Alcaraz, Djokovic ‘Not Otherworldly’ in French Open Wins Over Foes Making Slam Debuts

Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a backhand return to US Aleksandar Kovacevic during their men's singles match on day two of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on May 29, 2023. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a backhand return to US Aleksandar Kovacevic during their men's singles match on day two of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on May 29, 2023. (AFP)
TT

Alcaraz, Djokovic ‘Not Otherworldly’ in French Open Wins Over Foes Making Slam Debuts

Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a backhand return to US Aleksandar Kovacevic during their men's singles match on day two of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on May 29, 2023. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a backhand return to US Aleksandar Kovacevic during their men's singles match on day two of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on May 29, 2023. (AFP)

You might assume that the opponents for Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in the French Open’s first round would come away from their straight-set losses Monday feeling too overwhelmed by the play of the two tournament favorites.

You would be wrong.

Forget the scores and the point-by-point particulars on a windy day at Roland Garros for a moment. Of course, it turned out that No. 1-seeded Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, beat 159th-ranked qualifier Flavio Cobolli, a 21-year-old from Florence, Italy. And of course, it turned out that No. 3 Djokovic, a 22-time major winner, got past 114th-ranked Aleksandar Kovacevic, a 24-year-old who grew up in New York City and is now based in Florida.

And naturally, both Cobolli and Kovacevic acknowledged feeling a bit jittery at the outset of what were their Grand Slam debuts in huge arenas against a couple of elite players.

“I started in a bit of a daze,” Cobolli said after his 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 loss, “because of the emotions.”

“A couple of times there, I did look up and take it all in. I made sure of that, because this is the kind of experience I’ll definitely hold onto forever,” Kovacevic said after his 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (1) loss. “It’s not the best thing in the world to get lost in the crowd. You start to really look at everyone that’s there — and that’s when the nerves hit.”

But what both of them wanted to make clear afterward was that, yes, Alcaraz and Djokovic are exceptionally talented, but, no, it did not seem to be impossible to find openings to exploit.

“It’s definitely intimidating. Watching him on TV growing up, it’s hard not to look past that and knowing what he’s accomplished. But from a tennis standpoint, it’s not otherworldly,” said Kovacevic, who was 7 when he first met Djokovic and later practiced with him during the 2021 US Open after playing college tennis at the University of Illinois.

“The things he does well, he does unbelievably well, but the ball that he hits — it’s not blowing me completely off the court, which was honestly somewhat surprising.”

Other seeded men advancing on Day 2 in Paris included No. 8 Jannik Sinner, No. 12 Frances Tiafoe, No. 14 Cam Norrie and No. 15 Borna Coric. Among the seeded women moving into the second round: No. 5 Caroline Garcia, No. 14 Beatriz Haddad Maia, No. 20 Madison Keys and No. 22 Donna Vekic.

Seeds on the way out included No. 10 Petra Kvitova, No. 12 Belinda Bencic and No. 16 Karolina Pliskova in the women’s bracket, along with No. 10 Felix Auger-Aliassime and No. 25 Botic Van de Zandschulp in the men’s.

With 14-time champion Rafael Nadal sidelined by a hip injury, Alcaraz and Djokovic are considered the favorites for the men’s title and could meet in the semifinals. If Djokovic wins the trophy, he would earn his 23rd at a Slam and break the tie for the men’s record he and Nadal currently share.

Cobolli’s first career match on the lower-level ATP Challenger Tour was a loss in qualifying against Alcaraz in Italy in August 2000. Cobolli chuckled Monday while recalling that encounter and pointing out that, while both have grown as players since then, “He’s grown more.”

“It’s impressive how he handles himself on important points. That’s one of his best qualities. His ball speed is faster than most players in this tournament. It’s so difficult to get him in trouble,” Cobolli said. “But like all of us human beings, he does have his weaker aspects.”

Which, perhaps, was why both of these contests were lopsided at the beginning — “At the start of the match,” Alcaraz said, “I felt invincible — and included a bit of intrigue down the stretch.”

Alcaraz held three match points to close things at 5-3 in the third set but couldn’t convert, then found himself at 5-all minutes later. Djokovic served to end his match at 5-4 in the third but got broken there to also sit at 5-all.

“Made me work for my victory,” Djokovic said.

In both instances, to the surprise of no one, the higher-rated player steadied himself and sealed the deal.

Before coming to Paris, the last tournament entered by both Cobolli and Kovacevic was an ATP Challenger Tour event in Turin. Cobolli made the case that the talent there was not all that different from what his first foray in a Grand Slam bracket presented.

“I don’t think there’s a ton of distance between us and them. They have something extra, so in the end, they do take home the win,” he said. “But we can play with them.”



Tunisia’s Jabeur Wins Ningbo Open

Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
TT

Tunisia’s Jabeur Wins Ningbo Open

Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
Tunisia's Jabeur hits a return against Russia's Diana Shnaider during the women's singles final match at the WTA Ningbo Open tennis tournament in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT

Top-seeded Ons Jabeur won her fifth career title at the Ningbo Open with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over teenager Diana Shnaider on Saturday.
The seventh-ranked Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, saved her best performance of the tournament for the final and raced to victory in 78 minutes.
“I felt tactically I played very well, I had an advantage in that I had more experience than her to manage certain points,” The Associated Press quoted Jabeur as saying.

