David Moyes cannot wait to take on his former club Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round after goals from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio on Monday sealed West Ham United’s 2-0 victory at third tier Derby County. Bowen put West Ham ahead early in the first half and Antonio doubled the lead soon after the interval in the fourth round tie. Moyes’ side would head to Old Trafford later this month as they continue their bid to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 2006. It would be Moyes’ latest return to United, who sacked the Scot in 2014 only 10 months after he succeeded Alex Ferguson. “I’m really looking forward to the game. It’s a really good game for us.” Moyes said. “Maybe at the moment that’s the game we need because we’ve got players who want to play on the big stage, he said. “There’s nothing bigger than Old Trafford, so I’m saying to the players: ‘Come on, let’s go and take it on and challenge them.’” Avoiding an embarrassing defeat against Derby was essential for the under-fire Moyes, but it is Premier League survival that remains his top priority. The Hammers are languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone. “This was a difficult game because Derby had gone 16 unbeaten. In the end, we did a pretty professional job on them,” Moyes said. Moyes made six changes following West Ham’s vital 2-0 victory over Premier League relegation rivals Everton in their most recent match nine days ago. Despite the selection gamble, West Ham proved too strong for a Derby side on the up after a turbulent period. Just 12 months ago, Derby were in turmoil, with the club close to going out of business after they plunged into administration and suffered relegation to the third
Kelly Slater is looking to defend his Billabong Pro Pipeline title as surfing’s world championship begins in Hawaii this week, with the added allure of spots at the Paris 2024 Olympics up for grabs at the end of the 10-stop global tour. The 50-year-old Floridian stunned the surfing world to win the event last year in perfect conditions at the dangerous Pipeline, declaring it the best victory of his unrivaled 30-year career. Slater faces a tough task this year with surf forecasts suggesting smaller, windier conditions that might better suit some of his rivals, who include a host of hungry newcomers and some returning veterans. “He’s an 11-time world champion, he’s won every event on the schedule, holds every record in the sport and he continues to do mind-blowing surfing, but the truth of the matter is, it’s getting harder and harder for him to win,” World Surf League commentator Ronnie Blakey said. Reigning world champions Filipe Toledo from Brazil and Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore have both in the past admitted to struggling with the giant tubes on offer at Pipeline and would be looking to up their games at the sport’s most revered location. Gilmore, who has won a record eight world titles, is up against local wildcard and reigning champion Moana Jones Wong as well as compatriot Macy Callaghan in her first three-woman heat, the loser of which gets sent to an elimination round. Brazil’s three-time world champion Gabriel Medina, who missed much of last year’s tour with depression, is to take on local John John Florence, the twice world champion whose season last year was ruined by a knee injury. After a two-stop leg in Hawaii, surfers head to Portugal and then on to Australia for two more contests before both fields are cut by a third for the remaining legs, a change that sparked
Ticket sales for Kaohsiung Steelers home games surged after last month’s announcement that former NBA sensation Jeremy Lin would join the struggling P.League+ team. The Steelers, currently in last place in the six-team league with a 2-14 record, have three home games this month, hosting the Formosa Taishin Dreamers, the New Taipei Kings and the Dreamers again at Kaohsiung Fengshan Arena on Monday, Saturday next week and Feb. 12 respectively. Tickets to the latter two games went on sale at noon on Monday and as of 2:15pm, the courtside seats for the contest on Saturday next week, priced at NT$3,500 each, and all other lower-level seats were sold out, as were many sections in the arena’s second deck. The cheapest seats, in the arena’s third tier, are priced at NT$400 each. In their first seven home games this season, the Steelers had an average attendance of 2,502 people per game, only 47.2 percent of the arena’s 5,300 seat capacity, the league’s Web site showed. After the three home games, the team’s next home encounter would be on March 10, which could possibly drive up demand for tickets this month, even though the Steelers have yet to confirm when the Taiwanese-American player would make his debut. Promotional material released on Friday for the Kaohsiung team’s home games this month featured Lin alongside guard Jerry Chen and Shawn Chou, Lin’s former teammate in China’s professional basketball league. Lin did not appear in a post on the team’s Web site on Sunday. Many fans question whether Lin could reverse the Steelers’ fortunes, given that the T1 League’s Taoyuan Leopards have been unable to win more than one game despite the addition of former NBA star Dwight Howard. Kaohsiung finished fifth in the P.League+ last season with a 9-20 record. They have fallen further this season, four wins behind the 6-11 Dreamers in
