Sabalenka downs Swiatek as Gauff ends Boisson’s French Open run

Sabalenka downs Swiatek as Gauff ends Boisson’s French Open run
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Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka plays a backhand return to Poland's Iga Swiatek during their women's singles semi-final match on day 12 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on June 5, 2025. (AFP)
Sabalenka downs Swiatek as Gauff ends Boisson’s French Open run
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Coco Gauff of the US celebrates as she won the semifinal match of the French Tennis Open against France's Lois Boisson at the Roland-Garros stadium in Paris, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 06 June 2025
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Sabalenka downs Swiatek as Gauff ends Boisson’s French Open run

Sabalenka downs Swiatek as Gauff ends Boisson’s French Open run
  • The Belarusian snapped Swiatek’s French Open winning streak at 26 matches with a 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-0 success to reach her first final in the clay-court Grand Slam
  • Gauff and Sabalenka are level at 5-5 in their head-to-head record and have won one each of their two meetings at major tournaments

PARIS: Aryna Sabalenka ended Iga Swiatek’s French Open reign with a devastating third-set performance on Thursday to tee up a Roland Garros final against Coco Gauff after the American knocked out French hero Lois Boisson.
The Belarusian snapped Swiatek’s French Open winning streak at 26 matches with a 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-0 success to reach her first final in the clay-court Grand Slam.
“Iga is the toughest opponent, especially on the clay and at Roland Garros,” said Sabalenka after becoming the first player to defeat Swiatek in a deciding set at the French Open.
“I’m proud that I was able to get this win.”
World number two Gauff ended the dream run of 361st-ranked wildcard Boisson with a 6-1, 6-2 victory in the second semifinal on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Gauff and Sabalenka are level at 5-5 in their head-to-head record and have won one each of their two meetings at major tournaments.
Sabalenka edged a topsy-turvy first set that featured eight breaks of serve in a tie-break, before Swiatek hit back to level the match.
The finale turned out to be a complete anti-climax, as Swiatek made 12 unforced errors in the third set and won only six points.
“I’m glad that I found my serve. It was a bit easier with the serve,” added the 27-year-old Sabalenka. “What can I say, 6-0 — it couldn’t be much more perfect than that!“
Sabalenka is targeting a fourth Grand Slam title and first not on hard courts, after winning last year’s US Open and the Australian Open back-to-back in 2023 and 2024.
Swiatek has still not reached a WTA final since lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen 12 months ago.
She showed signs of a revival on the Paris clay where she has dominated since winning as a teenager in 2020, but her game deserted her in the deciding set as she slipped to only the third French Open defeat of her career.
“I love playing here, so for sure I’m happy that I was fortunate enough to play so many great tournaments here,” Swiatek said.
Sabalenka has now won their last two meetings, and five of 13 in total.
This was the first time the pair, the dominant players in women’s tennis of the past few years, have gone head-to-head at a Grand Slam tournament since Swiatek’s win in the 2022 US Open semifinals en route to the title.
Sabalenka will be the favorite to lift the trophy when she takes on Gauff, to whom she lost in the 2023 US Open final.
Swiatek, who was bidding to become the first woman to win four successive French Opens in over a century, will drop to seventh in the world rankings next week.
Boisson had got the better of third seed Jessica Pegula and world number six Mirra Andreeva in the previous two rounds but the test provided by Gauff proved to be a step too far.
The home crowd were silenced by a ruthless opening set from the second seed.
Boisson briefly raised the French fans from their slumber by breaking back in the second set, only to immediately surrender it straight back.
Gauff clinically finished the job after just 69 minutes on court to book her spot in a second French Open final.
“When you guys were chanting her name, I was thinking my name,” Gauff told the crowd in her on-court interview.
“Obviously there’s still a lot of work to do, but for now I’ll enjoy this one and then prepare for the final tomorrow.”
The 21-year-old suffered an emotional defeat by Swiatek in the 2022 final, but will believe she can finally win the tournament in which she has made at least the quarter-finals in five straight editions.
Boisson had been hoping to become only the second Frenchwoman to win the title in the Open era after Mary Pierce, but went out in a blaze of 33 unforced errors.
“Of course I’m really disappointed today, because obviously I wanted to go further than this semifinal, but I’m just going to take the time to digest this,” said the 22-year-old.
She will climb into the world’s top 70 next week and has added 690,000 euros ($789,536) to her previous career prize money of $148,009.


Global Champions Arabians Tour returns to the Netherlands

Global Champions Arabians Tour returns to the Netherlands
Updated 09 July 2025
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Global Champions Arabians Tour returns to the Netherlands

Global Champions Arabians Tour returns to the Netherlands
  • Total prize pool for the latest stage of the 2nd annual elite Arabian horse competition, which will take place in Valkenswaard on July 18-20, is $1.65m

DOHA: The second annual Global Champions Arabians Tour will ride into in the Netherlands on July 18.

The three-day event, at the Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard, is the sixth stage of the 2025 Europe and Middle East Series, and the second European stop on the tour, after Cannes in France last month.

