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Riyadh Season Explains Reasons for Calling off Turkish Super Cup Final

A view of the Al-Awwal Park stadium before the match was called off. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A view of the Al-Awwal Park stadium before the match was called off. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh Season Explains Reasons for Calling off Turkish Super Cup Final

A view of the Al-Awwal Park stadium before the match was called off. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A view of the Al-Awwal Park stadium before the match was called off. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Riyadh Season explained on Saturday the reasons for calling off the Turkish Super Cup final that was set to be held between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in the Saudi capital on Friday.

In a statement, Riyadh Season expressed pride in the “close relationship” with Türkiye in various fields, including sports.

It said it was looking forward to holding the match as scheduled and according to football regulations and guidelines which stipulate that non-sports slogans are barred from matches.

The issue and regulations were underscored during discussions with the Turkish football federation in preparation for the final, continued the statement.

“An agreement was reached to play the Turkish national anthem and display the Turkish flag inside the stadium, given Türkiye's standing,” it added.

In spite of this agreement, “the two teams, unfortunately, did not respect it and the match was consequently called off,” it explained.

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Paolini Becomes First Italian in 11 Years to Reach Rome Final

Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Paolini Becomes First Italian in 11 Years to Reach Rome Final

Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian woman in more than a decade to reach the final of her home Italian Open when she beat American Peyton Stearns 7-5 6-1 on Thursday.

Paolini is the first Italian to advance to the final in Rome since her doubles partner Sara Errani lost to Serena Williams in 2014.

Paolini had found herself a set and 4-0 down to Diana Shnaider in her quarter-final tie before storming to victory and once again the world number five had a slow start in the opening set before mounting a comeback.

"I am very happy, I don't know what to say! It's a dream to be here, it's a dream to play in Italy, it's a dream to be able to play the final," the 29-year-old said, according to Reuters.

Any hopes of a quick start for Paolini were put to rest when Stearns jumped into a 3-0 lead amid muted applause from the home crowd as the Italian soon found herself 4-1 down.

The American looked comfortable and poised to take the opening set before Paolini clawed her way back as she saved set points to level it at 5-5, pumping her fist with a triumphant scream that got the crowd roaring again.

The comeback was complete when Paolini, having won four games in a row, took the opening set after more than an hour of play.

The momentum was firmly with Paolini as she broke Stearns for a fifth time to go 4-1 up in the second set and the deflated American had no answer as the Italian's winners whizzed past her.

Stearns fired a forehand wide on match point as the crowd erupted and Paolini raised her arms in celebration.

"You (the crowd) gave me a boost because today it was a bit of an uphill start and I struggled at the beginning, thank goodness you were there," she added.

"We won this match together. Point after point I managed to fight, to turn it around, even if at the beginning I did not have a good feeling. But I am happy with the way I managed to turn this match around."