Sinner destroys Medvedev to set up Miami final with Dimitrov

Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a shot against Daniil Medvedev during the men's semifinal on Day 14 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 29, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 30 March 2024
Follow

Sinner destroys Medvedev to set up Miami final with Dimitrov

  • Sinner has won five straight matches against Medvedev after having lost their first six encounters
  • Before defeating Alcaraz and Zverev, Dimitrov had also taken care of another top 10 opponent in Hubert Hurkacz

MIAMI: Italy’s Jannik Sinner destroyed defending champion Daniil Medvedev 6-1, 6-2 in just 69 minutes on Friday to reach the final of the ATP Miami Open, where he will take on Grigor Dimitrov.

Bulgarian Dimitrov made his third Masters 1000 series final after he beat fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4.

The win means Dimitrov will return to the top 10 in the ATP rankings for the first time since 2018, his 260 week wait is the third longest in the history of the rankings.

Sinner though will be the favorite against Dimitrov, after his display of power and skill at Hard Rock Stadium swept away Medvedev.

The Italian had lost to the Russian in the Miami final last year but rallied from two sets down to beat him in the Australian Open final in January.

The outcome was never in doubt this time as Sinner utterly dominated from the outset.

Sinner broke Medvedev’s first service game to go 2-0 up in the opening set, pinning the Russian in the corner at the end of a long rally before blasting a winner past him.

While the 22-year-old looked fresh and fired up, blasting with power from the baseline and inventive when he came to the net, Medvedev was struggling to just hold his serve and the Italian broke again in the fourth game, taking advantage of his fourth break point.

A rattled-looking Medvedev finally held in the sixth game, but Sinner served out to love to complete a first-set rout in just 33 minutes.

It was the same story in the second set, Sinner breaking to love to start. The Russian looked dejected after he went wide on a break point to fall to 4-1 down, one of a series of unusually poorly executed shots from the 28-year-old.

Sinner met little resistance on his way to serving out for the match and acknowledged that his emphatic win was helped by the out of sorts nature of his opponent’s play.

“I felt great on court today. Usually the more you go on in a tournament, the more comfortable you feel and I’m very happy about today’s performance,” he said.

“I think Daniil didn’t feel this well today. He made a lot of mistakes which he usually doesn’t make, so I just took the chance. I was expecting a really tough match.”

Sinner has won five straight matches against Medvedev after having lost their first six encounters.

Sinner, who enjoyed a run of 19 wins before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal at Indian Wells, said he is now a very different proposition than when he missed out in the Miami final last year.

“I’m a different player, a different person,” he said.

Medvedev was blunt in his assessment of his performance.

“He played good. I didn’t play well enough. We could speak for hours but in the end I didn’t play good enough, he played good, he won easy. That’s the end of the story, to be honest,” he said.

The second semifinal was a much tighter affair which was decided by a handful of key moments.

Dimitrov, who ousted world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, broke when 5-4 up in the first set, Zverev mis-timing a return which ballooned out of court to hand the advantage to the Bulgarian.

The big-serving German was solid throughout the second set and while he wobbled at 6-2 up in the tie-break he held on to win 7-4 and force a deciding set.

With Dimitrov always busy, frequently going to the net, Zverev was relying on his baseline play to get him through.

But he was broken in the seventh game when Dimitrov came toward the net, slipped but somehow managed an overhead volley while almost on the floor to win break point.

The Bulgarian was buzzing with energy as he saw out the set and said his improvised winner had shown his mentality.

“I was not letting any balls pass through me...I just thought, OK, I’m seeing the ball, I am going to scramble for it.

“It was a dogfight on both ends, we really went at each other after that first set,” he said.

Before defeating Alcaraz and Zverev, Dimitrov had also taken care of another top 10 opponent in Hubert Hurkacz and he said that the run showed he had found the consistency that has sometimes eluded him.

“What is best above all is that I have been able to put those matches back-to-back. The consistency of beating top players, that to me is a way bigger success than anything else,” he said.


