SPORTS
Unseeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova stunned Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-4 to win the Wimbledon women's singles final on Saturday.
There have been a string of surprise Grand Slam winners in a period of flux for the women's game but Wimbledon had been the exception until now, with Vondrousova taking advantage of a nervous performance from the Tunisian to claim a stunning victory.
Vondrousova climbed up the stands Pat Cash-style to hug her team in the players' box, while Jabeur sat disconsolately in her chair.
She said: "I don't know what's happening now. Ons, congratulations, you're such an inspiration for all of us, I hope you are going to win one day.
"After everything I've been through - I had a cast on this time last year - and now I can't believe I'm holding this trophy."
Tennis returns to Sky Sports with live coverage of the US Open. Sky Sports will have access to all individual court feeds, broadcasting a minimum of 135 hours, with Martina Navratilova, Tim Henman, Johanna Konta and Laura Robson
Vondrousova's husband Stepan, who has been at home looking after their pet cat for the last two weeks, managed to make it for the final and a double celebration.
"It's amazing, tomorrow is our first wedding anniversary," she added.
Vondrousova has a penchant for tattoos, but asked if she would be getting another to mark her achievement, she said: "I made a bet with my coach that if I won a Grand Slam he's going to get one also. I think we'll go tomorrow [Sunday].
"I think I'm going to have some beer. It's been an exhausting few weeks."
In a topsy-turvy opening set Jabeur, the sixth seed, led by a break of serve at 4-2 but was immediately broken to love by the Czech world No 42.
A bad miss from the Tunisian gave Vondrousova two more break points and another unforced error put the underdog 5-4 ahead.
Vondrousova comfortably served out to love, making just six unforced errors in a 40-minute opening set.
Jabeur's collapse continued at the start of the second set, handing Vondrousova the initiative by dropping serve in the first game.
She fought back by winning three successive games but, just as she had in the first set, Vondrousova proved too strong towards the end.
She produced a nervy display under the Centre Court roof, however, and Vondrousova, who had wrist surgery last year and missed the tournament, stayed cool to claim the title to become the first unseeded woman to win the title.
The Czech had her own supporters, including husband Stepan Simek, who had passed over the responsibility of looking after their cat Frankie to fly to London for the final.
This was not the 24-year-old's first time on such a stage having burst through as a 19-year-old at the French Open in 2019 before losing in the final to Ashleigh Barty.
Injuries had prevented her building on that, and she came to London as a tourist last summer during Wimbledon with her wrist in a cast after two operations.
Just eight months ago, she was ranked outside the top 100 and winning a title in the rather less glamorous surroundings of The Shrewsbury Club in Shropshire.
Vondrousova adds her name to the storied list of Czech Grand Slam champions including Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Barbora Krejcikova, and Marketa Vondrousova.
Jabeur was bidding to become the first Arab player to win a Grand Slam title and the first African woman to win one of the four majors.
The Tunisian, last year's losing finalist as well, broke down in tears after receiving her runners-up trophy from the Princess of Wales.
"This is very tough. It's the most painful loss of my career," she said.
"Congratulations to Marketa and her team. You are an amazing player, I know you had a lot of injuries and I'm very happy for you.
"It's going to be a tough day for me today [Saturday] but I'm not going to give up. I'm going to come back stronger."
Jabeur thanked the crowd for their support and then added: "I promise I'll come back one day and win this tournament."
[Skysport]
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has stripped Nigeria of the gold medal won in the women’s 4×100 meters event at Birmingham 2022.
The quartet of Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma and Grace Nwokocha claimed gold in the 4×100 meters race during last year’s Commonwealth Games (CWG).
Nwokocha, who ran the anchor leg for Nigeria, however, failed a doping test during the competition after ostarine and lingadrol were found in her sample A urine.
Consequently, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) handed her a provisional suspension, banning her from the sport.
In a statement on Friday, the CGF disclosed that the Commonwealth Games Federation Court has disqualified Nwokocha and nullified all the results involving her at the competition.
“The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) can confirm that the Commonwealth Games Federation Court has issued their decision regarding an in-competition sample provided by Ms Nwokocha, who competed in Athletics at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games,” the statement reads.
“Analysis of the sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for Ostarine and Dihydroxy-LGD-4033, a metabolite of Ligandrol. Both are non-Specified Substances, listed under Other Anabolic Agents in the WADA 2022 Prohibited List.
