MELBOURNE: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka was pushed to the limit in setting up an Australian Open showdown with teenager Mirra Andreeva on Friday but Naomi Osaka’s run ended with an injury retirement in round three.
Also on day six in Melbourne, Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set before surging into the last 16 and Alexander Zverev staked his claim for a first major title with a third straight-sets victory.
Novak Djokovic later steps up his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam crown.
Women’s number one Sabalenka was made to work hard behind a faltering serve before beating Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the third round on Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka was broken four straight times at the start of the match but found her groove to win 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 after more than two hours of attritional tennis.
“I’m just super happy that I was able to just stay in the game and I was able to push myself, honestly, to the limit to get this win,” said Sabalenka, who is chasing a rare third Melbourne title in a row.
Her win puts her into a clash against highly rated 17-year-old Andreeva, the 14th seed, who beat Poland’s 23rd seed Magdalena Frech in three sets.
Russia’s Andreeva announced her burgeoning talent by beating Sabalenka in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros last year.
Two-time Melbourne champion Osaka was on a collision course with American third seed Coco Gauff in the next round.
But the former world number one needed treatment on her stomach from the trainer during the first set against Belinda Bencic and called it quits after losing the opener on a tiebreak.
Osaka, who was struggling with an abdominal injury in the build-up to the tournament and retired from the final in Auckland, was in the third round of a Slam for the first time since the birth of her daughter in 2023.
Alcaraz, who raced into the last 32 for the loss of just 12 games, suffered a wobble in the third set against Portugal’s unseeded Nuno Borges.
But the Spanish third seed, who has won four majors but never been beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne, regained his focus to ease through 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2.
Germany’s Zverev also booked his place in the second week of the opening Grand Slam of the year with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.
Zverev came into Melbourne at a career-high number two ranking and has not dropped a set in three matches at the tournament.
Djokovic and Alcaraz are on track for a quarter-final clash.
Ten-time champion Djokovic must first dispose of Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac in a prime-time evening match to reach the last 16.
Jakub Mensik, the Czech teenager who shocked sixth seed Casper Ruud in round two, will make his bid to reach the second week against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Gauff had to battle back from 5-3 down in the second set against Britain’s Jodie Burrage in round two after dropping her serve three times.
She knows she will need to improve against former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, even though she recently beat the Canadian at the United Cup, if she is to meet Bencic in the last 16.
“Obviously I did well at the United Cup. It’s a different match, different story. Anything can happen,” said Gauff, who plays in the night session on Margaret Court Arena.
In other women’s draw early action, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova swept past Germany’s Laura Siegemund, who stunned Zheng Qinwen in the second round, 6-1, 6-2.
The Russian 27th seed will face Croatian 18th seed Donna Vekic for a place in the quarter-finals.
Vekic outlasted another Russian, 12th seed Diana Shnaider, 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (3/7), 7-5 in the day’s first match on Margaret Court Arena
Seventh seed Jessica Pegula, the US Open finalist last year, takes on Serbia’s Olga Danilovic.
Sabalenka fights on at Australian Open, Osaka bows out injured
https://arab.news/watuu
Sabalenka fights on at Australian Open, Osaka bows out injured
- It was Aryna Sabalenka’s eighth match victory in a row to start the season after winning the Brisbane International 10 days ago
World Cricket Association lights a fuse with views on game’s governance
- In a comprehensive review last August, the WCA said it had ‘given up hope’ on a structure in which international cricket and domestic leagues could co-exist
Everyone associated with cricket knows the international calendar is overcrowded. Everyone also knows India is the game’s powerhouse and is shaping it to its will. Solutions and remedies to these situations are in short supply, especially given the interests vested in maintaining them.
Last August, in recognition of this, the World Cricketers’ Association initiated a comprehensive review of the game’s global structure. At the time, its chair said they had “given up hope” the game’s leaders could establish a clear, coherent structure in which international cricket and domestic leagues could co-exist. A six-person panel was established with a remit to produce recommendations to the WCA board after talking with players, administrators, team owners and broadcasters.
Between September 2024 and March 2025, 64 interviews were conducted. Of these, 19 were with players, split almost equally between men and women; 14 with current or past cricket administrators; 17 with individuals operating in the media or with commercial interests; and 14 representing player associations. What is striking is the low-level of input from both the International Cricket Council and India — one Indian journalist was interviewed, along with the CEO of an IPL team, an executive of JioStar and a legendary former Indian female cricketer.
