Rediff

The FIDE elections will see three Indians, including chess legend Viswanathan Anand, vying for crucial leadership positions amidst a complex electoral landscape and a high-stakes three-way presidential battle.

Gael Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday by defeating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the first round of the US Open, making him the oldest player since Jimmy Connors in 1992 to win a main-draw singles match at Flushing Meadows on his birthday.

Home favourite Coco Gauff successfully began her U.S. Open title defence, defeating Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez 6-3 6-4 in the first round. Gauff, fresh from her Cincinnati Open victory, displayed strong form, overcoming a brief challenge from Sonmez to secure a comfortable win under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

French Open champion Mirra Andreeva secured a comfortable 6-2 6-2 victory over Janice Tjen in her U.S. Open first-round match, demonstrating her prowess on hard courts and advancing to the second round.

Second seed Elena Rybakina secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory over American wildcard Thea Frodin in the first round of the US Open, easing concerns about her recent leg injury. Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion, showed no signs of discomfort as she began her quest for the title and the world number one ranking. Frodin, making her Grand Slam main-draw debut, displayed flashes of brilliance but ultimately couldn't overcome the Australian Open champion.

American tennis star Taylor Fritz defeated compatriot Darwin Blanch in straight sets at the U.S. Open, showcasing a dominant serve. Fritz, a 2024 finalist, advanced to the second round, where he will face either Mattia Bellucci or Zsombor Piros.

Madison Keys overcame early nerves and Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4 at the US Open, avenging last year's first-round exit after improving her serving and composure.

Manchester City have agreed a Man City Match Transfer Record With $169m Fernandez Blockbuster million deal for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, matching the Premier League record and taking their summer spending close to 400 million.

Tamil Nadu sprinters Neil Samraj R and T Mrithika secured gold medals in the men's and women's 100m events, respectively, at the National Youth Athletics Championships in Ludhiana. Both athletes set new records, with Samraj breaking the youth national record and Mrithika surpassing a meet record previously held by Dutee Chand.

FC Bengaluru United has reappointed Nallappan Mohanraj as their head coach for the upcoming 2026-27 domestic season. Mohanraj, who previously led the team to Indian Football League qualification, will guide them through the BDFA Super Division League and their maiden IFL campaign.

Barcelona have signed Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal on a three-year deal, strengthening their attack while speculation continues over Julian Alvarez amid Atletico Madrid's reluctance to sell.

Ferrari is set to commemorate Michael Schumacher's first Italian Grand Prix win and his decade with the team (1996-2006) at this weekend's Monza GP.

Dhruv Sheoran and Vishesh Sharma have taken the joint lead at the Telangana Golconda Masters, both carding course-record scores of 10-under 60. The duo holds a one-shot advantage after the first round of the Rs 1 crore tournament. Amardeep Malik is in solo third, one stroke behind.

Qatar remains committed to hosting November's MotoGP and Formula One races despite regional uncertainty, with Lusail preparations continuing and Formula One set to decide the race's fate.

Indian rally drivers Naveen Puligilla and Musa Sherif secured their third consecutive podium finish, taking third place at the Rally del Paraguay, part of the FIA World Rally Championship. This follows their previous successes in Saudi Arabia and Kenya, highlighting their consistent performance on the global stage.

Indian track and field athletes, including Avinash Sable and Parul Chaudhary, are using a specialised 'smart track' at SAI NCOE Bengaluru to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming Asian Games.

Kolkata, a city with a deep passion for football, is grappling with Lionel Messi's international retirement. The article explores the city's unique and enduring connection to the Argentine superstar, from his memorable 2011 visit to the emotional fan reactions to his retirement, including a controversial 2023 event.

Josh Kushner said Thrive Capital misjudged football's political dynamics, would have avoided FIFA's failed $20 billion rights plan, but still supports its aim of broader investment.

Indian shuttlers Unnati Hooda and the men's doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun faced early exits at the China Masters Super 750 badminton tournament. Hooda lost in women's singles, while the doubles pair retired due to apparent fitness issues, marking a challenging start for the Indian contingent.

It was a starry, starry night at Flushing Meadows during the US Open late night matches in New York on Monday.

Ibrahim Mbaye, the 18-year-old Senegal forward, has completed a permanent transfer from Paris St Germain to Premier League club Aston Villa.

Olympian Vinesh Phogat has moved the Delhi High Court challenging two show-cause notices issued by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and subsequent disciplinary proceedings.

