British number one Jack Draper ran out of steam at the Australian Open as he retired injured against Spanish third seed Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round.

Draper, seeded 15th, called a halt to the match when trailing 7-5 6-1 against four-time major champion Alcaraz on a hot day in Melbourne.

The 23-year-old left-hander, who came into the tournament with a hip injury, needed treatment off the court after the first set before abandoning the contest when the second quickly slipped away.

He held both hands up to the crowd by way of an apology before going off Rod Laver Arena to a warm ovation.

Draper, who came through three gruelling five-set matches to reach the fourth round, was the only Briton to reach the last 16 of the men's or women's singles.

"After how much I have played, I didn't pull up amazingly well," said Draper.

Before this Australian Open campaign, he had not played competitively since the end of October.

"I was really, really sore after I played my last match because I have been managing this hip thing," Draper said.

"I wasn't expecting to come this far in all honesty. With all the hours I have played, it has been a bit too much on my body."

Alcaraz, 21, was far from his best during their contest but continues his bid to become the youngest man in the Open era to complete the career Grand Slam.

The reigning back-to-back Wimbledon champion, who also won the 2022 US Open and 2024 French Open, could face Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

Serbia's Djokovic, aiming for a record-extending 11th men's singles title in Australia, plays Czech Jiri Lehecka later on Sunday.

Al Hilal have identified Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid's Rodrygo as possible replacements for Neymar, while Manchester United are reportedly ahead of Manchester City in the race to sign Nuno Mendes. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

- Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al Hilal want Liverpool's Mohamed Salah or Real Madrid's Rodrygo to replace Neymar, reports Rudy Galetti. This comes just days after Al-Za'eem head coach Jorge Jesus hinted that Neymar was on his way out of the club, with ESPN sources confirming that the 32-year-old Brazil star is in preliminary talks with three MLS sides -- including Chicago Fire FC -- over a proposed move. Salah is out of contract with Liverpool in June, while Rodrygo has been fighting for first-team minutes at Madrid since Kylian Mbappé joined the club last summer.

- Manchester United are leading rivals Manchester City in a race to sign Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes, according to Football Insider. The 22-year-old has long been seen as a priority for the Red Devils as a solution for their troublesome left-back spot, while City have earmarked Mendes as a potential cornerstone of their looming squad rebuild. Regardless, both clubs may need to continue their searches as L'Équipe says the Portugal international sees himself staying with the French capital club for the foreseeable future and wants to sign a new deal.

- Manchester City want to sign FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa as a replacement for Ederson in the summer, according to Football Transfers. Talks are already underway with a summer deal for the 25-year-old quickly gaining momentum. Ederson has been the topic of strong interest and tempting financial offers from Saudi Arabia.

- In addition to pursuing Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker, Rudy Galetti reports that AC Milan also want to bring in a new midfielder this January. The Rossoneri are evaluating a long list of names and have asked Juventus for fresh information on Nicolo Fagioli as the 23-year-old could be available.

- Internazionale are carefully monitoring Bologna duo Sam Beukema and Santiago Castro, says Calciomercato. Juventus have previously been mentioned regarding Beukema and there is a possibility that they could make a move for the 26-year-old in the summer, while there is growing interest in Castro from elsewhere. Centre-back Beukema has been rated at 25 million, while striker Castro won't be allowed to leave the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara for less than 30m.

- Lens are interested in a January move for Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and have already submitted a formal offer to the Bundesliga club, reports Sky Sports Deutschland, which adds that the 24-year-old currently intends to stay put. Meanwhile, Bayern are in negotiations to sign Jonas Urbig from FC Cologne this window, but an agreement has not yet been reached.

DETROIT -- It was a somber scene inside the Detroit Lions locker room Saturday night as players left Ford Field disappointed.

After a magical regular-season run, the top-seeded Lions suffered a 45-31 upset loss to the Washington Commanders behind a five-turnover performance in the NFC divisional round matchup.

Coach Dan Campbell got emotional afterward while trying to discuss what the record-setting 15-win season and the players meant to him following the Lions' playoff elimination.

It was difficult for him to put the loss into words. The Lions became the first team in NFL history to lose a playoff game when having 300-plus pass and 200-plus rushing yards.

"We just didn't play great, and I mentioned we didn't complement each other and that's the same thing. At the end of the day, I didn't have them ready," Campbell said. "It's hard to look at it."

After Lions All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown completed his postgame interviews, veteran quarterback Jared Goff sat beside him at his locker before putting his face in his hands.

