Alcaraz, Medvedev set up Wimbledon semifinal repeat, Vekic ends Sun's dream

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a forehand return to Tommy Paul of the US during their quarterfinal match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London Tuesday. (AP)
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Updated 10 July 2024
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Alcaraz, Medvedev set up Wimbledon semifinal repeat, Vekic ends Sun's dream

  • Alcaraz battled back from a set down to defeat Tommy Paul 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
  • Fifth-ranked Medvedev avenged his Australian Open final loss to Sinner in a four-hour quarterfinal win

LONDON: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev set up a Wimbledon semifinal repeat on Tuesday as Donna Vekic ended the magical run of New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun.

Alcaraz battled back from a set down to defeat Tommy Paul 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 while Medvedev stunned world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who suffered a mid-match health scare, 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 6-3.

Vekic recovered to defeat Sun 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 to reach her first Slam semifinal where she will take on Italian late bloomer Jasmine Paolini, who swept past Emma Navarro 6-2, 6-1.

Spanish world No. 3 Alcaraz, seeking a fourth Grand Slam title, was broken twice by 12th-seeded Paul in a 72-minute first set.

Paul raced into a two-game lead in the second set before Alcaraz got back on level terms.

Three breaks in the third set put the Spaniard in charge and he stepped up another gear in the fourth, making just four unforced errors.

Alcaraz, seeking to become just the sixth man to capture the French Open and Wimbledon titles back to back, defeated Medvedev in straights sets in last year’s Wimbledon semifinals.

“Hopefully I’m going to get the same result,” he said.

“But he won against Jannik Sinner, the best player right now, so I know that he’s in really good shape.”

Fifth-ranked Medvedev avenged his Australian Open final loss to Sinner in a four-hour quarterfinal win.

Medvedev, 28, will be playing in his ninth Grand Slam semifinal.

Sinner, a semifinalist in 2023, required medical treatment early in the third set as he appeared dazed and unsteady on his feet.

He had his blood pressure taken before undergoing a medical time-out.

“It’s always tricky because you want to play more points to make him suffer a little bit more but in a good way,” said Medvedev.

In a tight first set in which neither man gave up a break point, Medvedev edged ahead in the tie-break on the back of a lung-busting 33-shot rally.

However, he squandered a set point and his game suddenly fell apart, serving up a double fault as Sinner pocketed the opener.

The mercurial Russian levelled the quarter-final before Sinner summoned the tournament physio after falling a break down in the third set.

After a 10-minute delay, the 22-year-old resumed play and thrilled the Center Court crowd when he bravely clawed his way back to 5-5.

He then wasted two set points, which allowed Medvedev to sweep through the tie-break.

However, the Italian was undaunted and levelled the quarter-final before Medvedev finished the fresher of the two players, breaking in the fourth game of the final set on his way to victory.

“I was not feeling great. I didn’t vomit but I took some time because I was dizzy quite a lot,” said Sinner.

Vekic has reached the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time at the 43rd attempt.

“I felt like I was dying out there in the first two sets but I just kept going, hoping to have a chance and it came in the end,” said the 28-year-old world No. 37.

Sun, ranked 123rd in the world, was playing her eighth match of the tournament, including qualifying, in two weeks and the strain eventually told.

“Maybe if I could have moved faster, maybe if I didn’t have the cramps, who knows what would have happened,” said Sun, who will rise into the top 60 thanks to her All England Club run.

Italian seventh seed Paolini, the runner-up at the French Open last month, needed just 57 minutes to see off Navarro, the conqueror of second-ranked Coco Gauff in the last round.

The 28-year-old, who had not won a tour-level main draw match on grass before this year, fired 19 winners to her opponent’s six.

“It’s a dream to be here in this position, to be in the semifinal,” said Paolini, the first Italian woman in the Open era to make the last four.

The tournament’s remaining quarterfinals take place on Wednesday, with seven-time champion Novak Djokovic facing Alex de Minaur, while Taylor Fritz clashes with Lorenzo Musetti.

In the women’s draw, 2022 champion Elena Rybakina tackles Elina Svitolina, with Jelena Ostapenko and Barbora Krejcikova meeting in a clash of former French Open champions.


