This Week in Sport: 26th August – 1st September 2019
The end of August brings plenty of sensational sport. A thrilling edition of the US Open gets underway in New York. Expect fierce competition in the first flat stage of the Vuelta a España. Meanwhile, a unified lightweight boxing champion will be named as Vasyl Lomachenko fights Luke Campbell. Newcastle United and Leicester City go head-to-head in the Caraboa Cup. The best of the best in athletics travel to Zürich for the Diamond League’s penultimate event. Prepare for the Rowing World Championships in Austria and a must-watch return of Formula One in Belgium.
Monday 26th August 4:00PM GMT – Tennis: 2019 US Open Day 1
The US Open gets underway at Flushing Meadows.
Tennis’ final Grand Slam of the year has arrived. The sport’s best travel to New York for the US Open. Novak Djokovic begins his title defence as he sets his sights on his third Grand Slam title of the year. Serena Williams marks the twentieth anniversary of her first Grand Slam title - the 1999 US Open. Meanwhile, women’s number one Naomi Osaka returns to the site of her first Grand Slam title. Osaka will also have to contend to keep her top ranking. This will be the start of an unforgettable tournament.
Tuesday 27th August 12:20PM GMT – Cycling: Vuelta a España
Riders battle for early success in the fourth stage of the Vuelta a España.
The Vuelta a España’s fourth stage sees the riders tackle a 175.5km flat stage between Cullera and El Puig. With 2018 champion Simon Yates absent from the race, the field is wide open. The race is already proving to be incredibly competitive, with little time separating the top of the field. The flat stage could be significant as it’s followed by a trio of mountain stages. Will a rider be able to break away and take a lead? Tune in to find out.
Wednesday 28th August 6:45PM GMT – Football: Newcastle United v Leicester City
Newcastle United and Leicester City look to ignite their young seasons at St James’ Park in a Caraboa Cup clash.
Newcastle United and Leicester United have been drawn against one another in the second round of the Caraboa Cup. Both sides will look to build on recent league success as they turn their attention to cup play. The match also marks the return of Ayoze Pérez to St James’ Park. The 26-year-old joined Leicester over the summer after five years with Newcastle. With both sides eager for success, this will be a match you won’t want to miss.
Thursday 29th August 7:00PM GMT – Athletics: Weltklasse Zürich
The penultimate event of the Diamond League takes place at the Letzigrund in Zürich.
The Diamond League travels to Switzerland. Of particular interest at the meet will be the men’s 100m Final. Legendary sprinters Yohan Blake, Justin Gatlin and Noah Lyles are set to compete in an unforgettable race. Young stars of the sport like Sydney McLaughlin, Mondo Duplantis and Mujinga Kambundji will also be in action. Kambundji will receive particular support as a home favourite and will race in a women’s 200m race full of talent. This a day of athletics that is sure to be thrilling.
Friday 30th August 7:30AM GMT – Rowing: Rowing World Championships Day 6
The Rowing World Championships continue in Ottenheim.
An exhilarating edition of the Rowing World Championships continues in Austria. The championships have held particular importance, with up to fifty-nine qualifying berths for the 2020 Olympics available. Friday sees the closing stages of many events. Will New Zealand continue their dominant streak in the lightweight women’s pairs? Will Germany be able to hold Ireland in the men’s lightweight pairs event? Elsewhere, the Semifinals of the men’s single sculls is expected to pit favourite Sverri Neilsen against world champion Kjetil Borch. You won’t want to miss today’s races.
Saturday 31st August 3:30PM GMT – Boxing: Vasyl Lomachenko v Luke Campbell (WBA Super, WBC & WBO World Lightweight Titles)
Two giants of the boxing world vie for the unified lightweight title at the O2 Arena in London.
Vasyl Lomachenko currently holds the WBA, WBO and The Ring lineal championships. He looks to defend these titles and claim the WBC title as he faces Luke Campbell in London. Lomachenko is 13-1 and undefeated since 2014. His opponent, the bantamweight gold medallist from the 2012 Olympics, is 20-2 and hasn’t lost a fight since 2017. This is Campbell’s second chance at a title after challenging for the WBA and Ring titles in 2017. This fight should be one to remember.
Sunday 1st September 1:10PM GMT – Motorsport: Grand Prix Belgium
The second half of the F1 season starts with the Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot.
Formula One returns from its summer break and travels to Belgium. The big question will be whether Lewis Hamilton can pick up where he left off. The defending champion has eight race wins so far this season. He also has a sixty-two point lead at the top of the driver’s championship. Furthermore, he needs six wins from the final nine races to set a new single-season record for race wins. Get ready for another exciting day of racing.
Other sports highlights from around the globe
Honourable mentions from around the globe go to the Premier League where the highlight of the weekend will be the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium. Elsewhere, the draws for the group stages of the Europa League and Champions League take place in Monaco. There is plenty of cricket to enjoy. The T20 Blast returns throughout the week while New Zealand continue their tour of Sri Lanka with a T20 fixture. Meanwhile, the West Indies and India begin their second Test. The World Rowing Championships run throughout the week in Austria, as does cycling’s Vuelta a España in Spain. Expect plenty of exciting action at the US Open, which continues across the week. There is a highly-anticipated Rugby World Cup warm-up match between Wales and Ireland at Principality Stadium. The GAA Football Senior Championship comes to an end with the final between Dublin and Kerry at Dublin’s Páirc an Chrócaigh. On golf’s European Tour, the Omega European Masters gets underway at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Switzerland. Sunday sees the end of the Women's Cricket Super League. Loughborough Lightning and Southern Vipers will play a lunchtime Semi-final. The winner will face the Western Storm in an evening final.
A week of world class sport awaits. Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Find daily updates on our Instagram and Facebook pages
Photos by US Open, Vuelta a España, Leicester City, IAAF, Rowing World Championships, Vasyl Lomachenko, Formula 1
Written and information correct on 25th August at 10pm GMT