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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
US golfer Brooks Koepka watches his iron shot from the 3rd tee during his third round, on day three of the 152nd British Open Golf Championship…
Jockey Lukas Delozier rides Studio City to Lisha Cup victory at the Al Uqda Racecourse Thursday. Studio City produced an authoritative performance to claim the day’s feature, the 2,000m Thoroughbred Handicap and the Lisha Cup, at Al Uqda Racecourse Thursday.Drawn in barrier two, the six-year-old chestnut tracked prominently in third before launching a decisive run in the home straight, surging past rivals to win by 3¼ lengths.The victory extended his impressive campaign, marking his second win from three starts alongside a runner-up finish for owner Faleh Suwayed al-Ajami.Trainer Mohammed al-Ghazali celebrated his third winner of the evening, while jockey Lukas Delozier completed a double.Head of Racing Operations at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Rashid Saed Adiba presented the Lisha Cup trophies to the connections.Earlier, Weissmuller, trained by Hamad al-Jehani and ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, won the Thoroughbred Handicap (85-105) by a head.In the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (75-95), Alberto Sanna rode Jassim al-Ghazali-trained Al-Yaseen Zakhir to win.In other race, Samsa Al Shahania crossed the line 2¼ lengths clear in the Purebred Arabian Novice Plate, trained by Rudy Nerbonne with Delozier in the saddle.Temple Of Hera claimed the Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75) under Nayef Batal al-Otibi’s training, with Salman Fahad al-Hajri riding.Noble Patron, trained by Mohammed Balasim al-Jumaili and partnered with Szczepan Mazur, won the Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75).In the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-65), Taimoor, trained by Mohammed Hassan al-Matwi, prevailed with Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi up, while al-Ghazali-trained Dance Acclaim, secured the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60) under al-Otaibi.My George, also trained by al-Ghazali and partnered with Soufiane Saadi, finished fastest in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for three-year-olds. RESULTS34th Al Uqda Race Meeting – Lisha CupWINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)1 – Lisha Cup – Thoroughbred Handicap 70-90Studio City, Mohammed al-Ghazali, Lukas Delozier2 – Thoroughbred Handicap (85-105)Weissmuller, Hamad al-Jehani, Pierre Charles Boudot3 – Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (75-95)Al-Yaseen Zakhir, Jassim al-Ghazali, Alberto Sanna4 – Purebred Arabian Novice PlateSamsa Al Shahania, Rudy Nerbonne, Lukas Delozier5: Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75)Temple Of Hera, Nayef Batal al-Otibi, Salman Fahad al-Hajri6 – Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75), 3YO+, 1300m, Div. 1Noble Patron, Mohammed Balasim al-Jumaili, Szczepan Mazur7 – Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-65)Taimoor, Mohammed Hassan al-Matwi, Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi8 – Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60)Dance Acclaim, Mohammed al-Ghazali, Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi9 – Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, 3YOsMy George, Mohammedal-Ghazali, Soufiane Saadi Source link
Morocco coach Walid Regragui sought to remove some of the pressure on his team as he suggested Cameroon had more to lose in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final between the sides.The tournament hosts are the favourites to win the competition given their home advantage as well as the fact they are Africa’s leading side in the FIFA world rankings. But the expectation on them brings an enormous weight of pressure that is in contrast to Cameroon, who have reached the last eight despite a chaotic build-up to the Cup of Nations which saw them appoint a new coach weeks before their opening game.There is also a historical precedent: the last time Morocco hosted the Cup of Nations was in 1988, when their dream of winning the title was ended in defeat by Roger Milla’s Indomitable Lions in the semi-finals in Casablanca.“The reality is that Cameroon have generally been Morocco’s bete noire. They have often come here and won. But that was in the past. We are the new Morocco so what happened then no longer matters,” Regragui said on the eve of today’s clash.He then suggested that Cameroon’s failure to qualify for the upcoming World Cup means they have more to lose than a Moroccan team desperate to win the continental title in front of their fans, half a century after their sole Cup of Nations triumph to date.“The reality now is that Cameroon are on form, and this is their competition because they have everything to lose,” Regragui insisted.“If they go no further they will have to wait two or three more years for another major tournament. We also have something to lose because we are at home but in four months we have the World Cup so we have another competition to play. That is why Cameroon will be motivated, more than usual. There is pressure on us but on them too.”The Morocco coach was also full of praise for his Cameroonian counterpart David Pagou, whose calm demeanour has helped a young side progress from their group and then eliminate South Africa in the last 16.“We are playing the host nation, a top side who have really good individuals as well as a collective that works well together,” admitted Pagou.“And also, not that I am a historian but Morocco have not lost at home in a very long time. So that is an extra source of motivation.”For Morocco, the Lille striker Hamza Igamane is fit again after injury but Regragui acknowledged that midfield lynchpin Sofyan Amrabat is still struggling with an ankle problem while veteran defender Romain Saiss is also not fully fit.However, captain Achraf Hakimi is set to start again after doing so for the first time in the tournament in the narrow last 16 win against Tanzania.“Achraf hadn’t played 90 minutes in almost two months. He played very well against Tanzania but we have not yet seen Achraf at his best. Hopefully we will tomorrow,” Regragui said of the African player of the year, who suffered an ankle injury with Paris Saint-Germain in early November. Related Story Source link
