MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal admitted he has surprised himself with his outstanding level of tennis at the Australian Open after crushing Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinal.
The Spanish world world No. 2 handed the rising star a ruthless tennis lesson 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in just 106 minutes.
Greek 14th seed Tsitsipas had enjoyed a fairytale run to his first Grand Slam last four, including a win over Roger Federer, but found Nadal in ruthless form in the Spaniard’s first tournament since the US Open in September
“Is not easy to be back after four months, five months, and play the way I am playing,” he said after undergoing ankle surgery in his extended off-season.
“Of course, I didn’t expect that at all,” Nadal told reporters after setting up a final Sunday against either top seed Novak Djokovic or Lucas Pouille.
“I believe that when you are older, you lose less the tennis when you are playing less.
“You don’t need that many matches to play well. That’s something that happened for the last two years for me.”
Second seeded Nadal has not dropped his serve for an astonishing 63 straight games and has not lost a set.
“I played well, of course. Have been playing well during the whole event. Every match more or less I think I did a lot of things well. Tonight was another one,” he said after a breathtaking display of almost perfect tennis.
“Probably the backhand was better today than the rest of the days.
“That’s important for me, too, because the forehand was working fantastic during the whole week, week-and-a-half, but the backhand was improving during the tournament.
“Tonight was even better than the previous rounds, no?“
Tsitsipas, 20, had been hailed as a new young Greek god of tennis after beating Federer, but his ascent to the summit of his personal Olympus was comprehensively halted by the colossus called Nadal.
“I have no idea what I can take from that match,” said a despondent Tsitsipas. “I wasn’t even close to getting something. I only got six games.”
Nadal’s win put him into his fifth Australian Open final and keeps him on course to become the first man to win all four Grand Slams twice in the Open era if he can add to his sole Melbourne Park crown in 2009.
Tsitsipas, in just his second Australian Open and seventh appearance at a Grand Slam, was looking to become the first Greek player — man or woman — to reach a final in a Grand Slam.
“He has everything to become a multi-Grand Slam champion,” Nadal said graciously of the young Greek, who enjoyed a breakthrough 2018, winning the ATP Tour NextGen Finals.
Nadal, who shattered the dreams of two other NextGen stars 19-year-old Alex de Minaur and 21-year-old Frances Tiafoe by jumping all over their serves early, made another immediate statement.
At 1-1 a rasping double-handed backhand and a forehand winner gave him a first break point which the Spaniard duly converted. Another followed as he cruised to the set just 31 minutes.
The second stanza was on serve at 2-2 when Nadal pulled off the shot of the tournament, a running forehand around the net post from almost behind the umpire’s chair on his way to earning three break points.
And the great Spaniard was in no mood to hang about at the start of the third, breaking Tsitsipas not once but three times to inflict a humiliating 6-0 “bagel” on the youngster in a further 31 minutes.
Golden oldie Rafael Nadal shocked by stunning form in Australian Open
Golden oldie Rafael Nadal shocked by stunning form in Australian Open
- World No. 2 has looked in stunning form in year's first Grand Slam.
- Aussie Open is Nadal's first tournament since last September.
Arya ton powers Punjab to IPL win over Chennai
Arya, a left-hand batter known for his six-hitting in domestic cricket, smashed 103 off 42 balls to steer Punjab to 219-6 at Mullanpur, near Chandigarh, where Chennai managed 201-5.
Spotted by Punjab after hitting six sixes in an over in a Delhi Premier League T20 match last year, the 24-year-old Arya was brought by the franchise for $440,000 in the November auction.
The big-hitter did not disappoint as he smashed the second ton of this season in his fourth match in the T20 tournament. He raced to his hundred in 39 balls as he pummelled the opposition attack with seven fours and nine sixes.
The ton was the fastest against five-time champions Chennai and the joint fourth-fastest ever in the IPL. Chris Gayle holds the record with a century in 30 balls.
Opener Arya found little support at the start as Punjab slipped to 83-5. After Shashank Singh joined the rising star and the two put together 71 runs in 34 balls.
Arya finally fell to Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad, but Shashank, with his 52, and South African Marco Jansen, who smashed 34, finished with a flourish in an unbeaten stand of 65.
Chennai attempted to make a fist of the chase as New Zealand left-handers Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway put on 61 runs for the opening wicket.
Australia spinner Glenn Maxwell got Ravindra stumped on 36. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad fell for one off fast bowler Lockie Ferguson.
Conway powered on with impact substitute Shivam Dube as the two put on 89 runs but Ferguson broke through to get the left-handed Dube bowled for 42.
Veteran M.S. Dhoni walked out to loud cheers but even though Conway retired out, Chennai’s batters failed to keep up to the ever-increasing run-rate.
Dhoni, 43, raised faint hopes of getting the target in his 12-ball 27 but departed at the start of the last over and Chennai went down to their fourth loss in five matches.
