arabnews.com - Sabalenka to defend Wuhan title after layoff but Zheng out

Sabalenka to defend Wuhan title after layoff but Zheng out

BEIJING: World number one Aryna Sabalenka is set to defend her title at next week’s Wuhan Open following a brief injury layoff but local hero Zheng Qinwen is out. Sabalenka won her fourth Grand Slam crown in New York last month but missed this week’s China Open in Beijing with what she called a small injury. The 27-year-old from Belarus is expected to return to action for the WTA 1000 event in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where she is the reigning champion and a three-time winner. The main draw starts on Monday with Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff — who plays the semifinals in Beijing on Saturday — also among the top seeds. In a blow to the tournament and home hopes, local favorite and Olympic champion Zheng pulled out on Friday having recently returned from elbow surgery. The Chinese world number nine, who considers Wuhan her hometown, retired from her last-32 match at the China Open on Monday. Zheng, runner-up to Sabalenka last year, said in a video: “Unfortunately my body has not returned to its best condition. “After discussing with doctors and my team, I regretfully and unfortunately withdrew from this year’s Wuhan Open. “I’m very grateful for the support from all tennis fans, especially those from my hometown.”

Amorim won’t resign but says results key to keep Man United job

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said he does not intend to resign but acknowledged that positive results are crucial to keeping his position at Old Trafford, as pressure mounts following a woeful start to the season. United are already out of the League Cup after a shock second-round defeat to English fourth-tier side Grimsby Town and failed to qualify for European football following last season’s disappointing 15th-place finish. The scrutiny on Amorim has intensified this campaign as his side sits 14th in the Premier League table, eight points behind leaders Liverpool, with just seven points from six matches. The 40-year-old Portuguese, who has overseen nine wins, 17 defeats and seven draws in his 33 league games in charge, spoke to reporters ahead of Saturday’s home game against high-flying promoted side Sunderland: “No, that is a decision of the board. I cannot do that (resign). “Sometimes I have that feeling and losing is hard, not to create the momentum.

‘Suffering’ Djokovic fights past Cilic in Shanghai opener

SHANGHAI: Novak Djokovic said he had to “fire up all engines” as he overcame a stodgy first set to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, beating fellow veteran Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/2), 6-4. The 38-year-old Serb is aiming for a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai, where he was greeted by rapturous cheers as he entered a stadium packed with adoring Chinese fans. The combined age of Djokovic and Cilic — 75 years and 139 days — was the oldest ever between two opponents in an ATP Masters 1000 main draw match. “I did enjoy it, but I also suffered a lot on the court,” said Djokovic. “It was a very close match.

Newcastle’s Livramento ruled out for eight weeks, says Howe

LONDON: Newcastle United full back Tino Livramento will be sidelined for eight weeks after injuring knee ligaments against Arsenal last weekend but the experienced Kieran Trippier will be an able deputy in his absence, manager Eddie Howe said on Friday. Livramento was taken off on a stretcher after landing awkwardly in an aerial duel in the 2-1 loss on Sunday but Howe said the 22-year-old’s diagnosis brought relief rather than despair as his return timeline was better than expected. “He went to see a specialist a couple of days ago as the scan initially looked better than we thought it was,” Howe told reporters ahead of Sunday’s home game against Nottingham Forest. “He has confirmed it is looking like an eight-week injury, which is a blow given our schedule, but it is looking better than what we initially feared,” Howe added. INJURY BLOW AMID HECTIC SCHEDULE Howe said Newcastle would turn to 35-year-old Trippier to fill in for the England international amid a busy schedule with the club involved in three competitions. “That is the beauty of the squad and the strength of the squad we have, which will make a difference for us.

Knicks’ Josh Hart ejected, injured in Abu Dhabi opener

Josh Hart was injured and ejected on the same play in the Knicks’ exhibition win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Hart, who is wearing a split on his right ring finger following surgery, came down with a rebound and landed awkwardly trying to avoid a tie-up with 76ers forward Kennedy Chandler and went to the ground in pain in front of the 76ers bench. After grabbing his third rebound of the game in seven minutes of court time, Hart went to the floor and fired the ball across the court and into the stands, prompting referees to eject him from the game. “I didn’t see him go down,” new Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “I saw him down and he looked like he was in considerable pain when he was down.

Jude Bellingham left out of England squad by coach Tuchel. Phil Foden also missing

LONDON: Jude Bellingham was left out of England’s squad on Friday for upcoming games against Wales and Latvia, two days after being named as the national team’s player of the year. The Real Madrid midfielder has recently returned after around two months out following shoulder surgery, featuring in the Spanish champion’s last four games in all competitions. However, Bellingham wasn’t included in a 24-man squad selected by head coach Thomas Tuchel that also saw fellow attacking midfielder Phil Foden, who has rediscovered his form at Manchester City, left out. Bellingham, one of the most high-profile players in world soccer, is the big omission, though.

Alex Pereira attempts to retake title from Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320

LAS VEGAS: Before Alex Pereira’s loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March, it looked as if the Brazilian knockout artist had given in to the temptations that come with being the sport’s most marketable fighter. At times, it became a common joke among fans and fighters about how visible Pereira was during his camp. At UFC 320 on Saturday, Pereira will get what could very well be the final chance in his storied career to reclaim the light heavyweight title belt. Since Ankalaev (20-1-1, 1 no contest) beat Pereira (12-3-0) earlier this year, some visible bad blood has festered between the fighters in their interactions. With his reputation at risk and with a fighter who clearly irritates him holding the title he recently elevated to prominence, Pereira steps into the Saturday fight with a hunger that was missing in March.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson ruled out until after international break

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been ruled out until after this month’s international break after injuring his hamstring in the Champions League defeat at Galatasaray. The Brazil international was replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili in the 56th minute of the game in Istanbul — Liverpool’s second straight defeat after they started the season with seven successive wins in all competitions. Manager Arne Slot confirmed on Friday his number one goalkeeper would not be fit to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend. “Alisson is not a part of the squad tomorrow and he’s not going to travel to Brazil as well for the national team,” he said. Slot said it was difficult to put a timescale on when the goalkeeper, 33, would return. “I would be surprised if he would be there in the first game after the international break, but from there on sometimes things can go a bit faster or a bit slower,” he added. “It’s difficult to say the amount of days and weeks, but for the upcoming games he will not be part of us or the Brazil team.” Slot said forward Hugo Ekitike, who also came off with an injury in the second half in Turkiye, would train on Friday and would be assessed. Liverpool remain top of the Premier League despite last week’s 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace — two points clear of second-placed Arsenal.

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Arabnews.com Sport News

Sabalenka to defend Wuhan title after layoff but Zheng out

Amorim won’t resign but says results key to keep Man United job

‘Suffering’ Djokovic fights past Cilic in Shanghai opener

Newcastle’s Livramento ruled out for eight weeks, says Howe

Knicks’ Josh Hart ejected, injured in Abu Dhabi opener

Jude Bellingham left out of England squad by coach Tuchel. Phil Foden also missing

Alex Pereira attempts to retake title from Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson ruled out until after international break