Simone Biles and LeBron James shine as Americans step up at the Games

Simone Biles and LeBron James shine as Americans step up at the Games
US' Simone Biles competes in the uneven bars event of the artistic gymnastics women's qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 28, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 29 July 2024
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Simone Biles and LeBron James shine as Americans step up at the Games

Simone Biles and LeBron James shine as Americans step up at the Games
  • The US had a strong Sunday on Day 2 of the Games
  • Leon Marchand lived up to the huge expectations at his home Olympics with a flag-waving crowd cheering his every stroke

PARIS: On the first sunny day of the Paris Olympics, the stars from the US shined bright.

Simone Biles and LeBron James dazzled, so did the US women’s soccer team. Torri Huske grabbed some of the spotlight, and Haley Batten made a name for herself by earning a silver medal in mountain biking for the best finish ever by an American rider.

Although it was French swimmer Leon Marchand who received the most boisterous cheers in crushing the field to win gold in the men’s 400-meter individual medley, the US had a strong Sunday on Day 2 of the Games.




Gold medalist France's Leon Marchand celebrates after the men's 400m individual medley swimming event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, west of Paris, on July 28, 2024. (AFP)

Simone shines

Biles made her Olympic return three years after pulling out of multiple finals at the Tokyo Games to protect her safety, which prompted an international discussion about mental health, by powering through discomfort she felt in her calf to lead the US women’s gymnastics team into the finals.

Biles, Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles went 1-2-3 in the all-around during early qualifying, though Chiles will miss the all-around final due to rules that limit countries to entering two athletes per competition.

There’s a chance Chiles will make the floor exercise final should she finish in the top eight. Lee is practically a lock for the beam and bars finals, with 2020 floor exercise champion Jade Carey in good position to join Biles in the vault final.

But all eyes were on Biles, who briefly scared an entire nation when she left the after her floor exercise and received medical attention. She had tweaked her calf in warmup, but US coach Cecile Landi said it was a minor injury.

She performed in front of a star-studded crowd that included Tom Cruise, Jessica Chastain, Snoop Dogg, Anna Wintour and Lady Gaga, who wrote on social media of Biles: “She nailed it, what an honor to be so close!”

LeBron James leads Team USA

Two of the most experienced Olympians on the US men’s basketball team, James and Kevin Durant, began the squad’s bid for a fifth consecutive gold medal with a near-flawless performance.

Durant made his first eight shots and scored 23 points, James added 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and the US rolled to a 110-84 win over Serbia in the Olympic opener for both teams.




Lebron James of the US scores a basket during the Group C Olympics basketball preliminary game against Serbia  at the Lille, Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Villeneve-d'Ascq, France, on July 28, 2024. (Reuters) 

James and Durant were a combined 18 for 22 from the field — 8 of 9 for Durant, 9 of 13 for James — as the US had no trouble with the reigning World Cup silver medalists.

Jrue Holiday scored 15, Devin Booker had 12 and Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry each added 11 for the US

Pool party

Huske knocked off world-record holder Gretchen Walsh in the women’s 100 butterfly, using a strong finish to get her hands to the wall just ahead of her teammate in a 1-2 finish for the US

The favorite went out with her usual strategy: start fast and try to hold on. It worked at the US trials, where she set her world record of 55.18 last month, and she was under record pace at the turn.

But Huske chased her down in the race that really mattered. The winner touched in 55.59 — about the length of a finger ahead of Walsh’s time of 55.63.

When Huske saw the “1” beside her name on the scoreboard, she reached across the lane rope to give Walsh and hug while breaking down in tears.

Marchand, meanwhile, lived up to the huge expectations at his home Olympics with a flag-waving crowd cheering his every stroke. He was under world-record pace on the final turn but faded a bit coming home, touching in 4 minutes, 2.95 seconds — an Olympic record, but just shy of his own world mark of 4:02.50.

Marchand claimed that mark at last year’s world championships in Fukuoka, Japan, erasing a record held by Michael Phelps for 15 years.

And, in an upset, Italian swimmer Nicolo Martinenghi shocked record-holder Adam Peaty in the 100 breaststroke.

Peaty, the gold medalist in both Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, had taken a long layoff to deal with mental health issues. Upon his return, he worked his way back up to speed and entered the final as the top qualifier but settled for silver as his quest for a third consecutive gold was ended.

