MELBOURNE: Ons Jabeur said Saturday she is aiming to become world number one in 2023 and “not lose any more finals” after a breakthrough season when she fell just short of a maiden major crown.
The world number two is on the cusp of Grand Slam glory, having been runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open last year.
“I will try to use that experience from last year because it was kind of tough,” the Tunisian said ahead of the Australian Open, the first major of the year, which begins at Melbourne Park on Monday.
“My goal is to not lose any more finals, but just use that to be ready for the next one.”
The 28-year-old became the first Arab and African woman to reach a Slam final last year and will face Slovenia’s world number 88 Tamara Zidansek in the first round on Tuesday.
Jabeur said she would no longer be satisfied with matching her best previous Australian Open performance.
“I may not be as happy as I was in 2020 reaching the quarter-final,” she said.
“The goal as second (ranked) in the world is to be in the second week, to make finals.”
She said she was focused on dislodging Poland’s Iga Swiatek from the top of the rankings and was not afraid to set lofty goals for herself.
“I like this kind of pressure,” she said. “I’m going to put more pressure on myself because I feel like sometimes you just need that to be one of the top players.”
Late bloomer Jabeur was 26 when she lifted her maiden WTA title in 2021 at Birmingham, adding Madrid and Berlin trophies last year. She is keen to make up for lost time.
“I want to be number one in the world, not just the number but also the level and the discipline around it. I want to win more titles and get that Grand Slam title, for sure,” she said.
“I know a lot of players are hungry to do more. It’s going to be very interesting this two weeks.”
Jabeur was stunned by rising Czech teenager Linda Noskova in the semifinals at Adelaide earlier this month, where she needed treatment on a back injury during the first set.
But she allayed any fitness worries, especially after having to miss last year’s Australian Open with a similar back problem.
“It’s actually much, much better,” she said. “I just needed a couple of days to be ready.”
Ambitious Jabeur aiming for no.1 and maiden major glory
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Ambitious Jabeur aiming for no.1 and maiden major glory
- The world number two is on the cusp of Grand Slam glory, having been runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open last year
- "My goal is to not lose any more finals, but just use that to be ready for the next one," said Jabeur
Kvaratskhelia posts farewell video to Napoli fans ahead of expected transfer
Napoli coach Antonio Conte confirmed last Saturday that Kvaratskhelia requested a move
NAPLES, Italy: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia posted a farewell video to Napoli fans on Thursday ahead of a widely expected transfer away from the Italian league.
The 23-year-old Georgia winger, who starred in Napoli’s Serie A title-winning team in 2023, has been linked in France with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, while Premier League leader Liverpool also are reportedly interested.
Kvaratskhelia posted a video on Instagram, with subtitles in both Italian and English, to directly address Napoli fans who affectionately nicknamed him “Kvaradona” in homage to late Argentina great Diego Maradona, the club’s greatest-ever player.
“It’s hard for me, but it’s time to say goodbye. I spent an amazing time here, we shared a lot of memories together, experienced a lot of amazing emotions,” a solemn-looking Kvaratskhelia said. “Napoli was my home, where I felt wonderful thanks to each of you. The path we went through together is still in my mind and it is very emotional. I remember my first goal and feelings.”
Napoli coach Antonio Conte confirmed last Saturday that Kvaratskhelia requested a move.
“I spoke to the player who confirmed this decision to me,” Conte said at that time. “I am disappointed, it was a bolt from the blue, and I am taking a step back.”
PSG have lost superstars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe and need to reinvigorate an attack lacking efficiency.
Kvaratskhelia fits the bill as both a scorer and skillful provider with both speed and devastating dribbling ability.
He scored 30 goals in 107 games overall for Napoli and had great chemistry with striker Victor Osimhen during the title-winning campaign — which ended a 33-year wait for the Serie A title, with Maradona starring in that 1990 team.
“Napoli is a football city, Napoli lives with football and I am happy to have been part of this great history,” he said, before stroking a ball attached to leg of a statue of Maradona, and then bowing his head. “It was a great honor for me to wear this journey.”
He pledged to explain the reasons for his decision to leave when the time is right.
“I say goodbye but you will always be in my heart,” said Kvaratskhelia, who wore the No. 77 jersey.
“I know that your heart is very broken but one day I will tell you everything.”
He ended the video with a visit to the Spagnoli district where Maradona’s giant mural is located. Maradona, who died in November 2020, is revered in the city.
