PARIS, May 25 — US Open champion Emma Raducanu was knocked out of the French Open today, losing to Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 in the second round.

The British 12th seed, making her professional debut this year at Roland Garros, had also lost to 47th-ranked Sasnovich at Indian Wells in 2021 in her first match since her shock US Open victory.

“After the first set, I thought I couldn’t win so I just played it point by point,” said the 28-year-old Sasnovich.

Raducanu hit 33 unforced errors and paid the price for not converting five break points in the third game of the decider.

Sasnovich will be playing in the third round in Paris for the first time when she faces either Germany’s Angelique Kerber, a three-time major winner, or French wildcard Elsa Jacquemot. — AFP

BARCELONA, May 24 — Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel turned detective to try to track down the thieves who stole his bag in Barcelona on Monday but managed to recover only the ear pods whose signal he was following.

An Aston Martin team spokesman said the German had the bag stolen in the city after competing in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

'He tried to find it by using his iPhone to track his earphones which were in his bag, but when he located his earphones he found them abandoned and was therefore unable to locate his stolen bag,' he said.

No further details were given other than that nobody was hurt.

Spanish media reported the incident happened at around 0800 local time when Vettel momentarily left the bag unattended in an unlocked car. — Reuters

LONDON, May 23 — Aston Villa today announced the signing of Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara on a five-year contract.

The 22-year-old, who has just won his first call-up to the France national team, will join Steven Gerrard’s side following the expiry of his contract with the French club at the end of June.

His signing comes after Villa made Philippe Coutinho’s loan from Barcelona permanent earlier this month.

Kamara made 170 appearances for Marseille after coming through the club’s youth ranks, scoring four goals.

Marseille finished as runners-up in Ligue 1 this season and reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

“I am delighted that we have been able to attract one of the most promising young talents in European football,” said Gerrard, whose side finished 14th in the Premier League.

“We have a very clear plan to make our team stronger and Bouba is an important part of that.” — AFP

MANCHESTER, May 23 — Two men have been charged following Manchester City's Premier League game against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, police said, after fans poured onto pitch to celebrate their title win.

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement Phillip Maxwell, 28, had been charged with throwing a missile (pyrotechnic) onto the pitch, while Paul Colbridge, 37, had been charged with going onto the field.

Both were bailed ahead of court appearances.

Villa boss Steven Gerrard said goalkeeper Robin Olsen was attacked in the post-match celebrations, with City issuing a statement apologising for the incident and launching an investigation into it. Police said enquiries into the assault are ongoing. — Bernama

TULSA, May 23 — Justin Thomas beat Will Zalatoris in a three-hole playoff to win the PGA Championship on Sunday, after Chile's Mito Pereira blew a one-shot lead on the final hole.

The playoff ended a day of pulsating drama at Southern Hills Country Club that saw Thomas stage one of the greatest fight backs in majors history and Pereira suffer one of the most calamitous collapses.

Seven back at the start of the final round, Thomas seized his chance in the three hole aggregate playoff hoisting the Wanamaker trophy with a par on the 18th to beat Zalatoris by one.

It was the second major victory for Thomas who also won the 2017 PGA Championship. — Reuters