Britain’s Sonay Kartal overcame a back injury and a one-set deficit to stun former Australian Open champion Madison Keys and reach the fourth round at Indian Wells.
The 24-year-old dropped the opening set before rallying to secure a 2-6 6-2 6-3 victory over the American 15th seed in just under two hours.
She revealed she was still struggling with a physical issue that previously forced a medical timeout during her second-round triumph against Emma Navarro.
“At times in this match I was in discomfort with my back, so it’s a match like today which shows the fighter in me.”
Speaking to BBC Sport, the confident British number two declared that she feels capable of beating anyone on any given day in California.
Historic milestone in California
With this impressive turnaround, the world number 54 becomes the first British woman to reach the fourth round at the prestigious WTA 1000 tournament twice.
Her run to the same stage last year served as a breakthrough moment, propelling the rising star to a career-high ranking of 44 earlier in 2025.
The resilient right-hander must now prioritise her recovery before facing reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina in the last 16.
“I didn’t really practise yesterday so I gave it as much recovery as I could, so I think now it’s about getting recovered and doing the same exact thing to get back on the court in the next couple of days.”
Kartal admitted the ongoing back ailment remains a significant hindrance heading into the crucial next phase of the competition.
Defending champion Andreeva exits
Elsewhere in the desert, world number 44 Katerina Siniakova produced another major upset by eliminating defending champion Mirra Andreeva.
The Czech navigated a gruelling two-hour and 48-minute battle to defeat the Russian eighth seed 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.
Third seed Rybakina secured her upcoming spot against Kartal following a hard-fought straight-sets victory over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.
World number two Iga Swiatek also advanced after overcoming Maria Sakkari, while American fifth seed Jessica Pegula fought back to defeat Jelena Ostapenko.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri is facing a police inquiry after neighbours complained the player was flying a drone outside their apartment windows.
Residents in the apartment complex contacted Greater Manchester Police, claiming the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner was invading their privacy with the device.
Footage circulated on social media appears to show the Spain international operating a drone near the high-rise properties.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they are looking into the matter following the residents’ concerns.
“We have received a complaint and officers are making enquiries.”
Residents express privacy concerns
Neighbours allege the drone has repeatedly flown close to their windows, causing distress and fears that they are being observed in their own homes.
One affected resident described the unsettling experience of seeing the device hovering a metre away while watching television.
“My wife is very unnerved by it.”
“One of the benefits of living so high up is that you’re not overlooked by anyone, but now we are being plagued by Rodri and his drone.”
Another local reported seeing a green flashing light outside their window before watching the device return to the midfielder’s penthouse patio.
FA disciplinary action and injury issues
This off-field controversy follows closely on the heels of a disciplinary sanction handed down to the former Atletico Madrid star earlier this week.
On Monday, the Football Association fined the City anchor £80,000 and issued a formal warning regarding his future conduct.
The punishment related to an explosive post-match interview following City’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in February, where he accused referee Rob Jones of lacking neutrality.
The player subsequently issued a written apology to the FA, acknowledging that his comments fell below professional standards.
On the pitch, the Spanish talisman is attempting to put a frustrating, injury-hit period behind him as the current campaign reaches its crucial final stages.
After a serious knee injury heavily disrupted his previous season, he has managed 24 appearances this year despite ongoing groin and hamstring issues.
McLaren have expressed frustration over a lack of engine data sharing from Mercedes following a heavy defeat at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
The Woking-based outfit struggled to match the pace of their powertrain suppliers during the first race of Formula 1’s new era.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris could only manage a fifth-place finish at Albert Park after qualifying more than 0.8 seconds off pole.
The British driver ultimately crossed the line a staggering 51 seconds behind race winner George Russell.
Power unit complexities
The updated regulations have introduced a near equal split between internal combustion and electrical power.
This significant rule change has placed a premium on energy recovery systems and complex software management.
While manufacturers must supply identical hardware to customer teams, they are not obligated to share exploitation data.
This regulatory loophole appears to have handed the Mercedes works team a massive early advantage.
Stella demands answers
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella highlighted severe deficits on the GPS overlays during the weekend.
The Italian boss noted his cars were losing significant lap time between Turn Six and Turn Nine due to inferior energy deployment.
“We remain a little puzzled by the difference we see in the data between the speed of our car and the speed of other cars using the same power unit.”
“The discussion with HPP about having more information has been going on for weeks.”
