Murray wins Australian Open epic as Djokovic overcomes injury fear

Britain’s Andy Murray celebrates after winning his second round match against Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, on Jan. 20, 2023. (Reuters)
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Updated 19 January 2023
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Murray wins Australian Open epic as Djokovic overcomes injury fear

  • Murray hit back to defeat home hope and 159th-ranked Thanasi Kokkinakis 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 7-5
  • At five hours and 45 minutes it was the longest match in Murray's career

MELBOURNE: Andy Murray triumphed in an epic, five-set Australian Open battle which finished in the early hours of Friday in Melbourne after nine-time champion Novak Djokovic defied injury and a drunken heckler to progress to the third round.
Murray hit back to defeat home hope and 159th-ranked Thanasi Kokkinakis 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 7-5 — the match finishing at just after 04:00.
At five hours and 45 minutes it was the longest match in Murray’s career.
Djokovic, chasing a 10th Australian Open and men’s record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam, defeated 191st-ranked French qualifier Enzo Couacaud 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-0.
Ons Jabeur was prime among the numerous seeds to crash out on Thursday although most of the carnage occurred in the men’s draw — second seed Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev and Diego Schwartzman were all sent packing.
Former world number one Murray, 35, will play 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in round three after his second successive five-set triumph this week.
“It was unbelievable that I managed to do it, to turn it around,” said the three-time Grand Slam champion, who has a metal hip and looked on the verge of retirement four years ago at Melbourne Park.
“I don’t know how I managed to get through it.”
Murray had stunned Italian 13th seed Matteo Berrettini in his opening match in another five-setter.
Despite the drama, serious questions were being asked of the late finish.
“It is essential we create better rules in tennis regarding the weather (light and wind) and starting times or cutoff times for matches,” tweeted tennis legend Martina Navratilova.
“Murray and Kokkinakis will finish around 4am. Crazy- no other sport does this @AustralianOpen.”
With the shock exit on Wednesday of hobbling defending champion Rafael Nadal, the top two men’s seeds are both now gone.
With top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz also absent through injury, it presents a huge opportunity for Djokovic.
The 35-year-old Serb required a medical timeout and had heavy strapping on his left thigh against Couacaud.
He was also bothered by some rowdy fans and at one point during the match demanded that a drunken fan be thrown out.
But Djokovic recovered his poise and fitness to beat and will face 27th seed Grigor Dimitrov in round three.
“There was a lot happening tonight in the match,” Djokovic, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, told the Rod Laver Arena.
His on-court interview was momentarily paused when a spectator shouted out.
“I love you too, thank you,” said Djokovic, who has enjoyed a warm return to Melbourne Park following his deportation a year ago because of his stance on Covid vaccines.
Fellow seeds Andrey Rublev, Dan Evans and Holger Rune all also won in the second round.
Among the leading men’s players who lost out Thursday, world number three Ruud was always struggling against hard-hitting Jenson Brooksby, and the Norwegian went down in four sets to the American, 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2.
Ruud, who could have become world number one in Melbourne, refused to blame an abdominal injury.
“I gave it my all, but in the fourth set especially it wasn’t enough,” he said.
Eighth seed Fritz was also on his way home after wildcard local hope Alexei Popyrin beat him 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-2.
“This is a dream and I don’t want to wake up at all,” said 113th-ranked Popyrin, who was reduced to tears by the crowd chanting his name.
Zverev, the 12th seed, suffered another setback on his return from serious injury as he lost to 107th-ranked Michael Mmoh.
In the women’s draw it looked as if most of the top seeds would sail through.
But after the clock ticked past midnight, Tunisian number two seed Jabeur was beaten 6-1, 5-7, 6-1 in 1hr 41min by Czech world number 86 Marketa Vondrousova.
It left Jabeur still waiting to win a maiden Grand Slam title.
Earlier in the day, Aryna Sabalenka showed why she is a serious contender by powering into the third round, defeating American Shelby Rogers 6-3, 6-1.
Also safely through was France’s fourth seed Caroline Garcia, a 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 winner over former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez.
American qualifier Katie Volynets dumped out Russian world number nine Veronika Kudermetova.
The 21-year-old Volynets won 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 and then paid a heartfelt tribute to her extended family in war-ravaged Ukraine.
“I really feel for them and to have their support through all of this is incredible,” she said.


