RIO DE JANEIRO: Spanish badminton world No.1 Carolina Marin will do battle with ace Indian shuttler P. V. Sindhu for Olympic gold after they both breezed into the women’s singles final.
Marin beat Chinese defending champion Li Xuerui in straight games on Thursday as she kept her quest for a first Olympic gold medal on track with a commanding performance in Rio.
The 23-year-old’s defeat of Li piled further misery on China, who won a clean sweep of five badminton gold medals at London 2012, but can now only win two.
The Spaniard took the first game 21-14 and the second 21-16 with Sindhu later also requiring just two games to dispatch Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara and set up Friday’s showdown.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the final but I feel emotional because I have worked so hard for this and I want to collect the reward tomorrow,” said Marin.
Sindhu edged her Japanese counterpart 21-19 in the first game and the second also looked like it was heading to the wire with the pair locked at 10-10.
However, Sindhu then won an astonishing 11 points in a row to clinch victory and a shot at Olympic glory in her debut Games.
“I didn’t think it was gong to finish in two games. At 19-19 in the first it was anybody’s game. Each and every point was important for me,” she said.
“In the second game it was equal up to 10 points and then I took a huge lead and didn’t take it easy because you never know what might happen,” the 21-year-old added.
India are struggling at Rio, collecting only won bronze medal so far. Sindhu has guaranteed at least a silver but insists she doesn’t feel the weight of expectation from the medal-starved country of 1.3 billion people.
“It’s a great moment for me playing in the final. Just one more match to go and I’m really focused and prepared for it.
“Of course she’s a very tough opponent and it’s not going to be easy tomorrow because it’s an Olympic final and also she’s really playing well,” said the Indian.
Li’s defeat to Marin compounded badminton powerhouse China’s woe at Rio. The shuttlers have struggled in Brazil after a formidable showing four years ago.
The Asian giant missed out on Olympic women’s doubles badminton gold for the first time since the 1992 Barcelona Games when Tang Yuanting and Yu Yang lost in the semifinals on Tuesday.
It was a second blow to China in the space of 24 hours after both their pairs lost in the semifinals of the mixed doubles, which was was eventually won by Indonesia.
Their final shots at glory come in the men’s singles and men’s doubles.
Double Olympic champion Lin Dan and Chen Long play in separate men’s semifinals on Friday while Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan will compete in the men’s doubles final later that day.
“Our team is strong and we’ve tried our best to perform well but now it’s really competitive. Every team from around the world is strong and powerful,” said Li following her loss to Marin.
Marin, Sindhu to clash in badminton final
Marin, Sindhu to clash in badminton final
Chelsea’s title hopes rocked by shock defeat at Ipswich
Maresca’s side were rocked by Liam Delap’s early penalty and a second-half goal from former Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson.
Chelsea’s second successive defeat after their Boxing Day loss against Fulham left them without a win in their last three matches.
The west Londoners had emerged as surprise title contenders after an eight-match winning run in all competitions.
But Maresca had insisted throughout that spell that Chelsea’s inexperienced squad do not have what it takes to win the title in his first season after arriving from Leicester.
And the Italian’s prediction looks spot on after a shock result in Suffolk that leaves Chelsea in fourth place, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
“We focus game by game. We are not focused on title race or those things,” Maresca said.
“It was a strange game. We had many chances but we could do many things better, defend better in some moments.
“Now we’ve finished the first part of the season, no one expected us to be where we are. It’s a long race.”
Third-bottom Ipswich climb within one point of safety after winning for the second time in their last four matches.
Kieran McKenna’s side have renewed belief they can avoid relegation back to the Championship thanks to their first top-flight home win in 22 years.
“Special night for the club. First home win in the Premier League at Portman Road for 22 years and to do it against Chelsea was fantastic,” McKenna said.
“Everyone involved with Ipswich can enjoy a glass of sparkly stuff tomorrow night and think about some of the moments we’ve had over the last couple of years.”
Ipswich took the fight to Chelsea right from the start as Delap bullied the visitors’ defense in pugnacious fashion.
Delap raced onto Leif Davis’ inch-perfect pass in the 12th minute and went to ground after the faintest of kicks by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Referee John Brooks awarded the spot-kick and Delap drilled into the bottom corner for his seventh goal of the season.
Cole Palmer almost levelled immediately when his free-kick from 22 yards smacked against the post.
Palmer’s superb left-footed cross was converted by Joao Felix midway through the first half but the Portugal striker’s powerful finish was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
Just before half-time, Palmer’s superb 20-yard curler looked destined for the top corner after Felix’s lay-off, only for Christian Walton to brilliantly parry onto the crossbar.
