Sport shorts: Kim Clijsters to make second tennis comeback and Harry Maguire is backed to be future Man Utd captain

1. Clijsters is on the comeback trail

Former world No.1 women’s tennis player Kim Clijsters will come out of retirement for a second time and return to the WTA Tour next year.

Four-time grand slam winner Clijsters first retired in 2007 to start a family and then a second time in 2012.

Now 36, the Belgian mother of three said: “Mothers are trying to compete at the highest level - that is the inspiration. I don’t really feel like I want to prove something. I think for me it’s the challenge.

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“My goal right now is to be able to be fit enough to compete at the highest level and then if you get to that stage, let’s see if I can get to the second stage of a grand slam. I will continue to push myself each goal I set.”

2. Solheim Cup starts at Gleneagles

The 2019 Solheim Cup is underway at Gleneagles in Scotland. The women’s golf team event between Europe and the United States will finish on Sunday.

In today’s foursomes Team USA’s Jessica Korda and Nelly Korda scored the first point after beating Team Europe’s Caroline Masson and Jodi Ewart Shadoff 6&4.

3. Warner is out cheaply… again

England were dismissed for 294 in their first innings of the final Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval.

Australia have already retained the urn but they had a poor start to their first innings with David Warner again losing his wicket cheaply. The opener was dismissed for just five runs after being caught behind off the bowling of Jofra Archer.

BBC Test Match Special statistician Andrew Samson reports that Warner has scored 84 runs at an average of 9.33 in the series.

4. Gronk suffered 20 concussions in NFL

Former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski has revealed that during his NFL career he had suffered 20 concussions.

The 30-year-old, who retired in March, said: “I truly believe that any injury that you receive is fixable. I went through it. I had nine surgeries, probably had like 20 concussions in my life, no lie. I remember five blackout ones.”

5. Russian ice hockey player wins AK-47

Russian ice hockey goaltender Saveli Kononov was awarded an AK-47 rifle for his man-of-the-match performance. Kononov played a starring role for Izhstal Izhevsk in their 3-2 win over rivals Chelmet.

6. One week to go until the Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup fever has hit Japan and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is confident that his country can deliver the “best tournament”.

Speaking at an event to mark the one-week countdown Abe said: “I am looking forward to the opening ceremony and opening match and hope for a great performance from the Japan national team.

“The iconic Webb Ellis Cup is a symbol of strength, hard work and courage and I appreciate the hard work of many people who have made this possible. I am sure that we can work together to make a very special occasion, the best tournament.”

Manu Tuilagi says ‘special’ England are raring to go

Rugby World Cup: Japan diary, news and guides

7. Bottas won’t give up title chase against Hamilton

Valtteri Bottas may be 63 points behind Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the 2019 Formula 1 drivers’ standings but the Finn is not giving up the title challenge.

He said: “Well there’s no point ever giving up when there’s still statistics to say it’s possible. Obviously it’s a bit of a long shot, honestly, if you’re realistic with the way Lewis is performing and the consistency he’s having. But obviously you never know.”

F1: Toro Rosso boss expects Albon to remain with Red Bull

8. Solskjaer: leader Maguire’s ‘got the lot’

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Harry Maguire to become a future captain at Old Trafford.

England defender Maguire faces former club Leicester City tomorrow and Solskjaer said: “He’s definitely a character and personality that can be captain of a big club. In the dressing-room he’s a leader both by performances, stature and behaviour. He’s a character you’d like to follow. Some are technical leaders, some are leaders by voice, he’s got the lot.”

9. Real target French World Cup winners

Real Madrid intend to become the dominant force once more in European football by embarking on the mother of all spending sprees.

It’s reported that the Spanish giants have their eye on three French World Cup winners: Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.

Real Madrid plot new dynasty with Kante, Mbappe and Pogba

10. Kompany’s warning to EPL clubs

The Daily Mirror reports that there’s “no stopping the big two” in the Premier League this season. That’s the verdict of ex-Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, who says the Sky Blues and Liverpool are miles ahead of their rivals.

Today’s back pages: no stopping Man City and Liverpool, says Kompany