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Villa's Emiliano Martinez winds up PSG with cap
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Hostage families fear outcome of intense Israeli strikes on Gaza
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China seeks to 'tariff-proof' economy as trade war with US deepens
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Some US consumers in 'survival mode' as Trump tariffs arrive
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Japan to sell more rice reserves as prices soar
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US takes aim at Zuckerberg's social media kingdom
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US Pentagon chief says will not let China 'threaten' Panama Canal
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Vietnam, Spain pledge to upgrade ties after tariff shock
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'Some innings': Arya's 39-ball ton thrusts him into IPL spotlight
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India central bank cuts interest rates as Trump tariffs kick in
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Taiwan exporters count the cost of Trump's 'ridiculous' tariffs
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Injury-time goal gives Brazil first win over US women since 2014
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Japan badminton ace Shida blasts 'stalker' Chinese fans
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Ekitike has Frankfurt dreaming of Europa League repeat
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Trump's new tariffs take effect, with 104% on Chinese goods
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Shai scores 42, Doncic ejected as Thunder down Lakers
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Nepal royalists seek return of king
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Man Utd reliant on Europa League with season on life support
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Kim Jong Un's sister says North Korea denuclearisation is a 'daydream'
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Trump tariffs leave Italy's luxury furniture makers sitting uncomfortably
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EU plan to end Russian fertiliser imports unsettles farmers
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Equities resume selloff as Trump cranks up trade war
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Inside Europe's last 'open-outcry' trading floor
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Trumps presses on with 104% tariffs on China
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AI tool aims to help conserve Japan's cherry trees
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The Metals Company courts Trump for deep-sea mining contract
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Indonesia president says ready to temporarily shelter Gazans
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Musk brands Trump aide 'dumber than a sack of bricks' in tariff spat
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Author of explosive Meta memoir to star at US Senate hearing
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UK to host Europe's first Universal theme park
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'It's beautiful': Arteta hails Rice free-kick magic as Arsenal stun Real
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Argentine Congress backs inquiry into Milei crypto scandal
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US will not let China disrupt Panama Canal: Pentagon chief
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Judge orders White House to restore AP access
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Shaken Real Madrid insist Arsenal comeback possible
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Bayern 'fully believe' despite Inter setback, says Kompany
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Inter 'showed what we were made of' against Bayern, says Martinez
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US stocks fall again as global rally fizzles
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Milan's England defender Walker has surgery on broken elbow
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Judge orders White House to lift restrictions on AP access
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Free-kick hero Rice revels in Arsenal's 'special' win over Real
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'Totally new': Scheffler readies for Masters defense
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Stuffy nose and steak knife join Scheffler's list of Masters tests
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Late Frattesi strike gives Inter edge over Bayern in Champions League
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Arsenal stun Real Madrid as Rice delivers free-kick masterclass
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Spain thump Portugal in women's Nations League as Belgium upset England
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Spain enjoy goal spree against Portugal in women's Nations League as Belgium upset England
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Emery relishes Aston Villa's 'huge challenge' against PSG
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Rahm on LIV-PGA solution: not happening soon
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US, China clash as Trump set to unleash more tariffs

Nadal eyes 23rd major as Djokovic gives up on US Open
Rafael Nadal targets a fifth US Open and 23rd Grand Slam title in New York from next week with his path to the title no longer blocked by Novak Djokovic whose refusal to get vaccinated has ruled him out of a second major this year.
Nineteen years after making his debut, the 36-year-old Nadal drags his injury-prone body into a tournament he won in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019, the year of his last appearance.
The Spaniard has had to sit out the US Open four times in his career and there are once again fresh doubts over his physical ability to survive a gruelling two weeks at Flushing Meadows.
Since an abdomen injury forced him to hand Nick Kyrgios a walkover into the Wimbledon final, Nadal has played just once -- a first-up loss to Borna Coric in Cincinnati.
"I need to move forward and just start to think about the energy that the crowd give me in New York," said Nadal, who has already captured two of the season's three Slams at the Australian and French Opens.
"It's a very special place for me, and I enjoy it. There have been unforgettable moments there, and I'm going to try my very best every single day to be ready for that."
Nadal has become accustomed to overcoming setbacks, winning a 14th French Open in June despite playing the whole tournament with pain-killing injections in his foot.
An added incentive for Nadal is the opportunity to reclaim the world number one spot from defending champion Daniil Medvedev, the man he defeated in the 2019 final.
While Nadal trains in New York, career-long rival Djokovic will remain in Europe after finally giving up hope of a last-minute change of Covid policy by the US authorities.
The famously unvaccinated Djokovic, who won the last of his three US Open crowns in 2018, is barred from entering the United States for refusing to take the vaccine.
- Djokovic ban 'joke' -
"Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open," tweeted Djokovic, 90 minutes before the tournament draw took place on Friday.
"Good luck to my fellow players. I'll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again.
"See you soon tennis world!"
Tennis legend John McEnroe had blasted the Djokovic ban as a "joke"
"At this point, in the pandemic, we're two and a half years in, I think people in all parts of the world know more about it, and the idea that he can't travel here to play, to me is a joke," said McEnroe.
Ironically, during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Djokovic was allowed to compete at New York where he was champion in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
The 35-year-old, who saw his bid for a first men's calendar Grand Slam since 1969 ended by Medvedev in the 2021 US Open final, hasn't played since securing a seventh Wimbledon title last month, a victory which extended his Slam record to 21.
His controversial vaccination stance also saw him deported from Melbourne in January where he had been hoping to defend his Australian Open title.
With Roger Federer still absent from the tour and with question marks over Nadal's fitness and Djokovic's absence, the race for the men's title is likely to be as open as recent years.
Marin Cilic, Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem and Medvedev have all broken the New York stranglehold of the 'Big Three' since 2014.
Medvedev will be especially fired up having been banned from Wimbledon along with all other Russian players following the invasion of Ukraine.
On his reappearance on the tour following the All England Club cold shoulder, the 26-year-old claimed the hardcourt title in Los Cabos.
World number two and 2020 runner-up Alexander Zverev misses out through injury while fourth-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, a quarter-finalist in 2021, looks to convert potential into a maiden Slam triumph at 19.
Apart from Felix Auger-Aliassime, a semi-finalist last year, the rest of the current top 10 have endured a bittersweet relationship with New York.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Cameron Norrie and Hubert Hurkacz have all yet to make the second week.
L.Dubois--BTB