Mexico’s leading tennis players on Monday announced they would not play in next week’s Davis Cup World Group playoff tie against Taiwan due to differences with the Mexican Tennis Federation (FMT). Led by Santiago Gonzalez, Alejandro Hernandez and Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela, the players said they would not play in the 5 Group I playoff tie in Metepec, Mexico, on Saturday and Sunday. “After a difficult deliberation, we have not reached a positive conclusion, so we have decided not to participate in the upcoming series against the Chinese Taipei team,” the players said in a statement published on social media. “The lack of communication, lack of planning and lack of interest show that the situation has not been handled in the right way and that personal interests have taken precedence over sporting ones,” it said. “It is sad that the FMT does not have the minimum standards in dealing and planning with the best national representatives.” The players said they had already informed the federation of their reasons for not participating in the Davis Cup tie. The statement was also signed by Ernesto Escobedo, Lucas Gomez, Hans Hach, Gerardo Lopez and Manuel Sanchez. The FMT was not immediately available to comment. The Mexican team was to play Taiwan’s Tseng Chun-hsin, the country’s highest-ranked player on the ATP Tour at No. 110 and who most recently competed in the Australian Open, as well as Wu Tung-ling, Hsu Yu-hsiou, Jason Jung and Huang Tsung-hao. Additional reporting by staff writer
OLYMPICS IOC rejects criticism The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday rejected fierce criticism from Ukrainian officials, who have accused it of promoting war after the body said Russians could potentially be given the opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak at the weekend described the Lausanne-based body as promoting “violence, mass murders, destruction,” and on Monday said that a Russian presence at the Games would give the country “a platform to promote genocide.” “The IOC rejects in the strongest possible terms this and other defamatory statements,” the IOC said in a statement. “They cannot serve as a basis for any constructive discussion.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who last week called for a campaign to keep Russian athletes from competing in Paris, asked Denmark’s visiting prime minister for support on Monday. ICE HOCKEY Bobby Hull dies at 84 Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull, the first NHL player to score more than 50 goals in a season, has died at the age of 84, the Chicago Blackhawks said on Monday. Hull, a Canadian who had a feared slapshot and was known as the “Golden Jet” because of his blonde hair and speed on the ice, helped lead the Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup championship in 1961 that ended a 23-year title drought for the franchise. “Hull is part of an elite group of players who made a historic impact on our hockey club,” the Blackhawks said in a statement. “Generations of Chicagoans were dazzled by Bobby’s shooting prowess, skating skill and overall team leadership.” SOCCER Fans to be punished: CSD Spain’s High Council for Sport (CSD) on Monday said that more than 10 Real Valladolid fans who racially insulted Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior in a La Liga game last month would be punished. Some home fans hurled abuse at the
CHAMPIONSHIP WINS: Injured Patrick Mahomes managed to deliver key plays for the Chiefs as they edged past the Bengals, while the Eagles easily beat the 49ers
