Croatia

Editor’s Note: Five days after the first publication of this story, Anastasiia Smirnova and Danil Siianytsia announced they withdrew from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships due to an injury Smirnova sustained that will keep them from training until the middle of February. Smirnova and Siianytsia, who rank third among U.S. pairs by best total score this season, plan to petition for one of three pairs’ spots on the team for March’s world championships. There are thousands of threads in the tapestry of a life, with the sturdy and neutral monochrome warp threads covered by multiple colors of fine weft threads to create a scene that can pull together a moment in time or an enduring image. Events can conspire to make the whole thing start to unravel, too, turning a settled and pleasant view into an unnervingly jarring one, and seemingly stable lives into ones full of uncertainty. That’s what has happened to the lives of U.S. pair skaters Anastasiia Smirnova and Danil … [Read more...] about Smirnova, Siianytsia embrace figure skating for U.S. amid war in Ukraine

Novak Djokovic's hamstring just about held up as the hot favourite battled into the Australian Open last 16 on Saturday, but Andy Murray's heroic run is over. Hard-hitting Aryna Sabalenka meanwhile burnished her title credentials as she barrelled through, along with several other women's seeds. An ailing Djokovic had heavy strapping and needed treatment twice on his troublesome left hamstring before defeating Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena. The Serb will face home hope Alex de Minaur for a place in the quarter-finals as he closes on a 10th Melbourne Park crown and a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title. "Obviously, I didn't know how I'm going to feel physically, it was going up and down," said Djokovic. "It was an incredible battle, three sets over three hours. Let's rest up and prepare for the next one." Djokovic's fellow 35-year-old Murray will not join him in the next round, however, as the Briton's 4:05 am finish eventually caught up with him. … [Read more...] about Novak Djokovic Defies Injury TO Enter Australian last 16, Andy Murray Bows out | Tennis News

Chelsea are one of several clubs across Europe looking at Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic. Sky Sports News have been told internal talks have taken place at Stamford Bridge to assess options in that area as they wait for the full extent of Reece James' injury . It was revealed last week Barcelona were also interested in signing Juranovic when the January transfer window opens, with one source telling Sky Sports News he is their number one target at right-back. Other Premier League clubs and Atletico Madrid are also looking at the Croatia international. Postecoglou reflects on 'positive' year at Celtic 'Toughest year' | Chelsea's James set for injury layoff Get Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports App Celtic have wanted to keep Juranovic in Glasgow and held talks over an improved new contract. However, neither party could reach an agreement before he departed for the World Cup in Qatar. Trending Transfer Centre … [Read more...] about Josip Juranovic: Chelsea, Barcelona interested in Celtic right-back

Aryna Sabalenka set up a semi-final with surprise-package Magda Linette on Wednesday at the Australian Open, where Novak Djokovic will later step up his bid for a 22nd Grand Slam title. Belarusian Sabalenka looks red-hot favourite to win her first major crown after another ruthless display in defeating Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena. Fifth-seeded Sabalenka is the highest remaining seed left in a women's draw that has been upended by shocks. The match was closer than the score suggested, but Sabalenka is in scintillating form -- she is yet to drop a set in Melbourne and has won all nine matches in 2023. It is a far cry from a year ago, when she struggled badly with her serve and was reduced to tears at an Australian Open warm-up tournament. "It feels really special to be in the semi-finals here, it was a tough match," said Sabalenka, 24, who was competing in her first Australian Open quarter-final. "I'm super happy with the win and it was so great to play … [Read more...] about Ominous Sabalenka Sets Up Australian Open Semi-Final With Linette | Tennis News