TURIN: Rafael Nadal saved some honor on Thursday, beating Casper Ruud 7-5, 7-5, as he bowed out of the ATP Finals in Turin at the pool stage.
Ruud had already qualified for the semifinals and he was later joined from the Green Group by the American Taylor Fritz who came through a gruelling winner-take-all encounter with the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (5/7), 6-2.
Nadal, the top seed in the event in the absence of injured world number one Carlos Alcaraz, had opened by losing his first two matches in the Green Group. He was already eliminated when he faced Ruud, who won his first two matches to book a semifinal spot.
“I have been practicing well,” said Nadal, who was struggled with injury since scratching from the Wimbledon semifinal in July.
“Just probably not enough matches to be at the level that I needed to be. Not enough confidence, probably, after six tough months. That’s how it is. I accept that the season didn’t end the way that I wanted. At least I finished with a positive victory.”
Nadal, who sits second in the rankings, said he was happy with a season in which he won the first two Grand Slam titles, in Australia and at Roland Garros.
“I can’t ask for more,” said Nadal. “2022 has had a tough six months, two Grand Slams, and finishing the year in a high spot in the rankings.
“At my age, to be able to achieve and be competitive means a lot for me.”
Nadal already has the 2023 season, which begins in January, in his sights.
“For 2023, just let’s try to have the right preparation, work the proper way and start the season with the right energy, the right attitude, to reach the level that I need to be competitive from the beginning. Let’s try it, I am excited about it.”
Norwegian Ruud was not able to break his losing streak against players at the top of rankings and suffered an eighth straight defeat to a player in the top three. He has not won a set in any of those losses.
Nadal crushed Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in the final at Roland-Garros in the spring.
On Thursday, on the very fast court of the Pala Alpitour, Nadal was particularly aggressive. His service was particularly effective, with 16 aces and just one double fault and allowed him to go to the net.
After saving two break points at 4-4, Nadal won the first set by converting his first break point.
The pattern was similar in the second set, except that Nadal was even more imperious on serve, conceding just three points in the set.
And it was with a winning cross-court backhand that he closed the match on Ruud’s serve.
Fritz, who was a late replacement at the Finals for injured world number one Carlos Alcaraz, had made a terrific start to the tournament with victory over Nadal.
But defeat at the hands of Ruud meant that his match with Auger-Aliassime was a play-off for the semifinals.
Both big servers, they came out all guns blazing and neither player conceded a single break point in the opening set. Fritz quickly took the advantage in the tie-break to lead 6/3, before taking it with his second set point.
The second set was equally tight although this time it was the 22-year-old Canadian who got the advantage in the tie-break.
Fritz finally found a way through his opponent’s serve to go 4-2 in the third, going on to win the match after two hours 44 minutes.
Novak Djokovic has already qualified from the Red Group and he will be joined by the winner of Friday’s match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev.
Nadal leaves ATP Finals with consolation win over Ruud
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Nadal leaves ATP Finals with consolation win over Ruud
New-look Pakistan squad announced for West Indies Test series
- Pakistan will host West Indies for the first time in 19 years, with both Tests held in Multan
- Shan Masood is retained as skipper despite Pakistan losing both the Tests in South Africa
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan selectors Saturday recalled opener Imam-ul-Haq in a new look squad for the two-match Test series against the West Indies starting next week.
The 29-year old Imam has played 24 Tests for Pakistan but was dropped over poor form after a 3-0 defeat in Australia early last year.
The selectors have also named three uncapped players in opener Muhammad Hurraira, wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir and pacer Kashif Ali on the back of their good performances in domestic matches.
Pakistan will host the visitors for the first time in 19 years, with both Tests held in Multan, starting from January 17 and January 25.
Shan Masood is retained as skipper despite Pakistan losing both the Tests in South Africa last week.
Besides Masood, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, and Salman Ali Agha kept their places from the South Africa series.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed have been recalled to partner with left-arm spinner Noman Ali.
