Daniil Medvedev won his fourth title of the 2023 season but claimed Sunday's Miami Open was the biggest one yet after knocking over Jannik Sinner 7-5 6-3 in the decider.
Medvedev improved his outstanding season record to 29-3, well ahead of the next best Sinner (21-5) with the straight-sets triumph. The Russian will rise to number four in the ATP world rankings on Monday.
The Miami title comes after the 27-year-old lifted crowns in Dubai, Doha and Rotterdam and reached the Indian Wells Open final, only to lose to top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz. During that run, Medvedev has an overall record of 24-1.
Despite Medvedev's remarkable form, Miami was his first ATP Masters 1000 title since winning the Canadian Open in Toronto in 2021.
"I haven't won such a big title in probably a year and a half," Medvedev said. "At the end I was quite shaky. Not even tight, because I'm not scared to win. But still the hands get a little shaky so the serve is a little bit tougher… I managed to get myself together and close the match.
"It's the best start of the season I have ever had. Amazing amount of points won. I think 2019 was great also with six finals and it was also new for me in 2019. So I think it's kind of the same."
Medvedev triumphed in one hour and 34 minutes, although the contest was closer than the scoreline suggested, with both players hitting 27 winners and 14 unforced errors each.
The Russian was impressive on serve, winning 86 per cent of first serve points, but he also committed six double faults with nine aces.
"I'm really happy," Medvedev said. "Today was a tough match. It was probably the hottest day and the most humid during the day.
"It was not easy conditions. I don't know if Jannik had a small injury or cramp. I was also struggling, tried not to show it."
Medvedev is the first male to reach consecutive ATP 1000 finals since Novak Djokovic in 2020. The Russian's other ATP 1000 titles include Paris in 2020, Shanghai in 2019 and Cincinnati in 2019.
The 2021 US Open winner has also claimed 16 ATP tournament titles on hard courts since 2019, ahead of Djokovic (14) and Andrey Rublev (10) during that period. The ATP Tour now moves to clay courts.
"Generally I love hard courts," he said. "I love playing on it. If it would be my choice, it would be only hard courts, but I completely understand that that's not fair, if we can say like this. I feel the best at my game on hard courts."
The New York Yankees' big bats put on a show Sunday as Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton both blasted home runs in a 6-0 shutout of the San Francisco Giants.
Judge, the reigning AL MVP, gave the Yankees the lead in the third inning when he connected on a 392-foot solo shot, but he would get outdone by his heavy-hitting team-mate later in the same frame.
After Anthony Rizzo reached on an infield single, Stanton stepped up and hit the third-longest homer in Yankee Stadium history, travelling 485 feet to center field. Judge and Stanton now both have two home runs each through their first three games.
Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka got in on the fun with his own solo homer in the fourth inning, but despite all the power on display, the performance of the game came from 25-year-old rookie starting pitcher Jhony Brito.
In his first major league start, Brito pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk to go with six strikeouts in 76 pitches.
The result means the Yankees have taken their opening series 2-1, with the reigning NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies rolling into town next for another three-game set.
Trout and Ohtani hammer A's
Three-time AL MVP Mike Trout got his season up-and-running as he crushed a deep home run as one of his three hits in a 6-0 Los Angeles Angels' win.
On the road against the Oakland Athletics, Trout had gone one-for-seven with two walks in the first two games of the season, but his first four at-bats this time resulted in a double, a single, a home run and a walk.
His 434-foot, two-run homer in the fifth inning would have been the biggest hit in most games, but he was bettered later in the same inning by superstar team-mate Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani's only hit of the day sailed 443 feet over the wall at right-center, and 23-year-old rookie Logan O'Hoppe made it a game he will never forget with his first career home run.
Springs throws six no-hit innings
Coming off a career-best season, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs made a near faultless start in Sunday's 5-1 home win against the Detroit Tigers.
Springs went six full innings without allowing a hit, giving up just one walk in the second inning while striking out 12 batters in a dominant display.
The team no-hitter was broken up the very first batter after Springs' exit, but Tampa's five runs – highlighted by Randy Arozarena's 436-foot solo home run – were more than enough.
