Aryna Sabalenka wins first title since Australian Open, beating Jessica Pegula at Cincinnati

Aryna Sabalenka wins first title since Australian Open, beating Jessica Pegula at Cincinnati
Aryna Sabalenka raises the Rookwood Cup after the women’s championship match of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. (USA TODAY Sports)
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Updated 20 August 2024
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Aryna Sabalenka wins first title since Australian Open, beating Jessica Pegula at Cincinnati

Aryna Sabalenka wins first title since Australian Open, beating Jessica Pegula at Cincinnati

MASON, Ohio: Aryna Sabalenka won her first title since the Australian Open in January, beating Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-5 in the Cincinnati Open on Monday.
Sabalenka, who moved up a spot to No. 2 in the rankings before the match, didn’t lose a set en route to her 15th WTA title. She had never gotten past the semifinals at Cincinnati, losing three times in that round.
The 26-year-old Sabalenka can now be considered a favorite at the US Open, which begins on Aug. 26 in New York. The Belarusian missed Wimbledon with a shoulder injury, then returned to the tour at Washington two weeks ago.
In the men’s final, top-ranked Jannik Sinner was set to face Frances Tiafoe on Monday night.
Against Pegula, Sabalenka took 17 minutes to build a 4-1 lead in the first set.
Pegula, who double-faulted five times, broke serve for the first time to tie the second set at 5-all, but Sabalenka won the next two games to finish off the 1-hour, 14-minute match.
The sixth-ranked Pegula had a challenging road to the final. After defending her title at Toronto, the American played two matches on Friday because of weather-related postponements and had three matches go three sets. Her time on the court exceeded Sabalenka’s by more than two hours entering the final.
Sabalenka joined top-ranked Iga Swiatek as the only players with 10 or more WTA titles since 2020. She beat Swiatek in the Cincinnati semis.


Man City and PSG face unexpected early exit from Champions League in dramatic round of 18 games

Man City and PSG face unexpected early exit from Champions League in dramatic round of 18 games
Updated 29 January 2025
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Man City and PSG face unexpected early exit from Champions League in dramatic round of 18 games

Man City and PSG face unexpected early exit from Champions League in dramatic round of 18 games
  • Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain each faces a shocking early exit from the Champions League for the first time in more than a decade
  • Man City starts against Club Brugge outside the top-24 places that advance to the knockout stage

GENEVA: Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain each faces a shocking early exit from the Champions League for ,the first time in more than a decade when the final round of games Wednesday decide the new 36-team standings.
When the 18 games kick off at the same time, 9 p.m. Central European Time (2000 GMT), to complete the inaugural league-phase format, Man City is outside the top-24 places that advance to the knockout stage and 22nd-place PSG risks dropping out.
Man City must beat Club Brugge at home to rise safely from 25th place. A draw for PSG at 24th-place Stuttgart should be enough for both teams — barring a freakish big win for Dinamo Zagreb over AC Milan to take the tiebreaker on goal difference among teams that end on 11 points.
A PSG loss in Germany risks ending a run of 12 straight years playing in the knockout stage.
The final-day jeopardy also was unexpected for Man City, the Champions League winner two years ago, which let a two-goal lead slip in a 4-2 loss at PSG last week.
The English Premier League champion advanced 11 years in a row from the old group stage since going winless in the 2012-13 edition.
It is the kind of scenario Champions League organizer UEFA hoped for when approving the new format under severe pressure from storied clubs who demanded more lucrative games and more of them against high-end opponents.
Those same influential clubs — including the super-wealthy state-backed pair of Man City and PSG — hardly imagined they would miss out on the knockout phase that brings global brand-building attention and tens of millions of euros in extra prize money from UEFA.
Real Madrid had to play just 13 games to win the Champions League last season, and now faces playing 17 to retain the title.
Madrid is 16th in the standings before going to play unheralded Brest after losing three of its seven games, including on its previous trip to France against Lille.
The record 15-time European champion can still rise to a top-8 finish — earning direct entry to the round of 16 in March — by beating 13th-place Brest, though needs other results to go its way.
Teams that finish from ninth to 24th enter Friday’s draw for the two-leg knockout playoffs played on back-to-back midweeks in February.
That shapes as an unwanted burden in the congested calendar for teams also chasing domestic titles, rather than bonus games to earn more revenue.
Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich is in 15th place, also on 12 points with Madrid, before hosting Slovan Bratislava, which has been overmatched losing seven straight games.
A 15-point tally, with a strong goal difference, could be enough to take eighth place currently held by Bayer Leverkusen, which heads a group of six teams on 13 points. Leverkusen hosts already eliminated Sparta Prague.
Bayern and Madrid can be helped by the tough schedule for teams ahead in the standings: Atalanta in seventh goes to Barcelona, 10th-place Monaco is at Inter Milan, while Lille and Feyenoord — 12th vs 11th — cannot both reach 15 points.
League-leading Liverpool has let most star players skip the trip to 19th-place PSV Eindhoven because it is one of the few teams with certainty.
Seven wins guaranteed Liverpool a top-two seeding in the tennis-like bracket for the knockout rounds. That draw will be made Feb. 21 after the playoffs round, setting up pairings through to the May 31 final in Munich.
Only Liverpool and Barcelona have already sealed their top-8 places, though Arsenal and Inter — both on 16 points — likely will join them. Atletico Madrid and Milan start Wednesday’s games on 15 points.


