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ATP roundup: Felix Auger-Aliassime spoils Montpellier all-French ultimate

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(Photo credit score: Mike Frey-Imagn Images)

Defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime delivered 20 aces whereas posting a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 victory over French qualifier Titouan Droguet on Saturday to return to the finale of the Open Occitanie in Montpellier, France.

The top-seeded Auger-Aliassime of Canada had 47 winners in opposition to 29 unforced errors and saved all three break factors whereas knocking off Droguet, who made a pleasant run into his first tour-level semifinal. Droguet had 14 aces amongst 30 winners and dedicated 37 unforced errors.

Auger-Aliassime will probably be trying to find his ninth profession title when he faces France’s Adrian Mannarino, who rallied for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over American qualifier Martin Damm. Mannarino, 37, had 11 aces to turn out to be the oldest finalist within the occasion’s historical past. He has received 5 ATP titles.

Damm had 23 aces and the large hitter delivered 41 winners in opposition to 35 unforced errors. By comparability, Mannarino had 19 winners and 14 unforced errors.

Davis Cup

Host Germany closed out Peru 4-0 with two victories on Saturday in Davis Cup first-round qualifying in Dusseldorf.

Entering the day up 2-0, Germany clinched when the doubles workforce of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz defeated Peru’s Ignacio Buse and Arklon Huertas del Pino Cordova 6-0, 2-6, 6-4. Germany’s Justin Engel received the fourth match when Gonzalo Bueno retired after the pair break up the primary two units, 6-3 (for Engel) and 7-6 (4).

Canada edged Brazil 3-2 in Vancouver. Brazil’s Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos recorded a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 win over Liam Draxl and Cleeve Harper. Canada’s Gabriel Diallo responded with a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) choice over Matheus Pucinelli De Almeida. Draxl then beat Brazil’s Gustavo Heide 6-3, 6-4 within the decisive fifth match.

Austria superior on a 3-2 win over Japan in Tokyo, successful two singles matches on Saturday. Lukas Neumayer downed Shintaro Mochizuki 6-3, 6-3, and Jurij Rodionov yielded the primary set earlier than dominating Yoshihito Nishioka 5-7, 6-1, 6-0.

The United States went up 2-0 on host Hungary in Tatabanya, as Tommy Paul defeated Zsombor Piros 7-6 (3), 6-3, and Ethan Quinn received a battle with Fabian Marozsan 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (11).

Croatia eradicated visiting Denmark 3-1 in Varazdin on victories by Dino Prizmic over Elmer Moller 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2) and the doubles workforce of Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic over Johannes Ingildsen and Carl Emil Overbeck 6-2, 7-5.

Host Chile ousted Serbia 4-0 in Santiago as Matias Soto outlasted Branko Djuric 6-7 (2), 7-6 (4), 10-7. Chile’s doubles workforce of Tomas Barrios Vera and Nicolas Jarry downed Ivan Sabanov and Matej Sabanov 6-4, 6-4.

At Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Belgium took a 2-0 lead on the host nation as Alexander Blockx rallied to high Iliyan Radulov 6-7 (3), 6-4-1, and Raphael Collignon beat Alexander Vasilev 6-3, 6-3.

At Bengaluru, India, Guy Den Ouden bought a degree for the Netherlands with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Sumit Nagal, and India drew even on Dhakshineswar Suresh’s 6-4, 7-5 win over Jesper de Jong.

Host Ecuador took a 2-0 lead on Australia in Quito as Alvaro Guillen Meza bought previous Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 1-6, 6-4, and Andres Andrade beat James Duckworth 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Czechia bought off to an ideal begin main visiting Sweden 2-0 in Jihlava due to Jiri Lehecka’s 6-3, 6-4 win over Dragos Nicolae Madaras and Dalibor Svrcina’s 6-1, 6-3 conquer Olle Wallin.

Argentina and host South Korea are tied 1-1 in Busan, and host France is degree with Slovakia 1-1 in Le Portel.

