Sport shorts: Dominic Thiem is tipped to break the big three’s dominance and Patrick Mahomes is America’s new hero
Ten things from the world of sport on Monday 3 February
1. Thiem ‘knocking on the door’ of big three
Novak Djokovic may have won his eighth Australian Open title, and 17th grand slam in total, but the player he beat in yesterday’s Melbourne final, Dominic Thiem, is being tipped as the man to break the dominance of the “big three” in men’s tennis.
The past 13 grand slams have been won by Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, but Austrian Thiem is now “knocking on the door” for a maiden major, says The Daily Telegraph’s Vicki Hodges.
She wrote: “He may well have been a slow burner at the slams outside of the French Open, but his run to the final in Melbourne proved he is ready to take the next step in his career and has the potential to upset the apple cart among the big three, who are all desperate to finish as most decorated grand slam champion.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Emotional Novak Djokovic urges everyone to ‘stick together’
2. Dreams come true for Kenin
On Saturday in Melbourne American Sofia Kenin beat Spain’s Garbine Muguruza 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 to secure her first grand slam title.
After the women’s final 21-year-old Kenin said: “I want to say my dream has officially come true! I cannot describe this feeling, it’s so emotional, I am so grateful to stand here - dreams come true, so go for it, if you have a dream it is going to come true.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
3. England suffer brutal defeat in Paris
It was a weekend to forget for England’s rugby union team who were beaten 24-17 in their Six Nations opener against France yesterday.
Before the match England head coach Eddie Jones had warned the young French side of the “brutality” of Test rugby, but it was the visitors who were given a hiding in Paris.
In Saturday’s Six Nations matches Wales hammered Italy 42-0 in Cardiff and Ireland edged past Scotland 19-12 in Dublin.
Six Nations 2020 guide: squads, results and fixtures
4. Wane named England RL coach
While England’s rugby union team were suffering in Paris, the country’s rugby league side were naming a new boss.
It has been announced that ex-Wigan chief Shaun Wane has been appointed coach of England’s rugby league team on a two-year contract.
The 55-year-old, who replaces Australian Wayne Bennett, has spent the last year working as a high-performance coach for Scottish Rugby.
5. A new Maldini for Milan
AC Milan have a new Maldini in their first-team ranks. Following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Paolo, and grandfather Cesare, Daniel Maldini made his Milan debut yesterday in the 1-1 Serie A draw against Hellas Verona.
While Paolo and Cesare were both defenders, 18-year-old Daniel is an attacking midfielder.
6. Mahomes is the comeback kid
The Kansas City Chiefs, led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, produced another thrilling comeback to win Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers this morning.
Trailing 20-10 going into the final quarter, the Chiefs scored 21 unanswered points to seal the 31-20 win in Miami.
Described as “America’s new hero” by the Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan, 24-year-old Mahomes “displayed ice in his veins” as he was named Super Bowl MVP.
Keegan said: “With Mahomes, you always have a chance. Always. Even when you are 10 down to the meanest offense in the NFL. Even when you have spent three quarters effectively on the run. Even when those marauding, vicious 49ers are coming in for the kill. Always.”
Videos: Kansas City Chiefs celebrate Super Bowl LIV victory
7. Trump congratulates wrong state
Donald Trump has been left red-faced after slipping up while praising the Kansas City Chiefs for their victory in the Super Bowl.
Writing on Twitter, the US president congratulated the newly-crowned NFL champions and the “Great State of Kansas” after the 31-20 win. The only problem being that the Chiefs are based in Kansas City, Missouri.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
8. Williams reveal launch date for FW43
Williams Racing will unveil their new car for the 2020 Formula 1 season on 17 February at 8am. The FW43 will be revealed two days before pre-season testing starts at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain.
F1 2020 season guide: car launch dates, pre-season testing, GP calendar
9. Ronaldo’s spot on as he hits 50th goal for Juve
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties, his 21st and 22nd goals of the season, as Juventus beat Fiorentina 3-0 yesterday.
The Portugal captain, who turns 35 this week, has now scored ten goals in his last six games for the Italian champions. He also becomes the first Juventus player since David Trezeguet in December 2005 to score in nine successive Serie A matches.
Since moving to Turin from Real Madrid in 2018 Ronaldo has played 70 games for Juventus and has scored 50 goals.
Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: all-time career goals and records
10. Pep: Liverpool are unstoppable
Liverpool are 22 points clear at the top of the Premier League table following Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham yesterday.
The Daily Mirror is one of several papers to carry the admission from Pep Guardiola that the title race is officially over.
City’s Spanish boss said: “They [Liverpool] are far away so they are unstoppable. They have a lot of points, we have dropped points quite similar to today. Our targets are to win the remaining competitions and qualify for the Champions League next season.”
Today’s back pages
Pep Guardiola admits the title race is over for Man City and England are brutally beaten in France
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Pochettino is Saudi-backed consortium’s ‘No.1 choice’ for Newcastle job
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Wednesday 29 April
By The Week Staff Published
-
French Ligue 1 season is cancelled and Tokyo Olympic Games would be ‘scrapped’ if more delays
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Tuesday 28 April
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: F1 targets Austrian Grand Prix on 5 July for start of the 2020 season
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Monday 27 April
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Liverpool-Atletico Madrid tie to be investigated by health authorities
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Friday 24 April
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Bundesliga ready to return on 9 May - if German government approves
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 23 April
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: National League clubs vote to end season and Roger Federer wants the ATP and WTA tours to merge
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Wednesday 22 April
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Barcelona to sell Camp Nou naming rights and Lewis Hamilton dismisses Ferrari move rumours
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Tuesday 21 April
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Juventus remain keen on England captain Harry Kane and golf’s Ryder Cup could be held without fans
Speed Read Ten things from the world of sport on Monday 20 April
By The Week Staff Published