The China Mail - Sports (English)

'Bit scared Nadal' suffers injury worry before Australian Open

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal admitted Friday he was "a little bit more scared than usual" after a fresh injury headache clouded his build-up to the Australian Open.

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England skipper Farrell linked to Racing switch - reports

England skipper and fly-half star Owen Farrell was on Friday being linked with a move to French Top 14 side Racing 92, according to media reports.

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Pochettino urges Chelsea to use FA Cup as route into Europe

Mauricio Pochettino has challenged inconsistent Chelsea to use the FA Cup as a route into Europe as they prepare for Saturday's third-round tie against Preston.

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Wigan boss Maloney eyes Man Utd FA Cup upset

Wigan manager Shaun Maloney believes he can find ways to exploit Manchester United's vulnerabilities despite the gulf between the two clubs in Monday's FA Cup third round clash.

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Arteta urges perspective after Arsenal defeats as Liverpool loom

Mikel Arteta admits successive defeats have slowed Arsenal's momentum but the Gunners boss is keeping a sense of perspective as he prepares for Sunday's FA Cup clash against Liverpool.

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Dallas to hold T20 World Cup opener, Barbados gets final

The opening game of cricket's Twenty20 World Cup final will be held in Dallas with the final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, organisers announced on Friday.

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Nadal's comeback halted in epic encounter in Brisbane

Spanish great Rafael Nadal's comeback to tennis came to an end when he lost a 3hr 25min marathon quarter-final to Australian Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International on Friday.

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Audi ace Ekstrom wins Dakar prologue as Saudi desert slog awaits

Audi's Mattias Ekstrom was fastest on Friday on the 27km Dakar Rally prologue raced over the desert sands of Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia.

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Rublev survives scare as Chinese teen stuns Tiafoe in Hong Kong

World number five Andrey Rublev survived a huge scare on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open, as third seed Frances Tiafoe was stunned by a Chinese teenager.

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Newcastle's Howe says he has support from club despite dire run

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will go into Saturday's FA Cup clash with local rivals Sunderland adamant he does not need daily assurances from the club's big-spending owners after a terrible run of results.

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'Calm' Inzaghi inspiring Inter players to great heights

Inter Milan sitting atop the Serie A table is due in large part to coach Simone Inzaghi who has "a big heart" and has superb man management skills said playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu.

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Klopp not wishing Salah too much luck at Africa Cup of Nations

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp joked Friday that he is not wishing Mohamed Salah too much luck at the Africa Cup of Nations as he prepares for a crucial spell of games without his top scorer.

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Zverev beats Tsitsipas to help Germany into United Cup semis

Alexander Zverev scored a confidence-boosting win over Stefanos Tsitsipas ahead of the Australian Open Friday to help power Germany past Greece and into the United Cup semi-finals.

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Ruthless Sabalenka rolls into Brisbane semi-finals

Aryna Sabalenka fired a warning ahead of her Australian Open defence by powering into the Brisbane International semi-finals on Friday with a straight-sets demolition of Daria Kasatkina.

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Hazlewood has Pakistan reeling after Jamal's 3rd Test heroics

Josh Hazlewood claimed three wickets in an electrifying over to bowl Australia into a potential winning position over Pakistan in an absorbing third Test in Sydney on Friday.

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Pakistan wickets tumble after Jamal's heroics in 3rd Test

Josh Hazlewood claimed three wickets in an electrifying over to bowl Australia into a potential winning position over Pakistan in an absorbing third Test in Sydney on Friday.

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S.Africa's Pistorius released from prison

South Africa's ex-Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius was released from jail on parole Friday and "is now at home", authorities said, almost 11 years after he shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in a crime that gripped the world.

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Antetokounmpo leads Bucks over Wembanyama's Spurs, Nuggets down Warriors

The Milwaukee Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo's 44 points, held off the San Antonio Spurs 125-121 on Thursday despite another stellar performance from Victor Wembanyama on his 20th birthday.

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Former Grand Slam champions Azarenka, Rybakina into Brisbane semis

Former Grand Slam champions Victoria Azarenka and Elena Rybakina reached the semi-finals of the season-opening Brisbane International on Friday, but in contrasting fashion.

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Antetokounmpo's 44 points lead Bucks over Wembanyama's Spurs

The Milwaukee Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo's 44 points and 14 rebounds, held off the San Antonio Spurs 125-121 on Thursday despite another stellar performance from Victor Wembanyama on his 20th birthday.

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In-form Marsh seizes back control for Australia in third Test

Mitchell Marsh scored his fourth half-century of the series to edge Australia towards a first-innings lead over Pakistan on the third day of the third Test in Sydney on Friday.

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Warner 'pleased and relieved' after missing Test caps found

David Warner was reunited on Friday with his missing "baggy green" Test caps after the veteran Australian cricketer issued a public plea.

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Creator blows final whistle on 'Captain Tsubasa' football comic

The Japanese creator of "Captain Tsubasa" said on Friday that he was blowing the final whistle on the beloved cartoon series after a run of 43 years.

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Premier League transfer window: What do big clubs need?

The Premier League transfer window is open, with clubs in the English top flight set to flex their financial muscles.

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Pakistan rock Australia with double-wicket breakthrough

Pakistan grabbed the prized wickets of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in quick succession to seize the momentum from Australia on the third day of the third Test in Sydney on Friday.

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Late Gundogan penalty keeps Barca title defence alive at Las Palmas

Ilkay Gundogan stroked home a stoppage time penalty to grab champions Barcelona a barely deserved 2-1 win at Las Palmas on Thursday.

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Late Gundogan penalty snatches Barca win at Las Palmas

Ilkay Gundogan stroked home a stoppage time penalty to grab champions Barcelona a barely deserved 2-1 win at Las Palmas on Thursday.

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Calvert-Lewin sent off as Everton hold Palace in FA Cup

Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin was controversially sent off as his side held on for a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round on Thursday.

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Five NFL playoff berths at stake in season's last weekend

Five playoff berths are up for grabs as the NFL season concludes this weekend with the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans among those chasing places in the post-season title hunt.

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USA goalkeeper Steffen leaves City for MLS's Rapids

United States international goalkeeper Zack Steffen joined Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids from Manchester City, signing a three year contract, the Rapids said on Thursday.

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Mbappe waives 'tens of millions' in order to ease PSG exit

France striker Kylian Mbappe has turned his back on "several tens of millions" of euros in a bid to ease a possible move away from Paris Saint-German, a source involved in the negotiations told AFP on Thursday.

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Spanish guard Rubio retires from NBA

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Ricky Rubio says he is retiring from the NBA after not featuring this season while he dealt with mental health issues.

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