Sports
Djokovic to meet Alcaraz in AO final | The Express Tribune
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his semi final match against Italy’s Jannik Sinner REUTERS
MELBOURNE:
Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final after stunning reigning two-time champion Jannik Sinner early Saturday in a five-set marathon to move to the brink of history.
The 38-year-old Serb rolled back the years to battle past Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a 1:32 am finish and plays top seed Alcaraz in Sunday’s Melbourne title decider.
If he beats a player 16 years younger, Djokovic would win an all-time record 25th Grand Slam crown.
Alcaraz defied fitness issues in an epic five-set triumph of his own, over German third seed Alexander Zverev, in the other semi-final.
With age and injuries catching up with Djokovic, this may represent the Serb’s best chance of seizing that elusive 25th major, although his gritty display against Sinner shows he still has plenty left in the tank.
His last Grand Slam title came at the US Open in 2023, since when Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated men’s tennis.
It has left Djokovic stranded alongside Australia’s Margaret Court — who was in the stadium watching — tied on 24 majors.
Sinner, 24, made a rapid start at Rod Laver Arena, breaking Djokovic’s serve to race into a 3-0 lead.
The four-time major winner was in superb touch, his serve firing and his groundstrokes unerring to seal the first set.
Back came Djokovic, breaking serve for a 3-1 lead in the second set and then saving three break points for 4-1.
Djokovic sent a whipping crosscourt forehand beyond Sinner on his first set point to level the match.
Djokovic seemed to wilt midway through the third set, holding his chest briefly and then half-collapsing into his seat.
Sinner had three break points at 5-4 and nailed the set on the second one when a Djokovic lob drifted long.
But the gutsy Djokovic was not done, breaking the Sinner serve early in the fourth set as the time ticked past midnight.
They went to a deciding fifth set, and the tension went up another notch, as Sinner repeatedly squandered chances to break serve.
Djokovic was ruthless, seizing the break for 4-3, then holding, to put an 11th Melbourne final within reach.
Somehow Sinner saved two match points at 4-5 down, before Djokovic got the job done third time lucky.
The former world number one is the undisputed king of Melbourne Park, having won 10 titles there.
But he admitted he was very lucky after reaching the semi-finals and acknowledged he was the underdog against Sinner.
Djokovic was two sets down in his quarter-final to Lorenzo Musetti when the Italian fifth seed retired hurt.
He also had a free ride through the fourth round when Jakub Mensik pulled out injured.
Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all four majors last year, but failed to go further.
Sports
Carabao Cup final LIVE: Arsenal and Manchester City battle for first trophy of the season
The first trophy of the season is up for grabs and it is Arsenal and Manchester City competing for the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
The top two teams in the Premier League could well compete for all three domestic trophies and they have the chance to land the first blow in March in front of 90,000 fans.
You can follow every single moment of the game live on ESPN in what is sure to be a massive, tense affair.
Manchester City reached the final after defeating reigning champions Newcastle United 5-1 on aggregate in the semifinals.
They had previously beaten Huddersfield in the Third Round, before advancing past Swansea and and Brentford.
Arsenal meanwhile navigated past Chelsea in the semi-finals with Kai Havertz‘s 90th minute goal seeing them win 4-2 on aggregate.
They defeated Port Vale in the Third Round, before getting past Brighton and Crystal Palace on penalties in the quarterfinals.
City have won the League Cup eight times, most recently in 2021, while Arsenal have won it only twice and not since 1993.
Sports
Tom Brady shines in return to football field despite losses at Fanatics Flag Football Classic
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Even three years removed from the game, Tom Brady looks like he could drop back and sling the pigskin for an NFL team.
Brady highlighted the first-ever Fanatics Flag Football Classic on Saturday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, and not just because he was back on a football field for the first time since he officially retired.
The 48-year-old was throwing darts.