Harry Brook has apologised for an altercation in New Zealand during the team’s white-ball tour late last year after a report Thursday said the England batsman was struck by a nightclub bouncer after being denied entry to the venue. The Daily Telegraph report said the incident occurred on October 31, the night before England’s third one-day international against the hosts. England went on to lose the match, ensuring a 3-0 series sweep for New Zealand, with white-ball captain Brook scoring just six runs in the ODI. The news is the latest setback for England’s board (ECB), which is dealing with the fallout from a 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Australia and is looking into reports that players drank excessively during a break between Tests. “I want to apologise for my actions,” said Brook, who was the third-highest scorer during the Ashes series with 358 runs, in statement to British media. “I fully accept that my behaviour was wrong and brought embarrassment to both myself and the England team. “I am determined to learn from this mistake and to rebuild trust through my future actions, both on and off the field. I apologise unreservedly and will work hard to ensure this does not happen again.” The ECB said it was aware of the incident and that it had been dealt with through a formal and confidential disciplinary process. “The player involved has apologised and acknowledged their conduct fell below expectations on this occasion,” it added in a statement. ECB CEO Richard Gould said the governing body had already begun a “thorough review” of their Ashes campaign, which ended Thursday with defeat in the fifth Test in Sydney. “This will cover tour planning and preparation, individual performance and behaviours, and our ability to adapt and respond effectively as circumstances require,” he added. Source link
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen announced Thursday that she was withdrawing from the Australian Open later this month due to a lack of physical conditioning. The Chinese player is a former finalist at the year’s opening Grand Slam, losing to current world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2 in 2024. Zheng underwent surgery on her elbow following a first round defeat at Wimbledon in July before returning to the WTA Tour in September. However, she pulled out in the third round of the China Open in Beijing after admitting that she had rushed her return to competitive action. “After careful evaluation by my team and following medical advice, unfortunately I will be withdrawing from the 2026 Australian Open,” Zheng wrote on Instagram. “Although my recovery is progressing well and my offseason has gone smoothly, to play a Grand Slam requires players to maintain an extreme competitive condition. “Currently, I have not yet reached my best condition that I have set for myself.” The Australian Open, which begins on January 18, was where Zheng recorded her first Grand Slam victory and also her best Grand Slam result, although last year shewas knocked out in the second round. The 23-year-old had a standout 2024, beating Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 to claim Olympic gold in Paris and also reaching the final of WTA Finals, losing to Coco Gauff in a deciding set tiebreak. Related Story Source link
Cristian Romero added to the mounting crisis at Tottenham as the Argentinian appeared to take a swipe at the club’s hierarchy after apologising for their latest dismal defeat. Thomas Frank’s side were beaten 3-2 at Bournemouth on Wednesday to leave them with just two wins from their last 12 Premier League matches. Tottenham are languishing in 14th place, with pressure building on Frank as he struggles to turn the tide in his first season in charge after arriving from Brentford. With fans growing increasingly angry – some were seen arguing with players after the Bournemouth loss – Tottenham captain Romero took to social media to say sorry for his team’s plight. The volatile centre-back also hinted that Frank and the players should be backed publicly by the club’s powerbrokers. Writing on Instagram, he said “other people” should be coming out to speak and added that they “only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies”. The 27-year-old later deleted that post but his replacement post was almost identical, omitting the lies comment but still seeming to take aim at Tottenham’s board. Daniel Levy left his role as chairman in September and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham was only appointed in April. Tottenham co-sporting director Johan Lange has been in place since 2023, while majority owners ENIC, run by the Lewis family trust, have rarely made public statements. Romero previously defended Frank’s predecessor Ange Postecoglou in another social media