The National Times

'I don't like Paris night sessions,' says Nadal

Rafael Nadal on Friday gave a resounding thumbs down to night sessions at the French Open, admitting "I don't like them".

Hamilton says bumpy Monaco track makes for 'roller-coaster ride'

Lewis Hamilton described his experience in Friday's practice at the Monaco Grand Prix as like taking the "bumpiest roller-coaster ride ever".

'Zero problem' for Nadal facing Uncle Toni and Auger-Aliassime in French Open clash

Rafael Nadal insisted it will be "zero problem" for him to see his uncle Toni Nadal attempting to plot his downfall as coach of Felix Auger-Aliassime, the player he faces for a French Open quarter-final spot on Sunday.

Ancelotti says Real Madrid can achieve 'the maximum' by winning Champions League

Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid are close to achieving "the maximum" this season as they look to beat Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday and complete a European-Spanish double.

'Breaks my heart' to see Becker in prison, says Djokovic

Novak Djokovic said Friday "it breaks my heart" to see former coach Boris Becker in prison over charges relating to a 2017 bankruptcy and hopes the German legend stays "healthy and strong".

Nelly Korda to return to action at US Women's Open

US golf star Nelly Korda said Friday she will return to competition at the US Women's Open, more than a month after she was sidelined by a blood clot in her left arm.

Leclerc completes 'double top' for Ferrari in Monaco practice

Charles Leclerc completed a convincing 'double top' at his home Monaco Grand Prix on Friday, finishing second practice fastest ahead of his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz.

McCullum aims to rid England of 'fear of failure'

England's new Test coach Brendon McCullum hopes his outsider status as a New Zealander will help rid the under-performing team of their "fear of failure" after a dismal 15 months.

Klopp shrugs off Mane speculation, but concerned over new Paris pitch

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shrugged off the distraction of speculation over Sadio Mane's future as he prepared Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid on a fresh pitch at the Stade de France.

Mountain king Bouwman wins Giro 19th stage, Carapaz clings onto pink jersey

Dutch rider Koen Bouwman won a sprint finish in the mountains for stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia at Santuario di Castelmonte on Friday as Richard Carapaz held the leader's pink jersey.

Collision course: Djokovic, Nadal roll into last 16 at French Open

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal closed in Friday on a blockbuster clash at the French Open as both reached the last 16, while Carlos Alcaraz prepared to face the only man to beat him on clay this year.

Nadal sweeps into French Open last 16

Rafael Nadal continued his pursuit of a 14th French Open title, cruising past Dutch 26th seed Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the last 16 on Friday.

Bouwman wins mountain sprint in Giro stage 19, Carapaz in pink

Dutch rider Koen Bouwman won the mountainous 19th stage of the Giro d'Italia with a sprint finish climb to Santuario di Castelmonte on Friday.

Djokovic into French Open fourth round for 13th straight year

World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic eased into the French Open fourth round for the 13th straight year on Friday.

Aleix Espargaro quickest in Italian Grand Prix practice

Aleix Espargaro was quickest in the opening practice sessions for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix on Friday, as MotoGP championship leader Fabio Quartararo struggled for pace.

'Things change' - Ceferin warns Europe's old elite before Champions League final

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin on Friday hit out at criticism of Paris Saint-Germain and defended clubs who threaten football's traditional elite, pointedly telling AFP that "things change" in an interview ahead of this weekend's Champions League final.

Carapaz's mountain lieutenant Porte pulls out of Giro

Giro d'Italia leader Richard Carapaz suffered a setback to his title bid on Friday, with his key mountain lieutenant Richie Porte withdrawing during the 19th stage.

UEFA chief Ceferin calls on La Liga to stop criticism of PSG

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin on Friday encouraged leagues to "worry about their own situation" in response to remarks by La Liga chief Javier Tebas after Paris Saint-Germain persuaded Kylian Mbappe to stay in France rather than join Real Madrid.

