Title holder Swiatek dumped out by Ostapenko at US Open as Djokovic cruises through to last eight

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland during their women's singles fourth round match at the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sunday. (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
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Updated 04 September 2023
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Title holder Swiatek dumped out by Ostapenko at US Open as Djokovic cruises through to last eight

  • The mercurial Ostapenko, who had never made it to the last 16 in New York before this week, goes on to face title contender and home favorite Coco Gauff in the last eight after blasting Swiatek out of the tournament
  • Djokovic swept into his 13th US Open quarterfinal, cruising past 105th-ranked Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo

NEW YORK: Defending champion Iga Swiatek crashed out of the US Open on Sunday after defeat by Jelena Ostapenko and will lose her No.1 ranking, while Novak Djokovic marched into the quarterfinals.

Swiatek grabbed the opening set against Ostapenko but the unpredictable Latvian stormed back to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 and secure her fourth victory in as many meetings with the Polish star.

The mercurial Ostapenko, who had never made it to the last 16 in New York before this week, goes on to face title contender and home favorite Coco Gauff in the last eight after blasting Swiatek out of the tournament.

“She plays well against me, she’s always done that,” said Swiatek.

“I’m just surprised that my level changed so drastically. I don’t really know what happened with my game, I felt no control suddenly.”

Undeterred by falling behind, Ostapenko’s typically fearless and aggressive approach rendered Swiatek helpless and ensures there will be a new world No. 1 after the US Open.

Swiatek’s 75-week reign will come to an end, with rival Aryna Sabalenka set to take over top spot.

“I always expect a tough battle against Iga, she’s such a great player and won many Slams and is so consistent,” said Ostapenko, the 20th seed and 2017 French Open champion.

“I knew I had to be aggressive and play my game because that’s what she doesn’t like.

“I was just thinking that I have to play until the very last point, until we shake hands. I felt like I was playing better and didn’t give her many chances.”

Gauff ended Caroline Wozniacki’s fairytale Grand Slam comeback earlier Sunday as the sixth seed saw off the former world number one 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

The 19-year-old registered her 15th win in 16 matches, a run including titles in Washington and Cincinnati last month.

Gauff sparked into life after dropping the opening two games to pocket the opening set, but Wozniacki — — playing her first Grand Slam in over three years — wound back the clock to level the match.

Two-time US Open runner-up Wozniacki, 33, broke to start the deciding set, triggering a ferocious response from Gauff who swept the final six games to close out a gutsy victory.

Wozniacki, who made her tour debut when Gauff was only one, retired after the 2020 Australian Open to start a family, giving birth to two children.

She was trying to emulate Kim Clijsters, who beat the Dane in the 2009 US Open final on her own return to Grand Slam tennis from maternity leave.

Djokovic swept into his 13th US Open quarterfinal, cruising past 105th-ranked Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to advance to a showdown with American No.1 Taylor Fritz.

After recovering from two sets down in the previous round, Djokovic dictated from the outset against 25-year-old outsider Gojo who had won just one Grand Slam match prior to this week.

Djokovic broke twice in the first set, the 23-time Grand Slam winner shaking off an early wobble in the second and procuring another break in the third to polish off Gojo without the drama of his preceding five-set victory over Laslo Djere.

The 36-year-old Serbian star will on Tuesday look to continue his dominance of Fritz, a player he’s beaten in all seven past meetings including a one-sided affair in Cincinnati last month.

“He’s been playing some terrific tennis particularly on home soil here in the States,” Djokovic said of Fritz, the only man yet to drop a set so far.

“Obviously the matches are going to get tougher from here onwards and I’m ready. It’s going to be great.”

Fritz became the third American man to reach the quarter-finals Sunday after a straight-sets win over Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker.

The ninth seed knocked out world number 128 Stricker 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-4 to match his mother Kathy May’s run to the 1978 US Open quarterfinals.