Slot warns of Southampton slip-up ahead of Liverpool’s ‘incredible’ week

Updated 1 min 50 sec ago
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Slot warns of Southampton slip-up ahead of Liverpool’s ‘incredible’ week

  • Slot has made a remarkable start to his time in charge of the Reds, winning 15 of his first 17 games in all competitions
  • That has propelled Liverpool into a five-point lead over City at the top of the Premier League and to the summit of the new-format Champions League

LIVERPOOL: Arne Slot said he cannot be distracted by Liverpool’s upcoming showdowns with Real Madrid and Manchester City as the injury-hit Premier League leaders visit Southampton on Sunday.
Slot has made a remarkable start to his time in charge of the Reds, winning 15 of his first 17 games in all competitions.
That has propelled Liverpool into a five-point lead over City at the top of the Premier League and to the summit of the new-format Champions League.
“It would be a bit strange if I tell you I’m not enjoying being in the position we are in now, but we also understand we’re only 11 (league) games in now, so that’s a lot of games to be played,” said Slot at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
A trip to bottom-of-the-table Southampton appears the ideal appetiser to two huge clashes as Madrid visit Anfield on Wednesday before a showdown with City on December 1.
But Slot is wary of the threat posed by the Saints, who have often dominated possession without reward on their return to the top-flight.
“We indeed have incredible fixtures coming up, starting with Southampton,” added Slot.
“It’s not going to be easy even if everyone feels it is (because they are) bottom of the league. (Southampton) do not play at all like this and they made it difficult for teams that are in the top three of four.
“Their playing style is very interesting, it is a joy to watch their games.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold could be back in time to face Madrid, but is unlikely to return from a hamstring injury this weekend, while Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota remain out.
Liverpool’s title rivals received a major boost this week as Pep Guardiola extended his contract as Manchester City boss until 2027.
Slot is a confessed admirer of the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach, who has led City to six Premier League titles in the past seven seasons.
“That’s good news for City first of all, and also good news for the league because I think everyone wants to have the best managers possible and the best players over here,” said Slot.
“On the other hand City have so many quality players that if he made the choice to leave the club I would never expect them to be bottom of the league next season.”


Leverkusen’s Boniface sidelined with leg injury

Updated 1 min 33 sec ago
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Leverkusen’s Boniface sidelined with leg injury

  • “He’s got a small injury in his thigh muscle, it’s a shame,” Alonso told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Heidenheim
  • Nigerian media reported Boniface could miss the remainder of 2024 but Alonso was optimistic the striker would be back soon

BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen and Nigeria striker Victor Boniface is set to miss “a few games” after returning from international duty with a leg injury, coach Xabi Alonso said Friday.
“He’s got a small injury in his thigh muscle, it’s a shame,” Alonso told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Heidenheim.
Nigerian media reported Boniface could miss the remainder of 2024 but Alonso was optimistic the striker would be back soon.
“He won’t be there tomorrow or against Salzburg (Champions League).
“We hope he will play again this year. We have to wait and see, but it’s not going to be six or eight weeks.”
Forward Patrik Schick, who has started just twice in the league this season, is expected to step up in the Nigerian’s absence.
“He is always ready — we don’t just need him now, but always.”
The defending champions, who did not lose a game in Germany last year on the way to an unbeaten league and cup double, have stuttered this season.
Leverkusen are currently in fourth, nine points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. Alonso’s men have dropped 13 points so far this season, one more than the 12 they leaked in the entirety of the last campaign.
Boniface is Leverkusen’s highest scorer in the league, with six goals and an assist in 10 games.


Arsenal, Man City and Bayern advance to Women’s Champions League quarterfinals

Updated 22 November 2024
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Arsenal, Man City and Bayern advance to Women’s Champions League quarterfinals

  • Arsenal, Bayern and City join Chelsea, Lyon and Real Madrid in the quarterfinals
  • Two-time defending champions Barcelona routed Austrian champion St. Polten 4-1

LONDON: Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich all advanced to the Women’s Champions League quarterfinals with with two games to spare on Thursday.

Late substitute Lina Hurtig scored the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Juventus in London.

Khadija Shaw scored twice for City in a 2-1 win at Swedish club Hammarby. City stayed perfect in Group D with four victories and reached the last eight for the first time since 2021.

Bayern Munich was held 1-1 at Vålerenga in Norway and still earned a quarterfinal berth after Juventus’ loss.

Arsenal, Bayern and City join Chelsea, Lyon and Real Madrid in the quarterfinals.

Two-time defending champions Barcelona routed Austrian champion St. Polten 4-1. The Catalan club trails City by three points in their group and is in a strong position to advance.

Bayern tops Group C with 10 points, Arsenal has nine followed by Juventus (3) and Vålerenga (1).

Back to winning

Man City responded to their first loss of the season, 2-0 at Chelsea in the Women’s Super League on Saturday.

Still without injured star Vivianne Miedema, Shaw took charge, proving her scoring instincts after half an hour.

The forward scored from inside the penalty area with a deflected shot that flew over goalkeeper Anna Tamminen to frustrate more than 20,000 noisy fans at the Stockholm Arena in the Swedish capital.

Ellen Wangerheim equalized soon after the interval from close range to rejuvenate the crowd but Shaw struck again to restore the lead just minutes later.

This time, she delivered a powerful right-footed finish from the edge of the area.

Bayern and Harder contained

Bayern dominated possession but could not translate it into goals until the 75th minute. It had to rely on substitute Jovana Damnjanovic, who gave the visitors a late lead after connecting on a pass from Giulia Gwinn.