De Bruyne ‘surprised’ over Man City exit

Updated 8 sec ago
Follow

De Bruyne ‘surprised’ over Man City exit

  • Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he was “a bit surprised” to be told his glittering Manchester City career will finish at the end of this season
LONDON: Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he was “a bit surprised” to be told his glittering Manchester City career will finish at the end of this season.
De Bruyne recently announced he will leave the Etihad Stadium once the current campaign is over, bringing the curtain down on a memorable era in Manchester for the Belgian midfielder.
The 33-year-old arrived from German club Wolfsburg in 2015 and has been instrumental in City’s incredible success during boss Pep Guardiola’s reign.
De Bruyne has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the 2023 Champions League — which capped an incredible treble-winning season.
Guardiola hinted it was his decision to end De Bruyne’s stay after the playmaker’s struggles with injuries and inconsistent form over the last two seasons.
City have dipped dramatically this term, surrendering their four-year spell as champions and were reduced to focussing on the battle to qualify for the Champions League.
But De Bruyne admitted he was shocked not to receive a new contract offer because he believes he can still shine at the highest level.
“I have not had any offer the whole year, they just took a decision,” he said after City’s 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday.
“Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it. Honestly I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing but I understand clubs have to make decisions.
“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal then maybe they take another decision.”
De Bruyne said he has not made any decisions about his future as he is concentrating on the race to secure a top-five spot to extend City’s run in the Champions League into a 15th successive season.
He has already been linked with moves to Major League Soccer in the United States but he hasn’t ruled out staying in the Premier League or joining a major European club.
“I feel like I still have a lot to give. Obviously I know I’m not 25 any more but I still feel like I can do my job,” he said.
“I’m open for anything. I have to look at the whole picture. I’m looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family.
“I like to compete. That’s what I feel so I can’t say that I want to quit because I still feel that whenever I’m in training I want to beat the guys.
“I feel like I’m doing really well and that’s why I’ve also played a lot lately.”
De Bruyne applauded off at Goodison Park after Saturday’s win, with his performance a bright spot in another spluttering City display.
“It’s something really rare to come out and get an applause from another team so I just want to say thank you to them. I think they appreciate the way that I play,” he said.

Top F1 qualifiers face intense competition in Jeddah

Updated 28 min 3 sec ago
Follow

Top F1 qualifiers face intense competition in Jeddah

Jeddah: After Max Verstappen secured pole position in the top qualifiers for the F1 Saudi Arabian GP on Saturday night, the leading three drivers said that the competition was very intense for Sunday’s race.

Speaking to the media during the post-qualifying conference, Verstappen (Red Bull Racing), Oscar Piastri (McLaren), and George Russell (Mercedes) discussed how optimistic they were for Sunday’s race and other challenges.

“I am very happy,” Verstappen said. “I definitely didn’t expect to be on pole here after FP3 as well and looking at how the whole weekend was. We made some final changes, and it was a lot more enjoyable to drive.”

Speaking about Sunday’s race, Verstappen said: “I think in the race it will be tough to keep them behind, but we’re going to give it a good go.”

“It is much better than what we had in Bahrain, of course. And, yeah, let’s see what we can do tomorrow in the race,” he added.

Russell said: “If Oscar gets into the lead, you’ll probably see a repeat of Bahrain. If we stay in the order we qualified, I think it could be a tight race until the pit stops.”

Meanwhile, Piastri said that it would be a long and tough race. “I’m happy with the job I did,” he said. “I think it was playing catch-up a little bit through the first part of qualifying and then, yeah, that last lap felt more or less like the best I could have done. So, you know, I think Max has done a good job.”

He added: “Yes, we will fight hard for the final. I think our pace is good. It’s going to be a tough race and the tires are a bit softer than last year, so we’ll see if that plays to our advantage.”

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is known for its high-speed turns, creating challenges for drivers. All three top qualifiers emphasized the need for rhythm and precision on the track.


Lewandowski injury confirmed in blow to Barca quadruple bid

Updated 46 min 3 sec ago
Follow

Lewandowski injury confirmed in blow to Barca quadruple bid

  • Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski was diagnosed with a hamstring injury on Sunday and is set to miss the Copa del Rey final and Champions League semifinal according to Spanish media reports

BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski was diagnosed with a hamstring injury on Sunday and is set to miss the Copa del Rey final and Champions League semifinal according to Spanish media reports.
The 36-year-old Polish forward, Barcelona’s top goalscorer with 40 goals across all competitions, came off during his team’s 4-3 La Liga win over Celta Vigo on Saturday.
“Tests carried out on Sunday have confirmed that first-team player Robert Lewandowski has a semitendinosus injury in his left thigh,” said Barcelona in a statement, without specifying how long he would be sidelined for.
Spanish media reported Lewandowski could be out for three weeks, meaning he would not be available next Saturday as Barcelona face Real Madrid in the Copa final in Seville.
The La Liga leaders also host Inter Milan on April 30 in the Champions League semifinal first leg, and visit the Italians on May 6.
Lewandowski is set to miss league games against Mallorca on Tuesday and Valladolid on May 3, with a potential return against Real Madrid on May 11, a match which could decide the title race.
Barcelona, who won the Spanish Super Cup in January, are chasing a potential quadruple and are in the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2019.
Coach Hansi Flick has used Ferran Torres through the middle as a replacement for Lewandowski before, and has also experimented with Dani Olmo operating as a false nine.