Whilst disappointing, this failure to engage is hardly a surprise. Neither India nor Pakistan has recognized player associations. There is an Indian Cricket Association, formed in 2019, but its membership is restricted to former players and it is not affiliated to the WCA. This reticence to allow the formation of a genuine players’ union is underpinned by the Lodha Committee. In response to the 2013 IPL betting scandal, it was instructed by the Supreme Court to recommend reforms to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Although it recommended the formation of the ICA, it specified it should not act as a union. This lack of player representation further strengthens the BCCI’s power.
The extent of this power is laid bare in the WCA report, “Protecting History, Embracing Change: A Unified, Coherent Global Future.” It focuses on four areas — scheduling, economics, regulation and leadership — and suggests solutions to address a “broken global structure”. It is likely that many outside India will accord with this but therein lies the problem. India is now the dominant actor.
Under the ICC’s current revenue distribution model, the cricket boards of Australia, England and India together receive almost 50 percent, with the BCCI receiving the lion’s share at 38.5 percent. Some 87 percent of bilateral cricket revenues are retained by the same three countries. Only 2 percent of cricket’s global revenue is distributed to countries ranked 13th-108th by the ICC. This is not new information but perhaps the report will help these facts reach more eyes. Its proposed solution will certainly resonate widely.
The report proposes a new model in which each of the top 24 countries receives a minimum of 2 percent and maximum of 10 percent of ICC revenue. It also suggests countries ranked 25th and below should collectively receive a minimum of 10 percent. With the best will in the world, it is difficult to envisage this being acceptable to the BCCI, whose share would reduce from 38.5 to 10 percent.
Unsurprisingly, this suggestion has been received critically by the Indian press. It points out that the report does not talk about the contributions of the BCCI to the ICC’s revenue pool. Estimates vary as to the exact extent, but it is at least 70 percent. The WCA report also fails to recognize the sale of media rights for the India market which is generating an unparalleled inflow of funds for the ICC. In turn, this has led to an influx of advertisers and sponsors.
A further observation by the WCA which is guaranteed to rile Indians is that “the IPL accounts for almost half the global cricket but shares only circa 0.3 percent of revenue with other countries and less than 10 percent with players.”
No doubt the Indian response is to point out that the IPL is an Indian tournament and revenues should be used to benefit the Indian game. This is the case with other franchise leagues. As for distribution to players, there will be few who doubt the IPL pays handsomely.
Although the WCA’s case for economic reform looks to be on thin ice, its take on the game’s governance and regulation is likely to receive a better hearing, at least outside the current body vested with that responsibility. One recommendation which straddles these two areas is: “All distributions from the ICC to National Governing Bodies to be publicly accounted for and independently audited against clear KPIs and enforcement mechanisms.” The fact this is considered at all is suggestive of currently imperfect control systems.
Famously, the previous ICC Chair said the governing body was not fit for purpose, a view shared by many. Upending and replacing the ICC is a task not for the faint hearted since it would directly take on Indian interests. The ICC is a members’ club answerable to no one and, as such, is unlikely to vote for its own abolition. A revolution is not in the air, yet. In recognition of this, the WCA boldly proposes an interim step of an “independently chaired Global Game Leadership Committee to make recommendations to the game and ICC Board,” comprised of “25 percent national boards, 25 percent DT20 leagues/franchises, 25 percent players and 25 percent independents.
It is obvious that the review undertaken by the WCA ought to be one conducted by the ICC. The fact it has not done so reflects its strategic inertia and constricted leadership faculties. An overcrowded calendar can be laid at its door. As a minimum, the WCA has suggested four three-week windows in the calendar that would be reserved for “core international cricket,” with commercial rights pooled.
Whilst a number of the WCA’s recommendations are unlikely to be either practical or acceptable, it has done a service by bringing together a raft of fragmented concerns which plague the game’s future direction. Every so often cricket is subject to transformational tremors. We may be on the brink of another.
‘We were serious’: Dominant Dubai Basketball cruise to 23-point victory over Serbia’s FMP Soccerbet
- Dubai cements their place in the top 3 of the ABA League standings following an 84-61 win at Coca-Cola Arena
DUBAI: With the playoff season fast approaching, Dubai Basketball continue to impress in their debut ABA League season with back-to-back wins, continuously establishing themselves as title contenders.
Their latest success came on Saturday night as the home side cruised past FMP Soccerbet with a resounding 84-61 victory, strengthening their position in the ABA League top three.
Dubai now have their their sights on silverware as they edge closer to the playoffs in May. Reigning champions Crvena Zvezda’s (Red Star) shock loss in Round 25 of the regular season has propelled Dubai Basketball to an unprecedented debut season standing with just five games left until playoffs.