The total prize pool for this stage is €1.41 million ($1.65 million): €1.05 million for the championship and €360,000 for the qualifying classes. The results will also contribute to overall rankings ahead of the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme in Doha this December.

“Returning to Valkenswaard is a true highlight of the season,” said Faleh Al-Nasr, chairperson of the Global Champions Arabians Tour.

“This stage reflects our commitment to excellence, bringing together top-tier competition, international audiences and the timeless beauty of Arabian horses in one of Europe’s premier equestrian destinations.”

Outside of the action in the arena, there will be a supporting program featuring cultural performances, special exhibitions celebrating the heritage and art of Arabian horses, and the event will conclude with what organizers say will be a memorable closing ceremony.

There will also be an exclusive shopping village showcasing a curated mix of local and international brands, artisan products, event merchandise, and gourmet food and drink.

The event begins on Friday, July 18, with an opening ceremony and qualifying classes for yearling fillies and colts, and junior fillies. Junior colts, senior mares and senior stallions will take to the arena on Saturday, July 19, and the action concludes on Sunday, July 20, with the championship competitions across all categories, followed by the closing ceremony.

After Valkenswaard, the focus shifts to the UK, where the seventh stage of the Europe and Middle East Series will take place in London from Aug. 14 to 17.


Aleksa Avramovic becomes Dubai Basketball’s second signing after EuroLeague entry

Aleksa Avramovic becomes Dubai Basketball’s second signing after EuroLeague entry
Updated 09 July 2025
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Aleksa Avramovic becomes Dubai Basketball’s second signing after EuroLeague entry

Aleksa Avramovic becomes Dubai Basketball’s second signing after EuroLeague entry
  • Dubai Basketball and 30-year-old point guard reach an agreement for the next three seasons

DUBAI: Serbian Olympic bronze medalist Aleksa Avramovic returns to the EuroLeague with Dubai Basketball after a season with CSKA Moscow, making him Dubai’s newest addition to the 2025-2026 roster following Dzanan Musa.

The point guard and Dubai Basketball have reached an agreement for the next three seasons, until June 2028. The 30-year-old, who is 1.93 metres tall, joins from CSKA Moscow, where he averaged 12.2 points and 3.4 assists in 20 minutes per game.

Avramovic played 47 EuroLeague games with Partizan Belgrade between 2022 and 2024, where he led a championship-winning campaign — clinching the 2022-2023 ABA League title. In Europe’s top competition, the Serbian guard averaged 8.3 points in 16 minutes per game. His standout performance came on Feb. 29, 2024, against Anadolu Efes, where he scored 30 points and registered a performance index rating of 32.

In the EuroCup, Avramovic appeared in 26 games between his stints with Partizan and Unicaja.

Dubai Basketball’s newest addition has played in Serbia, Italy, Spain and Russia. In his home country, he played for his hometown team, Cacak, and OKK Belgrade from 2013 to 2016. He then spent three seasons with Varese in Italy, where his development drew attention from Spain’s ACB League, signing his first season with the Spaniards in 2019. In the 2020-2021 ACB season, he was one of the league’s top performers with averages of 16.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over 36 games.

His strong performances with Estudiantes in Madrid led to a move to Partizan, where he played from 2021 to 2024. Under coach Zeljko Obradovic, he posted regular-season ABA League averages of 10.4, 8.8, and 11.3 points per game over three seasons.

Most recently, he played the 2024-2025 season with CSKA Moscow, where he was one of the team’s key players and helped them to the VTB League title.

With the addition of Avramovic, Dubai Basketball continues to build an experienced squad ahead of their inaugural EuroLeague season. His elite-level exposure and adaptable skillset strengthen the team’s competitive edge, as the club lays the foundation for success, representing the Middle East on Europe’s biggest basketball stage.


Red Bull says longtime F1 team principal Christian Horner has been released from his duties

Red Bull says longtime F1 team principal Christian Horner has been released from his duties
Updated 09 July 2025
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Red Bull says longtime F1 team principal Christian Horner has been released from his duties

Red Bull says longtime F1 team principal Christian Horner has been released from his duties
  • Horner had been Red Bull team principal since it entered F1 as a full constructor in 2005
  • Red Bull did not give a reason for the decision in a statement Wednesday, but thanked Horner for his work

MILTON KEYNES, England: Red Bull says Christian Horner has been released from his role as longtime team principal of its Formula 1 team.
Red Bull did not give a reason for the decision in a statement Wednesday, but thanked Horner for his work and said he will “forever remain an important part of our team history.”
Laurent Mekies of sister team Racing Bulls will replace Horner in his role as team principal and chief executive of the racing team.


Horner had been Red Bull team principal since it entered F1 as a full constructor in 2005. He had performed his team and media duties as normal throughout the British Grand Prix last week.
Horner oversaw eight F1 drivers’ titles — four for Sebastian Vettel and four for Max Verstappen — and six constructors’ titles during his time with the team.

