Jannik Sinner not thinking about doping case as he toasts Australian Open win
Jannik Sinner expressed pride in his continued ability to put his ongoing doping case to one side and dominate on court.
Australian Open Sport News
Al-Hilal maintain perfect AFC Champions League record with 2-1 away victory over Al-Gharafa
DOHA: Saudi powerhouses Al-Hilal continued their flawless start to the AFC Champions League Elite campaign with a 2-1 away victory over Al-Gharafa of Qatar on Monday.
Rybakina tops Swiatek to reach semis as group winner
RIYADH: Elena Rybakina extended her winning streak to eight consecutive matches with an impressive 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 victory over second-seeded Iga Swiatek in round-robin play at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Monday.
LIV Golf expands qualifying pathways for 2026 season
LONDON: LIV Golf on Monday announced expanded qualification opportunities for players aiming to join its 2026 League, increasing the number of available spots through both the LIV Golf Promotions tournament and The International Series.
Women take the wheel: 44% of Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship 2025 drivers are female
EDDAH: The FIA-certified Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship continues to make history this season, with women taking center stage in one of the Middle East’s most competitive single-seater series.
Sinner, Alcaraz set for South Korea exhibition ahead of Australian Open
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will play an exhibition match in South Korea in January, organizers said on Monday, as the top two men’s players in the world ramp up their preparations for the Australian Open. The pair, who have won nine of the last 10 major titles, will play in the Hyundai Card Super Match at Incheon’s Inspire Arena on January 10, eight days before the year’s first Grand Slam begins at Melbourne Park. The exhibition has previously featured some of the biggest names in men’s tennis including Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Pete Sampras, as well as women’s greats Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams. Organizers have yet to release information on the prize money on offer for the one-off match. Sinner and Alcaraz met in three of the four Grand Slam finals this season and faced each other in the title decider at last month’s Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Riyadh. Sinner prevailed in that contest to secure a reported $6 million in prize money. The Italian also lifted his first Paris Masters title on Sunday to reclaim the world number one ranking from Spaniard Alcaraz, who lost early in the tournament. Alcaraz had taken top spot after beating Sinner in the US Open final in September to improve his career head-to-head record against his rival to 10-5 in official matches. The pair also met in an epic French Open final in June when Alcaraz prevailed in five sets, before Sinner gained revenge in the Wimbledon title clash a month later.
Sabalenka eases past Kostyuk into Madrid Open semis
MADRID: Last year’s runner-up Aryna Sabalenka survived a gritty Marta Kostyuk and an untimely rain interruption to complete a 7-6(7/4), 7-6(9/7) win over the Ukrainian and reach the Madrid Open semifinals for a fourth time on Wednesday. The top-seeded Sabalenka needed 84 minutes to take the opening set before securing the win in cold, breezy conditions. Kostyuk saved a match point and broke to take the second set into a tiebreak. At 5-4 in the breaker, it started to rain and play was halted briefly to close the roof of the Manolo Santana stadium. Upon resumption of play, Sabalenka saved three set points and eked out the win, her third over her rival in as many meetings. “Honestly, that was a battle and conditions were incredibly tough.
Amorim says not even Europa League glory can save Man Utd’s season
BILBAO, Spain: Ruben Amorim on Wednesday admitted that even winning the Europa League would not salvage Manchester United’s miserable season. The fallen English giants face Athletic Bilbao in the semifinals, with the first leg in Spain on Thursday. But whatever the result at the San Mames, also the venue for May’s final, it will not disguise the fact that this has been United’s worst campaign of the Premier League era and one where bitter rivals Liverpool have equalled their record of 20 top-flight English titles. United are currently a lowly 14th in the Premier League table, having accrued just 39 points with four matches remaining, meaning they will have to win the Europa League in order to qualify for the Champions League. “Everybody knows that it’s really important for our season,” United manager Amorim said during a pre-match press conference. “We know that nothing is going to save our season but this can be huge. “Winning a trophy and also to get in the Champions League to have European games next year could change a lot of things in our club, even in the summer.” United are bidding to win the competition for the second time after their success under Jose Mourinho in 2016/17. “As the head coach said, this is not going to save the season,” said midfielder Manuel Ugarte. “But the history of United is written with titles, so that’s why we’re focused very much on tomorrow and to be able to play in the Champions League next season, so it’s very important and altogether we’re going to try and win.” Their European form has been the one saving grace for United in a difficult season where Amorim has struggled to make his presence felt domestically since replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag in November. “Europa League will not
AFC Champions League semifinal heartache for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr
JEDDAH: Despite the best efforts of Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates, Al-Nassr lost 3-2 to Kawasaki Frontale in the semifinal of the AFC Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Wednesday, denying them the chance to take on Al-Ahli in an all-Saudi final on Saturday. The Japanese side took the lead after just 10 minutes in spectacular fashion after Marcinho gained possession on the left side of the area and scooped a cross into the six-yard box. The ball was headed clear by Mohammed Simakan but only as far as Tatsuya Ito, who volleyed a delicious shot into the top corner of the net. The goal came against run of play but Al-Nassr kept pushing and probing, and they were rewarded just two minutes before the half-hour mark.