Daniil Medvedev inspired to defend Diriyah Tennis Cup title

Daniil Medvedev inspired to defend Diriyah Tennis Cup title after the world No. 7’s Diriyah Tennis Cup 2019 title led to his most successful season ever. (Supplied)
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Updated 25 November 2022
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Daniil Medvedev inspired to defend Diriyah Tennis Cup title

  • The world No. 7’s Diriyah Tennis Cup 2019 title led to his most successful season ever
  • Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev and Cameron Norrie have also been announced in the field

DIRIYAH: Tennis champion Daniil Medvedev flies into Saudi Arabia next month to defend his Diriyah Tennis Cup title of 2019, which led to his most successful season ever.
The defending champion and 11 of the world’s best tennis players will compete Dec. 8-10 for the second tournament of the Diriyah Tennis Cup presented by Aramco.
Having recently become a new father, Medvedev won the inaugural Diriyah Cup in 2019 in impressive fashion, winning every match in straight sets including the final where he defeated Fabio Fognini 6-2.
“It was a great tournament, had great players and I played very good there. I then went on to have the best season of my life at that point,” he said about his first trip to the Kingdom.
“It bought me a lot of confidence for the season ahead and that’s what I’m going to try to do this season,” he added
Since his 2019 win, Medvedev secured his first major victory at the 2021 US Open where he stunned the tennis world with a straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic in the final. The current world No. 7 also enjoyed a stint as world No. 1 earlier this year.
Most recently, he has enjoyed a personal high after becoming a father for the first time following the birth of his daughter just last month.
“I’m a really happy person in life right now. It’s only good emotions,” he said.
“The experience is amazing. Many people told me that I can only understand this when I have a baby and now I can completely understand. It’s a lot of fun. I’m so happy about it and so grateful to my wife.”
Medvedev is part of a world-class field of 12 preparing for a new season’s first major in Australia with competitive tennis heading to Diriyah for three days across singles and doubles. The likes of Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev and Cameron Norrie have also been announced in the field.
The 2022 edition will be the biggest line-up to ever play in Saudi Arabia, and the defending champ is encouraging Saudi fans to come and experience the energy courtside in Diriyah.
“Like every other sport, on TV it is beautiful, you can see the energy, you can see everything,” added Medvedev, “but you can feel it sitting courtside, especially with the best players in the world like at the Diriyah Tennis Cup, you can feel the amazing energy.”
Tickets are now available for fans to experience the energy firsthand. For more information and to purchase your ticket, please visit www.diriyahtenniscup.com.


Noman and Sajid help Pakistan dominate West Indies in spin battle

Updated 15 sec ago
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Noman and Sajid help Pakistan dominate West Indies in spin battle

  • The spin duo shared nine wickets between them to dismiss West Indies for 137
  • Pakistan stretched their lead to 202 by scoring 109-3 in their second innings

MULTAN: Noman Ali and Sajid Khan guided Pakistan to a strong position against the West Indies after another spin-dominated second day’s play in the opening Test in Multan on Saturday.
The spin duo shared nine wickets between them to dismiss the West Indies for 137 in reply to the home team’s 230 all out.
By the close, Pakistan stretched their lead to 202 by scoring 109-3 in their second innings, with Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel batting on nine and two respectively when bad light ended play 25 minutes early.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (2-17) dismissed Muhammad Hurraira for 29 after an opening stand of 67 and Babar Azam for a second failure, trapped leg-before for five.
Skipper Shan Masood looked solid for his 52, hitting two sixes and two fours, before Warrican ran him out after attempting a quick single.
“The weather is foggy so if we have continuous play and take our lead over 300 then we can win this Test,” said Sajid.
“It’s great to bowl with Noman, who always guides me.”
Warrican wants the target to be under 250.
“Obviously we don’t want to get the lead go over 250 because it’s a spin-favoring surface,” said Warrican.
“We need a good comeback in batting the second time around on this pitch.”
The dry and grassless Multan pitch has already produced 23 wickets in six sessions — 19 on day two — even though two-and-a-half hours were lost on day one and another 30 minutes on Saturday because of poor visibility.
Noman grabbed 5-39 for his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests while Sajid finished with 4-65 to dismiss the West Indies after lunch in a first innings that lasted just 25.2 overs.

