Ons Jabeur through to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina

Ons Jabeur will face reigning champion Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (Supplied)
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Updated 06 February 2025
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Ons Jabeur through to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina

  • Tunisian star defeated Wakana Sonobe in straight sets while the US’ Ashlyn Krueger produced a stunning fightback to beat Daria Kasatkina

ABU DHABI: Ons Jabeur has reached the last eight of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open with a straight-sets victory over 17-year-old Wakana Sonobe, and on Thursday takes on reigning champion, Elena Rybakina, who came from behind to beat Katie Volynets.

In arguably the performance of the day, the US’ Ashlyn Krueger produced a stunning fightback to beat last year’s runner-up Daria Kasatkina, while Belinda Bencic, Marketa Vondrousova, Leylah Fernandez, Linda Noskova and Magda Linette are also through to the last eight.

Fan-favorite Jabeur had booked her passage to the last 16 with a superb display against Jelena Ostapenko. But she faced a different type of challenge against rising star Sonobe, who had recorded two qualifying wins before defeating Yue Yan in the round of 32. This was just over one week after claiming the girls’ singles title at the Australian Open.

While both players began the match in confident fashion, with Sonobe holding her own for the early part of the first set, her lack of experience against top players soon became apparent as she lost her last three service games in the first set to fall 1-0 down.

While Sonobe broke Jabeur immediately in the second set, the Tunisian former world No. 2 regained her composure and began to dictate play, breaking the Japanese youngster twice on her way to a 6-3, 6-3 victory. She now plays Rybakina in a repeat of the 2022 Wimbledon final.

Looking ahead, Jabeur said: “It’s going to be a tough match. Elena plays really well, and I know she loves playing here on this surface. I will just try to do my best, and focus on myself, and what I can do better on the court.”

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina came from behind to beat Volynets in her first appearance of this year’s tournament. It was a slow start from Rybakina, who dropped the first game of the match on serve, allowing American Volynets to take the first set 6-2.

Rybakina, however, is the current champion for a reason, and her response was both predictable and emphatic, as she bounced back to win the second set 6-4, before taking the third by the same scoreline, getting her defense of the crown off to the perfect start.

While Rybakina is defending the title she won a year ago, the 2023 champion, Bencic, was also in action on Wednesday, with the Swiss star producing the most dominant performance of the day as she swept aside Kudermetova 6-0, 6-0 in just 64 minutes.

Bencic will now face 2023 Wimbledon champion, Vondrousova, who followed up her win over Emma Raducanu with another solid display, this time against Yulia Putintseva, running out a 6-2, 6-3 winner on Stadium Court.

Fernandez, although not quite as dominant as Bencic, booked her place in the quarterfinals courtesy of a comfortable victory over Lulu Sun, who provided minimal resistance, particularly in the first set which the Canadian claimed without losing a game.

Sun improved in the second set, but Fernandez, who was beaten by Coco Gauff at the recent Australian Open, simply produced a series of eye-catching shots for an impressive 6-0, 6-3 victory. She now faces Krueger in the last eight.

Krueger had made a brilliant comeback against Kasatkina. Having won just a solitary game in a one-sided first set, Krueger, 20, recomposed herself and responded in style, eventually securing an outstanding 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory.

In the day’s final two matches, Czech star Noskova, 20, produced a stunning performance to upset Paula Badosa, beating the Spaniard 6-4, 6-1. This sets up a last-eight meeting with Linette, who was awarded a victory via walkover in her tie against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova after she was forced to withdraw.

Stadium Court plays host to all four quarterfinals on Thursday, with Jabeur versus Rybakina undoubtedly the pick of the ties. The pair have met five times in their careers to date, with Jabeur winning three to Rybakina’s two, although one of those victories was the Wimbledon final in 2022.

Vondrousova and Bencic have been in fine form during the tournament so far, meaning their meeting is likely to be an intriguing one, while Fernandez versus Krueger is an opportunity to watch two of tennis’ young talents battle it out for a place in the semifinals.


