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Anthony Kim lines up his putt on the eighteenth green during the second round of the LIV Golf Black Diamond Ranch Tournament at Black Diamond Ranch.…
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her semi-final against Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic at the Brisbane International Saturday. (AFP) Aryna Sabalenka beat Karolina Muchova in straight sets to reach her third Brisbane International final in a row Saturday, a week before the Australian Open.Sabalenka looked in great touch against the tricky Czech, who had won their last three meetings and went into the match as one of the few players with a winning record over the world number one.But Sabalenka showed her class and power as she broke Muchova once in each set to take the semi-final 6-3, 6-4 in 89 minutes and will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in Sunday’s women’s final.Former world number one Daniil Medvedev will take on unseeded American Brandon Nakashima in the men’s final.”I struggled against her a couple of times (in the past),” Sabalenka, the defending champion, said of Muchova.”I’m happy that today I was focused from the beginning and I was able to show such great tennis and put her under so much pressure and get the win in straight sets.”The 27-year-old Belarusian said she could feel her level getting better with every match in Brisbane, where she is yet to drop a set.She said that with seven of the world’s top 10 having entered, it was ideal preparation for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 18.Sabalenka is aiming to win a third Australian Open in four years.”I definitely feel that compared to the first match here, I’m playing better and better,” she said.”That’s really important heading to Melbourne, to build that level, and to play some great matches against great opponents.”So I’m super happy with the performance so far and cannot wait to play my final match here.”Kostyuk, who entered the week ranked 26th in the world, swept past world number six Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-3 in just 55 minutes in a stunning display of power and aggression.Kostyuk’s demolition of the American made it three wins over top 10 players in succession.She beat world number three Amanda Anisimova in the third round and ninth-ranked Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals.”I think it was one of those days today when everything you touch turns into gold,” Kostyuk said.”Personally, I didn’t have many matches like this in my career, especially against top-10 players, so it’s a great bonus to have such a match because it’s not easy conditions in Brisbane. It’s very hot, very humid.”Kostyuk has never beaten Sabalenka in four previous meetings but said the pressure was all on her opponent.”The pressure is not on me — I want to go out there and put on a good show for the crowd,” she said.”I really have nothing to lose.”In the men’s draw, top seed Medvedev beat Alex Michelsen of the United States 6-4, 6-2 while Nakashima defeated another American in Aleksandar Kovacevic, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4. Related Story Source link
The Organizing Committee of Qatar-UAE Super Cup announced the release of tickets for tournament’s third edition, which will be held from January 22 to 25, 2026. The competition will see Qatari and UAE teams compete for four titles – Super Cup, Challenge Shield, Super Shield and Challenge Cup.The competition kicks off on January 22 with the Super Cup match between Al Gharafa and Sharjah at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium in Doha (kick-off 7pm Qatar time, 8pm UAE time). On January 23, Abu Dhabi will host the Challenge Shield match between Al Wahda and Al Duhail at Al Nahyan Stadium (kick-off 7pm Qatar time, 8pm UAE time). The third, Super Shield, will be a highly-anticipated clash between Al Sadd and Shabab Al Ahli at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on January 24 (kick-off 7pm Qatar time, 8pm UAE time). The event concludes on January 25 with the Challenge Cup match between Al Jazira and Al Ahli at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi (kick-off 7pm Qatar time, 8pm UAE time). Source link