85 athletes to represent UAE at Asian youth jiu-jitsu tournaments

85 athletes to represent UAE at Asian youth jiu-jitsu tournaments
Updated 29 January 2025
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85 athletes to represent UAE at Asian youth jiu-jitsu tournaments

85 athletes to represent UAE at Asian youth jiu-jitsu tournaments
  • Delegation includes 20 athletes competing in the U-14 division, 65 athletes in youth categories

ABU DHABI: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation has said that 85 Emirati athletes will take part in the 2025 Asian Jiu-Jitsu Cup (U-14) and the 2025 Asian Jiu-Jitsu Youth Championship.

The events will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from Feb. 13-15.

The Emirati delegation includes 20 athletes competing in the U14 division and 65 athletes in youth categories.

In 2024, Abu Dhabi hosted the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Youth Championship, where the UAE national team excelled with an impressive haul of 41 medals, including 11 gold, eight silver and 22 bronze.

Fahad Ali Al-Shamsi, secretary-general of the federation, said: “The Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship is one of the most prestigious events we participate in every year, showcasing the UAE’s leadership in the sport across the continent. It also provides a key platform to evaluate the progress of our youth athletes and their readiness to excel on the global stage.

“Youth competitions are central to the federation’s strategy, as they represent the future of jiu-jitsu in the UAE. We remain dedicated to identifying and nurturing young talent through world-class training and coaching programs.”

Pedro Damasceno, UAE national team coach, said: “We have carefully assembled a strong team, blending experienced athletes with fresh talent. The team is following an intensive training program and is fully committed to performing at its best in the upcoming championships.

“The athletes are showing great confidence and dedication, and we look forward to seeing them shine on the continental stage once again.”


Maxey leads 76ers past Lakers, surging Rockets hold off Hawks

Maxey leads 76ers past Lakers, surging Rockets hold off Hawks
Updated 29 January 2025
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Maxey leads 76ers past Lakers, surging Rockets hold off Hawks

Maxey leads 76ers past Lakers, surging Rockets hold off Hawks

LOS ANGELES: Tyrese Maxey scored 43 points to lead the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers to a 118-104 NBA victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday as the surging Houston Rockets pulled off a tense 100-96 win over Atlanta.

With Joel Embiid missing his 12th straight game and Paul George sidelined with a finger injury, Maxey stepped up and the Sixers won their third straight.

The defeat halted the Lakers’ four-game winning streak, which featured a victory over reigning champions Boston. Worse, star Anthony Davis exited in the first quarter with an abdominal strain.

The Lakers were up 20-17 when Davis — fresh off a 42-point, 23-rebound performance in Charlotte on Monday — departed and they struggled defensively in his absence.

