AHMEDABAD: Mohit Sharma’s bowling figures of 3-25 and an unbeaten 44 by David Miller powered Gujarat Titans to their second IPL win with a thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.
Gujarat restricted Hyderabad to 162-8, a total they overhauled with seven wickets and five balls to spare at their home Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins came to the venue with happy memories after he led Australia to an ODI World Cup triumph at the 132,000-capacity stadium last year, but this time, the home team ruled.
“Winning two matches at home is great, two more to go and then we go on the road,” Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill said.
Gill added, “Credit to the bowlers to restrict them. Everyone knows their roles in terms of batting or bowling...Miller’s gotten in form too.”
Gill made 36 to add to his team’s attacking start after fellow opener Wriddhiman Saha smashed a 13-ball 25 and set up the chase.
Sai Sudarshan then came in as impact substitute in place of Mohit and put on a key 64-run third-wicket stand with fellow left-hander Miller, who struggled in the middle with his running and Gill said it was “just a cramp, I think.”
Sudarshan fell for 45 off Cummins but Miller stood firm to steer the team home with Vijay Shankar at the other end in an unbeaten stand of 30.
Gujarat needed 49 from the last 30 balls before Miller and Sudarshan smashed Mayank Markande in a 24-run 16th over to ease into the chase.
Mohit, 35, set up victory with his medium-pace bowling as he struck three times including the key wicket of Abhishek Sharma, who made 29 off 20 balls.
Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan made his presence felt when he bowled Heinrich Klaasen, who trudged back to the pavilion after his 13-ball 24.
“Good match but we got 10-15 less,” said Cummins. “They bowled well. Losing a couple of wickets meant we couldn’t get a batter not making fifty plus.”
Hyderabad, who won their only title in 2016 under David Warner, suffered their second loss in three matches.
David Miller steers Gujarat Titans to IPL win over Sunrisers Hyderabad
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David Miller steers Gujarat Titans to IPL win over Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Hyderabad, who won their only title in 2016 under David Warner, suffered their second loss in three matches
Ronaldo scores and leads Al-Nassr into AFC Champions Elite semifinals
- In Wednesday’s semifinal, Al-Nassr will take on Al-Sadd of Qatar or Kawasaki Frontale of Japan, who meet on Sunday
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Cristiano Ronaldo led Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr to a 4-1 win over Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite on Saturday.
The 40-year-old scored his eighth goal of the tournament during a dominant first half performance in Jeddah, which is hosting all of the games in the tournament from the quarterfinal stage to the final on May 3.
In Wednesday’s semifinal, Al-Nassr will take on Al-Sadd of Qatar or Kawasaki Frontale of Japan, who meet on Sunday.
Jhon Duran, signed for over $100 million from Aston Villa in January, opened the scoring from close range.
Four minutes later, Sadio Mane doubled Al-Nassr’s lead, the former Liverpool forward firing home a fierce low shot from the left of the area.
There was still time before the break for Ronaldo to give Al-Nassr, looking for a first ever continental title, one foot in the last four. Goalkeeper Park Il-kyu spilled a shot from Marcelo Brozovic and Ronaldo, from close range, was on hand to score his 33rd goal of the season in all competitions.
Duran scored his second and Al-Nassr’s fourth four minutes after the break, and Anderson Lopes grabbed a consolation for the five-time Japanese champion.
Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League rival Al-Ahli defeated Buriram United of Thailand 3-0.
The damage was done early. After just four minutes, former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez scored with a low shot from the right side of the area after Buriram failed to clear. Two minutes later, Brazilian winger Galeno made it 2-0 and Roberto Firmino finished off.
Al-Ahli, a two-time finalist, will take on Al-Hilal, the four-time champion, in an all-Saudi semifinal on Tuesday.
On Friday, Al-Hilal thrashed Gwangju 7-0 with all seven coming from different scorers.
After Al-Hilal’s relatively poor run of form domestically, coach Jorge Jesus was delighted with the result and performance. “We’ve been under pressure in the Saudi Pro League, and the players have shown great focus despite that,” Jesus said.
“Without commitment, we couldn’t have achieved this. I believe we’re on the right path, creating a good atmosphere for everyone involved — players and staff.”
Djokovic crashes to nervous Arnaldi in Madrid opener, Swiatek advances
- The fourth-seeded Djokovic suffered a second consecutive opening defeat, after losing his opener against Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo two weeks ago
- Arnaldi, ranked 44th in the world, recorded just the second top-five win of his career and scribbled ‘OMG’ on the camera lens after his landmark victory
- Seventh-seeded teenager Mirra Andreeva continued her impressive form at WTA 1000 tournaments this season by storming into the fourth round with a 7-5, 6-3 performance against Polish 27th-seed Magdalena Frech
MADRID: Novak Djokovic admits he may have played his last-ever match at the Madrid Open after he crashed out in his opening round encounter on Saturday, while Iga Swiatek advanced to the last-16 on the women’s side of the draw.
Djokovic’s bid for a 100th career title was scuppered by Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who beat the Serb 6-3, 6-4 in the second round.