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz celebrates after defeating USA’s Taylor Fritz in the semi-final match at the United Cup in Sydney Saturday. (AFP) Poland exacted revenge for their loss to the United States in last year’s final, beating the defending champions in their last-four tie at the United Cup to set up a title clash with Switzerland, who beat Belgium in their semi-final Saturday.Hubert Hurkacz stunned world number nine Taylor Fritz in the men’s singles to give Poland the lead, before Coco Gauff beat Iga Swiatek to level the tie. But Poland prevailed in the mixed doubles decider, where Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski beat Gauff and Christian Harrison.Hurkacz, ranked 83rd in the world, avenged his loss to Fritz in last year’s final in a 7-6(1) 7-6(2) win, after taking the lead in both tiebreaks with well-placed backhand passing shots to beat his second top-10 ranked opponent this week.”Definitely pleasantly surprised… in seven months, (this is) my first tournament. So coming back from such a long period the first time in my life, you never know what to expect,” said Hurkacz, who also beatworld number three Alexander Zverev on Monday when he returned from an injury layoff.World number four Gauff got the U.S. back in the game, beating Swiatek 6-4 6-2, as the American’s powerful shots forced the world number two to stay near the baseline and make mistakes with her backhand returns.Gauff, however, could not complete her team’s comeback, as Kawa and Zielinski won 7-6(5) 7-6(3) in the mixed doubles, ensuring Poland’s progress to Sunday’s final.”I’m so proud of our team… I gave everything that I had. It means a lot, it’s a great victory for us,” Kawa said. BENCIC STEERS SWITZERLAND TO VICTORYBelinda Bencic led Switzerland to their first United Cup final, beating Elise Mertens in the singles before returning alongside Jakub Paul to clinch a doubles win.In the deciding mixed doubles match, the Swiss duo claimed a 6-3 0-6 10-5 win over Mertens and Zizou Bergs in an hour and 17 minutes.Bencic and Paul coasted through the first set but won a total of just 12 points in the second set as the match went into a tiebreak.The Swiss pair did well to shake off their collapse and refocus, taking five points in a row to give themselves a 9-4 lead and then crossing the finish line when Bergs netted a return.”It’s easy to find the energy with this team. It’s just great to play with Belinda. I mean, just hats off to her to play almost three hours and then come out again for the doubles,” Paul said.The tie was played in gruelling conditions as temperatures hovered around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).Earlier, Bergs needed an energy-sapping two-and-a-half hours on court to beat Stan Wawrinka 6-3 6-7(4) 6-3. Bergs took the first set with ease but was pushed hard in the second as the Swiss captain rallied to level the match.Bergs found himself down 40-0 on Wawrinka’s serve at 4-3 in the third set, but the Belgian clawed his way back and claimed a decisive break.In the tie’s first match, Bencic kept alive her undefeated run at the tournament as she beat Elise Mertens 6-3 4-6 7-6(0) and put Switzerland in front.Bencic, a former Olympic gold medallist, has won all four singles and all four mixed doubles matches during the United Cup.”It feels like 170 kilos fell off my shoulders – I was so stressed; I really wanted to do well, and today I felt so much pressure to not let my team down,” Bencic said.”I was really focused on myself, on breathing, and I’m super happy that I stayed tough in the important moments.” Related Story Source link
Scott Brash produced a masterclass performance to clinch the CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix at Tour 2 of the HH The Father Amir’s Prix at Al Shaqab yesterday. Nine horse-and-rider combinations progressed to the jump-off, where Brash guided the BWP gelding Hello Jefferson to victory. The British rider stopped the clock at 42.66 seconds to seal the title and collect €97,500. Brash finished just ahead of France’s Megane Moissonnier, who clocked 42.78 seconds aboard the 14-year-old stallion Crooner Tame to claim second place and €65,000. American rider Eve Jobs completed the podium, piloting the 15-year-old Canto Bruno to third in 43.41 seconds, earning €48,750. All five riders in the top group delivered faultless rounds in the jump-off. Thailand’s Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj narrowly missed out on a podium finish in fourth aboard Maxwin Kinmar Bespoke, while Monaco’s Anastasia Nielsen rounded out the top five with ESI Rocky. “Hello Jefferson is an incredible horse,” Brash said. “He’s 17 now, but he still feels like a young horse. He loves his job, and he’s always jumped well here in Doha in the main arena.”Brash had earlier enjoyed success in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix, guiding Hello Chadora Lady to victory following a seven-horse jump-off. He edged out Belgium’s Abdel Said on Wathnan Calvaro to take home €31,800. Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann finished third with Iron Dames High Level.Meanwhile, Britain’s Harry Charles claimed the CSI5* 1.50m Special Two-Phase class aboard Bandit. The pair produced a faultless round and stopped the clock at 35.10 seconds to secure top honours. Fellow Briton Millie Allen followed closely in second place on Quick Diamant HR with another double-clear effort in 35.41, while Italy’s Roberto Previtali completed the podium on I’M Special Mess PS in 36.16.Charles said: “Bandit is back at five-star level after nearly a year away, so starting with a win is fantastic. He has plenty more in the tank, and as the tour progresses, I hope to build him up to the bigger classes here in Doha.” At the end of Tour 2, Brash has moved into the overall lead in the CSI4* and CSI5* provisional rankings with 89 points. Karunayadhaj sits second on 66 points, while Jobs has climbed to third on 62. Harry Charles and Anastasia Nielsen are tied on 59, with Moissonnier close behind on 55. Qatari riders dominated the CSI1* Grand Prix 1.30m jump-off, with Hussain Said Haidan clinching top honours after producing a double-clear round aboard D Saucedo in 35.79 seconds. He finished ahead of compatriot Saad Ahmed al-Saad, who stopped the clock at 37.10 seconds on Fashion des Douits, while Nasser al-Ghazali completed an all-Qatari podium with a faultless round on Dexter in 37.11. Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano claimed victory in the CSI3* 1.40m accumulator, guiding Diarouge Blue PS to a winning score of 65 in 46.13 seconds. Turkiye’s Hasan Senturk settled for second on Elzas, also finishing on 65 but in a slightly slower time of 46.79 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Khalid al-Hadi placed third aboard Capoen in 48.34. Gaudiano praised his mount’s consistency in the arena. “Diarouge Blue PS jumped very well today. She has already won three classes here, so I’m happy with how she’s feeling in this arena,” he said. France’s Jean Francois Rondoux topped the CSI3* 1.30m faults and time class after steering Inter-Larus to a clear round in 69.13 seconds. Qatari rider Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi finished second on Mukaynis in 70.71, narrowly edging Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alasaker, who was third aboard Tinto de Nuit Z in 70.72. In the CSI1* 1.15m accumulator, Qatar swept the podium, led by Ali Omar al-Ansari and Nikita Eindeken Z with a winning score of 65 in 43.13 seconds. Abdulla Ahmed al-Khulaifi followed on Quenta van de Corsendonksehoeve, while Abdulla Tamim al-Thani took third aboard Cassandra 352. The CSIY-B and CSIY 1.30m jump-off Group VII series qualifier saw another Qatari success, as Ibrahim Yousuf al-Mahmoud emerged victorious on Vito Blue PS with a double-clear effort in 36.42 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Meshal al-Qahtani placed second on Menke, while Yaqoub Nasser al-Mass finished third for Qatar aboard Hammond J. In the national CSN 1.00m special two-phase class, Iraq’s Mariam Abdulkarim Sabri claimed the top spot on Baina after posting a double-clear round in 35.63 seconds. She was closely followed by Afraa Abdulrahman al-Sulaiti on Molga, with Salman Faisal al-Marri rounding out the podium aboard Goteborg Handyman.In the overall CSI1* standings, Haidan extendd his lead to 40 points after topping both Tour 1 and Tour 2. Saad Ahmed al-Saad is second on 34 points, while Jordan’s Bisher Kayali is third on 19. Source link
HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of Al Shaqab, presents the trophy to Britain’s Scott Brash, who won the CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix in Tour 2 of HH The Father Amir’s Prix at Al Shaqab yesterday. France’s Megane Moissonnier finished second, while American Eve Jobs claimed third place. Source link
Macclesfield players celebrate after their win over Crystal Palace in Macclesfield, Britain. (Reuters) Holders Crystal Palace succumbed to the biggest shock in FA Cup history with a 2-1 defeat at sixth-tier Macclesfield as Antoine Semenyo started his Manchester City career by scoring in a 10-1 rout of Exeter. Tottenham boss Thomas Frank’s future was plunged into doubt after a 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa, while Newcastle beat Bournemouth on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw. In their last FA Cup outing at Wembley in May, Palace made history by beating City to win the club’s first ever major trophy. They entered the record books for the wrong reasons this time at Moss Rose as captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scored either side of half-time for the side managed by John Rooney, the younger brother of former England captain Wayne Rooney. The 117 places that separate Premier League outfit Palace from Macclesfield of the National League North in the English football pyramid is the most overcome