The 76ers outscored them 48-32 in the second quarter and led 73-57 at halftime.

LeBron James scored 31 points with eight rebounds and nine assists but said 22 turnovers were too many to overcome.

“When your best player goes out it’s always challenging,” James said, but added: “We’ve just got to be better.

“We had too many turnovers tonight that resulted in too many buckets for them. You can’t make mistake after mistake after mistake.”

James, the league’s all-time leading scorer, had one steal to move into sixth place on the all-time steals list with 2,311.

In Atlanta, Jalen Green scored 25 points for the Rockets, who fended off a late Hawks surge to post a fourth straight win.

Coming off three big victories — two straight over Eastern Conference leaders Cleveland and a 114-112 victory on Monday over Boston, the Rockets delivered another gritty performance.

Green’s steal and layup pushed Houston’s lead to 96-80 with 5:16 to play. But Atlanta sliced the deficit to 98-96 with less than a minute remaining.

DeAndre Hunter had a chance to put the Hawks in front but missed a three-pointer and Alperen Sengun sealed the victory with a dunk.

Sengun finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Jae’Sean Tate added 16 points off the bench for Houston.

Trae Young scored 21 for Atlanta, who dropped their sixth straight.


Abu Dhabi to host 2025 EuroLeague Final Four

Abu Dhabi to host 2025 EuroLeague Final Four
Updated 29 January 2025
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Abu Dhabi to host 2025 EuroLeague Final Four

Abu Dhabi to host 2025 EuroLeague Final Four
  • The event will be held at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena on May 23-25

ABU DHABI: Euroleague Basketball, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, and Etihad Arena have signed an agreement to host the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, for the first time in history. The deal, brokered by the league’s strategic partner IMG, marks a historic expansion of Euroleague Basketball into new global markets.

“I would like to thank the city of Abu Dhabi for showing their confidence in Euroleague Basketball,” said Dejan Bodiroga, president of Euroleague Basketball. “Bringing the Final Four to Abu Dhabi is an ambitious project and a remarkable opportunity to showcase the EuroLeague atmosphere to a new and diverse audience. At the same time, this partnership guarantees our loyal fans a fresh experience in one of the world’s most modern and tourist-friendly cities. Together, we will deliver another top-level event that will elevate the EuroLeague to new heights.”

The decision to bring the Final Four to Abu Dhabi builds on Euroleague Basketball’s strategic ambition to expand into new markets, building on its 25-year legacy of success. By staging the Final Four in a new region, Euroleague Basketball aims to bring its passionate fan experience and Every Game Matters mantra to a broader global audience.

Saood Al-Hosani, undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, said: “Abu Dhabi has rapidly become the home for basketball in the Middle East, and we’re excited to welcome Euroleague Basketball to the emirate — and the region — for the very first time. A hub for sporting excellence, Abu Dhabi will offer fans a world-class experience at the Final Four events in Etihad Arena, providing a warm welcome and a diverse range of attractions and experiences in addition to the games themselves. We look forward to Euroleague finding new audiences here in Abu Dhabi and once again demonstrating the destination’s capability to host large-scale international sporting events.”

The Final Four will mark Euroleague Basketball’s second experience in the Middle East, following the successful Adidas NextGen Tournament Qualifier hosted in Dubai last season.

The Etihad Arena, located on Abu Dhabi’s entertainment hub of Yas Island, will host the four best teams of the season, who will play in the semifinals on Friday, May 23. The third-place and championship games will be on Sunday, May 25.

“This agreement represents a milestone for the EuroLeague and a significant step in our global growth strategy,” said Paulius Motiejunas, CEO of Euroleague Basketball. “By partnering with Abu Dhabi, we are bringing our most iconic event to a dynamic new environment that offers world-class facilities and a passion for hosting major international sports events.”