The Kansas City Chiefs are to meet the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl after the two top seeds won their conference championships in contrasting style on Sunday. While the Eagles had it easy against the injury-hit San Francisco 49ers, winning 31-7, the Chiefs needed a field goal 3 seconds from the end of their game to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. The wins set up what should be an enthralling contest between two of the most exciting and entertaining quarterbacks in the NFL with the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes up against Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts. The Feb. 12 clash in Arizona also pits Chiefs coach Andy Reid against the team where he spent 14 seasons as head coach. “I had a great time there, 14 years there, a pretty long time. I am happy for them, happy for the city, they are passionate and love football and I can’t wait until Kansas City and Philly clash, it is going to be awesome, what a great Super Bowl it is going to be,” Reid said. The Eagles sealed the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl appearance — and second in five years — with an emphatic victory in the NFC Championship game at home at Lincoln Financial Field. The 49ers’ hopes of victory were upended after a disastrous first half that saw starting quarterback Brock Purdy — himself the team’s third choice signal-caller — injured on the team’s opening drive. Back-up Josh Johnson — the fourth choice 49ers quarterback — also departed injured in the third quarter. All of Philadelphia’s touchdowns came via their ground game, with running back Miles Sanders scoring twice and Boston Scott adding a third before quarterback Jalen Hurts burrowed over in the third quarter. The Eagles piled up 148 rushing yards throughout from 44 carries. “I’ve dreamed about this, and all the guys on this team have dreamed
Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday dumped FA Cup holders Liverpool out of the competition, as Hollywood star and Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds saw his non-league side denied a dramatic win by Sheffield United in a six-goal thriller. Kaoru Mitoma’s brilliant control and finish in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win was another enormous blow to Liverpool, whose season is fast unraveling just months after they came close to winning a historic quadruple. The Reds had led at the Amex through Harvey Elliott, but have now won just once in their past six games in all competitions. Lewis Dunk leveled before the break for the home side, and they were well worth their place in the fifth round courtesy of a moment of magic from Mitoma. The Japanese winger cushioned Pervis Estupinan’s cross into his path, flicked the ball over Joe Gomez and fired high past Alisson Becker in the 92nd minute. “He is an incredible player who I think can play one step higher,” Brighton coach Roberto de Zerbi said. “I am pleased for his goal.” Liverpool are languishing in ninth in the English Premier League, 21 points behind pacesetters Arsenal. An FA Cup exit leaves the UEFA Champions League as their only remaining shot at a trophy this season. “I am not over the moon about this performance, but, again, the only thing that happened really is that we lost against a good side, who we lost to two weeks ago in a horrendous game,” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said. “Today was much better.” “We are obviously in a situation where we constantly want to make the final step. That’s why it feels now especially bad in this moment because it didn’t happen,” he said. Wrexham are the last non-league club left in the competition, but were left disappointed as John Egan made it 3-3 in
Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has hailed his involvement with non-league side Wrexham as the “greatest experience” of his life after he jetted in to watch his team in the FA Cup. Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney took over the National League side in 2020 and Reynolds spoke of his affection for the club ahead of their fourth-round match against Sheffield United at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham on Sunday. “Genuinely speaking it has been the greatest experience of my entire life,” Reynolds told the BBC. “This adventure has been unlike anything else. I love it because it’s a project that’s going to be multi-decades.” “I met a supporter the other day whose grandfather’s ashes were scattered across the pitch. I look at this place as like a church,” he said. “In Canada, where I am from, people are obsessed with this club. It’s been pretty remarkable,” Reynolds said. “We’ve sold something like 24,000 jerseys and so many of them went to North America. We can’t get them any more. I can’t get one.” “The part I find most gratifying is the support from the community outside the club. The fact Wrexham have become a tourist destination for so many folks and they are showing up here. There is something special about this town,” he said. Wrexham, in Wales, have been on an upward trajectory ever since the nigh-profile takeover, reaching the National League play-offs last season and finishing as FA Trophy runners-up. Sunday’s game against second-tier Sheffield United ended in a 3-3 draw, with Wrexham denied a famous victory when the visitors scored deep into stoppage time. Reynolds celebrated the Welsh club’s goals wildly, but they now face a replay.
