Saudi tennis star claims Accra ITF J100 girl’s singles title
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s rising tennis star Haniya Minhas claimed victory in the Tennis Foundation’s Ghana Open — Accra ITF J100 girl’s singles title last week.
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Snipers on stadium roof amid heavy security for Italy’s win over Israel in World Cup qualifying
UDINE, Italy: The World Cup qualifier between Italy and Israel took place amid a heavy police presence that included snipers on the stadium roof. Italy won 3-0 Tuesday in a game that soccer and security authorities had placed in the highest risk category despite a breakthrough ceasefire deal that has paused two years of war in Gaza. There were skirmishes between protesters and police nearby on the streets of Udine at a pro-Palestinian demonstration before the match, but no serious disruptions at the venue during the game. Although, stadium staff had to act quickly to prevent some fans from running onto the field carrying Palestinian flags. “Today wasn’t easy for us,” Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said.
Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal has congratulated the Green Falcons for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Saudi boxer Yara Al-Amri’s life changed after history-making Asian medal win
RIYADH: The end of 2024 will always hold special memories for Yara Al-Amri. In December last year the young boxer made history by becoming the first Saudi woman to win an Asian medal in boxing — a new milestone for the Kingdom’s fast-growing women’s sports scene.
Pep talks with Djokovic as Sabalenka vows to improve ‘in everything’
HONG KONG: World number one Aryna Sabalenka said she needs to improve her tennis “in literally everything” and how Novak Djokovic is helping her do it on and off the court. In a wide-ranging interview, the four-time Grand Slam champion talked about ignoring hate on social media, nearly quitting and her hopes and fears for life after tennis. The 27-year-old from Belarus is now the undoubted women’s number one but it was hard work and suffering which got her there, and some of it played out very publicly. Sabalenka, then two in the world, was reduced to tears as her serve spectacularly deserted her at a tournament in the lead-up to the 2022 Australian Open. “I couldn’t put one serve in. I was double-faulting 40 times.
Valentin Vacherot beats cousin Arthur Rinderknech to win Shanghai Masters - ESPN
SHANGHAI — Valentin Vacherot beat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Shanghai Masters for the first title of his career after a stunning run from the qualifying rounds.
Pro-Palestinian march in Oslo ahead of Israel v Norway match
OSLO: Hundreds of people attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Oslo on Saturday ahead of Israel’s World Cup qualifier against Norway, chanting “Free Palestine” to protest against Israel’s “genocide,” AFP journalists reported. Many demonstrators wore Palestinian keffiyeh shawls draped over their shoulders and waved Palestinian flags as they gathered in the city center before walking in a procession to the Ullevaal stadium. Smoke flares were lit but the atmosphere remained calm.
Mbappe and Konate out of France’s World Cup qualifier in Iceland
PARIS: Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate have been ruled out of Monday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier in Iceland where France could book their ticket to next year’s tournament. Already suffering from a “small niggle” in his right ankle from playing for Real Madrid, Mbappe took two knocks during Friday’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan in Paris, where he opened the scoring but was substituted before the end of the match. Liverpool defender Konate remained on the bench with a right thigh problem with his place against Iceland now taken by Marseille’s Benjamin Pavard. Mbappe’s absence adds to the long list of forward unavailable for October’s World Cup qualifiers, which includes Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Marcus Thuram and Bradley Barcola. After returning to the Clairefontaine training ground on Friday night, “the French team captain spoke with (coach) Didier Deschamps who acknowledged his absence,” the French federation (FFF) said in a statement. Mbappe “has been released to his club (Real Madrid) and will not be replaced,” the FFF added, confirming hours later that Konate “has returned to his club’s availability.” Konate had joined the team with a slight injury and “underwent treatment and a specific protocol but will not be able to play Monday in Reykjavik,” the FFF said. Mbappe scored on the stroke of half-time against Azerbaijan and was then struck by a tackle from Rustam Ahmedzade. He took another knock to the same ankle late in the game, and was replaced by Florian Thauvin. “He has a sore ankle and he took a knock there.