BEIJING: Rafael Nadal got some fiber from a tennis ball lodged in his eye but that did not stop the world number one setting up a China Open semifinal on Saturday with “great guy” Grigor Dimitrov.
The Spaniard tamed the big-serving American John Isner 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) on Friday to set up the clash with the third-seeded Bulgarian.
Dimitrov booked his place in the last four on Beijing’s outside hard courts with a 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-2 victory over another Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut.
Nadal, 31, the 16-time Grand Slam champion, revved up a gear to surge through the tie break in the second set, although there was concern at one point during the second set when he appeared to be suffering an eye problem.
“Just something came to my eye, that’s all,” said Nadal, who is chasing a sixth title this year.
“I think it was just a hair or something, a hair from the tennis ball. It was bothering me for a while.”
“Not important, (but) I am still feeling (it) a little bit by the way,” Nadal, who attempted to wash the suspected fiber out with water, added with a smile.
Nadal will face a familiar figure in Dimitrov — the pair practiced together at Nadal’s base in Mallorca before the US Open, where the Spaniard won the title for a third time this year.
They even went fishing together, but Nadal said they will have their game faces on for Saturday: “At the end of the day we are competitors.
“We go on court and we try our best and we want to win.
“Of course, he is a player that I really have like a good friend on the tour. He’s a great guy.”
Also into the semifinals is the Australian Nick Kyrgios, who was up 6-0 and 3-0 when Belgian qualifier Steve Darcis retired.
Kyrgios faces the number two seed Alexander Zverev of Germany or Russia’s Andrey Rublev.
Simona Halep took a step nearer overhauling Garbine Muguruza as world number one when the Romanian raced into the semifinals of the women’s draw.
The second-ranked Halep eased past Russia’s unseeded Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 6-1 in 69 minutes and will face Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko.
The pair met at the French Open earlier this year, with Ostapenko winning the duel.
The Spaniard Muguruza’s short stay at the top is under severe threat after she bowed out in the first round in the Chinese capital with a virus.
Halep is in red-hot form and closing in.
She claimed the scalp of former number one Maria Sharapova in the previous round — beating the Russian at the eighth attempt.
Petra Kvitova became the third woman into the semifinals when she defeated fellow Czech Barbora Strycova.
Nadal defies ‘tennis ball hair’ mishap to sweep into Beijing semis
Nadal defies ‘tennis ball hair’ mishap to sweep into Beijing semis
Saudi Pro League reveals vision for football growth, global impact
- Speakers at World Football Summit highlight rapid progress in both men’s and women’s games in the Kingdom
- Potential for investment in Saudi football is huge, Al-Hilal head coach Jose Herrera tells Riyadh forum
RIYADH: At the World Football Summit in Riyadh, leaders from the Saudi Pro League gathered to discuss the league’s rapid evolution and its broader vision for football in the Kingdom.
SPL CEO Omar Mugharbe, along with Monika Staab, women’s football technical director for the South Asian Football Federation, and Jose Herrera, head coach of Al-Hilal, shared insights on the league’s transformation, its growing appeal to global audiences, and plans for long-term development in both men’s and women’s football.
“I think it’s important that we continue to open our doors to welcome people to experience things firsthand,” Mugharbe said during a panel titled “Inside the Revolution: unveiling SPL’s transformation,” emphasizing the league’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity.
“The work that is happening across the board when it comes to support, transformation, and development is happening not only with the league but … our approach to transformation is really looking at every single aspect of the game. Once you come and see and experience what’s really happening on the ground, you’ll definitely (have) a completely different opinion and will be a believer,” he said.
Mugharbe’s comments reflect the sweeping changes happening across the league, from improving the standard of football to creating a more open, inviting environment for both fans and international stakeholders.
“Global audiences are starting to see a lot of attraction in terms of media looking at the stadiums,” he added. “I would definitely want to share and support our love for the game, how competitive our league is, and how deeply ingrained football is within our society. Football is definitely a key.”