US soccer wins

Sophia Smith scored a pair of goals to lead the US past Germany 4-1 and put the team in good position to advance out of its group at the Olympics.

Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams also scored for the Americans, who defeated Zambia 3-0 in the opener but won’t know their fate in the knockout round for sure until after the final Group B matches on Wednesday.

The Americans play Australia in Marseille to conclude group play.

Mountain biker medals

Batten broke a rule but still came home with America’s best ever mountain biking finish when she won silver.

Batten was fined by the Olympic mountain bike judges for violating a rule on the final lap of her race. She was jockeying for second place when she went through a lane dedicated for taking on food and drink or stopping for mechanical problems.

After the judges reviewed the footage, they decided Batten had done neither and broke one of the rules of the race. She was fined 500 Swiss francs, or about $565, for “failure to respect the instructions of the race organization or commissaires,” though the judges apparently decided that the infraction was not serious enough to warrant a disqualification.

Batten finished ninth three years ago at the Tokyo Games.




Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his first round match Tennis Men's Singles against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in the Paris 2024 Olympics on  July 28, 2024. (REUTERS)

Tennis veterans win

Rafael Nadal was unsure he could even play men’s singles Sunday the day before his match, but turned up at Roland Garros and beat Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round.

The victory set up a blockbuster showdown against rival Novak Djokovic.

It will be the 60th meeting between this pair of greats, more than any other two men have played against each other in the sport’s Open era, which began in 1968. Djokovic, a 37-year-old from Serbia, leads the head-to-head series 30-29, and his 24 Grand Slam titles make him the only man in tennis history with more than Nadal’s 22.

Andy Murray’s tennis career, meanwhile, was extended for at least one more match when he and British partner Dan Evans saved five match points during a first-round doubles win. Murray and Evans rallied past the Japanese pair of Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori 2-6, 7-6 (5), 11-9.

The Brits trailed 9-4 in the decisive tiebreaker, which is held in place of a third set in doubles.

The 37-year-old Murray announced before the Summer Games that it would be the final event of his career, and then pulled out of the singles bracket, leaving him only in doubles.

Murray is a three-time Grand Slam champion and the only tennis player with two Olympic singles golds — from London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.


 


Ajaz stars as New Zealand beat India 3-0 in historic Test sweep

Ajaz stars as New Zealand beat India 3-0 in historic Test sweep
Updated 03 November 2024
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Ajaz stars as New Zealand beat India 3-0 in historic Test sweep

Ajaz stars as New Zealand beat India 3-0 in historic Test sweep
  • Spinner Ajaz Patel takes six wickets as New Zealand beat India by 25 runs 
  • It is the first time India has been swept in Test series at home since 1999-2000 

MUMBAI: New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel took six wickets as his side sealed a historic 3-0 Test sweep in India with a thrilling 25-run win in the third Test on Sunday.
Chasing 147 for victory, India were bowled out for 121 in 29.1 overs on day three, after Rishabh Pant hit a valiant 64 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Ajaz roared in delight as he bowled Washington Sundar to take the final wicket and the Black Caps celebrated a first Test series win on Indian soil in style.
It was the first time India had been swept in a Test series at home since South Africa’s 2-0 win in 1999-2000 and the first time they were beaten 3-0 at home.
“This will be a very low point in my career, having lost three games at home,” India skipper Rohit Sharma told reporters.
“I fully take responsibility for that. As a leader, I have not been at the best of my abilities right from the start of the series.
“With the bat as well, I have not been good enough.”
New Zealand did the unthinkable under new captain Tom Latham, and in the absence of senior batsman Kane Williamson, who was recovering from a groin injury back home.
The Black Caps turned around their fortunes from a 2-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka, and made India suffer their first Test series loss at home in 12 years.
“Very ecstatic,” said Latham. “Looking back at the start of the series, to now be in this position, the boys have done a fantastic job over the last three Test matches.”
Mumbai-born New Zealander Ajaz ended with a match-haul of 11 wickets at a venue where he created history by claiming all 10 wickets in a Test innings in 2021.
In a tricky chase on a turning pitch, New Zealand reduced India to 29-5, before the left-hander Pant made counter-attacked with his half-century.
Ajaz, after lunch, had Pant caught by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, a decision denied by the on-field umpire but successfully reviewed by New Zealand. An unconvinced Pant trudged back.
“If we say something, it will not go down well. If the decision is not conclusive then the decision has to stand with what the on-field umpire calls,” said Rohit.
“I don’t know how that decision was overturned.”
Glenn Phillips then got two in two balls and Ajaz wrapped up the innings to be named player of the match.
India bowled out New Zealand quickly for 174 in the first session, with Ravindra Jadeja taking five wickets on a turning wicket for 10 in the match.
But the New Zealand bowlers led by Ajaz ripped into India’s top order.
Fast bowler Matt Henry dismissed Rohit Sharma in the third over, getting the captain to mis-hit to Phillips at midwicket for 11.
He extended his poor run with the bat in the series with scores of 2, 52, 0, 8 and 18 in his previous five innings.
Ajaz bowled Shubman Gill and then had Virat Kohli, on one, caught by Daryl Mitchell at slip to silence the home crowd.
Kohli has also struggled in the series, with just one half-century and four single-digit scores in the series.
Pant put on 42 runs for the sixth wicket to revive the chase, but Ajaz struck again to remove Jadeja for six.
Will Young’s 71 and 51 in the two New Zealand innings proved key and he was named player of the series for amassing 244 runs.


Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event

Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event
Updated 03 November 2024
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Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event

Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event
  • The night was not short on surprises, as the match between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens ended with no result because of unexpected interference

RIYADH: In an extraordinary night at Mohammed Abdu Arena as part of Riyadh Season’s WWE events, “Crown Jewel 2024” delivered a memorable evening of intense matches that wrestling fans will not soon forget.

The General Entertainment Authority CEO, Faisal Bafarat, awarded Cody Rhodes the “Crown Jewel 2024” men’s title and Liv Morgan the women’s title, with both receiving a new championship belt adorned with 50 carats of diamonds as the first champions in Crown Jewel history.

The event kicked off with an explosive opening match in which “The Bloodline,” led by Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga (accompanied by Tanga Loa), achieved a historic victory over Roman Reigns and “The Usos” (Jey and Jimmy Uso) in a six-man tag team match.

In the WWE women’s tag team championship match, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill defended their titles successfully against fierce competition from teams including “Damage Control,” “The Meta-4,” and Chelsea Green with Piper Niven. Seth “Freakin” Rollins also delivered an outstanding performance, defeating “Big” Bronson Reed.

In the women’s showdown, Liv Morgan, the reigning RAW women’s champion, claimed the title of “Crown Jewel Women’s Champion” after defeating SmackDown women’s champion Nia Jax in a grueling battle.

The night was not short on surprises, as the match between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens ended with no result because of unexpected interference, heightening the evening’s excitement.

In a triple-threat match for the United States Championship, LA Knight retained his title after an intense victory over Andrade and Carmelo Hayes.

The night culminated in a grand finale as Cody Rhodes, the undisputed WWE champion, defeated heavyweight champion Gunther, emerging as the Crown Jewel Champion to thunderous cheers from the crowd.

 


Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 

Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 
Updated 03 November 2024
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Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 

Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 
  • Pakistan head into Melbourne ODI with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf in playing XI
  • Green shirts will play three ODIs against Australia on Nov. 4, 8 and 10 at Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, respectively

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will head into the first ODI against Australia on Monday with fiery fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain featuring in the playing XI squad, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. 

Pakistan’s new white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan will lead his side for the first time since assuming captaincy this month at Melbourne against Australia on Monday. 

The South Asian country is scheduled to play three ODIs on Nov. 4, 8 and 10 in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, respectively before taking on Australia in a three-match T20I series on Nov. 14, 16 and 18. 

“The men’s national selection committee has confirmed Pakistan’s playing XI for the first ODI against Australia,” the PCB said in a statement. 

Rauf and Hasnain have both had ample experience playing on Australian pitches for the Big Bash League (BBL). Both bowlers have the ability to bowl above 150 kmph and bamboozle batters through sheer pace. 

Australian pitches favor pace and bounce, serving as ideal hunting grounds for pacers from Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and the West Indies in the past. 

