Djokovic joins Alcaraz, Sinner in second round of Australian Open

Serbian Djokovic, hoping to roll back the years and record 25th Grand Slam singles title, eased through 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. (AFP)
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Updated 13 January 2025
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Djokovic joins Alcaraz, Sinner in second round of Australian Open

  • In front of new coach and former rival Andy Murray, Djokovic struggled to raise a smile in the immediate aftermath

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic survived a scare in his quest for tennis history before following Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Jannik Sinner into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday.

But Greek former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and home favorite Nick Kyrgios both fell at the first hurdle, with the combustible Australian going out swearing and in pain.

In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff powered through with minimum fuss as they launched their bids to dethrone two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Another winner was two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka, who defeated France’s Caroline Garcia 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

On a blockbuster second day in Melbourne, Djokovic lost the first set to 107th-ranked American Nishesh Basavareddy in the prime-time evening match on Rod Laver Arena.

But the Serbian great, hoping to roll back the years and win an 11th Australian Open and record 25th Grand Slam singles title, recovered to ease through 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

In front of new coach and former rival Andy Murray, Djokovic struggled to raise a smile in the immediate aftermath.

“At the end, it was great but I think he was the better player for a set and a half,” said the 37-year-old.

Italian world No. 1 Sinner was warmly welcomed on Rod Laver Arena before defeating Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.

Sinner is playing under a cloud after twice testing positive for traces of a steroid in March.

He denies wrongdoing and was cleared by tennis authorities, but the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed and is seeking to ban him for up to two years.

“I was curious to see how it was. You never know what’s happening,” he said about the reception.

“I was happy about the crowd,” added Sinner, who has not tasted defeat since losing to Alcaraz in the Beijing final in October.

Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion but never a winner in Melbourne, had a couple of hairy moments before seeing off Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko, 6-1, 7-5, 6-1.

“This is a tournament I really want to win one day, hopefully this year,” said the 21-year-old Spaniard.

There was disappointment for home fans as the colorful but temperamental Kyrgios, only recently back from 18 months out with injury, lost 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.

Kyrgios spoke to physios multiple times in the second set after wincing in pain while serving and fired expletives at his coaching box.

The 11th-seeded Tsitsipas became the first major casualty when Alex Michelsen blasted past him 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

The 26-year-old Greek, who played Djokovic in the 2023 final at Melbourne Park, never looked comfortable against the 42nd-ranked American.

“It just sucks in a way that I’ll be hanging around for quite a while now before my next tournament comes in,” said Tsitsipas.

Two-time US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe vomited twice on court before pulling through in five sets against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.

The women’s draw provided few upsets on day two.

Red-hot world No. 3 Gauff laid down a marker as she swept aside former Melbourne champion and fellow American Sofia Kenin.

Gauff is unbeaten this year after leading the US to United Cup glory and eased past the 2020 Australian Open winner 6-3, 6-3 in 80 minutes.

“I knew it was going to be difficult, but you know, I’m happy with how I played,” said Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion.

World No. 2 Swiatek defeated Czech doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova 6-3, 6-4 to get her tournament up and running.

The Pole has won five Grand Slams but her best performance at Melbourne Park is the semifinals in 2022.

“For sure it wasn’t an easy first round, so I’m happy that I’m through,” said Swiatek.

US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, the seventh-seeded American, blew away home player Maya Joint 6-3, 6-0.

Victoria Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 champion, was a notable early loser as the Belarusian went down 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) to Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti.


Amorim reveals the reasons why things didn't work out with Rashford at Man United

Updated 07 February 2025
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Amorim reveals the reasons why things didn't work out with Rashford at Man United

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim let Marcus Rashford leave the club because he couldn't convince the forward to follow his methods.
“I couldn’t put Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,” Amorim said in quotes published late Thursday.
The 27-year-old Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan the day before Europe's winter transfer window closed, having not played for United since mid-December. He could make his debut for Villa on Sunday on an FA Cup match against Tottenham.
“Sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different,” Amorim said.
“I just wish the best to Rashford and to (Villa manager) Unai Emery, and they can connect because he’s a very good player.”
Asked whether Rashford said that he did not agree with Amorim’s ideas about soccer, Amorim said: “You know, like me, that it’s not the way that occurs.
“It’s something that you feel as a coach and as a player. It’s quite normal. It happened with a lot of coaches. The important thing is that I’m here saying that was my decision."
Amorim brushed aside talk of a potential return for Rashford at the end of the season.
Rashford's deal with Villa includes an option to make the move permanent for a reported 40 million pounds ($50 million).
"Like we said before, we are fighting for our jobs until the summer,” Amorim said.
“So, I am just focused on these games. Thankfully about Marcus, he is in Birmingham now with Unai, so you can take these questions to another coach. We are just focused on our players at the moment.”