The discussion then shifted to women’s football, with Staab offering her perspective on the growth of the women’s game in Saudi Arabia in a panel discussion titled “Unraveling the opportunities for women’s football: the need to better understand ground reality for long-term impact.”
“When I arrived here, I couldn’t believe what I saw,” Staab said, reflecting on the enthusiasm and commitment of young female players in the Kingdom.
“These girls should have their opportunity to play football. They love the game. Saudi has just started, and we are doing grassroots programs. And this is important.”
Drawing a striking comparison with the history of women’s football in Germany, Staab noted how quickly Saudi Arabia is advancing. “It took us 40 years in Germany before this happened, and only three years here in Saudi Arabia,” she said, highlighting the impressive progress the country has made in such a short time.
Herrera spoke about the potential for investment in Saudi football, particularly as the league continues to grow.
“If you are an investor and want to invest, do it here. This is the right place,” he said. “We are a league, we are a country that is growing rapidly. My players and all players here have the passion and commitment to the game.”
As the panelists highlighted at the Riyadh summit, the sport is changing rapidly in Saudi Arabia, with a commitment to both domestic growth and global expansion. The country’s infrastructure, investment opportunities, and development of both men’s and women’s football represent a new chapter in its footballing history.
With a strategic vision that focuses on grassroots development, inclusivity, and international collaboration, the SPL is well on its way to becoming a global force in the sport. As Mugharbe, Staab, and Herrera emphasized, the future of football in Saudi Arabia is not just about expanding a league, but also building a sustainable and thriving “football ecosystem” that can compete on the world stage.
World Football Summit in Riyadh aims to shape future of game regionally
- Summit comes ahead of FIFA’s official announcement of Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup, expected on Dec. 11
- Jan Alessie: WFS Asia 2024 represents a crucial milestone in the evolution of football business in the GCC region
RIYADH: The World Football Summit kicked off on Monday in Riyadh, promising to be a key gathering for shaping the future of football in the Gulf Cooperation Council region and beyond.
Running from Dec. 2-3 with the participation of leading figures from the football world, the summit comes ahead of FIFA’s official announcement of Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup, expected on Dec. 11.
The WFS Asia 2024 in Riyadh follows on from the first WFS held last year in Jeddah, which saw two days of discussions, strategic networking, and the acceleration of business and sports opportunities.
This year’s summit is expected to welcome more than 2,000 attendees, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Participants will discuss various topics related to football development, including the integration of football technology and innovation in fan engagement, the development of sports tourism and sustainability in football, the growth of women’s football, and youth development programs.
The lineup of industry leaders taking part includes Hammad Albalawi, the Saudi FIFA World Cup 2034 bid head; Omar Mugharbel, Saudi Pro League CEO; Mauricio Macri, former Argentine president and FIFA executive chairman; Esteve Calzada, CEO of Al-Hilal; Monika Staab, SAFF women’s football technical director; James Bisgrove, CEO of Al-Qadsia Club; La Liga President Javier Tebas; and Juventus CMO Mike Armstrong.
Other representatives from premier football organizations include UEFA, the Saudi Pro League, Serie A, and clubs such as Manchester United and Al-Nassr, who will also contribute to discussions that will take place over the two-days.
“WFS Asia 2024 represents a crucial milestone in the evolution of football business in the GCC region,” said Jan Alessie, co-founder and director at World Football Summit.
“By bringing together the industry’s most influential voices in Riyadh, we are not just hosting an event — we are creating a platform that will accelerate the next chapter of football’s growth. The caliber of participants and the depth of discussions planned reflect our commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue and partnerships that will impact the entire football world.”
SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal welcomed the guests to the conference, highlighting the significant progress the Kingdom is experiencing in hosting global sports events, supported by the Saudi leadership’s backing of the sports sector along with the Ministry of Sports.
He said that the WFS reflects the SAFF’s ongoing efforts to contribute to the advancement of football-related businesses that serve the global standing of Saudi football.
