Browsing: Number

Britain’s Cameron Norrie battled his way to victory over seventh seed Andrey Rublev to progress to the second round of the Erste Bank Open.

World number 35 Norrie won the two-hour match 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 in Austria.

Norrie, 30, started the match in fine fashion and took the opening set in just 34 minutes before breaking serve to move 2-0 up in the second.

The Briton served for the match at 5-4, but Rublev landed his first break of serve to force a tie-break, which he won to set up a deciding set.

Former world number eight Norrie regrouped to break Rublev’s serve in the second game to take command of the third set.

Norrie broke once more to book his spot in the next round, where he will face either Australia’s Alexei Popyrin or Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.

“It was all round a really good performance, I was moving well and able to dictate the points,” said Norrie.

“I got a bit tight and tentative when I was serving for the match but credit to him staying in and competing.”

Meanwhile, there was heartbreak for British number three Jacob Fearnley who was beaten by second seed Alexander Zverev in the first round.

After losing the first set, Fearnley, ranked 81st in the world, stunned the German to level the match and managed to force a third-set tie-break.

However, Zverev won the hard-fought breaker to progress 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-5) and will face Italian qualifier Matteo Arnaldi in the second round.

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Jack Draper will no longer work with the man who coached him to the Indian Wells title as James Trotman wants to prioritise time with his family.

The British number one has already hired Jamie Delgado as his head coach for next season but had been hoping there would also be a role for the man with whom he has enjoyed much success over the past four years.

Trotman says it has become increasingly difficult to “juggle” Draper’s career with his own family life.

“I’ve made the decision that four years has been a great run,” Trotman told BBC Sport.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was getting increasingly difficult for me juggling the demands Jack deserves as the player that he is – and also being a father and a husband.

“I need to start to get those energy levels back up and have a little bit more normality – watch my son play football on a Sunday, go on some family holidays, have a bit more of a normal life.”

Trotman says he first spoke to Draper about his future after Wimbledon, having felt mentally and physically tired over the previous year.

The pair have been working together this week, with 23-year-old Draper returning to the practice court after resting the left arm injury that ended his season early.

If the bruising in his arm heals as expected, Trotman will head to San Diego for some warm weather training with Draper and Delgado at the end of November.

But after that, he will return to his job as an LTA men’s national coach.

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Of Raducanu’s 22 defeats, only seven came against lower-ranked opponents, with three in the past month alone.

But beating the very best, who often possess greater power, has proved beyond her so far.

She lost 10 of her 11 matches against top-10 players in 2025, the exception being a victory over Emma Navarro in Miami in March.

She was very competitive against world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Wimbledon’s Centre Court – and took her to a third set tie-break in Cincinnati – but there was little room for encouragement elsewhere.

After a 6-1 6-2 loss to ninth seed Elena Rybakina at the US Open, Raducanu reflected on where she needs to improve to change the narrative.

“My serve – it’s been better, but I think it can get better [still],” she told BBC Sport.

“The ball after the serve as well, so I’m ready for a fast return. I think that’s where I still have some big work to do.

“I think starting the point is extremely important when you are playing at that kind of level.”

Raducanu developed an unfortunate habit in Asia of failing to convert match points.

Last year’s Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova saved three against her in Seoul, and then world number five Jessica Pegula did exactly the same in Beijing a week later.

More concerning, though, was the way Raducanu faded in the deciding set of those matches. Against Pegula, Raducanu went for broke and subsided quickly.

This was not something you could have accused her of over the summer, and was perhaps a sign of a body and mind wearied by nine months on the road.

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World number 204 Valentin Vacherot upset his cousin Arthur Rinderknech to win his first ATP title at the Shanghai Masters.

Monaco’s Vacherot fought back from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-3 against the world number 54 to become the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1,000 champion since the series began in 1990.

The 26-year-old earns prize money of £824,000 – more than double Vacherot’s previous career earnings of £380,000.

He sealed the success with a searing forehand down the line and, after hugging Rinderknech at the net, sprinted off court and up to one of the boxes to celebrate with his coach and family.

Vacherot then continued the winner’s tradition of writing a message on one of the courtside cameras, writing “Grandpa and Grandma would be proud”.

Both players struggled to hold back tears during their post-match speeches on court.

“It is unreal what just happened – I have no idea what is happening right now. I am not even dreaming, it is just crazy,” said Vacherot.