–Field Level Media

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Driver of Lamborghini flees after accident throughout snowfall in Tokyo – TokyoReporter

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TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police responded to a collection of accidents in Chuo Ward throughout the early morning snow on Sunday.

The accidents concerned a complete of seven automobiles, together with a Lamborghini whose driver fled afterward, and resulted in six individuals being hospitalized, studies the Sankei Shimbun (Feb. 8).

At round 4:25 a.m., a taxi and a automotive crashed right into a patrol automotive on Tsukiji Ohashi Bridge. About 45 minutes later, the Lamborghini struck two officers who had been responding to the primary accident.

A male sergeant in his 50s suffered a damaged neck, and a male police lieutenant in his 40s broke his hip.

The male driver of the Lamborghini fled the scene after the accident. He is at present beneath investigation for a hit-and-run violation of the Road Traffic Act. A feminine passenger was taken to the hospital.

Tokyo police imagine the accidents had been attributable to snow. They are investigating the main points of the incident whereas looking for the person.

There was additionally an accident through which one automobile crashed after skidding. In one other accident, a automobile rear-ended one other.

The accidents occurred close to Kachidoki Station on the Toei Oedo Line.

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Polygamous Hokkaido YouTuber says 2 of three wives have left him – TokyoReporter

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HOKKAIDO (TR) – For three years, YouTuber Ryuta Watanabe has shared his distinctive household life underneath the slogan “Polygamy Without Permission.”

Watanabe runs “Polygamy Channel,” which showcases his life with three wives and their youngsters underneath one roof in Hokkaido. Since launching in 2023, he has shared his each day life along with his almost 53,000 subscribers.

However, he introduced final month that his home association is getting ready to collapse.

On January 3, Watanabe posted a message on X message: “Polygamy has completely collapsed. I had to leave my home, for which I was paying 400,000 yen a month, and I had nowhere to return to.” He added that he’s residing in his automotive.

Ryuta Watanabe and his harem in happier instances

“He had a goal of having 53 children, surpassing the number of children Tokugawa Ieyasu had,” a reporter for a sports activities newspaper tells the positioning for Flash. “Without registering his marriage with any of his wives, he has had 11 children to date. Recently, he was living with eight people, three wives and four children. However, at the end of December 2025, he posted a video announcing that his first and third wives had taken their children back to their parents’ home.”

Watanabe’s life appears to be in fixed flux. Over the final week, he has posted movies about him getting married, divorced a day later and getting kicked out of his home.

But the content material retains flowing. On January 31, he appeared on YouTube’s Gairoku Channel to speak about his present life.

When requested why he broke up along with his two wives, Watanabe cited monetary causes. When he first launched his channel, the weird theme of polygamy turned a sizzling matter, and he was reportedly incomes a million a month.

Although he collaborated along with his three wives on filming and modifying movies, his opinions started to conflict along with his first and third wives, who have been busy elevating the youngsters.

Watanabe revealed that when he proposed increasing his household. He stated, “I want to go out into the world and have more wives.” His wives flatly rejected the concept. “Polygamy is disgusting,” considered one of them stated earlier than leaving him.

In the video, Watanabe confessed, “Right now, my total assets are only 110,000 yen.” He revealed that he and his childless second spouse are at the moment sleeping of their automotive.

Although Watanabe has “broken up” with two of his three wives and his future life is doubtful, it appears he’s already interested by his subsequent transfer.

On February 1, he wrote on X that might be holding auditions to discover a new “wife candidate” with Ayaka, his solely remaining associate. In a video, he additionally stated that he has six candidates.

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Felix Auger-Aliassime, Adrian Mannarino attain Montpellier ultimate

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(Photo credit score: Mike Frey-Imagn Images)

Defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime delivered 20 aces whereas posting a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 victory over French qualifier Titouan Droguet on Saturday to return to the finale of the Open Occitanie in Montpellier, France.

