DUBAI: Top-seeded Daniil Medvedev didn’t have time to think about how to return Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s blazing serves Wednesday at the Dubai Championships on Wednesday.
Medvedev, ranked No. 6, still reached the quarterfinals after a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the 21-year-old Frenchman.
The Russian player was asked about facing serves exceeding 230 kph (143 mph).
“You don’t have any time so it’s pure reflexes and sometimes it makes life even easier because as I say, you don’t think much,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview. “If you don’t return it, you’re not even disappointed. There were some second serves that I missed, and I was disappointed. You just try to do your best, and I managed pretty well today.”
Medvedev, the Dubai champion in 2023, broke Mpetshi Perricard’s serve once in each set. The Frenchman committed twice as many unforced errors — 44 — as winners and didn’t create any break point opportunities.
Up next for Medvedev is Tallon Griekspoor, who advanced by beating defending champion Ugo Humbert 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion who eliminated second-seeded Alex de Minaur in the first round, moved into the quarterfinals by beating Alexei Popyrin 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. The 36-year-old Croat will face Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot in the last four.
Daniil Medvedev reaches Dubai quarterfinals, Marin Cilic also advances
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Daniil Medvedev reaches Dubai quarterfinals, Marin Cilic also advances
- Medvedev, ranked No. 6, still reached the quarterfinals after a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the 21-year-old Frenchman
- The Russian player was asked about facing serves exceeding 230 kph
Africa Cup of Nations commercial revenue up by 90 percent, says CAF
- CAF said on Friday this was because of the increase in commercial partners and media rights distribution
- “For the 2025 edition in Morocco, CAF has continued to attract more partners and now has 23 sponsors
CASABLANCA: The Confederation of African Football said it has had a 90 percent increase in commercial revenue for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, calling it “the most successful commercial story in the history of African football” but without providing any figures.
CAF said on Friday this was because of the increase in commercial partners and media rights distribution and venturing into new markets, most notably in Asia.
“The growth has been matched by a steady expansion of the sponsor portfolio, with the number of commercial partners increasing from nine during the 2021 tournament to 17 at the finals in Ivory Coast in 2023,” a statement from African football’s controlling body said.
“For the 2025 edition in Morocco, CAF has continued to attract more partners and now has 23 sponsors.
“This expansion reflects both the attraction of new global brands and the retention of existing partners, for whom the Afcon has been an excellent return on investment,” the statement added.
In its financial statements released at its congress last year, CAF said it had an income of $96 million in net contract revenues for the last Cup of Nations.
CAF, in its annual report last year, said the tournament in Morocco was forecast to contribute $114 million in net profit.
