Rally Jameel concludes second stage in stunning AlUla
ALULA: Rally Jameel, the world-class navigational rally for women in the region, has concluded its second stage with AlUla’s landscapes as the backdrop.
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Ons Jabeur returns from injury seeking elusive top form
MADRID: There is a quote from the animated movie “Ratatouille” that Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur loves.
Kawhi Leonard leads Clippers’ rout of Nuggets for series lead
Kawhi Leonard recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and the Los Angeles Clippers took a 2-1 series lead with a convincing 117-83 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at Inglewood, CaliforniaJames Harden had 20 points – all in the first half – to go with nine assists and six rebounds, while Norman Powell also scored 20 for the fifth-seeded Clippers. Ivica Zubac registered 19 points and nine rebounds as Los Angeles won its second straight in the best-of-seven, first-round series.Denver star Nikola Jokic recorded 23 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists for his 20th career postseason triple-double. Jamal Murray also scored 23 points and Aaron Gordon added 15 points and seven rebounds for the fourth-seeded Nuggets.“We got to build off of this,” said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue.
Djokovic flying the flag for the ‘older guys’ amid generational shift
Novak Djokovic acknowledges the generational shift in tennis that has brought a new crop of players into the limelight but the 24-time Grand Slam champion says he has no intention of quietly fading into the background. The 37-year-old won three out of the four major titles in 2023 but has not been able to reproduce that kind of form since, being shut out of the game’s biggest tournaments last year as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz took two apiece. With the retirements of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray, Djokovic is the last member of the “Big Four” still standing and the Serb said he wanted to continue giving to the sport. “The last 20 years were dominated mostly by the four of us and when three of my biggest rivals retired you can feel there’s a shift,” Djokovic said at the Madrid Open. “Not only in terms of the generations of players (who now have) the main focus and attention on them, but it takes a bit of time for people to accept the fact that Roger and Rafa are not playing, and Murray, and one day myself. “But I’m still trying to stay and represent the older guys, the older generation.
Ryu, Liu share Chevron Championship lead as defending champion Korda struggles
THE WOODLANDS, Texas: Haeran Ryu and Yan Liu each shot bogey-free 7-under 65 to share the lead during the suspended first round of the Chevron Championship as top-ranked Nelly Korda struggled to a 77 on Thursday in her title defense.
‘He ran to Spain’: Eubank Jr. takes the mic as tempers flare at Live Media Press Conference
LONDON: If the first two days of Fight Week were about appearances, Day 3 was about pressure. The Live Media Press Conference, held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, stripped away the rehearsed lines and brand polish. What unfolded instead was a tense, theatrical showdown between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, just 48 hours before they meet in a ring already charged with legacy, accusations, and unfinished history. From the moment Eubank walked in, dressed sharp and confident, the tone shifted. Benn entered quieter, focused but noticeably reserved. The crowd — a mix of media, fans, undercard fighters, and organizers — picked up on the contrast immediately. The flashbulbs didn’t wait. Neither did Eubank. “He ran” Standing before a packed room and a bank of cameras, Eubank delivered what felt more like a monologue than a media answer. “Conor ran to Spain,” he said, pausing to let the tension land. “He couldn’t take the noise here — the chants, the headlines, the jokes. So he left. I stayed. I trained here. I spoke to the kids. I kept my feet in the city. The public's invested in this fight. I feel that every time I step outside. And believe it or not — most of that energy’s been positive.” He wasn’t done. “I’m happy with where I am mentally. He’s not. You’ll see that pressure on his face by Friday. It’s building. And on Saturday — it’ll crack.”Benn holds back Benn, to his credit, didn’t rise to the bait. He kept his responses brief, even measured. But that silence seemed to speak as loudly as Eubank’s taunts. The contrast was stark: one man played to the crowd, the other kept his fire under wraps. Neither showed signs of blinking — just two different approaches to the same storm.
Atletico thump Rayo, Valladolid relegated after Betis defeat
MADRID: Atletico Madrid cruised to a 3-0 La Liga win over Rayo Vallecano on Thursday as they bounced back from defeat at Las Palmas last weekend. Real Betis bolstered their Champions League ambitions with a 5-1 win over Real Valladolid, confirming the visitors’ long-expected relegation. Atletico have little to play for in the rest of the season with leaders Barcelona 10 points clear with five matches remaining, but produced a solid derby display. Alexander Sorloth opened the scoring in the third minute after Giuliano Simeone, son of coach Diego, crossed for the Norwegian target man to nod home at the back post. It was a formula which should have led to more goals for Atletico but the striker wasted several presentable opportunities. Sorloth headed over a few minutes later and then was denied by Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla. Atletico were outplaying Rayo but the visitors could have levelled when Isi Palazon drilled toward the far corner and Jan Oblak made a fine save. Sorloth spurned another headed opportunity before Conor Gallagher struck just before half-time. Rodrigo de Paul lofted a cross into the area which the former Chelsea midfielder nodded beyond Batalla. Oblak tipped over a Palazon header as Rayo looked for an equalizer, before Atletico substitute Antoine Griezmann fired narrowly wide after a Julian Alvarez backheel teed him up. Julian Alvarez rounded off the win in the second half with his 15th La Liga goal of the season after Griezmann sent him through. Real Betis bolstered their hopes of finishing in the top five as they hammered Valladolid at the Benito Villamarin stadium with playmaker Isco on the scoresheet. Former Brazil great Ronaldo is the majority shareholder at Valladolid, who were promoted last
Australia’s Hazlewood steers Bengaluru to win over Rajasthan
BENGALURU, India: Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood starred with 4-33 in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 11 run IPL win at home against Rajasthan Royals, who won the toss and chose to field first Thursday. Chasing 206 to win after Bengaluru’s 205-5, Rajasthan looked comfortable before Dhruv Jurel was dismissed by Hazlewood in the 19th over of the chase. Jurel scored a 34-ball 47 and was removed with 17 needed off 9 balls for the win. Hazlewood removed England’s Jofra Archer on the next ball, leaving Royals reeling with 17 needed off the final over. Earlier, Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli hit a 42-ball 70 to steer Bengaluru to a par score on a batting friendly Bengaluru wicket. Openers Kohli and Phil Salt raced to 59-0 in the powerplay before Salt was removed on 26 in the seventh over with the team on 61-1. Kohli then built an important 95 run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal before finally falling in the 16th over to Archer. Padikkal, who was batting very well, fell soon after a 27-ball 50, with Bengaluru on 161-3. Quick wickets toward the end took away the momentum before key cameos by Tim David (23) and Jitesh Sharma, who remained unbeaten on 20. Archer was Rajasthan’s standout bowler and finished with 33-1.