“I could not leave without visiting this special place as this is where you get the most genuine feeling of what Diego means to this city. Here he is admired above all else,” Kvaratskhelia said. “I have to say goodbye to Diego. Goodbye Diego, Goodbye Napoli.”
Pakistan hopes its spin tactics work wonders against West Indies in test series
- Both Pakistan and West Indies are placed at bottom of World Test Championship table
- Pakistan used industrial-sized fans to prepare spinning track in October to beat England
MULTAN: Pakistan hopes its tried and tested spin template will be successful against the West Indies as the two bottom-placed teams in the World Test Championship gear up for the two-test series starting from Friday.
The same pitch has been prepared for the first test in Multan on which Pakistan spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali neutralized England’s aggressive “Bazball” in October when the groundskeepers successfully dried out the 22-yard strip with the help of giant industrial-sized fans and patio heaters.
“We emphasized during the England series that home conditions are very important in test cricket,” Pakistan captain Shan Masood said on Thursday.
“We adapted a style of play, style of pitches, (and) now we will try ... to carry forward the momentum of the England series.”
Pakistan came from behind to beat England 2-1 on engineered dry pitches in Multan and Rawalpindi after losing the first test by an innings when the tourists amassed a record 823-7 declared in the first innings.
Off-spinner Sajid and left-arm spinner Noman grabbed 39 of the 40 wickets in the last two test matches against England, and were in the 15-man squad after being overlooked for the away series against South Africa, which Pakistan lost 2-0.
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who missed the home series against England because of illness, was included as the third specialist spinner in the playing XI with off-spinner Salman Ali Agha giving the home team a fourth spin option.
Pakistan has lost eight of its last 10 test matches under Masood’s captaincy since he was elevated to red-ball skipper in December 2023. But the skipper believed Pakistan couldn’t capitalize a number of times against Australia, Bangladesh and South Africa after putting opponents on the back foot.
“There are lots of test matches during last year when we lost the games after coming into a winning position,” Masood said. “There were only one or two one-sided matches … we came into good positions but couldn’t finish it. The lesson for this team is how we can convert it into victories.”
Pakistan will be without its in-form opening batter Saim Ayub, who was ruled out of competitive cricket for up to six weeks after fracturing his right ankle during the series in South Africa. Ayub will be replaced by Mohammad Huraira, who scored half-centuries in both innings during the three-day warmup game against the West Indies in Islamabad.
The West Indies has yet to win a series in this WTC cycle. It has lost to India, England and South Africa while drawing 1-1 against Australia and Bangladesh.
But captain Kraigg Brathwaite was hopeful that his team could finish the WTC cycle on a high.
“This series is very important for us,” Brathwaite said. “It’s a new year … it is important to finish this cycle strong and that’s our focus.”
Fast bowler Shamar Joseph was ruled of the series due to shin splits while another pacer, Alzarri Joseph, preferred to play in the ILT20 league in the United Arab Emirates.
Brathwaite said the tourists have left out vice-captain Joshua Da Silva from the playing XI while fast bowler Kemar Roach misses out because of illness.
Multan will also host the second test, starting from Jan. 25 due to ongoing upgrades at Pakistan’s two main stadiums in Karachi and Lahore for next month’s Champions Trophy.
McIlroy hits ‘scrappy’ two-under first round on Dubai return
- US amateur David Ford, Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and Australian David Micheluzzi all fired opening round 65s to sit top of the leaderboard
- Northern Irishman McIlroy won the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November for his third successive Race to Dubai title
DUBAI: Rory McIlroy got his 2025 season underway with a two-under-par 70 first round at the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday, five shots off the three leaders.
US amateur David Ford, Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and Australian David Micheluzzi all fired opening round 65s to sit top of the leaderboard.
Northern Irishman McIlroy won the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November for his third successive Race to Dubai title.
And making his first start in two months, the 35-year-old hit four birdies for two bogeys at Emirates Golf Club.
“Yeah, pretty scrappy,” McIlroy said.
“Actually I felt I played probably better the first eight holes where I was one over compared to the last 10 where I was three under.
“It was a bit scrappy. First competitive round of the year. First competitive round in a while. Definitely not as comfortable as I was in practice and coming in here.
“But it’s nice to get a card in your hand. I got it around and got it in in a couple under, which is nice, and didn’t put myself out of the tournament, which is the main thing.”
McIlroy is aiming for his third successive Dubai Desert Classic win, and fifth overall.
Spanish rival Jon Rahm carded a 69 after an eagle on the par-five 10th mixed with four birdies and three bogeys.