An electrifying start set the tone for a dominant night when Ahmet Duverioglu opened the scoring with back-to-back two-pointers before Davis Bertans quickly followed up with consecutive three-pointers, giving Dubai a well-deserved early lead. Their relentless defensive pressure and physicality countered FMP’s attacking efforts, limiting the otherwise strong side that had won against Dubai on Serbian soil. By the end of the first quarter, Dubai had already established a commanding 10-point advantage.
Dubai Basketball coach Jurica Golemac commented on the big win: “I need to give the credit to the players. You know, these are not easy games to play. We were serious. We were very focused, disciplined.
“We got a great group of players with great character who are very experienced. They know that we need to do the job before the playoffs. We want to get the best position that we can get before the playoff. So, they’re all focusing, locked in.”
FMP attempted to respond at the start of the second quarter, with Filip Barna leading the Serbian side’s lineup, scoring 17 points. However, Dubai’s intensity never wavered. By halftime, the lead had stretched to nearly 20 points thanks to Dubai’s unshakeable guard Nate Mason’s impressive 18-point contribution.
With three minutes remaining, Dubai retained a comfortable 20-point lead, essentially sealing the win. However, the night’s most electrifying moment came when Filipino star player Thirdy Ravena stunned with a three-point jump shot with just two minutes left on the clock, sparking an eruption from the 2,800-strong crowd at Coca-Cola Arena.
Dubai Basketball now turn their attention to next weekend as they push to stay at the top of the ABA League standings, with a league title within reach. The team takes on Croatian team Zadar on April 6 at Coca-Cola Arena for what is sure to be another unmissable home game.
Altomare hangs on to tie defending champ Korda at LPGA Match Play
- Korda’s Match Play victory last year was part of a spectacular seven-title campaign
- This year’s tournament features 64 players drawn into 16 groups for round-robin match play, with one player from each group advancing to the knockout rounds
LOS ANGELES: Nelly Korda’s LPGA Match Play title defense got off to a sluggish start Wednesday as Brittany Altomare rallied from 2-down to tie the world No. 1 on the opening day at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“To end up in a tie was a win for me,” said Altomare, who is working her way back after taking time off to have a baby last year.
“Nelly is a great player. Obviously world No. 1 and a great person. It was a lot of fun out there.”
On a day when cold, gusting winds ramped up the level of difficulty, Korda opened with three bogeys as Altomare took an early 1-up lead.
Korda’s first birdie of the day at the par-three fifth put her 1-up and she was 2-up with four to play before a bogey at 15 cut her lead to one.
Altomare nabbed her first birdie of the day at the par-five 16th to level the match.
“I reached that green in two, and I think those two shots really felt good,” Altomare said.
“I was 2-down, so I felt like that was kind of a turning point for me to keep the match going.”
Korda’s Match Play victory last year was part of a spectacular seven-title campaign.
But she has yet to win this season, with two top-10 finishes in three starts.
The tie left Korda and Altomare half a point behind Ariya Jutanugarn in group one after the Thai star rallied late to beat Jennifer Kupcho 3 and 2.
This year’s tournament features 64 players drawn into 16 groups for round-robin match play, with one player from each group advancing to the knockout rounds.
If there is a tie for first in a group, the winner will be determined by a playoff.
It is a change from last year, when the top eight players after three rounds of stroke play advanced to weekend match play.
Among other day-one matches, Canada’s Brooke Henderson came up with a big victory, winning 6 and 5 over Ireland’s Leona Maguire, who was runner-up to Korda last year.
“First hole Leona stuffed it to two feet so I had to make maybe an over 20 feet birdie putt to halve the hole. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is going to be hard.’
She holed it and never trailed, taking a 2-up lead through three after a couple of Maguire miscues and pushing it to 3-up with a birdie at the par-five fourth.
Henderson said getting off to a strong start was important not only because of the challenging conditions but also because of Maguire’s match play credentials, which include a strong Solheim Cup resume.
“Playing with Leona, I knew it was going to be really, really tough because she has such a great track record with match play and she is such a great player.
“She was playing well. It was just a really tough day out there.”
World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand led all the way in a 6 and 5 victory over American Danielle Kang.
But third-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand suffered a shock defeat, falling 6 and 4 to Australian world No. 140 Hira Naveed — who made it into the field as the first alternate.
Liverpool restore 12-point lead as Jota seals win over Everton
- The champions elect, with 73 points after 30 games, restored their 12-point lead over second-placed Arsenal
LIVERPOOL, England: Liverpool continued their march toward the Premier League title with a 1-0 victory over Everton in a scrappy Merseyside derby as Diogo Jota slotted home the winner in the second half on Wednesday.
The champions elect, with 73 points after 30 games, restored their 12-point lead over second-placed Arsenal while Everton, whose nine-game league unbeaten ended, are 15th on 34 points.