Felix’s header was cleared off the line by Wes Burns early in the second half before Walton thwarted Noni Madueke’s low effort.
Chelsea’s profligacy came back to haunt them as Ipswich doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.
Axel Disasi carelessly passed straight to Delap on the halfway line and he ran at Levi Colwill before passing back to Hutchinson.
Intelligently working a yard of space, Hutchinson drilled into the bottom corner.
It was a special goal for Hutchinson against a club that released him twice from their youth team.
Chelsea were unable to muster a response as Ipswich inflicted a painful defeat with repercussions at both ends of the table.
Newcastle extend Man United’s losing run with ease
- The Magpies cruised to a 2-0 win at Old Trafford
- Alexander Isak and Joelinton struck inside the first 19 minutes as a fifth consecutive win lifted Newcastle into fifth place
MANCHESTER: Manchester United ended a 2024 to forget with a fourth consecutive defeat as Newcastle cruised to a 2-0 win at Old Trafford to intensify the scrutiny on Red Devils’ boss Ruben Amorim.
Just two months into his tenure, Amorim conceded this week that his job is on the line unless results begin to improve.
The Portuguese has won just two of his first nine league games to leave United languishing down in 14th, just seven points above the relegation zone.
Alexander Isak and Joelinton struck inside the first 19 minutes as a fifth consecutive win lifted the Magpies into fifth.
Amorim stood aghast at what he was witnessing in the first half as Newcastle cut through the home side at will.
Just over three minutes were on the clock when Isak was afforded space inside the six-yard box to head in Lewis Hall’s cross and score for the sixth consecutive Premier League game.
United badly missed the presence of suspended captain Bruno Fernandes as the Newcastle midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton played around the aging duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen with ease.
Isak blew a huge chance to double the visitors’ lead when he fluffed an attempted dink over Andre Onana and the Swedish striker also had a goal ruled out for offside.
However, it was just a matter of time before Newcastle added a second and it arrived when Joelinton burst in to meet Anthony Gordon’s cross.
Amorim responded by replacing Joshua Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes — a move greeted with cheers by the frustrated Old Trafford crowd.
Tonali should have made it 3-0 when he hit the post at the end of a flowing Newcastle move through the heart of the United defense.
However, Eddie Howe’s men nearly gifted the Red Devils a route back into the game before half-time.
Rasmus Hojlund missed a glorious chance to pull a goal back when the Dane fired wide with just Martin Dubravka to beat.
Casemiro then wasted an even better opportunity after Fabian Schar presented possession to Mainoo.
Amorim’s half-time pep talk did at least muster some response as United began the second half far better.
Harry Maguire’s header came back off the post before Hall blocked De Ligt’s goalbound follow-up effort.
Marcus Rashford had been restored to the United squad for the first time in five games but remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes as Amorim turned to another outcast in Alejandro Garnacho to make a difference.
But the Argentine international was introduced just as Newcastle had ridden the storm and began to assert their control once more.
A third consecutive home league defeat for the first time since 1979 is the latest in the list of sorry statistics that have marked United’s decade of decline.
The fear for Amorim is that the losing run only looks set to continue into 2025.
A daunting trip to runaway league leaders Liverpool awaits on Sunday before United travel to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.
All smiles as Djokovic and Kyrgios treat crowd to flashy shots in doubles victory
- It was Kyrgios’ first match in 18 months due to wrist and knee injuries, while Djokovic missed the season-ending ATP Finals
BRISBANE: Exchanging smiles, laughs and flashy shots, Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios teamed up in doubles on Monday as they both returned to the court in preparation for the Australian Open.
The two former Wimbledon final opponents reached the second round of the Brisbane International with a 6-4, 6-7 (4), 10-8 win against Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies.
It was Kyrgios’ first match in 18 months due to wrist and knee injuries, while Djokovic missed the season-ending ATP Finals last month with an unspecified injury.
They had the crowd on their feet several times at Pat Rafter Arena, including when Djokovic flicked an around-the-net backhand winner during the first set. Djokovic then turned to point at a grinning Kyrgios, who slapped Djokovic’s outstretched hand in celebration.
“That’s just an iconic Novak moment. The way the guy moves around the court, I’ve never moved like that in my life. I was just loving it,” said Krygios, who treated the crowd to some shot-making of his own.
When Kygrios won another point following another extravagant shot — playing the ball between his legs, known as a tweener — he jogged proudly around the court with a grinning Djokovic chasing after him.
Then, after Kyrgios sealed the win with an ace, the pair jumped in the air to chest-bump each other.
“We tried to get the crowd on our side,” Djokovic said. “Get that energy and just use it for some good tennis.”
