- Superstar Dupont raring to go for France return
- First flight with Israelis evacuated from Amsterdam lands in Tel Aviv
- Resilient but threatened, Kenya celebrates Maa culture
- Van Nistelrooy accepts Man Utd lack a clinical striker
- Maresca says Chelsea can beat 'any team'
- Kolisi on the bench as Springboks ring changes for Scotland clash
- Israeli football supporters back home after Amsterdam violence
- Stock markets waver after US election rally, rate cut
- Guardiola will 'solve' Man City's malaise
- Russia seeks six years for medic for criticising Ukraine campaign
- Leveraging Trump win, embattled Macron eyes diplomatic comeback
- England cricket great Botham hails Hughes for Aussie croc rescue
- Mbappe 'down but not out' says Real Madrid coach Ancelotti
- Arsenal ready to rebound after troubled spell: Arteta
- Cartier owner's profit sinks as China sales slump
- UN aims to set standards for scandal-hit carbon markets
- Australia rugby captain Wilson aiming to hit England for six
- Amsterdam mayor 'ashamed' by 'unbearable' attacks on Israel football fans
- UN probe says women, children comprise the majority of Gaza war dead
- England's Lawrence eager to face rising Wallabies star Suaalii
- Judge Spurs at end of the season, says Postecoglou
- Paris Olympic horses to be awarded military medals
- Flood-hit Spain drenched by wettest October on record
- Spain call up uncapped trio for Nations League
- INEOS Britannia named as challenger for 38th America's Cup
- Scarlets wing Murray set for Wales debut against Fiji
- Stocks falter tracking US, China policy updates
- Prince William reflects on 'brutal' year as Kate returns to public life
- After Trump win, EU leaders tackle 'urgent' reform agenda
- France expects massive slump in 2024 wine harvest
- Leaders condemn 'anti-Semitic' football clashes in Amsterdam
- China passes energy law to 'promote carbon neutrality'
- Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
- Kagiyama leads Miura at NHK Trophy
- China unveils sweeping local govt debt swap to lift ailing economy
- Partial UN probe of Gaza war dead over 6 months shows 'nearly 70%' women, children
- 'Anti-government' samosa theft prompts India police probe
- Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure'
- Ayub hits 82 as Pakistan crush Australia in 2nd ODI
- Russian drones, missiles pummel cities across Ukraine
- First artwork by humanoid robot sells for over $1.0 million
- China to raise local govt debt ceiling to boost struggling economy
- Climate change poses multiple risks for banks
- Boxing club helps fight Greenland's suicide scourge
- Retired Olympian Daley dives into the spool with Tokyo knitwear show
- Japanese organ builder 'honoured' to restore voice of Notre Dame
- Sony quarterly net profit jumps but forecast unchanged
- Asian markets struggle to maintain momentum after Fed cut
- Fur flies as Russia takes on young fans of 'quadrobics'
- Pharrell Williams to bring star power to Web Summit tech event
Pegula finds Australian Open relief in nights at the casino
Jessica Pegula revealed Friday the secret behind her run to the fourth round of the Australian Open -- spending every night down the casino.
The American 21st seed faces Maria Sakkari on Sunday in Melbourne and will be plotting the Greek fifth seed's downfall over a game or two of blackjack.
"Honestly, I have been going to the casino a lot," the 27-year-old said after a 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 victory over Spain's Nuria Parrizas-Diaz.
"No, literally, I think I have been six times. I was going every single night."
The players are all this year staying in Melbourne's Crown Towers on the city's South Bank alongside an entertainment complex containing shopping, cinemas, nightclubs, restaurants and the casino.
"There literally is a little walkway a two-minute walk across to my hotel," said Pegula.
"I would just go and play some blackjack."
Pegula, the world number 21, said going to the casino was a way to relax, but also helped her in her tennis.
"It's good because it got me kind of thinking about strategy and all this stuff, but at the same time, it would kill some time and relax me," she said.
The American, whose best performance in a Grand Slam was reaching last year's Australian Open quarter-finals, was keen to point out that she's not a heavy gambler.
"I'm not losing a ton of money or anything. I'm not crazy, but honestly it's been really relaxing. So that's what I have been doing, which is kind of sad," she added with a smile.
O.Lorenz--BTB