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Andrew Cesare Richardson

The relative calm before the storm.
As we approach the weekend and sporting chaos returns, it’s the last days of relative quiet.
But even when there’s not much on, Manchester City fans still seem to have a lot to celebrate.
So here are the main sporting headlines from while you were sleeping.
Pep staying

Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year extension at City, which will keep him at the club until 2027.
While you were sleeping on Tuesday, we brought you the rumours a new deal had been agreed – and you weren’t dreaming. It’s now official.
The news comes amid City’s worst run of form under the super Spaniard, having lost each of their last four matches in all competitions.
“I felt I could not leave now, simple as that,” he said. “Don’t ask me the reason why.
“Maybe the four defeats were the reason why and I felt I cannot leave. I felt the club still want me or had the fact that we were together and that’s the reason why we sign.”
City face Tottenham next before welcoming Feyenoord in the Uefa Champions League and then a mammoth clash with Liverpool to kick off December.
Should Guardiola remain until the end of his deal, he would have been with the club for 11 seasons.
Davis Cup final four set

Defending champions Italy will meet Australia in the Davis Cup semi-finals as both teams needed a decider to triumph in their quarter-finals.
First, Australia reached the last four for the third consecutive year with a 2-1 victory over the United States as Matt Ebden and Jordan Thompson beat surprise, last-minute pairing Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-4 in the deciding doubles match.
Australia took a 1-0 lead thanks to Thanasi Kokkinakis’ thrilling 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 victory against Shelton, but world No 4 Taylor Fritz then levelled the tie with a 6-3, 6-4 success over Alex de Minaur just a week on from their ATP Finals clash.
Later, Italian duo Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berettini beat Argentina’s Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 6-4, 7-5.
Francisco Cerundolo had given Argentina a 1-0 lead when he beat Wimbledon semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-1.
But World No 1 Sinner followed up his recent ATP Finals success with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-1 victory over Sebastian Baez to take it to the deciding doubles clash.
Into the next round
Guardiola’s extension wasn’t the only piece of good news for City fans on Thursday as their women’s side booked their place in the UWCL knockout stages with 2-1 victory over Hammarby thanks to Bunny Shaw’s goals either side of half-time.
It maintains their perfect record in Group D after four matches, which included their famous victory over holders Barcelona, who won 4-1 away to Austrian side St Polten.
In Group C, Arsenal also booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Juventus thanks to an 89th-minute winner from Lina Hurtig. In the reverse meeting, the Gunners had won 4-0 in Turin.
Bayern Munich lead the so-called Group of Death with 10 points despite being pegged back in the 88th minute to draw 1-1 against Valerenga.
Zhao eyes glory
Chinese snooker player Zhao Xintong said he can “beat anybody” after returning to the sport following his “little mistake”.
Zhao, one of 10 players suspended in a corruption scandal, made his comeback after 20 months to qualify for the UK Championship.
“Two years ago I made a little mistake, now I’ve come back,” he said. “I know how important snooker is to me and now I just want to come back to the snooker table.”
Zhao won the tournament in 2021 and, ahead of his round one clash with former world champion Shaun Murphy, added: “These two years have been very long for me, I’ve practised every day.
“I knew I would come back so I need to keep confident in myself. I believe that if I play well then I can beat anybody. I’m just going to try my best.”
And finally …
New government reforms mean Hong Kong sporting bodies could face ruin if they fail to meet the standards.
Elsewhere, Nitithorn Thippong tops the leaderboard at the Hong Kong Open as we head into the weekend, where we hope for better weather.
And did you read about the Italian side who hired three different managers in a single day?


Pep Guardiola extends Manchester City stay, Italy v Argentina in Davis Cup semi-finals

Chelsea, Real Madrid earning UWCL wins, Italy clinching BJK Cup among sporting headlines

Guardiola to stay, Nadal’s Davis Cup farewell starts with defeat plus Uefa Nations League

Hong Kong’s conquerors lose to world’s worst side – again, Australia down Pakistan in T20

While you were sleeping

Pep Guardiola has signed a contract extension with Manchester City which could keep him at the club for 11 years. Photo: Reuters

Pep Guardiola is in the midst of his worst run of form at Manchester City with four consecutive defeats. Photo: Reuters

Jannik Sinner, left, and Italy captain Filippo Volandri embrace as Matteo Berrettini celebrates. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong sports bodies face ruin if they fail to meet standards, bosses welcome direction

Edgar Yang (left), honorary secretary-general of the SF&OC, and vice-president Kenneth Fok meet the media after the release of the code of governance report. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong, China Table Tennis Association chairman Tony Yue says NSAs have to accountable. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Duncan Chiu, chairman of Hong Kong Squash, hopes for flexibility around board governance. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Hong Kong Open champion Andrey Rublev praises local support as he returns to defend title

Hong Kong Open tennis champion Andrey Rublev returns in 2025 to defend his 2024 title. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Hong Kong No 1 Coleman Wong is looking to break into the world’s top 100 in 2025. Photo: Edmond So

Ex-Serie A side Piacenza sack 2 managers in a day, with 1 fired after sole training session

Italian fourth-tier side Piacenza sacked three managers in a single day. Photo: Getty Images

Sport

Football

Thursday was a doubly positive evening for Man City fans, while there were the final Davis Cup quarter-final ties


Thursday was a doubly positive evening for Man City fans, while there were the final Davis Cup quarter-final ties.