Saudi Arabia open to 64-team World Cup in 2034

Updated 20 April 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia open to 64-team World Cup in 2034

  • Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told a select group of reporters at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that his country would have no objection to do so

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia would be ready and willing to host a 64-team World Cup in 2034 if FIFA accepts a controversial proposal to expand the tournament from 48, according to the kingdom’s sports minister.
South America’s CONMEBOL has officially suggested staging the centenary 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco with 64 teams but the idea has been opposed by some other continental confederations.
Next year’s tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico will have 48 countries participating, up from 32 in 2022.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told a select group of reporters at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that his country would have no objection to an increase in the numbers for 2034.
“We’re ready, or we will be ready, inshallah (God willing). If that’s a decision that FIFA takes and thinks that that’s a good decision for everyone, then we’re more than happy to deliver on it,” he said.
He pointed to the infrastructure already in place for Islamic pilgrims, with four million people attending Makkah for Umrah during Ramadan this year and five million expected for the Hajj.
The global football governing body officially announced Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 men’s World Cup in December.
The bid book pledged 15 stadiums, new or refurbished, by 2032 and which are expected to be completed with help of migrant labor.
Al-Faisal said worker safety was of the highest priority and Saudi organizers were talking regularly with FIFA and 2022 hosts and neighbors Qatar, the first World Cup in the region, to learn from their experience.
“We’ve had more than 100 international events so far. We’ve had people come from all over the world to attend these sporting events. And everyone’s happy with the hospitality, the setup, the experience that they get,” he added.


Al-Jazira stun star-studded Shabab Al-Ahli and take ADIB Cup final glory

Updated 20 April 2025
Follow

Al-Jazira stun star-studded Shabab Al-Ahli and take ADIB Cup final glory

  • A 2-1 win for the underdogs at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium proved worthy of the pre-match hype

AL-AIN: Abdullah Ramadan’s remarkable 40-yard wonder strike and fancy footwork from ex-Fulham winger Neeskens Kebano helped fire underdogs Al-Jazira to a deserved 2-1 ADIB Cup final victory against star-studded Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club on Saturday night.

Hazza bin Zayed Stadium was a fitting setting for Saturday’s epic showpiece between two heavyweights of the UAE game. On the day, Sharjah’s serial winner Cosmin Olaroiu was confirmed as new national team head coach, prize midfielder Ramadan shook off an injury-ravaged campaign and generated a jaw-dropping reminder of his mesmerising talents on 18 minutes by blasting in from range.

This slender advantage for Adnoc Pro League’s distant sixth-placed side against the runaway leaders would evaporate five minutes into the second half when prolific Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun followed up his own effort to level. But the momentum of Paulo Sousa’s men was immediately checked on 55 minutes when DR Congo flyer Kebano produced a series of beguiling stepovers and lashed into the bottom corner.

Shabab Al-Ahli continued to predictably boss possession with 62 percent, and attempts on goal (17-9), although theynever truly looked like mounting a comeback to avoid this term’s first domestic defeat. The final whistle handed the spirited Pride of Abu Dhabi their second ADIB Cup crown and just third trophy since the 2017-2018 season off.

Arab News looks at some key talking points from the decider:

 

A new era for Jazira

The 2024-2025 season has been a time of change for Jazira.

Club legend and record goal scorer Ali Mabkhout made a high-profile summer departure to Al-Nasr, while they began this campaign without a permanent Dutch manager at the helm for the first time since Brazilian Abel Braga’s mistaken summer 2015 return. Bold calls that have not always appeared judicious via mixed fortunes under Morocco’s Hussein Ammouta.

This, however, felt like a fork in the road. Big-name stars stood up tall, France’s World Cup 2018 winning playmaker Nabil Fekir oozed class with every silky touch and ex-Arsenal stalwart Mohamed Elneny battled hard from an unfamiliar centre-back role.

Ammouta’s residual capacity to inspire, as shown with shock 2023 AFC Asian Cup finalists Jordan, was also on display. Heroes emerged across the pitch — including starlets Mamadou Coulibaly, Vinicius Mello, Ravil Tagir and Ilyass Lagrimi.

This could be the start of something very special.

 

Shabab Al-Ahli continue to stumble at the finishing line

Another big game, another big disappointment for Shabab Al-Ahli.

ADIB Cup final defeat follows elimination in the AFC Champions League Elite play-off round to Qatar’s unexceptional Al-Gharafa and penalty shootout defeat to rivals Sharjah in the AFC Champions League Two quarter-finals.

This campaign could finish with the Adnoc Pro League, President’s Cup, Qatar–UAE Challenge Shield and Emaar Super Cup trophies residing at Rashid Stadium. Yet there is a sense of immense potential being left unfulfilled.

UAE wide men Yahya Al-Ghassani and unused substitute Harib Abdalla could certainly use some more game time, while fellow international Sultan Adil may further freshen up their attack after a lengthy absence.

A monstrous 11-point league gap — albeit with second-placed Sharjah holding a game in hand — gives opportunity for experimentation.

 

A final worthy of the fanfare

Pre-match ceremonies often feel like duds after kick-off.

This engrossing final, however, most certainly was not.

Early entertainment sparked by traditional dancers allied with booming pyrotechnics before kick-off reached its high point upon the novel sight of sponsors ADIB’s ATM dispensing the match ball. Nobody watching felt short-changed about what followed.

Styles make fights and Jazira’s counter-punching approach took the shine off glittering Shabab Al-Ahli.

Urged on by a strong crowd in Al-Ain, this was a chance for UAE football to show off. It surely did.