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Sabalenka fights on at Australian Open, Osaka bows out injured

Sabalenka fights on at Australian Open, Osaka bows out injured
It has been nearly three years that the top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka has failed to advance past the third round of any Grand Slam tournament in which she played. (AP)
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Updated 40 min 34 sec ago

Sabalenka fights on at Australian Open, Osaka bows out injured

Sabalenka fights on at Australian Open, Osaka bows out injured
  • It was Aryna Sabalenka’s eighth match victory in a row to start the season after winning the Brisbane International 10 days ago

MELBOURNE: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka was pushed to the limit in setting up an Australian Open showdown with teenager Mirra Andreeva on Friday but Naomi Osaka’s run ended with an injury retirement in round three.
Also on day six in Melbourne, Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set before surging into the last 16 and Alexander Zverev staked his claim for a first major title with a third straight-sets victory.
Novak Djokovic later steps up his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam crown.
Women’s number one Sabalenka was made to work hard behind a faltering serve before beating Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the third round on Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka was broken four straight times at the start of the match but found her groove to win 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 after more than two hours of attritional tennis.
“I’m just super happy that I was able to just stay in the game and I was able to push myself, honestly, to the limit to get this win,” said Sabalenka, who is chasing a rare third Melbourne title in a row.
Her win puts her into a clash against highly rated 17-year-old Andreeva, the 14th seed, who beat Poland’s 23rd seed Magdalena Frech in three sets.
Russia’s Andreeva announced her burgeoning talent by beating Sabalenka in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros last year.
Two-time Melbourne champion Osaka was on a collision course with American third seed Coco Gauff in the next round.
But the former world number one needed treatment on her stomach from the trainer during the first set against Belinda Bencic and called it quits after losing the opener on a tiebreak.
Osaka, who was struggling with an abdominal injury in the build-up to the tournament and retired from the final in Auckland, was in the third round of a Slam for the first time since the birth of her daughter in 2023.
Alcaraz, who raced into the last 32 for the loss of just 12 games, suffered a wobble in the third set against Portugal’s unseeded Nuno Borges.
But the Spanish third seed, who has won four majors but never been beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne, regained his focus to ease through 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2.
Germany’s Zverev also booked his place in the second week of the opening Grand Slam of the year with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.
Zverev came into Melbourne at a career-high number two ranking and has not dropped a set in three matches at the tournament.
Djokovic and Alcaraz are on track for a quarter-final clash.
Ten-time champion Djokovic must first dispose of Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac in a prime-time evening match to reach the last 16.
Jakub Mensik, the Czech teenager who shocked sixth seed Casper Ruud in round two, will make his bid to reach the second week against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Gauff had to battle back from 5-3 down in the second set against Britain’s Jodie Burrage in round two after dropping her serve three times.
She knows she will need to improve against former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, even though she recently beat the Canadian at the United Cup, if she is to meet Bencic in the last 16.
“Obviously I did well at the United Cup. It’s a different match, different story. Anything can happen,” said Gauff, who plays in the night session on Margaret Court Arena.
In other women’s draw early action, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova swept past Germany’s Laura Siegemund, who stunned Zheng Qinwen in the second round, 6-1, 6-2.
The Russian 27th seed will face Croatian 18th seed Donna Vekic for a place in the quarter-finals.
Vekic outlasted another Russian, 12th seed Diana Shnaider, 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (3/7), 7-5 in the day’s first match on Margaret Court Arena
Seventh seed Jessica Pegula, the US Open finalist last year, takes on Serbia’s Olga Danilovic.


Emirati racing trio to compete at 6H of Abu Dhabi

Emirati racing trio to compete at 6H of Abu Dhabi
Updated 34 min 24 sec ago

Emirati racing trio to compete at 6H of Abu Dhabi

Emirati racing trio to compete at 6H of Abu Dhabi
  • Saif Al-Ameri, Fahad Al-Zaabi, and Salem Al-Ketbi will fly the national flag in the second round of Yas Racing Series
  • Yas Heat Racing begins the season with Rashid Al-Dhaheri competing in Formula Regional Middle East Championship

ABU DHABI: Three Emirati racers are set to represent the UAE in the 6H of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit this weekend.

