Sport from Monday, August 31st, 2026

Aryna Sabalenka got off to a winning start in her quest for a third successive US Open title on Monday while men's 10th seed Arthur Fils exited.

Visitors Pakistan replaced seven players and their head coach on Monday, after suffering two heavy losses to England in their ongoing three-test series.

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.

Liverpool have signed France forward Bradley Barcola from European champions Paris St Germain on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said on Monday.

American Sofia Kenin beat 46-year-old compatriot Venus Williams 6-2 7-6(6) in a US Open first-round match that began at 12:13 am on Monday, the latest start in women's tournament history.

Novak Djokovic made his earliest exit at the U.S. Open after a shock 7-6(5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 loss to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in a gruelling first-round clash on Sunday, as his latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title went up in smoke.

Tickets have gone on sale for this year's Emirates Dubai 7s, which will return to The Sevens Stadium from November 27-29.

Former champion Daniil Medvedev and third seed Jessica Pegula are safely through to the second round of the US Open after convincing opening victories in New York.