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Pegula, Kostyuk, Navarro, Boulter Advance to San Diego Open Semifinals

Pegula, Kostyuk, Navarro, Boulter Advance to San Diego Open Semifinals

By March 2, 2024 0

Top-seeded Jessica Pegula and sixth-seeded Marta Kostyuk have advanced to the semifinals of the San Diego Open after securing victories in their respective quarterfinal matches. Pegula, ranked No. 5 in the world, overcame a second-set setback to defeat Anna Blinkova 6-1, 2-6, 6-2. Kostyuk, meanwhile, rallied from a set down to eliminate fourth-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a rain-delayed quarterfinal.

Pegula, known for her consistent baseline play and powerful serve, dominated the opening set against Blinkova, winning it 6-1. However, Blinkova responded in the second set, changing her tactics and hitting high balls to disrupt Pegula’s rhythm. Pegula struggled to adjust initially, making several unforced errors and losing the set 2-6.

Undeterred, Pegula regained her composure in the third set, finding her range and hitting 24 winners. She broke Blinkova’s serve twice to take a 4-1 lead and eventually closed out the match 6-2.

In the other quarterfinal, Kostyuk displayed her resilience and determination against Pavlyuchenkova. The Ukrainian dropped the first set 3-6 but fought back to win the second 6-4. In the decisive third set, Kostyuk broke Pavlyuchenkova’s serve twice to take a 5-2 lead and ultimately sealed the victory 6-3.

Third-seeded Emma Navarro also advanced to the semifinals, defeating qualifier Daria Saville 6-4, 6-2. Navarro, the 2021 NCAA singles champion, overcame a slow start to win five straight games in the opening set. She continued her momentum in the second set, breaking Saville’s serve twice to secure the victory.

Navarro will face Katie Boulter in the semifinals, who upset seventh-seeded Donna Vekic 6-4, 6-3. Boulter, Britain’s top-ranked player, overcame a windy day and a 1-3 first-set deficit to reach the second tour-level semifinal of her career.

The San Diego Open semifinals promise to be exciting, with top-seeded Pegula facing Kostyuk and Navarro taking on Boulter. The winners will advance to the final on Sunday, where they will compete for the tournament title.

Categories: Tennis
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Saudi Arabia Launches Bid to Host 2034 FIFA World Cup

Saudi Arabia Launches Bid to Host 2034 FIFA World Cup

By March 2, 2024 0

Saudi Arabia has officially launched its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, becoming the sole contender for the tournament after no other expressions of interest were received before FIFA’s deadline. With Morocco, Portugal, and Spain set to co-host the 2030 World Cup, FIFA restricted the 2034 bidding process to nations from the Asian and Oceania confederations.

Saudi Arabia’s bid, titled “Growing. Together.,” aims to highlight the nation’s growing international partnerships through sports. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) emphasizes the country’s significant investments in high-profile sports, including football, Formula One, boxing, and golf.

Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of “sportswashing,” using major sporting events to improve its human rights image. However, the country denies these allegations, stating that it protects its national security through its laws.

SAFF President Yasser Al Misehal expressed the importance of showcasing Saudi Arabia’s football story to the world. He highlighted the nation’s progress in both men’s and women’s football, inviting the world to join them on this exciting journey.

The next step in the bidding process involves submitting full bid documents to FIFA in July. The hosts for both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups will be announced at a FIFA Congress later this year.

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Categories: Football
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Gautam Gambhir Resigns from Politics to Focus on Cricket

Gautam Gambhir Resigns from Politics to Focus on Cricket

By March 2, 2024 0

Gautam Gambhir Steps Down from Political Duties to Focus on Cricket

Former Indian cricketer and current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP Gautam Gambhir has requested party president J.P. Nadda to relieve him of his political responsibilities. This decision comes as Gambhir prepares to take on a new role in the upcoming cricket season.