by an underdog in FA Cup history. “I can’t believe it, we never thought we would be in this position,” said Rooney. “I didn’t think it was possible but there is that little bit of hope that anything can happen on the day.” Palace boss Oliver Glasner was furious at what he described as a lack of “pride” and “slapstick” defending by the Eagles, who are now winless in nine games. “I have no explanation for what I have seen today,” said the Austrian, who has been linked with the vacant managerial role at Manchester United. Tottenham have won just three times in their last 14 games as their wait to lift the FA Cup for the first time since 1991 goes on. Villa struck twice in a dominant first half through Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers. Wilson Odobert pulled a goal back early in the second half, but Spurs could not find an equaliser to force extra-time and Frank was roundly booed at the full-time whistle.Just a day after securing his £65mn move from Bournemouth, Semenyo was among the scorers as City crushed League One Exeter at the Etihad. Erling Haaland started but was remarkably not among the goals and was withdrawn at half-time. Rico Lewis scored twice, while Max Alleyne, Rodri, Rico Lewis, Tijjani Reijnders, Nico O’Riley and Ryan McAidoo were also on target for City and Exeter netted two own goals. Newcastle scored a 95th minute equaliser through Anthony Gordon’s penalty to make it 2-2 at St. James Park after 90 minutes. Both sides scored in extra-time as this time Bournemouth struck in stoppage time through Marcus Tavernier to force penalties. Aaron Ramsdale saved three spot-kicks as the Magpies prevailed 7-6 in a marathon shootout. Sunderland also needed penalties to beat Everton after a 1-1 draw. Robin Roefs saved all three of the Toffees spot-kicks in the shootout to send the Black Cats into round four. Premier League strugglers Wolves are now unbeaten in four games after thrashing Shrewsbury 6-1 thanks to a Jorgen Strand Larsen hat-trick. Fulham needed three goals in the final half hour to beat Middlesbrough 3-1 at Craven Cottage, but Burnley found Championship opposition an easier proposition in thrashing Millwall 5-1. Brentford cruised to a 2-0 win at financially stricken Sheffield on Wednesday. Related Story Source link
Germany’s Ying Han became the oldest player to make it to a WTT Champions semi-final at Lusail Sports Arena. Germany’s Ying Han recorded one of the greatest wins of her career, knocking out top seed Wang Manyu over seven games (11-6, 4-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6) to reach the semis of the WTT Champions Doha 2026 at the Lusail Sports Arena Saturday. Han went into the tie as the World No 22, and had never progressed past the quarter-final at a WTT Champions event. Wang is the current World No 2 and only recently defended her WTT Finals title. “Of course, I am extremely pleased with my performance because I have never beaten her before; the best I ever did was win one game against her. My goal today was to win two games, and when I won the third game, I started to get a little bit of belief. And then I just wanted to give it my all for every point,” said Ying Han This match was Han’s third quarter-final at this level, but the win was not just a giant killing. Edging Wang over seven games means Han has become the oldest player to reach a WTT Champions semis, aged 42 years and 256 days old. In today’s semis, Han will again have to pull off a historic upset by beating No. 6 seed Zhu Yuling of Macau if she hopes to move one step closer to the title. The last time Han met Zhu was also here in Doha back in 2016. Today’s match will be the first WTT clash between the pair. Yuling, the the former World No 1, downed Wang Yidi 11-5, 11-9, 11-13, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8 to progress to the semi-final. Zhu, who celebrates her 31st birthday Saturday, has been in fantastic form all week at Lusail Sports Arena, having not gone behind once in her first three matches and having only dropped a total of four games. “I cherished every moment throughout the entire match because I don’t get too many opportunities to compete with highly skilled players like Wang Yidi. I’d treat it as an intense training for myself. Today, I performed at my best at every moment and settled into the first game fast,” said Yuling In the all-Chinese women’s semi-final, third seed Chen Xingtong will take on second seed Man Kuai. The men’s singles will contested between China’s top seed Lin Shidong and South Korea’s Jan Woojin, while Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto will face Chinese Taipie’s Lin Yun-Ju. In the quarters, top seed Shidong overcame Liang Jingkun, while Woojin beat Truls Moregard. Harimoto also advanced with a win over Felix Lebrun and Yun-Ju delivered a flawless performance to defeat Sora Matushima. Related Story Source link