Saif Al-Ameri, Fahad Al-Zaabi and Salem Al-Ketbi of Rabdan Motorsport are among more than 50 entrants who have been confirmed for the endurance race.

At the first round of the Middle East Trophy series, the 24H of Dubai, Rabdan Motorsport finished third and secured a podium finish in an impressive start to their 2025 campaign.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Al-Ameri said: “It’s an amazing feeling to race for the UAE in such a major international event. Competing against world class teams right here at Yas Marina Circuit is a proud moment for all of us. Our podium finish in Dubai was a strong start, and we’re aiming for another standout performance.”

Competing in the Porsche 992 category in the Amateur class, Rabdan Motorsport will be the only team on the grid to feature three UAE nationals. Joining forces with them will be Austrian semi-pro racer Christopher Zochling.

This weekend will also host the second round of Yas Racing Series, with Rashid Al-Dhaheri competing in Formula Regional Middle East and Adam Al-Azhari and August Raber debuting in Formula 4 Middle East.


Desert Vipers seal 5-wicket victory against the MI Emirates in Dubai

Desert Vipers seal 5-wicket victory against the MI Emirates in Dubai
Updated 38 min 55 sec ago

Desert Vipers seal 5-wicket victory against the MI Emirates in Dubai

Desert Vipers seal 5-wicket victory against the MI Emirates in Dubai
  • Player of the Match Fakhar Zaman dazzles with 67 from 52 balls to give Vipers third straight DP World ILT20 win

DUBAI: Fakhar Zaman lit up the Dubai International Stadium with a stellar knock of 67 runs in 52 deliveries to secure a five-wicket victory for the Desert Vipers against defending champions the MI Emirates on Thursday.

This was the Vipers’ third-consecutive win in season three of the DP World ILT20.

Zaman and Alex Hales’ knock of 34 runs gave the Vipers a strong start in the run chase. Zaman and Sam Curran then erected a 65-run stand through the middle overs while Sherfane Rutherford powered his way to 21 runs in eight balls to chase the target of 160 in 19.1 overs.

Electing to bat first, the MI Emirates had a promising start but could not extend it into the middle overs. However, the MI Emirates scored 34 runs in the last two overs, with Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd hitting two sixes apiece to finish at 159/6.

In response, the Desert Vipers’ opening combination of Hales and Zaman coasted through the powerplay to post 51 runs. Hales had made his way to 34 runs in 22 balls when he was cleaned up by a ripper from Waqar Salamkheil in the eighth over.

Dan Lawrence was dismissed soon after, caught and bowled by Dan Mousley in the ninth over. Mousley scalped Azam Khan in the same manner in his next over to bring the score to 71/3 in 10.1 overs.

With wickets falling on one end, Zaman limited his risks until he unleashed two sixes off Salamkheil in the 14th over. Zaman brought up a 44-ball half century studded with four sixes and three fours.

Zaman creamed two more boundaries in the next over, while Curran joined in with a huge six to complete a second consecutive 16-run over. The pair’s 50-run stand in 31 balls shifted the momentum toward the Desert Vipers.

Zaman was finally dismissed by Zahoor Khan in the 17th over, with the Vipers chasing 24 runs in 18 balls.

The next batter, Rutherford, hit two boundaries while Zahoor Khan picked up his second wicket through Curran (28 runs) in the penultimate over. The Vipers needed six runs in six balls and Rutherford smoked AM Ghazanfar over deep square leg to seal the win in 19.1 overs.

In the first innings, the MI Emirates started well with Muhammad Waseem and Kusal Perera striking seven fours and a six to finish the powerplay at 48/0.

The runs dried up in the next phase of the innings as Wanindu Hasaranga picked up the first wicket of the night, trapping Waseem leg-before-wicket for 18 runs. Kusal Perera also failed to convert a good start of 33 runs in 29 balls, falling to Lawrence in the 10th over.

