MELBOURNE: Elina Svitolina was 4-1 down before she went on a roll and took 11 of the next 12 games in a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Veronika Kudermetova on Monday to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals for the third time.
The 30-year-old Ukrainian is into the last eight at a Grand Slam for the 12th time. It’s her first time back in the quarterfinals in Australia since 2019.
“Feels like a lifetime ago,” Svitolina said. Since her last run this far at Melbourne Park, she married French player Gael Monfils in 2021 and the pair had a daughter, Skai, in 2022. “Many things happened and I’m really pleased with the performance throughout the tournament. Really enjoying this win today.”
After dropping two early service games, Svitolina said she her only goal “was just trying to fight.”
“It’s the only thing I can do when things are not going your way, put your head down and get back to work,” she said. “Really happy I could come (back) into the match and then win in straight sets.”
Svitolina, the No. 28 seed, wore a red dress, red shoes and a red cap for the match. People in the crowd waved the yellow and blue Ukraine flag.
Kudermetova took a medical timeout for on-court treatment on her abdomen after falling behind 5-4 the first set.
She left the court for treatment after losing the first set in 50 minutes. Svitolina held to open the second set and then had a breakpoint but Kudermetova saved and held for 1-1, following up a forehand winner down the line with a loud roar.
That was the end of her celebrating.
It wasn’t just power and pace from Svitolina that was the difference between the pair. After bringing Kudermetova to the net with a drop shot and then lobbing over her to start the next game, Svitolina punched the air.
There was no handshake at the net with Kudermeotva, a 27-year-old from Russia, but no animosity, either.
Svitolina will be playing in the quarterfinals against either 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina or No. 19 Madison Keys.
Svitolina’s husband, Monfils, was playing later Monday against No. 21 seed Ben Shelton on Margaret Court Arena. The 38-year-old Frenchman reached the fourth round with an upset over fourth-seeded Taylor Fritz, the US Open runner-up last year.
Svitolina, who beat fourth-seeded Jasmine Paolini in the third round, said she hoped to be courtside for Monfils’ match.
“Playing the way that he plays right now, it’s special,” she said.
Other quarterfinalists will be decided when defending champion Jannik Sinner and No. 13 seed Holger Rune meet in an afternoon match and five-time major winner Iga Swiatek takes on Eva Lys, the lucky loser from qualifying, in a night match.
Elina Svitolina rallies to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals for the third time
https://arab.news/c8672
Elina Svitolina rallies to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals for the third time
- The 30-year-old Ukrainian is into the last eight at a Grand Slam for the 12th time
Palace’s Mateta denies Arsenal win to leave Liverpool on brink of title
- Had Arsenal lost, Liverpool would have won the title on Wednesday but they can now seal it with one point against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday
- Both Arsenal and Palace have huge cup semifinal games looming – Arsenal in the Champions League at home to Paris St. Germain next Tuesday and Palace this Saturday at Wembley against Aston Villa in the FA Cup
LONDON: Arsenal kept Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning champagne on ice, but only just, as they were twice pegged back at home by Crystal Palace with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring a superb equalizer in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.
First-half goals by Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard looked like being enough for a lacklustre Arsenal against a lively Palace side who equalized with an Eberechi Eze volley.
But there was a late twist as Palace substitute Mateta beat Arsenal keeper David Raya with an audacious chip.
The draw left second-placed Arsenal on 67 points with four games remaining meaning they can only match the 79 of Liverpool who still have five games to play.
Had Arsenal lost, Liverpool would have won the title on Wednesday but they can now seal it with one point against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday.
“When I started on the bench I could see he (David Raya) was very high up the pitch,” Mateta, who was voted man-of-the-match by Sky Sports despite coming on in the 80th minute, said.
“So I knew if I won the ball I could try, so I did and scored. It is one of the best goals of my career. I thought it hit the crossbar but thankfully it was in!”
Both Arsenal and Palace have huge cup semifinal games looming – Arsenal in the Champions League at home to Paris St. Germain next Tuesday and Palace this Saturday at Wembley against Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
Twelfth-placed Palace could have been excused if they were distracted by what will be the biggest game of their season.
Instead, it was Arsenal who were off the pace as they drew for the 13th time in the league this season and fifth time in eight – a statistic that has allowed Liverpool to all but mathematically wrap up a record-equalling 20th English title.
“We are disappointed with the result and performance. We didn’t find enough consistency in actions to dominate the game. It’s part of football and cost us two points,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.
“In many aspects of the game we should have done better today. We have the most important game of the season in six days. We need to get our energy back.”
Palace, who left key players Mateta and Ismaila Sarr on the bench but still fielded Eze, will have taken great heart from their display as they prepare for Villa on Saturday.
Eze took his goal brilliantly, connecting with Adam Wharton’s corner to bounce a volley in off the post beyond Raya.
But the best was saved to last as Mateta, still wearing the protective covering on his ear badly gashed in the FA Cup fifth round tie against Millwall, lofted a sensational shot over Raya after a bad ball from William Saliba had put Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in trouble.
