Hugo Maradona Dies a Year after His Brother Diego

Hugo Maradona at a tribute match in honor of brother Diego in Naples. (Getty Images)
Hugo Maradona at a tribute match in honor of brother Diego in Naples. (Getty Images)
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Hugo Maradona Dies a Year after His Brother Diego

Hugo Maradona at a tribute match in honor of brother Diego in Naples. (Getty Images)
Hugo Maradona at a tribute match in honor of brother Diego in Naples. (Getty Images)

Napoli paid tribute on Tuesday to Hugo Maradona, younger brother of the Italian club's former great Diego, following his death from a heart attack at the age of 52.

The Argentine, who was also a professional footballer and joined Diego at Napoli in 1987 aged 18, died at his home near Naples, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Diego Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, died at the age of 60 in November, 2020 due to a cardiac arrest.

"The thoughts of club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, vice president Edoardo De Laurentiis, officials, coaching staff, the players and the whole SSC Napoli family are with the Maradona family after the sad passing of Hugo," Napoli said in a statement.

Hugo Maradona failed to make an impact at Napoli and went on to represent clubs including Ascoli and Rayo Vallecano during a nomadic playing career across Europe, South America and Japan.



Swiatek Weathers Rain Break with Puzzles to Reach Semis, Top Seed Pegula Also Advances

 Poland's Iga Swiatek takes a selfie after her match against Russia's Ekaterina Alexandria in their quarterfinal match at the WTA tennis tournament in Bad Homburg, Germany, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP)
Poland's Iga Swiatek takes a selfie after her match against Russia's Ekaterina Alexandria in their quarterfinal match at the WTA tennis tournament in Bad Homburg, Germany, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP)
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Swiatek Weathers Rain Break with Puzzles to Reach Semis, Top Seed Pegula Also Advances

 Poland's Iga Swiatek takes a selfie after her match against Russia's Ekaterina Alexandria in their quarterfinal match at the WTA tennis tournament in Bad Homburg, Germany, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP)
Poland's Iga Swiatek takes a selfie after her match against Russia's Ekaterina Alexandria in their quarterfinal match at the WTA tennis tournament in Bad Homburg, Germany, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP)

Fourth seed Iga Swiatek solved crossword puzzles during an hour-long rain interruption on Thursday but kept her focus to earn a 6-4 7-6(5) victory over Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova and reach the Bad Homburg Open semi-finals.

The Pole, who is playing her only grasscourt tournament in the run-up to Wimbledon which starts next week, struggled at times and had 37 unforced errors against Alexandrova before setting up a semi-final against second-seed Jasmine Paolini.

"I think today was all about adjusting to the conditions because it was super windy," Swiatek said. "On one hand to be intense on the other hand being safe."

"Ekaterina is a tough opponent. I have lost against her before. She can play amazing tennis and her flat shots really fit the grass so I am happy I am through."

She won the first set after breaking Alexandrova twice but the match was interrupted midway through the second set with rain starting to fall.

Swiatek said she kept focused by solving crossword puzzles during the break and it seemed to work as she held serve throughout the second set to clinch the tiebreak and face Paolini next. Swiatek currently leads Paolini in their head-to-head 4-0.

The Italian, a Wimbledon finalist last year, recorded her fourth win over Beatriz Haddad Maia in as many meetings with a 7-5 7-5 victory.

It was also her first win over the Brazilian in straight sets as the Italian reached her fourth semi-final of the season.

Top-seed Jessica Pegula joined her in the last four after needing three sets to edge past fellow American and fifth-seed Emma Navarro 6-4 1-6 6-3.

Pegula will face 20-year-old Czech Linda Noskova who outplayed third-seed Mirra Andreeva 6-3 6-3.