Johnson Charles’ quick-fire 71 helps Sharjah Warriorz overwhelm Dubai Capitals by 9 wickets

Johnson Charles’ quick-fire 71 helps Sharjah Warriorz overwhelm Dubai Capitals by 9 wickets
Updated 29 January 2025
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Johnson Charles’ quick-fire 71 helps Sharjah Warriorz overwhelm Dubai Capitals by 9 wickets

Johnson Charles’ quick-fire 71 helps Sharjah Warriorz overwhelm Dubai Capitals by 9 wickets
  • Adam Zampa shines with the ball with 2 for 28 to help restrict Dubai Capitals

DUBAI: Johnson Charles ignited the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday night by leading the Sharjah Warriorz to a resounding nine-wicket victory.

His breathtaking knock of 71 runs in 33 balls set up a flawless run chase in only 11.5 overs as the Warriorz maintained their undefeated record against the Dubai Capitals in the DP World ILT20.

An impactful show from the spinners, including two wickets for 28 runs from Adam Zampa in the first innings, restricted the Dubai Capitals to 131/9. The result gives the Warriorz’s net run rate a significant boost, keeping them firmly in the fray for a playoff berth.

The powerplay made the chase a mere formality as Charles and Tom Kohler-Cadmore dominated the bowling to set the highest powerplay score of the season. The pair raced to 79 runs in just six overs, with Charles smashing five towering sixes, including a remarkable 24-run over off Zahir Khan. 

Charles brought up his 50 in 21 balls, studded with six sixes and two fours. Halted by Sikandar Raza in the 11th over, he departed after striking three fours and eight sixes, which included a combination of power hitting, deft touches and switch-hits.

Kohler-Cadmore wrapped up proceedings in the next over with a clever boundary off Dushmantha Chameera. The Englishman finished with 54 runs in 32 balls, smashing eight fours and two sixes.

Earlier in the day, Adam Rossington bludgeoned a six and two fours as the powerplay saw 55 runs for the Capitals. Shai Hope played second fiddle to Rossington until the latter was accounted for by Zampa in the seventh over for 37 runs in 23 balls. 

Following the powerplay there was a steep drop in the run-rate. While Hope occupied one end, batting with restraint, the wickets tumbled around him as the spinners dominated the middle overs.

Zampa claimed another when he dismissed Gulbadin Naib, and skipper Sikandar Raza was removed by Ashton Agar. In the same over, Najibullah Zadran was run out to leave the Capitals in hot water at 85/4 in 12 overs. 

The UAE’s Rohan Mustafa kept the pressure on with the wickets of Khalid Shah and Dasun Shanaka to expose the tail. Meanwhile Hope’s stint at the crease came to an end for 45 runs in 52 balls at the hand of Tim Southee in the 18th over.

Rovman Powell provided a flicker of hope with an unbeaten 32 runs in only 16 balls, peppered with three fours and two sixes but the Dubai Capitals finished the innings at a below-par score of 131/9 in 20 overs. 

Player of the match Charles said: “They got off to a bit of a flier, but I love playing in Dubai because the conditions tend to get a bit skiddier, which suits my style.

“I thought Ashton Agar and Rohan Mustafa bowled exceptionally well and complemented each other perfectly. We managed to put the opposition under pressure.

“Ash and I have played a lot together in the past, and it’s always a pleasure to play alongside him. It felt almost nostalgic since we haven’t had many opportunities to play together recently.”

The Dubai Capitals’ captain Raza said: “I thought we were traditional in our batting. We needed more sweeps, reverse sweeps and switch-hits. We went into a shell rather than being aggressive.

“Johnson is a fantastic player and done that to many teams; it was quite hard to bowl at him. He played a lot of great shots. One bad game is not going to derail us. We will try to get this game out of (our) system and winning the next two is the target.”

 

Brief scores 

  • Sharjah Warriorz beat Dubai Capitals by 9 wickets
  • Dubai Capitals 131/9 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 45, Adam Rossington 37, Rovman Powell 32 not out, Rohan Mustafa 2 for 12, Adam Zampa 2 for 28)
  • Sharjah Warriorz 135/1 in 11.5 overs (Johnson Charles 71, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 54 not out, Sikandar Raza 1 for 9)