Nicholas Pooran and Tom Banton combined for a brief 22-run partnership but both batters fell in the 13th over. Skipper Lockie Ferguson dismissed Pooran while Banton was run out, leaving the MI Emirates at 86/4.

Pollard and Mousley took the innings further with a 37-run stand. Mousley was dismissed by David Payne after a near run-a-ball knock of 15 runs.

Pollard gave the run rate an injection with two fours and three sixes including two maximums off Ferguson in the 19th over. Ferguson had the final say though, dismissing Pollard in the same over after the West Indian had put on 36 runs in 23 balls.

The final over saw Shepherd come out with all guns blazing. He scored an unbeaten 16 runs, smashing two sixes off David Payne as the MI Emirates finished at 159/6 in 20 overs.

Player of the Match, Zaman, said: “I think the fast bowlers were easy, but we were struggling against spinners. We just planned to play out their overs and take the game deep.

“It was because of the way the bowlers were bowling and the leg-side boundary was big, so I was looking for runs on the shorter boundary.”

The MI Emirates’ skipper, Pooran, added: “I felt we were in the game; we were happy with 160, the way the pitch was playing, it seemed to be very tricky.

“It’s still young in the tournament, Mousley got us two wickets, we went searching for another, but we didn’t get it. Credit to Fakhar Zaman and Sam Curran, they played really well.”


Poor visibility delays toss in Pakistan-West Indies Test in Multan

Poor visibility delays toss in Pakistan-West Indies Test in Multan
Updated 17 January 2025

Poor visibility delays toss in Pakistan-West Indies Test in Multan

Poor visibility delays toss in Pakistan-West Indies Test in Multan
  • Pakistan regularly suffers from winter smog which has dire health consequences
  • Air quality in Multan was ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ and set to rise during the day

MULTAN, Pakistan: Toss in the first Test between Pakistan and the West Indies in Multan on Friday was delayed because of poor visibility, as air quality monitors recorded high levels of pollution.

Pakistan regularly suffers from winter smog which has dire health consequences.

“The visibility has been affected due to fog so the toss has been delayed,” Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.

“Once the visibility improves the two umpires will inspect the conditions.”

A pitch inspection was due at 9:30 am (0430 GMT).

The air quality in Multan was “unhealthy for sensitive groups” and set to rise throughout the day, according to monitoring site IQAir.

The two-match Test series is part of the World Test Championship’s third cycle (2023-2025) in which Pakistan are eighth and the West Indies ninth and last.

The second Test starts from January 25, also in Multan.


Amad Diallo scores late 12-minute hat trick to rescue Man United in 3-1 win over Southampton

Amad Diallo scores late 12-minute hat trick to rescue Man United in 3-1 win over Southampton
Updated 17 January 2025

Amad Diallo scores late 12-minute hat trick to rescue Man United in 3-1 win over Southampton

Amad Diallo scores late 12-minute hat trick to rescue Man United in 3-1 win over Southampton

Amad Diallo keeps coming up with big late goals for Manchester United.
There were three of them Thursday in a remarkable 12-minute flurry that rescued United from an embarrassing loss to the Premier League’s worst team.
Diallo, a 22-year-old winger from the Ivory Coast, scored a hat trick from the 82nd minute to earn United a 3-1 victory over last-place Southampton — just when it looked like his team was heading for a fourth straight home loss for the first time since the 1930s.
“In football you have to believe. We believed until the end,” said Diallo, who signed a new five-year contract with United last week as a reward for becoming one of its most important players.
That’s because Diallo is proving a man for the big occasion. Two weeks ago, he scored an 80th-minute equalizer at Anfield to secure a 2-2 draw against Liverpool; a month ago, he scored a 90th-minute winner at Manchester City; and who could forget his winner in stoppage time of extra time as United ousted Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Now he is a mainstay of the team, even trusted by manager Ruben Amorim to play the demanding position of right wing back. By the end of the game against Southampton, Diallo was playing like a forward and he equalized in the 82nd minute, scoring at the second attempt after his initial shot was blocked.
Diallo put United ahead in the 90th minute when he ran onto Christian Eriksen’s chip over the defense and volleyed home, and added a third goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time after dispossessing a Southampton defender in front of an empty goal.
“I am ready to play every position — I am ready to play as a wing back, No. 10, where the manager likes to put me,” said Diallo, the second-youngest scorer of a Premier League hat trick for United, after Wayne Rooney. “I am ready to fight for this club.”
Amorim said “good things are going to happen” for the Ivory Coast international if he continues to train well.
“He is in a great moment and he is having a very good season,” Amorim said.
The victory continued an uptick for the fallen English giant, which beat Arsenal in a penalty shootout in the FA Cup on Sunday and was impressive in a 2-2 draw at first-place Liverpool in United’s previous league game.
United climbed to 12th place in the league but was largely poor against Southampton, which took the lead thanks to an own-goal by Manuel Ugarte in the 43rd minute.
Southampton stayed on just six points for the season and looks a near-certainty for relegation. The team is 10 points from safety.
Ipswich drops into relegation zone
The three relegation places are now filled by the teams promoted last season after Ipswich lost at home to Brighton 2-0.
Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter scored second-half goals for Brighton, which climbed to ninth place.
Ipswich dropped below Wolverhampton into third-to-last place and is only ahead of Leicester and Southampton.


