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Josh Ball

Here we are, it’s Monday again, which means bleary eyes at work for those of us who can’t not watch sport when it’s actually taking place. And there was a lot overnight.
The US Open, the first Sunday of the NFL season, cricket, football, a little bit of rugby, even baseball if that’s your poison. If there was a sportsbook in Hong Kong, they’d make a killing.
And let’s be honest, for a city that just splashed out HK$1.3 billion on the first day of racing, you have to question why there isn’t. Anyway, here’s a quick look at what happened while some of you were sleeping.
What drugs row?
Jannik Sinner came into the US Open under a cloud of suspicion and with questions swirling around tennis’ drug testing policies. He ended it with a brutal display of baseline power to become the first Italian man to win the tournament.

Sinner held his arms aloft in celebration after breaking Fritz to clinch the title 6-3, 6-4, 7-5, and cheers rang around Arthur Ashe Stadium, even though home fans had hoped to see Fritz end a 21-year US men’s grand slam drought.
The top seed blocked out the off-court noise in New York and with the win claimed his second grand slam title after victory in the Australian Open earlier this year.
So long, Paris
I’ll be honest, you almost got The Sound of Music on this one, especially as Rogers and Hammerstein are closer in generation to one of the 24 DJs who helped the world’s Paralympians party in the French capital.
But ‘farewell, auf weidersehen and goodbye’ are almost de rigueur, so instead, you sort of get Taylor Swift. Although the closing ceremony was more of a glorious goodbye in the rain than an ode to lost love.
Paris 2024 ended as it started, with showers in the French capital, but with a festive atmosphere and electro-party at the Stade de France, that included the seemingly ageless Jean-Michel Jarre – 76 for those who are wondering.
Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 president, urged the spectators and viewers not to forget “this summer when France was happy”. Which given the default position of many Parisians, who might also disagree with his belief that “nobody wants these Games to come to an end,” was certainly worth mentioning.
I’m sorry, how much?

If you needed any further evidence of a world gone mad, then I give you the latest “richest contract ever” in American football.
For reasons best known to themselves the Dallas Cowboys have decided to reward quarterback Dak Prescott, a player who has yet to win anything of importance, with a staggering four-year, US$240 million contract extension.
That includes US$231 million guaranteed – for throwing a football. Unsurprisingly, he’s the highest-paid player in NFL history, although only by US$1 million. Deshaun Watson, of the Cleveland Browns, got US$230 million last year. I’m sure they’re worth every cent.
They might be Giants, one day
Prescott’s contract news came hours before the regular NFL season got under way in earnest, and you might still be able to hear the boos from New York.
Never the most forgiving bunch of people, after a pretty poor 2023, New York Giants fans got to show disproval early this season, as their side lost 28-6 at home to the Minnesota Vikings.
To make matters worse, the Vikings have New York Jets cast off Sam Darnold under centre this season.
Chicago Bears fans, meanwhile, got a first look at much-hyped No 1 draft pick Caleb Williams and it wasn’t pretty. Williams managed just 93 passing yards in a 24-17 victory, in which special teams and the defence scored all the Bears’ points.
Best of the rest

Sri Lanka are on the verge of a memorable win over England after an enthralling third day of the third Test at The Oval left them needing 219 runs to win.
The home side were bowled out for 156, and Sri Lanka ended the day on 94-1. “It certainly hasn’t been our best day of the summer,” said England assistant coach Paul Collingwood.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the 901st time in his side’s 2-1 Nations League win over Scotland, who have now lost six of their nine matches in 2024, with their only victory coming in a friendly against Gibraltar in June.
England’s Matt Wallace shot an even-par 70 as he limped over the line in Switzerland to claim the Omega European Masters. Wallace finished tied with Alfredo Garcia-Heredia on 11-under, and beat the Spaniard in a play-off to claim his first DP World Tour title in six years. Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho carded a two-over 74 to finish on six-over for the tournament.


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

Sinner wins US Open, Paris says goodbye to Games, what happened overnight in world of sport

Fireworks explode above the Stade de France during the closing ceremony for the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Photo: Reuters

Jannik Sinner hits a return against Taylor Fritz during their men’s singles final at the US Open. Photo: EPA-EFE

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott celebrates a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns on the opening weekend. Photo: AP

Matt Wallace lines up a putt during the fourth and final round of the DP World Tour’s Omega European Masters. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong racing season off to flying start, with best opening day since pandemic struck

Chief Executive John Lee strikes the gong to open the racing season at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photo: Kenneth Chan

John Lee presents jockey Zac Purton with his Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) spoils. Photo: Kenneth Chan

Fans enjoy the first day of the new racing season at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photo: Sam Tsang

A healthy crowd enjoys the first day of the 2024-25 season at Sha Tin on Sunday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Fans try to stay dry at a rainy Sha Tin on Sunday. Photo: Sam Tsang

HKJC

Siobhan Haughey not yet ‘fully committed’ to competing at LA Olympic Games in 2028

Siobhan Haughey takes selfies with fans as she discussed the 2028 Olympic Games at an event held in a Taikoo shopping centre. Photo: Elson Li

Popular Siobhan Haughey poses for photographs with fans at a meet and greet in Hong Kong. Photo: Elson Li

Crowds of supporters line up to meet Hong Kong’s Olympic hero Siobhan Haughey. Photo: Elson Li

Sport

Hong Kong

Drugs row, what drugs row? Jannik Sinner shakes off noise to make history in New York, where fans are facing another miserable NFL season


Drugs row, what drugs row? Jannik Sinner shakes off noise to make history in New York, where fans are facing another miserable NFL season.