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Tom Brady of the Founders FFC warms up before the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media – FANATICS STUDIOS)
Brady, surrounded by current and former NFL players, as well as the U.S. national flag football squad, threw for 85 total yards on the small field with two touchdowns over his two games played in the inaugural event.
Brady’s co-captain, Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts, started for their Founders FFC crew, throwing for 224 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Brady came in after Hurts, and it was like old times as he was throwing all over the field.
BRADY, GRONK, HURTS, BURROW: FANATICS FLAG FOOTBALL CLASSIC DRAFT RESULTS
Of course, Brady couldn’t go without finding his trusty tight end, Rob Gronkowski, who secured a two-point conversion after a touchdown. Gronkowski, though, went out early in the contest due to a hamstring injury.
While Brady performed well, his squad was blown out by Team USA Football, 43-16, in that game. Brady and Founders FFC would have a chance at revenge in the championship game, but the U.S. team, which knew exactly how to take advantage with flag football rules, beat them again, 24-14.
Brady’s competitive edge was in full bloom, saying “my heart is really hurting right now,” between his losses.

Tom Brady of the Founders FFC avoids a sack by Shawn Theard Jr. #19 of the US Men’s Flag Football Team during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media – FANATICS STUDIOS)
But he said before the contests that he felt “great” about stepping on the field and running some plays before the big games on Saturday.
“Fortunately, as an athlete, your body is your asset over a period of time and you learn how to take care of it,” Brady said during practice this week. “Even when you retire, I felt like I still wanted to do the same things after football when I was playing. I still want to be active. I want to be outside. I want to continue to live a healthy, active lifestyle.”
For those thinking Brady could take over at quarterback for an NFL squad, he has shown no wish to walk back his retirement for the second time in his future Hall of Fame career.
Brady is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, which has played a large role in precluding a return. He is invested in seeing the rebuild of the team. At the same time, he has enjoyed being part of the FOX Sports broadcast team during the NFL season alongside Kevin Burkhardt.

Tom Brady of the Founders FFC warms up before the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media – FANATICS STUDIOS)
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But who knows when 2028 rolls around what Brady may be doing, when flag football joins the list of the Summer Games in Los Angeles? Team USA, though, proved on Saturday just how different this style of football can be, even for current NFL stars.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Sports
South Africa clinch 19-run win over New Zealand in fourth T20I
WELLINGTON: South Africa’s spinners played a decisive role as the tourists won the fourth Twenty20 international against New Zealand by 19 runs on Sunday to square the five-match series 2-2.
New Zealand were well placed to clinch the series midway through their chase in Wellington after the Proteas scored 164-5.
However, from 88-3 after 10 overs, they lost wickets in rapid succession to be all out for 145 off 18.5 overs.
It sends the series, played between weakened sides from both countries, to a decider in Christchurch on Wednesday.
The match swung in favour of South Africa when spinners Keshav Maharaj and Prenelan Subrayen turned the screws through the middle stages of the chase.
Captain Maharaj is comfortably the most experienced member of an experimental tour squad and proved hard to score from as he took 2-22 off four overs.
Subrayen, playing his first T20 international, bowled Dane Cleaver for 26 to spark New Zealand’s middle order crumble and finished with 2-13 off three overs.
Maharaj said his side played with more energy than in defeats in Hamilton and Auckland.
“It was a perfect response to two disappointing losses in a row,” he said.
“Coming into this game, you could see there was a little bit more energy and hunger.
“We are a young team, finding our way in international cricket so it takes a little bit of time.”
Opener Tim Robinson top-scored with 32 for New Zealand while Proteas paceman Gerald Coetzee took 3-31.
South Africa’s innings were dominated by 57 off 36 balls from wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen.
He was dismissed by a spectacular outfield catch from Katene Clarke, on his international debut, off Ben Sears’ bowling.
Paceman Sears impressed, taking 1-22 off four overs, which included conceding just two runs off the last over of the innings.
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