtures, Opponents and Kickoff times below.

1. Algeria | Group J

Group Stage Fixtures:
June 16: vs. Argentina
June 22: vs. Jordan
June 27: vs. Austria
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2. Cape Verde | Group H

Group Stage Fixtures:
June 15: vs. Spain
June 21: vs. Uruguay
June 26: vs. Saudi Arabia
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3. DR Congo | Group K

Group Stage Fixtures:
June 17: vs. Portugal
June 23: vs. Colombia
June 27: vs. Uzbekistan

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4. Egypt | Group G

Group Stage Fixtures:
June 15: vs. Belgium
June 21: vs. New Zealand
June 26: vs. Iran

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5. Ghana | Group L

Group Stage Fixtures:
June 17: vs. Panama
June 23: vs. England
June 27: vs. Croatia
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6. Ivory Coast | Group E

Group Stage Fixtures:
June 14: vs. Ecuador
June 20: vs. Germany
June 25: vs. Curaçao
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7. Morocco | Group C

Group Stage Fixtures:
June 13: vs. Brazil
June 19: vs. Scotland
June 24: vs. Haiti
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8. Senegal | Group I

Group Stage Fixtures:
June 16: vs. France
June 22: vs. Norway
June 26: vs. Iraq
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9. South Africa | Group A

Group Stage Fixtures:
June 11: vs. Mexico
June 18: vs. Czech Republic
June 24: vs. South Korea
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10. Tunisia | Group F

Group Stage Fixtures:
June 14: vs. Sweden
June 20: vs. Japan
June 25: vs. Netherlands
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945 Metro Sports will, throughout the tournament keep you updated with team insights (African teams) Fixtures and Results

From the first game to the last one, simply follow us and stay updated..

FIFA World Cup 2026 - African Teams Guide
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Ten historic African nations have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Below is their FIFA rankings and tournament.
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1. ALGERIA (Desert Foxes)
FIFA World Ranking: 28

Head Coach: Vladimir Petković (BIH)

World Cup Appearances: 1982, 1986, 2010 (1st Round); 2014 (Last 16)

All-Time World Cup Record: P13 | W3 | D3 | L7 | GF13 | GA19

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2. CAPE VERDE (Blue Sharks)
FIFA World Ranking: 69

Head Coach: Bubista (CPV)

World Cup Appearances: Debut (2026)

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3. DR CONGO (Leopards)
FIFA World Ranking: 46

Head Coach: Sébastien Desabre (FRA)

World Cup Appearances: 1974 (1st Round as Zaire)

All-Time World Cup Record: P3 | W0 | D0 | L3 | GF0 | GA14

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4. EGYPT (Pharaohs)
FIFA World Ranking: 29

Head Coach: Hossam Hassan (EGY)

World Cup Appearances: 1934, 1990, 2018 (1st Round)

All-Time World Cup Record: P7 | W0 | D2 | L5 | GF5 | GA12

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5. GHANA (Black Stars)
FIFA World Ranking: 74

Head Coach: Carlos Queiroz (POR)

World Cup Appearances: 2006 (Last 16); 2010 (Quarterfinals); 2014, 2022 (1st Round)

All-Time World Cup Record: P14 | W5 | D3 | L7 | GF18 | GA23

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6. IVORY COAST (Elephants)
FIFA World Ranking: 34

Head Coach: Emerse Faé (CIV)

World Cup Appearances: 2006, 2010, 2014 (1st Round)

All-Time World Cup Record: P9 | W3 | D1 | L5 | GF13 | GA14

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7. MOROCCO (Atlas Lions)
FIFA World Ranking: 8

Head Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi (MAR)

World Cup Appearances: 1970, 1994, 1998, 2018 (1st Round); 1986 (Last 16); 2022 (Semifinals)

All-Time World Cup Record: P23 | W5 | D7 | L11 | GF20 | GA27

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8. SENEGAL (Teranga Lions)
FIFA World Ranking: 14

Head Coach: Pape Thiaw (SEN)

World Cup Appearances: 2002 (Quarterfinals); 2018 (1st Round); 2022 (Last 16)

All-Time World Cup Record: P12 | W5 | D3 | L4 | GF16 | GA17

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9. SOUTH AFRICA (Bafana Bafana)
FIFA World Ranking: 60

Head Coach: Hugo Broos (BEL)

World Cup Appearances: 1998, 2002, 2010 (1st Round)

All-Time World Cup Record: P9 | W2 | D3 | L4 | GF11 | GA16

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10. TUNISIA (Carthage Eagles)
FIFA World Ranking: 44

Head Coach: Sabri Lamouchi (FRA)

World Cup Appearances: 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022 (1st Round)

All-Time World Cup Record: P18 | W3 | D5 | L10 | GF14 | GA26

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 23rd FIFA World Cup and will be jointly hosted by sixteen cities, eleven in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.

The tournament will be the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations, and the first to include 48 teams, an expansion from 32 previously.

The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

[CChsanga]

Serious shoulder injury forces Schmeichel to bring down curtain on illustrious career
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Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has announced that he has decided to bring down the curtain on his illustrious career after sustaining a serious shoulder injury.

The long-time national team goalkeeper has announced his decision in an interview with TV2 Sport. His career will officially end when his contract with the Scottish traditional club Celtic expires this summer.

"I have thought a lot about it, but I believe that now is the right time", says Schmeichel in the interview. Back in March, the 39-year-old goalkeeper said that he could have played his last football match due to a shoulder injury.

He has since consulted various surgeons and experts about the injury. They have told him that he should not expect to return to the pitch and play top football, says Schmeichel.

The national team's first-choice goalkeeper for many years has not been in action for Celtic since 22 February. He was also not available when the Danish national football team gathered in March for the World Cup play-off matches.

At the time, he emphasized that it was not a final farewell to the national team. But now he says that in March, he did not realize how bad his shoulder was.

It was in a match against Portugal last year that Schmeichel first injured his shoulder. He was injured again in February. In an interview with the American media CBS Sports, Schmeichel explained that the shoulder injury is complicated by the fact that he has also damaged his biceps.

In addition to Celtic, Schmeichel has played for clubs such as Anderlecht, Nice, and Leicester.

Back in 2016, he won the English Premier League title with Leicester, and in 2021, he triumphed in the FA Cup with the same team.

He has also won the Scottish championship twice during his time at Celtic - most recently this season. Schmeichel has been capped 120 times for Denmark.

[Svend Bertil Frandsen]