English
Indian
العربية
Español
Deutsch
Türkçe
Русский
Français (Afrique)
“You do it once, you want more…”: World No 2 Zverev targets second Grand Slam title at US Open 2026
New Delhi [India], September 3 (ANI): World No. 2 Alexander Zverev began his US Open 2026 campaign with a five-set victory over Lorenzo Sonego, defeating the Italian 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7-9), 7-5, 6-4 to advance to the second round.
Zverev, who lifted his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this year, is now looking to build on that breakthrough and challenge for another major title in New York. esporist.com
Speaking in an interview shared by JioStar, Zverev reflected on winning his first Grand Slam, the work that went into achieving the feat, and his ambition to replicate that success at the US Open 2026.
“Yeah, there was definitely some weight on my shoulders, for sure, especially at the age that I’m at. You never know if it’s ever going to happen. So, I was very happy to have finally lifted my first Grand Slam trophy, but now, once you do it, you want more. You want to keep going, you want to continue playing good tennis, and hopefully be a contender for the next one as well," Zverev said while talking about winning his maiden Grand Slam title, as per JioStar.
Reflecting on what helped him achieve the breakthrough and his ambitions of adding more Grand Slam titles, Zverev said, “I think it was just the result of the work that I’ve done over the years. A lot of times, I came up just short. That’s what maybe made the difference in the end against Flavia in the fifth set. I was feeling really ready to win, which was a different kind of feeling compared to the other finals."
He added, “Of course, I’m happy that it happened, but we’re in New York now, and I want to try and do it again. I feel like I’m finding my rhythm; I feel like I’m finding my game again, which is a very nice feeling. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead, and hopefully I can be at my best again."
Zverev will next face Quentin Halys in the second round as he continues his pursuit of a second Grand Slam title in New York, with US Open 2026 action LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.
Zverev also spoke about the unique atmosphere at the US Open and what makes competing in New York special.
“I feel the energy in the stadium, the crowds, is always very different; it’s always very high. People are energetic; it’s not a secret. New York night sessions are very, very special, so I look forward to playing those as well. But yeah, it’s this Grand Slam with the biggest stadium; I think that sums up New York quite well," he concluded. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
Mithali’s true blue Raj! Former Indian skipper poses for camera
Former India women’s skipper and reliable batter Mithali Raj had fans admiring her style when she Instagrammed this picture, wearing a two-piece blue suit while working with Sony Pictures Network’s broadcasting team for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, being played in the United Arab Emirates.
View this post on Instagram
Raj, 43, who scored 7805 runs for India in a whopping 232 ODIs, wrote to her 1.9 million Instagram followers: “Some cricket, great conversations, and a little bit of style along the way.”
One of her followers wrote back: “You are looking smart,” while another said, “Rocking in blue.”
The post received over 20,000 ‘likes’.
“GOAT debate settled”: Lionel Messi shares receipt-style Instagram post after international retirement
Buenos Aires [Argentina], September 3 (ANI): Lionel Messi has added his own twist to the long-running debate over football’s greatest player by sharing a receipt-style Instagram post highlighting his achievements with Argentina.
The Instagram post, part of a new brand campaign, presents Messi’s international career in what could be seen as a bar receipt, with his goals, assists, minutes played, and major honours listed as itemised entries.
The creative campaign uses the receipt as a visual representation of Messi’s remarkable journey with the Argentina national team, turning his career statistics and achievements into a symbolic “tab."
Among the honours highlighted were Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph, multiple Copa America titles, an Olympic gold medal and the Finalissima.
The receipt also references the wider impact of Messi’s career, including the millions of fans he has inspired throughout his time representing Argentina.
The campaign does not mince words. Instead of a standard subtotal or tip line, the receipt rolls out Messi’s achievements line by line before ending with a conclusion at the bottom: “GOAT debate-settled".
The Instagram post comes after Messi decided to retire from international football, adding another chapter to the legacy of the Argentina captain.
In 2022, after years of heartbreaks, particularly the 2014 FIFA World Cup final loss to Germany, Messi tasted FIFA World Cup glory, beating Kylian Mbappe-led France in the final. It was his country’s first WC in 36 years and their third overall, as per ESPN.
Before that, Messi had also played a massive role in ending Argentina’s 28-year title drought, securing the Copa America title in 2021 and winning it back-to-back after World Cup glory in the 2024 edition.
Messi had previously announced his international retirement back in 2016 after Argentina lost to Chile in the Copa America final that year, but reversed it, leading his nation to World Cup glory six years later in Qatar.
Messi scored two goals in the title clash and also converted a penalty, winning the match 4-2 for his side after the match ended in a 3-3 draw at regulation time. The legendary footballer appeared in six FIFA World Cups from 2006 to 2026, scoring 21 goals in 34 matches.
He is the second-highest goal-scorer in the tournament’s history, with France’s Mbappe holding the record with 22 goals. In this year’s World Cup, Messi had eight goals to his name and four assists, making him one of the standout performers in the tournament.
This also included his maiden FIFA WC hat-trick against Algeria. He had overtaken Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s record of most FIFA World Cup goals before Mbappe snatched the top spot from him. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
Naqvi defends Test shake-up
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday defended the sweeping changes to the national Test squad after two heavy defeats by England, saying the overhaul was necessary to improve performances ahead of the third Test in Birmingham.
“I have never been afraid of criticism, and I never will be,” Naqvi said in an interview in London.
England won the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before sealing the series with a 194-run victory at Lord’s.
The PCB responded by releasing seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, and calling up seven replacements for the third Test.
Naqvi acknowledged Pakistan’s Test performances had been “very poor” but pointed to progress in white-ball cricket.
Pakistan are fifth in the ICC ODI rankings and sixth in T20 internationals. Naqvi said they had won four of six ODI series and that their T20 success rate had risen from 24 percent to 73 percent.
“Those who say Pakistan cricket has been destroyed — look at what the rankings were before,” he said.
He also rejected the notion that individual defeats meant Pakistan cricket was collapsing.
“South Africa lost to Namibia, India lost to Ireland. Check there — did cricket end there too?” Naqvi said.
“For us, each and every match is important.”
Naqvi said changes would be made when performances demanded them, but insisted the PCB was not looking to discard players without reason.
“Agha is a wonderful player, but he didn’t click,” he said. “We don’t mean to kick out any player, but if someone is not performing, we will change.”
“Yes, we need a lot of improvements in our Test series ,” Naqvi added.
He also said he would not tolerate the humiliation of players and that his confidence in them remained intact.
The PCB has also removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke taking charge of the Test side.
The board has separately sought explanations from selection committee members Aaqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq over the recommendation of Rizwan and Imam for the Test squad.
Misbah-ul-Haq has also decided to resign from the national selection committee. “Yes he has sent his resignation to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB),” a well-placed source told The Express Tribune. He will serve a notice period before formally stepping down, the source said.
Pakistan have meanwhile arrived in Birmingham, with Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas and Imran Randhawa joining the squad.
The team will train at Edgbaston at 9:30am on 4th September before the third Test against England begins at the same ground on September 9.