Mbappe returns to France squad as PSG’s Doue earns first call-up

Updated 8 sec ago
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Mbappe returns to France squad as PSG’s Doue earns first call-up

Mbappe, 26, was left out of the last two France squads by coach Didier Deschamps for the Nations League group stage in October and November
Deschamps said at the time that his decision to do without Mbappe was “for the best” due to the noise surrounding the striker

PARIS: Captain Kylian Mbappe returned to the France squad named Thursday for this month’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia, as Paris Saint-Germain teenager Desire Doue earned a first call-up.
Mbappe, 26, was left out of the last two France squads by coach Didier Deschamps for the Nations League group stage in October and November.
The Real Madrid superstar was initially dropped because of fitness concerns, before later being left out amidst headlines about his private life.
Deschamps said at the time that his decision to do without Mbappe was “for the best” due to the noise surrounding the striker.
Mbappe has been in fine form for Real in the months since and has scored 28 goals in all competitions this season for the club he joined last year.
“I have chatted with him and I confirm what I already said a few weeks ago, that he will be the captain,” Deschamps said in response to questions about Mbappe’s ongoing role as skipper.
The versatile Doue, meanwhile, has been rewarded for his impressive club form.
The 19-year-old has scored or set up a total of 17 goals in 23 appearances since becoming a regular in the PSG side in mid-December.
Capable of playing as a winger as well as in midfield, Doue was outstanding after coming off the bench for PSG in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, second leg against Liverpool, and scored the winning kick in the penalty shoot-out.
Signed by PSG from Rennes for a reported 50 million euros ($54.1m) in August, Doue was part of Thierry Henry’s France Under-23 team that won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year.
“He is not always a starter for his club but whenever he plays or comes on he has made a lot of progress,” Deschamps said.
“He is a very young player but he is an interesting one for us. I could have waited but I have called him up now because I think it is the right time.”
France face Croatia away in Split in the first leg of the quarter-final next Thursday, March 20, in a tie that is a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final won by Les Bleus.
The sides will clash in the second leg at the Stade de France on Sunday, March 23.
The winners will advance to the final four, which will take place in either Italy or Germany in June.
N’Golo Kante is the most notable absentee from the squad, with Deschamps revealing that the Saudi Arabia-based midfielder has been nursing a minor muscle injury.

Squad Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan/ITA), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio/ITA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue (all Paris Saint-Germain), Randal Kolo Muani (Juventus/ITA, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/ESP), Michael Olize (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)

Kimmich extends Bayern contract until 2029

Updated 42 min 35 sec ago
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Kimmich extends Bayern contract until 2029

  • Germany international Kimmich said he made his decision because Bayern is “the best environment to achieve my sporting goals”
  • “I feel at home here and I’m not finished yet“

BERLIN: Bayern Munich on Thursday announced Joshua Kimmich had signed a four-year extension to his contract that had been set to expire at the end of the season.
Germany international Kimmich said he made his decision because Bayern is “the best environment to achieve my sporting goals.
“There’s currently no better package of teammates, coaching staff and club environment for me to achieve maximum success. I feel at home here and I’m not finished yet.”
After Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen sent Bayern through to the Champions League quarter-finals, Kimmich told reporters he was set to prolong his stay at the club.


After speculation he could leave Bayern in previous seasons, Kimmich has rediscovered his best form in midfield under Vincent Kompany, having played every minute in the Bundesliga until picking up a minor injury in February.
Kimmich, already the national team captain, is viewed as the successor to current Bayern skipper Manuel Neuer.
Sporting director Christoph Freund called the 30-year-old Kimmich “a driving force that will tirelessly drive Bayern forward in the future.”
Kimmich’s new contract is the latest in several extended deals in 2025 as Bayern seek to shore up their future, with Neuer, Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies all recently extending their contracts.
Kimmich signed for Bayern from Stuttgart in 2015 after a two-year spell at RB Leipzig and has made 429 appearances for Bayern, scoring 43 goals and providing 115 assists.
At Bayern, Kimmich has won eight Bundesliga titles and lifted the Champions League in 2020.
Kimmich has also played 97 times for Germany.
Eight points clear of defending champions Leverkusen, Bayern are on track to win back the Bundesliga title.
They will face Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals, with this season’s final to be held in Munich in May.


Esports World Cup Foundation announces multi-year partnership with Capcom

Updated 13 March 2025
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Esports World Cup Foundation announces multi-year partnership with Capcom

  • The Capcom Pro Tour and Street Fighter League integrated into the EWC ecosystem for the next three years

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation and Capcom have announced a multi-year partnership that integrates the Street Fighter e-sports ecosystem — Capcom’s Capcom Pro Tour and Street Fighter League — into the Esports World Cup for the next three years.

“Street Fighter has been at the heart of competitive gaming for decades, offering a pure test of individual skill, just you against your opponent,” said Fabian Scheuermann, chief games officer at EWCF.

“Its arcade roots created a social experience that still thrives today, from local communities to global arenas. Together with Capcom, we are creating new ways for fans and players to experience the game, while unifying the competitive ecosystem and ensuring the best players have a clear path to the biggest stage.

“Fighting games are a true test of skill, strategy, and resilience, and by bringing the Street Fighter 6 circuit to EWC, we are celebrating its legacy with a new generation of players and fans, strengthening its role in the wider gaming culture.”