Noman and Sajid took 29 wickets in Pakistan’s 2-1 win over England last year.
Injured opener Saim Ayub is also left out of the Pakistan squad for the West Indies Tests.
Squad: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha.
Captain Alexander-Arnold leads Liverpool cruise into FA Cup 4th round
- The England international was named captain in the absence of Virgil van Dijk
- Slot made eight changes after suffering just his second defeat in charge of the Reds
LIVERPOOL: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s stunning strike lit up Liverpool’s 4-0 win over League Two Accrington Stanley to cruise into the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.
The England international was named captain in the absence of Virgil van Dijk in a much-changed side named by Arne Slot and led by example after a being criticized for his display in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United last weekend.
Slot made eight changes after suffering just his second defeat in charge of the Reds in Wednesday’s League Cup semifinal first leg against Tottenham.
The Dutchman had warned the Premier League leaders that a trip to Anfield would be Accrington’s “Champions League final.”
A mammoth 86 league positions behind Liverpool in the 92-team English league system, Stanley held out for nearly half an hour.
Diogo Jota was left with a simple task to tap in from Darwin Nunez’s low cross to open the floodgates.
Alexander-Arnold then stepped forward to double the lead with a sumptuous hit into the top corner from outside the box.
Jayden Danns made the most of just his second appearance of the season to fire in the third 14 minutes from time.
Federico Chiesa’s Liverpool career has so far failed to get going due to injury problems.
But the Italian took advantage of some rare game time to net his first goal for the club with a long range strike in off the far post.
“It was surreal,” said Accrington forward and Liverpool fan Josh Woods.
“They are world-class players and on the counter it is hard to stop.”
Manchester City also face fourth-tier opposition later against Salford City, who are owned by a group of former Manchester United greats.
Investment from David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt have helped Salford rise through the non-league ranks since their involvement began in 2014.
Chelsea host Morecambe of League Two in another David against Goliath tie.
Another celebrity co-owner in the lower leagues of English football is already into round four as NFL legend Tom Brady’s Birmingham beat Lincoln 2-1.
Wolves’ bright start under new boss Vitor Pereira continued as early goals from Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rodrigo Gomes secured a 2-1 win at Bristol City.
Blackburn won an all-Championship clash 1-0 at Middlesbrough thanks to Andi Weimann’s winner.
New Red Bull football boss Klopp in stands for Paris FC game
- Klopp happily posed for selfies alongside Pierre Ferracci, the president of the Parisian club
- The former solid Ligue 1 leaders, Paris FC have had a bad start to the year
PARIS: Jurgen Klopp, the new global head of football at Red Bull, a minority shareholder in French club Paris FC, on Saturday watched from the stands during a French Ligue 2 game against Amiens.
Former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp has just started a new role with Red Bull which owns clubs RB Leipzig, Salzburg and New York Red Bulls.
Klopp happily posed for selfies alongside Pierre Ferracci, the president of the Parisian club which was sold to the family of France’s richest person Bernard Arnault and Red Bull two months ago.
The former solid Ligue 1 leaders, Paris FC have had a bad start to the year with consecutive defeats and are now third.
Klopp is due to speak for the first time since taking office on Tuesday at the Red Bull headquarters near Salzburg in Austria.
The 57-year-old won back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Dortmund before moving to Liverpool. At the Reds, Klopp won several major trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League.
Klopp’s appointment has however caused controversy, particularly in Germany where some fans are critical of the energy drink brand’s ownership of Leipzig, as well as multi-club models in general.
Real, Barca managers raise stakes ahead of Jeddah El Clasico
- Ancelotti: ‘We are very excited and confident as always in the finals’
- Flick hoping to win first major trophy as Barcelona manager
Jeddah: Coaches Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid and Hansi Flick of Barcelona held press conferences before the final match of the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah on Jan. 12.
Ancelotti spoke to the media at King Abdullah Sports City on Saturday, and discussed the match and preparation of his squad.
“We are very excited and confident as always in the finals. We are facing a great team and we know exactly how tough this Clasico match is,” he said.