McIlroy and Rahm are in a battle of the No.1 players on the DP World Tour and LIV Golf Tour at the $9 million Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
On the first day of action, Ford, who plays University golf in the United States and was part of their winning Walker Cup side in 2023, eagled the tenth — his first hole of the day — and mixed six birdies with a single bogey.
“I try to keep my expectations low,” added Ford, 22, who sits sixth on the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
“I know where my game is at right now and I have got a lot of people around me believing in me which is really helpful going into this week.”
Micheluzzi had seven birdies in a flawless opening round with Gouveia firing eight birdies and one bogey as he chases his maiden DP World Tour win in his 190th event.
World No.8 and 2022 champion Viktor Hovland of Norway had six bogeys and three birdies in a three-over round of 75.
Dubai-based world No.10 Tommy Fleetwood of England carded 71 and American phenomenon Akshay Bhatia had an opening 69.
Red-hot Marmoush has Frankfurt flying and Europe on high alert
- The Egyptian’s stunning 2024-25 has led to speculation of a winter move to faltering English champions Manchester City
- Frankfurt last finished in the top four in 1992-93 and risk being a victim of Marmoush’s success should the 25-year-old move on
BERLIN: With half a season played, red-hot Omar Marmoush has put Eintracht Frankfurt on course for a first top-four finish in over 30 years and placed Europe’s elite clubs on high alert.
The Egyptian’s stunning 2024-25 — he sits one behind top scorer Harry Kane in the Bundesliga with 15 goals, along with 10 assists, in 17 league games — has led to speculation of a winter move to faltering English champions Manchester City.
In Europe’s top-five leagues, his 25 goal contributions rank second only behind countryman Mohamed Salah, who has 31, having played three games more.
Third-placed Frankfurt host Borussia Dortmund on Friday and sit eight points ahead of last season’s Champions League finalists.
Frankfurt last finished in the top four in 1992-93 and risk being a victim of Marmoush’s success should the 25-year-old move on.
While Marmoush has been in Germany since 2017, there is no question he has had a move to one of Europe’s big guns on his mind.
Born in Cairo in 1999, Marmoush stood out early in the academy of club Wadi Degla.
At just 17, he was promoted to the first team and joined Wolfsburg’s reserves a year later.
At Wolfsburg, Marmoush initially struggled for consistency and game time, resulting in loans to St. Pauli and Stuttgart.
He also struggled to adapt to life in Germany.
Unable to speak German, Marmoush recalls standing near the counter at coffee shops and waiting until he saw the order he wanted, before pointing and telling the waiter he wanted the same.
Marmoush’s agent told AFP these initial struggles laid a foundation for his achievements.
“Marmoush’s command of German, French and English has greatly contributed to his success. He is thriving at Eintracht Frankfurt,” said Ahmed Abdoun.
“The Bundesliga has always been a stepping stone to the big leagues like the Premier League or La Liga. If there are any offers, we will discuss them with the club and make the best decision.”
In 2021, the same year he made his Wolfsburg first team debut, Marmoush — who was also eligible to play for Canada through his father — received his first Egypt call up.
Making his international debut alongside Liverpool superstar Salah, Marmoush scored the winning goal against Libya in AFCON qualifying.
After moving to Frankfurt on a free transfer ahead of the 2023-24 season, Marmoush scored 12 goals in 29 league games.
He continued to improve this season. After scoring the equalizer in a 3-3 home draw with Bayern Munich in October, visiting coach Vincent Kompany praised the forward.
“Marmoush is a player who is only going to get better with time,” saying the forward’s skill was “not normal.”
Marmoush’s development drew inevitable comparisons with Salah, but the Liverpool star warned against comparisons.
“Omar has great potential and is an important player for his team and the national team currently, but I hope we stay away from the idea of comparisons, because it will put him under pressure,” Salah said in November.
“Do not compare him to me, do not say the ‘new Mohamed Salah’, let him live his career. Comparing a player at the beginning of his career with another who has achieved a lot over many years does not help him.”
While Marmoush may wish to blaze his own trail, a move to Manchester City would make comparisons with Egypt’s best-known sporting export unavoidable.
Al-Kholood 1-0 Al-Ahli: Late goal seals victory in Roshn Saudi League
DUBAI: Al-Kholood secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Al-Ahli in the 15th round of the Roshn Saudi League at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah.
The match’s only goal came from Alex Collado in the 90+2nd minute, earning Al-Kholood three vital points.
With the win, Al-Kholood increased its tally to 16 points, moving to 12th place in the standings. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli remains in fifth place on 26 points.
