Coco Gauff’s second serve the only thing between her and sustained success

World No 3 seems to have taken a step forward in linking up with Gavin MacMillan but double faults at the WTA Finals shows there is still work to be doneFor a brief, hopeful moment in the middle of an intense tussle with her compatriot Jessica Pegula, it seemed as if Coco Gauff had found her way. Gauff had struggled in the first set of their opening match at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Sunday, but then she dug deep and slowly turned the match around. The American reached set point on her serve at 6-5 in the second set.Gauff then proceeded to hit three double faults in a row, which allowed Pegula to retrieve the break without touching the ball. Not a single attempt was even close

NCAA basketball 2025-26 predictions: from Sarah Strong to Darryn Peterson, the names you’ll know by March

The college basketball season tips off on Monday across the United States. Can the Florida men do a rare repeat? Who can fill Paige Bueckers’ star void? Our writers weigh inI’ll go with the St Thomas–Minnesota men’s team, eligible for the NCAA Tournament for the first time after making an unprecedented jump from Division III to Division I. They enter as Summit League favorites and now boast a $175m arena that’s given them a major recruiting pull. A March run could cement the Tommies as the Gonzaga of the midwest. Bryan Armen GrahamBeyond the excitement of opening night, I’m eager to see how Tennessee’s Kim Caldwell steers the ship in her second season – and where Notre Dame lands after Olivia Miles’ departure to TCU

India’s World Cup win can set a new world order in women’s cricket – if it spends money wisely | Raf Nicholson

Sunday was a long day for the India captain, Harmanpreet Kaur. It began with a two‑hour rain delay; it concluded with a catch at cover, taken on the stroke of midnight, which sealed a 52-run victory against South Africa and a maiden World Cup title.But amid the fireworks, tears, hugs, a lap of honour at the DY Patil Stadium, and rumours of a forthcoming winners’ parade in Mumbai, Kaur found time to deliver an important message to the media. “We’ve been waiting for this moment,” she said. “The celebration will go on all night

Australians still betting big on Melbourne Cup, despite many saying they’re losing interest in race

Australians say they are losing interest in the Melbourne Cup and the animal welfare campaign against it has never wavered, but the amount of money gambled on the race has barely changed since the start of the pandemic.Wagering turnover on the Melbourne Cup has fallen only slightly from the $221m recorded in 2020 to $214m last year. The five-year average spend, according to Racing Victoria figures, remains $220m.The amount of money being gambled on horse racing in Australia overall has fallen sharply, however, presenting a challenge to the long-term sustainability of the industry.In Victoria, the amount of money gambled on horse racing fell by 10

AFLW finals: how the challengers shape up in their bid to end Kangaroos’ supremacy | Martin Pegan

North Melbourne are playing in a league of their own. The ruthless Roos have brushed aside any and all challengers across the 10th AFLW season to finish the home and away rounds with a record-breaking winning streak of 24 matches, a record-equalling unbeaten run of 26 games, and a percentage of more than 300.A star-studded and deep-running midfield led by captain Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell is backed up by the stingiest defence in the league for a third straight year. Then there is the most potent attack the competition has seen, as the Kangaroos have somehow improved on the side that went through last season undefeated – an early draw the only blemish – and secured a breakthrough premiership.North Melbourne aren’t done yet in their season of supremacy

Eli Katoa’s seizure and brain bleed prompts calls for NRL to assess concussion protocols

The NRL is assessing whether there was a failure in the application of rugby league’s concussion protocols after Tonga star Eli Katoa underwent emergency surgery prompted by seizures and bleeding on the brain following three sickening head impacts on Sunday.Katoa was allowed to take the field after what appeared to be a concussion in the warm-up. He suffered another head injury in the first half of the Pacific Championships clash against New Zealand, but was allowed to continue the match.A third blow in the second half finally saw him leave the field when his side trailed by 22 points, but his condition deteriorated and he suffered seizures on the sideline. A medicab rushed him from the field and he underwent surgery on Sunday evening