Morning all,

We're heading back to Finland for another weird world champs: Wife Carrying. The objective is for the male to carry the female through a special obstacle track in the fastest time.

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🎾 AO shenanigans

⚽️ Kerr's first WSL goal

🏀 Zion catches fire

🎾 Australian Open

Kyrgios turns it up to 11

Nick Kyrgios was called for a service time violation in the final game of the second set and, in response, mocked Nadal’s famously slow pre-serve routine of touching his eyebrows and shorts.

The 23rd seed Kyrgios looked on his way to a simple straight sets triumph against the former Open quarter-finalist on his favoured Melbourne Arena, but suddenly collapsed up a break in the third set.

In the set break, he had a go at the team in his box, being told to “stay tough” and then ranting at his mates. He later apologised to his friends in his player’s box for “being a d***head”.

Kyrgios dug deep and went on to win 6-2 6-4 4-6 7-5.

In other 'Nick News' He is so committed to representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics he has already told officials he wants to stay in the athletes’ village (theAge)

It’s one of the biggest first Fridays in Australian Open history with two locals to feature on centre court, plus tennis’ two GOATs, as the third round gets underway.

...Barty, Serena, Federer, Djokovic and Osaka all in action

⚽️ Football

A-LEAGUE

• Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets: Newcastle Jets have lost 12 of their last 16 Hyundai A-League games outside New South Wales (three wins, one draw), including their last four on the bounce across which they have been outscored 14-3. (SJ says: WEL WIN)

• Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC: Sydney FC have won 10 of their last 13 Hyundai A-League games against the Melbourne Victory (losing thre), including their last three on the bounce across, in which they have scored 10 goals. (SJ says: SYD WIN)

• Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar: There have been 16 goals scored in the last four Hyundai A-League meetings between the Mariners and Roar at Central Coast Stadium, including eight in their most recent encounter (Brisbane won, 5-3). (SJ says: DRAW)

• Melbourne City v Perth Glory: City have conceded six penalties so far this Hyundai A-League campaign, the most of any team in the competition. (SJ says: MCY WIN)

• Western United FC v Adelaide United: Adelaide United have lost five of their last seven Hyundai A-League games away from home (W2), including their last three on the bounce. (SJ says: DRAW)

• (A-league Previews)

ICYMI: Sam Kerr scored her first WSL goal in Chelsea's 4-1 away win over title rivals Arsenal on Sunday. With Kerr on board, Chelsea are now firm (2.0) favourites for the WSL.

🔁 Real Madrid are prepared to discuss the return of Wales international Gareth Bale, 30, to Tottenham but have concerns over the structure of any deal. (Telegraph)

🔁 Bayern Munich will not take up the option to turn 27-year-old Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho's loan move from Barcelona into a permanent deal. (Bild, via Mirror)

🔁 16-year-old makes $227-a-week. Man Utd want to splash $57m on him. Birmingham’s 16-year-old wonderkid Jude Bellingham is closing in on a sensational move to the Theatre of Dreams.

🚴🏼‍♂️ Tour Down Under

Our excellent update of the Tour Down Under comes from a reader of Sport Journal who is on the ground officiating at the race.

I forgot to ask permission to use her surname (so for now) thanks Kate...✋🏼

Australian Richie Porte (Trek – Segafredo) made the potentially race-winning move to win the 131km Stage 3 at Paracombe yesterday.

With approx. 2 km to go he powered away from majority of General Classification contenders leaving Aussie Rob Power (Team Sunweb), Brit Simon Yates (Mitchelton Scott), Aussie Rohan Dennis (Team Ineos and a previous winner on the Category 1 Climb finish in Paracombe), Italian Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates), and South African Daryl Impey (Mitchelton Scott and defending champion from 2018 & 2019), 5 seconds down over the line and fighting to minimise the time losses to the new leader.

The world champion, Mads Pedersen from Denmark (Trek – Segafredo) has been the workhorse for his team and the new leader and has been cheered on by the crowd in the world champion jersey.

It has been said that he is donating a dollar to the bushfire appeal for every rider who finishes in front of him in each stage and true to his (unsubstantiated) word, he has come in at the back of the field in each stage so far – he was not expected to feature in this race but his efforts have been notable and appreciated by the huge crowds.

Today Stage 4 of the race starts in the inner-city suburb of Norwood before winding again through parts of the fire devastated Adelaide Hills to finish after 1950m of climbing and 152.8km in Murray Bridge.

It is also the day when 4000+ riders will tackle the Challenge Tour on the same course before the professionals.