The summit’s agenda features panels such as “Saudi Arabia’s growing importance in World Football” and “One nation, one dream: The FIFA World Cup 2034 bid journey to success.”
Notably, the Saudi bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 has received a rating of 419.8 out of 500, the highest technical rating ever given to a file submitted to host the event, the federation said.
FIFA’s announcement came ahead of the federation’s general assembly on Dec. 11 to decide which countries would host the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, the Saudi Press Agency reported early on Saturday.
On July 29, a Saudi delegation led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, minister of sport and president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and Al-Misehal officially submitted the Kingdom’s bid book to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 at a ceremony hosted in Paris, France.
Last October, a FIFA delegation arrived in the Kingdom to review the details of the bid. As proposed, 48 teams will be participating at venues in one country for the first time in history.
Australia women, Fiji men crowned champions at Dubai 7s
- Fiji beat Spain 19-5 to lift the men’s trophy and claim their first SVNS tournament victory since 2022
- Australia secured a fifth successive women’s tournament victory in Dubai but they had to work hard for it in an epic final against Olympic champions New Zealand
DUBAI: The Emirates Dubai 7s concluded on Sunday with wins from the Fiji men’s team and Australia’s women’s side in the first leg of the HSBC SVNS 2025 Series.
Fiji beat Spain 19-5 to lift the men’s trophy and claim their first SVNS tournament victory since 2022, and their first in Dubai since 2016. Argentina claimed the men’s bronze medal with a convincing 14-0 win over New Zealand.
Australia secured a fifth successive women’s tournament victory in Dubai but they had to work hard for it in an epic final against Olympic champions New Zealand which finished 28-24. France overcame Great Britain 15-12 to take home the women’s bronze medals.
The weekend also featured a three-day lineup of artists and DJs performing across the event’s three stages.
Alongside the HSBC SVNS action, the festival attracted teams from around the world to compete in invitational rugby, netball, cricket, padel tennis and fitness tournaments. This year saw the event’s biggest number of teams yet competing for the sought-after Dubai 7s trophies.
The Emirates Dubai 7s’ dedicated cricket zone was headed by a lineup of cricket ambassadors including former Indian international Dinesh Karthik and English players Tom Hartley and Georgia Elwiss, while global cricket supporter groups Bharat Army and Barmy Army flew to Dubai to compete in the event’s Open Competitive cricket tournament.
Mathew Tait, festival director of Emirates Dubai 7s, said: “This weekend has been our biggest Dubai 7s to date. The double-header music schedule, combined with our expansive F&B offering, thrilling international rugby and entertainment to suit all ages reinforces our reputation as the best weekend of the year for UAE residents of all ages.”
Uihlein deposes Catlin as International Series Rankings race heads to Saudi finale
- The American golfer claimed a comfortable 5-shot victory in the $2.5m International Series Qatar, the penultimate event of the season
DOHA: American Peter Uihlein climbed to the top of The International Series Rankings by securing a second win of the season, deposing John Catlin, ensuring the campaign is set for a thrilling climax in Riyadh this week.
Uihlein claimed a comfortable five-shot victory in the $2.5m International Series Qatar, the penultimate event of the season, and collected 450 rankings points. The players now head for the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.
Combined with his win at International Series England earlier this season and his T2 at International Series Thailand, Uihlein leapt from fourth to top spot with 1071.10 points, edging ahead of Catlin (927.45,) who had led since his victory in Macau back in March.
With a bumper 1,000 points going to the winner in Saudi Arabia, there is still all to play for. Nearest challengers Ben Campbell of New Zealand (851.55), Canada’s Richard T Lee (682.68), Lee Chieh-po (633.97) from Chinese Taipei and American MJ Maguire (541.26) will all feel confident of pushing for a vital second victory of the season.
A win in Saudi would give one of them top spot at the end of the season and a place on the LIV Golf League roster, while the 525 points for second and 300 for third place could also be vital if the win goes to one of the big names from LIV Golf League, such as Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann or Tyrrell Hatton.
