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
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.
Jabal Tuwaiq lift trophy at Jazan region’s 1st Junior Hockey Championship
JAZAN: Jabal Tuwaiq were crowned champions of the first Junior Boys’ Hockey Championship held in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region, which concluded on Wednesday at Saad bin Muadh School. The tournament, organized by the Saudi Hockey Federation, featured four teams who scored a total of 23 goals in six matches.
Tsitsipas targeting third Dubai final after beating Sonego
DUBAI: After a five-year absence from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Greece star Stefanos Tsitsipas returned with a straight-sets victory on Monday, defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(4), 6-3 to advance to the second round.
Rachin Ravindra ton powers New Zealand into semis, hosts Pakistan out
RAWALPINDI: Rachin Ravindra struck a superb 112 to lead New Zealand into the Champions Trophy semifinals with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh and in turn dump hosts Pakistan out of the semifinal race. The result in Rawalpindi also ensured India’s semifinal berth in the 50-over tournament as Bangladesh became the other team from Group A to be knocked out. Both New Zealand and India have two wins from two matches and will now meet in Dubai on Sunday to decide team one and two from the group. Pakistan, who won the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, lost to New Zealand and then India in the first International Cricket Council (ICC) event they are hosting since the 1996 ODI World Cup. India refused to tour Pakistan due to political reasons and instead are playing all their matches in Dubai, which will host the final if the Asian giants go the distance. New Zealand have been the team to beat in this group after they humbled Pakistan by 60 runs in the tournament opener. Coming in as firm favorites in their second match, New Zealand elected to field first and spinner Michael Bracewell returned career-best ODI figures of 4-36 to restrict Bangladesh to 236-9. Chasing 237 for victory, New Zealand slipped to 15-2 and 72-3 before Ravindra and fellow left-hander Tom Latham, who made 55, added 129 for the fourth wicket. Both were dismissed before the end but New Zealand still achieved the target with 23 balls to spare. The Black Caps had a disastrous start when pace bowler Tasking Ahmed bowled first-match centurion Will Young for a duck. Bangladesh’s new pace sensation Nahid Rana took down Kane Williamson caught behind for five with a delivery bowled at 148.8 kph (92.4 mph). Ravindra, who returned to the team after
Hady Habib eyeing top 100 after historic Australian Open run
DUBAI: Life has been a whirlwind for Lebanese tennis player Hady Habib these past few months, but you would not know that by speaking to him, given his calm and collected demeanor.
Madison finds the Keys and coach Murray impresses – what we learned in Melbourne
Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys are leaving Melbourne with added baggage after being crowned Australian Open champions.