The fourth-seeded Djokovic suffered a second consecutive opening defeat, after losing his opener against Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo two weeks ago.
Asked if this was his last on-court appearance in the Spanish capital, Djokovic said: “It could be. It could be. I’m not sure if I will come back. So, I don’t know. I mean, I’ll come back, maybe not as a player, of course. I hope it’s not, but it could be.”
Arnaldi, ranked 44th in the world, recorded just the second top-five win of his career and scribbled ‘OMG’ on the camera lens after his landmark victory.
The athletic 24-year-old squandered a 2-0 lead early in the contest but pounced again in the eighth game, breaking the Djokovic serve. The Italian wrapped up the opening set in 48 minutes.
Djokovic, a three-time champion in Madrid, fired 20 unforced errors in the first frame and finished the contest with a total of 32.
“He’s my idol, he’s always been. I was just glad that I could play him because I never played him, I just practiced once with him. So playing him on a stage like this was already a victory for me,” said Arnaldi, who showcased an entertaining brand of all-court tennis.
“But, you know, he is not at his best right now, so I came on court to try to play my best tennis and win. It happened. So right now, I don’t even know what to say.”
The 37-year-old Djokovic conceded he is trying to accept a “new reality,” where he is approaching tournaments with low expectations, given his recent subpar results.
“[My expectations were] Not big at all, to be honest. I was hoping I can play one more match than I played in Monte Carlo,” said the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
“Kind of new reality for me, I have to say, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament.
“But that’s, I guess, the circle of life and the career; eventually it was going to happen.”
Elsewhere, Lorenzo Musetti moved past Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 to book a third-round meeting with Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Greek world No. 18 beat Jan-Lennard Struff 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to get through the round of 64.
Sixth seed Alex de Minaur eased past Lorenzo Sonego 6-2, 6-3, while fifth seed Jack Draper beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-4.
Defending champion Swiatek enjoyed a less stressful third-round win compared to her three-set opener against Filipino teenager Alexandra Eala, needing just one hour and 17 minutes to beat familiar foe Linda Noskova 6-4, 6-2.
“I’m happy with my focus and with the way I kept problem-solving until the end of the match,” said Swiatek, who will face Russian Diana Shnaider in the round of 16.
Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys was broken while serving for her third-round victory at 5-4 in the second set against Anna Kalinskaya, but recovered to complete a 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) victory.
The fifth-seeded Keys lost to Kalinskaya earlier this month in Charleston.
“I knew I had to raise my level after getting a bit of a spanking last time,” said Keys.
American fourth seed Coco Gauff eased past compatriot Ann Li 6-2, 6-3 to set up a last-16 clash with Swiss Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic.
Seventh-seeded teenager Mirra Andreeva continued her impressive form at WTA 1000 tournaments this season by storming into the fourth round with a 7-5, 6-3 performance against Polish 27th-seed Magdalena Frech.
The 17-year-old Russian, who won back-to-back titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, will take on Ukrainian qualifier Yulia Starodubtseva for a shot at reaching a second consecutive Madrid quarterfinal.
Chris Eubank Jr. wins by unanimous decision, hands Conor Benn first career defeat
LONDON: In a new chapter of a British boxing family feud, Chris Eubank Jr. dealt fellow-Briton Conor Benn a first career defeat during their middleweight bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday.
All three judges scored the fight 116-112 after a pulsating 12-round slugfest, with both fighters coming out hard from the start and going toe-to-toe in front of 65,000 spectators.
Eubank has improved his win-loss record to 35-3, while Benn's declined to 24-1, in his first professional loss in a brawl under the lights more than 30 years after their fathers shared the ring in two memorable slugfests.
In November 1990, Chris Eubank beat Nigel Benn by a ninth-round stoppage in Birmingham to take the WBO middleweight title. The rematch was three years later in front of 45,000 fans at Old Trafford. It ended in a split-decision draw.
The fight, between the sons of former world champions and arch-rivals Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn who met twice in the 1990s, was called off in 2022 when Benn tested positive for trace amounts of fertility drug clomifene.
Both dads were on hand Saturday, with 58-year-old Chris Eubank accompanying his son to the ring despite calling his son’s antics at an earlier press conference “a disgrace.” The young Eubank also revealed this week that they were not on speaking terms.
The sons’ bout was originally set for 2022 but was scrapped after Benn’s voluntary urine test showed trace amounts of the fertility drug Clomiphene, a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels while burning fat.
Benn argued successfully that his consumption of eggs elevated his testosterone levels.
At their first media face-to-face. Eubank pulled out an egg and smacked it on Benn’s face, prompting the British Boxing Board of Control to fine him 100,000 pounds sterling ($130,000).
(With Agencies)
Al-Ahli down Buriram to set up all-Saudi Asian Champions League semi
- Strikes from Riyad Mahrez and Galeno gave Al-Ahli a two-goal lead by the sixth minute
- “It was the perfect match,” said delighted Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle
JEDDAH: Al-Ahli handed Thailand’s Buriram United a 3-0 defeat in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Saturday, with victory setting up an all-Saudi Pro League semifinal against Al-Hilal next Tuesday.
