Djokovic to miss open

Tennis: Novak Djokovic has had to admit defeat in his bid to play at the US Open, accepting that his unvaccinated status means he cannot travel to New York for next week’s grand slam.

The 21time slam winner, who’d been dreaming of drawing level with Rafael Nadal’s record mark of 22 at Flushing Meadows, had hoped the US authorities might change longstanding rules to allow noncitizens without a coronavirus vaccine to enter.

He announced the news on social media just before the official draw for the tournament was due to be made yesterday.

‘‘Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support,’’ Djokovic said on Twitter. —AAP with a match against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic, but things could get tough quickly for the 23times Grand Slam champion, with second seed Anett Kontaveit possibly awaiting the winner.

The tournament draw released yesterday did Williams no favours, the 40yearold American landing in the bottom quarter where fifthseeded Tunisian Ons Jabeur, the Wimbledon runnerup, 10thseeded Russian Daria Kasatkina and last year’s losing finalist Leylah Fernandez of Canada all lurk.

Williams signalled her intention to retire this month, saying she was ‘‘evolving away from tennis’’, but never confirmed the US Open was her final event. — Reuters close yesterday, with Bairstow 38 not out and opener Zak Crawley playing a crucial supporting role on 17 from 77 balls.

The fourthwicket partnership of 68 put England in a promising position after they had struggled early on, left at 43 for three after key man Joe Root was dismissed for nine.

South Africa had been bowled out for 151 after losing five wickets before lunch, with England’s James Anderson and Stuart Broad picking up three wickets apiece.

The tourists, who lead the threetest series 10, knew they needed to deliver with the ball and enjoyed some early success when Alex Lees edged Lungi Ngidi to keeper Kyle Verreynne. —

AAP

One World Championship from 2026 with a specially developed power unit, the carmaker said, adding that a decision on which team it will be lining up with in 2026 will be announced before the end of this year.

A key part of Audi’s decision to join Formula One is the racing series’ goal of becoming carbonneutral by 2030, said the carmaker, including new technical rules focused on greater electrification and sustainable fuels that apply from 2026. — Reuters