Laffont, CAN, descent, Djokovic: The news on a set of February 3

WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED BETWEEN LAST NIGHT AND THIS MORNING

1. Olympic Games – Alpine Skiing: Matthieu Bailet 4th in the first downhill training session

The result does not matter, but the first feelings are good in the clan of French alpine skiing. The first contact with the snow in Yanqing took place on the night of Wednesday to Thursday with the first training session of the descent, won by the Swiss Stefan Rogentin. Matthieu Bailet set the fourth fastest time, Johan Clarey 12th on a track he described as « fun« , « well thought out, but not very difficult« . The favorites did not force: Kilde 7th, Feuz 17th, Paris 27th, Odermatt 32nd, Mayer 37th. Next training sessions Friday and Saturday.

2. Football – African Cup of Nations: Senegal first finalist

Burkina Faso did not deserve, but Senegal is the first CAN finalist. It all happened at the end of the game with three goals in the last twenty minutes signed by Parisian Abdou Diallo (70th), Marseille Bamba Dieng (76th) and Sadio Mané (87th). For the third time in their history, the Lions of Teranga will play for the title, against the winner of the second Cameroon – Egypt semi-final.

3. Tennis – Australian Open: Novak Djokovic’s certificates were valid for Serbian justice

The soap opera is over but not enough to completely stop the Novak Djokovic affair. Questioned by several media, the certificates provided by the world number one to obtain an exemption from the vaccination pass in order to compete in the Australian Open were « valid » assured Serbian justice on Wednesday. The positive test for Covid-19 carried out on December 16 and then the negative one on December 22 were authentic according to the prosecution. The situation may not have to happen again since, according to one of Djokovic’s biographers, Daniel Müksch, the player finally got vaccinated recently.

WE HAVE ALSO RETAINED FOR YOU

Olympic Games – Biathlon: Quentin Fillon-Maillet, Émilien Jacquelin, Julia Simon and Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet will compose the French mixed relay on Saturday to defend the title won four years ago in South Korea, announced the management of the team Thursday. Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet will start the race, then hand over to Julia Simon, before Émilien Jacquelin and then Quentin Fillon Maillet finish the job.

Soccer – Champions League : According to Le Parisien, it is almost impossible today to imagine Sergio Ramos, again injured in the calf, holding his place against Real Madrid in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League on February 15. Neymar, he is on the return assures L’Equipe.

Tennis – South of France Open : Jo-Wilfried Tsonga suffered a frustrating defeat in the second round of the Montpellier tournament, against Serbian Filip Krajinovic (6-4, 7-6 (2)). For his part, Gilles Simon gave up against Roberto Bautista Agut because of back pain.

Basketball–NBA : Nothing is going well for the Brooklyn Nets, beaten for the sixth time in a row, last night at the Sacramento Kings (112-101) with a match without James Harden (4 points, 6 stray bullets). Defeats also for Denver in Utah which was nevertheless deprived of several major players including Rudy Gobert, from Dallas to Oklahoma City, from Cleveland to Houston or even from Philadelphia against Washington.

Football – King’s Cup : Rayo Vallecano qualified for the semi-finals of the King’s Cup for the first time in its history after its success against Mallorca (1-0), on a penalty from former Toulousain Oscar Trejo.

The catch-up video

3rd episode of the Six Nations previews: after the English and the Welsh title holder, here is the episode you’ve all been waiting for, the one on the XV of France.

Podcasts

Its first star, the French football team owes it to Aimé Jacquet, this formidable architect who built the most solid of buildings. Your Big Audio Story of the day.

The directors of the Grande Boucle do not miss the opportunity to make close-ups of the legs marked by the effort. But one detail may have escaped you. There is never a hair. Do you know why ? « You want a medal » explains it to you in 2’30 » chrono!

The « numbers » Tweet

WHAT YOU CAN’T MISS TO FOLLOW TODAY

1. Olympic Games – Mogul skiing: The first thrill, Perrine Laffont takes the stage (11:00 a.m.)

This is undoubtedly the first important moment of these Beijing Olympics in the French contingent. One of her greatest medal chances Perrine Laffont makes her debut on the eve of the Opening Ceremony. The reigning Olympic champion is on the qualifying schedule. A formality on paper, a good way to recognize the track a little more and gain even more confidence.

2. Football – African Cup of Nations: Cameroon – Senegal for a place in the final (8:00 p.m.)

In a CAN which did not lack surprises, the second semi-final saw two leaders hold their rank. On one side, the Cameroon of Vincent Aboubakar, on the other the Egypt of Mo Salah. A clash all fired up to join Senegal, and the promise of a nice show between two of the main selections of the continent which are gaining strength over the competition.

3. Tennis – Open Sud de France: Monfils, Mannarino, Gasquet, nice tricolor program (from 1.30 p.m.)

Gaël Monfils and Adrian Mannarino will try to confirm their fine run at the Australian Open by passing the 2nd round in Montpellier. For Monfils, Mikael Ymer seems an affordable opponent in the evening. Earlier, Mannarino will have to be wary of a David Goffin in total loss of confidence and landmark but with certain talent. Another Blue in the running, Richard Gasquet will face the Korean Soonwoo Kwon. Also note the match of Alexander Zverev against the American Mackenzie McDonald.