PARIS: After the French Open marathon came the sprint.
Defending champion Iga Swiatek swept into the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in just 40 minutes after a crushing 6-0, 6-0 win against Anastasia Potapova.
Swiatek won without even facing a game point against her. The match ended when Potapova hit a forehand into the net on the first match point.
“I was just really focused and in the zone,” Swiatek said. “It went pretty quickly, pretty weird.”
Their match started at around 11 a.m.
That’s just eight hours after men’s defending champion Novak Djokovic finished his five-set, 4 1/2-hour marathon against Lorenzo Musetti at just after 3 a.m. in the latest finish in tournament history.
Swiatek remains on course for her third consecutive French Open title and fourth overall. The top-ranked Pole will play Wimbleon champion Marketa Vondrousova after the fifth-seeded Czech beat unseeded Serb Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2.
They played on Court Suzanne Lenglen, the only other court with a roof. After five consecutive days with rain delays, play on the other roofless courts got underway on time.
Later Sunday, third-seeded American Coco Gauff took on unseeded Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner and two-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz were in men’s fourth-round action.
Second-seeded Sinner faced Frenchman Corentin Moutet and third-seeded Alcaraz played No. 21-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.
No marathon this time as Swiatek sprints into French Open quarterfinals
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No marathon this time as Swiatek sprints into French Open quarterfinals
- Defending champion dismisses Anastasia Potapova in just 40 minutes with a crushing 6-0, 6-0 win
- Swiatek remains on course for her third consecutive French Open title and fourth overall
Pakistan crush England in second Test to set up series decider
- Spinner Noman Ali grabbed 8-46, Sajid Khan took 2-93 as the pair wrapped up England’s second innings for 144
- It was Pakistan’s first home win since Feb. 2021 and came after they were thumped by an innings in the first Test
MULTAN: Spinner Noman Ali took eight wickets as Pakistan crushed England by 152 runs in the second Test to level the series 1-1 on Friday in Multan.
Noman grabbed 8-46 and Sajid Khan took 2-93 as the pair wrapped up England’s second innings for 144 after the visitors were set a daunting target of 297.
It was Pakistan’s first home win since February 2021 and came after they were thumped by an innings in the first Test, also in Multan.
The third and final Test starts in Rawalpindi from October 24.
Noman finished with a match haul of 11-147 while Sajid had figures of 9-204, only the second time in Pakistan’s history that two bowlers took all 20 wickets in a Test.
Pakistan’s last Test win at home came against South Africa in Rawalpindi more than three years ago. It was followed by 11 home Tests without a win.
This also becomes Shan Masood’s first win as skipper after getting the job last year, including 3-0 and 2-0 whitewashes at the hands of Australia and Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s ploy of dropping ace batsman Babar Azam in one of four changes after the first Test defeat and playing on a reused pitch with three spinners paid off handsomely.
Resuming at 36-2 and facing a tough task on a pitch offering sharp spin, England managed to add just 108 runs before folding.
In just the second over of the day Sajid removed Ollie Pope with a sharp turning delivery and caught the miscued drive off his own bowling. Pope made 22.
Noman then trapped Joe Root leg-before for 18 and Harry Brook for 16 to leave England facing defeat at 78-5.
Brook smashed an epic 317 and Root a brilliant 262 — eclipsing Alastair Cook’s England Test run record — in the first Test, and their dismissals signalled England’s doom was approaching.
Noman’s fourth wicket came in the form of Jamie Smith whose uppish slog sweep was held by Masood at mid-on. Smith scored six.
Skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse fought hard to take the total to 125 when Stokes was stumped in a comical manner, jumping out of the crease to loft Noman but missing the ball as his bat flew out of his hands.
Noman wrapped up the match with the wickets of Carse (27), Jack Leach (one) and Shoaib Bashir (nought), improving his previous best of 7-70 against Sri Lanka in Colombo last year.
UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation looks ahead to national campaigns after a successful season
- The UAE national team will take part in the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Greece this month
ABU DHABI: This year’s successes in local, national and international championships came under the spotlight at a UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation board meeting on Thursday.
The directors also focused on the achievements of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Championship and looked ahead to future competitions, including the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship taking place in Greece this month.
The meeting, held at the Federation’s headquarters, was chaired by Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Al-Hashmi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, president of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union, and senior vice president of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
He said: “The support of our wise leadership is the key to the success of jiu-jitsu locally and internationally. It has helped position the UAE as a global leader in the sport and achieve significant accomplishments at both the continental and international levels.”
Discussions focused on an intensive training camp which aims to boost the athletes’ technical and physical readiness for the world championship, helping them build on a legacy of four consecutive world titles.