Argentine footballers Lautaro Martinez, Leandro Paredes, Emiliano Martinez, and Alexis Mac Allister have paid emotional tributes to Lionel Messi following his announcement to retire from international football, reflecting on his profound impact on their careers and the national team.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has appointed Prashant Singh, a former Khelo India Scheme official with over a decade of experience, as the Regional Director for its Gandhinagar centre. He will also oversee operations across Gujarat and Rajasthan, with a focus on developing Para Sports.

A 15-year-old boy from Kollam, Allen James, has become a social media sensation due to his striking resemblance to Spanish football star Lamine Yamal.

Tennis icon Roger Federer was presented with his International Tennis Hall of Fame ring at the US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium, two days after his induction. The ceremony, led by Kim Clijsters, saw Federer display his ring to an erupting crowd, celebrating his illustrious career which includes 20 major titles and a record 310 weeks as world No. 1.

Naomi Osaka showcased a distinctive Allen Iverson-inspired outfit with a billowing tulle train at the U.S. Open, continuing her trend of bold Grand Slam fashion statements, before securing a hard-fought victory.

Lionel Messi's mother, Celia, shared an emotional statement reflecting on the deep connection her late husband, Jorge Messi, shared with their son's footballing journey, noting the bittersweet timing of Messi's international retirement just weeks after his father's passing.

Antonela Roccuzzo, Lionel Messi's wife, shared a poignant Instagram message, expressing immense pride in his international career, not just for his achievements but for his resilience and the journey their children witnessed.

England football icon David Beckham has paid tribute to Lionel Messi, calling him a 'credit to himself' and an 'inspiration for millions' after the Argentina legend announced his retirement from international football.

Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed that ending his coaching relationship with his father, Apostolos, brought much-needed calm and rebuilt his confidence, leading to a strong first-round win at the US Open.

Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed he was not surprised by Nick Kyrgios's recent drug suspension, stating he 'pretty much expected' it and knew about the positive cocaine test before the official announcement.

Barcelona secured a dominant 5-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal each scoring twice, propelling the Catalan giants to the top of the LaLiga table on goal difference.

Eighth seed Ben Shelton recovered from a shaky start to beat Tallon Griekspoor 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 in the first round of the US Open, despite enduring a disappointing run in this year's Grand Slams.

Former champion Stan Wawrinka lost to Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the US Open, marking the end of the 41-year-old Swiss national's Grand Slam career before his retirement at the end of the season.

Bukayo Saka's second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for Arsenal against Aston Villa, marking their second consecutive win in the Premier League season. The win places Arsenal alongside Manchester City, Hull City, and Chelsea with six points, while Aston Villa remains without points or a goal.

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz made a strong return to competitive tennis after a five-month wrist injury layoff, defeating Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the US Open, showcasing his powerful forehand with over 20 winners.

Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, has announced his retirement from the national team, a decision he described as 'a decision that hurts the soul.'

Aryna Sabalenka began her quest for a third successive US Open title with a dominant win against Colombia's Camila Osorio.

The Gujarat high court on Monday dismissed as withdrawn a plea of former India cricketer and Lok Sabha MP Yusuf Pathan's appeal against a single judge order passed in August last year, calling him an encroacher on a piece of government land in Vadodara.

The Indian men's football team, led by head coach Khalid Jamil, will play high-profile friendlies against Panama, five-time world champions Brazil, and two-time world champions Uruguay in September and October.

Lionel Messi leaves as a World Cup winner and twice Copa America champion, the man who stepped out of Diego Maradona's immense shadow to create an Argentine legacy entirely his own.

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has announced his retirement from international football, concluding a career marked by numerous club and international accolades, including multiple Ballon d'Or awards and a World Cup title.

Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and the final in 2026, is retiring from international football, he said on Monday.

Naib Subedar Kedarling Balakrishna Uchaganve, a 27-year-old from a farming village in Karnataka, is set to represent India at the Asian Games in shooting, a sport he discovered only after joining the Indian Army in 2018 with no prior sporting ambition.

Liverpool have officially signed France international Bradley Barcola from European champions Paris St Germain on a long-term contract, with British media reporting the deal to be worth around $162 million.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has stated that the frequent transfer dealings between Aston Villa and Chelsea are purely business transactions, not indicative of a special relationship.

The 2026 Hockey World Cup saw Argentina break the Netherlands' dominance in women's hockey, while Germany successfully defended their men's title. The tournament, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, featured simultaneous men's and women's events, highlighting shifting hierarchies and India's mixed performance with promising women's results and disappointing men's outcomes.

'It's crazy, winning against Novak in 2026, on Arthur Ashe'

Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, has shown renewed attacking vigour with two Premier League wins and a League Cup victory, highlighted by a 4-3 win over Brighton, but defensive vulnerabilities persist, with the team failing to keep a clean sheet in 18 league games. The arrival of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez is expected to bolster the backline.