Acura on Sunday dominated the debut of hybrid engines in North American sports car racing with a one-two finish at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Florida, where Helio Castroneves and the automaker won the prestigious endurance race for a third consecutive year. Castroneves won the Rolex in 2021 in an Acura with Wayne Taylor Racing and won with Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) the past two seasons. Castroneves, who turns 48 in May, was overcome with emotion after Tom Blomqvist closed out the victory. The Brazilian then led his teammates, which included Simon Pagenaud and MSR newcomer Colin Braun, in his signature “Spiderman” celebratory climbing of the fence. “I love climbing the fence with Helio,” said Pagenaud, who won for the second consecutive year and is teammates with Castroneves in IndyCar. Castroneves said he got emotional at becoming the first driver to win three consecutive Rolex 24s. “It’s a very tough sport. You lose more than you win,” Castroneves said. “That’s why I love this sport so much. It is very hard, and when you get it, you celebrate.” The twice-round-the-clock endurance race this year marked the launch of a new hybrid era of racing, and the change in technology for IMSA’s top GTP class makes it the only motor sports series in North America to race with hybrid engines. It has been a massive draw to automakers eager to compete in motor sports with technology that relates to their road cars. However, the buildup to the launch turned into a nervous hand-wringing over durability concerns, as all nine GTP teams worried that the new technology and supply chain issues would prevent the cars from completing a 24-hour race. “Ye who have little faith,” said David Salters, head of Honda Performance Development. “Apparently, our car can do 24 hours.”
Ukraine’s world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk said he has two goals this year — a unification title fight with Tyson Fury and rebuilding the house where his friend was killed by Russian soldiers. Oleksiy Dzhunkivskyi, a former teammate of Usyk, was shot in the hall of the building in Irpin, a suburb of Kyiv. Usyk has teamed up with the charity United24 and is raising funds to restore the badly damaged five-story house to its former glory. He has contributed US$205,000 toward the overall cost of US$330,000. Usyk said it had been a coincidence he had selected the building to take a look. “I randomly chose this house,” the 36-year-old former cruiserweight world champion said through an interpreter. “When we came to look at it and saw how destroyed the house was, I was a little surprised,” he said. “In this house there was a boxing gym of my good friend. He and I were in the national team, we went to boxing competitions together.” “Oleksiy Dzhunkivskyi was shot by Russian soldiers right in this hall,” Usyk added. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, Usyk had wanted to take up arms immediately. However, he was dissuaded from doing so as his compatriots felt that in his role as a sports star with global renown he could add another weapon to the Ukrainian war chest. “The guys from the armed forces convinced me that I need to prepare and fight to help my country on the international stage, talk about it and bring opportunities to Ukraine to restore my country,” he said. Usyk, whose family are in Kyiv, was especially moved by a visit to a hospital where wounded soldiers were being treated. He met with them prior to a title rematch in Saudi Arabia in August last year with the British boxer Anthony Joshua, who had been
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma on Sunday hit a ton to lead his team to a series-clinching five-wicket win in the second one-day international against England at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. Bavuma hit 109 as South Africa chased down an England total of 342-7, winning with five balls to spare. Bavuma battled cramps shortly before reaching his hundred. With his score on 96, there was a lengthy break while he received treatment. He reacted in emotional fashion when he hit the next ball from Adil Rashid through the covers for four. He thumped his chest and pointed to his name on the back of his shirt. He is the only member of the South African team not signed up for the country’s new Twenty20 league, and his place in the national white-ball teams had been questioned because of a perceived inability to score at the rapid rate required in modern limited overs cricket. However, he was in outstanding form on Sunday as he spearheaded South Africa’s third-highest successful run chase, facing only 102 balls and hitting 14 fours and a six. “It was very special,” Bavuma said. “It was very enjoyable. I managed to hit a few out of the middle.” Bavuma said it was a confidence-boosting performance from his team, who have yet to qualify automatically for the Cricket World Cup later this year. “We knew we had to come out and play. We played the conditions, which were good for batting.” Bavuma sent England in to bat, reasoning correctly that there could be early life in the pitch. England struggled initially, losing both openers inside the first seven overs, but prospered as batting conditions eased. “We didn’t expect the ball to swing as much as it did at the start, but to come back and post 340 was a fantastic effort,” Buttler said. “It was
‘CHALLENGING’: The Serb overcame off-court drama and a hamstring injury to beat Tsitsipas in the Australian Open final and equal Nadal’s record 22 Grand Slam wins