The top-seeded Auger-Aliassime of Canada had 47 winners in opposition to 29 unforced errors and saved all three break factors whereas knocking off Droguet, who made a pleasant run into his first tour-level semifinal. Droguet had 14 aces amongst 30 winners and dedicated 37 unforced errors.

Auger-Aliassime shall be looking for his ninth profession title when he faces France’s Adrian Mannarino, who rallied for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over American qualifier Martin Damm. Mannarino, 37, had 11 aces to turn into the oldest finalist within the occasion’s historical past. He has gained 5 ATP titles.

Damm had 23 aces and the massive hitter delivered 41 winners in opposition to 35 unforced errors. By comparability, Mannarino had 19 winners and 14 unforced errors.

–Field Level Media

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Hideki Matsuyama overtakes Ryo Hisatsune for Phoenix Open lead

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(Photo credit score: Megan Mendoza/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Images)

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan overtook countryman Ryo Hisatsune for the lead after three rounds of the WM Phoenix Open on Saturday at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.

Playing within the closing group collectively, Matsuyama and Hisatsune appeared headed for a share of the lead when Matsuyama parred No. 18 and Hisatsune escaped a greenside bunker, leaving himself 5 1/2 toes to save lots of par.

But Hisatsune’s putt began left and stayed left, lacking the cup altogether for a troublesome bogey.

Hisatsune, 23, led his extra completed peer by one stroke via two rounds. Matsuyama’s 3-under-par 68 propelled him to a 13-under 200 via three rounds, and Hisatsune’s late blunder led him to a spherical of 70.

Hisatsune, who had birdied Nos. 10 and 17 to catch as much as Matsuyama, dropped right into a four-way tie at 12-under with Maverick McNealy (65), Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard (65) and South Korea’s Si Woo Kim (66).

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick held a share of the lead after consecutive birdies at Nos. 14-15, however he made a large number of the par-3 sixteenth ‘Stadium Hole’ and recorded a double bogey. A birdie-bogey end left him at 67 for his spherical and a part of a tie at 11 below with Michael Thorbjornsen (65), Jake Knapp (66) and Akshay Bhatia (67).

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler posted a 67 that featured a chip-in birdie from the sand at No. 10. He’s 5 off the tempo at 8-under getting into Sunday.

–Field Level Media

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Ice dancers assist US maintain lead in crew skating occasion

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(Photo credit score: James Lang-Imagn Images)

MILAN — Ilia Malinin made his anticipated Olympic debut on the Milan Cortina Games on Saturday and regardless of being upstaged by Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, the U.S. prolonged their lead within the crew occasion due to the ice dancing of Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

Going on to the ice final within the males’s brief program, Malinin executed two hovering quadruple jumps and a crowd-pleasing backflip however his efficiency was removed from flawless.

The American, who is predicted to turn out to be the primary competitor ever to land a quadruple Axel on the Olympics when the lads’s particular person competitors begins on Tuesday, opted to play it secure by executing a triple Axel – however even that didn’t go to plan as he didn’t land it cleanly.

The 21-year-old appeared surprised when his rating of 98.00 factors flashed up on the massive display screen, leaving him properly behind his closest rival Kagiyama, who delivered an exhilarating efficiency for 108.67 factors.

But a sensational skate by ice dance veterans and crew leaders Chock and Bates lifted the U.S. as they notched a season-best rating of 133.23, prompting a beaming Malinin to wrap his arms across the couple within the Kiss and Cry space.

The U.S. lead the standings with a complete of 44 factors, adopted by Japan (39), Italy (37), Canada (35), and Georgia (32). Medals can be determined after the ultimate three occasions on Sunday.

France, South Korea, China, Britain and Poland have been eradicated from the competitors earlier within the day.

PACING HIMSELF

Malinin sought to downplay the upset, saying he was constructing as much as the person competitors, the place the two-time world champion is the runaway gold-medal favourite.