Kvaratskhelia posts farewell video to Napoli fans ahead of expected transfer

Kvaratskhelia posts farewell video to Napoli fans ahead of expected transfer
Updated 16 January 2025

Kvaratskhelia posts farewell video to Napoli fans ahead of expected transfer

Kvaratskhelia posts farewell video to Napoli fans ahead of expected transfer
  • “I spent an amazing time here, we shared a lot of memories together, experienced a lot of amazing emotions,” a solemn-looking Kvaratskhelia said
  • Napoli coach Antonio Conte confirmed last Saturday that Kvaratskhelia requested a move

NAPLES, Italy: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia posted a farewell video to Napoli fans on Thursday ahead of a widely expected transfer away from the Italian league.
The 23-year-old Georgia winger, who starred in Napoli’s Serie A title-winning team in 2023, has been linked in France with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, while Premier League leader Liverpool also are reportedly interested.
Kvaratskhelia posted a video on Instagram, with subtitles in both Italian and English, to directly address Napoli fans who affectionately nicknamed him “Kvaradona” in homage to late Argentina great Diego Maradona, the club’s greatest-ever player.
“It’s hard for me, but it’s time to say goodbye. I spent an amazing time here, we shared a lot of memories together, experienced a lot of amazing emotions,” a solemn-looking Kvaratskhelia said. “Napoli was my home, where I felt wonderful thanks to each of you. The path we went through together is still in my mind and it is very emotional. I remember my first goal and feelings.”
Napoli coach Antonio Conte confirmed last Saturday that Kvaratskhelia requested a move.
“I spoke to the player who confirmed this decision to me,” Conte said at that time. “I am disappointed, it was a bolt from the blue, and I am taking a step back.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


PSG have lost superstars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe and need to reinvigorate an attack lacking efficiency.
Kvaratskhelia fits the bill as both a scorer and skillful provider with both speed and devastating dribbling ability.
He scored 30 goals in 107 games overall for Napoli and had great chemistry with striker Victor Osimhen during the title-winning campaign — which ended a 33-year wait for the Serie A title, with Maradona starring in that 1990 team.
“Napoli is a football city, Napoli lives with football and I am happy to have been part of this great history,” he said, before stroking a ball attached to leg of a statue of Maradona, and then bowing his head. “It was a great honor for me to wear this journey.”
He pledged to explain the reasons for his decision to leave when the time is right.
“I say goodbye but you will always be in my heart,” said Kvaratskhelia, who wore the No. 77 jersey.
“I know that your heart is very broken but one day I will tell you everything.”
He ended the video with a visit to the Spagnoli district where Maradona’s giant mural is located. Maradona, who died in November 2020, is revered in the city.
“I could not leave without visiting this special place as this is where you get the most genuine feeling of what Diego means to this city. Here he is admired above all else,” Kvaratskhelia said. “I have to say goodbye to Diego. Goodbye Diego, Goodbye Napoli.”