Gauff Upsets Sabalenka and Sets Up Showdown with Zheng for WTA Finals Title in Saudi Arabia

Coco Gauff, of the US, greets fans after her women's singles semifinal match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka at King Saud University Indoor Arena, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo)

Riyadh: Asharq Al Awsat

05:45-9 November 2024 AD ـ 08 Jumada Al-Ula 1446 AH

Riyadh: Asharq Al Awsat

05:45-9 November 2024 AD ـ 08 Jumada Al-Ula 1446 AH

Gauff Upsets Sabalenka and Sets Up Showdown with Zheng for WTA Finals Title in Saudi Arabia

Coco Gauff defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (4), 6-3 and set up a showdown with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the final of the WTA Finals on Friday.
Gauff generated six break points to Sabalenka’s four and built on early momentum in the opening set’s tiebreak that she carried through to the second set.
She’s the youngest player at 20 to make the final at the WTA Finals since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010.
Zheng earlier defeated Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 7-5 to book her place in Saturday's final.
Zheng continued her remarkable season by reaching the decider in her first appearance. The Chinese player has won 31 of her 36 matches since Wimbledon, more than anyone else on the tour.
Zheng struck nine aces as she defeated a tired-looking Krejcikova in 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Aprilia’s Martin Suffers Lung, Ribs Injury in GP Return

Spanish MotoGP rider Jorge Martin of Aprilia Racing in action during the Motorcycling Grand Prix of Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit, in Lusail, Qatar, 13 April 2025. (EPA)

10:28-14 April 2025 AD ـ 16 Shawwal 1446 AH

Aprilia’s Martin Suffers Lung, Ribs Injury in GP Return

Spanish MotoGP rider Jorge Martin of Aprilia Racing in action during the Motorcycling Grand Prix of Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit, in Lusail, Qatar, 13 April 2025. (EPA)

Reigning champion Jorge Martin had a nightmare return to MotoGP after the Aprilia rider suffered a crash at Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix that injured his lung and ribs.

Martin was competing at his first Grand Prix weekend after missing the opening three rounds following a crash in pre-season testing that fractured his foot and hand.

The Spaniard went down on Sunday at the kerb on turn 11 under the lights at the Lusail International Circuit and struggled to get back on his feet before being taken to the medical center.

"Jorge Martin underwent a CT scan that showed an increase in the pneumothorax, this will make it necessary to place a drainage in aspiration," Aprilia said in a statement.

"The rider will have to remain under observation for a few days in the hospital until the pneumothorax resolves.

"The final examination shows, also, six fractures on the right posterior arches from one to six."

Aprilia did not give a potential timeline for Martin's return, with the next round in two weeks' time on home turf at the Spanish Grand Prix.

"Performance moves to the back burner today and our thoughts are with Jorge at this difficult period. We stand with him," said Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola.

Ducati's Marc Marquez won the race in Qatar to extend his lead over his younger brother Alex in the rider's championship to 18 points.

Gauff Upsets Sabalenka and Sets Up Showdown with Zheng for WTA Finals Title in Saudi Arabia

Gauff Upsets Sabalenka and Sets Up Showdown with Zheng for WTA Finals Title in Saudi Arabia

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Aprilia’s Martin Suffers Lung, Ribs Injury in GP Return

Aprilia’s Martin Suffers Lung, Ribs Injury in GP Return

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