“There has to be one loser but I think there are two winners today. One family that won and I think for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal.”

Frenchman Rinderknech added: “Valentin, you gave everything. I am so happy for you. Two cousins are stronger than one.”

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Injury has been a problem all tournament for Djokovic and he vomited during his previous matches after struggling with the heat and humidity.

The issues flared up again in Saturday’s semi-final with the 38-year-old receiving medical treatment on several occasions.

At the start of the seventh game, the former world number one had to take an extended medical break, lying on his stomach shirtless as a physio attended to his back.

He received treatment again at the break but battled through into the second set.

Despite visibly struggling, the Serb provided the Shanghai crowd with hopes of a comeback when he moved into a 4-3 lead before Vacherot reeled off three straight games to reach the final.

“I want to congratulate Valentin for reaching his first Masters final,” Djokovic said.

“Going from qualifications, it’s an amazing story. I told him at the net that he’s had an amazing tournament, but more so his attitude is very good and his game was amazing as well.

“So it’s all about him. I wish him all the best in the finals and the better player won today.”

Vacherot, who ensured he would rise into the top 100 for the first time by defeating Holger Rune in the quarter-finals, has now climbed 146 spots to world number 58 in the live rankings as a result of his Shanghai run.

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Things were unravelling.

Davids used to miss some away games that involved more travel – a deal which had been agreed with Kleanthous.

There were rumours he would attend parties or go shopping instead – but Landvreugd said that was not true.

“He was in Amsterdam with people working for his clothing company,” said Landvreugd, who currently manages Den Bosch.

“It took a lot of time off him. He flew over one day or two days mostly doing that and nothing else.”

Landvreugd and Schreuder, both popular figures around the club, would take charge of games Davids missed.

Fairclough explained: “The players didn’t know what was going on. They didn’t know who was manager and who was the coach, who was going to take the next training session.”

Hyde tells a story of Davids sitting on the coach ready for an away game, before discovering it was going to take five hours.

“He shut his laptop, picked it up and walked off the coach,” he said.

Davids’ camp say this was before the Chester game on 18 January 2014.

“There was another situation that happened just before the team was about to leave on the coach, which was actually the final straw,” a representative said.

The fans loved Davids but grew frustrated with him missing games – and Kleanthous asked him if he could commit fully to going to every game.

His exit was announced hours after Barnet lost 2-1 at Chester leaving them 10th in the table.

Kleanthous accepts Davids had “started to lose interest” at this stage.

“He’d become less committed in my opinion and at that point it was time to shake hands and call it a day,” said Kleanthous.

Hyde added: “It’s funny if it happens once, but two or three times and you get beaten, and it’s your livelihoods, then it’s not funny anymore.

“We’ve got a manager who doesn’t turn up. In professional football, I don’t think that’s ever happened.”

Davids left Barnet with 25 wins in 68 games as a manager, plus one goal and five red cards in 39 games as a player.

Kleanthous concluded: “I look back on those as great times and I have nothing but respect for what he did.

“He came in, asked for nothing, worked his hardest, did his best and was a little bit unlucky in the end.”

Landvreugd and Schreuder were named joint-managers after Davids’ exit, but just two months later were replaced by Martin Allen.

Davids’ only managerial job since was six months in charge of Portuguese third-tier side Olhanense in 2021. He was the Netherlands assistant manager at the 2022 World Cup.

“He still wishes Barnet all the best, continues to follow them, and keeps in touch with Tony [Kleanthous],” said his representative.

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Draper was modelling next summer’s collection for one of his sponsors last week and has been working out regularly at the National Tennis Centre in London this week.

The work is primarily physical at the moment, and when pre-season training begins in earnest later this month, the initial on-court drills are likely to be low in intensity.

The British number one first felt discomfort in his upper left serving arm during the clay court season in the spring, and following a scan after Wimbledon, did not hit any serves for a month.

But the period of rest proved insufficient. He won his first-round match at the US Open, but withdrew before the second, and the opportunity to make his debut at the season ending ATP Finals was gone.

â€He’s top 10 and he played half of the year. Just to say how good he is…†Mouratoglou added.

“His only problem for the moment is the injuries: he has been through several injuries already in the past.

“I always thought he was going to be a top player, but for every player that is supposed to become a top player, there are things to solve.