The board also reviewed the current season, which has seen significant local and international participation in various events that are key to expanding the number of jiu-jitsu participants, creating community engagement and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
A comprehensive report on the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship highlighted the success of the event, particularly the increase in numbers of those taking part. So far, the four rounds have attracted 7,700 male and female athletes from 60 clubs and academies across the UAE, testament to the Federation’s strategy to broaden the sport’s reach and raise awareness of its physical and mental benefits.
The report also noted the strong public turnout, with over 10,000 spectators attending. Their support has enhanced the competitive atmosphere and motivated athletes. The championship has uncovered new talent, elevated the standard of competition, boosted public interest, and provided a highly competitive environment in line with international standards.
The fifth and final round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship will take place in December at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The meeting also touched upon final preparations for the 16th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, set to take place in November.
Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the Federation and chairman of the championship’s organizing committee, said: “Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship continues to establish itself as the top international jiu-jitsu event, drawing elite athletes from around the world. This edition marks a key moment, especially in terms of global participation further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as the world’s jiu-jitsu capital.
“We are focused on maintaining the high standards of the world’s largest jiu-jitsu championship, ensuring top-level organization and creating the best experience for both participants and fans.”
The board also discussed the agenda for the 2025 season, with a focus on diversifying events to support sustainable development and growth in the sport. Plans were outlined to expand the scope of competitions to include additional age groups and attract elite athletes from around the world.
South Africa reach final and end Australia’s title defense at Women’s T20 World Cup
- Anneke Bosch led the way with 74 not out off 48 balls, including eight fours and a six, as the Proteas finished with 135-2 in 17.2 overs
- Having beaten Australia for the first time in this tournament’s history, South Africa now await the winner of the second semifinal between West Indies and New Zealand in Sharjah on Friday
DUBAI: South Africa stunned defending champions Australia in the first semifinal of the Women’s T20 World Cup on Thursday, winning by eight wickets to reach their second straight final.
In a reversal from the 2023 final at Cape Town, South Africa chased down Australia’s 134-5 with 16 balls to spare. Six-time champions Australia had won three straight titles.
Anneke Bosch led the way with 74 not out off 48 balls, including eight fours and a six, as the Proteas finished with 135-2 in 17.2 overs.
She had support from skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who set the early pace with three fours and a six in scoring 42 off 37 balls.
Having beaten Australia for the first time in this tournament’s history, South Africa now await the winner of the second semifinal between West Indies and New Zealand in Sharjah on Friday.
The final will be played in Dubai on Sunday.
It ended Australia’s 15-match winning run in the tournament. Since 2009, it is only the second time in nine Women’s T20 World Cups that the six-time champions failed to make the final.
“It’s gonna be pretty hard to take. We just didn’t really show up tonight, and can’t afford to do that in tournaments like this,” Australia’s stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath said.
McGrath was skipper in the place of Australia’s star player and regular captain, Alyssa Healy, who suffered a foot injury earlier in the tournament.
South Africa had opted to bowl and made two vital early breakthroughs.
Opener Grace Harris was out caught for three off Ayabonga Khaka, while Georgia Wareham was caught off Marizanne Kapp for five runs.
Australia was down to 18-2 in the third over, but rescued by a 50-run partnership between Beth Mooney and McGrath.
Mooney top-scored with 44 off 42 balls, hitting two fours, and looked set to shepherd the innings to a competitive total.
Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba got the breakthrough — she dismissed McGrath in the 13th over for 27 off 33 balls.
The turning point came in the 17th over — Kapp ran out Mooney. Ellyze Perry scored 31 off 23 balls to take them past 100. But Australia failed to gather sufficient momentum in the final overs.
Annabel Sutherland provided the early wicket in the chase — she bowled Tazmin Brits for 15.
But Wolvaardt and Bosch seized initiative to put on 96 off 65 balls for the second wicket — South Africa’s highest partnership for any wicket against Australia in T20s.
Bosch brought up her 50 off 31 balls, and went on to score the tournament’s highest individual score.
Sutherland did get the breakthrough in the 15th over, but it was too little too late for the outgoing champions, who were thoroughly outplayed on the night.
Bosch was named player of the match for her unbeaten knock.
“My heart is racing. It was tough out there and I am just glad we got past the finish line. We knew we are capable and had a good tournament coming into this game. To restrict them under 140 tonight was outstanding,” she said.
Chelsea, Lyon and Roma stay perfect with victories in Women’s Champions League
- Lyon defender Wendie Renard stole the show as her header found the back of the net early on in her 118th game in the competition
- Chelsea struck early in another winning performance under new coach Sonia Bompastor, who joined from Lyon
LONDON: Chelsea, Lyon and Roma all stayed perfect in the Women’s Champions League by cruising to away victories on Thursday.
Roma routed Galatasaray at Istanbul 6-1, Chelsea beat Twente in the Netherlands 3-1 and eight-time champion Lyon won 2-0 at Wolfsburg.