Corey Conners won the Valero Texas Open for the second time on Sunday, carding a bogey-free four-under 68 for a one-stroke victory ahead of rookie Sam Stevens.
The Canadian world number 40, who won at TPC San Antonio in 2019, had headed into the final day in second place behind Patrick Rodgers, who had five bogeys on Sunday to slip out of contention.
Conners was faultless, with birdies on the par-five second, followed by the sixth, ninth and 15th holes, opening up a three-shot lead upon the latter.
But Stevens stormed into contention with an eagle on the par-four 17th with a brilliant approach off the tee from 299 yards, before missing a nine-foot birdie putt on the 18th that may have forced a playoff.
Conners held his nerve with a three-foot putt for par on the last to secure victory, his second on the PGA Tour, both in San Antonio. The Canadian's next-best PGA result was a third-place finish at last year's Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The final day surge of 26-year-old Stevens came off a six-under 66 that included five birdies and two eagles to finish at 14-under overall.
Stevens' runner-up finish comes a week after coming third at the Corales Puntacana Championship.
Sam Ryder (66 on Sunday) and Matt Kuchar (68) were tied for third at 13 under, with Rodgers ending up with a one-over final day 73 to fall back to 11 under.
Chez Reavie carded a seven-under 65 to finish tied for sixth at 10-under overall, while Rickie Fowler had a final day six-under 66 to end up eight under.
Tiger Woods was pictured practising at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday as he prepares to make his 25th start at the Masters.
Woods confirmed he planned to take part in all four majors in February, having played his first non-major PGA Tour event since October 2020 at that month's Genesis Invitational.
Having suffered serious injuries in a car crash in February 2021, Woods made his competitive return to golf at last year's edition of the Masters, finishing 47th after carding back-to-back 78s across the final two rounds.
Five-time Masters champion Woods – who last won the event in 2019 – played in three of 2022's four majors, most recently missing the cut at the 150th Open Championship in July.
Woods spent half an hour hitting balls at the practice range at Augusta on Sunday, having arrived at the course around 3pm local time.
Asked about the limited schedule he was looking to play back in February, Woods said: "My goal each and every year from here going forward is to play in all the majors.
"I'm not going to play too much more than that. My body – my leg, and my back – just won't allow me to play much more than that any more.
"That was my goal last year, and I was able to play three of the four. This year hopefully I can play all four. That is going to be my schedule going forward, because of all the limitations I have."
Brooks Koepka became the first multiple winner in LIV Golf's short history after securing a one-stroke victory at LIV Golf Orlando on Sunday with a score of 15 under.
Koepka, a four-time major champion, won his first event on the new tour back in October at LIV Golf Jeddah, and he came into his third and final round in Orlando leading by three strokes after a pair of six-under 66s on Friday and Saturday.
He was bogey-free with four birdies through 14 holes as he tried to close it out, but Sebastian Munoz – who set the LIV Golf single-round scoring record with a nine-under 62 on Friday – was chasing him down.
Koepka's first bogey on the 15th cut his lead to one, but Munoz also bogeyed to briefly give back the two-stroke buffer, before birdieing the 16th to set up a tense finish.
Munoz appeared to throw his chances away when he sailed his bunker shot on 17 well past the green, but he got up-and-down for par to keep it at one shot going onto the last.
Both players found the middle of the green in regulation, and while Munoz gave himself a tap-in par, Koepka left himself a sweaty six-footer for the win, but made no mistake.
For the victory, Koepka took home a $4million winner's cheque, as well as his share of the second-placed team prize as his Smash GC finished one stroke behind Munoz's Torque GC.
Dean Burmester and Patrick Reed were tied for third at 12 under, while Dustin Johnson banked a top-10 with a solo seventh at 10 under.
After briefly climbing up into the top-five at 10 under, Cameron Smith went bogey, bogey, triple-bogey to fall back five shots.
Marco Bezzecchi felt "at one with my bike" in a thrilling ride at the Argentine Grand Prix saw him secure a maiden MotoGP victory.
Starting second, Bezzecchi was ahead by turn one and never looked back, establishing a commanding lead over the chasing pack.
