SPORTS

Tianjin, China | AFP | Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova was made to fight by 102nd-ranked teenager Aryna Sabalenka at the Tianjin Open on Sunday before winning her first title since her 15-month doping ban. The former world number one, who returned to action in April, came from behind …

Shanghai, China | AFP |  Roger Federer got one over his old rival Rafael Nadal to win the Shanghai Masters 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday in a showdown between the two best players on the planet. It was a 94th title for the Swiss legend, drawing him level with the great …

Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City produced the best performance of his reign in their swaggering 7-2 thrashing of Stoke City on Saturday. Kevin De Bruyne was outstanding, producing two assists and playing a part in three more goals as City scored seven goals for …

Madrid, Spain | AFP |  Barcelona dropped their first La Liga points of the season as they came from behind to salvage a point at Atletico Madrid. The Catalans’ lead at the top of the table was cut to four points by Valencia, whose rise continued with a thrilling 6-3 …

Paris, France | AFP | A Thomas Meunier brace gave Paris Saint-Germain a hard-fought 2-1 win at Dijon in Ligue 1 on Saturday after the hosts thought they’d earned a late draw through Benjamin Jeannot’s stunning volley. The result gives PSG, whose chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi is under investigation in his capacity …

Madrid, Spain | AFP | Luis Suarez saved Barcelona’s unbeaten La Liga record this season by salvaging a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid on Saturday in a match laced with political tension amid Catalonia’s drive for independence. Saul Niguez’s spectacular strike had given Atletico an early advantage. However, Barca’s dominance for …

Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi is to become a father for the third time, the Barcelona star’s wife Antonella Rocuzzo confirmed on Sunday. “Family of 5 #Blessed,” Rocuzzo posted on Instagram alongside a picture of Messi and the couple’s two sons Thiago …

Monrovia, Liberia | AFP |  George Weah, 51, emerged from Liberia’s slums to become a superstar footballer in the 1990s, and has leveraged his status as a revered figure among young people in his second run for the presidency. Now Weah has a confirmed place in the runoff round against …

Watford, United Kingdom | AFP | Arsene Wenger claimed Arsenal were the victims of a “scandalous” penalty decision in their shock 2-1 defeat at Watford on Saturday. Wenger’s side were leading through Per Mertesacker’s first half goal when referee Neil Swarbrick ruled that a challenge from Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City maintained their blistering start to the season as the Premier League leaders demolished Stoke City 7-2, while champions Chelsea crashed to a shock 2-1 defeat at lowly Crystal Palace on Saturday. With second-placed Manchester United settling for a drab stalemate at Anfield earlier …