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National Bank Open: In-form Cam Norrie defeated by Arthur Fils in Montreal while Aryna Sabalenka suffers shock Canadian Open loss | Tennis News

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Britain’s Cameron Norrie has been knocked out of the National Bank Open at the last-16 stage following a 6-2 7-6 (10-8) defeat by Arthur Fils in Montreal.

The French 18th seed looked dominant early on in the Montreal contest, utilising his powerful serve well to wrap up the first set without much hassle.

Norrie stepped up a gear in the second, matching Fils’ power to force a tie-break.

Despite creating two set-point opportunities, Norrie was ultimately unable to convert when it mattered and Fils sealed the win in one hour and 43 minutes.

Norrie knocked out third seed Alex de Minaur in the round prior, turning the tables from match-point down by winning 11 out of the next 13 games to beat the Australian 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 – a victory that saw him become British No 1 again in place of Arthur Fery – but he was unable to build on that win.

Fils will face Spain’s Rafael Jodar in the quarter-finals, after he upset eighth-seed Jiri Lehecka in straight sets.

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Highlights of Jiri Lehecka against Rafael Jodar from the Canadian Open

Brandon Nakashima and Luciano Darderi also progressed to the next round with gruelling three-set victories over Arthur Rinderknech and Nuno Borges, respectively.

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Highlights of Arthur Rinderknech against Brandon Nakashima from the Canadian Open

World No 1 Sabalenka suffers US Open build-up setback as Alexandrova beats her in Toronto

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a setback in her US ‌Open build-up when she was beaten 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-4 by Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in ‌the fourth round of the Canadian Open in Toronto.

The 16th-seeded ​Alexandrova fought a hard battle lasting nearly two-and-a-half hours to secure her quarter-final ​berth.

Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and ‌reigning US Open winner, recovered from a set down to force a ​decider but was unable to halt Alexandrova’s aggressive shot-making in the final set.

Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock Canadian Open loss against Ekaterina Alexandrova at the last-16 stage
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Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock Canadian Open loss against Ekaterina Alexandrova at the last-16 stage

The Belarusian broke early in the opening set ​before Alexandrova rallied to force a tie-break, ⁠which the Russian won to ⁠move ahead.

Sabalenka responded by seizing control of the second set with a break for a ‌4-3 lead before serving out to level the match.

Alexandrova held her nerve in the decider as Sabalenka’s error count rose. ‌Serving to stay in the match at 4-5, the top seed saved two match points, but a double fault on the third handed victory to the Russian.

“I just tried to play ⁠every single point as if it was ​the last one because with her, you don’t [get] ​a lot of chances during the match,” Alexandrova ​said in her on-court interview.

“Honestly, I was trying not ⁠to think about the score or anything. Just hit the ball, and that’s it.

“I’m super happy that I could win because ⁠after the second set, I thought [the ​chance] was already past me.”

Alexandrova will face Ukraine’s Elina ​Svitolina, who defeated American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-4, for a place in the ‌semi-finals

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours and US Open from August 30, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.

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Best new kits 2026-27 – vote for your top 10

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As a new season draws near, football-hungry fans around the country will be tweaking their fantasy teams, making themselves experts on rumoured transfer targets and keeping eyes keenly trained on new kit releases.

It’s an exciting time for collectors, whether they’re looking for never-before-seen designs, classic shirts reimagined or niche releases from far-flung lands to impress their colleagues at five-a-side.

BBC Sport has rounded up a non-exhaustive list of some of the best kit releases for 2026-27 so far, ordered alphabetically.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to vote for your top 10.

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Gianni Infantino: FIFA hits out at critics trying to ‘undermine’ president amid ongoing allegations | Football News

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FIFA has hit out at “a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine” the governing body and president Gianni Infantino over claims surrounding his conduct at UEFA.

UEFA confirmed on Saturday a “departure payment” was made to a female employee alleged to have been in a relationship with Infantino when he was the European organisation’s general secretary.

The Daily Telegraph reported the woman received a six-figure sum and UEFA confirmed a payment was made along with covering the fees for an MBA course, adding it was “in line” with regulations at the time.