While the wet conditions may have proved difficult for others, including defending champion Francesco Bagnaia who crashed from second place, Bezzecchi was in control throughout.
Victory not only saw him secure his first triumph in the class but, with Bagnaia's crash losing him a potential 20 points, saw Bezzecchi move top of the standings, and even he was surprised with his performance.
"I didn't expect this when I left home. As soon as I started riding here I felt very well and I was at one with my bike," he said.
"I felt incredibly well since the first moment and yesterday was also very nice, so when I saw the rain this morning I was really sad because I said 'no, I was so good in the dry, for sure it will be difficult in the wet.'
"But when I jumped on the bike in warm-up it was amazing. I started believing again and thought I could do this. I enjoyed riding and was really, really focused. Everything went well. It was a long journey."
Johann Zarco's late charge through the field saw him finish second, overtaking Alex Marquez on the final lap, and he is hopeful he can follow in Bezzecchi's footsteps this season with a maiden win.
"A good result like this gives a very good motivation. Congrats to Bezzecchi – I was in fifth position and there were three guys in front of me and I thought if I catch them I will be second, but where is the first one?" He said.
"I even thought that there was maybe a mistake on my pit board. I could see him on the last lap but was four seconds in front and he did an amazing job. Hope my turn will come this year."
Marco Bezzecchi secured his first MotoGP win with a stellar ride in a wet Argentine Grand Prix at Termas de Rio Hondo.
Runner-up in Saturday's Sprint, Bezzecchi took the lead on the opening lap and led throughout, finishing ahead of Johann Zarco in second and Alex Marquez, who started on pole, in third.
Bezzecchi's victory sends him to the summit of the 2023 MotoGP standings, with previous leader and defending champion Francesco Bagnaia crashing out soon after rising to second ahead of Marquez.
Franco Morbidelli looked set for a podium finish before Zarco's thrilling late charge through the field relegated him to fourth, while Marquez celebrated his first podium since his rookie season in 2020.
Brad Binder, winner of Saturday's Sprint, crashed at turn five on the opening lap, while Fabio Quartararo was another to endure a difficult start after being pushed off by Takaaki Nakagami.
Bezzecchi was in a class of his own in the lead, opening up an advantage of over seven seconds after Bagnaia, then running second, crashed out on lap 17.
Quartararo then began to rise through the field but the most impressive late charge came from Zarco, a second quicker than his competitors as he pushed his way to a podium spot.
His work was done on the final lap, overtaking Marquez, but there was no competition for Bezzechi, who cruised to victory to finish over four seconds ahead of his nearest rivals.
Top 10
1. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46) 44:28:518
2. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) +4.085
3. Alex Marquez (Gresini) +4.681
4. Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha) +7.581
5. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) +9.746
6. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) +10.562
7. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) +11.095
8. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46) +13.694
9. Alex Rins (LCR Honda) +14.327
10. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini) +18.515
Championship Standings
Riders
1. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46) 50
2. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) 41
3. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) 35
4. Alex Marquez (Gresini) 33
5. Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) 32
Teams
1. Mooney VR46 65
2. Pramac Racing 57
3. Red Bull KTM 47
4. Aprilia 44
5. Ducati 41
Daniil Medvedev extended his perfect record against Jannik Sinner to six matches after defeating him 7-5 6-3 in Sunday's Miami Open final.
Medvedev also beat Sinner in February's Rotterdam Open final, marking his fifth win from their fifth meeting, and by improving that to 6-0 it means it is the Russian's equal-best record against a single opponent, along with Felix Auger-Aliassime and Diego Schwartzman.
Sinner had a great opportunity to take the first set, creating five break point opportunities compared to Medvedev's three, and he kept his service games clean with no double faults while Medvedev racked up four.
The 21-year-old Italian could have forced a tiebreaker in the first set, but failed to hold his serve at 6-5 down, and Medvedev capitalised on the momentum to grab an immediate break to start the second frame.
To Sinner's credit, he snatched the break right back, but Medvedev got another and safely served it out the rest of the way.