“Accordingly, the Federation Court disqualified Ms Nwokocha’s results from the following events, with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any points and prizes: Athletics – Women’s 100m, Athletics – Women’s 200m, Athletics – Women’s 4x100m Relay, including the team’s forfeiture of the gold medal.”
The federation added that Nwokocha’s case has been forwarded to AIU for further consequence.
Following the court verdict, England, which initially finished second, will get the gold medal, Jamaica will be upgraded to silver while Australia will have the bronze.
[TheCable]
Kenya Morans pipped Nigeria 61-59 in a FIBA AfroCan classification clash at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda arena in Angola on Friday.
The Kenyans who were felled 55-46 by Morocco in their quarter-finals encounter on Thursday, will now take on Tunisia on Saturday for the fifth/sixth slot.
The North Africans managed a 61-56 victory against sad host Angola in another closely contest match-up played before the semi-finals.
Cliff Owour's charges took off to a good start, leading 20-13 in the first quarter. But the D'Tigers stormed to an 18-13 edge in the second quarter as Kenya hanged on 33-31 at halftime.
After resumption, Kenya were down 13-11 at the end of the third stanza before taking the decisive quarter 17-15 and the game on two foul shots by captain Victor Bosire with 0:14 left to play.
Debutant Bramwell Mwombe was Kenya's toast as he came up with 13 points to lead the tally. Nigeria's Daniel Daramola registered a game-high of 14 points.
Kenya, who won the silver medal in the 2019 championship in Bamako, Mali, suffered a 55-46 defeat at the hands of Morocco.
They are 2-2 in the tournament after beating Ivory Coast 62-52 before going down 66-63 to Gabon in their second group phase game. The 12 teams spectacle comes to an end in the Angolan capital city on Sunday.
[the-star.co.ke]
AC Milan’s new signing, Christian Pulisic has opened up about his time at his former club, Chelsea FC. Pulisic joined Milan for 22 million euros and signed a four-year deal with the club.
The 24-year-old American joined Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund in 2019 and made 145 appearances during his four seasons with Chelsea, scoring 26 goals and adding 21 assists.
Pulisic admitted that he could have been given more opportunities to prove himself at the club while speaking with ESPN.
“Of course there are definitely times where I wish I could’ve gotten more of an opportunity and been that guy, but yeah, for whatever reason, that’s not the case, and like I said, I’m just so excited for this new challenge, and I’m definitely ready and up for it.”
Speaking on his new adventure, he said
Obviously, I want a fair opportunity like everyone else to have the chance to come here. I still need to earn my place, of course, but it felt like I was wanted here, and I have a great opportunity, if I show good effort, good attitude every day and train well, that I’m going to get the opportunity to go out and perform.”
He will reunite with Olivier Giroud, Fikayo Tomori, and Reuben Loftus Cheek at the club
[OpinionNigeria]
Air Peace CEO, Allen Onyema, firmly believes that the secondary school football teams of the 1980s would triumph over the present-day Super Eagles if they were to meet on the pitch, The PUNCH reports.
The Nigeria senior team has only won four of their nine games under new manager Jose Peseiro, losing the remaining five, with the side scoring 18 goals and conceding 15.
Perhaps, the recent results may have influenced Onyema’s assertion.
“Those days used to be very tough. In fact, secondary school games in those days used to be tough. I remember when I played for Government College, Ughelli, they even killed one of our school boys in Agbarho (Delta State). It used to be tough in those days,” Onyema told The PUNCH.
“Let me tell you, secondary school teams in the 70s will beat our national team of today. The present national team will be nowhere near the secondary school teams of yesteryear. I’m not talking about clubs, those days, secondary school teams were unlike these days,” he said.
“Today, secondary schools are now in two-storey buildings, no compound, no playground. Everybody is protective of their child, nobody allows the child to go out again to experience the street life,” Onyema added.
He advocated for the use of football as a means to generate employment opportunities and called on the government to prioritise sports.
“We should use football to create jobs. I call on this government to look into sports, if they can invest in it and make the place safe for people to go and recreate on weekends, we will bring back that followership. It will still happen again,” the entrepreneur said.
Former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has declared his willingness to take on Conor McGregor because they both share similar career trajectories.
Since headlining UFC 286 in London, when he lost to Leon Edwards in the rubber match for the trilogy title, Usman, the top-ranked welterweight contender, hasn’t participated in any competitions.