Real Madrid claimed their first victory of the campaign by easing past Celtic 4-0.
Roma and Lyon both have six points in Group A. Two-time champions Wolfsburg and Galatasaray, the first Turkish team to reach the group stage, have no points.
In Group B, Chelsea lead with six points, with Madrid and Twente on three and Celtic last bottom without a point.
Renard strikes on Popp’s day
Wolfsburg striker Alexandra Popp made her 100th competition appearance — becoming only the second player to reach the mark but it was Lyon defender Wendie Renard, the only one who has played more, who stole the show.
Renard’s header found the back of the net early on in her 118th game in the competition.
US international Lindsey Horan netted from the penalty spot in the second half.
Lyon are the competition’s record eight-time champion but last won the trophy in 2022. It was runner-up last season to Barcelona.
Roma rout
In a matchup between the Italian and Turkish champions, Roma dominated in Istanbul.
Summer signing Hawa Cissoko scored in the seventh minute to mark her debut game in the competition. The France defender who transferred from West Ham headed home off Manuela Giugliano’s corner.
Valentina Giacinti made it 2-0 in the 24th minute when she was left unmarked near the spot to head in Verena Hanshaw’s cross.
Giugliano failed to convert from the spot in the first-half stoppage time but Emilie Haavi got Roma’s third with a right-footed blast past goalkeeper Gamze Yaman early in the second.
Giugliano finally found the back of the net from close range for a 4-0 lead before Andrea Staskova scored the consolation goal for the hosts. Roma substitutes Marta Pandini and Alice Corelli also scored.
Blues win again under Bompastor
Chelsea struck early in another winning performance under new coach Sonia Bompastor, who joined from Lyon.
Agnes Beever-Jones put the Blues ahead with a long-distance deflected strike in the seventh minute and Maika Hamano made it 2-0 a short time later by lifting the ball over goalkeeper Olivia Clark from outside the area.
Substitute Guro Reiten added the third in the second from the spot just past the hour mark.
On Saturday, Chelsea beat city rival Arsenal 2-1 in the Women’s Super League.
Real Madrid bounce back
Real Madrid scored three second-half goals in 11 minutes against Celtic in Group B.
The Spanish team had lost to Chelsea 3-2 in the first round and drew with Atlético 1-1 in the Madrid derby over the weekend.
Caroline Weir fired a long-range left-footer from outside the box into the far top corner in the seventh minute.
The visitors kept if close until the 72nd minute, when Signe Bruun headed home the second goal followed eight minutes later by Caroline Moller’s lob of goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty for a 3-0 lead. Linda Caicedo then converted from the penalty spot.
It’s back-to-back losses for Scottish club Celtic, making their debut in the group stage. They have yet to score.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi bags inaugural MARCA America award
- The award recognizes Messi’s championship-laden career — one with a record 46 trophies won for club or country, and at least 56 other awards on the individual level
- For Messi, no title outshines the 2022 World Cup with Argentina that helped cement his legacy among the sport’s greatest players
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida: Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi added another award to his collection on Thursday.
Messi became the first recipient of the MARCA America Award, presented by the Spain-based media company. The award recognizes Messi’s championship-laden career — one with a record 46 trophies won for club or country, and at least 56 other awards on the individual level.
“It has been quite the journey,” the Argentine superstar said in Spanish during a moderated question-and-answer session at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami’s home field. “We have experienced so many beautiful things but also complicated moments. In 20 years not everything is beautiful. You cannot win all the time.”
For Messi, no title outshines the 2022 World Cup with Argentina that helped cement his legacy among the sport’s greatest players. However, the 37-year-old Messi has won plenty and still feels the drive to continue adding titles. Similar to his titles with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Messi already has helped Inter Miami win hardware since he joined the MLS club in July 2023.
Although limited to 18 MLS matches this season because of an ankle injury and national team commitments, Messi has 17 goals and 15 assists to help lead Miami to the 2024 Supporters Shield. Miami will have home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs which begin next week.
“I was able to achieve the biggest prize, which is the World Cup,” said Messi, who had three goals and two assists in a 6-0 Argentina romp past Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. “It is the trophy all of us want when we start playing and I managed to fulfill my dream. We won many titles in Barcelona, Paris. Now we are here with the objective to fight hard for another title.”
Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs through next season. And, after his recent goal-scoring performance on Tuesday, Messi could remain energized in his commitments with Argentina through the next World Cup cycle.
“I still have a deep love for this sport and I will continue to aspire to win more titles,” Messi said. “At this level, you have to enjoy things day by day.”
Inter Miami has one regular-season match left, coming at home Saturday against New England. If Inter Miami win it would set the MLS single-season points mark with 72, one more than New England had in 2021.
