A solid and successful hit-out for Naomi Osaka in round one of tennis' ASB Classic

Returning after the birth of her first child - the four-time Grand Slam winner's beaten Israeli qualifier Lina Glushko 6-4 6-4 in Auckland.

Osaka's told Sky Sport she enjoyed the match.



Not such good news for local hope Lulu Sun .

New Zealand's world number 40 has gone down in three sets to 102nd-ranked Canadian Rebecca Marino.



Young fast bowler Zak Foulkes is being hailed as a star of the future as the Black Caps get set for tonight's second T20 cricket clash with Sri Lanka in Mount Maunganui.

The Cantabrian got some early treatment from the visiting openers in game one - but was entrusted to bowl the crucial final over, taking two wickets and conceding just five runs to clinch an eight-run win.

Black Caps bowling coach Jacob Oram says along with being able to swing the ball - Foulkes has another key trait.



Meanwhile - Australia are edging closer to victory as the overs click down on the final day of the Boxing Day test in Melbourne.

India were only three wickets down at tea - with the match seemingly headed for a draw.

But the home side have ripped out four wickets since the break - India now 143 for 7 and clinging on.

Aussie captain Pat Cummins picked up the crucial wicket of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for 84.



Magnus Carlsen will reportedly return to the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York - after quitting due to a flare-up because the governing body decided to bar him for wearing jeans.

The world champion between 2013 and 2023 claims the breach of dress code regulations was a stitch-up.

The powers-that-be have subsequently tapered their stance.