Tag: Open

  • Alcaraz retains Madrid Open title

    Alcaraz retains Madrid Open title

    World number two Carlos Alcaraz defended his Madrid Open title with a hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over Jan-Lennard Struff on Sunday.

    The US Open champion earned his 10th career title and can reclaim the world’s top ranking from Novak Djokovic simply by playing a single match at the Rome Masters next week, before the French Open.

    Alcaraz continued his Roland Garros build-up by adding the Madrid trophy to victories in Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Indian Wells this year, although he was below his vibrant best against lucky loser Struff, the world number 65.

    The 20-year-old was given a tricky time by his German opponent but eventually became the youngest player since Rafael Nadal in 2006 to defend an ATP Masters 1000 title.

    “Today I enjoyed it in parts, in other parts I suffered more than I enjoyed it, but it’s what you have to live with.

    “Nerves come into play and it’s difficult, but I think I enjoyed it more than I suffered today,” said Alcaraz.

    Despite being 13 years Alcaraz’s senior, Struff showed nerves in the first game and conceded a break when he double-faulted and then sent a volley too long.

    It was only his second tour-level final and he was aiming to be the first lucky loser ever to win a title at this level. Struff could also have become the oldest first-time Masters 1000 winner.

    Alcaraz consolidated for a 2-0 lead under pressure, surviving a break point as Struff found his range.

    The German broke to love for 2-2 as he showed Alcaraz he would be no pushover, despite the strong home support and their disparity in ranking, and then won a third consecutive game.

    However Alcaraz broke again for a 4-3 lead when Struff committed another double fault and he survived a triple break point to win the first set, pulling off a fine drop shot and lob combination.

    Alcaraz’s speed in defence helped him against Struff’s power game, which created plenty of problems — his opponent hit 14 winners in the first set to the Spaniard’s seven, with points split evenly at 35 each.

    Honours were even after their two prior meetings, although Alcaraz needed five sets to beat Struff at Wimbledon last year and the veteran showed the same grit again in the Spanish capital to make the youngster sweat.

    Dominant at the net, Struff roared into a 3-0 lead in the second set and produced a remarkable hold in the 15-minute fifth game for 4-1, saving five break points as Alcaraz’s hitting deserted him.

    Struff served it out as Alcaraz dropped only his second set of the tournament and first in a Masters 1000 final.

    The top seed saved a break point at 1-1 and then broke for a 3-1 lead in the decisive third set when Struff hit a volley long.

    Alcaraz forced another break point at 4-1 but Struff stayed resilient until the end and held, with the Spaniard eventually clinching victory when his opponent sent a backhand long.

    On Saturday world number two Aryna Sabalenka beat top-ranked Iga Swiatek to win the women’s title in the Spanish capital.

    AFP

  • TRANSFER RUMOURS: Chelsea eye Hakimi, Arsenal open to offers for three stars

    TRANSFER RUMOURS: Chelsea eye Hakimi, Arsenal open to offers for three stars

    These are the latest transfer rumours making the rounds in European football

    • Prospective Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim is reportedly interested in signing Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain if he successfully acquires the club. (Sun)
    • PSG are willing to accept bids between £50m and £60m for right-back Achraf Hakimi, who is also on Chelsea’s radar. (Football Insider)
    • Harry Maguire may leave Manchester United this summer, with the defender concerned about his chances of featuring for England at Euro 2024 if he stays at the club. (Daily Mail)
    • Liverpool have reignited contact with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham with a view to signing him in 2024, but the player reportedly wants to join Real Madrid this summer. (Football Insider)
    • Liverpool and Arsenal are both interested in Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, who could receive offers if he doesn’t extend his contract at Stamford Bridge. (Football Insider)
    • Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane may be sold this summer after a clash with teammate Leroy Sane, and Chelsea are interested in bringing him back to the Premier League. (TZ)
    • Tottenham striker Harry Kane may run down his contract in order to leave the club on a free transfer in 2024, with chairman Daniel Levy reportedly unwilling to sell him to a domestic rival. (Daily Telegraph)
    • Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte is favouring a move to Barcelona over Newcastle, with a summer exit looking likely. (Mundo Deportivo)
    • Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for left-back Kieran Tierney, midfielder Granit Xhaka, and striker Folarin Balogun. (Daily Mail)
    • Kylian Mbappe is reportedly encouraging fellow Frenchman Randal Kolo Muani to join PSG this summer, while PSG are also interested in Lille striker Jonathan David, who has also caught the attention of Chelsea and Tottenham. (Christian Falk)

