Elena Rybakina slams WTA probe into Vukov as Australian Open nears – video

Elena Rybakina has backed her former coach Stefano Vukov and expressed her disagreement with the Women’s Tennis Association as the governing body continued its investigation into the Croat on the eve of the Australian Open. 'I don’t agree with a lot of things the WTA do in the sense of my relationship with Stefano,' said Rybakina, the sixth seed in Melbourne. 'As I said before, I have never made any complaints or any of these things. I always said that he never mistreated me.' Earlier this week, the WTA confirmed it had opened an investigation into Vukov owing to an alleged breach of its code of conduct. He is provisionally suspended from the tour, meaning he cannot receive accreditation and access the private player areas despite his original intent to attend the Australian Open.

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Staff picks: Pitt hosts Louisville in key ACC showdown

Pitt is coming off a tough loss to No. 4 Duke on Tuesday night, and will look to rebound on its home court. The Cardinals, however, will hardly be an easy bounce back game. Under first year head coach Pat Kelsey, Louisville is making its climb out of the recent doldrums it found itself in as a program.

Liverpool 4-0 Accrington Stanley: FA Cup third round – as it happened

Stanley performed well and had their chances, but Liverpool were never in serious danger of being on the wrong end of a shock

1 min: A long ball down the Stanley right. Walton competes with Endo but the makeshift Liverpool centre-back – who has plenty of experience in the position from his Bundesliga days, to be fair – ushers the ball out for a goal kick.

Accrington Stanley get the ball rolling. They’re kicking towards the Kop in this first half. “Who wouldn’t be delighted with a defensive line filled with Love and Awe?” coos Dean Kinsella.

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