Nick Kyrgios: Player union’s legal action against tennis tours a special moment
Nick Kyrgios described the Professional Tennis Players Association’s legal action against the sport’s governing bodies as a “special moment”.
ATP Sport News
Chase Koepka eyes LIV Golf return; Anthony Kim shares future plans
NEW YORK: Chase Koepka is injury-free and ready to battle his way back to LIV Golf for the first time since being relegated in 2023.
Sinner opens ATP Finals title defense by beating Auger-Aliassime
TURIN: Jannik Sinner got his title defense at the ATP Finals off to a solid start before his home fans with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Felix Auger-Aliassime on Monday.
Cricket’s remarkable growth in the UAE continues
DUBAI: People in the UK continue to ask me if cricket is really played in the UAE. When I reply yes, the usual assumption which follows is: mainly by expats, I guess.
Liverpool thrashed by Palace, holders Newcastle through in League Cup
LIVERPOOL, England: Second-string Liverpool were thumped 3-0 by Crystal Palace as Ismaila Sarr struck twice for the visitors in the League Cup on Wednesday, booking the London side’s spot in the quartefinals and piling more misery on Arne Slot’s struggling side.
France’s marathon man Mahut calls time on tennis career
He is best known for losing the longest professional tennis match in history against American John Isner at Wimbledon in 2010
Defending champion Sabalenka into second round of US Open, Raducanu notches first win since 2021 triumph
NEW YORK: Defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka was given an early test before she moved into the second round while Emma Raducanu won her first match at the Grand Slam since her 2021 triumph as the tournament began a day earlier than usual on Sunday. Under the new extended 15-day format, first-round singles action will be contested from Sunday to Tuesday, rather than two days as in previous years, spreading out the star attractions and allowing access for another 70,000-odd spectators. Sabalenka was among the marquee names on the opening day’s schedule and the Belarusian fed off the vocal Arthur Ashe crowd to overcome determined Swiss Rebeka Masarova 7-5 6-1 and move into the next round. “When I won that first set and you cheered for me, I got goosebumps,” said Sabalenka, who will take on Russia’s Polina Kudermetova in the second round on Wednesday. “Your support means a lot to me, thank you for coming. It was an amazing atmosphere.” Novak Djokovic, the record 24-times Grand Slam singles champion, headlines the evening schedule on the main showcourt against American Learner Tien and he will be followed by 2024 finalist Jessica Pegula, who plays Egypt’s Mayar Sherif. Italian Jasmine Paolini kicks off the later program on Louis Armstrong Stadium against Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava, followed by the 2021 champion and 13th seed Daniil Medvedev, who faces France’s Benjamin Bonzi.
‘Over the moon’: Filipino Eala bags historic first at US Open
NEW YORK: Alexandra Eala produced a jaw-dropping late comeback to carve out a piece of tennis history at the US Open on Sunday, becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a Grand Slam singles match with a first round upset of Danish 14th seed Clara Tauson. The 20-year-old from Quezon City recovered from a 5-1 deficit in the deciding set to score a thrilling 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13/11) triumph. “I’m super over the moon with what I was able to do today, especially coming back in the third,” Eala said. “It’s a very special win for me.” Eala’s breakthrough comes at the end of a season where she had already served notice of her talent. She took down Australian Open champion Madison Keys and former world number one Iga Swiatek during a giant-killing run to the semifinals of the Miami Open in March. But Sunday’s triumph on the Grandstand court at Flushing Meadows catapulted the youngster — who won the US Open girls title in 2022 — into the history books. “I’m so blessed to be the first to do this,” Eala said. “I take so much pride in representing my country. It makes what I do bigger than myself, and it adds meaning to what I do.” Eala collapsed to the court after her victory, later revealing that past experiences had helped her dig deep to clinch the tiebreak.
Al-Ahli claim Saudi Super Cup after Ronaldo hits historic century for Al-Nassr
LONDON: Asian Champions Al-Ahli claimed the Saudi Super Cup with a penalty shootout win over Al-Nassr in Hong Kong on Saturday after Cristiano Ronaldo made history by scoring his 100th goal for the Riyadh club.