On the other hand, since McGregor suffered a serious leg injury during a contest with Dustin Poirier, the 34-year-old Irish mixed martial artist, who formerly held the undisputed lightweight and featherweight crowns, has yet to make an appearance inside the Octagon.
Usman and the welterweight division have not yet engaged in combat even though McGregor is reportedly interested in the fight for quite some time now.
McGregor hasn’t yet re-joined the USADA testing pool, therefore according to UFC president Dana White, his future in mixed martial arts is in doubt.
After Usman’s scheduled fight with Khamzat Chimaev was rescheduled, he extended an invitation to McGregor to a showdown in place of the rescheduled fight.
Because both fighters are looking to bounce back from recent setbacks, UFC enthusiasts are extremely intrigued by the potential fight between Usman and McGregor.
In an interview with the press ahead of the UFC 290, Kamaru Usman said, “Conor (McGregor) said he’s always wanted to fight me at 170 pounds, so that makes sense.
“I’m not the champ any more, so, hey, let’s do it.”
While UFC president Dana White added, “We’ll see how that plays out… I don’t talk about sh*t until sh*t happens, you know what I mean?”
bia State Governor Alex Otti has approved the appointment of former Super Eagles skipper and two-time CAF Player of the Year, Nwankwo Kanu as the new chairman of Enyimba International Football Club of Aba.
Nwankwo will be replacing the club’s longest serving chairman Felix Anyansi Agwu who was in charge of the team for 24 years .
Kanu’s appointment was confirmed by the Abia State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu yesterday in a terse press statement which read thus: “Sporting legend and former Super Eagles’ star, Mr. Kanu Nwankwo has been appointed to supervise Enyimba Football Club to strengthen the team and make it win more laurels for the State.”
Kanu twice won the coveted African Footballer of the Year award first in 1996 after leading Nigeria to win historic Africa’s first Olympic Games football gold medal in Atlanta Georgia. He made an encore in 1999 during his days with Arsenal.
Under Anyansi, Enyimba became a household name across the continent as the first Nigerian club to win the continent’s most prestigious club competition , the CAF Champions League trophy in 2003 and made an encore in 2004. The club also won the African Super Cup twice in 2004 and 2005.
On the domestic Nigeria football scene, Enyimba won a record nine Nigeria Premier Football League title as well as four national cup otherwise known as Federation Cup among other laurels.
Man United scout and former Rangers and Aberdeen coach Tommy Moller Nielsen passes away aged 61 as Scottish sides lead tributes
AdminA Manchester United scout has passed away at the age of 61.
Tommy Moller Nielsen was a talent scout with the Red Devils since 2016 after retiring from playing and entering a career in coaching.
The son of former Denmark manager Richard Moller Nielsen, he was a popular figure in Dutch football having played for the likes of Odense Boldklub and Kjobenhavns Boldklub.
He also featured for Boldklubben 1909 and Odense Kammeraternes Sportsklub in Denmark before taking the step into coaching.
During a long coaching career he spent time at the likes of Rangers, Aberdeen and FC Vestsjaelland before making the move to England under Jose Mourinho.
Manchester United scout Tommy Moller Nielsen has passed away at the age of 61
Moller Nielsen was appointed first team coach at Rangers in 1997, handed the opportunity by Walter Smith.
He stayed on board with the club under Dick Advocaat and was part of the coaching staff that helped the club win the league title in 1999 from arch rivals Celtic.
After a short spell with Aberdeen, he moved on to take the reigns as a manager again having led the likes of Boldklubben 1909, firstly back at the club before managing Viborg and HB Koge.
Rangers led the tributes to the Dane on social media, posting: 'All at Rangers FC are saddened to hear of the passing of our former first team coach, Tommy Moller Nielsen, at the age of 61. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.'
Rangers led the tributes to the Dane on social media after his passing was confirmed
Aberdeen added: 'Everyone at AFC is saddened to learn of the passing of Tommy Moller Nielsen at the age of 61.'
Odense Boldklub, meanwhile, also offered their condolences following his death.
They posted: 'It is with deep sadness that we have received the message that the former first team player and OB ambassador Tommy Møller Nielsen has passed away.
'All our thoughts go out to Tommy's family and friends at this difficult time.'
[DailyMail]
Barcelona have made two first-team signings so far this summer with Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez arriving earlier this month.
