Browsing: Sports

The Australian Open championship returned Novak Djokovic to the top of the ATP rankings on Monday. During the 50-year history of computerized rankings for men’s tennis, his rise from No. 5 to No. 1 is the largest jump from No. 5 to No. 1. Aryna Sabalenka’s first major title moved her up to No. 2 in the WTA rankings, behind only three-time major champion Iga Swiatek. No. 3 Ons Jabeur, twice a Slam finalist in 2022, is followed by No. 4 Jessica Pegula, No. 5 Caroline Garcia and No. 6 Coco Gauff. Alcaraz ranks No. 2. A 19-year-old, he became…

Next month’s 31st Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will see WTA World No. 2 Ons Jabeur and 21-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic compete. The WTA event starts on 19th February, followed by the 31st ATP Tour 500 event from 26th February to 4th March. Dubai Duty Free organizes it under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. When Tunisian star Jabeur reached the Wimbledon final last year, she became the first Arab to play in a Grand Slam final. Two months later, she reached the US Open…

One of the greatest footballers to have ever graced the game, Pele, died in the Brazilian capital of Sao Paulo on Thursday (December 29). He breathed his last with his daughter and family members beside him. Pele battled a long fight with cancer before he decided to bid goodbye to the world where he has billions of fans and followers. Pele, the Brazilian soccer legend who won three World Cups and became the sport’s first global superstar, passed away at the age of 82. His daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of family members holding Pele’s hand,…

Argentinean footballer Lionel Messi has become the first player in history to win the title twice. His first victory came at Brazil 2014, where he helped Argentina finish runners-up. For the first time in 32 years, Argentina won the trophy for the first time with the help of La Pulga Atomica, He scored seven goals and provided three assists. Since the beginning of his career, Argentina’s leader has dreamed of winning the FIFA World Cup. Argentina’s brilliance must have believed he would win it three times on an incredible night at Lusail Stadium, when Messi and Kylian Mbappe lived up…

In the Nargis block in the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt has discovered a large gas field, according to Petroleum Minister Tarek El Molla. An evaluation is currently being conducted to determine the field’s reserves, he said in a briefing to a parliamentary committee. The Nargis offshore exploration block is one of four offshore exploration blocks in which Chevron and Tharwa Petroleum Co have operating interests in Egypt. According to the Middle East Economic Survey, the recently drilled well contains 3.5 trillion cubic feet of gas. The Egyptian authorities have declined to confirm the details of the discovery. In 2015, Eni announced the discovery…

After winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) in Zayed Sports City against US Open champion Emma Raducanu, Ons Jabeur looks forward to an exciting 2023. After becoming the first Arab to win the MWTC 12 months ago, Tunisian ace Jabeur retained her title on Day 1 of the 14th edition, beating Raducanu 5-7, 6-3, (10)-(8). By doing so, she became the first woman to achieve back-to-back MWTC titles. Jabeur, who reached back-to-back Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open this year, was put under pressure by her younger opponent before picking up a 9-minute opening game. In…

In a statement made by the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC), Kane Williamson announced that he will step down as test captain, and will be replaced by Tim Southee. After taking over as captain of the New Zealand team in 2016, Williamson led his side to victory over the Indian team in the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021. During his captaincy stint, he won 22 tests, lost 10 tests, and drew eight tests. “For me, test cricket is the pinnacle of the game, and I’ve enjoyed leading the side in the format,” said Williamson. “With captaincy comes a…

After five minutes of play, France silenced the heavily Pride of Africa-supporting crowd at Al Bayt Stadium. Throughout the remainder of the half, France continued to attack, with Olivier Giroud missing two clear chances. In the second half, Morocco had some scoring opportunities in front of the French goal. Although the pride of Africa played with renewed energy and enthusiasm, they were unable to score before France sustained the second goal after amazing dribbling by Kylian Mbappe that led the ball to Randal Kolo Muani who calmly kicked the ball into the goal to give France a 2-0 lead. A…

For the first time in the history of football, Morocco advanced into the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup after winning 1-0 over Portugal to become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. During the first half, Youssef En-Nesyri played the hero role for the injury-hit Atlas Lions, who extended their fairytale run at Qatar 2022 by scoring a spectacular goal – a brilliant header to set up the game. At this World Cup, goals will be scored that will surpass the one netted by En-Nesyri in this match. It is likely that there will…

Following a 2-1 victory over England at Al Bayt Stadium, France advanced to the semi-finals of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup where they will face Morocco in the last four. It was Olivier Giroud who deflected Olivier Giroud’s header in the second half that ultimately decided the game. Harry Kane missed a late penalty in the first half after he had earlier scored from the spot to overturn Aurelien Tchouameni’s brilliantly hit opener. In view of the high public expectations surrounding the tie between two of Europe’s top powerhouses, the game lived up to those high expectations. As momentum…