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Sport shorts: Federer and Konta knocked out of the US Open and Misbah is named Pakistan head coach


1. Federer shocked by Dimitrov

Five-time US Open champion Roger Federer is out of the New York grand slam after losing a five-set thriller against Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals. 

Bulgarian Dimitrov shocked the 20-time grand slam champion by winning 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Third seed Federer said: “I feel low. I’m disappointed it is over because I feel as I though I was playing well. It is a missed opportunity. I thought if I could get through I’d have two days off after.”

With Federer and Novak Djokovic now out of the US Open, Rafael Nadal is the last of the “big three” left in the tournament. Nadal faces Diego Schwartzman in the quarter-finals tomorrow morning (1.15am UK time).

Dimitrov will play Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals on Friday.

2. Konta proud despite defeat 

British No.1 Johanna Konta was proud of her performance at the US Open despite losing 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals against Elina Svitolina. 

Konta has reached the last eight of the three previous grand slams and she said: “It’s nice to feel that I’ve still got room to just get better in the sport. It is the best I have done so far in my career so there is a lot to be proud of there. 

“It is just part of the sport – only one person ends up not losing, everyone else does lose at some point.”

Six-time US Open champion Serena Williams is through to the last four after thrashing China’s Wang Qiang 6-1, 6-0. 

In the women’s singles semi-finals Williams will face Svitolina on Friday. 

3. Misbah lands Pakistan top job

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Misbah-ul-Haq as the national side’s head coach and chief selector.

ESPN Cricinfo reports that Misbah, Pakistan’s most successful Test captain, will be reunited with Waqar Younis, who has been named bowling coach. 

4. Wenger could manage at the 2022 World Cup

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he could manage an international team at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

The Frenchman, 69, told beIN Sports: “I could see myself working for a team. I must say I always wanted to go to the World Cup because I felt it is the job of a manager to be where the best football players in the world play football. Hopefully, you will see me, touch wood in Qatar in three years’ time.”

5. Inter fans’ group defend Lukaku chanting 

Inter Milan fans’ group Curva Nord has said that the racist abuse and monkey chants directed at Romelu Lukaku by Cagliari supporters was a form of “respect”.

The group said in a statement: “You have to understand that Italy is not like many other north European countries where racism is a real problem. 

“We understand that it could have seemed racist to you but it is not like that. In Italy we use some ‘ways’ only to ‘help our teams’ and to try to make our opponents nervous, not for racism but to mess them up. 

“Please consider this attitude of Italian fans as a form of respect for the fact they are afraid of you for the goals you might score against their teams and not because they hate you or they are racist.”

6. F2 driver Correa moved to UK hospital 

Formula 2 driver Juan Manuel Correa, who was injured in the accident that killed Anthoine Hubert at the Belgian Grand Prix, will continue his recovery in a British hospital.

The 20-year-old suffered a spinal injury and broken legs in the incident at Spa. 

7. United plot ‘shock’ move for Eriksen

Manchester United are primed to launch a “shock” swoop for Christian Eriksen in the January transfer window. 

The Tottenham playmaker was heavily linked to Real Madrid last month but a move to the Spanish capital failed to materialise before the European transfer window closed on Monday.

United are now assembling a lucrative package that they hope will secure the services of the 27-year-old Dane.

Premier League: Arsenal in good financial health after ditching flops

8. McInally to captain Scotland at RWC

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has announced his 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup, which starts this month.

The Scots – who play in pool A with host nation Japan, Russia, Ireland and Samoa – will be captained by Edinburgh hooker Stuart McInally.

Scotland squad for the Rugby World Cup 
  • Forwards: John Barclay, Simon Berghan, Fraser Brown, Scott Cummings, Allan Dell, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Stuart McInally (captain), WP Nel, Gordon Reid, Jamie Ritchie, Blade Thomson, Ben Toolis, George Turner, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson 
  • Backs: Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, Stuart Hogg, George Horne, Peter Horne, Sam Johnson, Blair Kinghorn, Greig Laidlaw, Sean Maitland, Ali Price, Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour, Duncan Taylor

9. Who will partner Russell at Williams? 

Williams Racing F1 deputy principal Claire Williams says there are a “handful of candidates” being considered for the team’s 2020 driver line-up. 

With British racer George Russell confirmed for next season, it’s reported that Robert Kubica and reserve driver Nicholas Latifi are battling for the final spot. 

However, Claire Williams says no decision has yet been made: “We are looking at the 2020 seat and there is a handful of candidates.”

F1: Verstappen ‘almost better’ than Hamilton, says Sainz Jr

10. Paine’s sleepless nights over Stokes

Australia captain Tim Paine admits that England star Ben Stokes has given him some sleepless nights since the all-rounder’s heroics in the third Ashes Test. 

Speaking ahead of today’s first day of the fourth Test Paine said: “I haven’t lost a hell of a lot of sleep thinking about my captaincy, but I have lost a bit of sleep thinking how we’re going to get Stokes out.

“He’s a class player and he’s really confident at the moment. He’s going well. We’ve got some plans for him, but we’ve just got to execute them a bit better.”

Today’s back pages: Ben Stokes gives Aussies an Ashes nightmare





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