Iraq’s Hussein Salim to take on Italy’s Walter Cogliandro at ONE Championship in Qatar

Updated 07 February 2025
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Iraq’s Hussein Salim to take on Italy’s Walter Cogliandro at ONE Championship in Qatar

  • Other Arab fighters at ONE 171 include UAE’s Zayed Al-Katheeri, Kuwait’s Jarrah Al-Hazza, and Morocco’s Ilias Ennahachi

DOHA: Iraq’s Hussein Salim will face Italian fighter Walter Cogliandro in a featherweight MMA bout at ONE 171: Qatar on Feb. 20.

Salim joins the UAE’s Zayed Al-Katheeri, Kuwait’s Jarrah Al-Hazza, and Morocco’s Ilias Ennahachi as representatives of Arab countries on the upcoming card of the ONE Championship event.

Salim, who is known in the UAE after participating in seven bouts at UAE Warriors, is one of Iraq’s top martial artists. The 32-year-old owns an 11-5 overall professional record.

Italy’s Cogliandro enters the bout after recent wins against UFC veterans Mark Striegl and Jordan’s Ali Al-Qaisi.

The event features two world title fights as Jonathan Haggerty defends the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing world title against Chinese veteran and No. 1 ranked Wei Rui while champion Joshua Pacio and interim champion Jarred Brooks meet for the third time in a ONE strawweight MMA world title unification bout.

ONE 171: Qatar kicks off at 5 p.m. Makkah time live from the Lusail Sports Arena.


Rybakina edges Jabeur in dramatic 3 sets at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

Updated 07 February 2025
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Rybakina edges Jabeur in dramatic 3 sets at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

  • Reigning champion Elena Rybakina progresses to the semifinals after winning third-set tie-break against the Tunisian crowd favorite

ABU DHABI: Ons Jabeur exited the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open at the quarterfinal stage for the second consecutive year after losing a thrilling encounter against reigning champion Elena Rybakina on Thursday.

The defending champion now joins Belinda Bencic, Ashlyn Krueger and Linda Noskova in Friday’s semifinals.

The sixth meeting between Jabeur and Rybakina more than lived up to the pre-match hype. On Stadium Court they played an absolute classic that was ultimately settled by a tie-break.

Having had to come from behind to defeat Katie Volynets in the last 16, Rybakina enjoyed a far better start this time, dominating Jabeur in the first set, before the Tunisian claimed the second to set up a decisive third.

Rybakina seemed destined for victory when, leading 3-2, she broke her opponent’s serve, but Jabeur displayed nerves of steel to break back immediately and win her subsequent service game to level it 4-4.

The next four games, although back and forth, went with serve, forcing a decisive tie-break which Rybakina eventually clinched, for a 6-2, 4-6, 7-6,  victory. It brought an end to Jabeur’s involvement, much to the disappointment of her fans inside Stadium Court.

In the day’s opening quarterfinal, 2023 champion Bencic faced Marketa Vondrousova, who had already seen off Emma Raducanu and Yulia Putintseva. This was a repeat of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics final, where Bencic claimed gold.

Bencic secured her spot in the last eight courtesy of a dominant win over Veronika Kudermetova, in which she did not drop a single game, and while she eventually prevailed, Thursday’s encounter was a far sterner test.

The fact the match featured 11 breaks of serve is perhaps indicative of the disrupted rhythm of the players. But having edged in front at the start of the contest, Bencic did just enough to hold on and claim the first set 7-5.

Having returned from maternity leave last October, Bencic is slowly getting back to her best, as showcased by her performances to date in Abu Dhabi. A controlled, assured display in the second set secured a 7-5, 6-3 victory, ensuring the 27-year-old is through to the semifinals.

After producing a superb comeback to eliminate last year’s beaten finalist Daria Kasatkina in the round of 16, Krueger came out on top in a three-set thriller against 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez to secure a first WTA 500 semifinal spot.

It was a fully deserved victory for the American, 20, who fired eight aces, including five in the opening set, which she edged 7-5.

Fernandez responded well and, despite not being at her best, highlighted by seven double faults, still produced some brilliant tennis, more than playing her part in a highly entertaining contest.

She took the second set, forcing a third, from which point on it was all about Krueger, who displayed fantastic power and technique to pull away from her opponent, eventually progressing 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.

Krueger now faces Noskova, also 20, in a battle of the rising talents. Noskova followed up yesterday’s outstanding win over Paula Badosa with another straight-sets victory, this time against Magda Linette 6-4, 6-3.


GCC teams gear up for Asian Le Mans at Dubai Autodrome

Updated 07 February 2025
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GCC teams gear up for Asian Le Mans at Dubai Autodrome

  • Two races scheduled for Feb. 8-9 with 47 cars expected to line up on the grid

DUBAI: The UAE and Qatar will be among the countries represented in a strong line-up as Dubai Autodrome prepares to stage the Asian Le Mans races this weekend.

UAE-based team Dragon Racing, along with Herberth Motorsport’s 911 team, featuring an all-Qatari crew of Ibrahim Al-Abdulghani, Abdulla Al-Khelaifi and Ghanim Al-Ali, will be among the 47 cars on the grid for the two four-hour races on Feb. 8-9.