Fluminense stun Al-Hilal to reach Club World Cup semifinal

Updated 05 July 2025
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Fluminense stun Al-Hilal to reach Club World Cup semifinal

Brazil’s Fluminense continued their fairy-tale run at the Club World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal on Friday in Orlando, Florida, to book their place in the semifinals.
The tournament underdogs struck first through Matheus Martinelli in the opening half before Al-Hilal hit back after the break when Marcus Leonardo found the net.
But Fluminense refused to be denied and regained their lead in the 70th minute through Hercules to secure a memorable win over Al-Hilal in the first meeting between the two clubs.
The Brazilian side, who entered the tournament as one of the biggest long shots, will now face the winners of Friday’s other quarter-final clash between Palmeiras and Chelsea.


“A Beautiful Gift“: Swiss women pioneers celebrate the game’s transformation

Updated 04 July 2025
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“A Beautiful Gift“: Swiss women pioneers celebrate the game’s transformation

  • The mascot of the tournament, a Saint Bernard puppy, bears her name, Maddli, in recognition of her role in advancing women’s football in Switzerland
  • There are now 40,000 registered women players and 134 female referees in Switzerland, according to the Swiss FA

SION, Switzerland: On the terrace of a restaurant in the Swiss city of Sion sits a group of pioneers of women’s football in Switzerland who have seen the beautiful game change beyond recognition.

For ⁠72-year-old Madeleine Boll, seeing the city in the French-speaking part of Switzerland hosting three games in the Women’s European Championship, which is being staged across the country, is a proud moment.

The mascot of the tournament, a Saint Bernard puppy, bears her name, Maddli, in recognition of her role in advancing women’s football in Switzerland.

At 12 years old in 1965, Boll became the first woman in Switzerland to obtain a license to play football, with FC Sion’s boys’ youth team. But just months later it was taken away from her after the club said it had made an error.

“I was the happiest little girl. But the day they took away my license, I was the unhappiest because I didn’t understand why I was forbidden to play,” Boll told Reuters.

However, it marked the first in a series of landmark moments that enabled women’s inclusion in Swiss football.

By 1970 the first Swiss Women’s Football League was created, with Boll’s father, Jean Boll, its president. Madeleine later played for FC Sion, one of the earliest women’s football clubs in Switzerland.

“It’s a beautiful gift because it’s here that the beginnings of Swiss women’s football took root,” she said.

KEY MOMENT
A lot has changed since Boll and her generation played. There are now 40,000 registered women players and 134 female referees in Switzerland, according to the Swiss FA.

“It was different. We didn’t have jerseys, we didn’t have means to travel ... We had to make people understand that we are capable of playing,” said 72-year-old Rosemarie Siggen, from Sion who started playing football toward the end of the 1960s.

For Siggen and Boll, who were joined by four other footballing pioneers in the women’s game in Sion, this year’s tournament is a key moment to make strides in supporting women’s football.

“The Euros will be a catalyst,” Boll told Reuters, pointing to it as an opportunity for greater investment in the women’s game.

The Swiss hosts are hoping the legacy of the tournament — being played across eight cities over the next month — will bolster female football in the country as Euro 2022 did for champions England. It is aiming to double the number of female players by 2027, according to the Swiss FA.

“It’s a bit difficult for these young girls. They need help. I think there should be stronger support, a real investment ... we want to see them progress because they can bring many beautiful things,” said Siggen.

Boll hopes that the Switzerland side, who lost their first match of the tournament 2-1 to Norway, can continue to make strides with more financial support.

“If we want to have a good Swiss team ... it will be important that girls become professional because it is difficult ... to achieve results while having a job or being a student,” Boll said.

UEFA, the governing body for European soccer, announced a record 600,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament. Basel will host the final on July 27 at St. Jakob-Park, the largest football stadium in Switzerland.


Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah ‘truly lost for words’ after Diogo Jota death

Updated 04 July 2025
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Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah ‘truly lost for words’ after Diogo Jota death

  • ‘Teammates come and go but not like this,’ Salah wrote on X
  • Jota and brother Andre Silva died when Lamborghini they were in veered off a road and burst into flames

BEIRUT: Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah paid tribute to his teammate Diogo Jota on Friday, after the Portuguese international died in a car crash on Thursday in northern Spain.
“I am truly lost for words. Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break,” Salah said on social media platform X.
Jota perished alongside his brother, Andre Silva, when the Lamborghini they were in veered off a road and burst into flames, Spanish police said Thursday.
Having been teammates since Jota joined the Premier League champions in 2020, Salah wrote on X: “Teammates come and go but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back.


“My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children. Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.”
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was “heartbroken” to learn about Jota’s death.
Klopp, who is Red Bull’s head of global soccer, had persuaded the Liverpool board to pay $62 million for Jota after he impressed at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it! I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre. Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father!” Klopp posted on Instagram.
The Spanish Guardia Civil said 28-year-old Jota and 25-year-old Silva were found dead near the northwestern city of Zamora. Jota’s death comes just weeks after he married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, while on vacation from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League title.
Upon getting married, Cardoso wrote in a social media post, “Yes to forever.” He leaves behind three children, the youngest born last year.


Russian foreign minister praises Al-Hilal’s ‘well-deserved’ win over Man City

Updated 04 July 2025
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Russian foreign minister praises Al-Hilal’s ‘well-deserved’ win over Man City

  • Sergey Lavrov hails victory in meeting with Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan
  • SPL team will play Fluminense in quarterfinal of Club World Cup on Friday

BEIRUT: Russia’s foreign minister on Friday congratulated Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal following the team’s defeat of Manchester City in their FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 match earlier in the week.

“It was a remarkable and dramatic match and well-deserved victory,” Sergey Lavrov said during a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Moscow.

“I would like to conclude with congratulations to your football team Al-Hilal on a 4-3 win against Manchester City at the Club World Cup,” he said.

The meeting was part of the prince’s official visit aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.

Lavrov’s comments caused a buzz on social media. One Russian user said on X: “Saudi Al-Hilal shines even in the corridors of power in Moscow!”

Several major news outlets also reported on Lavrov’s comments.

Sports editor Essa Aljokm wrote on X: “Al-Hilal on the political table … A team that translated the support of the leadership and the state, may God protect them, into the giant Saudi sports project. This time, it’s Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister.”

Al-Hilal made history on Monday night when they beat the English Premier League giants in Orlando. The Saudi Pro League team will now play Fluminense in the quarterfinal of the Club World Cup on Friday.

The Brazilian side beat Inter Milan 2-0 earlier on Monday.


Wimbledon pays tribute to Jota after Liverpool star’s death

Updated 04 July 2025
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Wimbledon pays tribute to Jota after Liverpool star’s death

  • Cabral was allowed to put the ribbon on his shirt sleeve for the second-round tie
  • “I know what he’s been through, what he conquered through his career and through his life,” he said

LONDON: Wimbledon paid tribute to Diogo Jota after the Liverpool star’s death as Portugal’s Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon during his doubles match on Friday.

Cabral was allowed to put the ribbon on his shirt sleeve for the second-round tie after the All England Club relaxed its strict all-white dress code to allow tributes to the Portugal forward.

Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in northern Spain while traveling to catch a ferry to England ahead of the start of pre-season training.

The accident came just days after Jota’s wedding to Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.

Cabral said he was driving to Wimbledon when he heard the news and praised Jota as “an idol, such an icon, such a good person.”

“I know what he’s been through, what he conquered through his career and through his life. So he’s just very inspiring for me,” he said after losing with Austrian partner Lucas Miedler against Czech duo Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.

“I just wish all the best for his family. I know they have good people around them so I hope they can get through it.”

British doubles player Neal Skupski, a passionate Liverpool fan, had also brought a black armband for his match on Thursday but opted not to wear it.

He suggested he may wear one later in the tournament, saying: “Maybe in the next couple of days.”