Arsenal, who fielded a near full-strength line-up despite Bukayo Saka being on the bench, made a great start as Kiwior rose to thump a header past Dean Henderson after three minutes from Odegaard’s free kick.
Trossard then restored their lead when he controlled Jurrien Timber’s pass and turned sharply to send a low shot inside the post.
Arsenal had a Gabriel Martinelli goal ruled out by VAR after the ball went out of play in the build-up while Henderson also made a splendid save to deny Saka’s volley.
But Palace fully deserved their point and could have got all three as Mateta’s late cross almost led to a winner.
“It’s important to keep this energy and confidence for the semifinal on Saturday,” Palace boss Oliver Glasner said.
Real Madrid beat Getafe 1-0 in Spanish league ahead of Copa del Rey final against Barcelona
- Arda Guler scored a first-half goal for Madrid, who moved back within four points of Barcelona
- Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti used many reserves ahead of Saturday’s Copa final in Seville
MADRID: Real Madrid kept pace with Spanish league leader Barcelona on Wednesday with a 1-0 win at Getafe ahead of the rivals’ meeting in the Copa del Rey final.
Arda Guler scored a first-half goal for Madrid, who moved back within four points of Barcelona. The Catalan club edged Mallorca 1-0 on Tuesday.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti used many reserves ahead of Saturday’s Copa final in Seville. Brazil forward Endrick made his first Spanish league start with the club, and Vinícius Júnior was substituted in the second half. Jude Bellingham came off the bench in the second half.
Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga had to be replaced because of an apparent muscle injury in the final minutes and is doubtful to be available for Saturday’s final. He had entered the match at halftime to replace defender David Alaba, who also is doubtful because of a muscle ailment.
“We’ll see, but it’s unlikely that they will be available on Saturday,” Ancelotti said.
Madrid had demoralizing losses in both “clasicos” against Barcelona this season — 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final and 4-0 in their first league encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Guler scored the winner with a well-placed right-footed shot in the 21st minute at the Coliseum in Getafe.
“Fortunately, I scored the goal that gave us the three points,” Güler said. “We knew it was going to be a tough match. It was important to give us confidence for the final (on Saturday).”
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a couple of difficult saves late to secure Madrid’s victory.
It was the third league win in a row for Madrid, which endured a Champions League elimination against Arsenal in the competition’s quarterfinals.
Getafe has lost three in a row, and four of its last five league games. The club from southern Madrid sits in 12th place.
The match was briefly stopped in the second half as fans from Getafe chanted “Die (Dani) Ceballos, die Ceballos.”
Celta win again
Celta Vigo moved to seventh place by routing fifth-place Villarreal 3-0 at home with goals by Fer López, Borja Iglesias and Iago Aspas.
The victory ended a two-match losing streak for the Vigo team.
Villarreal, winless in two matches, played a man down from the 37th after Eric Bailly was sent off with a straight red card.
Williams scores early
Iñaki Williams scored five minutes into the match to give fourth-place Athletic Bilbao a 1-0 win over Las Palmas, helping the Basque Country club to open an eight-point gap above Villarreal, who remain with a game in hand.
Las Palmas, sitting in 18th place, was coming off two wins in a row after a 12-match winless streak in the league.
Alaves moved out of the relegation zone by beating ninth-place Real Sociedad 1-0 at home with a goal by Nahuel Tenaglia in the 65th.
Eubank Jr. and Benn have London buzzing ahead of grudge match
- The boxers speak exclusively to Arab News about this weekend’s long-awaited showdown and their thoughts about the possibility of taking to the ring in Saudi Arabia
LONDON: You can feel the atmosphere among boxing fans in London shifting by the hour, becoming sharper, louder and increasingly focused on one thing: this weekend’s showdown between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn.
As the clock continues to count down to Saturday night’s long-awaited fight, a “Live Media Workout” event on Wednesday brought the simmering rivalry right into the public eye.
The 90-minute session, which took place at The Pelligon in Canary Wharf (the venue previously known as East Wintergarden), drew a high-energy crowd of fans, journalists and other invited guests. But it was more than simply spectacle; it offered a rare glimpse into the final preparations of two fighters whose family names are etched into the pages of British boxing history.
Eubank Jr. and Benn each took the ring, shadowboxed under the bright lights, and answered questions as the cameras rolled. The energy in the place came not only from their movements, it emanated from the anticipation and excitement of the crowd. Every jab, every grin was part of the story.
During exclusive interviews with Arab News, both fighters expressed their excitement not only about Saturday’s clash, but also about what might come next, including the possibility of fighting in Saudi Arabia.
Eubank Jr., who appeared focused but relaxed, described the build-up to the bout as “incredible” and added: “It’s the biggest I’ve ever been involved in and I cannot wait.”
Asked about the prospect of taking to the ring in the Kingdom, he said: “Riyadh Season, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh (chairperson of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority) — they’re doing an amazing job with Ring Magazine. I’m sure after this fight, I’ll be fighting many more times, in Saudi Arabia.”
Benn told Arab News: “It feels good to be back home, on home soil. I’d love to fight in Saudi; God willing, this year.”