Adapting to a chaotic new era
Stella added that his engineers have been forced into a reactive approach, analysing limited track data rather than having access to comprehensive operational guidelines.
Mercedes dominated the event entirely, securing a commanding one-two finish as rookie Kimi Antonelli followed Russell home.
Ferrari completed the podium through Charles Leclerc, leaving the previous constructors’ champions scrambling for answers.
Norris previously described driving the latest generation of cars as chaotic, warning that the steep learning curve could lead to major accidents.
Tottenham Hotspur plan to sell captain Cristian Romero this summer to fund a squad rebuild, regardless of whether they avoid Premier League relegation.
The north London club currently sit 16th in the top flight, lingering just a single point above the drop zone.
Manager Thomas Frank was recently replaced by Igor Tudor in an attempt to salvage their dismal domestic campaign.
However, club executives are already preparing for a massive summer overhaul irrespective of their final league position.
Social media criticism
The Argentine defender was named club captain after signing a new contract last year following failed attempts to secure a transfer.
The 27-year-old has endured a fractured season, missing six matches through suspension while publicly expressing frustration at the club hierarchy.
Taking to social media recently, the South American centre-back heavily criticised the perceived lack of leadership above him.
At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don’t – as has been happening for several years now.
They only show up when things are going well.
I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available – unbelievable but true and disgraceful.
Atletico interest and rebuild
A departure now appears mutually beneficial for both the World Cup winner and his current employers.
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have emerged as potential suitors for the uncompromising defender.
Intriguingly, the two sides are scheduled to meet shortly in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The former Atalanta loanee initially arrived in England in 2021 and has since amassed 152 appearances for the Lilywhites.
Further summer departures expected
The impending squad clearance could see several other high-profile departures from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and Spanish full-back Pedro Porro are reportedly among the notable names available for transfer.
European football’s governing body has expressed serious concerns that the Premier League’s new squad cost ratio rules will severely damage competitive balance across the continent.
England’s top-flight clubs recently voted to implement a new spending system for the upcoming season.
This framework permits teams to allocate up to 85% of their revenue on player costs, potentially rising to 115% under specific complex conditions.
In stark contrast, the continental authority strictly enforces a 70% limit for any side competing in European competition.
Financial Stability at Risk
This discrepancy means English clubs failing to qualify for continental tournaments will enjoy significantly higher spending power than their overseas rivals.
Officials in Nyon fear this unequal playing field will force European institutions into taking dangerous financial risks to retain their top talent.
However, the English top tier firmly rejects these claims, insisting their bespoke regulations are designed to maintain domestic competitiveness.
The organisation remains strongly opposed to adopting a single uniform financial fair play system.
‘Worrying Concentration of Talent’
English dominance is already evident this season, with a record nine domestic sides reaching the knockout stages across all three European tournaments.
No other nation comes close to that tally, as Spain retains six active participants while Germany has five.
Andrea Traverso, the governing body’s director of financial sustainability, recently highlighted these stark economic inequalities.
“The Premier League alone now generates a quarter of all European club revenues,” said Traverso.
“With more spending power on top, this will create tensions in the market.”
Widespread Market Inequality
Traverso also noted that approximately 40% of the world’s most valuable footballers are currently contracted to English employers.
“But many are sitting on the bench or, even worse, in the stands,” he added.
“This is an extraordinary and worrying concentration of talent.”
Continental divisions are already taking steps to secure their own economic futures in response to the growing financial gulf.
The German Bundesliga recently voted to adopt a strict 70% cost threshold.
Meanwhile, Italy’s Serie A is actively discussing total alignment with the European governing body’s financial framework.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has appointed his former Paris St-Germain team-mate Gabriel Heinze as assistant coach to help end the club’s 22-year wait for a Premier League title.
After three consecutive runner-up finishes in the English top flight, the Gunners’ boss was left searching for the final piece of his championship puzzle.
The North London club responded by signing eight new players during a busy summer transfer window.
However, the most crucial addition to the dugout saw the former Argentina defender replace outgoing assistant Carlos Cuesta.
Forged in the French capital
The tactical mastermind and his new right-hand man first crossed paths in Paris back in 2001.
They were united under the management of Luis Fernandez, who signed the young Spaniard from Barcelona and the combative centre-back from Real Valladolid.
“It was a pleasure to manage them. What’s great is they haven’t changed.”
“They’re exactly the same today; loyal, hard-working people. When I see what they’re doing at Arsenal, I’m very proud.”