As part of the agreement, the top eight players from Capcom Cup 11— the pinnacle of the Capcom Pro Tour (CPT)  — and 12 players from the Street Fighter League: World Championship, featuring elite competitors from Japan, the US and Europe, will earn direct qualification for the EWC 2025 Street Fighter 6 Finals.

An additional 10 slots will be awarded to winners of Capcom Pro Tour 2025 events, including Evo Japan and Vegas, CPT Combo Breaker, Blink Respawn, and CPT CEO, leading up to August 2025.

The remaining slots will be available to winners of professional and grassroots Street Fighter 6 events worldwide, including the EWC Last Chance Qualifiers in August 2025, culminating in 48 players competing on stage at the Street Fighter 6 Finals in Riyadh.

The partnership follows the previously announced return of Street Fighter 6 to EWC 2025, and kicks off on March 9, 2025 at the Street Fighter League: World Championship event in Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan.

“Through the Capcom Pro Tour and Capcom Cup, Street Fighter has been a cornerstone of the e-sports scene for the past 10 years, celebrated for its fast-paced action, dramatic comebacks, and clutch moments that make it one of the most thrilling games to play and watch,” said Shuhei Matsumoto, producer, Street Fighter 6. “Our partnership with the Esports World Cup fosters an even deeper engagement between our players, fans and audiences worldwide. And this is just the beginning, together with EWC, we will continue to grow and innovate, and inspire the next generation of players.”

Street Fighter 6 made history as the first fighting game to join the inaugural Esports World Cup last summer, with qualifiers held around the world to enable grassroots participants to secure a spot on a pathway to the tournament. With 32 elite players from around the globe, the competition drew a viewing audience of more than six million. The event concluded with the dramatic EWC Street Fighter 6 Finals where the fighting game veteran, Zeng “Xiao Hai” Zhuojun, cemented his legacy with a dominant performance and a share of the $1,000,000 prize pool. 


Saudi clubs edge closer to success in AFC Champions League divisions

Al-Hilal are targeting a record-extending fifth AFC Champions League title. (X/@Alhilal_FC)
Updated 13 March 2025
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Saudi clubs edge closer to success in AFC Champions League divisions

  • With all Elite competition matches from the quarterfinals on taking place in Jeddah, few will bet against a Saudi side landing Asia’s premier club competition

RIYADH: Saudi clubs’ continued outstanding performances in the 2024/2025 AFC Champions League competitions underlined why for many people they remain favorites for the big prizes.

Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli have reached the quarter-finals of the main, “Elite” tournament, while Al-Taawoun made history by advancing to the semi-finals of AFC Champions League 2. These achievements show the growing strength of Saudi club football in Asia. Here are some of the highlights after the latest round of matches.

Al-Hilal’s big comeback win highlights dominance

Al-Hilal, after losing the away leg 1-0 to Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, in the second leg in Riyadh on Tuesday night pulled off an outstanding comeback with a 4-0 victory that included goals from Hamad Al-Yami, Malcom, Salem Al-Dawsari and Nasser Al-Dawsari. With a spot in the quarterfinals confirmed, they will again be one of the favorites to take the trophy, and for a record fifth time.

Mahrez stars in solid Al-Ahli performance

Al-Ahli secured their quarterfinal place with a 2-0 win over Al-Rayyan in the second leg at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, having won the away fixture 3-1 in Qatar. Riyad Mahrez scored two late goals, helping the team to a comprehensive 5-1 win on aggregate. With Mahrez, Ivan Toney and Roberto Firmino providing the firepower, few teams would want to face Al-Ahli in the knockout stages.

Duran and Ronaldo help Al-Nassr cruise into quarterfinals

After a goalless first leg in Iran, Al-Nassr dominated Esteghlal in the last 16 return leg in Riyadh to win 3-0 and cruise into the quarterfinals.

Jhon Duran scored in the ninth and 84th minutes with Cristiano Ronaldo’s 27th minute penalty sandwiched in between. With all matches from the quarterfinals on taking place in Jeddah, it is difficult to see the next Champions League Elite winner not being from Saudi Arabia.

Al-Taawoun’s historic achievement

In AFC Champions League 2, Al Taawoun reached the semi-finals after beating Iranian club Tractor SC 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the second leg finished 2-2. The teams played out a 0-0 draw in Iran on March 4.

The win by Taawoun, who are eighth in the Saudi Pro League, shows that clubs from the Kingdom are competitive at both levels of this season’s AFC Champions League. Al-Taawoun will now face the UAE’s Sharjah in the semifinals.

With four teams still in contention, this could well be the year that Saudi clubs take full control of Asian football.

