TENNIS
Hsieh Yu-chieh makes semis
Taiwan’s Hsieh Yu-chieh on Thursday advanced to the semi-finals of the doubles at the WTA Challenger Series-Chicago, defeating India’s Ankita Raina and Ekaterine Gorgodze of Georgia 7-5, 6-2 alongside partner Mona Barthel of Germany. They were to play the French duo of Kristina Mladenovic and Clara Burel shortly after press time last night.
RUGBY UNION
NZ cancels two Tests
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) yesterday announced the cancelation of two home Tests between the All Blacks and the Springboks after a community COVID-19 outbreak sent the country into lockdown. The All Blacks also will not immediately travel to Perth for a Test against Australia because of uncertainty over the remainder of the Rugby Championship schedule. NZR said in a statement that it had received government advice that the Springboks will not be admitted to New Zealand for matches in Dunedin on Sept. 25 and Auckland on Oct. 1. South African Rugby said it has offered to host the remainder of the Rugby Championship, pending government approval.
SOCCER
Saudi Arabia to host final
Saudi Arabia is to host the final of this year’s Asian Champions League on Nov. 23, the Asian Football Confederation said on Friday. No venue city has been announced, but the quarter and semi-finals on Oct. 16 and 19 respectively are also be played in the Gulf state.
MOTORSPORTS
Vinales, Yamaha part ways
MotoGP rider Maverick Vinales and Yamaha have parted ways with immediate effect, the team said yesterday, less than a week after he was withdrawn from the Austrian Grand Prix for allegedly trying to destroy his bike’s engine at the previous race. “Following recent events at the Styrian GP and after deep consideration by both parties, the mutual decision was reached to separate with immediate effect,” Yamaha said in a statement.
OLYMPICS
Paralympics flame arrives
The Paralympic flame arrived in Tokyo yesterday, four days before the Games are to begin. As Tokyo prepares to host the event for athletes with disabilities, organizers urged participants to follow COVID-19 rules with increased vigilance. “The infection situation today is different to how it was before the Olympics. It has deteriorated,” Tokyo 2020 official Hidemasa Nakamura said. “And the local medical system is also in a very tight situation. Para athletes, compared to Olympic athletes, risk having even more serious symptoms, so we need to be even more careful.”
CRICKET
Cairns’ condition improves
Former New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns has been taken off life support and his condition was improving after a heart scare, a family spokesman said yesterday. Cairns was reported to have had an aortic dissection, a tear in the inner layer of the body’s main artery. “I’m pleased to say that Chris is off life support and has been able to communicate with his family,” the cricketer’s lawyer Aaron Lloyd wrote on social media. “They are thankful for all of the support and well wishes from everyone, and ask for continued privacy.”
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
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