Al-Taawoun looking for positive result in first leg of ACL 2 semi against Sharjah in Buraidah
- In the Round of 16, Al-Taawoun eliminated Qatar’s Al-Wakrah after two 2–2 draws in the home-and-away legs, advancing with a 4–3 penalty shootout win
- In the quarterfinals, Al-Taawoun overcame Iran’s Tractor Sazi Tabriz following a 0–0 draw in Iran and a 2–2 draw in Buraidah, winning the shootout 4–2
RIYADH: Saudi’s Al-Taawoun host the UAE’s Sharjah in Buraidah, this evening at 9pm, in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two semifinal.
The home team is aiming for a positive result before the return leg in Sharjah next Tuesday.
Led by coach Mohammed Al-Abdali, the team is counting on the strong run it has enjoyed in the tournament, having topped Group B, which included Bahrain’s Khalidiya, Iraq’s Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, and Tajikistan’s Abtyn Asir.
In the Round of 16, Al-Taawoun eliminated Qatar’s Al-Wakrah after two 2–2 draws in the home-and-away legs, advancing with a 4–3 penalty shootout win. In the quarterfinals, they overcame Iran’s Tractor Sazi Tabriz following a 0–0 draw in Iran and a 2–2 draw in Buraidah, winning the shootout 4–2.
As for Sharjah, they topped Group C, which featured Jordan’s Al-Wehdat, Iran’s Sepahan Isfahan, and Tajikistan’s Istiklol Dushanbe. In the Round of 16, they won the first leg 1–0 against Jordan’s Al-Hussein Irbid, lost the second leg by the same score, and advanced with a 3–0 shootout win. In the quarterfinals, they drew both legs 1–1 with Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai and advanced 5–4 on penalties.
Romanian coach Cosmin Olaroiu is hoping to secure a favorable result ahead of the return leg in the UAE.
Sharjah currently sit second in the UAE Pro League with 41 points, eight behind leaders Shabab Al-Ahli. They have qualified for the UAE President’s Cup final — where they will face Shabab Al-Ahli — but were eliminated from the Abu Dhabi Bank Cup after a semifinal loss. Al-Taawoun currently lie seventh place in the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) with 37 points.
Manchester United to play May friendlies in Malaysia, Hong Kong
- Ruben Amorim’s side will face an ASEAN All-Star XI team in Kuala Lumpur on May 28
- Man U finish another disappointing Premier League campaign on May 25 at home to Aston Villa
HONG KONG: Manchester United will play friendly matches in Malaysia and Hong Kong three days after the end of the Premier League season, the club said Tuesday.
Ruben Amorim’s side will face an ASEAN All-Star XI team in Kuala Lumpur on May 28 and the Hong Kong representatives on May 30.
They will finish what has been another disappointing Premier League campaign on May 25 at home to Aston Villa.
United last visited Asia when they played Liverpool in Thailand in July 2022.
They will take part in the Premier League Summer Series in the United States ahead of the 2025-2026 season.
Chief executive Omar Berrada said: “Importantly, tour fixtures drive significant additional revenue which help make the club stronger, allowing us to keep investing in success on the pitch.”
Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool previously announced they will visit Hong Kong in July.
United, who currently languish 13th in the Premier League, last visited the Chinese city in 2013.
The Hong Kong team is managed by former United youth team player Ashley Westwood and is ranked 153rd in the world.
Al-Taawoun eye continental glory in AFC Champions League Two
- Wolves Park in Buraidah will host the first leg of the semifinal between the Saudi club and the UAE’s Sharjah on Tuesday
AUSTRALIA: Wolves Park may not have the grandeur of other stadiums in Saudi Arabia, but it lacks nothing when it comes to drama — especially in Al-Taawoun’s run to the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals.
The 6,000-capacity stadium on the northern edges of Buraidah will on Tuesday host arguably the biggest game in the team’s history, 2019 King’s Cup final aside.
This is just the fourth time they have featured in Asian competition. While the ACL Two may be second tier, behind the AFC Champions League Elite, the new continental format means it is far more prestigious than its former incarnation, the AFC Cup.
After topping their group with five wins from six, Al-Taawoun faced Qatar’s Al-Wakrah in the Round of 16. After 2-2 draws across both legs, penalties decided the outcome — with Al-Taawoun advancing 4-3 after a thrilling climax in front of a raucous home crowd.
The drama of that night was not only matched but surpassed when they faced Iranian side Tractor in the quarterfinal. After a scoreless game in Iran, Al-Taawoun were confident of victory in front of a capacity crowd at Wolves Park.
A see-sawing battle ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with both sides scoring again in extra time. Once more, penalties would test the nerves of the Al-Taawoun faithful who packed the stands.
Reserve goalkeeper Abdulquddus Atiah, deputizing for the injured Mailson, pulled off a huge save to deny Sajjad Ashouri and help his club through to a continental semifinal.
It was a moment that reduced interim coach Mohammed Al-Abdali to tears, pictured sitting in the center circle long after the final whistle had blown, as he took in the enormity of the moment. The rest of the ground was filled with wild celebrations.