Fernandez warmly reflects on his time managing the dedicated pair.
A crucial brotherhood
Turning to a trusted figure who acted as a protective older sibling during their early playing days feels highly significant for the 42-year-old manager.
The Basque tactician was just 18 when he left his homeland for a daunting new challenge abroad.
He recently described those foundational 18 months in France as a life-changing experience that ultimately ignited his desire to coach.
That star-studded squad featured massive personalities, meaning the two recruits shared a dressing room with global icons like Ronaldinho and Mauricio Pochettino.
Overcoming early struggles
Life away from home initially proved difficult for the introverted midfield prospect.
“Mikel was living in a hotel that was quite basic. It was winter, the weather was cold and grey.”
Yves Ribardiere, the team’s former player liaison officer, remembers those challenging early days.
Pochettino, then an established 28-year-old international, initially took the teenager under his wing as a father figure.
“Gabi was closer to Mikel’s age and more like a brother.”
Former defender Didier Domi recalls the rapidly evolving team dynamic.
A shared winning mentality
Despite a four-year age gap, an immediate chemistry blossomed between the two talents.
Their bond was cemented through intense training sessions and shared family time away from the pitch.
The fiery South American was renowned as a fierce competitor who demanded absolute perfection from his peers.
In contrast, his younger counterpart operated as an elegant playmaker with exceptional technical qualities.
Edouard Cisse, who partnered the current Arsenal boss in midfield, insists the passionate duo shared a relentless drive that now underpins their title ambition.
The United States defeated Mexico 5-3 in the World Baseball Classic at Houston’s Daikin Park on Monday night, driven by a crucial third-inning home run from Aaron Judge.
Roman Anthony also delivered a three-run blast during that decisive third inning to help secure the victory.
This triumph improves the American squad’s Group B record to 3-0 ahead of their upcoming clash with Italy.
Securing a win against the undefeated Italians on Tuesday would guarantee the host nation a spot in this weekend’s quarter-finals.
Skenes shines as Americans avenge past defeat
Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes delivered a dominant pitching performance to stifle the opposition.
The talented starter allowed just a single hit and struck out seven batters across four flawless innings.
His efforts on the mound helped his country avenge an 11-5 loss suffered against the same opponents during the 2023 tournament.
A hostile, sellout crowd of 41,628 fans watched the action unfold, providing a predominantly pro-Mexico atmosphere inside the stadium.
Duran provides resistance with two home runs
Jarren Duran proved to be the standout performer for the defeated side by hitting two impressive home runs.
The Mexican slugger launched a solo shot off Matthew Boyd in the sixth inning before repeating the feat in the eighth.
Reliever Griffin Jax was eventually required to escape a late jam, inducing a double-play from Alejandro Kirk to end the eighth-inning threat.
Mexico now hold a 2-1 tournament record and must defeat Italy on Wednesday to keep their own progression hopes alive.
Defending champion Jack Draper has advanced to the fourth round at Indian Wells by defeating Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-1 7-5 to set up a clash with Novak Djokovic.
The 24-year-old Briton cruised through the opening set before facing a much stiffer challenge from the 19th seed in the second.
Cerundolo threatened to force a decider after breaking serve to take a 5-4 lead.
However, the South American faltered when attempting to serve out the set, allowing his opponent to seize back control.
The world number 14 broke back immediately, survived a precarious 15-40 deficit in the following game, and broke once more to secure his first career victory over Cerundolo.
Djokovic awaits as returning star sheds rust
His reward for overcoming the tricky clay-court specialist is a formidable meeting with third seed Djokovic on Wednesday.
The five-time tournament winner booked his spot by dispatching American Aleksandar Kovacevic in three sets.
Draper is currently navigating his return to the tour following an eight-month hiatus caused by severe bone bruising in his serving arm.
Prior to arriving in California, the title holder had managed just two ATP-level appearances since the latter half of 2025.
Despite showing understandable signs of rust in a three-set opening victory against Roberto Bautista Agut, his clinical edge was entirely evident against Cerundolo.
Norrie applies pressure in rankings battle
The reigning champion entered the prestigious tournament knowing an early exit could result in a steep drop out of the world’s top 30.
He also faces intense competition to retain his status as the British number one.
Former Indian Wells winner Cameron Norrie ensured he remains firmly in that race with an impressive 6-4 6-4 victory over eighth seed Alex de Minaur.
If Norrie manages to progress a round further in the draw than his compatriot, he will reclaim the top national ranking.