While the official announcements have been made for both their signings, the club has yet to present either of them as their new players.
And now Mundo Deportivo is reporting that Barcelona have set the dates for the official presentations of Gundogan and Martinez following their summer arrivals.
Gundogan was the first of the two signings to be confirmed, with the midfielder arriving from Manchester City on a free transfer after his contract expired.
The 32-year-old has signed a two-year contract with an option for a third depending on the number of appearances he makes in his second season.
Now, MD is reporting that Barcelona will officially present Gundogan at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper complex next Monday, July 17.
The midfielder has been given an extended break after his involvement in international fixtures last month and will be joining the pre-season camp next week, which is when he will be presented officially as a Barça star.
As for Martinez, his signing was officially confirmed only last week and the defender, who also signed for free from Athletic Club, has already started pre-season training under Xavi.
The 32-year-old left-footed centre-back has signed a two-year contract with the Blaugrana and his presentation is set to take place this coming Thursday, following a double training session on Tuesday and the afternoon session on Wednesday.
The transfer business is far from done for Barcelona though as they have all but confirmed the signing of Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense, although his arrival could be delayed until January 2024.
Oriol Romeu is another player who is understood to be close to joining the La Liga champions in the near future while work is also being done to rope in Ivan Fresneda.
[barcauniversal]
John Souttar believes he will benefit from the rigours of Rangers’ pre-season training as he prepares to battle for his place in Michael Beale’s side next season.
The revamped Light Blues squad are being put through their paces in Germany with a view to a flying start to next season.
Beale has signed six new players, with the promise of more to come, and the Gers defender told RangersTV that he is in a good place.
Souttar, whose 2022/23 season was hampered by injury before he was involved in Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign wins over Norway and Georgia, said: “For me it is the first time in a couple of years I will have had a proper pre-season where I am feeling fit and feeling 100 percent.
“It gives you a base for the rest of the season, you are not catching up with the lads or feeling like you are behind, you are right on it.
“This next week or two will give me a great base to hopefully have an injury-free season, so I am looking forward to it.
“Everyone is really hungry and when there are that number of new boys that come in everyone automatically has got to fight for their shirt.
“It is always the case at Rangers, but even more so now with the amount of quality that has been brought in and I think everyone is aware of that.
“There are only 11 jerseys for the first game of the season so everyone is going to be fighting for it and that can only be a good thing going forward.
“It has got a slightly different feel to it with the new players coming in and I am looking forward to seeing them all in training.
“These few weeks are massive, especially when there are new boys coming in, they are getting a feel for the club and how everyone gets on – off the pitch is as important as on it.
“Especially in pre-season, getting to know everyone’s characters, what they are like and what pushes them, so it is good, and everyone is going to enjoy getting away and enjoy creating bonds.
“I think that is what pre-season is about, when you are at home you don’t really get that 24/7 with the lads and hopefully it is the foundation for a successful season for us.”
[irishnews]
More...
Al-Hilal are desperate to lure Man City’s Bernardo Silva to the Saudi Arabian league and have told the Premier League champions that they are willing to pay €70m for the Portuguese midfielder.
That is according to CBS’ James Benge, who reports that the Saudi club have also offered Silva a massive salary worth €50m-a-year. However, the Man City star is yet to decide on his future and is not sure where he will play next season.
The 28-year-old is also wanted by Ligue 1 champions PSG, but City will only sell to the French club if they can convince them to part-exchange with talented teenager Warren Zaire-Emery, reports RMC Sport.
Silva has a contract at the Etihad until 2025 and Man City will not stand in his way if the Portugal international wants to challenge himself elsewhere; however, the European champions want their asking price to be matched and that is something Al Hilal are willing to do.
It remains unclear if Man City would accept a bid if it arrives and it is also uncertain if Silva wants to move to Saudi Arabia during the prime of his career.
[caughtoffside]
Everton have made an enquiry about signing Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
United manager Erik ten Hag has already blocked a move from newly-promoted Luton Town to try and sign England international Heaton. But Everton are now also trying to lure Heaton away in another twist in the goalkeeping crisis at Old Trafford.
Everton have Jordan Pickford as their established No1 but the England keeper has attracted interest in the past but – more pressingly – last season’s back-up Asmir Begovic left Goodison Park at the end of the campaign.