The allegations intensify the position of Infantino, who worked at UEFA for 16 years and was its general secretary between 2009 and 2016 before being elected FIFA president, following his aborted plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

While not directly referencing UEFA’s statement, FIFA accused Infantino’s critics of trying to weaken his authority and have him removed from his role without a due re-election process.

FIFA defended Infantino in a lengthy statement
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FIFA defended Infantino in a lengthy statement

A statement said: “It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its president.

“Those who do not have the support of FIFA’s member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through FIFA’s established democratic processes.

“Recent reporting has included unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims concerning FIFA and its president. Speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact, and repetition does not make an allegation true.

“The FIFA president has dedicated more than 30 years of his professional life to European and world football, contributing to significant change in the game and, in particular, to broadening access, resources and opportunity across world football

“Change inevitably challenges established interests, but disagreement with that change cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of FIFA’s president or the institution he was elected to lead.

“FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny. But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress. Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously.

“FIFA’s responsibility is to its 211 member associations and to football around the world. We will not be distracted or diverted from strengthening the organisation, delivering for our member associations and continuing the work of making football truly global. Through the FIFA president and the FIFA administration, our focus remains firmly on that mission, and we are more determined than ever to fulfil it.”

Infantino’s controversial proposal was rejected by UEFA and two other continental confederations. On Wednesday, Infantino was backed by FIFA’s management board following a meeting in Morocco and issued an apology over the process.

UEFA’s threat for its 55 member countries to boycott FIFA competitions until the plan was scrapped remains, with the European confederation saying on Thursday that Wednesday’s announcement “changes nothing”.

Infantino worked at UEFA for 16 years
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Infantino worked at UEFA for 16 years

Following the Daily Telegraph claims on Friday, a FIFA spokesperson was reported to have told the newspaper Infantino “strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations”.

A UEFA spokesperson said: “We are aware of the allegations and can confirm a departure payment was made to the individual in question, coupled with the payment of fees for a MBA course at a local business school.

“The payment was in line with the regulations that existed for departing staff at the time.

“Such regulations have been tightened since 2016 and the current staff regulations – which apply to all UEFA employees at whatever level – reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation.”

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Aryna Sabalenka and Cameron Norrie lose at Canadian Open

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Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka suffered a surprise defeat in the Canadian Open weeks before she begins her US Open title defence, while Britain’s Cameron Norrie also bowed out in the last 16.

Sabalenka lost 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-4 to Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in a match lasting almost two and a half hours in Toronto.

The Belarusian recovered from a set down to force a decider, but a double fault when serving to stay in the match handed the number 16 seed victory.

It is the latest defeat in what has been a difficult summer for Sabalenka, who was knocked out in the quarter-finals and last 16 of the French Open and Wimbledon respectively.

“I just tried to play every single point as if it was the last one because with her, you don’t [get] a lot of chances during the match,” Alexandrova said.

“I’m super happy that I could win because after the second set, I thought [the chance] was already past me.”

The Russian will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina for a place in the semi-finals, after she defeated American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-4.

Third seed Jessica Pegula suffered a first career loss to Diana Shnaider, as the 22-year-old finished both sets strongly to win 6-3 6-3.

The Russian will face Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, after the seventh seed overcame opening set service troubles to defeat 10th seed Marta Kostyuk 3-6 6-1 6-2.

The six-time Grand Slam winner retired to the locker room after Kostyuk broke her serve four times during a shambolic a 39-minute opening set, but looked much improved when she returned.

In the men’s event in Montreal, British number two Cameron Norrie spurned two set-point opportunities as he was defeated 6-2 7-6 (10-8) by 18th seed Arthur Fils.

Norrie saved three match points in the second set to force a tie-break, but the Frenchman broke his serve to win in one hour and 43 minutes.

Fils will meet Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar in the quarter-finals, after the 19-year-old upset eighth seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-3.

Brandon Nakashima and Luciano Darderi also progressed to the next round with gruelling three-set victories over Arthur Rinderknech and Nuno Borges respectively.

Italian Darderi used a mid-match changeover to enjoy an espresso as he battled to a 4-6 6-3 7-5 win.

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