Gambhir, who represents the East Delhi constituency in Parliament, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the opportunity to serve the people. He stated that he had made the request to focus on his upcoming cricket commitments.

Gambhir’s decision to step down from politics marks a significant shift in his career. He joined the BJP in March 2019 and was elected to the Lok Sabha in the subsequent general election. During his tenure as an MP, Gambhir has been actively involved in various initiatives, including promoting sports and education.

However, Gambhir’s passion for cricket has remained strong. He has recently returned to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise as its mentor ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Gambhir previously served as mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants.

Gambhir’s decision to prioritize cricket over politics has been met with mixed reactions. Some have expressed disappointment, while others have praised his commitment to his sport. Regardless of the differing opinions, Gambhir’s decision is a testament to his unwavering passion for cricket.

As Gambhir embarks on this new chapter in his career, it remains to be seen how he will balance his cricket commitments with his political aspirations. However, one thing is certain: his love for the game of cricket will continue to drive him forward.

Categories: Cricket
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Dusan Vlahovic's Resurgence: From Disappointment to Elite Striker

Dusan Vlahovic’s Resurgence: From Disappointment to Elite Striker

By March 2, 2024 0

Dusan Vlahovic’s resurgence at Juventus has been a welcome sight for the Bianconeri faithful. After a disappointing 2022-23 season, the Serbian striker has rediscovered his scoring touch, becoming one of Europe’s most prolific forwards in 2024.

Vlahovic’s struggles in Turin began after his €80 million move from Fiorentina in January 2022. The pressure of the price tag weighed heavily on him, and he failed to replicate the form that had made him one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.

However, the 24-year-old has turned things around this season. With 15 Serie A goals in 2024, he is second only to Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez. Vlahovic has also shown leadership qualities, dragging Juventus to victory against Frosinone with a brace.

Former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes Vlahovic’s desire to prove himself and the trust he has begun to feel in Turin have contributed to his turnaround. “He has more self-esteem and is convinced about his role inside Juventus,” Prandelli said.

Vlahovic’s exceptional ball-striking ability makes him a threat from both free-kicks and distance. His left foot is a jackhammer, capable of producing powerful shots and dipping curves. He is also a competent finisher with his right foot.

Despite his aerial presence, Vlahovic does not participate in the build-up as often as some other strikers. However, his skill and touch allow him to roll his defenders under contact, making him a good bouncing board for passes to release runners from deep.

Vlahovic’s future at Juventus remains uncertain. With his contract expiring in 2026, this summer could prove pivotal. A 25-goal season will attract interest from top clubs, and Juventus will need to decide whether to cash in or risk losing his potentially elite peak years.

For now, though, the focus is on closing the gap to Inter and keeping the others behind. If Juventus and Vlahovic can manage that, it’s unlikely anybody in Turin will ever question the €80 million price tag again.

Categories: Football
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Manu Gandas Returns to Form, Eyes Strong Indian Open Performance

Manu Gandas Returns to Form, Eyes Strong Indian Open Performance

By March 1, 2024 0

Manu Gandas, the 27-year-old golfer from Gurugram, faced a challenging first season on the DP World Tour (European Tour) in 2023. Despite qualifying by topping the PGTI Order of Merit, he made only five cuts in 25 appearances.

“The results didn’t go my way, but I’ve gained invaluable experience,” said Gandas, whose best finish was a tied-20th at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational in Northern Ireland. “I now understand the demands of competing with world-class golfers in challenging conditions.”

Gandas has shown signs of improvement in the 2024 PGTI season, winning the Players Championship in Kolkata and finishing 13th at the Vooty Masters. He is now eyeing a strong performance at the Hero Indian Open, a DP World Tour event on his home course.

This year’s Indian Open will feature a record prize purse of $2.25 million and will be the second of five events comprising the Asian Swing. The tournament will attract 144 players, including 2015 champion Anirban Lahiri, Indian veteran Shiv Kapur, and three-time DP World Tour winner Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium.