The writing was on the wall after the first set, as Medvedev came into the contest a perfect 24-0 this season when securing the opener, and the title is his 16th on hard courts since 2019, two more than second-placed Novak Djokovic (14) over the span.
It is his 19th singles title overall – at a 19th different tournament – and after a brief rough patch getting over the line, he has become one of the sport's great finishers.
From November 2021 through June 2022 he lost five finals in a row, but he has since won six of his past seven, claiming his fifth Masters 1000 crown in the process.
Marco Bezzechi secured his first MotoGP win with a stellar ride in a wet Argentine Grand Prix at Termas de Rio Hondo.
Runner-up in Saturday's Sprint, Bezzechi took the lead on the opening lap and led throughout, finishing ahead of Johann Zarco in second and Alex Marquez, who started on pole, in third.
Bezzechi's victory sends him to the summit of the 2023 MotoGP standings, with previous leader and defending champion Francesco Bagnaia crashing out soon after rising to second ahead of Marquez.
Franco Morbidelli looked set for a podium finish before Zarco's thrilling late charge through the field relegated him to fourth, while Marquez celebrated his first podium since his rookie season in 2020.
Brad Binder, winner of Saturday's Sprint, crashed at turn five on the opening lap, while Fabio Quartararo was another to endure a difficult start after being pushed off by Takaaki Nakagami.
Bezzechi was in a class of his own in the lead, opening up an advantage of over seven seconds after Bagnaia, then running second, crashed out on lap 17.
Quartararo then began to rise through the field but the most impressive late charge came from Zarco, a second quicker than his competitors as he pushed his way to a podium spot.
His work was done on the final lap, overtaking Marquez, but there was no competition for Bezzechi, who cruised to victory to finish over four seconds ahead of his nearest rivals.
Top 10
1. Marco Bezzechi (Mooney VR46) 44:28:518
2. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) +4.085
3. Alex Marquez (Gresini) +4.681
4. Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha) +7.581
5. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) +9.746
6. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) +10.562
7. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) +11.095
8. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46) +13.694
9. Alex Rins (LCR Honda) +14.327
10. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini) +18.515
Championship Standings
Riders
1. Marco Bezzechi (Mooney VR46) 50
2. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) 41
3. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) 35
4. Alex Marquez (Gresini) 33
5. Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) 32
Teams
1. Mooney VR46 65
2. Pramac Racing 57
3. Red Bull KTM 47
4. Aprilia 44
5. Ducati 41
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay has revealed he came close to joining the Baltimore Ravens before re-signing with the NFC champions last month.
The five-time Pro Bowler – a key member of the Eagles team that lost to the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LVII – looked set to leave Philadelphia when he was given permission to discuss a trade.
Slay even appeared to bid farewell to the team's supporters on Twitter, but a remarkable U-turn saw the Eagles agree a two-year contract extension worth $42million with the 32-year-old.
That represented a major coup for Philadelphia as they bid to build on their 14-3 2022 season, but Slay has revealed a move to Baltimore was on the cards before his reversal.
"I was almost a Baltimore Raven. This close," Slay told reporters, holding up two fingers.
"But I wanted to be an Eagle. I stayed an Eagle because I know we were going to figure something out.
"The Baltimore Ravens were the first team that called. They offered just what I wanted. I said, 'If the Eagles do that, I'm going to stay an Eagle.' It was nice. I was almost a Raven."
Slay made 40 tackles and three interceptions across the regular season last term, while his 14 passes defensed saw him tie for 12th in the NFL.
Dillian Whyte believes he should be Anthony Joshua's next opponent, claiming the 33-year-old is wasting his time by pursuing a bout against Tyson Fury.
Having suffered back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk to cede his heavyweight belts, Joshua returned to the ring to beat Jermaine Franklin via unanimous decision in London on Saturday.
After winning what was his first non-title fight in 12, Joshua called out WBC heavyweight champion Fury, who recently saw negotiations over an undisputed bout with Usyk fall through.
However, Whyte – who was ringside for Joshua's victory at the O2 Arena – does not believe Fury will accept the fight, and he wants a chance to atone for a 2015 defeat against Joshua.