Goff also received a hug from safety Kerby Joseph. His teammates supported him after a tough game where he threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. He finished 23-for-40 for 313 yards with a touchdown, but also briefly exited the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion after absorbing a big hit during Commanders safety Quan Martin's pick-six.

"I'm still kind of processing this. I'm going to have some hard nights coming up unfortunately. It's hard. I wish I could give you guys a better answer right now," Goff said. "It's disappointing. It's hard. We had everything we wanted. Home field advantage, the fans were incredible and unfortunately, we just let it slip out of our hands."

In a back-and-forth first-half battle, the Lions trailed by 10 at halftime. With 52 points combined, it matched the highest scoring first half in any game since the 2019 divisional playoffs between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, according to ESPN Research.

Campbell described the beginning of the game as being "odd" as the Lions struggled to find a groove. On the defense's second play, starting cornerback Amik Robertson left the contest and wouldn't return after breaking his arm. He will undergo surgery Sunday, according to Campbell.

Robertson joined a long line of injuries, notably on defense, as Detroit was playing with 16 players on the injured reserve list. Still, Campbell refused to make any excuses and said the loss didn't hurt any extra, based upon their No. 1 seeding.

"No. It just hurts to lose, man, and I don't care if you're the seven seed, six seed, five seed, one seed, because I've lost at all of them damn near and it stings," Campbell said. "And it hurts ... it hurts."

After missing the past three regular-season games with an MCL injury, running back David Montgomery returned with seven carries for 28 yards. However, Detroit's other running back, Jahmyr Gibbs, continued to establish himself as a bona fide star with two touchdowns. Gibbs' 22 scrimmage touchdowns this season tied NFL great Gale Sayers (1965) for the most in a season by a player 22 years old or younger.

The Lions led the league in scoring (33.2 points per game) during the regular season. They won the NFC North for the second year in a row.

Detroit also captured every road game for the first time in a season while winning 11 straight contests, but as great a campaign it was for the organization, it was too soon for Campbell to reflect on those achievements following the crushing defeat to the Commanders.

"No. I just think it's just not the time, man. It's hard when you lose, and you lose these games, man," Campbell said as he fought back tears. "It's like the players, what they put into it. A lot of people don't know what they go through. You have to get up, body's beat to s---, mentally stay locked in and do those things, so long season."

DETROIT -- After Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin finished his postgame news conference, he stepped away from the podium and let out a yell that for the franchise was 33 years in the making.

"Wooooooo!" McLaurin shouted, shaking his fists and smiling as he disappeared out the door.

That emotion accompanied Washington's 45-31 win over the Detroit Lions, giving the franchise its first NFC Championship Game berth since the 1991 season. It was the longest such drought in the conference, a dishonor that now belongs to the rival Dallas Cowboys (1995).

"We're not done yet," McLaurin said.

The joy could be heard inside and outside the Commanders locker room, with dignitaries such as former Washington coach Joe Gibbs, Commanders minority shareholder Magic Johnson, NBA star Kevin Durant and award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright all celebrating.

Commanders general manager Adam Peters, in his first season, went around the locker room hugging various players. Co-owner Mitch Rales slapped hands and hugged players as they entered the locker room, sharing a longer embrace with McLaurin.

And co-owner Josh Harris told reporters from the Team 980 and the Athletic that "I'm so happy for the DMV [District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia] ... We're a team of destiny."

This night belonged to a team that was 4-13 a year ago and now will play either the Los Angeles Rams or Philadelphia Eagles in next week's NFC Championship Game. Its fan base has endured not just a bad stretch but a bad couple of decades.

From 1981 to 1991, the organization won three Super Bowls and appeared in a fourth. But from 1992 through 2023, Washington owned the NFC's fourth-worst winning percentage.

"I'm so excited not only for myself but my team, especially the guys that have been here for the last couple of years that's been on not-so-good teams just to experience this," Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. said. "It's amazing."

Yet here they are, one season into what was supposed to be a rebuild under first-year coach Dan Quinn. He preferred the word "recalibrate," but the better term now might be rejuvenated.

"This is crazy," said Washington linebacker Bobby Wagner, who was born in 1990, 19 months before the organization's last Super Bowl title.

Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves, with the team since 2018, was fielding a question about a teammate when he diverted his answer as he processed the moment.

"Man, this is cool," Reaves said. "I can't even put my head around this. No one thought we would be here. Let's go!"

