Weekend sport review: India claim eighth Asia Cup, Antonelli extends F1 lead, City edge United in controversy

Winners

India Women Cricket: India produced a commanding performance to defeat defending champions Sri Lanka by 72 runs and claim a record-extending eighth Women's Asia Cup title in Dubai. The victory was particularly sweet for India, who avenged their defeat to Sri Lanka in the 2024 final in Dambulla.

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set the tone with a blistering 129-run opening partnership, with Verma smashing the tournament's fastest-ever half-century off just 24 balls. India posted 183-5 before their bowlers dominated the chase, dismissing Sri Lanka for just 111. The triumph extended India's remarkable head-to-head record against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup finals to 6-1, with six consecutive final victories over their rivals.

However, celebrations were marred by controversy at the presentation ceremony. India refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's interior minister and has been Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board since February 2024.

Kimi Antonelli: The young Italian star strengthened his grip on the Formula 1 world championship with victory at the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix, claiming his eighth win of the season to extend his advantage at the top of the standings.

The Mercedes driver capitalised on a perfectly timed Virtual Safety Car pit stop to move ahead of Lando Norris, before keeping Max Verstappen at bay to secure another crucial victory. With George Russell finishing fifth, Antonelli's championship lead has now stretched to 81 points after 14 rounds.

Born on August 25, 2006, Antonelli has made history as the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 World Championship, eclipsing the previous record held by Lewis Hamilton, who was 22 when he first led the championship in 2007. The 20-year-old is increasingly clear at the top as he closes in on a maiden world title.

Elena Rybakina: The Kazakh tennis star claimed her second Grand Slam title of 2026 with a statement victory over two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a thrilling US Open final at Flushing Meadows.

Rybakina produced a composed and powerful display to withstand Sabalenka's fightback before dominating the deciding set. Having also defeated Sabalenka to win the Australian Open earlier this year, Rybakina became the third player since 2000 to win both hard court Grand Slam titles in a single year.

The victory also sees Rybakina rise to world number one for the first time, ending Sabalenka's 99-week reign at the top of the rankings and further establishing herself as one of the leading forces in women's tennis.

Alexander Zverev: The German completed a remarkable Grand Slam double by defeating Ben Shelton to claim his maiden US Open title, winning 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 in New York.

Zverev withstood Shelton's third-set fightback before taking control again in the fourth, finally ending the heartbreak of his 2020 US Open final defeat to Dominic Thiem. The victory was particularly redemptive, as he finally won the title that had eluded him six years earlier.

Having already lifted his first Grand Slam at the French Open earlier this year, Zverev has now established himself as the dominant force of the 2026 season, becoming the first man since Rafael Nadal in 2017 to win two Grand Slam titles in the same year.

Losers

Lando Norris: The McLaren driver endured one of the biggest disappointments of the Madrid Grand Prix after a weekend that promised so much but ultimately delivered another blow to his championship hopes.

Norris produced a brilliant qualifying lap to take pole and looked firmly in control of the race, building a lead of more than six seconds before a badly timed Virtual Safety Car allowed Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen to pit ahead of him. Forced to pit later, Norris dropped down the order and eventually recovered to third, missing out on a victory that appeared certain.

With Antonelli extending his championship lead to 81 points and Norris now 106 points off the top, the Madrid result represents a huge missed opportunity in his title challenge.

Ben Shelton: After seeing his historic run end in heartbreak in front of his home fans, the 23-year-old cut an emotional figure in his post-match interview.

Shelton had captured the imagination of the American crowd, becoming the first Black American man to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972 and putting himself within touching distance of ending the country's 23-year wait for a men's Grand Slam champion. After beating Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe on his way to the final, Shelton battled back to take the third set against Alexander Zverev, but ultimately fell 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2.

Despite the disappointment, his run represents a major breakthrough and suggests the American has the game to challenge for Grand Slam titles for years to come.

Aryna Sabalenka: The Belarusian's 99-week reign at world number one ended with the US Open final loss to Elena Rybakina, and she finishes 2026 without a Grand Slam title despite being the two-time defending US Open champion. The defeat marks a painful end to what had been a dominant period at the top of women's tennis.

Manchester United: The Red Devils were left frustrated after suffering a controversial 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the derby, with the decisive Erling Haaland goal later confirmed to have been wrongly allowed to stand.

Pro Ref admitted the VAR should have recommended an on-field review after failing to properly consider Enzo Fernandez's offside position and his impact on Lisandro Martinez. The defeat adds to a difficult start for United, who have now won just one of their opening four Premier League games and sit 13th with only four points.

Despite City playing with 10 men for more than an hour, United failed to make their numerical advantage count, leaving Michael Carrick's side with mounting pressure and plenty of questions to answer.