 

 

But McLaren has dominated this season in F1, while Red Bull’s performance has dipped, though Verstappen remains third in the standings and the team is fourth.
Horner spent much of last week fielding questions over Verstappen’s future at the team after the Dutch driver declined to commit to stay with Red Bull for 2026.
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s chief executive for corporate projects and investments said in a statement.
“With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”
The announcement comes more than a year after Horner was accused of misconduct toward a team employee.
An investigation conducted on behalf of the Red Bull company dismissed the allegation, as did a further investigation conducted after the employee appealed against the initial ruling, Red Bull said at the time.
Horner remained in charge of the F1 team throughout the entire process.


Cricket’s Indian Premier League value surges to $18.5 billion — report

Cricket’s Indian Premier League value surges to $18.5 billion — report
Updated 09 July 2025
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Cricket’s Indian Premier League value surges to $18.5 billion — report

Cricket’s Indian Premier League value surges to $18.5 billion — report
  • World’s richest cricket series top revenue earner for BCCI, generates estimated $11 billion a year for Indian economy
  • Indian Premier League’s brand value jumps 13.8 percent to $3.9 billion in past year, global investment bank Houlihan Lokey says

NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League’s business value has been estimated at $18.5 billion with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru its wealthiest franchise, according to a report by an investment bank.

The world’s richest cricket tournament has been a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and in 2020 was estimated to generate more than $11 billion a year for the Indian economy.

According to US investment bank Houlihan Lokey, which has valued several sports franchises around the world, the brand value of the 10-team T20 franchise tournament has seen a sharp rise of 13.8 percent to $3.9 billion over the past year.

Bengaluru, who along with star player Virat Kohli won their first IPL title this year, have overtaken five-time winners Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to achieve a brand value of $269 million.

Mumbai is second with $242 million, followed by Chennai at $235 million.

The Houlihan Lokey report called the IPL “a global phenomenon” that has become more than just a cricket league.

“The IPL continues to set benchmarks in sports business. Franchise valuations have soared, media rights deals have reached record highs, and brand partnerships have diversified across sectors,” Harsh Talikoti from Houlihan Lokey, said in a statement.

“The league’s ability to attract global investors and sponsors reflects its status as a premier sports property with enduring appeal.”

Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings for the title at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad in June to conclude the 18th edition of the league.

The report said the 2025 final had more than 678 million views on the official streaming platform JioHotstar, surpassing the India-Pakistan clash during the Champions Trophy in February this year.

The IPL, which is broadcast around the world and features top international stars such as Australia’s Pat Cummins and England’s Jos Buttler, mixes sport and showbusiness in a glitzy format, with a number of teams fronted by Bollywood movie superstars.

Since it launched in 2008, it has inspired a range of other franchise-based leagues in India in sports as diverse as boxing, badminton, poker and kabaddi, and spawned copycat cricket tournaments elsewhere.


‘Nobody has bigger expectations than I do’: New coach Mike Brown leads Knicks into new era

‘Nobody has bigger expectations than I do’: New coach Mike Brown leads Knicks into new era
Updated 09 July 2025
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‘Nobody has bigger expectations than I do’: New coach Mike Brown leads Knicks into new era

‘Nobody has bigger expectations than I do’: New coach Mike Brown leads Knicks into new era
  • The New York Knicks are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi as preseason games offer early test for Brown’s title-chasing team

DUBAI: The New York Knicks have officially appointed Mike Brown as their new head coach, marking a fresh chapter for one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. A two-time NBA Coach of the Year with deep playoff experience, Brown brings leadership, structure, and a championship pedigree to New York.

The appointment was confirmed this week, with Knicks President Leon Rose commenting: “Mike has coached on the biggest stages in our sport and brings championship pedigree to our organization.”

The Knicks will face the Philadelphia 76ers in two NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 preseason matchups on Oct. 2 and 4. The NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi announced that the games, presented by ADQ, will take place at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena. While Abu Dhabi has hosted NBA preseason action since 2022, this will be New York’s first appearance in Abu Dhabi.

Brown takes charge following the Knicks’ strongest season in decades. Under Tom Thibodeau, the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, reigniting hopes of a return to championship contention. Still, the front office felt a fresh voice was needed to elevate the team further.

Speaking on his appointment, Brown said: “Nobody has bigger expectations, first of all, than I do. My expectations are high. This is the Knicks. I talked about Madison Square Garden being iconic. I talked about our fans. I love and embrace the expectations that come along with it. I’m looking forward to it.”

A seasoned veteran, Brown has coached an elite roster of talent throughout his career. As head coach, he worked with NBA legends LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, and as an assistant, he coached NBA all-time greats, including Stephen Curry and Tim Duncan. He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals, won four NBA championships as an assistant, and earned Coach of the Year honors in both 2009 and 2023.

Now, he takes over a Knicks team brimming with championship aspirations, aiming to capture their first title since 1973. Leading the charge are two-time All-Star Jalen Brunson, five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, and 2022 NBA All-Defensive First Team member Mikal Bridges.

“Our goal is to build a sustainable, winning culture that produces championships,” Brown said. “That’s why I’m here.”

The 76ers, their Abu Dhabi opponents, boast a powerful roster that includes 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, nine-time All-Star Paul George, and 2024 All-Star Tyrese Maxey. These NBA Abu Dhabi Games present a valuable opportunity for Brown to build chemistry, test rotations, and get the roster in sync ahead of the regular season.