Davis Cup: US, Spain, Italy and Britain win their opening group matches

Davis Cup: US, Spain, Italy and Britain win their opening group matches
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in action during his singles match against Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac at the Davis Cup Group B match between Spain and Czech Republic on Sept. 11, 2024. (Reuters)
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Updated 12 September 2024
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Davis Cup: US, Spain, Italy and Britain win their opening group matches

Davis Cup: US, Spain, Italy and Britain win their opening group matches
  • The No. 3-ranked Alcaraz clinched victory for Spain against the Czech Republic in Group B when Tomas Machac retired injured with the score at 6-7 (3), 6-1
  • Brandon Nakashima beat Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-6 (3) after Reilly Opelka defeated Cristian Garin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3) to give the Americans a winning 2-0 lead over Chile in Group C

VALENCIA, Spain: Less than two weeks after his shocking second-round exit at the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz was staring at another upset when a set down in his opening group-stage match for Spain in the Davis Cup Finals on Wednesday.

This time, Alcaraz turned things around — though he needed some help from his opponent.

The No. 3-ranked Alcaraz clinched victory for Spain against the Czech Republic in Group B on Wednesday when Tomas Machac retired injured with the score at 6-7 (3), 6-1 in Valencia. It gave Spain an unassailable 2-0 lead, with Roberto Bautista Agut having already defeated Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (1), 6-4, and Alcaraz then partnered with Marcel Granollers-Pujol to win the doubles in three sets and wrap up a 3-0 victory.

They were Alcaraz’s first matches since losing in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp — who was ranked 74th — at Flushing Meadows.

Spain joined the US, defending champion Italy and Britain in gaining victories on Wednesday.

Brandon Nakashima beat Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-6 (3) after Reilly Opelka defeated Cristian Garin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3) to give the Americans a winning 2-0 lead over Chile in Group C in Zhuhai, China.

Those two singles matches lasted in excess of five hours and the US brought in Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram for the doubles, which they won 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) against Tomas Barrios Vera and Matias Soto to seal a 3-0 sweep.

“It was truly an epic day of tennis for both teams, everyone showed a lot of heart, a lot of guts,” US captain and retired doubles great Bob Bryan said. “I don’t think it’s ever happened in Davis Cup that all matches went to the third-set breaker . . . historic day. Just feeling very, very proud of the players.”

The US, which has a leading 32 Davis Cup titles but none since 2007, is bidding to reach the quarterfinals for the second time since the Davis Cup Finals were introduced in 2019. In the qualifiers this year, the Americans defeated Ukraine 4-0 on neutral ground in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Italy didn’t need top-ranked Jannik Sinner, the newly crowned US Open champion, to begin its title defense with a 2-1 win over Brazil in Group A in Bologna.

Matteo Berrettini beat Joao Fonseca 6-1, 7-6 (5) before Matteo Arnaldi gave Italy an unassailable 2-0 lead by beating Thiago Monteiro 7-5, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5). Rafael Matos and Marcelo Melo won the doubles for Brazil, beating Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in three sets.

“It was a great, great feeling. I’ve been missing this kind of feeling for so long for so many reasons,” Berrettini said. “The Davis Cup, the tournament in Rome, it felt like almost a first time.”

Britain also established a 2-0 advantage over Finland in Manchester, England, in Group D thanks to wins by Dan Evans and Billy Harris.

Evans beat Eero Vasa 7-6 (3), 6-2 and Harris, the guy who once lived out of a van while playing tennis tournaments around Europe, defeated Otto Virtanen 6-4, 7-6 (4).

“He (Vasa) was playing so freely in the first set and I did well to weather the storm and find a way to win,” Evans said. “That’s what you have to do in the Davis Cup.”

It finished 2-1 for Britain after Virtanen teamed with Harri Heliovaara to beat Evans and Neal Skupski 7-6 (4), 7-5 in doubles.

The four groups are playing in four cities this week to qualify for the Final 8 knockout stage to be held in Malaga, Spain, in November. The top two countries in each four-team group will advance.

In opening play on Tuesday, Belgium beat the Netherlands 2-1, Australia defeated France 2-1, Germany — playing without No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev — beat Slovakia 3-0 and Canada defeated Argentina 2-1.


Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad

Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad
Updated 12 November 2024
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Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad

Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad

LONDON: England interim manager Lee Carsley gave a first senior call-up to Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers as one of five additions to his last squad on Monday after eight players pulled out.
The team faces Greece in Athens on Thursday before hosting Ireland three days later. Both games are in the Nations League.
Seven of the players to drop out came from the top four clubs in the Premier League: Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer of Chelsea; Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka; Manchester City midfielders Phil Foden and Jack Grealish and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. The eighth withdrawal was Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Rogers was promoted from the Under-21 squad alongside Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Newcastle’s Tino Livramento and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. Of the quartet only center-back Branthwaite has a senior England cap.
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, who has 12 senior caps, was also added to the squad.
Carsley will return to his role as Under-21 manager after Nations League games, with Thomas Tuchel starting as the new boss in January.
Defeat in Athens would end England’s chances of automatic promotion from the second tier of the Nations League.
Tuchel has signed an 18-month deal that begins on January 1, so will only be an interested observer during this month’s games.
England squad
Goalkeepers
: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford
Defenders: Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ezri Konsa, Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, Jarrad Branthwaite, Tino Livramento
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, Curtis Jones, Morgan Rogers
Forwards: Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Dominic Solanke, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen


Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid

Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid
Updated 11 November 2024
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Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid

Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid
  • Brazilian superstar tours bid exhibition with Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit, and describes it as ‘best project I’ve ever seen’
  • Exhibition showcases proposed host cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha and NEOM — and features interactive displays of the planned 15 stadiums

RIYADH: Brazilian footballer Neymar on Monday expressed his full support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and said that he believes it has the potential to be the best tournament yet.

After touring the Saudi 2034 bid exhibition with Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit, Neymar described it as “the best project I’ve ever seen” for players and fans alike.

The exhibition showcases the proposed host cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha and NEOM — and includes interactive displays of the 15 stadiums envisioned for the event.

Saudi Arabia is bidding to be the sole host of a 48-team World Cup tournament. It aims to leverage its geographic advantage, given that 60 percent of the world’s population live within an eight-hour flight of the Kingdom.

Neymar was particularly impressed by the focus of the Saudi bid on the needs of the players, saying: “They’re thinking about the players … making it easier to get from the game to the hotel and recover faster.”

The 32-year-old Brazilian, who has lived in Riyadh since signing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in August 2023, praised the passion for football in the Kingdom and the warm welcome he and his family received. Despite an injury that limited his playing time so far, he noted the enthusiastic support among local fans.

The rapid growth in the development of football in Saudi Arabia in recent years has included an expansion in the number of youth-training centers to 23, support for more than 300,000 boys and girls in school leagues, and an increase in the number of registered football coaches from 700 in 2019 to more than 4,000.

Neymar said he believes this investment in the future of Saudi football will pay off, adding: “They will definitely be more competitive in 2034.”

He also acknowledged the influence he and other international soccer superstars who have relocated to the Kingdom, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, are having on the nation’s football scene.

“We want to influence all the kids and the youth to do the right things, and to bring joy to everyone with our football,” he said.

Saudi Arabia submitted its official bid for the 2034 World Cup, which has the theme “Growing. Together,” in July. A decision on the host is due to be made on Dec. 11 during a FIFA Congress.


Netflix drops new trailer for ‘Saudi Pro League: Kickoff’ documentary

Netflix drops new trailer for ‘Saudi Pro League: Kickoff’ documentary
Updated 11 November 2024
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Netflix drops new trailer for ‘Saudi Pro League: Kickoff’ documentary

Netflix drops new trailer for ‘Saudi Pro League: Kickoff’ documentary
  • The highly anticipated six-episode series takes viewers into the heart of Saudi Arabia’s football scene

LONDON: Netflix unveiled on Monday a new trailer for its upcoming sports documentary series “Saudi Pro League: Kickoff,” set to premiere on Nov. 21.

The highly anticipated six-episode series takes viewers into the heart of Saudi Arabia’s football scene, chronicling the 48th season of the competition, which was marked by star-studded signings and the country’s ambitious vision to elevate the league’s global standing.