An emotional Novak Djokovic yesterday called it “the biggest victory in my life” after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas to win a 10th Australian Open title and equal Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam crowns. The Serb is to return to world No. 1 after he overcame a hamstring injury and off-court drama to sweep past the Greek third seed 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5) at Rod Laver Arena. The 35-year-old climbed to his player’s box afterward to embrace his mother and broke down in uncontrollable tears, collapsing to the ground sobbing. His father was again missing after he sparked controversy by posing with a fan carrying a Russian flag featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin’s face following his son’s quarter-final win. The victory over Tsitsipas capped a remarkable return for Djokovic to Melbourne Park, having missed last year’s tournament when he was deported because of his stance on COVID-19 vaccinations. “I have to say this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played considering the circumstances, not playing last year, coming back this year,” he said. “I want to thank all the people that made me feel welcome, comfortable, to be in Melbourne. “I try to pinch myself and really live through these moments, it’s a long journey,” Djokovic said. “Only my team and family know what we have been through in the last four or five weeks, and this is why I’d probably say this is the biggest victory in my life,” he said. There had been an air of inevitability about Djokovic triumphing once more. After his three-year ban from Australia was lifted, Djokovic won the lead-up Adelaide International before reinforcing his stature as an all-time great in Melbourne. “Novak, I don’t know what to say. It speaks for itself what you have achieved so far... Congratulations,” said 24-year-old Tsitsipas, who still has yet to win
The Boston Celtics on Saturday edged the Los Angeles Lakers 125-121 in an overtime battle tinged by controversy, while Philadelphia 76ers big-man Joel Embiid out-dueled the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic as NBA rivalries took center stage. The league-leading Celtics came out on top in a game that featured 19 lead changes, snapping a three-game skid. The Lakers led by seven midway through the fourth quarter, but Jaylen Brown converted a three-point play to tie it up at 105-105 with 4.1 seconds left. He went on to score 11 points in the extra session after LeBron James’s drive to the basket at the end of regulation ended in a miss, with James and the Lakers pleading for a foul call after Jayson Tatum brushed his arm. The call did not come and Boston prevailed, withstanding a 41-point performance from James — who jumped up and down in frustration at the non-call before kneeling on the court. “The best player on Earth can’t get a call — it’s amazing,” said Lakers coach Darvin Ham, who spoke of the “agony” of losing such a huge game. “I don’t understand it,” James said, adding that he did not think it was the first time a non-call proved costly to the Lakers this season. Los Angeles star Anthony Davis said the Lakers were “cheated,” and officiating crew chief Eric Lewis told reporters after the game that the crew had “missed the play.” “There was contact,” Lewis said. “At the time, during the game, we did not see a foul.” Brown preferred to focus not on officiating or the rivalry, but on Boston’s quest to remain the dominant team in the East. “It was a much-needed win,” he said. “We lost the last three, so we wanted to come out and get a win.” Ham said that any game between the Celtics and Lakers — who have
Casemiro scored twice on Saturday as Manchester United turned on the style to beat 10-man Reading 3-1 and reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, as Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min ended his recent goal drought. On a day lacking major shocks, there were wins for English Premier League strugglers Leeds United, Leicester City and Southampton, but Fulham were held by EFL Championship side Sunderland. United produced more compelling evidence they are back on track under new manager Erik ten Hag. The home side took the lead at Old Trafford in the 54th minute when Anthony produced a defense-splitting pass to find Brazilian teammate Casemiro, who lifted the ball over goalkeeper Joe Lumley. Four minutes later United were two up, when Casemiro let fly with a stunning strike from outside the box to find the bottom corner. With the home side brimming with confidence, substitute Fred produced an audacious flick from Bruno Fernandes’ low cross to the near post to make the game safe. By then ,Reading were down to 10 men after Andy Carroll was sent off for a second booking, but Paul Ince’s side still managed to score a consolation goal. Manchester United captain Harry Maguire said that former Real Madrid star Casemiro was a “phenomenal player.” “You don’t win what he’s won without being a top player,” he said. “He’s improved the team, the morale and the performance.” Harry Kane was left on the bench for Spurs’ match at Preston North End, meaning he missed out on a chance to break his tie with Jimmy Greaves and become Tottenham’s all-time top goalscorer. In the absence of the England captain, Son stepped up with two fine finishes for a much-needed confidence boost. The South Korean, who shared the Premier League’s Golden Boot last season, had scored just once in his previous 17 appearances for club and country. Yet 30-year-old
