WTA Finals: Rybakina downs Swiatek, Anisimova fights back to beat Keys – as it happened

Elena Rybakina is through to the last four of the WTA Finals after producing a storming comeback to beat Iga Swiatek in Riyadh. Rybakina, from Kazakhstan, lost the first set after a single break in 36 minutes, but turned the match on its head in the second and went on to win 12 of the next 13 games.The win, coupled with Amanda Anisimova’s three-set victory over Madison Keys, ensured that Rybakina will finish top of the Serena Williams Group and secure a semi-final berth, while Swiatek and Anisimova with battle it out for the second spot on Wednesday.Swiatek, the world No 2, thrashed Keys 6-1 6-2 in her opening round-robin clash, but was twice broken in the second set against Rybakina before failing to win a game in the decider to lose 6-3 1-6 0-6. Rybakina, who had lost each of her previous four matches against Swiatek, has now played two and won two in Riyadh following a 6-3 6-1 triumph over Anisimova in her tournament opener

Steward injury could offer Smith the chance to start for England against Fiji

A hand injury to the full-back Freddie Steward could present Marcus Smith with a fresh chance to start for England when they face Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday.Steve Borthwick’s team will meet the Pacific Islanders in the second of four November internationals after a comfortable opening victory against Australia, but the No 15 jersey may become a significant problem for the England head coach.Steward, who started against the Wallabies, received treatment at pitchside in the second half at Twickenham and appeared to be in considerable pain but stayed on for 80 minutes. It is understood that he will not return to training until Thursday.With the full-backs George Furbank of Northampton and Elliot Daly of Saracens already ruled out, Steward’s setback may provide a chance for Smith

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