That could leave Everton with a vacancy in the keeper department and United are clearly trying to sign a replacement for David de Gea. They are close to clinching a deal for Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana and are believed to be looking for ANOTHER keeper after de Gea’s departure.
Heaton is well respected at Old Trafford as being a top pro and he signed a two-year contract in 2021 with a further one-year option.
Luton were planning to sign Heaton with the promise of regular first team football which they hoped would lure the experienced keeper to Kenilworth Road. But they face competition from Everton, who want an experienced, top quality keeper.
Meanwhile, United are set to complete a deal for Cameroon keeper Onana as the man who Ten Hag wants as his new No1. United have already made a £50m bid for the Inter keeper but the Italian club want at least £60m.
However, Inter are ready to negotiate with a deal moving closer and it would also likely give them cash to spend on potentially making a fresh move for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.
Ten Hag worked with Onana at previous club Ajax and believes he is the right man to take De Gea’s place in the side. The Spaniard confirmed his departure on Saturday, bringing to an end his 12-year stay with United.
He wrote: "We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club. I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestows upon a few lucky footballers.
"It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together. Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings. Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all."
[mirror.co.uk]
Arsenal have a surprise next signing from LaLiga in their sights and Barcelona’s ‘slowness’ could prove decisive for the Gunners, per a report.
Arsenal are spending big this summer, with Kai Havertz already banked to the tune of £65m. Deals for Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice have been agreed. The Ajax defender and West Ham captain will cost £38.5m and £105m respectively.
Timber’s move will be a blow to Man Utd who tried in vain to sign the Dutch international last year. The versatile 22-year-old is equally adept at playing at right-back or centre-half and is known for his elite passing range.
Arsenal expert Charles Watts exclusively told TEAMtalk it’s Ben White who is most at risk once Timber arrives. White spent last season deputising at right-back, though may be relegated to the bench if Arteta puts his faith in Timber from day one.
However, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, another right-back is in Arsenal’s sights.
Indeed, MD state Arsenal’s interest in Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda – which dates back to the January window – has been reignited.
Fresneda, 18, was heavily linked with Newcastle, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the winter window. The Spaniard ultimately remained with Valladolid, though couldn’t prevent their relegation to the Segunda Division.
Per Mundo Deportivo, Valladolid’s exit from LaLiga has triggered a reduction in Fresneda’s release clause. It’s claimed he can now be signed for just €20m (approx. £17.2m).
The discount is understood to have revitalised Arsenal’s interest who have reportedly initiated contacts with Valladolid. Another club keeping a close eye on developments is AC Milan.
Fresneda is also admired over at Barcelona, though their well-documented financial strife is preventing them from acting quickly and decisively.
As such, their ‘slowness’ is opening the door for Arsenal who are moving ‘faster’ than their Spanish counterparts.
Fresneda is a player Mikel Arteta is reportedly a big admirer of. Aged 18, he could be viewed as an option to help secure the club’s future rather than a player who’ll make an instant impact.
Timber (22) and White (25) have the best years of their careers still to come. As such, spending around £17.2m on a third-string right-back would be a surprise.
But given Fresneda is a player tipped to be a future Spain international and his release clause means his value is artificially lowered, if Arsenal don’t strike, someone else will.
[teamtalk]
Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen is the top transfer target of PSG should in case the club’s talisman, Kylian Mbappe leaves the club this summer.
Mbappe has openly stated his desire to leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer when his contract ends in June 2024, but the Ligue 1 giants are hoping to sell him this summer if he chooses not to sign a new contract.
The printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport from Sunday states that if Mbappe is sold this summer, Osimhen will be PSG’s top priority.
According to reports, Napoli has raised their asking price for Victor Osimhen to €180 million after turning down PSG’s bid of €100 million.
Mbappe’s summer sale will help PSG’s finances even more, which might enable them to accede to Napoli’s asking price.
The Serie A champions still intend to extend their contract with Osimhen beyond the summer of 2025 in which his current contract is expected to expire.
Naija News has reported that Napoli and Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda have been negotiating for a contract extension but the wage demands of the 24-year-old striker have been delaying the process.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that Lille forward Jonathan David will be Napoli’s primary priority if Osimhen leaves this summer.
While PSG has continued to consider a move for Victor Osimhen, top Premier League clubs, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool, have begun negotiations with Napoli to sign the Nigeria international. Hence, if Napoli finally decides to sell Osimhen, there could be a fierce bidding war among the player’s suitors in the coming days.