“I’ll try to apply my learnings,” said Gandas, who finished tied-32nd last year. “The DLF course can be intimidating, especially in windy conditions.”

Reflecting on his European experience, Gandas highlighted the colder, windier, and wetter conditions, which affect warm-up time and distances. He also noted the longer courses, which test the long game.

Gandas has been troubled by recurring niggles in his right wrist and left ankle. “I’ve been playing with pain for the past 2-3 years,” he said. “This season, I’m prioritizing rest and physical strengthening to improve my yardage.”

Despite the challenges, Gandas remains determined. “There were times of self-doubt, but as an athlete, you must persevere,” he said. “I had support from Shubhankar, but homesickness can be a factor. Technical and mental inputs from tour regulars were helpful, but speaking to my coach Anitya Chand was invaluable.”

Meanwhile, Indian Golf Union (IGU) President Brijinder Singh announced plans to hire a National Development Manager (NDM) and National High Performance Manager (NHPM). “We’re interviewing candidates and expect to appoint an NDM by early April,” he said. “The NHPM will be an established player with a strong commitment to golf.”

Categories: Others
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Lance Klusener Joins Lucknow Super Giants as Assistant Coach for IPL 2024

Lance Klusener Joins Lucknow Super Giants as Assistant Coach for IPL 2024

By March 1, 2024 0

South African cricket legend Lance Klusener has been appointed as the assistant coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. The announcement was made by LSG on Friday, adding Klusener to their already formidable coaching staff led by head coach Justin Langer and assistant coach S Sriram.

Klusener brings a wealth of experience to the LSG dugout, having previously served as an assistant coach for the Mumbai Indians under Shaun Pollock in the early years of the IPL. He also has a successful track record as head coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League, guiding them to their maiden CPL title.

Beyond his IPL and CPL stints, Klusener has also held coaching roles with the Afghanistan national team, as well as the South Africa and Zimbabwe batting units. He has also worked in the Indian domestic circuit with Tripura.

During his playing days, Klusener was renowned as one of the finest all-rounders in white-ball cricket. He was a key member of the South African team that reached the semi-finals of the 1999 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament. Klusener’s all-round abilities, including his explosive batting and accurate medium-pace bowling, made him a formidable force on the field.

Klusener’s appointment as assistant coach at LSG is expected to further strengthen the team’s coaching setup. His experience and expertise will be invaluable to the players, particularly in the areas of batting and all-round development. LSG will be hoping to build on their impressive performance in the 2023 IPL season, where they reached the playoffs under the guidance of Langer and Sriram.

Categories: Cricket
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Roy Hodgson Departs Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner Appointed as New Manager

By February 20, 2024 0

Roy Hodgson, the oldest manager in the English Premier League at 76, has stepped down from his position at Crystal Palace after a brief illness during a training session. The decision was made to allow the club to move forward with its plans to appoint a new manager. Austrian coach Oliver Glasner has been brought in as Hodgson’s replacement until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Hodgson, who had previously managed Palace from 2017 to 2021, returned to the club last March and successfully guided them to safety in the league after a poor run of form under Patrick Vieira. He expressed his gratitude for his time at Palace, emphasizing the club’s special place in his footballing life.

The former England coach, who has had a long and illustrious career, has managed several high-profile clubs, including Inter Milan and Liverpool. He also led the England national team from 2012 to 2016. Hodgson’s departure marks the end of an era at Palace, as he was a respected and experienced figure in the Premier League.

Oliver Glasner, the new Palace manager, has a reputation for success. He led Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League title in 2022 and has a proven track record of developing young talent. Palace chairman Steve Parish expressed his confidence in Glasner’s ability to get the most out of the club’s talented squad.

Hodgson’s exit from Palace raises questions about his future in football management. He had previously stated that he would retire after his first spell at Palace, only to return to the sport eight months later. It remains to be seen whether he will continue his coaching career or step away from the game altogether.

Categories: Football
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