Dragon Racing will enter a pair of Ferrari 296 GT3s for those races, with Todd Coleman, Benjamin Pedersen and Aaron Tellitz behind the wheel. Team-mates Marco Pulcini, Nicola Marinangeli and Giacomo Altoe will be in the other car.

Besides the GT category, which includes championship leaders Winward Racing, the event also features LMP2 and LMP3 categories with 10 and seven cars, respectively, set to compete on both days.

Entry to the event is free. Away from the track there will be entertainment and food and beverage options for fans to enjoy.

Faisal Al Sahlawi, general manager of Dubai Autodrome, said: “The Dubai Autodrome had its first taste of the Asian Le Mans Series in 2021 and since then, the event has grown rapidly to be one of our major racing championships. The fact there are 47 teams participating this weekend signifies how highly regarded the event is.

“The races will also see the Gulf region being represented through UAE and Qatar — which showcases the popularity of the sport in the region again and giving them a platform to test themselves against international teams.

“Previous editions proved to be a big success and this weekend’s races will be no different as some of the world’s best GT drivers test themselves on a challenging 5.39km circuit that not only sees them take on the high-speed straights but also the corners — all of which paves the way to a great weekend of elite motorsport racing action.”


James’ 42 points lead Lakers over Warriors, Mavs top Celtics in NBA Finals rematch

Updated 07 February 2025
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James’ 42 points lead Lakers over Warriors, Mavs top Celtics in NBA Finals rematch

  • Edwards scored 41 points to propel the Timberwolves to a 127-114 home victory over the Houston Rockets
  • NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic produced his 24th triple-double of the season, piling up 28 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists before sitting out the fourth quarter of the Denver Nuggets’ 112-90 rout of  Orlando Magic

LOS ANGELES: LeBron James joined NBA icon Michael Jordan as the only players to score 40 points in a game at the age of 40, pouring in 42 on Thursday as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Golden State Warriors 120-112.

James, who turned 40 on Dec. 30, delivered another age-defying performance that featured a three-pointer from the halfcourt logo in the first half and a dagger three that pushed the Lakers’ lead to 115-106 with 1:08 remaining.

James’s sixth three-pointer of the night helped thwart a late surge that saw the Warriors slice a 26-point deficit to five points — 109-104 — with 3:40 remaining.

Warriors star Stephen Curry shook off a slow start to key the comeback, scoring 19 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter.

But James and the Lakers wouldn’t be denied. James added 17 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one blocked shot as the Lakers won their fourth straight game and their 10th in their last 12.

“What do I think? That I’m old,” James said of joining the exclusive 40-at-40 club. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep.”

More seriously, James added: “The biggest thing is that we got the win. But anytime I’ve been named or (put) in the category with any of the greats it’s always humbling.”

It was all under the admiring eye of Luka Doncic, the 25-year-old Slovenian star acquired by the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday in exchange for big man Anthony Davis in a deal that rocked the NBA.

Doncic, nursing a calf injury, could make his Lakers debut as early as Saturday but Lakers coach JJ Redick indicated it would now more likely to be in Monday’s game against Utah.

The Warriors are also eagerly awaiting reinforcements in the shape of Jimmy Butler, whose acquisition at the trade deadline ended Butler’s acrimonious breakup with the Miami Heat.

With the deal finalized, Butler joined the Warriors in Los Angeles, where he said he was “just so happy to be playing basketball again” after being suspended three times this season by the Heat for conduct detrimental to the team in the midst of his trade demand.

As the sight of Doncic on the sidelines whetted Lakers’ fans appetites for his debut, Minnesota star Anthony Edwards was busy breaking a Doncic record.

Edwards scored 41 points to propel the Timberwolves to a 127-114 home victory over the Houston Rockets.

One day after his 49-point outburst led the T’Wolves to victory over Chicago, Edwards set the franchise record for most 40-point games with 14, surpassing Karl-Anthony Towns.

The 23-year-old made five three-pointers and became the youngest NBA player to reach 1,000 career treys, surpassing the mark set by Doncic — who did it when he was 24 years, 286 days old.

Meanwhile the new-look Mavericks, fueled by a scorching start from Klay Thompson, beat the NBA champion Celtics 127-120 in Boston in an NBA Finals rematch.

Davis’ Dallas debut was delayed again as he continues to recover from an abdominal strain.

But Thompson, acquired in the offseason, provided plenty of firepower, scoring 23 of his team-high 25 points in the first half to put the Mavericks on the road to victory in their first return to Boston since they fell in game five of last season’s championship series.

Kyrie Irving added 19 points for the Mavericks, who led by as many as 27 points.

Jaylen Brown led Boston’s scoring with 25 points and Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis added 17 apiece before Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla pulled his starters in the fourth quarter.

In other games, NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic produced his 24th triple-double of the season, piling up 28 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists before sitting out the fourth quarter of the Denver Nuggets’ 112-90 rout of the Orlando Magic.

Pascal Siakam scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Indiana Pacers, who erased a 22-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 119-112.