Afridi and Shah, Pakistan’s experienced pace bowlers, will return to the squad after they were dropped from the Test squad after England drubbed Pakistan in the first Test in Multan last month. 

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Kamran Ghulam have both been included in the squad while the green shirts will rely on openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub to deliver the goods with the bat against Australia. 

Playing XI:

Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain 
 


Jadeja takes five as India chase 147 to avoid series sweep

Jadeja takes five as India chase 147 to avoid series sweep
Updated 03 November 2024
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Jadeja takes five as India chase 147 to avoid series sweep

Jadeja takes five as India chase 147 to avoid series sweep
  • New Zealand lead the three-match Test series in India by 2-0
  • India, the hosts, are looking to avoid embarrassing 3-0 whitewash

MUMBAI: Spinner Ravindra Jadeja claimed five wickets as India bowled out New Zealand for 174 on Sunday, leaving the hosts needing a tricky 147 to win the third Test.

New Zealand, who lead the three-match series 2-0, resumed on 171-9, losing Ajaz Patel for eight off Jadeja after seven minutes of play on day three at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

The left-handed Ajaz was caught at deep mid-wicket off a slog sweep as left-arm spinner Jadeja ended with a match haul of 10 wickets. He also claimed five in New Zealand’s first innings.

Fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets.

The hosts are seeking to avoid being swept 3-0 after New Zealand won the first two Tests to register their first Test series triumph in India.

Will Young top-scored with 51 on Saturday on a track that has turned sharply since day one.

Shubman Gill hit 90 in India’s 263 which gave them a slender 28-run first-innings lead in response to New Zealand’s 235.


Sabalenka kick offs WTA Finals campaign with win over Olympic champ Qinwen

Sabalenka kick offs WTA Finals campaign with win over Olympic champ Qinwen
Updated 02 November 2024
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Sabalenka kick offs WTA Finals campaign with win over Olympic champ Qinwen

Sabalenka kick offs WTA Finals campaign with win over Olympic champ Qinwen
  • Sabalenka is eyeing a maiden trophy at the prestigious season finale in Riyadh after finishing second two years ago

RIYADH: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka commenced her WTA Finals campaign in Riyadh on Saturday with her fifth victory in as many meetings with the current Olympic champion, China’s Zheng Qinwen, posting a 6-3, 6-4 result.

Facing off for the fifth time in the last 14 months, Sabalenka and Zheng opened the action at the first-ever professional women’s tennis tournament in Saudi Arabia in front of a near capacity crowd at King Saud University Indoor Arena.

The Belarusian top seed needed just one hour and 24 minutes to defeat Zheng, dropping a mere two points behind her first serve throughout the contest.

A runner-up at the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas two years ago, Sabalenka is eyeing a maiden trophy at the prestigious season finale, which would also guarantee her the year-end top ranking.

“It’s going to mean everything for me, that’s one of my dreams and I really worked hard in the past years and I really hope that one day I’ll be able to hold this beautiful trophy,” said Sabalenka, 26, on court.

“Qinwen is such a great player and we always had great battles against each other. She’s playing really aggressive tennis. I’m super happy with the win, especially against such a tough opponent.

“I think I served really well today and I put her under so much pressure on her serve. So I think my serve helped me tonight.”

Saudi Tennis Federation President Arij Mutabagani, tournament director and former world No. 1 Garbine Muguruza, and the highest-ranked African and Arab player in history, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, kicked-off proceedings by welcoming the crowd and the tennis tour to Riyadh in a pre-match opening ceremony.

Very little separated the players in the opening set as both dominated the points behind their first serves, Sabalenka winning 18/19 and Zheng winning 13/16.

But it was the second serve where Sabalenka found an edge, and after she saved a break point in the third game, the top seed broke for a 4-2 advantage and sealed a one-set lead in 39 minutes.

With Chinese supporters representing the majority of the crowd and rallying behind their Olympic hero, Zheng was near clinical through the first eight games of the second set.   

But Sabalenka upped the ante in game nine, converting her second break point opportunity to inch ahead and she closed out the win on her own serve minutes later.

In a bizarre incident, Sabalenka had to wait at the net for a short moment before Zheng realized she had actually lost the match.

Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has now won her last seven consecutive matches against top-10 opposition.