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Josh Ball

I know we’re all still trying to get over the stunning news that Jennifer Lopez has left Ben Affleck, which was about as surprising as learning the US had covered up failed drugs tests among its athletes, so here’s something to warm the cockles of your heart.
Having had so much fun relaying the events of the Paris Olympics, keeping you up to date on Tom Cruise zip-lining from a ceiling and general goings on in France, we’ve decided this is now going to be a daily occurrence.
This then, is what happened while you were sleeping.
It’s been emotional
Where else would we start but the US Open, and another busy day at Flushing Meadows.

Having recovered from the disappointment of only winning bronze at the Paris Olympics, world No 1 and French Open champion Iga Swiatek launched her bid for a second grand slam title of the year with a relatively simple 6-4, 7-6 victory over determined lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova.
The only sign of a wobble came in the second set, when Swiatek was broken as she served for the match and the found herself 6-3 down in the tiebreaker. But against an opponent ranked 103 places below her, that was more of an inconvenience than a real problem.
In another unsurprising development, Naomi Osaka said there were nearly tears – when aren’t there – on her return to the tournament. The emotion didn’t stop her swatting aside 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-2.
Meanwhile, China’s interest in the men’s singles took a beating, with Zhang Zhizhen limping out of his first round match with Jack Draper. The Brit was leading 6-3, 6-0, 4-0 when his opponent retired.
On the move

We’re almost at the end of the summer transfer window, which means at some point Chelsea are going to sign another player no one has heard of on a 20-year contract and stick him in the squad just to really upset Raheem Sterling.
Until then, it’s Brighton who are splashing the cash, this time a reported £25 million (US$33 million) on Turkey international full-back Ferdi Kadioglu from Fenerbahce.
Brighton have now made eight signings this transfer window for just short of £200 million, which is pocket change to the Saudis, who have relieved Manchester City of full-back Joao Cancelo for the very reasonable sum of €25 million (US$28 million).
The Portugal international is on the way to Al Hilal, ending a less-than-happy five-year stay at City, who he joined for £60 million from Juventus. That loss might have hurt some clubs, for the Qatari-backed Premier League champions, not so much.
That’ll be all Sargeant

How bad do you have to be to get ditched by a Formula One team with nine races still to go? Apparently driving into a wall having failed to score a single point all season will do the trick.
And no, surprisingly, we’re not talking about Zhou Guanyu, who has at least managed the bare minimum of keeping his car on the track, if nothing else.
No, it’s Williams Racing who have made the move, finally done with the special talents of Logan Sargeant, they have turned to F2 driver Franco Colapinto for the remainder of the F1 year.
Sargeant, 23, was the only American driver on the F1 circuit. He ranks 20th out of 21 drivers in the standings with zero top-10 finishes in 14 races. He placed 11th at the British Grand Prix on July 7.
James Vowles, the team principal, said the change gave Williams “the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season”.
For the record, Sauber drivers Zhou and teammate Valtteri Bottas, are 19th and 21st on the list, respectively. Over to you, Mattia Binotto.
The magic of the cup

About as important as the Senior Shield in Hong Kong, and exactly the same when it comes to shoehorning games into a season that absolutely needs more football, the EFL Cup was taking place overnight.
Although, in Everton’s case, this might actually be the only opportunity for success and they saw off the mighty Doncaster Rovers 3-0 on Tuesday at Goodison Park, for their first win of the season.
There was even a hint of better things to come, or at least the potential not to be relegated, with the display of new signing Iliman Ndiaye, who scored on his full debut.
On a night of zero upsets, Brighton thrashed Crawley Town 4-0, and there were also wins for top-flight sides Fulham, Leicester and Crystal Palace. I will not be taking questions on Blackburn Rovers’ loss to Blackpool.
A horse, a horse
Is nowhere safe from Taylor Swift?
The pop star’s three-time Super Bowl-winning boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has bought an ownership stake in a racehorse named Swift Delivery.
The three-year-old gelding, that’s the horse not Kelce, has won his past two starts, each at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, after finishing no better than third in his first six.
Ridden by jockey Patrick Husbands, Swift Delivery’s next start is on Saturday in a one-mile race at Woodbine.


Spurs fans turn on Postecoglou, Newcastle down Wolves, US Solheim win, what happened overnight

Haaland strikes twice, Forest stun Liverpool, what happened overnight in world of sport

Livingstone leads England revival, United beat City, what happened overnight in world of sport

Man City charges date set, Wada cleared in China case, what happened overnight in world of sport

While you were sleeping

Naomi Osaka gets emotional, Everton finally win a game, Travis Kelce buys a Swift horse

Naomi Osaka celebrates winning a point against Jelena Ostapenko during their first round women’s singles match at the US Open. Photo: EPA-EFE

French Open champion Iga Swiatek is chasing her second grand slam title of 2024. Photo: AFP

Turkey defender Ferdi Kadioglu has joined English Premier League side Brighton. Photo: Reuters

Williams driver Logan Sargeant walks away from his car after crashing during the third free practice ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. Photo: AP

Everton striker Iliman Ndiaye (left) celebrates with teammate Idrissa Gueye after scoring his side’s second against Doncaster Rovers. Photo: AFP

While you were sleeping: golden cockroach, interpretive dance, Tom Cruise close Olympics

The Golden Voyager stands atop a pile of masked dancers in a performance during the closing ceremony. Photo: Reuters

Gabby Williams (15) of France makes a basket as the clock hits zero in the women’s basketball final. Photo: AP

Phoenix perform in the Stade de France during the ceremony. Photo: Reuters

Tom Cruise rides his motorbike with the Olympic flag attached near the end of the closing ceremony. Photo: AP

While you were sleeping: China hit 39 gold as medal race goes down to the wire in Paris

China’s Li Qian poses with her gold medal, the country’s 39th of the Paris Olympics, after winning the women’s 75kg boxing final. Photo: AP

China’s Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi compete in the duet free routine of artistic swimming. Photo: AP

Gold medallist Lin Yu-ting celebrates on the podium after winning the women’s 57kg boxing final. Photo: AFP

Canada’s Phil Wizard claimed gold in the men’s breaking event. Photo: Reuters

While you were sleeping: Dutch courage, baffling US mistakes – Olympics day 14 had it all

Netherlands’ goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal, right, and teammates celebrate after winning the women’s hockey gold medal match against China. Photo: AP

Christian Coleman (right) of the United States, struggles to hand the baton to teammate Kenneth Bednarek, in the men’s 4x100-metre relay final. Photo: AP

China celebrate scoring against the Netherlands in the final of the women’s hockey. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Yang Liu (left) lands a strong right during her gold medal bout against Algeria’s Imane Khelif. Photo: AP

Sport

Hong Kong

The US Open, the EFL Cup, transfer news, and a long overdue driver change in F1, it’s all been happening overnight


The US Open, the EFL Cup, transfer news, and a long overdue driver change in F1, it’s all been happening overnight.


Hong Kong sports