BAD DAY IS ‘BRUTAL’ FOR EXHAUSTED EMMA

EMMA RADUCANU suffered an error-strewn 6-2, 6-2 defeat to qualifier Maria Lourdes Carle in the first round of the Madrid Open to put the brakes on an upturn in form.

Former US Open champion Raducanu said she was feeling ‘mentally and emotionally exhausted’ and was left to reflect that ‘the sport is just pretty brutal’.

Her Billie Jean King Cup captain Anne Keothavong, on commentary duty for Sky Sports, said: ‘She’s just slapping at forehands. Those last few points, they just aren’t good enough. It’s poor. You can’t emotionally checkout now.’

British qualifier Harriet Dart went down 6-4, 6-4 to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa but Jack Draper is through to the men’s second round, beating Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

FOOTBALL

FORMER Manchester United and Manchester City star Carlos Tevez has been taken to a Buenos Aires hospital after suffering chest pains.

The 40-year-old former striker, who also played for West Ham, now manages in his homeland with Independiente, who said initial checks were clear but that Tevez was being kept in for additional tests.

THEY SAID IT FOOTBALL

TOM CLEVERLEY has been appointed head coach of Championship Watford on a permanent deal.

The 34-year-old former England midfielder replaced the sacked Valerien Ismael on an interim basis in March.

‘The beauty of what I do is different to a lot of guys. Not necessarily having the power but I can use my skills to find ways to get on top.’ Test opener Ben Duckett feels his abilities could complement England’s big-hitters in the defence of their T20 World Cup crown in June