SPORTS

Doha, Qatar | AFP | Novak Djokovic was surprisingly defeated in Doha on Friday, beaten in the Qatar Open semi-final by world number 24, Roberto Bautista Agut, 6-3, 6-7 (8/6), 6-4. The Serb fell to his first defeat of the season in a high-quality contest lasting more than two-and-a-half hours, …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Burton manager Nigel Clough is not spending much time briefing his players on Manchester City’s qualities because he does not want to “frighten the life out of them” ahead of the first leg of the League Cup semi-final. League One club Burton will head …

Shenzhen, China | AFP | Former world number one Maria Sharapova abandoned her quarter-final tie in the Shenzhen Open on Friday after struggling with a thigh injury. Just 10 days before the start of the Australian Open, Sharapova received treatment for a painful left thigh after losing the first set …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Callum Hudson-Odoi should fight for a place in the Chelsea starting line-up and not be swayed by a multi-million euro offer from German giants Bayern Munich, according to Blues assistant manager Gianfranco Zola. The 18-year-old winger — a pivotal member of the England side …

New York, United States | AFP | Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James and Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo led the first fan balloting updates announced Thursday for next month’s NBA All-Star Game. Los Angeles Lakers star playmaker James received the most votes with 1,083,363 to pace the Western Conference …

Madrid, Spain | AFP | Former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla scored twice as Villarreal drew 2-2 with Real Madrid in La Liga on Thursday, with the pint-sized midfielder producing a late header for a share of the spoils. This was Madrid”s first game since winning the World Club Cup in …

Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Liverpool emerged from the Premier League’s packed festive season with a four-point lead at the top of the table, despite slipping to a first defeat of the campaign to Manchester City on Thursday. That huge win puts City back in the title race after …

Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City reignited their Premier League title challenge with a crucial 2-1 win over leaders Liverpool on Thursday. Leroy Sane’s superb second half strike handed Liverpool their first league defeat this season and moved the champions to within four points of Jurgen Klopp’s side. …

Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City inflicted Liverpool’s first Premier League defeat of the season to breathe new life into their title defence with a 2-1 victory at the Etihad on Thursday. City now trail Jurgen Klopp’s men by just four points thanks to Leroy Sane’s winner 18 …

Doha, Qatar | AFP | World number one Novak Djokovic won another gruelling battle in Doha on Thursday to continue his unbeaten start to the year and progress to the Qatar Open semi-finals. The Serb came from a set down, just like in his previous match, to beat Georgia’s Nikoloz …