Qatar and Syria players vie for the ball at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah Saturday. Mahmoud Alaswad’s late penalty earned Syria a 1-0 win against Qatar in their AFC U-23 Asian Cup B match at Jeddah’s Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium Saturday. The result took Syria level on three points with United Arab Emirates, who they meet on Tuesday to decide who advances together with defending champions Japan to the quarter-finals. The second straight defeat ended Qatar’s chances of advancing in the tournament. The match endured a lukewarm start before a lapse in concentration by Mohamed Khaled saw him robbed of possession inside his own box but the Qatari forward recovered to block Muhannad Fadel’s attempt in the 20th minute. Syria were given another opportunity when Alhashmi Mohialdin’s poor pass out from defence was intercepted by Dahhan but the midfielder’s strike from distance was straight at Qatar custodian Amir Katoul. Qatar’s only chance of the opening half came in the 33rd minute when Rashid al-Abdulla used his strength to power into the box but his shot from an acute angle was parried away by Maksim Sarraf. After the interval, Syria stepped up their intensity with Katoul forced to make a diving save to his right to deny a low Mahmoud al-Aswad shot from the edge of the box. Such was Syria’s dominance of the game that head coach Ilidio Vale tried to get the Qatar midfield up and running by replacing Abdulaziz Hasan and Anas Abweny with Mahdi Almejaba and Jassem Alsharshani just before the hour mark. Despite the changes, it was Syria who continued to find the openings, with Mohammad al-Mustafa twice producing curling efforts from inside the box only to see them go agonisingly wide. The breakthrough finally came in the 85th minute through al-Aswad’s penalty after Ayoub Aloui brought down al-Mustafa in the box, with the Qatari defender also given his marching orders for the foul. Source link
Carlos Alcaraz beat his great rival Jannik Sinner 7-5 7-6(8) to win their Hyundai Card Super Match exhibition event in Incheon, South Korea, on Saturday that marked the start of the season for the world's top two men's tennis players.There was little to separate the two during the entertaining clash, with world number one Alcaraz squeaking ahead towards the end of both sets to clinch the win.’We all need the support from the fans. So having the support and feeling the love from the people was necessary for me to perform my best and play great tennis like I did today,’ Alcaraz said.In their press conference on Friday, Sinner said the match would not be a true indicator of their levels heading into the new season and that both players would focus on entertaining spectators.It was a promise they lived up to, as the largely light-hearted hit-around unsurprisingly lacked the intensity that has characterised their previous meetings on the sport's biggest stages.The pair mixed up their game with an array of trick shots and engaged in a number of memorable rallies to keep fans at the Inspire Arena on the edge of their seats, with Sinner allowing a child in the stands to play a point for him in the second set.EXHIBITION EVENTSIt was an entertaining display from both players, who are no strangers to putting on a show at exhibition events.Sinner and Alcaraz competed in the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Riyadh in 2024 and 2025, with the Italian winning in the final on both occasions.Alcaraz has defended his decision to play in such lucrative events despite previously saying he would consider skipping ATP Tour events to prioritise his health in a crowded schedule, saying they provide relief from the grind of the tour.The Spaniard has also admitted there are considerable financial incentives to playing exhibition events, saying last year the prize money on offer was a motivation for playing in the Six Kings Slam.With the exhibition match wrapped up, the serious business starts for Sinner and Alcaraz, who will now shift their attention to the Australian Open.The two have much at stake in the season's opening Grand Slam, which begins at Melbourne Park on January 18, with Sinner looking to win a third straight Australian Open title and Alcaraz chasing a career Grand Slam.’It was an entertaining match, that's why we came here and obviously now the main goal is in Australia,’ Sinner said.’At the end of the day, exhibition matches are different, you are a bit more relaxed and also entertaining the crowd a little bit more with different shots and different actions on court.’ Source link