Tomas Martin Etcheverry captured his maiden ATP Tour title at the Rio Open a 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 championship-match victory against Alejandro Tabilo. After Saturday rain postponed his semi-final match, the Argentine persevered through two matches on Sunday (local time) and eventually earned the ATP 500 title. “This is a dream come true for me. I was looking for a while for my first title. I’ve been working so hard with my team and I can’t believe it," said Etcheverry, who had previously lost three ATP Tour finals. “I just tried to give my 100 per cent. It was the final, the last match of the tournament, so I gave my 100 per cent and I think at the end, I have the prize," he added. Trailing Tabilo 3-6, 1-3, Etcheverry appeared physically spent, likely from completing his three-set semi-final against Vit Kopriva earlier in the day. But the 26-year-old, who in May 2024 was one point away from his first tour-level title in Lyon (l. Mpetshi Perricard), dug into his deepest reserves to earn a career milestone, ATP reports. Etcheverry, who earned his 100th tour-level match win on Friday, defeated Tabilo last week in the Buenos Aires quarter-finals and repeated that feat to extend his ATP Head-to-Head series lead to 2-0. Tabilo was aiming for his fourth tour-level crown and first at ATP 500 level. Up 18 places to No. 33 in the ATP Live Rankings, Etcheverry will return to the Top 40 for the first time since last February. Earlier, the Brazilian double Joao Fonseca and Felipe Melo defeated the German Constantin Frantzen and the Belgian Robin Haase in the men's doubles final 4-6, 6-3, 10-8. It was the first home trophy for 19-year-old Fonseca and the second consecutive title for 41-year-old Melo. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 February,2026 12:01 PM IST | Rio de Janeiro | IANSThe United States won the men's Olympic ice hockey gold for the first time in 46 years by beating Canada 2-1 on Sunday. Jack Hughes struck 1min 41sec into overtime to hand the US their first Olympic title since the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' win over the Soviet Union in Lake Placid. The goal, scored a few minutes after Hughes' front teeth were knocked out, deprived Canada of a record 10th Olympic title and its first since the 2014 Sochi Games. With US President Donald Trump ratcheting up the tensions with his North American neighbour over the past year, the game had an added edge -- and Trump was quick to praise the new gold medallists. "Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW!" he posted on Truth Social. To hammer home the point, the White House X account posted a picture of a bald eagle pouncing on a Canada goose. The tone for the final sports event of the Milan-Cortina Games was set early on when the Americans were booed as they warmed up at the Santagiulia Arena by a crowd that appeared to be two-thirds Canadian. But chants of "USA, USA" soon rang out and they got louder when Matt Boldy gave the Americans a 1-0 lead in the first period, evading the challenge of two Canadian defenders and scoring past goaltender Jordan Binnington. "I was just trying to find a way to get up the middle. Sometimes you get a good bounce and the puck follows you. It was a fortunate bounce for sure," Boldy said. Having stopped the first 24 shots he faced, USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was finally beaten in the second period by Cale Makar's wrist shot that squeezed over his pad and into the net. The Americans came close to re-taking the lead at the end of the second period when Brock Faber's slap shot deflected off both posts but somehow didn't go in. Hughes took a high stick to the mouth from Canada's Sam Bennett in the third period leaving him bloodied and missing some teeth. But once the game went into the three-on-three overtime, Hughes applied the golden touch to send his teammates and the US supporters into raptures. USA coach Mike Sullivan said Hellebuyck, who blocked a total of 41 Canadian shots, had been the difference between two teams packed with talent from the National Hockey League (NHL). "Connor was a hero tonight for our team, without a doubt," said Sullivan. "Just a high stakes player in a high stakes environment. I think that's when players build their legacy and Connor certainly did that tonight. "It's crazy, I came into this game, I won the biggest in my career and really wasn't that nervous," Hellebuyck said. "The second I woke up this morning, I felt like I was doing everything right, I was stepping in the right spot and every step I took, it felt right and it kind of translated." 'Lots of personalities' Sullivan said the US team "was built with personality in mind". "You know, we were loaded with personality up and down our lineup. "There are whisky drinkers and milk drinkers, and we got a lot of whisky drinkers on this team." Canada coach Jon Cooper rued a missed opportunity. "Some days it's not meant to be. And unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be today." The victorious American players skated around the rink holding up a jersey with the name Gaudreau and the number 13 on the back in memory of former NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, who was killed in August 2024 along with his brother Matthew by a drunk driver while cycling in New Jersey. Finland, the champions in Beijing four years ago, won the bronze medal on Saturday by thrashing Slovakia 6-1. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 February,2026 10:32 AM IST | Milan | AFPFormer US Open tennis champion Sloane Stephens and ex-American football star Jozy Altidore, who was capped 115 times at the national level, have ended their marriage after four years. Stephens, who won the 2017 US Open, posted a story on Instagram announcing the split. “Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage. With peace, I am navigating this transition with mutual respect and kindly ask for privacy during this time,” her post read. Stephens 32, and Altidore, 36, were childhood sweethearts, having met in middle school. They got engaged in 2019, before getting married in 2022.