He joins compatriots Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton in the next round. It is the first time the US has had three men’s quarterfinalists in New York since 2005.

Tiafoe, seeded 10th, advanced to an all-American quarter-final against 47th-ranked Shelton after defeating Australia’s Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 6-1, 6-4.

The 25-year-old Tiafoe reached the semifinals of the US Open last year where he lost in five sets to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Meanwhile Shelton, 20, took down 14th-seeded compatriot Tommy Paul in four sets to reach his second Grand Slam quarter-final of the year.

He avenged his loss to Paul in the last eight of the Australian Open, winning 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to become the youngest American man to reach the US Open quarters since Andy Roddick in 2002.


Mbappe doubtful for Real Madrid’s Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal

Updated 17 June 2025
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Mbappe doubtful for Real Madrid’s Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal

Club sources told Reuters that Mbappe woke up with a high fever
Mbappe has been instrumental for Real Madrid this season

MIAMI: Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for their opening Club World Cup match against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on Wednesday, after missing training on Tuesday due to illness.

Club sources told Reuters that Mbappe woke up with a high fever. While he has not been officially ruled out, the source said his availability for the clash at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium was in “more than reasonable doubt”.

The potential absence of Mbappe leaves newly-appointed Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso facing a selection dilemma, as the Frenchman is currently the only recognized center forward in the squad.

Brazilian teenager Endrick, who could have provided an alternative, was left out of the traveling party following a leg muscle injury sustained during Real’s LaLiga fixture at Sevilla last month.

Mbappe has been instrumental for Real Madrid this season, scoring 31 LaLiga goals since his high-profile summer move from Paris St. Germain.

Real Madrid enter the tournament as one of the favorites, having dominated European football over the last decade, winning five of the last 10 Champions League titles.

Al-Hilal secured their place in the competition by triumphing in the AFC Champions League in 2021 and will look to capitalize on any weakness in Madrid’s lineup.

Fluminense begin Club World Cup with goalless draw against Dortmund

Updated 17 June 2025
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Fluminense begin Club World Cup with goalless draw against Dortmund

  • Fluminense were firmly in control against the Bundesliga side in the first half
  • Dortmund struggled to get a foothold in the match with no shots on goal in the first half

NEW JERSEY: Fluminense held Borussia Dortmund to a 0-0 draw in their Group F Club World Cup opener in New Jersey on Tuesday, as the Brazilian side were left to rue missed chances at MetLife Stadium.

Fluminense were firmly in control against the Bundesliga side in the first half but Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel produced a handful of superb saves to frustrate the Brazilian team in front of a crowd mostly in their favor.

After Dortmund struggled to get a foothold in the match with no shots on goal in the first half, Kobel did his part with a remarkable double-save midway through the second half and frantic late efforts from both sides went unrewarded.

Flag-waving Fluminense fans arrived early and cheered wildly as their team applied early pressure, with winger Jhon Arias’s shot toward the top corner saved by Kobel in the 17th minute.

Fluminense midfielder Martinelli missed by inches in the 34th minute and Kobel saved another fine attempt from Arias two minutes later.

Kobel kept out Fluminense striker Everaldo’s powerful shot from outside the box in the 69th minute and leapt to block a follow-up effort from midfielder Nonato moments later.

As scorching heat in the United States prompted concerns about welfare across the tournament, players were treated to overcast skies and mild temperatures in front of a modest crowd of 34,736 in the roughly 82,000 capacity NFL stadium.

Dortmund will next play Mamelodi Sundowns in Cincinnati, while Fluminense will return to MetLife to face Ulsan HD on Saturday.


Atmosphere for Chelsea’s Club World Cup opener a bit strange, says Maresca

Updated 17 June 2025
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Atmosphere for Chelsea’s Club World Cup opener a bit strange, says Maresca

  • “It was a good match, a good performance,” Maresca told reporters
  • “I think the environment was a bit strange. The stadium was almost empty. Not full“

LOS ANGELES: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said the atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was “a bit strange” as his side began their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in front of swathes of empty seats.