But they're here in part because of Jayden Daniels, who becomes the sixth rookie quarterback to reach a championship game. The other five lost. But Daniels has proved all year to be different. That was the case again Saturday night when he completed 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran 16 times for another 51 yards.

Daniels connected on two fourth-down passes to sustain touchdown drives.

"He's so poised and so clutch," Washington running back Austin Ekeler said of Daniels. "Every week, I'm like, man, this guy is really good. I know to expect it, but again and again he continues to show that, hey, he has a huge clutch gene, and it shows up all the time."

Teammates embraced Daniels from the start, pointing to the work he put in -- arriving before any player on a daily basis -- and the talent they saw on the field. They still marvel at him, and they know what he means to the franchise.

"I knew Jay was ready, day one," Robinson said. "I knew he was ready not only for everything, all the great stuff he's done this year, but to have himself prepared for the playoffs and the big-time moments."

Wagner has played in two NFC Championship Games with the Seattle Seahawks, winning both. He sensed this team had a chance to accomplish more than anticipated during a three-game losing streak that dropped its record to 7-5.

"I didn't see anybody waver. I didn't see anyone have their heads down," Wagner said of the skid. "Everyone was coming in still relaxed. We had our ups, and we had our moments when we weren't winning. Everyone became more accountable."

Washington hasn't lost since that time, having won seven in a row. Daniels isn't the only rookie who has contributed. Mike Sainristil, a second-round pick, opened the season as a nickel corner but moved outside when the team needed more help. He solidified the position -- and on Saturday intercepted two passes.

The leadership -- and on-field contributions from veterans such as Wagner, Ekeler and tight end Zach Ertz, who caught five passes for 28 yards and a touchdown against the Lions -- has been invaluable. The Commanders have a standout player in McLaurin, who registered a 58-yard catch for a touchdown, his 15th score of the campaign. And they have a lot of players who understand their roles and fill them.

Players have talked since the spring about their bond, which was enhanced during the previous five games that they won either at the final second or on the last play from scrimmage.

"We're heavy hitters, we're poised and we're confident," Wagner said. "We have a belief in one another that's not easily found."

Meanwhile, Quinn wanted to stay focused in the moment and not get caught up in what Saturday's victory meant.

"There will be a time to look back and reflect," Quinn said, "but I'm not there yet."

Islam Makhachev reminded the MMA world that he's the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter for a reason. Makhachev dominated late replacement Renato Moicano in a first-round submission victory in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, to defend his lightweight title. Can anyone beat Makhachev? He was a heavy favorite, per ESPN BET, and made it look easy. In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili had a tough time against Umar Numagomedov but edged a decision win to retain his belt. What now for the champion? In another notable fight, Jiří Procházka stopped former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill in the third round and asked for a third fight with champion Alex Pereira. He's 0-2 against Pereira, can he get the fight and get the result this time around? What should be next for the former champion? Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale and Jeff Wagenheim shares their thoughts on these fights.

The moment is never too big for Makhachev

It didn't matter who was standing across the cage from Islam Makhachev. Whether it was Renato Moicano challenging him in the main event or even if it had been his originally scheduled opponent, Makhachev was going to fight his fight and make Saturday night all his.

The lightweight champion had risen to the top of the sport on the strength of the same characteristic that once buoyed his friend and mentor, retired former champ Khabib Nurgamomedov: Unflappable discipline.

A late change in opponent -- Arman Tsarukyan withdrew on Friday with a back injury -- did not faze Makhachev. Neither did the disconcerting events of just a few minutes before, when his friend and teammate Umar Nurmagomedov suffered his first career defeat in an unsuccessful bid for the bantamweight title. Some fighters -- even very good ones, champions and stars -- might have been put off their game. Not Makhachev. He maintained his focus, as usual.

The easy-as-pie submission of Moicano gives Makhachev 15 consecutive victories, tying him with Kamaru Usman for the second-longest streak in UFC history, one behind Anderson Silva. He also bested some other all-time greats -- including Coach Khabib and BJ Penn -- with his fifth lightweight title fight win, the most ever in the UFC. But records do not tell the story of Makhachev.

The No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in ESPN's rankings has abundant skill, but it's a word that rhymes with skill that truly fuels him. It's his will. Not simply a will to win, but a will to be Islam Makhachev and nothing less, no matter the circumstances swirling around him.