On losing to Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season, the Italian said: “We had a good game in the first half but the game later in the second half went down. Therefore, we have to avoid the mistakes we made.
“A Clasico is always a Clasico, even more so if it’s a final. Playing against Barcelona is always something special.”
He added: “If there’s a defeat, it’s a defeat. It’s the final; we’re very close to another title and we’re thinking positively.”
Ancelotti confirmed that in-form Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham will be fit and available for the clash.
“He is fine; he has recovered well. It was a normal load from matches. It’s very important because he’s on a good run. He is a player who has made a difference,” the manager said.
“Barcelona are always a historic rival and playing against them is very complicated; you can’t predict the result. We will try to do our best and try to win another title.”
Flick told the media that he hopes to win his first major trophy as Barcelona manager.
He described Real Madrid as a “great team,” adding: “We are fully prepared for them tomorrow night and hope we can perform better than what we did against Mallorca.
“We created many mistakes and we need to reduce them tomorrow night. Madrid is one of the best teams in the world in transition and they take advantage of any option you give them.”
The Dutchman confirmed that Dani Olmo is “very excited to play again.”
Since the Spanish Super Cup was moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020, Real Madrid and Barcelona have delivered unforgettable showdowns.
Of the five editions held in Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid have claimed three titles (2020, 2022 and 2024), while the Catalans have won once (2023). Athletic Club triumphed in 2021, rounding out the winners of the new era.
L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France unveils details ahead of Middle East debut
- Cycling enthusiasts and professionals can choose 101km and 50km race routes, in addition to family rides and children races
- First Middle East event on Feb 1-2 will feature a Tour de France Museum and appearances by cycling legends
DUBAI: L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France has revealed new information about its Middle East debut in Dubai this February, including details of two spectacular cycling routes and a special fan zone at Expo Village Park.
The event — powered by Skoda supported by Dubai Sports Council — will take place over the weekend of Feb 1-2. It departs from Dubai Design District, or D3, and ends in the Expo Village Park, offering cycling enthusiasts and professionals an experience inspired by the grandeur of the Tour de France.
Sunday, Feb. 2 will be the highlight of the event, with a 6.45 a.m. start following a pre-race breakfast at the designated starting point in D3. The Race is the longer 101km route, while The Ride is the less demanding 50km option. Both routes offer riders views of Dubai’s skyline and surrounding desert landscapes.
In the spirit of the Tour de France experience, participants can also test their sprint skills and endurance in three designated sprint sections along the L’Etape Dubai route, with the winners awarded the iconic Skoda Green Jersey at the finish line.
From D3, cyclists will navigate about 50 km along the Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66) and then Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al-Nahyan Street (D54). From there participants in The Ride will head to the finishing line at the Expo Village Park, while participants in The Race will turn inland toward the desert along the Expo Road (E77) before looping back to end their race at the same location. The event will conclude with an awards ceremony honoring the top performers.
Setting the scene for Sunday’s racing, Saturday, Feb. 1 will see the Expo Village Park transformed into an interactive Tour de France Village, while also playing host to a 20 km Family Ride and Kids Race. Visitors will be able to explore the Tour de France Museum, featuring historic jerseys and the official Tour de France director’s car, while the afternoon will feature cycling workshops, team introductions and a race briefing.
“L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France offers a truly a genuine experience inspired by one of the world’s most famous sporting events,” the Dubai Sports Council said in a statement. “This event not only reinforces Dubai’s position as a hub for world-class sports but also promotes active and healthy living. Open to professionals, enthusiasts, families and children alike, the event embodies our vision to encourage sports as a way of life for everyone.”
Race Director Fairouz Al-Qazi said: “Bringing L’Etape Dubai by Tour de France to the Middle East for the first time is a major milestone for us and our co-partners from Europe from Be Cool agency. We are proud to introduce a route that showcases Dubai’s vibrant landscape. We hope to celebrate cycling in a way that unites sport, culture and community, and we believe this inaugural edition will offer an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.”