The multi-purpose stadium has a 71,000 capacity but Monday’s group stage match, which kicked-off at 3 p.m., attracted little over 22,000 spectators.

Atlanta is over 2,000 miles (3,220 km) away from Los Angeles, where Major League Soccer club LAFC are based.

“It was a good match, a good performance,” Maresca told reporters. “I think the environment was a bit strange. The stadium was almost empty. Not full.”

The Italian expected more fans to be in attendance when they take on Brazilian side Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday.

“We prepared for this game also thinking that the environment was a bit different,” Maresca said.

“But no doubt that the next one will be a nice one because we know that the Brazilian team, they always bring many, many fans. So we will try to be ready for the next one.”

Maresca was asked about what impact he expects from forward Liam Delap, who joined the club for around 30 million pounds from Ipswich Town ($40.73 million) on a six-year deal.

Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are already options for the number nine shirt at Chelsea but the 22-year-old Englishman wasted no time in showcasing his potential, setting up Enzo Fernandez for their second goal on Monday.

“I am curious to see how Nico reacts (to Delap),” said Maresca. “He competed with Guiu, who is very young, during the season. They are both good number nines.”

Chelsea are level with Flamengo at the top of the group after the Brazilians beat Esperance de Tunis 2-0.


Saudi-owned Field of Gold sparkles on opening day of Royal Ascot

Updated 17 June 2025
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Saudi-owned Field of Gold sparkles on opening day of Royal Ascot

  • Colin Keane made light of the pressure of being recently appointed first jockey for the Saudi owners Juddmonte Farms

LONDON: Field of Gold put to bed who is the best three-year-old colt over a mile as the Irish 2000 Guineas winner eased to victory in the St. James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

Colin Keane made light of the pressure of being recently appointed first jockey for the Saudi owners Juddmonte as he surged clear halfway down the straight on the favorite in front of packed stands on a baking hot day.

Keane’s predecessor Kieran Shoemark had lost the job after what was judged, by the father and son training duo John and Thady Gosden, to be a poor ride in finishing second behind Ruling Court in the English 2000 Guineas in May.

This time round Keane made no mistake and had four lengths to spare over French 2000 Guineas winner Henri Matisse with another four lengths back to Ruling Court.

“Good horses make it easy,” said Keane.

“I do not know when three Guineas winners last clashed in this but my word he was good.”

His impressive performance came a few hours after the day’s traditional opening Royal Procession, celebrating its 200th anniversary, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the lead carriage.

One of those in the carriages, the Duke of Wellington, was a nod to the first one as his ancestor Napoleon Bonaparte’s nemesis accompanied George IV in 1825.


Green Falcons resume training before facing US in Texas

Updated 17 June 2025
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Green Falcons resume training before facing US in Texas

  • Saudi national team are part of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup
  • Squad is split into two groups for training

SAN DIEGO: Saudi Arabia’s national football team resumed training in San Diego on Monday ahead of Thursday’s match against the USA in Austin, Texas.

The Green Falcons arrived in Los Angeles last week to take part in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, hosted by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football.

Coach Herve Renard divided the squad into two groups. The first was made up of squad members who played in the match against Haiti on Sunday, with training including recovery exercises in the hotel gym. The remaining players took part in a warm-up followed by passing training, games and stretching exercises at the San Diego Performance Center.

An MRI scan revealed that Hassan Kadesh has sustained a hamstring injury. He is currently undergoing treatment under the supervision of medical staff. Teammate Muhannad Al-Saad is also continuing his rehabilitation program.

The Green Falcons leave San Diego on Tuesday afternoon local time to travel to Austin, where they will continue match preparations with a closed training session at St Edward’s University.

Saudi Arabia are riding on a wave of success after their victory against Haiti, when Saleh Al-Shehri’s 21st-minute penalty kick gave his team a 1-0 win in CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A.