Asked why he believed a rematch could be on the cards, Whyte told Sky Sports: "It's a logical fight. Fury is not a person to negotiate with, because he'll mess you around.
"If he's being offered unified heavyweight champion [by Usyk] and not taking it, what is Joshua going to offer him to take the fight? Nothing.
"He's obviously seeing Joshua as way beneath him, the fight isn't going to happen. I don't know why they are wasting their time.
"There is someone here who is willing to fight and ready to go, but for some reason Joshua seems to – I don't know if it's a tactic of his – brush it under the carpet."
Joshua had lost three of his previous five fights ahead of his win over Franklin, and Whyte believes his rival has been scarred by those defeats.
"Maybe he just doesn't want to take risks anymore," he said of Joshua. "I don't know if it's money that has made him soft, or if it's the defeats.
"Getting knocked out and getting outclassed, I think it's more that than money, to be honest."
Eddie Jones has six uncapped faces in his first Australia squad since returning to the team, comparing his training camp with Formula 1 pre-season testing.
The veteran coach was dismissed by England last December, and promptly returned to take charge of the Wallabies for the second time, succeeding Dave Rennie.
In making his first selections ahead of a training camp before July's Rugby Championship and September's Rugby World Cup, Jones has not been afraid to gamble.
On the weekend the Australian Grand Prix took place in Melbourne, the 63-year-old also spoke of how his side can draw influence from the start of a new year in F1 too.
"Every pre-season testing in Formula One is a fresh start," he said. "New ideas, new cars, new drivers, new support staff. It's the same for us.
"This is a new squad, with new standards and new expectations for a new challenge. I hope the players who have this first chance understand the privilege, have their tyres pumped up and they're ready to go."
Brumbies duo Blake Schoupp and Ryan Lonergan are included for the first time, alongside Rebels pair Carter Gordon and Brad Wilkin.
Waratahs teenager Max Jorgensen also gets a first call, as does Reds man Josh Flook, who is joined by domestic team-mate Suliasi Vunivalu despite the league convert's mixed form.
Jones believes he has a team with the mindset to deliver, adding: "It's no secret what I've been looking for, and in the players selected for this first camp they've delivered on work rate, effort and intent.”
"I've said it a million times. We have the talent in Australia but not the team. This first camp and this first squad is the first step to building a winning team.
"This is not the squad for Rugby World Cup. It's the first squad for the first camp. If you are in it, the challenge is to stay in it. If you are not in it, how do you get in it? Players select themselves."
Australia squad: Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Ben Donaldson (Waratahs), Pone Fa'amausili (Rebels), Josh Flook (Reds), Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs), Nick Frost (Brumbies), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs), Carter Gordon (Rebels), Ned Hanigan (Waratahs), Reece Hodge (Rebels), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Jed Holloway (Waratahs), Len Ikitau (Brumbies), Max Jorgensen (Waratahs), Andrew Kellaway (Rebels), Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Fraser McReight (Reds), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs), Cadeyrn Neville (Brumbies), Jordan Petaia (Reds), David Porecki (Waratahs), Tom Robertson (Force), Pete Samu (Brumbies), Blake Schoupp (Brumbies), James Slipper (Brumbies), Darcy Swain (Brumbies), Jordan Uelese (Rebels), Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds), Nic White (Brumbies), Brad Wilkin (Rebels), Tom Wright (Brumbies).
Charles Leclerc rued "the worst start to the season ever" as his Ferrari posted a second retirement of 2023 at the Australian Grand Prix.
The Monegasque spun off on three turns in at Albert Park after a collision with Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, ending his race inside the opening lap.
Following a 39th-lap retirement in Bahrain with engine trouble and a seventh-place finish in Saudi Arabia, it continues a rough campaign for Leclerc.
Speaking afterwards, the 25-year-old refused to place the blame at Stroll's feet, but acknowledged his first three races are a nadir in his Formula 1 career.
"[It is] just extremely frustrating," he said. "I mean, it's the worst start to the season ever, really. It is really frustrating.
"I'm not pointing the finger at Lance because I think he had no choice once Fernando [Alonso] slowed down the car the second time.
