-
Bangkok food vendor curbs push city staple from the streets
-
More Nepalis drive electric, evading global fuel shocks
-
Latecomer Japan eyes slice of rising global defence spending
-
Messi goal not enough as Miami collapse in 4-3 loss to Orlando
-
German fertiliser makers and farmers struggle with Iran war fallout
-
OPEC+ to make first post-UAE production decision
-
Massive crowds fill Rio's Copacabana beach for Shakira concert
-
Embiid, Maxey shine as 76ers eliminate Celtics in NBA playoffs
-
Fleeting freedom at festival for India's transgender community
-
Trump says cutting US troop numbers in Germany 'way down'
-
Man charged with murdering Indigenous girl in Australian outback
-
Teen F1 leader Antonelli takes Miami pole as start time moved
-
Trump says US not likely to accept new Iran peace proposal
-
China's Wu Yize wins last-frame thriller to reach snooker world final
-
Serene Korda takes three-shot lead at LPGA Mexico
-
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby in historic triumph for trainer DeVaux
-
King Charles grasped 'opportunity' on US trip, palace says
-
China's Wu wins last-frame thriller to reach snooker world final
-
Verstappen sees light at the end of tunnel
-
Young stretches PGA lead to six at Doral
-
Rio's Copacabana beach hosts massive crowd for free Shakira concert
-
Celtics' Tatum ruled out for decisive game seven against Sixers
-
Wolff heralds Antonelli speed as teen joins Senna and Schumacher in record books
-
Senior Iranian officer says fresh conflict with US 'likely'
-
Barcelona on verge of Liga title, Villarreal secure top four
-
Teen F1 leader Antonelli takes Miami Grand Prix pole
-
Porto edge Alverca to clinch Portuguese league title
-
US airlines step up as Spirit winds down
-
Barcelona on verge of La Liga title defence with win at Osasuna
-
Drugmaker asks US Supreme Court to restore abortion pill access
-
Schalke return to Bundesliga after three-year absence
-
NATO, top Republicans question US troop withdrawal from Germany
-
Napoli frustrate Como in costly Serie A stalemate
-
Illegal party at French military site draws up to 40,000 ravers
-
Arsenal hit stride to go six points clear, West Ham loss offers Spurs hope
-
Arsenal go six points clear as Gyokeres double sinks Fulham
-
PSG fringe team held by Lorient as Bayern Munich return leg looms
-
Clinical Chennai down Mumbai to keep playoff hopes alive
-
Napoli and Como play out goalless draw in Serie A
-
Murphy into World Snooker Championship final after edging Higgins
-
PSG held by Lorient with fringe team ahead of Bayern Munich return leg
-
Aviation companies step up as Spirit winds down
-
Champion Norris leads Piastri home in sprint 1-2 triumph for McLaren
-
UK PM says some pro-Palestinian marches could be banned
-
The Puma out of Kentucky Derby, leaving 19 starters
-
'Bookless bookstore': audio-only book shop opens in New York
-
Kostyuk defeats Andreeva to claim first Madrid Open title
-
Leinster survive Toulon scare to reach Champions Cup final
-
Villarreal secure Champions League spot, rotated Atletico win
-
'Relieved' Inoue outlasts Nakatani in Tokyo Dome superfight
Kostyuk defeats Andreeva to claim first Madrid Open title
Marta Kostyuk defeated Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 7-5 to win the Madrid Open for the first time on Saturday.
It was world number 23 Kostyuk's first trophy at WTA 1000 level and her second title of the season.
She became only the second player outside of the top 20 to win the Madrid Open, in her third final of an impressive 2026 thus far.
Kostyuk won when she met Andreeva in Brisbane earlier this year in their only prior meeting.
The Ukrainian secured the first break to take a 4-2 lead in the opening set, with world number eight Andreeva struggling to handle her opponent's superior power.
The 23-year-old Rouen Open winner spurned her first set point with a double fault but captured the second when Andreeva went long.
The Russian, who became favourite to win the tournament after Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated, made too many mistakes in the first set and Kostyuk was only too happy to take advantage of them.
Playing in her first WTA 1000 final, Kostyuk broke in the first game of the second set with Andreeva volleying into the net.
However, the 19-year-old broke back with a fizzing return down-the-line to tie at 1-1.
The players exchanged breaks again in the fourth and fifth games, before Kostyuk showed great resilience to save two set points and hold for 5-5.
Andreeva double faulted to give her opponent a 6-5 lead and the chance to serve for the title.
Kostyuk opened up three championship points and spurned the first two but triumphed when Andreeva sent a backhand long, collapsing to the floor in joy.
L.Wyss--VB