Writing

Writing

Notes, previews and analysis by Anastasia Dudkina. Subscribe via RSS.

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  Hard-court swing 2026: Sinner and Sabalenka lead the board

  Jul 27, 2026

  The hard-court swing is here, and with it the North American run to the US Open. Two big odds favorites head the field on both sides: world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, back on his favorite surface after breaking several records this year, and Aryna Sabalenka, aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win three straight in New York.

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  World Cup 2026: the favourites held up

  Jul 24, 2026

  Six of the seven shortest-odds nations already had a World Cup title, and in the end the winner was a repeat victor — favourite Spain, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time.