"For me, it was just impossible to see whether Lance was staying behind Fernando or if he was just in between. I obviously didn't think he was there."
It marked a pointless day for Ferrari, with Leclerc's team-mate Carlos Sainz demoted from fourth to 12th with a controversial five-second time penalty.
The Spaniard was handed the punishment for running into Alonso amid the race's restart in the wake of its second red flag, with just two laps to go.
After a rolling restart the third time around ensured he could not build an advantage to keep him in the points, Sainz was left fuming afterwards.
"I think it's the most unfair penalty I've seen in my life," he told media. "I [would] prefer to go back to the stewards, have a conversation with them.
"Maybe I can come back and talk [then]. I honestly cannot do it [now]. It's too unfair, and I don't feel well to speak."
Max Verstappen was thrilled to seal his first victory at the Australian Grand Prix and emerge unscathed after three red flags caused chaos in Melbourne.
Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to claim his second win from three races in 2023.
The two-time world champion extended his championship lead to 15 points over team-mate Sergio Perez, who recovered from a pit-lane start to finish fifth.
Red Bull have the fastest car on the track, but Verstappen was made to work hard for his latest victory, the team's first in Australia since Sebastian Vettel triumphed in 2011.
He dropped from pole to third as he was passed by George Russell and Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap, which he suggested was partly due to caution on his part.
Verstappen also made a mental note of what he felt were aggressive moves after earlier complaining on team radio that Hamilton had run him wide.
Three red flags and a frantic finish meant Verstappen was unable to coast to victory when his big lead evaporated for a standing restart, but he held off Hamilton.
"No, not straightforward!" he said after the race. "We had a very poor start. Lap one I was careful because I had a lot to lose and they [the Mercedes] had a lot to win.
"From my side, I just tried to avoid a contact [on the first lap]."
Asked about the battle with Hamilton, he said: "It's quite clear in the rules what you're allowed to do now on the outside, but clearly it's not followed.
"It's OK, we had good pace and we passed them anyway, but it's something for the next races to take into account.
"After that, the pace of the car was quick - you could see that straight away. We were always there, waiting for the DRS to open up to have the chance to pass.
"But with these red flags, I don't know... the first one, maybe you can do it but the second one I don't really understand. So, it was a bit of a mess, but we survived everything and winning is the most important thing.
"It's great to win here - my first win here and it's been a while for the team as well since winning in Australia, so very happy."
Fernando Alonso looked relieved to have claimed a third straight podium after a "rollercoaster" race.
He thought he had lost his third place in the final moments when contact with Carlos Sainz at the second restart appeared to knock him out of contention.
But after immediately issuing a third red flag, the FIA handed Sainz a time penalty and Alonso was reprieved when it was ruled the order from the previous restart should be restored.
Asked if he had experienced a race like that before, the 41-year-old replied: "Probably not! It was a rollercoaster of emotions with many things going on at the beginning and then also at the end.
"In the last half an hour it was difficult to understand what was going on.
"Mercedes were very fast. Lewis did an incredible job. I couldn't match or get close enough, but we'll take P3.
"The first red flag helped us because George and Carlos came in and we got those places for free. The second one probably didn't help us with the incident. But we got lucky.
"P3 and P4 is an amazing Sunday for the team. We have three third places now, let's get higher on the podium, let's go for a second place at least!"
The last occasions Alonso was on the podium for each of the first three races of a Formula One season were 2005 and 2006, the two years when he won the world championship.
Lewis Hamilton still does not feel comfortable in his Mercedes but has renewed confidence the team can fight to challenge Red Bull after a strong showing at an incident-packed Australian Grand Prix.
In a race that saw three red flags at Albert Park, Hamilton finished second behind world champion Max Verstappen, who has won two of the opening three races in the 2023 season.
Hamilton consequently returned to the podium for the first time since the penultimate race of the 2022 campaign in Brazil.
The Briton said he is still trying to get a connection with the car, but feels the team have an opportunity to narrow the gap to the dominant Red Bulls.
"It was [a crazy race]. I have had the best week here this week," Hamilton said.
"I still feel uncomfortable in the car, I don't feel connected to it so I am driving as best I can with that disconnect and I am working as hard as I can to try and create that connect but it is a long project.