As a member of Range Goats GC, Uihlein would not claim the spot on the LIV Golf League roster but feels the title would strengthen his case for receiving invites to next season’s majors.
Following his win at Doha Golf Club, Uihlein said: “Now I have to try and win (the rankings). The worst thing they can do is say no, and if that is the case then I will try and qualify within the events. The Open and the PGA Championship, they would be the ones I could probably lobby for. And obviously Rankings champion is nice to have on your CV as well.”
It is little wonder Uihlein is confident going into the Saudi finale; he finished T3 in the Saudi Open presented by PIF at the same course earlier this season.
However he will not be the only one with a spring in his step as Catlin won the tournament, the second of back-to-back events following his play-off victory over David Puig — sparked by a wonderful 59 — in Macau.
Uihlein said: “They will have the course a little longer which is going to be good to see, but it should be great. I had a good weekend there; I made the cut on the number and then had a good weekend so I have good memories. Let’s see.”
With 32 places available on the LIV Golf Promotions event from Dec. 12-14, there is plenty of competition to get into the top 40 of the rankings. South Africa’s Jaco Ahlers (32) and Ian Snyman (34) were big movers, thanks to T10 finishes in Qatar. Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines (16) and Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand (20) both moved into the top 20 after finishing T3 and T5 respectively at the weekend.
The LIV Golf Promotions event champion will secure a place on the roster for the 2025 season, while the top 10 will receive exemptions for all tournaments on The International Series schedule for next season.
Dubai Basketball star says he feels at home as UAE celebrates National Day
- The Latvian player previously played for NBA teams San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball star Davis Bertans, has expressed his deep admiration for the UAE, saying that since he and his family moved to Dubai earlier this year it is a place that has truly captured their hearts.
As the UAE marks the 53rd Eid Al-Etihad (UAE National Day) on Dec. 2, the Latvian is experiencing the celebrations for the first time since moving to the country. This follows an eight-year stint in the NBA, where he played for San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Charlotte Hornets.
Eid Al-Etihad represents a historic moment for the UAE, founded through the unification of the seven emirates and now home to people from around the world.
After four months in Dubai, Bertans has special praise for the country and the warm welcome he has received. He said: “The number one thing that I enjoy about the UAE is the safety. I feel so safe being here with my family and walking the streets. All the people are amazing and they’re really polite and they make sure that everyone around them is feeling great.
“The way they take care of you is special and it’s a country represented by different nationalities, so you get to find a wide selection of cuisine from anywhere in the world. It’s also sunny every day, which we all like. We haven’t tried Emirati cuisine yet but it’s one that is on my list for sure.”
He added: “The country also has great attractions. One of the first places that we visited since we arrived was the Green Planet and that was unbelievable because it was an indoor forest. The kids had a lot of fun and met the snakes and reptiles — it was new for them and they loved it.”
Bertans is part of a strong roster that is making history during Dubai Basketball’s inaugural season in Europe’s prestigious ABA League, with home games played at Coca-Cola Arena. The 32-year-old has been one of Dubai Basketball’s key players, scoring 64 points in six games. He said it was an honor to be among the first players to represent the club and he is eager to inspire the next generation.
He said: “We will always be remembered as the first players of Dubai Basketball and we’re definitely enjoying the experience. Although it’s a new team, we have had a strong attendance at Coca-Cola Arena and hopefully throughout the season we’ll get more people to enjoy the sport and become huge fans of Dubai Basketball.
“Basketball has become such a global sport and if you look at the NBA and EuroLeague, there are so many players from different countries. If one country has one player who has reached the highest level, it can inspire so many young kids to play and that would have a snowball effect where people would have dreams of being a professional. I think we can do that here at Dubai Basketball and show how much fun it is and make them fall in love with the game, just like we did when we were younger.”
As for the season ahead, Davis has set his sights on winning the ABA League Championship. His team is in a strong position, with a 7-2 record and sitting two points off the top spot.
He said: “Our number one goal is to win the ABA League. To bring the championship to Dubai would be something incredible and a historic moment for all.”