Unbeaten light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev on Saturday stopped Britain’s Anthony Yarde in a thrilling eight rounds at London’s Wembley Arena to retain his WBC, IBF and WBO belts. The Russia-born Canadian sent the Briton to the canvas with a punishing right and, after a count, the challenger’s corner signaled to referee Steve Gray to stop the fight 2 minutes, 1 second into the round. Beterbiev, 38, was behind on two of the three judges’ scorecards at that point, but the victory, against an underdog who turned out to be a real threat, took his professional record to 19-0-0. Yarde, 31, is now on 23 wins with three defeats and no draws. Both men had cuts on their faces after trading blows at a ferocious pace from the opening bell — Yarde under his right eye and Beterbiev on his left eyelid. Yarde twice lost his gumshield in a fight that saw both men hammered against the ropes and landing stinging blows. Beterbiev made every punch count, but Yarde held in and landed a crunching right in round five before then being caught by an uppercut. Round seven was another classic, Yarde pushing Beterbiev into a corner, but the champion turned it around to rain down blows on the Briton. “He gave one of the best fighters in the world the toughest fight he’s ever had,” Yarde’s promoter, George Warren, said. “I had him up [on the scorecard]. It was a pendulum fight almost, it swung like a pendulum. Anthony started really well. He showed that he can hurt him and keep him off him and at bay.” Beterbiev, booed as he entered the ring and applauded as he left it, sank to his knees in joy as the referee stepped in and said afterward that he was prepared to take the punches and counter. Asked about a
Cristiano Ronaldo’s headline-grabbing arrival at Al-Nassr on a bumper pay deal captured global attention last month, but in an alternate world the five-time Ballon D’or winner might well have been destined for a move further east. The Portuguese striker’s Saudi Arabia switch following the cancelation of his Manchester United contract has highlighted a shift within Asian soccer that started before the COVID-19 pandemic and which continues to have a significant impact. With money pouring into clubs often owned by debt-fueled property developers, the Chinese Super League (CSL) had since early last decade been enticing an increasing number of leading players and coaches to the country. Shanghai SIPG’s 2016 signing of Brazilian duo Oscar and Hulk for a combined fee of 130 million euros (US$141.3 million at the current exchange rate) highlighted the intent of a league that had already attracted FIFA World Cup-winning coaches Marcello Lippi and Luiz Felipe Scolari. Carlos Tevez’s arrival at Shanghai Shenhua soon after on a rumored ￡600,000 (US$742,860) per week only confirmed China’s status as soccer’s latest El Dorado. Authorities concerned about overspending tightened regulations, but did little to cool speculation that the game’s biggest names were China-bound, and it came as little surprise when Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were linked with CSL clubs. Ronaldo in particular was connected time and again with a move east, with fast-rising, big-spending Tianjin Quanjian touted in 2018 as a possible destination after the forward’s agent Jorge Mendes was pictured with the club’s owner. However, much has changed five years on. Tianjin were among the first of a raft of CSL clubs to close due to financial or legal issues, with Wuhan Yangtze River the latest to shut last week. Talent has drained from the CSL into the Saudi Pro League, with the competition’s leading scorers — Al-Nassr’s Anderson Talisca, Al-Ittihad’s Abderrazak Hamdallah and Al-Hilal’s Odion Ighalo
The Taipei Fubon Braves on Saturday ended the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots’ 10-game win streak in front of a packed home crowd at Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium. The back-to-back P.League+ defending champions outhustled the visiting Pilots 86-74, with supporters jumping out of their seats in the fourth quarter when center Ihor Zaytsev made a three-point dagger with 3 minutes, 43 seconds left in the game to extend the team’s lead down the stretch. The 2.11m-tall Ukrainian center led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 8-for-8 from the floor, including 5-for-5 from beyond the arc and 2-for-2 from the charity stripe. Zaytsev was one rebound away from a double-double, as he also recorded three dimes, two steals and two blocks in his first official game of the season. “I feel good... I think we played good, but of course we made some mistakes,” Zaytsev said. “We tried to play with some young guys and some experienced guys, [and] in the end we won.” The Braves led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter, only to find themselves tied at 35-35 at the end of the first half. They returned to the hardwood after the break with guards Lin “the Beast” Chih-chieh and Jet Chang stepping up to take their team to 64-51 at the end of the third quarter. The Pilots rallied in the fourth quarter, trailing by only four points after a left-handed layup by guard Justin Lu took the score to 73-69 with a little over 4 minutes left in the game. However, the Braves held on to their lead to win 86-74. The Braves are ranked third in the six-team league standings with an 8-8 record. The Pilots are second at 11-4, behind the New Taipei Kings at No. 1 with a 13-4 record.