"But still, considering we have been down on performance and the straight pace compared to the Red Bulls, for us to be up here fighting with Aston, it is just amazing at this point in the season.
"We have got to keep on fighting. Big, big thank you to everybody back at the factory, let's keep pushing.
"If we can close that gap, it is going to be tough, but it isn't impossible."
Team-mate George Russell lost the lead amid the drama of the first red flag and later had to retire with a power-unit issue.
Hamilton added: "It was really unlucky for George. On our side, we have got to look into our reliability, which has generally been really good, so that is really unfortunate.
"Otherwise to get those points is really amazing. I definitely didn't expect to be second. So I am super grateful for it."
On his disappointing premature end to the race, Russell said: "Yeah, I guess when it's not your day, it's not your day, and pretty disappointed initially with the decision to red flag the race.
"Everything we've done this weekend has been good: qualifying was great, the start was great, the restart was great, the strategy decision was the right one. It's just such a shame to be stood here right now."
Brandon Ingram said the New Orleans Pelicans proved they can contend with the best in the NBA as he continued his hot streak to earn a huge win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Ingram scored 25 points or more for the ninth straight outing, putting up 36 in a 122-114 victory that leaves the Pelicans just one game back of the sixth-placed Clippers in the West.
Getting into the top six would mean the Pelicans avoid the play-in tournament in the playoffs.
"If you want to be the best, you've got to go against the best and you've got to beat them," Ingram said.
"That's one of the things that was in my head tonight, just trying to get this win."
Asked about his impressive form, Ingram said: "It's just manoeuvring a little bit, seeing what's open, seeing what spot I can get to on the floor, not forcing the game.
"That’s the biggest thing – seeing what's the best shot for the team, but also making sure that I stay aggressive."
Team-mates CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III put up 19 apiece, and the former paid tribute to Ingram's ability to make the clutch shots in key moments.
"Those are I'm-just-better-than-you shots," McCollum said.
"He's relying on his skill set and his comfort level. Regardless of analytics and what's considered a good shot, that's a great shot for him."
Kawhi Leonard put up 40 points for the Clippers, who have now lost back-to-back games.
"We just have to give credit to them as they played amazing. Ingram played great," Leonard said.
Max Verstappen continued Red Bull's fine start to the Formula One season as he won his first Australian Grand Prix in a chaotic race on Sunday.
The double world champion did not have it all his own way after dropping from pole position to third as he was passed by George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in the resurgent Mercedes on the opening lap.
There were three red flags, with Russell losing the lead amid the drama around the first and he was later forced to retire, with Verstappen overtaking Hamilton to go in front on lap 12.
Verstappen charged clear from there to claim a second win from three races. He finished ahead of Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, though there was more drama and confusion before the final result was confirmed.
Sergio Perez started in the pit lane after opting to change his car under parc ferme regulations due to his issues in qualifying, but he was able to salvage a fifth-place finish.
Russell overtook Verstappen down the inside of the first corner and with the Dutchman on the back foot Hamilton forced his own way through.
Last year's winner Charles Leclerc was in the gravel after contact with Lance Stroll, ending the Ferrari driver's race and bringing out the safety car in a thrilling start.
The safety was car called out again on lap 7 after Alex Albon hit the wall, with leader Russell diving into the pits.
However, that move backfired when a red flag followed soon after, leaving Hamilton and Verstappen – who had not stopped – with an advantage and Russell down in seventh.
Russell promptly got back up for fourth after the restart, but it was not his day as he then lost power with the back of his car on fire.
At the front, Verstappen clearly had the most pace and easily reclaimed the lead by sweeping past Hamilton round the outside in a DRS-assisted move.
A Verstappen victory rarely looked in doubt from there until a late crash for Kevin Magnussen caused a second red flag.
In a dramatic restart, contact between Carlos Sainz and Alonso caused an immediate third red flag and looked to have ended the Aston Martin veteran's podium hopes.
A period of confusion then followed as the FIA determined what rules would be applied and Alonso was reprieved as it ordered the race to finish with the same order as existed before the restart, with Sainz receiving a time penalty.