23 February,2026 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentIt was completely against the script. When all the betting money landed on Buckingham (backed down to 10-9-on), and minority supporters of Invictor (5/1) and Lady Scarlet (9/1) were secretly hoping for a miracle, the Pesi Shroff-trained three-year-old filly Margaretta, going out friendless at 14/1, thundered onto the scene from the rear, and passed them all to win the 37th edition of the Poonawalla Breeders’s Multi-Million (Gr 1), the richest juvenile race in the country, which was run as a feature event at the Mahalaxmi racecourse on Sunday. Thundering finish The powerful gallop Margaretta (Vivek G up) unleashed to pounce on Lady Scarlet (P Trevor up), who looked all set to cause an upset with a nearly successful start-to-finish mission, was unbelievable. The win made her sole owner Mehernosh H Deboo richer by R90 lakh. The win also saw the 37th version of the PBMM setting a new record timing of 1 minute 21.016 for the trip of seven furlongs, which shattered the old record by nearly 7/100th of a second. Fifth winner for Shroff This was Shroff’s fifth PBMM winner as a trainer after Picasso (2011), Costa Del Sol (2015), Accolade (2016) and Miracle (2021); and for jockey Vivek G, this was his first ever PBMM winner. “She posted some good work before the race, but no one around me shared my view, so I was not confident. In fact, in the paddock the owner [Maharnosh] asked me what I thought. I put him off, saying, ‘hoping she runs well, but expecting will be a bit too much’,” Shroff told mid-day after the race.
23 February,2026 08:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviThe Indian men's hockey team dished out a much improved show but still went down to formidable Australia in the penalty shootout in their FIH Pro League match here on Sunday. The two sides were tied at 2-2 after full time with Amit Rohidas (15th) and Jugraj Singh (43rd) putting India in front before a brace from Joel Rintala (47th, 56th) helped Australia get back on level terms. In the shootout, though, Australia emerged 5-4 victorious. This was after India lost five matches in a row in the FIH Pro League this year, including four in the home leg in Rourkela. They lost to Spain 0-2 in their first match of the Hobart leg on Saturday. Australia had the lion's share of possession in the opening exchanges, pushing India back in their own half. India stayed solid at the back and grew into the game to pile some pressure back on Australia, forcing Jed Snowden into action on a couple of occasions. India were rewarded with a penalty corner late in the first quarter, and made the most of it as Rohidas scored from his drag-flick to give them a 1-0 lead. The second quarter produced end-to-end action, with both teams creating chances. Australia had 10 circle penetrations and a couple of penalty corners in the first half as they looked for a way back into the game. India had nine circle penetrations, causing problems for the opposition on the counter attack. The visitors stood firm at the back, ensuring they held onto their one-goal advantage at half time. Australia continued to dominate possession after the restart. The Indian defensive line remained resolute at the back though, keeping the hosts at bay and preventing them from creating any clear cut opportunities. India doubled their lead with Jugraj converting a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner to close out the third quarter. The hosts managed to reduce the deficit early in the fourth quarter, with Rintala scoring from a penalty corner. With momentum on their side, Australia earned another penalty corner as they remained persistent in their pursuit for an equaliser. However, they were denied by Yashdeep Siwach's crucial block on the line. With time running out, Australia eventually found the leveller from a set-piece as Rintala netted his second goal of the night from a penalty corner four minutes from the final hooter. Australia were relentless in the search of a winning goal and had a couple of opportunities to clinch the game. However, Mohith was exceptional in goal, pulling off some brilliant saves -- including a sensational double save -- to ensure India stay in the game. With the two teams tied at 2-2 after full time, the game went into a shootout to decide the winner. It was an intense shootout with both teams converting their first four penalties, finishing their chances expertly. However, Aditya Arjun Lalage was denied by Snowden in the final penalty, giving Australia a hard-fought win in this enthralling match. India will next take on Spain in their third game of the Hobart leg on Tuesday. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 February,2026 08:36 AM IST | Hobart | PTIThe Gr 1, Poonawalla Breeders’s Multi-Million, is the prime attraction of Sunday’s evening card at Mahalaxmi, in which two colts (Invictor & Enrich) and two fillies (Blue Jet & Lady Scarlet) will try to stand in the way of Buckingham, the Karthik-trained colt who will be bidding for a first hat-trick by a three-year-old this season. Buckingham It will be a no-holds-barred battle for the title of the champion juvenile of the crop of 2023, and I expect the vastly improved Invictor (David Allan up) trained by Altmash Ahmed, and the filly with the highest Dynamic Class Factor, Lady Scarlet (P Trevor up), trained by Adhirajsingh, to put up a bold show. The last-named gets my first nomination. First race at 4 pm. Selections: Kumar R Dalal Gold Trophy (Class II; 1600m)Opus Dei 1, Zafferano 2, King's Gambit 3. Mystical Trophy (Class IV; 2400m)Harrison 1, Diego Garcia 2, Caccini 3. Dr Goolam E Vahanvati Trophy (Class IV; 1600m)Warlock 1, Marius 2, Her Charge 3. Intervalve Poonawalla Ltd Trophy (For 3y, Maidens; 1200m) Pinnacle 1, Bravion 2, Organised Chaos 3. Florrie and Freddy Sopher Gold Trophy (Class III; 1200m)Challenge Accepted 1, Charlie Brown 2, Joondalup 3. Corfe Castle Trophy (Class I; 1200m)Credence 1, Irish Gold 2, Social Butterfly 3. Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (Class V; 1400m)Machiavellian 1, Ministry Of Time 2, Mighty Hero 3. Recommendations Best bet: Pinnacle (4-10)Upsets: Black Thunder (2-4), Gold Bar (3-13) & Saseka (8-4) Today's pools Super jackpot pool: 3,4,5,6,7,8Jackpot pool: 4,5,6,7,8Treble pools: I - 2,3,4; II - 5,6,7Tanala pool: All races.
22 February,2026 09:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviFloyd Mayweather says he is ending his nine-year retirement and returning to competitive boxing this summer. Mayweather, who turns 49 on Tuesday, hasn’t fought in a real boxing match since 2017, when he beat Conor McGregor. “I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,” Mayweather said in a statement. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 February,2026 09:35 AM IST | Los Angeles | AP | PTIAlisha Lehmann, the Swiss women’s footballer with the most followers on Instagram (15.8 million), has added a swanky car to her already rich collection of wheels. According to British tabloid The Sun, Lehmann, often referred to by fans as the world’s sexiest footballer, bought a white Mercedes GLE Coupe AMG, a few months back, for £130,000 (approx Rs 1.6 cr), before deciding to wrap it in matte black colour. The 27-year-old Leicester City player, is also said to own a Lamborghini Urus (approx Rs 5 cr), a Mercedes G Wagon (approx Rs 1.7 cr), a Ferrari 488 GTB (approx Rs 4 cr), a Mercedes AMG S63 (approx Rs 3.5 cr), and an Audi Q7 (approx Rs 95 lakh), making her collection worth nearly Rs 17 crore. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 February,2026 09:33 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesIndia’s hopes of a revival in the FIH Men’s Pro League were dashed as they suffered a 0-2 loss to Spain, continuing their unabated slump in form here on Saturday. Goals from Ignacio Abajo (6th minute) and Ignacio Cobos (36th) proved decisive as Spain combined clinical finishing with disciplined defending to secure the win. The Spaniards capitalised on their chances, while India were unable to convert promising opportunities despite sustained attacking intent. India had lost all four of their matches in the home leg at Rourkela (two losses against Belgium and Argentina each), while conceding 19 goals combined. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 February,2026 09:31 AM IST | Hobart | PTIIn the Poonawalla Breeders’s Multi-Million (PBMM) on Sunday, all eyes will be on Buckingham (Holy Roman Emperor-Thanielle), the three-year-old colt trained by Karthik G. Undefeated in both starts, he’s shown that rare stamp of class — particularly in his latest victory, when D’Artagnan briefly put his nose ahead in the closing stages of the race, only for Buckingham to dig into his reserves and snatch the lead back with authority. However, Buckingham isn’t the only unbeaten talent in this field. The filly Blue Jet (Leitir Mor-Memory Bay), trained by Deepesh Narredu, has a flawless record too, having stormed home on debut in commanding fashion. Suraj Narredu, chasing his fourth straight PBMM triumph, takes the reins. If consistency counts for anything, Blue Jet could make changes to the script in the final yards of the race. Buckingham and Blue Jet Enrich is ready to impress Then there’s Enrich, a Ulysses-Aertex colt trained by Malesh Narredu and to be ridden by his son Yash. This debutant colt was thrown straight into the 1400m deep end just ten days ago, and came through with flying colours. Short on experience? Perhaps. But connections clearly believe he’s ready for the big stage. The two horses which may be neglected in the betting, but could impress on Sunday are Invictor (a Blue Point-Aqlaam colt) and Margaretta (a Belardo-Izba filly) who have one win each. David Allan will be an asset in the saddle of the former; and the latter cannot be dismissed lightly as she is the sole hope of champion trainer Pesi Shroff. Lady Scarlet, an enigma But the horse that stirs genuine interest is Lady Scarlet, full sister to Time And Tide (Dali-Starlet), currently the country’s top sprinter. The Adhirajsingh-trained filly won on its debut, then bolted like a scalded cat in her second outing, burning all her fuel early before Nebula (also lining up here) pounced late. A subsequent run, handled by P Trevor, however, showed maturity as she settled better, displayed tactical speed, and threw up a Dynamic Class Factor that actually puts her slightly ahead of Buckingham.
21 February,2026 10:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviOutplayed at home, the Indian men's hockey team would be eager to bounce back and make a fresh start under new skipper Hardik Singh when it begins the FIH Pro League's overseas leg with a game against Spain here on Saturday. The Hobart leg of the series, which also features hosts Australia, will be held till February 25 at the Tasmania Hockey Centre. The recent Rourkela leg proved to be a painful learning curve for the Indians with losses to Argentina and Belgium. Regular skipper Harmanpreet Singh has taken a break to welcome his second child from the upcoming clutch of matches. The team views these fixtures as a vital opportunity to test combinations, refine structure, and build momentum ahead of the upcoming FIH World Cup and the subsequent Asian Games. After the campaign-opener against Spain, a high-octane clash against Australia is lined up for Sunday. They will face Spain again on February 24 before concluding the leg with a final match against the formidable Australian side on February 25. India and Spain have been evenly-matched in their last 10 encounters, claiming four regulation wins each, alongside two draws that India went on to win in shootouts. Against Australia, high-scoring drama has been a constant. The hosts hold the statistical edge in their last 10 meetings with six wins to India's two (and two draws). Two-time Olympic bronze medallist Hardik will lead the side that also features young players like Amandeep Lakra and Manmeet Singh, both of whom are looking to build on their recent senior debuts. "It is a tremendous honour to lead the national team in a prestigious tournament like the Pro League. While we will certainly miss Harmanpreet's presence on the pitch, his absence provides a valuable opportunity for the rest of the group to step up and take charge," said Hardik. "As a team, we have reviewed our recent matches, learned our lessons, and are entering Hobart with a highly positive and aggressive mindset," asserted the mid-field mainstay. Rising stars such as Angad Bir Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, and Aditya Arjun Lalage will also be eager to prove their mettle in the forward line. Sharing his thoughts on the young additions to the squad, Hardik said, "I am incredibly excited about the new faces joining us for this tour. Youngsters bring very fresh, fearless energy to our attacking lineup. "They have worked exceptionally hard to earn their spots, and playing against top-tier teams like Australia and Spain is the perfect platform for them to express themselves. "The entire group is motivated to support them, execute our plans, and play the brand of hockey India is known for." Match starts: 12 noon (IST). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 February,2026 10:26 AM IST | Hobart | PTIADVERTISEMENT