Strikes from Riyad Mahrez and Galeno gave Al-Ahli a two-goal lead by the sixth minute and Roberto Firmino added the third 15 minutes before the interval to complete a comfortable win at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
“It was the perfect match,” said delighted Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle. “We started with the incredible energy the fans were bringing in the stadium, it carried onto the pitch so we could score and score and score. That was something important to dominate the game.”
Al-Ahli, runners up in 1986 and 2012, will continue their quest for their first continental title against compatriots and four-times champions Al-Hilal, who handed South Korea’s Gwangju a 7-0 thrashing on Friday to progress to the last four.
Former Manchester City winger Mahrez put the home side in front after four minutes, showing composure to slide the ball into the bottom corner of Neil Etheridge’s goal after being found unmarked on the right by Firmino.
Two minutes later Al-Ahli doubled their advantage when Galeno drove into the penalty area from the left to meet Roger Ibanez’s defense-splitting pass from deep and push a clinical finish through the legs of the Buriram United goalkeeper.
In a frantic start, Buriram thought they had been given a lifeline when referee Ahmed Al-Kaf pointed to the spot as Merih Demiral brought Martin Boakye down. The penalty decision was overturned when the Omani consulted the pitchside monitor.
Despite that disappointment, Buriram appeared to have weathered the worst of the Al-Ahli pressure, only to concede a third in the 30th minute.
Mahrez’s corner was met by Demiral as he leapt virtually unchallenged on the edge of the six-yard box and Firmino pounced at the far post to push the Turkish defender’s header over the line from close range.
Al-Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was called upon to make a rare save in first-half injury time when he gathered Seksan Ratree’s header and, with a comfortable lead, the home side moved into cruise control after the break.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the latter stages of the Asian Champions League Elite with the quarter-finals, semis and final being played in Jeddah.
In the remaining last-eight ties, Saudi side Al-Nassr face Yokohama F Marinos from Japan on Saturday and Al-Sadd of Qatar meet J-League outfit Kawasaki Frontale on Sunday.
The semifinals will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday with the final on May 3.
Palace sweep past Villa to reach FA Cup final
- Oliver Glasner’s side took the lead in the semifinal through Eze’s long-range blast
- “All the credit to the players. They had to work so hard. They had to overcome a few difficult moments,” Glasner said
LONDON: Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final for the first time in nine years as Ismaila Sarr’s double and a rocket from Eberechi Eze sealed a 3-0 win against Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday.
Oliver Glasner’s side took the lead in the semifinal through Eze’s long-range blast before Sarr netted twice in the second half.
In the final on May 17, Palace will face Nottingham Forest or Manchester City, who meet in the second semifinal on Sunday.
The Eagles have never won the FA Cup, losing their two final appearances against Manchester United in 2016 and 1990.
“All the credit to the players. They had to work so hard. They had to overcome a few difficult moments,” Glasner said.
“We got more control and it was an unbelievable performance. The players stuck to the plan and we never lost our heads.
“I don’t know at the moment how I feel — a bit exhausted. The players have four days off now. They should enjoy the moment.”
Villa, who last won the FA Cup in 1957, were hoping to make the final for the first time since 2015.
But Unai Emery’s team produced a dismal display and will have to settle for fighting to qualify for the Champions League via a top five finish in the Premier League.
“When they scored the first goal it was more difficult for us and we only reacted after 2-0 and then we created more chances to score and we didn’t do. In transition they are very good, and they deserve to win,” Emery said.
“Sorry to our supporters because they were motivated. We have to accept it. We have to be quick to react because in the league we have the most important objective.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta had the ball in the back of the net just before the half-hour mark, but it was chalked off after a VAR check confirmed the Palace striker had fouled Ezri Konsa in the build-up.
There was no such doubt about Eze’s opener, however, after Sarr got in the way of Pau Torres’ pass, then collected the resulting ricochet to the right of the Villa area.
Sarr found Eze and the midfielder curled a superb strike beyond the reach of Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Torres looked for an instant reply when he nodded just over the crossbar.
Konsa came closer, forcing Dean Henderson into a low save with a header of his own from a corner.
Villa piled on more pressure after the restart when Henderson made another fine save to deny John McGinn’s sharp volley, then Lucas Digne fired narrowly wide through a crowd of players.
Palace were awarded a 53rd-minute penalty after Eze was tugged down by Boubacar Kamara and Mateta stepped up to the spot after a VAR check, but his shot clipped the post and went wide.
Just as Villa started to gain momentum, Adam Wharton intercepted a pass and, after a quick touch from Mateta, Sarr fired into the bottom corner.
Henderson repelled a blast from Villa substitute Leon Bailey, moments after Mateta slid in to deny Ross Barkley.
Sarr nodded Eze’s cross off target, while Matty Cash’s attempt to claw a late goal back for Villa sailed wide.
Sarr put the seal on Palace’s impressive performance in stoppage-time, outpacing Konsa before slotting home to send the Eagles into the final.