Pakistan’s Noman Ali, center, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of West Indies Kevin Sinclair during the day two of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies, in Multan on January 18, 2025. (AP)

Noman and Sajid, who shared 39 of the 40 wickets in the last two Tests against England in Pakistan’s 2-1 series win last year, were once again unplayable.
Sajid opened the bowling and removed Mikyle Louis (one), Keacy Carty (0), Kraigg Brathwaite (11) and Kavem Hodge (four) in his first three overs.
Noman then further jolted the tourists with another four wickets to leave them tottering on 66-8.
The tailenders showed more resistance, with number 10 batsman Warrican unbeaten on 31 and Gudakesh Motie adding 19.
Jayden Seales was the last wicket to fall for 22.
Seales hit three sixes before holing out off spinner Abrar Ahmed.

West Indies Jomel Warrican, center, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha during the day two of the first test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies, in Multan on January 18, 2025. (AP)

Earlier, Warrican took 3-69 as Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 43 runs after resuming at 143-4.
Shakeel top-scored for Pakistan with 84 off 157 deliveries, including six boundaries, while keeper Mohammad Rizwan added 71.
Shakeel added an invaluable 141 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan, lifting Pakistan from a precarious 46-4 on day one.


Hillier leads from Hatton at Dubai Desert Classic with McIlroy 7 shots back

Updated 18 min 49 sec ago
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Hillier leads from Hatton at Dubai Desert Classic with McIlroy 7 shots back

  • Tyrrell Hatton shot 68 and was the closest challenger to the No. 223-ranked Hillier

DUBAI: Daniel Hillier of New Zealand birdied the final two holes to shoot 2-under 70 on Saturday and take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Tyrrell Hatton shot 68 and was the closest challenger to the No. 223-ranked Hillier, whose only win on the European tour came at the British Masters in July 2023.
Hillier was 13-under par for the week.
Rory McIlroy, seeking a third straight title at the prestigious tournament, was seven shots off the pace in a tie for 12th place after a round of 69.


FIFA bans Venezuelan soccer official for 5 years and orders near-$1M fine for financial wrongdoing

Updated 39 min 21 sec ago
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FIFA bans Venezuelan soccer official for 5 years and orders near-$1M fine for financial wrongdoing

  • FIFA’s ethics committee had also charged Álvarez with breaching “duty of loyalty”
  • The verdict can be challenged on appeal

ZURICH: FIFA has banned a Venezuelan soccer official from the sport for five years for financial wrongdoing and fined him nearly $1m.
Manuel Álvarez was secretary general of the Venezuelan soccer federation when his conduct enabled the “misappropriation and misuse” of its and FIFA’s money, soccer’s world body said announcing the verdict late Friday.
FIFA’s ethics committee had also charged Álvarez with breaching “duty of loyalty” and “general duties” under its code.
FIFA, which makes at least $2 million available in funding each year to all 211 member federations, gave no details about the financial misconduct. The verdict can be challenged on appeal.
It is unclear how FIFA can enforce payment of the fine if Álvarez does not return to soccer.
Venezuela is the only member of the 10-nation CONMEBOL group of South American federations that has never qualified to play at the men’s World Cup.


Baniyas leads table as Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship kicks off

Updated 18 January 2025
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Baniyas leads table as Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship kicks off

  • Day one of the the competition’s first round also saw MOD UAE in second and Al-Ain in third

ABU DHABI: Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club took the lead on the opening day of the first round of the second Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.

MOD UAE followed in second place, with Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club securing third.

The day featured competitions in the adult, masters and youth (under 18) categories, drawing hundreds of athletes from clubs and academies across the country.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is a significant milestone in the federation’s efforts to promote the sport locally, across the continent, and internationally. It reflects our commitment to achieving excellence in all we do. This championship highlights the continued support of our wise leadership for jiu-jitsu, a sport that instils discipline, courage and self-confidence in our younger generations. This first round marks the beginning of a promising journey, filled with aspirations to reach new heights of achievement.”

