Auger-Aliassime closes in on ATP Finals spot with win over Vacherot in Paris
Félix Auger-Aliassime advanced to the semifinals of the Paris Masters tennis tournament and picked up crucial points in his bid to qualify for the year-ending ATP Finals.
Tennis Sport News
Bencic out of Hong Kong last eight as tennis injury list mounts
HONG KONG: Top seed Belinda Bencic pulled out of the Hong Kong Open quarter-finals on Friday as the Tokyo Olympic champion became the latest in a long line of players to suffer a late-season injury. The Asian “swing” on the WTA Tour has been particularly hard hit by injuries and pullouts in recent weeks, placing renewed scrutiny on the demanding tennis schedule. Bencic, who was ranked 421 in the world at the start of the season but has climbed to 11, was supposed to meet Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in the last eight in Hong Kong. “So disappointed to have to withdraw today from my quarter-final match here in Hong Kong due to my thigh injury,” said the 28-year-old Swiss, who won gold at the Covid-delayed Olympics in 2021. “I’ve played a lot of tennis in the past few weeks and did everything I could to stay healthy, but it was not to be.” Bencic beat Linda Noskova last weekend to win the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and cap a remarkable comeback, a year after returning to tennis from having a baby. Noskova reached the final in the Japanese capital after Elena Rybakina withdrew injured ahead of their semifinal. The tournament in Hong Kong was hit even before it began with the withdrawals of former world number one Naomi Osaka and the 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. Both ended their seasons early through injury. Daria Kasatkina, who has won eight WTA titles, was also initially scheduled to compete in Hong Kong but she too brought the curtain down prematurely on her season. “The schedule is too much, mentally and emotionally I am at breaking point and sadly I am not alone,” the 28-year-old, who this year switched nationality from Russia to Australia, said in early October.
Mark Walter approved as majority owner of Lakers, closes on sale - ESPN
Billionaire businessman Mark Walter was unanimously approved as the new majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers by the NBA Board of Governors on Thursday.
Real Madrid play struggling Valencia in La Liga ahead of Liverpool trip
BARCELONA: Real Madrid will look to take care of business against a struggling Valencia and maintain their La Liga lead this weekend before turning to their demanding match at Liverpool. Xabi Alonso’s team visit Anfield in a clash of European title hopefuls next Tuesday in the Champions League. Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 last weekend to end a run of four clasico victories for the Catalan club from last season. The victory allowed Madrid to open a five-point gap at the top of the league standings over second-placed Barcelona. Key matches Madrid are on a five-game winning streak that includes a 1-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League. Kylian Mbappé struck his 11th goal in the domestic league to help defeat Barcelona.
Wolvaardt’s 169 helps South Africa crush 4-time champions England in Women’s Cricket World Cup semifinal
GUWAHATI, India: Skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s imposing century helped South Africa crush four-time champions England by 125 runs Wednesday to reach the final of the Women’s Cricket World Cup for the first time.
Juvenile contests take center stage at King Abdulaziz Racecourse
RIYADH: A pair of valuable 2-year-old contests headline Friday’s action at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, with the prestigious HRH Prince Saud bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Cup offering total prize money of SR600,000 ($160,000) across the colts’ and fillies’ divisions.
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.