Connect with us

Sports

Cincinnati rain halts Alcaraz as defending champ Gauff ousted

Published

4 months ago

on

Carlos Alcaraz was halted by rain on the brink of victory Thursday while defending women’s champion Coco Gauff crashed out in her first match at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open.

Spaniard Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion, led France’s Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-6 (1/3) when rain halted play at the last major tuneup for the US Open, which starts on August 26.

Top seed Alcaraz, who lost to Novak Djokovic in last year’s Cincinnati final, took a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, also dropping that final to Djokovic.

Alcaraz is back on hardcourt for the first time since winning at Miami. He skipped last week’s ATP Montreal Masters.

Gauff was eliminated earlier in a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 upset loss to Kazakh spoiler Yulia Putintseva.

A disappointed Gauff will go back to the drawing board before defending her US Open crown.

Putintseva, ranked 34th, has made a recent habit of upsets, knocking off top-ranked Iga Swiatek barely a month ago at Wimbledon.

“I’m really proud of myself,” said Putintseva. “These courts are so fast, you have to just play on instinct. That’s what I did.”

Gauff became Cincinnati’s youngest champion a year ago at age 19 and carried that success into her first Grand Slam triumph at the US Open.

“I have to work on consistency. overall,” Gauff said. “I’m making a lot of unforced errors, especially when I was up 4-2 (in the third set),” Gauff said. “Most of the points (Putintseva won) were off (my) errors.

“She’s tricky to play, mixes up the ball and likes drop shots, She makes you earn the match.”

Putintseva will next face Spain’s Paula Badosa, who defeated Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-2.

Third seed Aryna Sabalenka polished her opening-match record at the event by defeating Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-4.

Sabalenka missed Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics with a right shoulder injury but feels well.

“I’m happy with my level in the tough moments,” Sabalenka said. “Elisabetta is a difficult opponent. She fought to the last point.”

– Zverev advances –

Men’s third seed Alexander Zverev, the 2021 champion from Germany, won his ATP-leading 50th match this season. The German dispatched Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2 in a repeat of his Tokyo Olympic final win.

Zverev, feeling poorly last week in Montreal, said his form is much improved.

“I felt well on court. If you feel good in training it’s easier to bring it to the match,” he said. “I just hope my form can get better. I’m happy I got the win today.”

Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta lined up the German’s next opponent after defeating Australian Max Purcell 6-3, 6-3.

Briton Jack Draper accounted for ninth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who lost 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. The Greek served for the match leading 5-4 in the third set, but Draper won 12 of the last 14 points to turn the situation on its head.

Holger Rune defeated Portugal’s top player Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (10/8).

Fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz, who made a surprise comeback from July knee surgery by reaching last week’s Montreal quarter-finals, won his opener over Yoshihito Nishioka 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1.

He next faces Italian Flavio Cobolli, who advanced when compatriot Luca Darderi retired trailing 7-6 (7/4), 3-1 with apparent illness.

In the WTA draw, Elena Rybakina was thwarted in her first match since Wimbledon, going down 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 as Canadian Leylah Fernandez saved two match points in an upset of the fourth seed.

Rybakina, who missed the Paris Games with acute bronchitis, suffered with 17 double faults — including on match points. Even 20 aces could not save her afternoon.

Elina Svitolina, a semi-finalist here nine years ago, saw off Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-1 to next take on Sabalenka.

Sabalenka has won their last two matches, including a Roland Garros quarter-final in 2023 and a three-setter in Rome three months ago.

Newly minted Armenian Elina Avanesyan stunned eighth seed Jelena Ostapenko with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 fightback.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Africa

Nigeria tears down Benin 3 – 0 in Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers – Highlights

Published

3 months ago

on

September 8, 2024

By

In a bittersweet first half, Nigeria took the lead in stoppage time through Ademola Lookman and went into the break on top. Benítez’s side improved in the second half, but it was not enough. Nigeria stepped on the gas in the final half and Victor Osimhen made it 2-0 in the 78th minute before Ademola Lookman doubled the advantage in the 83rd minute. Nothing else happened in the match and Nigeria ran out 3-0 winners in the first match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

News

Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei ex Dickson Ndiema in intensive care with 30% burns

Published

3 months ago

on

September 8, 2024

By

Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei ex Dickson Ndiema who burned Marathon star to death in intensive care with 30% burns

OLYMPIC runner Rebecca Cheptegei’s ex Dickson Ndiema who allegedly burned her to death is in intensive care with 30 per cent burns.

The Ugandan athlete, 33, died after her former partner snuck into her home and allegedly set her on fire – causing horror burns on over 75 per cent of her body, local media reported.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3bL0YM_0vLam0yO00
Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, tragically died
https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3UCWDQ_0vLam0yO00
Here she competed in the 2023 women’s marathon final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest
AFP

Local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Tuesday that Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend poured petrol on her and set her alight during an argument on Sunday.

He reportedly entered her home while she and her two children were at church.

As he allegedly set her alight using a matchstick he was also engulfed by the flames and rushed to hospital, Nation Africa reports.

Now the alleged perpetrator has been named as Dickson Ndiema who is recovering from burn injuries he sustained in the heinous attack.

He apparently has 30 per cent burns, Menach reports.