post last year. Postecoglou was sacked despite winning the Europa League last season to end the club’s 17-year trophy drought. Romero appeared to support the Australian as he highlighted “many obstacles that always existed and always will exist” at the club. Spurs manager Frank later said he and Lange had spoken to Romero. “I said it when I named him the captain that even though he’s an experienced player, he’s tried a lot, he’s still a young leader. And I think a lot of the things he’s done well on and off the pitch, I’m happy with,” said Frank. “But also when you’re a young leader sometimes you make a mistake, of course it’s good to keep it internally. Johan and I had a good conversation with him this morning about everything, which we of course keep internally.” Tottenham’s injury crisis, meanwhile, continues to increase with Rodrigo Bentancur suffering a hamstring injury at Bournemouth and Lucas Bergvall also forced off. Frank, already without Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski, told a press conference Thursday: “Kudus is a bigger one, to the tendon and quad, and don’t expect him back until after the March international break.” Source link
Swiss rider Nadja Peter Steiner stole the spotlight on the opening day of second tour of HH The Father Amir’s Prix at Al Shaqab Thursday, clinching victory in the CSI5 1.50m Faults and Time class with a superb clear round aboard Nice Van’T Zorgvliet. Steiner guided the BWP mare to the fastest time of 59.30 seconds to claim the top prize of €14,250. Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano finished a close second with Esteban de Hus after also jumping clear in 59.54 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Alrajhi completed the podium with a faultless round on Ventago in 60.35 seconds. Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt took fourth place with Chaquitos PS in 61.59 seconds, and Qatar’s Sheikh Ali Khalid al-Thani rounded out the top five with Marco Monet after stopping the clock at 61.61 seconds. There was success for Qatar in the CSI5 Two Phases 1.40m, as Mohammed al-Baker guided Dukhan 3 to victory. After a clear opening phase, al-Baker produced a rapid second phase in 23.68 seconds. Fellow Qatari Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi followed in second with Isis in 24.61 seconds, while France’s Megane Moissonnier finished third aboard Chacarija PS in 24.86 seconds. Rashid Towaim Ali al-Marri ensured another home presence in fourth with Navaronne in 24.97 seconds, and American rider Eve Jobs completed the top five with Kannandillo in 25.32 seconds. “Winning here at Al Shaqab means a lot,” said al-Baker. “Riding at home, you really feel the support from the crowd, and Dukhan 3 was with me all the way today. We stayed focused in both phases, and I’m pleased with how he responded and how the round came together.” At CSI3 level, Emanuele Gaudiano dominated the Two Phases 1.40m class, taking first and third place. The Italian topped aboard Diarouge Blue PS with a double-clear round in 24.35 seconds, while he finishing third with Equine America Ivanhoe GPH in 25.83 seconds. Compatriot Roberto Previtali on Diasandro Blue cams second in 25.79 seconds. The CSI3 Special Two-Phase saw Egypt’s Ismail Osama El Borai take top honours on Incredible Z after posting a clear second phase in 26.86 seconds. Fellow Egyptian Mustafa Saed followed in second with Kalliope LVP Z in 28.69 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alasaker finished third aboard Scoobylensky Theyss in 29.19 seconds. El Borai said the victory marked a breakthrough. “Last week I was very close, but something always went wrong, so to start this weekend with a win in the first competition feels amazing. It was also my first five-star class this evening, so it’s a positive start. Incredible Z was excellent today – he’s a very careful horse and very quick, so when we put in a good round, we’re usually right there on the podium.” Saudi riders led the CSI3 Faults and Time 1.25m, with Bader Alfard taking first place aboard Kimberly in 58.61 seconds. Mohammed Alasaker followed closely in second with Tinto de Nuit Z in 58.77 seconds, while Qatar’s Suhaim Hamad al-Yafei secured third place on Flash du Puits in 59.31 seconds. In the CSI1 Special Two-Phase, Qatar’s Ali Omar al-Ansari claimed victory aboard Nikita Eindeken Z in 28.48 seconds. Prince Mohamed al-Saud finished second for Saudi Arabia with Haroon in 30.12 seconds, and Salem Balharith completed the podium on Lovina in 30.94 seconds. Egypt’s Abdallah Haitham topped the CSI1 Faults and Time 1.20m, after producing a clear round on Consagros in 54.53 seconds. Qatar’s Ibrahim Yousuf al-Mahmoud finished second with Perle Van Dorperheide in 55.87 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Aldalaan claimed third aboard Sarina Del Valle in 56.31 seconds. In the National Competition Optimum Time 0.60m, Qatar’s Almaha Mansoor al-Sulaitin took first place with Brooklyn, finishing just 0.09 seconds inside the optimum time. Shamma al-Hitmi followed in second on Zorro Z with a 0.31-second difference, while Abdullah Bahamdan placed third with Irbal at 0.32 seconds. Competition continues today across all arenas as the programme builds toward two major highlights: the CSI5 1.55m class with a jump-off and the first CSI5 Six Bars class of the Tour, a crowd-favourite format expected to draw strong interest. The Tour concludes tomorrow with Grand Prix Day across categories, featuring the CSI5 1.60m Grand Prix, the CSI3 1.50m Grand Prix and the CSI1 1.30m Grand Prix, all decided by jump-off. Related Story Source link