Jimmy Butler said the win is all that matters as the Miami Heat boosted their playoffs standing, while simultaneously damaging the Dallas Mavericks' own postseason hopes.
The Heat entered Saturday's contest with a three-game losing streak, but fought for a 129-122 victory at the FTX Arena.
That was despite the slumping Mavericks shooting at 61 per cent, marking only the second time the franchise has ever lost when shooting at least 60 per cent including the playoffs (30-2 all time).
Butler led the way with 35 points and 12 assists, while Cody Zeller (20 points), Kevin Love, Max Strus (both 18) and Tyler Herro (15) all contributed.
The Heat are seventh in the East, have a three-game buffer over the Atlanta Hawks for the final play-in spot, and are only a game back of the Brooklyn Nets in sixth to avoid the play-in altogether – although, due to a superior head-to-head record, the Nets only need to go 3-2 at the end of the season to hold on.
After the game Butler, said: "A win is a win.
"I don't like the fact that they shot 61 per cent, but I do like the fact that we finally won a game."
Head coach Erik Spoelstra added: "I wouldn't necessarily have drawn it up this way."
The Mavericks, like the Heat, made the Conference Finals last season but find themselves in a real battle just to make the postseason this time around.
Defeat leaves them 11th in the West, one game back of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Luka Doncic was once again impressive with 42 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, with Tim Hardaway Jr (31) and Kyrie Irving (23) adding heftily to the tally.
But head coach Jason Kidd was not impressed with his team's performance at the other end of the court.
"Our defense was non-existent. Couldn't get stops," he said.
Hardaway Jr tried to rally his teammates, saying: "[We've] just got to play hard, play with desperation and anything can happen. Anything can happen."
Adam Duvall starred before blasting a walk-off two-run homer over the Green Monster as the Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-8 on Saturday.
Duvall, who joined the Red Sox from the Atlanta Braves in the offseason, had four hits, three runs and five RBIs for the game in a glittering display at Fenway Park.
But his crowning moment came with the Red Sox two out with a runner on first at the bottom of the ninth, hammering a Felix Bautista fastball just above the Green Monster for the walk-off blast.
The Red Sox capitalised on Ryan McKenna's fielding error at deep left field that allowed Masataka Yoshida to get on first base after hitting a routine fly ball.
Duvall's subsequent blast just cleared the Monster, caroming into a tabletop and back on to the field, but the lights flickered, signalling the walk-off homer.
The 34-year-old outfielder homered in the third inning as part of a four-run salvo after the Red Sox trailed 7-1.
Baltimore had raced ahead with Ryan Mountcastle's two-run first-inning homer along with Cedric Mullins three-run blast in the third. The Orioles tagged Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale for seven runs across three innings.
The Red Sox cut it to 8-7 in the seventh after Enrique Hernandez's homer and Duvall's ground rule double for Rafael Devers to score. Austin Hays went five-for-five with two runs for the O's.
Flaherty's mixed day as Cardinals register first win
St Louis Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty threw five no-hit innings along with giving up a career-high seven walks as his side claimed their first win of the season, 4-1 over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Flaherty fanned four, tossing down 49 of 95 pitches for strikes, but only had one clean inning, albeit his final one, on a mixed day on the mound.
The Cardinals opened up a 3-0 lead in the third inning, capitalising on a two-out throwing error by Jays third baseman Matt Chapman, before Nolan Gorman's two-run single.
Angels pile on the runs in Fujinami's A's debut
The Los Angeles Angels scored 11 runs in the third inning as they spoiled Shintaro Fujinami's debut for the Oakland Athletics, winning 13-1.
Fujinami, who joined the A's on a one-year free-agent deal, fell apart in the third after a positive start, with his game ending after 55 pitches with the Angels leading 6-0. The Japanese pitcher allowed eight earned runs with three walks and four Ks.
Taylor Ward blasted a three-run homer off reliever Adam Oller, while Shohei Ohtani had two hits and two RBIs.
Trayce Thompson produced a three-homer, eight-RBI game as the Los Angeles Dodgers won 10-1 over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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