One of Cheptegei’s own daughters is said to have seen the deadly assault at her mum’s home, it’s reported.

She told Kenya’s The Standard: “He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother.

“I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible.”

According to local media, the attack was launched after Ndiema allegedly snuck into her compound while she and her children were at church.

He was allegedly armed with petrol and poured it on the athlete before setting her alight with a matchstick.

In the process he too was engulfed by the flames, Nation Africa reports.

This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure

Donald Rukare President of the Uganda Olympic Committee

Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, spoke from hospital with his other daughter before she died and told local media that the pair were fighting over her land prior to the alleged attack.

He also confirmed to Kenyan newspaper The Star that his daughter’s two children are not fathered by the alleged attacker.

Mr Cheptegei also claimed that she and her ex-partner, who he alleges have been separated for a long time, are involved in a case being investigated by Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Cheptegei was rescued by neighbours after the horrific incident in her town of Endebess.

She then spent days in critical condition at an Intensive Care Unit in Eldoret city’s Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, western Kenya.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation posted on X on Thursday morning: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence.

“As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”

Inside Rebecca Cheptegei’s athletic career

BY Ellie Doughty, Foreign News Reporter

Rebecca Cheptegei, who has died aged 33, was a Ugandan cross country, long distance and marathon runner.

She had represented Uganda at global competitions since 2010 including the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and World Athletics Championships.

Cheptegei most recently competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s marathon race.

She finished in 44th place.

According to local reports, Cheptegei had two children.

She had recently moved to Trans Nzoia County to be closer to Kenya’s athletic training facilities.

Cheptegei was a cross country, long distance and marathon runner who competed globally and most recently finished 44th in the Paris 2024 Olympics Women’s Marathon race.

People on X paid tribute to the athlete, writing “RIP” and “May her soul rest in peace”.

One woman added: “So so sad, watched her race many times.”

Another wrote: “Dear Ugandans, and to her family, we are sorry. This is heartbreaking.”

The president of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Donald Rukare said in a post on X today: “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei… following a vicious attack by her boyfriend.

“This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”

The UOC is urging local law enforcement to “take swift and decisive action to bring the perpetrator to justice”.

The pro runner finished 44th in the marathon at Paris 2024 Olympics.

How you can get help

Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:

  • Always keep your phone nearby.
  • Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
  • If you are in danger, call 999.
  • Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
  • Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
  • If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
  • Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

If you are a ­victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support ­service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk .

Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.

You can also call the freephone 24-hour ­National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3QfbtY_0vLam0yO00
Rebecca Cheptegei’s sister Evalyne Chelagat cries at a press conference this week
NTV Kenya
https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2V1WWk_0vLam0yO00
Rebecca’s father Joseph Cheptegei, speaking earlier this week from hospital alongside his other daughter Evalyne Chelagat
The Star Digital

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

Houston

“You don’t win a championship by accident” – Hakeem Olajuwon

Published

3 months ago

on

September 8, 2024

By

How he responded to critics who diminished Houston’s back-to-back titles in the ’90s

Hakeem Olajuwon’s Houston Rockets winning back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995 is a great milestone that forged “The Dream’s” name as a legend of the sport. However, many downplay the Rockets’ achievement, noting that they only won those chips because Michael Jordan was out during those years. Naturally, Hakeem himself doesn’t see it that way.

No accidents; pure excellence

The center legend clapped back at these claims by breaking down his team’s achievements during those years.

“You don’t win a championship by accident,” Olajuwon said , per Chron. “We had the best record in the league. Some people try to say, ‘Oh, [Michael] Jordan was out those two years; that’s why you won.’ That really doesn’t matter to us; we don’t have to prove anything.”

Hakeem’s claims are only partly true. In the 1993-94 season, the Rockets etched a 58-24 record for second place in the West. The Seattle SuperSonics, meanwhile, were the best team in the league but were upset in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks.

The following year, Houston had a 47-35 record and finished sixth in the West. This made their back-to-back title runs more impressive and showed how different playoff basketball is. The 1994–95 Rockets are, to date, the lowest-seeded team in league history to win an NBA championship.

MJ gave Hakeem and Co. respect

Even during the Chicago Bulls ‘ first and second three-peats, the Rockets were not necessarily contenders all the time, but they were still a pretty good team. It was always a hot duel whenever the two squads faced off in the regular season. Sometimes, the Bulls won, and sometimes, the Rockets snatched the victory.

“Even when Chicago was winning championships, and we had a more average team,” Olajuwon continued. “We were beating Chicago. We were good against Chicago. That is something we can always refer back to. We never played in the playoffs, but we played in the regular season.”

“He gave us all the respect, and that’s what’s important to me,” the legendary big man said of Jordan. “We were the champion. It’s not an easy task to win, and we got it done.”

It would’ve been a treat if Houston had faced Chicago in the NBA Finals. Some critics believe the Rockets would’ve annihilated the Bulls, given that they had no matchup for Hakeem, the only guy MJ feared .

Whatever the case may be, we should never doubt Houston’s back-to-back titles. It wasn’t their fault that Jordan was away during those years. When their ticket to the NBA Finals came, the Rockets’ took the opportunity and etched their names in NBA history. No one can take that away from them.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

Trending