Kyrgios lost to Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final, but the 29-year-old Australian had not played tennis since June 2023.
“This injury has been brutal for me so I wasn’t taking any of this for granted,” Kyrgios said afterward in a courtside interview. “I don’t know how many Aussie summers I’ve got left so I was just looking around and loving the energy and just so happy to be back out here.”
The 37-year-old Djokovic has won the Australian Open singles title a record 10 times and counts a men’s record 24 majors. He owns 99 singles titles overall but only one in doubles.
Kyrgios won the won the 2022 Australian Open doubles title alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis, and said the timing was right to team up with Djokovic in Brisbane before the Australian Open starts next month.
“We promised that we were going to do this one more time before either he goes or I go, so I’m glad we’re still alive,” Kyrgios said.
Djokovic quickly agreed to the idea.
“He said the other day that it should be a pleasure to play with him, and it is. I’m glad to share the court with him on his comeback,” Djokovic said. “I haven’t played that many doubles matches in my life.”
They were given a wild-card entry into the doubles tournament and next face top-seeded pair Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus.
Saudi Pro League finalizes preparations for 2024-25 season winter transfer window
- Clubs will be able to sign new players between New Year’s Day and Jan. 30
- The league organized workshops for clubs to assess specific needs and help provide tailored support for them
RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League has finalized its preparations for the 2024-25 season’s winter transfer window, which runs from Jan. 1 to 30.
League authorities said they held a series of workshops with member clubs to assess specific needs and objectives for the transfer window and help provide tailored support for them, including the facilitation of transfers within the league.
During the 2024 summer transfer window, the 18 SPL clubs used 16 of the 36 available slots for foreign players under the age of 21; 13 clubs signed at least one U-21 player from another country, five did not make any signings in this category. The remaining slots are available to eligible clubs during the winter window.
All 18 teams utilized their maximum allowance of eight foreign players over the age of 21 during the summer transfer window. Any clubs planning new signings in this category will therefore have to terminate contracts, sell players or deregister members of their squads.
The SPL said it will also coordinate with clubs and the Financial Sustainability Committee to ensure compliance with league policies and regulations.
A total of 115 domestic players are registered for the 2024-25 SPL season, while 132 departed due to the end or termination of a contract, or sales to clubs in other leagues. Meanwhile, 101 foreign players joined the league this season, and 32 departed. The average player age of players in the league fell from 27.6 years old to 26.2.
The SPL said its preparations for the transfer window reflect its commitment to supporting clubs through the facilitation of transfers, improved governance and planning, efforts to ensure player welfare, and enhanced financial sustainability.
Naomi Osaka wins her first match of new season in a return from injury
- Naomi Osaka beats qualifier Lina Glushko 6-4, 6-4 in a tight contest in her first match since October
- Four-time Grand Slam champion had to deal with a swirling wind on center court and with delays in play
WELLINGTON: Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka made a winning return to the court after an almost three month absence Monday in the first round of the ASB tennis classic in Auckland, undeterred by protests outside the stadium against her Israeli opponent.
Osaka beat qualifier Lina Glushko 6-4, 6-4 in a tight contest in her first match since October when a back injury at the China Open ended her 2024 season.
All the hallmarks of Osaka’s game were present Monday: the powerful serve, forceful ground-strokes particularly from the forehand side and the aggression. She looked relaxed and comfortable on court with no sign of her recent injury.
Osaka had to deal with a swirling wind on center court and with delays in play caused by the chants of a small group of protesters which were clearly audible within the stadium. There was a longer break as Osaka was poised to serve out the first set when Glushko had to leave the court for treatment to a hip injury.
“I just heard a lot of shouting, and then people on the sidelines were telling me there was protests,” Osaka said.
“I had no idea what the score was most of the time. “I just kept trying to tell myself one point at a time and trying not to get discouraged.
“Thankfully it came out in my favor in the end.”
Osaka was supported at courtside by her new coach Patrick Mouratoglou who previously had a long-term association with Serena Williams.
She broke Glushko in the third game of the first set and held comfortably to win 6-4.
The second set was tighter. Osaka broke Glushko in the third game but Glushko converted her only break point of the match to level at 2-2.
Glushko held to love in the seventh game to lead 4-3 but Osaka seemed to step up at that point, held with two aces for 4-4, broke for 5-4 and held serve to love to clinch the win.
Her serve was solid throughout. She sent down seven aces and won 74 percent of first serve points. Her first serve averaged around 180kmh (111mph) and her slice around 140kmh (87mph).
“I think she’s a really amazing opponent. I’ve never played her before,” Osaka said. “It was good to have to scrap a little for the first round.”