Produced by Whisper, the series offers an inside look at five major clubs — Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ettifaq — as they compete for the championship and delves into the highs and lows of the season, capturing the triumphs and challenges that defined their campaigns.

The documentary promises to explore critical questions about the league’s trajectory: Can its substantial investments bring long-term success? How do international stars adapt to the culture, and how do local players respond to the increased competition?

Fans will get a front-row seat to Cristiano Ronaldo’s pursuit of victory with Al-Nassr, Karim Benzema’s journey at Al-Ittihad, and the resilience of Al-Hilal as they navigated Neymar’s injury and its impact.

The series also highlights Steven Gerrard’s efforts to revive Al-Ettifaq and Matthias Jaissle’s leadership at Al-Ahli, who aimed for Asian Champions League qualification after their return from relegation.

Beyond the marquee names, the documentary showcases emerging local talents like Salem Al-Dawsari, Feras Al-Buraikan, Talal Haji, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb, spotlighting their determination to shine amid the arrival of international football legends.


Pakistan goes undefeated to claim inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic Championship

Pakistan goes undefeated to claim inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic Championship
Updated 11 November 2024
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Pakistan goes undefeated to claim inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic Championship

Pakistan goes undefeated to claim inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic Championship
  • Pakistan finish tournament with 6 wins and no losses

DUBAI: Pakistan took home the trophy at the first-ever Baseball United Arab Classic international baseball tournament, which concluded Sunday night after four straight days of gameplay.

Pakistan was dominant the entire tournament, outscoring its opponents by a total of 57 runs, including a 12-1 victory over the UAE in the championship game.

The tournament, in which nine nations from the Gulf Cooperation Council and subcontinent participated, featured 21 games played at the new Baseball United Ballpark at The Sevens in Dubai.

The UAE, playing in its first international baseball tournament in the nation’s history, was a surprise finalist, beating Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals and then topping a highly ranked Palestine team in the semifinals to advance to the championship.

The UAE finished the tournament with five wins and two losses, with both defeats coming to Pakistan.

“This was the largest and most competitive baseball tournament in the history of the region, and the Pakistan team showed they are not only one of Asia’s top teams, but they are on the path to compete with the best baseball-playing nations in the world,” Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United, said in a statement.


Turkiye football club chief jailed over attack on ref

Turkiye football club chief jailed over attack on ref
Updated 11 November 2024
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Turkiye football club chief jailed over attack on ref

Turkiye football club chief jailed over attack on ref
  • Incident occurred in December 2023 following a 1-1 draw between Ankara’s MKA Ankaragucu and visiting Caykur Rizespor in Turkiye’s top flight

ANKARA: A former football chief in Turkiye’s Super Lig was sentenced to more than three years in prison Monday over an on-pitch attack on a referee, the Anadolu news agency reported.
The incident occurred in December 2023 following a 1-1 draw between Ankara’s MKA Ankaragucu and visiting Caykur Rizespor in Turkiye’s top flight.
Footage from the scene showed Ankaragucu’s then president Faruk Koca rushing onto the pitch and punching referee Halil Umut Meler after he blew the final whistle, shouting: “I’m going to kill you!“
He appeared to be incensed over the ref’s decision to send off one of his players, and disallowing an earlier goal by Ankaragucu. Caykur had scored an equalizer in injury time.
Denouncing the attack as “despicable,” the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) suspended Super Lig matches for eight days and initiated criminal proceedings against Koca and several others.
Several days later, Koca apologized and resigned as club president but insisted his team had been cheated by the referee.
The court on Monday handed him three years and seven months for “intentional injury to a public sports official” as well as six months and 20 days for “making threats.”
It also handed him a five-month suspended sentence for “violating the law on violence prevention in sports.”
During the incident, the referee — who fell to the ground after being punched — was also kicked several times by other club officials, leaving him with a head trauma.
The court also handed prison sentences to three other officials for causing, or trying to cause, “intentional injury” to a public sports official, with sentences ranging from one to five years behind bars.
The incident provoked uproar in Turkiye and a flurry of condemnation, including from FIFA, football’s world governing body.