Leclerc tops Perez in opening Monaco Grand Prix practice

Charles Leclerc topped the times for Ferrari at his home Monaco Grand Prix in Friday's opening free practice, finishing a closely-contested session narrowly ahead of Red Bull's Sergio Perez.

O'Gara urges La Rochelle to 'get stuck into' old foe Sexton

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle and the Leinster of Johnny Sexton meet in the European Champions Cup on Saturday, a sizzling sub-plot given the pair's history of intense rivalry, both in their battle for the Ireland fly-half shirt and as leaders of Irish provinces Munster and Leinster.

Gauff triumphs in French Open battle of the ages

Coco Gauff, the youngest player left in the French Open, made the last 16 on Friday with a straight-sets win over Kaia Kanepi, the oldest woman in the tournament at 36.

Liverpool's Thiago, Fabinho fit for Champions League final

Liverpool's preparations for the Champions League final were boosted by the news that midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho will be fit to face Real Madrid after injury scares.

Ibrahimovic intends to continue playing, says Maldini

Zlatan Ibrahimovic intends to continue playing despite the end of his contract with AC Milan and a lengthy layoff in store following knee surgery, club director Paolo Maldini said Friday.

La Rochelle boost as Skelton named for Cup final with Leinster

La Rochelle's hopes of better combatting Leinster's giant pack in Saturday's European Champions Cup were given a boost when giant Australian lock Will Skelton was named in the starting line-up.

Zinchenko wants to make Ukraine 'proud' in World Cup play-off

Oleksandr Zinchenko says he wants to give Ukrainians something to smile about as his team prepares for next week's World Cup play-off semi-final against Scotland.

Iran says Canada's football friendly cancellation political

Tehran on Friday said "politics" was behind the decision by Canadian football authorities to cancel a friendly against Iran in preparation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 finals.

'They can be quite harsh': French Open fans draw heat at Roland Garros

Henri Leconte claimed he was so badly abused after he lost the 1988 Roland Garros final that he was even booed when he popped out to buy a baguette -- and he was French.

Ukraine's Andriy Yarmolenko to leave West Ham

West Ham have confirmed Ukraine international Andriy Yarmolenko will follow Mark Noble out of the London Stadium when his contract expires next month.

England Test coach McCullum eager to support 'strong leader' Stokes

Brendon McCullum is relishing the prospect of working alongside a "really strong leader" in new captain Ben Stokes as they prepare to launch a new era for the England Test team.

Mane promises 'special' answer over future at Liverpool

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has promised a "special" answer over his future but first wants to focus on the Champions League final as he targets a fourth trophy this season for club and country.

Asitha rips through Bangladesh as Sri Lanka win Test series

Asitha Fernando finished with a career-best 6-51 as Sri Lanka thrashed hosts Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the second Test on Friday to win the series 1-0.

Shakib, Liton keep up fight for Bangladesh in Sri Lanka Test

Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan put up an unbroken 96-run stand to give Bangladesh a faint hope of drawing the second Test against Sri Lanka in Dhaka on Friday.

Australia bids farewell to Andrew Symonds after car crash tragedy

Andrew Symonds was remembered as a supremely talented cricketer with "a pure heart" at a memorial service on Friday for the Australian former all-rounder who died aged 46.

Controversial ex-Wallaby Folau to make international return with Tonga

Former Wallaby star Israel Folau is set to return to international rugby after being named Friday in Tonga's squad for their World Cup qualifiers, three years since his sacking by Australia.

Warriors beat Dallas to reach sixth NBA Finals in eight years

Klay Thompson scored a game-high 32 points and the Golden State Warriors advanced to the NBA Finals for the sixth time in eight seasons by defeating Dallas 120-110 on Thursday.

Djokovic, Nadal, Alcaraz hunt spots in French Open last 16

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal aim to take another step Friday towards a blockbuster quarter-final clash at the French Open, while Carlos Alcaraz targets a place in the last 16 after surviving a match point in the previous round.

Warriors eliminate Dallas and advance to NBA Finals