SPORTS

Cincinnati, United States | AFP | World number one Novak Djokovic got his US Open build up off to a smooth start with a straight-sets win in Cincinnati on Tuesday as back trouble forced Serena Williams to withdraw. Defending champion Djokovic double faulted three times as he dropped serve in the …

Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Liverpool and Chelsea are eyeing some early-season silverware as the Premier League rivals meet in the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul on Wednesday in what will be the first major men’s European encounter to be refereed by a woman, with France’s Stephanie Frappart taking charge. Jurgen …

Madrid, Spain | AFP |  Zinedine Zidane returned to save Real Madrid and the time has come for results. In a packed-out press conference under the Santiago Bernabeu in March, the club’s president Florentino Perez delivered the grandest of re-introductions. “We need to start working on a glorious new era,” said …

Berlin, Germany | AFP | Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have signed Inter Milan and Croatia winger Ivan Perisic on a one-year loan deal, the club confirmed Tuesday. “Ivan will help us immediately with his many years of international experience,” said Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. “He is technically gifted and flexible in attack.” Perisic, 30, …

Bristol, United Kingdom | AFP | England coach Eddie Jones believes off-field problems will be part and parcel of his side’s Rugby World Cup campaign after his surprise move in leaving out centre Ben Te’o from his squad for Japan. The former rugby league star was the major omission when Jones …

Madrid, Spain | AFP | Barcelona may want to make up for the biggest collapse in Europe by signing the most expensive player in the world but a team that was by far the best in Spain is already significantly better. After finishing 11 points clear of Atletico Madrid last season, …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was on Monday ruled out for “the next few weeks” by coach Jurgen Klopp after suffering a calf injury in their 4-1 win over Norwich. Brazil international Alisson limped off in the first half of Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Anfield on Friday. “Not too …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | The use of VAR for the first time in the Premier League bewildered fans and experts alike at the weekend, prompting demands for change. The Video Assistant Referee system, previously used in England in the FA and League Cups, is supposed to eradicate any doubt …

Ghanaian Antwi stars for Pyramids Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |  Ghanaian John Antwi scored twice for Sebastien Desabre’s Egyptian outfit Pyramids as they lived up to a billing of being a club to watch in the CAF Confederation Cup this season. The debutants thumped Etoile of Congo Brazzaville 4-1 …

Newcastle, United Kingdom | AFP | Unai Emery saluted Arsenal’s gritty 1-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday as the Gunners erased the painful memories of last season’s away-day woes. Emery’s side did not record their first Premier League clean sheet on their travels until April last term and managed only …