  • ‘I have found my place here’, Sabitzer says he’s open to permanent Manchester United stay

    ‘I have found my place here’, Sabitzer says he’s open to permanent Manchester United stay

    On-loan midfielder Marcel Sabitzer has stated that he is open to staying at Manchester United on a permanent basis, but the decision isn’t his to make alone.

    The midfielder joined United on loan from Bayern Munich in January, replacing the injured Christian Eriksen. Sabitzer has been a key player for the Red Devils, appearing in 13 matches since his arrival, including the EFL Cup final win over Newcastle United.

    He scored his first goal for the club during the FA Cup quarter-final victory against Fulham and added two more in Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Sevilla. Although his loan agreement does not include a purchase option, the Austrian international is interested in extending his tenure at United.

    ALSO READ: Aston Villa dent Newcastle United’s Top 4 ambitions with 3-0 win

    “I didn’t have to think for 10 seconds after United called,” Sabitzer said in an interview with the German publication Bild. “I said straight away, if the time works, we’ll do it!

    ALSO READ: Ancelotti says he won’t swap Vinicius Junior for Haaland

    “This is initially a project until the summer, then we’ll see. Until then, I want to give everything here. It’s a loan deal with no options. The situation will be assessed in the summer.

    “But I can say for myself, I have found my place here. I know the Premier League now and I can say there is nothing better, more intense or tougher.

    “Every game is a fight, everything goes faster. This is the best league in the world. Once you have played here, you know it’s incomparable.

    “Of course my thoughts on United – especially looking at how things are going and the confidence I get from Erik ten Hag – are very positive. But I don’t have to decide it alone.

  • Nadal out of Barcelona in fresh French Open blow

    Nadal out of Barcelona in fresh French Open blow

    Rafael Nadal’s preparation for a tilt at a record-extending 15th French Open title suffered a further blow when he announced Friday his withdrawal from the ATP Barcelona tournament.

    The 36-year-old Spaniard said he had still not recovered full fitness from the hip flexor injury he sustained in the Australian Open in January and which saw him miss this week’s Monte Carlo Open.

    “I am still not ready and so I continue my preparation process for the return to competition,” he tweeted.
    The Barcelona tournament starts on Saturday and the French Open on May 28.

    Nadal said it hurt him to miss Barcelona.
    “Barcelona is a special tournament for me because it is my club by adoption and because playing at home is always a unique feeling,” he said.

    The 22-time Grand Slam singles champion — he shares the record with Novak Djokovic — had originally thought he would be out for up to two months.

    He pulled out of hard-court tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami, with his sights set on a return at the start of the clay court season.

    His fitness problems have become an increasing issue since he won his 14th French Open crown last year.

    He eased to victory against Casper Ruud despite having his troublesome left foot anaesthesised to counter the pain — he was diagnosed with Müller-Weiss syndrome aged 18.

    He subsequently withdrew from his Wimbledon semi-final due to an abdominal injury.

    His long absence from the circuit this time round has seen him drop out of the top 10 for the first time since April 2005 — he is presently ranked 15th.

    AFP

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  • We issued bonds to open up our projects to Nigerians, says Dangote

    The management of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), the parent company for the Dangote Group, has said the recourse to the capital market to raise funds for its projects was a…

  • Peace Anyiam Osigwe’s brothers open up on grief

    The family of a renowned filmmaker and entertainment executive, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe have opened up on their grief after their only sister passed away on January 9 at the age of…

  • BIG MATCH PREVIEW: France, Netherlands open Euro 2024 qualifier in highly-anticipated fixture

    BIG MATCH PREVIEW: France, Netherlands open Euro 2024 qualifier in highly-anticipated fixture

    PREVIEW

    France and the Netherlands are set to open their qualifying campaigns for Euro 2024, with both teams expected to secure a place in the finals.

