SOCCER
Leipzig defeat Hamburg 3-1
RB Leipzig on Tuesday eased past second-division Hamburg SV 3-1 to reach the DFB-Pokal final for the first time in their young history. Leipzig, formed by energy drinks maker Red Bull 10 years ago as a fifth-division club, are now face the winners of yesterday’s semi-final between Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen for a shot at the club’s first silverware. Yussuf Poulsen headed the visitors in front in the 12th minute, but Bakery Jatta’s audacious strike from outside the box caught Peter Gulacsi off guard to level for the hosts. Hamburg, battling to return to the Bundesliga next season after last year’s relegation, were a step slower than their opponents. Leipzig, who hit the woodwork three times, went back ahead eight minutes after the restart thanks to a Vasilije Janjicic own-goal. Emil Forsberg then threaded in his shot in the 72nd to guarantee their maiden final appearance.
TENNIS
Kerber to face Petkovic
Germany’s Angelique Kerber is to face compatriot Andrea Petkovic in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, after Petkovic beat Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in straight sets on Tuesday. World No. 5 Kerber was granted a bye to the second round after Romanian world No. 2 Simona Halep withdrew from the tournament with an injury, and is now face her friend and compatriot in an all-German duel today. “I will send Angie a SMS or two this evening,” Petkovic said after beating Tormo 6-3, 6-4. “Usually, the loser has to buy the other one dinner.” In the other ties, Belgium’s Greet Minnens sprung a surprise when she beat Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, ranked 159 places above her, to set up a second-round meeting with Czech world No. 3 Petra Kvitova. Laura Siegemund became the third German to reach the second round when she beat Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko, while Anna-Lena Friedsam went down fighting in two sets against Dutch sixth seed Kiki Bertens. Earlier in the day, Elise Mertens of Belgium was knocked out by Russia’s Darya Kasatkina, while Anastasika Sevastova overcame fellow Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in a roller-coaster battle over three sets.
TENNIS
Zverev ousted in first round
Alexander Zverev on Tuesday crashed out of the Barcelona Open in the second round, continuing his troubled start to this year. The German, who joined the tournament on a late wild-card, was beaten 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) by lucky loser Nicolas Jarry. German world No. 3 Zverev, who is looking to improve on his disappointing start to the year, came back from a double break down in the third set, but blew a match point at 6-5. It was the biggest win of Chilean Jarry’s career. The world No. 81 is now to face either Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria or Fernando Verdasco of Spain in today’s third round. Zverev’s brother, Mischa Zverev, was also eliminated, going out 6-3, 6-1 to David Ferrer in the first round, while Kei Nishikori eased to a 7-5, 6-2 win over Taylor Fritz to secure a place in the third round. Top seed and world No. 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain was yesterday to begin his campaign to win the Barcelona Open for a record 12th time against Leonardo Mayer.
Twelve days after winning her second Grand Slam title at the French Open, Coco Gauff fell at the first hurdle on grass in Berlin on Thursday as beaten Paris finalist Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarter-finals. Recipient of a first round bye, American Gauff lost 6-3, 6-3 to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu as world number one Sabalenka beat Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) in her second round tie. Winner of 10 main tour titles, including the US Open in 2023 and the WTA Finals last year, Gauff has yet to lift a trophy in a grass-court tournament. “After I won the first
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
Aaron Civale got a little wild in the right-hander’s first start for the Chicago White Sox two days after he was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers. Civale on Sunday walked four of the first seven hitters he faced in a 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers. The 30-year-old finished with four walks, one off his career high, while allowing six hits and two runs in five innings. He threw 65 strikes and 39 balls. Chicago trailed 2-1 when he was replaced by Dan Altavilla to start the sixth. “Not the cleanest,” Civale said. “It’s been a whirlwind of a week. First couple
DOMINANT JUVENTUS: Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao both scored braces as Juventus made a statement in their opener with a big win over Al-Ain Phil Foden on Wednesday scored two minutes into the match and later had an assist to lead Premier League powerhouse Manchester City past Moroccan club Wydad AC 2-0 at the FIFA Club World Cup. City broke Wydad’s five-man defensive line early when Foden scored on a deflected cross by goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid. Jeremy Doku doubled City’s lead in the 42nd minute off a corner-kick from Foden. Shortly afterward, an animal-rights advocate ran onto the field to protest Morocco’s treatment of stray dogs and cats. The man was tackled by security workers and escorted out of Lincoln Financial Field, which was just over
RSS