TOE-TO-TOE: The Australian Open final between two of the biggest hitters in the women’s game was close, but Sabalenka hit 51 winners and 17 aces to beat Rybakina
An emotional Aryna Sabalenka yesterday battled back from a set down to beat Elena Rybakina and win the Australian Open and her first Grand Slam title. The hard-hitting Belarusian collapsed to the court in tears after winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 against the Wimbledon champion in a 2 hour, 28 minute arm-wrestle at Rod Laver Arena. Twenty-four-year-old Sabalenka wiped away tears before getting a warm hug from Moscow-born Rybakina, who played a full part in a thrilling match between two of the most powerful hitters in the women’s game. Sabalenka, the fifth seed, then ran to her player’s box to celebrate with her team. “Thank you, my team, the craziest team on the tour. We’ve been through a lot of I would say downs last year,” she said after receiving the trophy. “Thank you so much for what you are doing for me. I love you guys.” “I want to congratulate Elena for an incredible two weeks. You’re such a great player and of course we are going to have many more battles, hopefully in finals of the Grand Slams,” Sabalenka added. It was a fitting finale to two weeks of drama at Melbourne Park, highlighted by brutal groundstrokes, precision serving and wonderful rallies from two players at the top of their game. Rybakina cruised through the first set in 34 minutes, but Sabalenka scrapped her way back in a 57-minute second set to take it to a nervy decider. It was then a case of which of the big servers would blink first in a toe-to-toe battle. At 3-3 Rybakina — who represents Kazakhstan — could not find enough first serves, and although she saved two break points, a third was too much and Sabalenka had the finish line in sight. An ace took her to 5-3 and Rybakina held to force Sabalenka to test her nerves and serve
Australian Open director Craig Tiley yesterday advised Novak Djokovic’s family to be “really careful” of people using the tournament’s global exposure as a platform for “disruptive” purposes. It follows a video posted on a pro-Russian YouTube account showing Djokovic’s father, Srdjan Djokovic, posing in Melbourne Park with a fan holding a Russian flag that featured the face of Vladimir Putin. It sparked a backlash from Ukraine and led to calls for Srdjan Djokovic to be banned from the tournament. He skipped his son’s semi-final victory on Friday, and it remains to be seen if he will be at today’s final. Tiley told the Melbourne Age newspaper he had spent “a fair amount of time talking to the Djokovic family.” “My advice is that you have to be really careful, because if this is an event of global significance, it’s a platform,” he said he told them. “When you have hundreds of thousands of people come through the gate, you’re going to naturally have some people that are coming here with an intention to be disruptive, and don’t get yourself caught in the middle of that,” Tiley said. “And they completely understand that,” he said. “The family were very good. They were upset that it was taken that way. There was no intention of it.” “His dad particularly does not support war and they’re very focused on supporting peace,” Tiley said. Novak Djokovic said after his semi-final win there had been a “misinterpretation” of the images and his father had “no intention whatsoever to support any war initiatives.” He said his father had been greeting fans outside Rod Laver Arena after every match and had been “misused” on Wednesday night. Tiley said the Open had more than 1,000 accredited journalists and growing TV audiences and “it does become a platform and that’s new for us. It never used to be like
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