    However, finishing at the top of their group will be a priority for preferential seeding at the tournament. The Netherlands will be seeking to win back-to-back matches against France for the first time in over 90 years, following their 2-0 victory over them in their last meeting in November 2018.

    The Dutch have not won any of their last nine away matches against France and will be hoping to end this run of poor form.

    Ronald Koeman returns as the Netherlands’ coach, having previously overseen 11 wins in 20 matches during his first spell. Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps will take charge of his 140th game as France’s manager, already a national team record. Despite winning the World Cup and UEFA Nations League, Deschamps has yet to win the UEFA European Championships, after losing to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final.

    The Netherlands’ Daley Blind could make his 100th appearance for the national team in the upcoming match, becoming the ninth player to reach the century mark for the country. However, he is expected to start on the bench, with Nathan Ake or Tyrell Malacia preferred in Koeman’s starting XI. The last Dutch player to reach 100 caps was Robin van Persie in 2015.

    RECENT MEETINGS

    In their recent meeting in 2018, the Dutch ended a run of five successive defeats against France with a 2-0 victory in Rotterdam. This win was their first over France in 10 years and their first victory against them since a 4-1 win in the group stages of Euro 2008. The Dutch eventually finished as losing finalists to Portugal in the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League.

    ALSO READ: Cristiano Ronaldo becomes most-capped international footballer of all time

    ALSO READ: Euro 2024 Qualifier: Harry Kane sets new England record in 2-1 win over Italy

    RECENT FORM

    The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 20 international matches, winning 14 and drawing six, including a penalty shootout victory against Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They have scored in every one of these 20 internationals and have lost just one of their last 17 away games. France, on the other hand, lost four games in 2022 and have lost two of their last three internationals at home. However, they did manage a 2-0 home win over Austria in September 2022.

    KEY PLAYERS

    Kylian Mbappé

    Kylian Mbappé, at only 24 years old, has already made a significant impact on the French national team with 66 caps and 36 goals, putting him on track to break the record held by Olivier Giroud.

    He has scored an impressive 18 goals in his last 16 appearances for Les Bleus, including a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina. Mbappé’s domestic performance for Paris Saint-Germain has also been outstanding, with 31 goals and 7 assists in 33 games this season. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has scored more goals (42) and has more goal involvements (47) than Mbappé (38) in the top five European leagues.

    Memphis Depay

    Memphis Depay has proven to be reliable under the Dutch coach Ronald Koeman. During Koeman’s first stint as Dutch coach, Depay was involved in more than half of their goals (22 out of 43) with 11 goals and 11 assists. Koeman convinced Depay to join Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer of 2021, where he was involved in more goals (6 – 4 goals, 2 assists in 13 games) than any other Barca player under Koeman’s management.

    Depay has also performed well against France in the past, contributing to three of the Netherlands’ last five goals against Les Bleus. He has scored the most goals (22) and provided the most assists (9) for the Netherlands since the start of 2021, with his 31 goal involvements being 19 more than any other Dutch player during this period. Depay’s significance in the upcoming game will be heightened due to the absence of key players Denzel Dumfries and Frenkie de Jong, while Cody Gakpo may also miss out due to illness.

    The upcoming match between France and the Netherlands is highly anticipated, and both teams will be looking to start their Euro 2024 qualifying campaigns with a win. With the Netherlands in excellent form and seeking to end their poor run against France, it promises to be an exciting game.

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    The CEO of Shopinverse, Ezekwe Innocent Oluchi has announced plans to open a new branch office, which will be located in the heart of Lekki phase 1. He added that…

  • Will open banking expose Nigerians to cybercrime, data breaches?

    With the launch of a Regulatory Framework for Open Banking by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last Wednesday, Nigeria has joined the vanguard of other countries that poised to…

  • CBN introduces open banking

    Bank customers to give consent before data is exchanged The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has  approved the operation of Open Banking in Nigeria. Open Banking in Nigeria refers to…