He added: “The championship aligns with the federation’s strategy to develop jiu-jitsu and strengthen its role in fostering a healthy, cohesive society. Our goal is to establish a sustainable sporting legacy for future generations by organizing events that meet international standards.”

The tournament’s ranking system ensures equality among all players, awarding points for outstanding performances while also considering factors such as strategy, techniques and skills.

Jefferson Cordero, coach at MOD Academy, said: “Our team, consisting of around 145 athletes, is proud to participate in this prestigious tournament, which features a high level of competition. It provides our team with an excellent opportunity to test the players’ capabilities. We are delighted with our team’s performance and success in securing outstanding results, adding more medals to the club’s tally, and earning points that bring us closer to winning the tournament prize.”

Tareq Al-Zaabi, an MOD Academy athlete who won the gold medal in the masters category (brown/black belt) under 62 kg, said: “It is an honor to win the gold medal in this tournament, which carries a name so dear to us. I am determined to maintain this level of performance and achieve even more in future competitions. Over the past period, I have been focused on training hard to secure this victory and contribute to our academy’s success in earning the highest points as we strive for the title. I wish my teammates all the best.”


Noman and Sajid give Pakistan lead in spin-dominated first Test

Updated 18 January 2025
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Noman and Sajid give Pakistan lead in spin-dominated first Test

  • Noman grabbed 5-39 for his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests, Sajid finished with 4-65
  • Pakistan earlier lost their last six wickets for 43 runs after resuming the day at 143-4

MULTAN: Spin pair Noman Ali and Sajid Khan shared nine wickets between them to give Pakistan a 93-run lead on the second day of the opening Test against West Indies in Multan on Saturday.
Noman grabbed 5-39 for his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests, while Sajid finished with 4-65 to dismiss the West Indies for 137 after lunch in a first innings that lasted just 25.2 overs.
Pakistan earlier lost their last six wickets for 43 runs after resuming at 143-4 and were bowled out for 230 in their first innings.
The dry and grassless Multan pitch has already produced 20 wickets in five sessions even though two-and-a-half hours were lost on day one, and another 30 minutes on Saturday, because of poor visibility.
Noman and Sajid, who shared 39 of the 40 wickets in the last two Tests against England in Pakistan’s 2-1 series win last year, were once again unplayable.

Sajid opened the bowling and removed Mikyle Louis (one), Keacy Carty (0), Kraigg Brathwaite (11) and Kavem Hodge (four) in his first three overs.

Pakistan’s Said Khan (center) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of West Indies Mikyle Louis during the day two of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies, in Multan on January 18, 2025. (AP)

Noman then further jolted the tourists with another four wickets to leave them on 66-8.
The tail-enders showed more resistance, with number 10 batsman Jomel Warrican unbeaten on 31, with Gudakesh Motie adding 19 and Jayden Seales the last wicket to fall for 22.
Seales hit three sixes before holing out off spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Warrican also took 3-69 in Pakistan’s innings.

West Indies Jomel Warrican (third left) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Salman Ali Agha during the second day of the first Test match against Pakistan in Multan, Pakistan, on January 18, 2025. (PCB)

Saud Shakeel top-scored for Pakistan with 84 off 157 deliveries, including six boundaries, while keeper Mohammad Rizwan added 71.
Shakeel added an invaluable 141 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan, lifting Pakistan from a precarious 46-4 on day one.
Kevin Sinclair sparked the Pakistan batting collapse by taking Shakeel’s wicket with the first ball after drinks.

Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel, center, plays a shot during the day two of the first test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies, in Multan on January 18, 2025. (AP)

He then trapped Rizwan leg-before off a missed reverse sweep, the original decision of not out overturned on review.
Rizwan’s 133-ball stay included nine boundaries.
Sajid hit a boundary and a six in a rapid-fire 18 before he was bowled by Warrican on the stroke of lunch to end Pakistan’s innings.