Everton’s Beto had an early goal chalked off for offside and missed a sitter before Jota broke the deadlock in the 57th minute with his first goal in two-and-a-half months. Anfield erupted when Luis Diaz back-heeled the ball into Jota’s path and the Portuguese forward beat a tackle before firing into the net.
“Massive, of course,” Jota said summing up the win. “Not only because it is a derby, but because of the (first game since the) international break. It was important to start with three points and hopefully that gives us momentum for the rest of the season.”
Liverpool fans thought Everton should have been reduced to 10 men after 11 minutes following a fierce tackle by defender James Tarkowski on Alexis Mac Allister, but Everton’s captain was only shown a yellow card.
The teams had met in an explosive derby in February that ended 2-2, with Tarkowski equalising deep in stoppage time in a chaotic game that featured four red cards, including one to Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
While Liverpool are unbeaten in 26 league games, they went into last month’s international break on a negative note after being eliminated by Paris St. Germain in the Champions League and losing to Newcastle United in the League Cup final.
Slot’s men looked sluggish and disjointed on Wednesday and Everton could have gone ahead when Beto raced away from defender Virgil van Dijk and beat goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher before hitting his shot against the post.
Kelleher started in goal for Liverpool, with regular starter Alisson recovering from a concussion suffered on international duty with Brazil.
The heated mood in Anfield was cranked up another notch with the contentious early tackle. Tarkowski won the ball but his studs-up follow-through caught Mac Allister square in the calf. VAR confirmed the decision of a yellow card, which gave the center back the joint most yellow cards without being sent off in Premier League history, with 63.
“I thought at the time that it was a brilliant tackle for a derby game,” Everton boss David Moyes said.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said on the Sky Sports commentary that Tarkowski was very lucky to escape a red card for a tackle that was a “potential leg breaker.”
“We were playing against Everton, they make it very difficult for you,” Van Dijk said. The games we have played against each other over the years have always been tough.
“They have a certain way of playing and you have to be ready for it. The first half wasn’t our greatest but we kept a clean sheet and obviously Jota made a fantastic goal. Three points and we move on.”
Moyes remained without a victory at Anfield in 22 games leading Manchester United, Sunderland and West Ham United as well as his current team.
“Liverpool were the better team, there’s no doubt about that,” Moyes said.
“But I don’t like the goal, I think the goal was offside. I’m really surprised it wasn’t given. Or maybe I’m not surprised. I don’t think many managers come here and think that they get loads of decisions at Anfield generally.”
Newcastle beat Brentford 2-1 with Tonali stunner and Isak’s 20th
NEWCASTLE, England: Sandro Tonali scored a sensational winner and Alexander Isak took his season’s Premier League goal tally to 20 as Newcastle United beat Brentford 2-1 on Wednesday to boost their bid for a Champions League place.
Tonali struck in the 74th with a goal destined for endless replays, the shot fired in from a tight angle near the right-hand touchline and leaving Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken no chance.
“Honestly, it was 70 percent cross and 30 percent shot,” said the Italian midfielder. “It was difficult for the goalkeeper and difficult also for me. Also a little bit of luck.”
Isak reached his milestone for the second season in a row by prodding home Jacob Murphy’s cross from close range in first-half stoppage time at St. James’ Park after reported Newcastle transfer target Bryan Mbeumo slipped up.
Swedish striker Isak had earlier squandered a golden opportunity by crossing to Harvey Barnes, whose header was ruled offside, instead of shooting directly in a rare moment of indecision.
Mbeumo equalized from the penalty spot in the 66th minute by calmly sending Nick Pope the wrong way for his 15th goal of the campaign after the goalkeeper had brought down Yoane Wissa.
Brentford pressed to the end after Tonali’s goal and came close in stoppage time, with a late penalty claim and VAR check after Mikkel Damsgaard went down with eight extra minutes already on the clock, in a nervy finish for the home crowd.
Damsgaard had also miscued and fired over the bar five minutes earlier.
Newcastle, playing for the first time since they ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy with a landmark League Cup triumph at Wembley, are now fifth on 50 points — one behind champions Manchester City and with a game in hand.
Brentford are 11th on 41.
“This win is nice for the Champions League for us, we have a good week and it is perfect for this week,” said Tonali, speaking to Premier League Productions.
“Now we play only for the first five teams, for the Champions League.”
Mbeumo, who has scored all 10 of his 10 penalties, said Brentford had deserved more with Ethan Pinnock also hitting the post with a header in the second half.
“It was a good performance but at the end it was not enough. I think we knew it was going to be a tough game against a very good side and at the end it was a bit frustrating. It is hard to take,” said the Cameroon international.