 


India’s cup overflows after New Zealand win, but dominance could breed antipathy

Updated 13 March 2025
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India’s cup overflows after New Zealand win, but dominance could breed antipathy

  • The Champions Trophy joins the T20 World Cup, earned in June 2024 when they beat South Africa by just 7 runs

When previewing the International Cricket Council’s 2025 Champions Trophy for Arab News, Azeem Rafiq felt that India started as slight favorites. As the tournament progressed, it became apparent that several factors underlined that initial assessment. India’s superiority and team cohesion was sufficient to achieve an unbeaten route to the final in which a tenacious New Zealand was narrowly beaten.

Understandably, the Indian team, officials, management and millions of fervent supporters were overjoyed. Their delight is enhanced as the Champions Trophy is now added to the T20 World Cup, secured in June 2024 when South Africa was beaten by the narrow margin of seven runs.

No doubt Indian eyes will now turn to planning victory in the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka from mid-February to mid-March. If it had not been for an inspired performance by Australia in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Indian men’s team would hold a full set of ICC trophies in the short formats.

It is difficult to escape the conclusion that India and its supporters want to win every tournament, befitting their status as cricket’s powerhouse in terms of revenue generation and levels of support. Dominance by one team in any sport tends to breed ennui and antipathy — just ask supporters of other English Premier League teams their views on the dominance displayed by the two Manchester clubs and Liverpool at various times. These feelings are exacerbated if accompanied by a sense of injustice or bias and there is a danger India’s most recent success could fall into that category.

The resurrection of the Champions Trophy by the ICC and its choosing Pakistan as hosts was designed to provide a boost for cricket in the country. It certainly provided grounds for optimism and, as Rafiq noted, Pakistan’s message to the world was: “We are back.” However, the vibes were dampened by disappointing cricket from the hosts, by three matches lost to rain and by the geo-politically induced decision to split the tournament between Pakistan and Dubai.

Much has been made of India playing all their matches in Dubai, of being based there and not having to travel, of being familiar with the pitches and tailoring team selection to include four spinners to take advantage of them. Naturally, the Indians have downplayed these alleged benefits, one coach saying that “you (still) have to play good cricket every day when you turn up.” Whilst this is self-evidently true and they were the best team, India avoided the farcical situation in which Australia and South Africa found themselves.

Having completed their group stage matches and qualified for the semifinals, both teams had to fly from Pakistan to Dubai where the result of the final group stage match between India and New Zealand would determine the semifinal pairings. India won, which meant Australia remained in Dubai and the South Africans ended an 18-hour stay by rushing back to Lahore to play New Zealand. The reason given for this bizarre decision was to allow the team playing the semifinal in Dubai maximum time to prepare. This feels like a tacit admission of the need to balance out India’s perceived advantage.

Pakistan’s disappointment in failing to reach the semifinal stage, thereby depriving the country of the global exposure which it craved, was made worse by losing the opportunity to host the final, because India reached it. Events at the presentation ceremony will not have eased Pakistan’s pain.

Legendary former Pakistan players Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar were incredulous there was no representative from the Pakistan Cricket Board on the stage, which was populated by Indians. The president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Roger Binny, presented jackets to the Indian players and the former BCCI secretary, now ICC chair Jay Shah, presented the trophy to India’s captain.

It is understood the PCB’s chair, Mohsin Naqvi, could not attend the occasion due to prior commitments, but both the tournament director and PCB COO, Sumair Ahmed Syed, and Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla represented him at the match. Looking at the stage in Dubai, it was hard to believe the PCB was the tournament’s official host. The PCB interpreted this lack of representation as a deliberate snub and lodged an official complaint, which is unlikely to do more than further inflame tensions. The official line is that protocol allows only elected members or directors of a board to be on the podium.

The 2025 Champions Trophy provided a significant opportunity for Pakistan to re-establish itself as a viable host for future ICC events. This was partially achieved. The PCB’s investment in stadiums has gone largely unrewarded in terms of spectator numbers. Despite Naqvi’s fulsome praise for “the commitment and collective efforts of those who ensured the tournament’s seamless execution,” other factors dogged their efforts. India’s late decision not to travel cast a long shadow not only over the cricket but also the tournament’s organization. The schedule was released just eight weeks before the opening match and tickets were available only days beforehand.

None of this will matter to either the ICC, BCCI or India. The ICC continues to make money but is dependent upon India’s participation in its tournaments and on India v Pakistan to protect broadcasting rights. International cricket is over a barrel. No national board is prepared to take the risk of challenging the insanely rich BCCI — look what happened when Pakistan tried. Market forces have been allowed to dictate the future of the game, whilst the BCCI, hand in glove with the ICC, now seems to be able to influence schedules for its own benefit.

The Champions Trophy 2025 has pulled back the curtain on the future of international cricket, in which India looks set to dominate not only off the field, but on it as well, at least in the short formats. It has taken eight years since the last Champions Trophy in 2017, when Pakistan handsomely beat India at the Oval, for this possibility to become reality.