‘I thought to return into this crew competitors with solely 50% of my full potential,’ he informed reporters.

‘So that is what I felt like right here in the present day. That’s the best way I paced myself main as much as the person.’

Asked about a few of his landings being shaky, he stated: ‘It’s Olympic ice. I’m certain lots of people would really feel that.’

Kagiyama couldn’t include his pleasure, leaping to his ft when his rating was posted and enthusiastically embracing his teammates.

‘I did an ideal efficiency,’ the 2022 Beijing Games silver medalist stated.

‘I did properly in the present day, so I’m happy, however for the person competitors, I’ve to make it even higher.’

Thanks to his quad-heavy packages and explosive type, Malinin is among the Games’ prime attracts.

But the Vienna, Va., native additionally comes into his first Olympics shouldering a heavy weight of expectation after successful 14 competitions in a row and going undefeated since Nov. 2023.

CHOCK AND BATES SHINE

Chock and Bates, who received a gold within the crew occasion in Beijing 4 years in the past, despatched a message that they’re coming for gold of their particular person occasion with an aggressive dance to an instrumental model of the Rolling Stones’ traditional ‘Paint it Black.’

‘I consider in momentum. I feel it is confirmed to work in sports activities, and it appears like there’s one thing particular on the market in that environment, on Olympic ice,’ Bates stated.

‘We’re actually pleased with how we skated to this point at this occasion, and particularly glad to contribute meaningfully to the crew.’

Sunday’s crew finale will characteristic pairs, ladies’s and males’s free skates.

Malinin didn’t know whether or not he would carry out on Sunday.

‘I have not determined but,’ he stated.

‘I’ll return and speak with lots of people and actually simply decide whether or not it will be value it for me.’

Chock, who’s competing in her fourth and presumably remaining Games with husband Bates, stated she was assured within the crew no matter who takes the ice on Sunday.

‘I feel our crew is extremely sturdy, arguably as sturdy because it’s ever been,’ she informed reporters.

‘I’ve the utmost religion in them, and I’ll be pleased with them it doesn’t matter what the end result is.’

–Reuters, particular to Field Level Media

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Daily World Briefing, Feb. 8

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Su Yiming earns China’s first medal at Milan-Cortina Games as problem spikes in huge air

Defending champion Su Yiming delivered China’s first medal of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Saturday, claiming bronze in a fiercely contested males’s snowboard huge air last outlined by hovering problem.

With consistency proving decisive within the high-stakes showdown, 21-year-old Su struck a cautious steadiness betwee

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Voting begins in Japan’s common election

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TOKYO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) — Voting in Japan’s common election started on Sunday morning, with a complete of 1,284 candidates competing for 465 seats within the House of Representatives, the highly effective decrease chamber of parliament.

The major focus of the election is whether or not the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party will safe a majority and permit the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to proceed, or whether or not the opposition will broaden its energy and block that end result.

Polling stations throughout the nation will shut at 8 p.m. native time, and poll counting is anticipated to final late into the night time.

Of the 465 decrease home seats, 289 shall be elected from single-member districts and 176 by means of proportional illustration in 11 regional blocs.

Recent polls by main Japanese media retailers advised that the ruling coalition is more likely to safe a majority of seats. At the identical time, the newly shaped opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, formally launched by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, a former ally of the LDP, seems to be dropping floor in contrast with their pre-election seat counts, a Kyodo News ballot mentioned.

Yet regardless of these projections, polls additionally famous {that a} vital share of voters stay undecided, leaving room for last-minute shifts, and the lingering slush fund scandals of the LDP proceed to inject uncertainty into the race.

Takaichi abruptly dissolved the decrease home for a snap election on Jan. 23, marking the primary dissolution at the beginning of an everyday parliamentary session in 60 years. She has vowed to step down if the coalition loses its majority within the election.

Her determination has been criticized for placing political concerns forward of parliament’s enactment of an preliminary finances for fiscal 2026 beginning in April, regardless of her pledge to prioritize coverage implementation.

