TENNIS
Petkovic wins title in Sofia
Germany’s Andrea Petkovic claimed her third title of the year when she clawed her way back to beat Italy’s Flavia Pennetta 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the final of the WTA Tournament of Champions in Sofia, Bulgaria. Victory was the perfect morale-booster for the fourth-seeded Petkovic, who will finish off her season next weekend when Germany take on the Czech Republic in the Fed Cup final. “I’m happy I met Flavia in the final because we’ve both been coming back from injury this year,” Petkovic said after wrapping up her fifth career title. “I was so happy when she won Indian Wells because I know what she went through, and so it’s even nicer to play her for this title today. I hope next season is even better for her.” Petkovic, 27, added the Sofia title to earlier wins this season at Charleston and Bad Gastein. She is the fifth player to win three or more tournaments this year, after Serena Williams (seven), Maria Sharapova (four), Ana Ivanovic (four) and Petra Kvitova (also three).
ATHLETICS
Wozniacki runs marathon
Caroline Wozniacki says she is pleased she beat her goal in the New York City Marathon, especially since her training routine included late nights and attending a sporting event on the eve of the run. “I’ve done everything you are not supposed to do before a marathon,” the 24-year old Wozniacki said. “I had a Halloween party three days ago and came back at like 4:00 in the morning. I’ve been really busy. Last night, I actually didn’t have much of a dinner because I went to the [New York] Rangers game. You are supposed to load up on carbs, but I didn’t have too much time for that.” The WTA Tour tennis star finished her first marathon on Sunday in just under 3 hours, 27 minutes, saying she even had enough left in the tank to sprint the final few meters to the finish line. “It was incredible,” said Wozniacki, who set a goal of three hours, 30 minutes. “I’m so happy to have done this. I’m so proud.” Wozniacki raised more than US$80,000 for Team for Kids, which provides money for youth running programs.
ICE HOCKEY
Flying puck kills fan, 8
An eight-year-old ice hockey fan who had gone to watch a match in northern France with his father died on Sunday after he was hit in the head by a puck that flew into the stands. The freak tragedy occurred about three minutes before the end of the match in Dunkirk on Saturday evening, when a player hit the puck toward the end of the rink and a teammate then diverted it, sending it into the stands. Hugo, who was with his father, was hit on the ear and suffered cardiac arrest. Rescue workers on site were able to revive him, but he died on Sunday of his injuries in hospital. A puck weighs around 170g and can travel at more than 180kph.
SOCCER
Lippi coaches last game
World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has signaled an end to his stellar managerial career after the Italian guided Guangzhou Evergrande to their fourth successive Chinese Super League title on Sunday. The 66-year-old’s Chinese adventure was the final chapter in a remarkable coaching career that began with a host of managerial roles at lower-tier Italian clubs in the 1980s. He went on to win five Serie A crowns during two stints with Juventus and secured a Champions League triumph with the club in 1996. Lippi also had two stints with the national side, with the highlight being when he coached Italy to victory at the 2006 World Cup. He resigned after they made a poor defense of their title in South Africa and joined Guangzhou in May 2012.
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
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