“For him, it’s to find a way to be injury free as much as possible because that’s what made him lose a little bit of time otherwise he would be higher [in the rankings], I think.”

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Santino Marella isnâ€t just enjoying his time in TNA Wrestling—he sees it as the fastest-rising promotion in the game. In a world where WWE remains the top dog and AEW dominates headlines with Tony Khanâ€s billionaire backing, Marella believes itâ€s TNA thatâ€s truly leveling up. And heâ€s not holding back when it comes to making bold predictions.

During a conversation with Lucha Libre Online, Marella reflected on how far TNA has come, saying it wasnâ€t long ago that they were pulling in just a few hundred fans at shows in cities like Nashville and Toronto. But those days are behind them now. With bigger crowds and consistent sellouts, Marella believes Bound for Glory in Lowell, Massachusetts will only keep the momentum rolling.

“Yeah, itâ€s incredible — and people from TNAâ€s past are happy for us. The current locker room is ecstatic about the growth. When I came here, it wasnâ€t like this. Sometimes we were in Nashville or even Toronto with 350 to 500 people, but we believed in ourselves. Now weâ€ve got an audience size that feels right, and we deliver every time. Every time weâ€ve had a sold-out crowd, weâ€ve never missed. Weâ€ve never wasted an opportunity, and Lowell, Massachusetts, at Bound for Glory is going to be another one.â€

Marella then zoomed out to talk about the bigger picture in the wrestling world. While WWE is still far ahead of the pack, heâ€s confident that the number two spot is up for grabs—and he thinks TNA can grab it.

“Weâ€re going to capitalize on that audience and send a message to the wrestling world: weâ€re here, weâ€re knocking on the door — and you better look out, because once we get that TV deal, weâ€re number two. I know people say Tony Khan has lots of money — I get it. But the fans speak. The fans decide whoâ€s number one, number two, number three — not a bank account. WWE is number one, of course. Theyâ€re so far ahead weâ€ll never catch them in my lifetime. But number two? Thatâ€s definitely attainable. Number two is absolutely something we can do.â€

With reports that TNA is currently eyeing a $10 million media deal for a weekly live show, itâ€s clear the company isnâ€t sitting still. Theyâ€re moving with purpose—and Santino Marellaâ€s confidence may not be misplaced.

TNA might not have Tony Khanâ€s wallet, but theyâ€ve got the heart, the shows, and a loyal fanbase—and if that TV deal lands, the power rankings in pro wrestling might shift sooner than expected.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

Do you think TNA can really pass AEW and grab the number two spot? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

September 25, 2025 7:15 am

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The suggestion that the UK could raise significant sums by increasing the limit on premium bonds is not, unfortunately, mathematically sound (Letters, 17 September). If the money was moved from UK banks and building societies, then it would be moving from a taxed environment to an untaxed environment. So, in addition to paying 3.6% interest in prizes, the exchequer would lose between 20% and 40% tax on the cancelled deposit account. This is likely to take the effective cost beyond 4%, and above the rate the government pays on short-term gilts.
Steve Duffy
Chippenham, Wiltshire

Sue Leyland (Letters, 21 September) wonders if weâ€llbegiving up life on the Gordon Bennett. Donâ€t panic, Sue, we hope this is only a brief hiatus from bobbing about, but thereâ€s a couple of tumours that need dealing with. Weâ€ve called them Donald and JD and hope theyâ€ll be successfully removed by the new year.
Ian and Christine Grieve
Gordon Bennett, Llangollen canal

The headline on your interview with Noah Lyles(‘The future of sprinting is hazy right now. Nobody knows which direction to go inâ€, theguardian.com, 22 September) raises an obvious question.
Graham Whittington
Rochefort-en-Valdaine, France

Re your column (The one change that worked, 22 September), the one that worked for me was “get oldâ€. Retire, stay in bed with a cup of tea, read the Guardian, send an email if anything stirs you.
Michael Fuller
Ampthill, Bedfordshire

“Jus†for “gravy†(Cryptic crossword, 22 September)? How very Guardian.
Linda Mockett
Wokingham, Berkshire

Have an opinion on anything youâ€ve read in the Guardian today? Pleaseemail us your letter and it will be considered for publication in ourletters section.

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September 14, 2025 (By Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The surprises ended on the final day, as the higher seed won each…