🏏 Cricket

Guy dislocates jaw while sledging

Jayden Regan caught out Dromana batsman Jeff Bluhm for 99 on Saturday before sledging him so hard that his jaw dislocated, Frankston Standard Leader reported.

“We got a bit excited and started to carry on as you do and then I thought, ‘nah I’ll give it a bit more’ and then the jaw just fell out of place,” he said.

He then drove himself to Rosebud Hospital with his jaw locked open.

 AB de Villiers can’t save Brisbane Heat

The Sydney Sixers have locked in a top-three Big Bash League berth after a convincing eight-wicket win over Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

Not even Australian hero Marnus Labuschagne could save the home team from their batting woes.

The in-form star, playing his first BBL match of a prolific summer, fell for just three before a mistimed pull shot was easily caught by best mate Smith off the bowling of Englishman Tom Curran (2-25).

The Sixers, with Steve Smith playing his first BBL game since 2014, easily chased down a target of 127 with 25 balls to spare after restricting the hosts to 8-126 off their 20 overs.

🏉 NRL

No sign of Josh Reynolds

The Wests Tigers ventured to the Bulldogs spiritual home of Belmore Oval on Thursday morning for an opposed session against the Bulldog.

But there was no sign of one-time Bulldogs favourite son Josh Reynolds – the Tigers utility who has landed in the headlines over the last 24 hours after a video was leaked (news.com.au)

Background: The NRL were previously forced to remove Reynolds from an anti-domestic violence ad campaign, relating to an alleged incident.

🏉 Former NRL player Daniel Conn has opened up about the three times he tried to take his own life, including once when he was still playing first grade football. (fox)

🇺🇸 'Merica

🏀 The Hype is Real

After a slow start, Zion Williamson's debut didn't disappoint. Scoring 17 straight points, including four 3-pointers, in the 4th quarter. The crowd were even chanting "MVP" before the game ended.

Williamson now holds the record for the most points for the Pelicans on debut.

🏈 The Raiders officially became the "Las Vegas Raiders"

Owner Mark Davis, who continues to have the worst haircut in sports, formally announcing the franchise's new chapter.

🏈 Manning announces retirement

Eli Manning, who led the New York Giants to two Super Bowls in a 16-year career that saw him set almost every team passing record, has retired.

By the numbers: Manning, 39, is one of five players to win multiple Super Bowl MVPs (Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw) and he never missed a single game due to injury.(Axios)

• Completions: 4,895 (7th all-time)

• Pass yards: 57,023 (7th)

• Pass TD: 366 (7th)

• INT: 244 (12th)

• Career earnings: $252 million (1st)

🏉 Rugby

With a week until Super Rugby gets underway...the Brumbies have fired a warning shot that they are still Australia’s pacesetters by belting the Rebels 45-14 in their final Super Rugby trial game in Albury on Thursday night.

🏉 A week out from the Super Rugby season, the Waratahs have signed Japan Sevens sensation Siosifa Lisala. Reuniting with coach Rob Penney (Fox)

🏉 If you want to play for the Wallabies, your best bet is to ply your trade Down Under. (fox)

🏉 RUMBLE: A real 80's style thirty man brawl in Wales, resulted in 4 red cards (watch)

🐴 Racing

Group racing returns to Moonee Valley tonight, with the running of the G2 Australia Stakes (1200m).

The first of eight races is set to get underway at 6:30pm (AEDT) on what is likely to be a Good 4 track.

Favourite: (4.0) Written Choice, J: D Oliver (59.5 kg), Form: 90x257

Market support for: (4.50) Pariano, J: C Parish (55 kg), Form: 2044x1

The guy's at Punters have picked out a bigger priced horse they're backing - Pravro (2) makes each-way appeal at $23/$6.

📺 Today's sport

⚽️ EPL: Wolves v Liverpool (7am)

🏌🏻‍♂️ Farmers Insurance Open, Round 1 (7am)

🎾 Australian Open, Round 3 (11am)

🚴🏼‍♂️ Tour Down Under, Stage 4 (12:30)

⚾️ ABL - Auckland Tuatara v Brisbane Bandits (5pm)

⚽️ A-League - Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets (5:15pm)

🏏 Big Bash - Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder (6:10pm)

🏌🏻‍♂️ Dubai Desert Classic, Round 2 (6:30pm)

🏀 WNBL - Bendigo Spirit v Perth Lynx (7:05pm)

⚽️ A-League - Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC (7:30pm)

🏏 Big Bash - Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers (9:10pm)

🐴 Australia Stakes (9:30pm)

Back on Monday!

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