The Norwegians, who have retained their domestic title, equalized in the 88th on Elize Thorsnes’ header following a corner.

Pernille Harder, who found the back of the net five times for Bayern in the previous three games, could not do it again on Thursday and was substituted.

Hurtig’s night

Hurtig came on with 10 minutes remaining and made her presence immediately felt with several headers.

She finally made the breakthrough with a minute remaining in regulation, tapping in from close range after Juventus’ poor clearance of a low cross by Stina Blackstenius.

Hurtig won the Italian title with Juventus in 2021 and 2022 before joining the Gunners.

Juventus seemed to learn a lesson from its 4-0 loss to Arsenal last week as its defense held firm till Hurtig’s arrival.

Putellas scores her 200th Barcelona goal

In an 11-minute span in the first half, Francisca Nazareth netted twice and 18-year-old Vicky Lopez scored once to put Barcelona in control.

Nazareth’s double was followed by Lopez hitting the third with a shot high into the net for her first Champions League goal.

Alexia Putellas made it 4-0 in the second half, finishing a fast attack that tore apart the defense in Vienna. It was her 200th goal for Barcelona and the 100th the club scored in the Champions League’s group stage.

Valentina Madl, an 18-year-old forward, netted a consolation goal for the hosts.

Barcelona have scored 20 goals in its past three games and can still become the first club to win its group in all four years since the introduction of the format.


Pep Guardiola signs a 2-year contract extension at Manchester City

Updated 21 November 2024
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Pep Guardiola signs a 2-year contract extension at Manchester City

  • The Catalan coach has overseen a period of unprecedented dominance since joining City in 2016
  • “I have a really special feeling for this football club,” he said

MANCHESTER, England: Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension to stay at Manchester City, the club announced Thursday.
The City manager’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season, but Guardiola ended speculation about his future by agreeing to a deal that would bring him to 11 seasons in Manchester.
The Catalan coach has overseen a period of unprecedented dominance since joining City in 2016. He has gone on to win six Premier League titles in seven years and also lifted the Champions League among 15 major trophies at the club.


“Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here. We have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club,” he said.
“That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”
Under Guardiola, City became the first team to win four-straight English league titles. He also led City to the treble in 2023, winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in one season — matching Manchester United’s achievement in 1999.
“I have said this many times before,” Guardiola continued in his statement, “but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much. Hopefully now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
Guardiola has managed City for longer than any his former clubs, having spent four years at Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich.


Injuries forcing Bayern Munich to innovate before tough games ahead

Updated 21 November 2024
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Injuries forcing Bayern Munich to innovate before tough games ahead

  • João Palhinha was injured while on duty with Portugal, likely ruling the midfielder out for the rest of the year
  • Kompany said the quality of his squad had not declined despite the injuries

MUNICH: Injuries are forcing Bayern Munich to innovate before a series of tough games after the international break.
João Palhinha was injured while on duty with Portugal, likely ruling the midfielder out for the rest of the year, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is doubtful for Augsburg’s visit in the Bundesliga on Friday because of a rib injury.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said on Thursday that Neuer felt a “stabbing pain,” the reason the 38-year-old goalkeeper was unable to finish Wednesday’s training session.
If Neuer can’t make it, third-choice Daniel Peretz will play against Augsburg. Bayern said reserve ‘keeper Sven Ulreich is out for “personal reasons for the time being.”
French forward Mathys Tel was also injured on international duty with France Under-21s.
But Kompany said the quality of his squad had not declined despite the injuries.
“They’re just different types of players,” Kompany said of the replacements. “We have confidence that the performances will be up to scratch.”
Leon Goretzka will get another chance to make an impression in midfield following Palhinha’s injury. The former Germany international had been expected to leave Bayern in the offseason but made his first start of the season in the 1-0 win at St. Pauli before the international break.
Goretzka was arguably fourth choice at the start of the season, behind Bayern youngster Aleksandar Pavlović, Palhinha, and Austrian Konrad Laimer.
The 20-year-old Pavlović started all but one of Bayern’s opening seven Bundesliga games before breaking his collarbone early in the 4-0 win over Stuttgart, giving Palhinha his opportunity.
Laimer has been helping out in defense, covering for Sacha Boey and Raphaël Guerreiro.
“We’ve many injuries in defense. He’s been outstanding in this role,” Kompany said of Laimer.
Bayern lead the Bundesliga by five points after 10 rounds.
After Augsburg, the Bavarian powerhouse face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, and defending champion Bayer Leverkusen in the third round of the German Cup.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said the Leverkusen match felt like it should be the final. The teams will play in Munich, likely with Goretzka still in midfield.
“We are happy that we’ve played such a season so far and are totally in flow in all competitions,” Eberl said.