Beyond the glitz and glamour of the cameras and the soundbites, the workout session revealed the sharpness, speed and quiet confidence of two fighters who know what is at stake. Fans watched them closely, not only to admire their athleticism and showmanship, but for any sign of who might hold the psychological edge.
The media workout event was just the latest chapter in a packed fight week, which will continue on Thursday with the main press conference, building up to Saturday’s headline event at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which features a stacked card of top-tier British fighters.
The long, shared boxing history of the Eubank and Benn families is impossible to ignore. The saga began in the 1990s when Chris Eubank Sr. and Nigel Benn fought two epic battles. Eubank Sr. won their first, in 1990. A rematch three years later ended in a bitter draw.
As the moment of truth for their sons draws near, the excitement is no longer just about perceptions of revenge or legacy; it’s about who gets to write the next chapter of the story, not only in the UK but perhaps under the bright lights of Riyadh’s sporting renaissance.
Bilbao edge Las Palmas to close on Champions League qualification
- The Basque side sit fourth with five games to go
- Bilbao also have a Europa League semifinal against Manchester United to come
BARCELONA: Inaki Williams fired Athletic Bilbao to a 1-0 home win over Las Palmas in La Liga on Wednesday to strengthen their chances of direct qualification for next season’s Champions League.
The Basque side sit fourth with five games to go, eight points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal who suffered a 3-0 defeat at Celta Vigo, also on Wednesday.
Bilbao also have a Europa League semifinal against Manchester United to come, and should they win that they will play the final in their home stadium.
Five La Liga sides qualify for the Champions League this season. Sixth-placed Betis are a point behind Villarreal ahead of their encounter with rock-bottom Valladolid on Thursday.
A fifth-minute goal from the elder Williams brother after he turned a defender in the box and side-footed home with the outside of his boot was enough for all three points.
Bilbao needed two sharp saves from Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon before half-time as relegation-threatened Las Palmas went down fighting.
Barcelona inched closer to the title with a 1-0 win over Mallorca on Tuesday which took them seven points clear of Real Madrid, who play Getafe away later Wednesday.
Rohit, Boult star as Mumbai surge into IPL top four
- Trent Boult, a left-arm quick, and fellow pace bowler Deepak Chahar ripped apart the top of Hyderabad’s batting order as they collapsed to 35-5 before managing 143-8
- Five-time champions Mumbai achieved their target with 26 balls and seven wickets to spare after Rohit registered his second successive half-century
HYDERABAD: Star batsman Rohit Sharma smashed 76 and pace bowler Trent Boult claimed 4-26 as Mumbai Indians thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad to move up to third in the IPL table on Wednesday.
New Zealand’s Boult, a left-arm quick, and fellow pace bowler Deepak Chahar ripped apart the top of Hyderabad’s batting order as they collapsed to 35-5 before managing 143-8.
Five-time champions Mumbai achieved their target with 26 balls and seven wickets to spare after Rohit registered his second successive half-century, smacking eight fours and three sixes in his 46-ball knock to lead the chase.
But the 35-year-old Boult set up victory with his two early wickets and was named player of the match.
“I still love the feeling of competing and getting wickets,” said Boult, who retired from international cricket in 2024.
“It’s a huge tournament, there are hundreds of thousands of bowlers who’d love to do what we’re doing so it’s about not taking it for granted.”
It was Mumbai’s fourth straight win and a victory that propelled them three spots from sixth in the 10-team table led by Gujarat Titans.
Hyderabad, who are captained by Australia’s Pat Cummins, slumped to their sixth loss in eight matches.
“We have a few away games now, it will be about assessing each wicket as quickly as possible,” said Cummins. “Some days it will be all-out attack, some days it will be about weighing our options.”
Rohit and England’s Will Jacks (22) laid the platform for Mumbai in their second-wicket partnership of 64.
Jacks got out but Rohit stood firm to raise his fifty in an another key stand of 53 with Suryakumar Yadav, who made an unbeaten 40 off 19 balls.
The match began with a tribute to the victims of the deadly attack in Kashmir as a minute’s silence was observed and teams wore black armbands in Hyderabad.
Twenty-six men — all Indian except one Nepali — were killed on Tuesday when gunmen burst out of forests at a popular tourist spot in Pahalgam and raked crowds of visitors with automatic weapons.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took the decision to remove the cheerleaders and put a halt to the celebratory fireworks and music customary at IPL matches, as a mark of respect for the victims.
Boult got Mumbai off to a perfect start by dismissing Australian opener Travis Head for a duck after the left-hander mis-timed a shot to deep backward point.
Chahar had Ishan Kishan caught behind for one in the next over, the batter walking off to a timid appeal with ultra-edge technology later suggesting there was no edge.
Boult and Chahar continued to do damage and accounted for Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Reddy, leaving Hyderabad five down when skipper Hardik Pandya struck in the ninth over.
South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen hit a 44-ball 71 as he counter-attacked with a string of boundaries and put on 99 runs with impact substitute Abhinav Manohar (43), but the effort was not enough against a rampaging Mumbai.
Klaasen finally became pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s 300th T20 wicket when he was caught at deep backward square.
Boult finished with two wickets in the 20th over.