It is Japan’s first decrease home election to be held in February since 1990. Ongoing heavy snowfall alongside the Sea of Japan coast has raised considerations about transport disruptions and security dangers when voters head to polling stations, which may in flip dampen voter turnout.

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(MICO2026)ITALY-MILAN-OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES-SKI JUMPING-WOMEN’S NORMAL HILL INDIVIDUAL

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(260208) — PREDAZZO, Feb. 8, 2026 (Xinhua) — Maruyama Nozomi of Japan competes in the course of the Ski Jumping Women’s Normal Hill Individual of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Predazzo, Italy, Feb. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

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Voting begins for Japan’s common election, seen as referendum on Takaichi

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Tokyo [Japan], February 8 (ANI): Voting started on Sunday in Japan’s Lower House election, broadly considered as a referendum on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s management, with voters selecting between her Liberal Democratic Party-led authorities and an opposition bloc, JT reported.

Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has set a comparatively modest benchmark for achievement, saying its coalition with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) is in search of a easy majority within the 465-seat House of Representatives. However, the ruling occasion can also be aiming for a outcome that might enable the LDP to safe a majority by itself.

If the LDP wins no less than 233 seats independently, it might mark a decisive victory for Takaichi, strengthening her authority and consolidating her energy base within the Lower House. However, a failure by the LDP-JIP coalition to safe a mixed majority might pressure Takaichi to step down as prime minister, doubtlessly plunging Japan into one other interval of political instability, with 4 prime ministers in roughly three years, in keeping with JT.

Pre-election media surveys indicated that the LDP was on observe to safe a majority by itself, whereas the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA), a newly fashioned bloc of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, was anticipated to endure vital losses.

Polls remained beneficial to the LDP regardless of a number of controversies involving Takaichi, together with remarks interpreted as endorsing a weaker yen, the occasion’s unclear place on slicing the consumption tax on meals, and unscripted feedback associated to the Japan-U.S. alliance, the report mentioned.

During the marketing campaign, Takaichi pledged to extend authorities spending in key industries, revive Japan’s world financial competitiveness and tighten immigration insurance policies.

For the JIP, often known as Nippon Ishin no Kai, the election is seen as a check of its means to increase past its conventional base in Osaka. The occasion has struggled to realize traction nationally in latest elections.

Unlike the LDP’s previous preparations with long-time coalition associate Komeito, the LDP and the JIP didn’t coordinate candidates in single-seat districts. In Osaka, the 2 events are contesting all 19 single-member constituencies.

The JIP can also be contending with simultaneous native races in Osaka, the place Governor and occasion chief Hirofumi Yoshimura and Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama are in search of voter help for a proposal to merge the town’s wards right into a metropolitan authorities. The initiative is central to the occasion’s long-standing purpose of creating Osaka a backup capital for Japan, JT famous.

On the opposition facet, the CRA fielded candidates in additional than 200 single-seat districts however was projected to lose seats total. The alliance has set its goal as turning into the most important pressure within the Lower House.

The CRA criticised Takaichi’s resolution to name a snap election with lawmakers solely a 3rd of the way in which via their four-year phrases. It additionally cited latest market volatility as proof of investor considerations over her fiscal insurance policies, notably proposals to chop the consumption tax on meals, which unsettled bond markets.

The efficiency of smaller events, together with the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito, can also be being carefully watched. Although there have been rumours of potential cooperation with the ruling bloc, each events mounted aggressive campaigns towards Takaichi, the report mentioned.

The marketing campaign unfolded amid freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall in jap and northern Japan, complicating outside campaigning. It marked the primary time in 36 years {that a} Lower House election has been held throughout winter.

A complete of 465 seats, of which 289 are from single-seat districts and 176 via proportional illustration, are being contested. Media projections are anticipated shortly after polling stations shut at 8 p.m., JT reported. (ANI)

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