Who or what can challenge this man? Whether Makhachev will continue to mow down lightweights or step up to welterweight to try to become a two-division champion is a question he and his team will tackle in due time. One thing we do know now: Whenever he next steps into the cage, and against whoever, the moment will not be too big for Makhachev. -- Wagenheim

It's Dvalishvili, Nurmagomedov and the rest of the division

Before their respective careers are done, we will see a trilogy between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov. They are clearly the best bantamweights in the world, for one. I don't discount the chances of Sean O'Malley, Cory Sandhagen or Petr Yan pulling off an upset, but it's not the most likely scenario. Right now, odds favor Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov over every other bantamweight in the world.

Saturday's fight was incredible. And it stands to reason, neither was at their best. Dvalishvili never wanted to fight on this timeline and hinted at not being 100 percent after suffering a cut on his right leg during training. He wanted to take a break to start 2025, but was thrown into camp early based on the UFC's desire to book this matchup in January.

Nurmagomedov apparently broke his hand in the opening round, and regardless of that, he will learn from this experience and grow as a result. Whichever of these two you'd pick to win a rematch, you can feel confident in saying they'll both be better the next time they fight. Their stocks also rose on Saturday, which is important. Even going into UFC 311, you wouldn't say either Dvalishvili or Nurmagomedov were the biggest names in the division. This fight showed them in a different light. It was super entertaining because they were evenly matched. Before this matchup, they were able to impose their will on opponents without as much resistance.

Dvalishvili isn't known as a super exciting bantamweight, but when you pit him against someone such as Nurmagomedov, who can defend his wrestling and force him every ounce out of his renowned gas tank, it's a much funner show. And his antics to the crowd, which can be off-putting if he's well ahead on the scorecards, have a much more positive effect when he's battling in there and looking to rile a crowd behind him. This could turn into one of the better rivalries the sport witnesses over the next two years. -- Okamoto

Procházka is a star and his performance at UFC 311 certified that

Although he's a notch below Alex Pereira in the light heavyweight pecking order, Jiří Procházka has proven to possess that "it" factor that fans gravitate to, and his performance on Saturday cemented his place in the hearts of fight fans.

Between his epic staredowns, samurai-influenced lifestyle and his exciting fighting style, Procházka is one-of-a-kind in the UFC. Add in the fact that he shaved his head in solidarity with Ashly McGarity, the fan who was diagnosed with cervical cancer last September, and you have a fighter that the UFC can get behind, with or without a world title.

UFC 311 was another display of the Czech Republic's star power as he engaged in a thrilling battle with Jamahal Hill before scoring a third-round knockout in another fantastic showdown. The crowd was firmly behind Prochazka throughout, and the finish punctuated his magnetic aura.

There is rarely a dull moment in a Procházka fight. His defense isn't much more than moving his head and he barely weaves his way out of danger while his unorthodox assault is difficult for his opponents to get a read on. Hill didn't have the reflexes to pick up on the movement and was eventually crushed by the former champion. Outside of Pereira, nobody has managed to fully figure out Procházka.

Will he be a world champion again? Maybe. But the UFC has needed stars that can draw outside of world title fights and Procházka fits the bill. A fight with Khalil Rountree should be next on the docket and could be worthy of the first BMF title fight in the light heavyweight division. -- Hale

Inter Miami CF began their preseason with a 2-2 draw against Club America in regular time on Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada before winning in penalties (3-2).

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano made his managerial debut after being appointed to the role on Nov. 26, 2024, initiating a new chapter for the club. The Herons lined up in a 4-4-2 for the first time under the helm of the Barcelona figure, with star players Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez up top.

After retaining most of the possession, Club America opened up the scoring in the 31st minute of the match with a goal from Henry Martín. But the Liga MX giants failed to retain the early lead for long, as Messi found a way to connect with Suarez inside the box before heading the ball into the back of the net.

The Uruguay forward, who signed a new contract with Inter Miami to stay through the 2025 MLS season, volleyed the ball to Messi for the perfect header.

Inter Miami managed to keep the match at 1-1 well into the second half, but Israel Reyes and Club America proved stronger. A series of defensive errors from centre-back pairing Tomas "Toto" Aviles and Noah Allen left Reyes with the ball inside the box, inspiring the player to slide the ball past new Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo.

The Herons were able to find the tying goal once again, this time with a header from defender Aviles off of a corner kick from Julian Gressel in the final minutes of the match to send the game to penalties.

Club America will now return to Mexico City to resume the Liga MX tournament, while Inter Miami embark on the South and Central American portion of their 2025 preseason tour. The Herons are set to face Universitario at Estadio Monumental "U" in Peru on Jan. 29 before traveling to Panama to play against Sporting San Miguelito.