“I thank the Al-Taawoun fans and promise them that we won’t stop at this stage, we will continue until the end,” 51-year-old Al-Abdali said afterwards.
Following that entree, admission to the 6,000-capacity stadium will be the hottest ticket in town on Tuesday.
Another full house is expected as the boutique venue hosts the first leg of the semi-final against UAE powerhouse Sharjah FC, with fans eyeing another slice of history.
If Al-Taawoun win the semifinal, a trip to either Singapore or Australia awaits. The ACL Two’s rotation policy means this year’s final will be hosted by the winner of the East Zone — either Singapore’s Lion City Sailors or Australia’s Sydney FC.
For a club the size of Al-Taawoun, the chance of a continental final rarely comes around. This might be their only opportunity for some time.
The new structure means the top three finishers in the Saudi Pro League qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite, while the King’s Cup winners qualify for the AFC Champions League Two.
This season, the league’s “Big Five” fill all those spots — the four PIF-owned clubs plus Al-Qadsiah — and with their financial power increasing, it’s hard to see a future in which any other club can break in.
And with clubs like NEOM SC — coached by Pericles Chamusca, who guided Al-Taawoun to fourth last season — set to join the SPL next year, with all the financial backing they bring, expect it to be even tougher for the smaller clubs, which operate on far smaller budgets, to qualify for Asian competition as they did last season.
That’s what makes Al-Taawoun’s clash with Sharjah over the next two weeks so momentous. Never say never in sport, but this could be their make-or-break chance. After the high of their fourth-placed finish last season, they have come back to the pack this year and currently sit in seventh, nine points behind sixth-placed Al-Shabab.
Given the rising quality of the SPL, seventh for a club its size is nothing to be ashamed of, but it does highlight how difficult it will be to match last season’s heroics and return to this position in the future.
However, after a 2-0 win over Al-Kholood last Friday, Al-Taawoun carry with them confidence and momentum.
With the finals of the ACL Elite in Saudi Arabia in just over two weeks, it would be easy for this match to fall under the radar as attention focuses on the country’s biggest clubs, stadiums and fan bases.
But not in Buraidah. Not among the Al-Taawoun faithful. They’ll be at Wolves Park on Tuesday hoping to add another successful chapter to the club’s rich history.
Newcastle step up Champions League chase with Leicester win
- Fifth place will almost certainly be enough to secure a place in the Champions League next season after strong performances by English clubs in continental competition
LEICESTER, United Kingdom: Newcastle coasted to a 3-0 win over sorry Leicester on Monday to step up their Champions League charge and condemn the Foxes to an eighth straight Premier League defeat without scoring.
Eddie Howe’s men, still on a high after winning the League Cup last month, are up to fifth in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea, but with a game in hand.
Fifth place will almost certainly be enough to secure a place in the Champions League next season after strong performances by English clubs in continental competition.
But Ruud van Nistelrooy’s hapless team are heading back down to the Championship after a solitary season in the Premier League.
The visitors were 2-0 up in the 11th minute after two goals from Jacob Murphy, the second a tap-in from close range after an audacious effort from Fabian Schar hit the crossbar, and Harvey Barnes added a third before half-time.
Leicester were brighter in the second half but could not end their goal drought in the league, which stretches back to January.
The opening moments of the contest gave false hope to the long-suffering home fans as Jamie Vardy tested Nick Pope in the visitors’ goal.
Newcastle were ahead in the just second minute after Tino Livramento squared for Murphy to tap home after an attack down the left.
Minutes later time stood still as Schar, spotting goalkeeper Mads Hermansen off his line, nearly scored from his own half.
His effort cannoned off the crossbar but landed at the feet of Murphy, who was the only player to react.
The game was effectively over before half-time when former Leicester player Barnes finished from close range after Hermansen saved from Joelinton, declining to celebrate.
Van Nistelrooy introduced Stephy Mavididi and Facundo Buonanotte for Victor Kristiansen and Patson Daka at the interval and the game was more even in the second period, but Leicester struggled to make an impact.
The home fans cheered the entrance of 15-year-old Jeremy Monga late in the game as he became the second-youngest Premier League player.
Newcastle, whose fortunes have been transformed since a Saudi-funded takeover in 2021, are eyeing another season in the Champions League after exiting at the group stage in the 2023/24 campaign — after two decades away.
Howe, who led Newcastle to their first major trophy in 56 years against Liverpool at Wembley last month, has the chance to add gloss to a historic season.
But it is a tight battle — only six points separate third-placed Nottingham Forest from Aston Villa in seventh spot.
Van Nistelroy arrived at the King Power Stadium in November after a spell as interim manager at Manchester United but results have nosedived after an encouraging start.
The shock 2016 Premier League champions are almost certain to be joined in the second tier by Ipswich, who also came up last season.
Basement club Southampton are the only club whose relegation has been confirmed.
