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METZ MAGIC AND ATHENS ACE: CAMERON NORRIE AND NOVAK DJOKOVIC ON FIRE

Cameron Norrie is into the Moselle Open quarter-finals after a hard-fought three-set comeback against Arthur Cazaux. Novak Djokovic also advanced at the Athens Open with a straight-sets win.

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Cameron Norrie has the most wins by a British man this season (32) - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic advanced in Athens, while Cameron Norrie defeated Frenchman Arthur Cazaux in three sets after rallying from behind to advance to the Moselle Open quarterfinals.

In a gruelling 6-7 (1-7) 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 victory in Metz, France, British number three Norrie advanced to his seventh tour-level quarterfinal of the year, and his first since Wimbledon in July.

The 30-year-old will next play at home for the third time in a row on Wednesday against Kyrian Jacquet and Dan Added, two French lucky losers.

Last year's runner-up, world number 27 Norrie, got off to a good start and broke the serve of 69th-ranked Cazaux in the first game.

However, the home favourite won the first set in a tie-break when Norrie had to survive a break point after Cazaux tied the set.

Both players were unable to come to an agreement, and the second set similarly ended in a tie-break. However, Norrie maintained his tempo this time and won his fourth set point with a sweeping forehand.

Using an instant break to capitalise on a faltering Cazaux's waning energy, Norrie kept that momentum into the final, sprinting to the finish line after midnight local time.

He is a very skilled player, so it is always a struggle. "I had to choose some battles with myself and fight hard to get into the match," Norrie remarked.

"I simply reminded myself that I wanted to be here and play."

In the last week of the regular season, there are two ATP 250 events: the Moselle Open and the Athens Open. On Sunday, the ATP Finals, which will include the top eight players of the season, will start in Turin.

Djokovic defeated Alejandro Tabilo for the first time in the Athens Open, advancing to his 225th tour-level quarterfinal.

Roger Federer is the only player to start a match against the 24-time men's Grand Slam champion with a 3-0 record, although Chile's Tabilo had won both of their prior encounters.

However, the 38-year-old Serb strolled to a 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 victory after winning a first-set tie-break, increasing his record of winning every match in which he has won the opening set this season to 28.

Djokovic had a commanding finish to the match, winning 20 of the final 23 points.

Djokovic, who is vying for his 101st career singles title in the Greek capital, will next take on Nuno Borges on Thursday after the Portuguese sixth seed defeated American Eliot Spizzirri 5-7, 6-,3 6-4.

FIFA STANDS FIRM, REGENT CRIES FOUL IN HEATED RED CARD DEBATE

Johor Regent Tunku Ismail condemns FIFA's sanctions on Malaysia's "heritage" players, calling the decision "politically motivated." He vows to fight for the players' rights at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

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FIFA Rejects Red Card Appeal - COURTESY/PHOTO

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has come under fire from Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, a well-known football enthusiast, for its steadfast stance that the seven "heritage" players on the national team obtained Malaysian citizenship through forged and falsified documents.

The world football body's decision was harshly criticised by the regent, who called the fines "politically driven" and a "misapplication of the law."

Tunku Ismail promised to keep fighting for the players' rights, even if the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is embarrassed by the decision and detractors are calling for heads to roll.

"While others decide to blame others and create noise, I will continue to stand behind the players and fight to the end, which will now take place at the impartial Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)," he said.

On Monday, FIFA declared that FAM's appeal against the penalties levied on the seven "legacy" players had been denied.

Raus Sharif, the former chief justice, was previously nominated by FAM, which has denied any misconduct, to lead an impartial commission that would look into the situation.

The matter has sparked debate over what many perceive to be unfair treatment, with detractors wondering how foreign-born athletes reportedly obtained citizenship so easily while stateless people who were born and nurtured in Malaysia still have to overcome insurmountable obstacles.

SHOCKING: WWE STAR WAS READY TO TAKE ON CM PUNK

WWE's Grayson Waller calls CM Punk "soft," revealing he was ready to fight him backstage. Waller says his dream match is to face the "real" Punk and vows to provoke the new World Heavyweight Champion.

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CM Punk - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Recently, a former WWE champion declared that facing CM Punk would be his ideal match. The celebrity further asserted that when he rejoined the company, he was ready to battle The Second City Saint backstage.

Grayson Waller, a 35-year-old star, made the remarks while appearing on "INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet." The "Aussie Icon" responded that he has always wished to face the recently crowned World Heavyweight Champion when asked about his ideal opponent.

Waller reiterated, though, that his goal was to wrestle the "genuine" CM Punk. Since his comeback, the veteran has "changed a lot and gone soft," he said.

Waller brought up the controversy in the locker room that resulted in Punk's AEW release. When the veteran returned to WWE, he claimed he was expecting the same intensity and was let down.

I suppose I was prepared to engage him in combat backstage. That is what we were going to do, I thought," Waller remarked. I thought, 'This is going to be sick,' as if he would start causing trouble and beat up little flops backstage once more. I am in, guy.

According to Waller, the 47-year-old has instead changed into a "kind person" who helps everyone, even "NXT" talent. Waller does not respect or wish to quarrel with this particular form of CM Punk.

But these days, he is just a genuinely good man who helps everyone at NXT and does all of this. I do not like that kind of punk," Waller continued. "I am going to have that chance because I want to bring it back out."

"I have already told Punk directly that I intend to provoke him," he said. "There will come a time when I will stand across from you with a microphone and tell you precisely what I think of you, and I want you to tell me exactly what you think of me," I told him directly.

The new champion already has a big target on his back, even though Waller is concentrating on CM Punk. Punk and Jey Uso faced Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed on the latest episode of "Monday Night Raw."

The Vision prevailed in the ensuing melee, but the bout ended in a double count-out. Logan Paul appeared as Punk grabbed a steel chair to counterbalance the heels.

It looked like Paul was going to help Punk fight Breakker and Reed as he stepped into the ring. Rather, he teamed up with The Vision and used brass knuckles to strike the World Heavyweight Champion in the face.

Paul Heyman's new faction, which is now slated for a big bout, was cemented by this onslaught. Logan Paul and The Vision are probably going to collaborate on the next "WarGames" event.

Grayson Waller's ideal match is still a personal ambition, but CM Punk's near future is predetermined. The "Survivor Series: WarGames" main event for the "Raw" brand has been revealed.

Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and new World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk will square off in the bout. The Vision, which now consists of Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and its newest member, Logan Paul, will confront them once they enter the cage.

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