“Playing a final here is more relaxed than playing a Grand Slam final, but I think it will help me gain confidence more, and to help me manage the pressure and stress.”
The Tunisian had 18 winners to only 10 unforced errors, while saving all three break points she faced, denying the 19-year-old Shnaider any chance to get a foothold in the match.
This was 85th-ranked Shnaider's first career final in just her ninth WTA tournament main draw. One year ago, she was ranked No. 220 and beginning her freshman year at North Carolina State.


Medvedev Advances to Quarterfinals at China Open. Rublev Crashes Out

Russia's Daniil Medvedev hits a return to Australia's Alex De Minaur during their men's singles second round tennis match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on September 30, 2023. (Photo by Jade Gao / AFP)
Russia's Daniil Medvedev hits a return to Australia's Alex De Minaur during their men's singles second round tennis match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on September 30, 2023. (Photo by Jade Gao / AFP)
TT

Medvedev Advances to Quarterfinals at China Open. Rublev Crashes Out

Russia's Daniil Medvedev hits a return to Australia's Alex De Minaur during their men's singles second round tennis match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on September 30, 2023. (Photo by Jade Gao / AFP)
Russia's Daniil Medvedev hits a return to Australia's Alex De Minaur during their men's singles second round tennis match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on September 30, 2023. (Photo by Jade Gao / AFP)

Third-ranked Daniil Medvedev showed composure to overcome a characteristically tenacious Alex de Minaur on Saturday, and secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the China Open.

The second-seeded Medvedev emerged with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 win in Beijing, but not before his 12th-ranked Australian opponent had staged a comeback from trailing 5-2 in the first set to force a tiebreaker.

“It’s crazy how every time he is down in a match, you know he is going to start playing like he is No. 1 in the world," Medvedev said, according to The Associated Press. "Tough to play against him, a tough victory, but I am happy with my level.”

“Confidence is key. When I am in good shape and good form, I have this ability to win these kinds of matches in straight sets. If I’m missing just 2% of what I’m doing right now, that’s when it’s tougher."

The Russian will next face Ugo Humbert on Monday, after the Frenchman upset fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Humbert thwarted Rublev’s attempt to serve out the match at 5-3 in the final set and then completed the comeback victory with a dominant tiebreaker.
Nicolas Jarry, who eliminated fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in the previous round, beat qualifier Matteo Arnaldi 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-3.


Olympics: No Restrictions on Hijab in Paris 2024 Games’ Athletes Village

Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year. - AFP
Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year. - AFP
TT

Olympics: No Restrictions on Hijab in Paris 2024 Games’ Athletes Village

Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year. - AFP
Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year. - AFP

Athletes can wear a hijab in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games athletes’ village without any restriction, the International Olympic Committee said on Friday, days after France’s sports minister banned it for the host country’s athletes.

The Olympic body also said it needed to better understand the situation in France and had been in contact with the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF).

French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said on Sunday French athletes would be barred from wearing a hijab during the Paris Games to respect principles of secularism.

“For the Olympic Village, the IOC rules apply,” an IOC spokesperson said. “There are no restrictions on wearing the hijab or any other religious or cultural attire.”

The vast majority of the approximately 10,000 athletes at Olympic Games reside in apartments in the Olympic village and share common spaces, including dining halls and recreational areas.

“When it comes to competitions, the regulations set by the relevant International Federation (IF) apply,” the IOC spokesperson said, Reuters reported.

The sports competitions at the Olympics are organized and overseen by the individual international sports federations.

There are 32 sports on the program of the Paris Games.

“Since this French regulation relates to the members of the French team only, we are in contact with the CNOSF to further understand the situation regarding the French athletes,” the spokesperson said.

The French decision to bar its athletes from wearing a hijab was criticized by the United Nations human rights office this week.

Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 next year.


Sport Ministry's Pavilion in Rome-based Saudi Village Attracts Sports Enthusiasts

The activities of the ministry at the Saudi Village in Rome were organized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy. SPA
The activities of the ministry at the Saudi Village in Rome were organized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy. SPA
TT

Sport Ministry's Pavilion in Rome-based Saudi Village Attracts Sports Enthusiasts

The activities of the ministry at the Saudi Village in Rome were organized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy. SPA
The activities of the ministry at the Saudi Village in Rome were organized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy. SPA

The pavilion of the Ministry of Sport at the Saudi Village in Rome concluded its activities Friday.

The activities were organized by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Italy.

The pavilion shed light on the international events held by the ministry and the diverse investment opportunities available with regard to Saudi sports.

It also highlighted the role of the Saudi private sector and its effective participation in sports projects.

The pavilion spotlighted the progress seen in women’s football and the training centers provided for this game, in addition to future projects under the Saudi Vision 2030.

During the event, there was also a chance to highlight the championships that the Kingdom is preparing for, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup as well as the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Trojena.

The pavilion attracted Italian sports enthusiasts, fans, investors, and university students during its activities.


Riyadh to Host Arab Archery Competition Next Month

A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
TT

Riyadh to Host Arab Archery Competition Next Month

A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour
A general view of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, February 20, 2022. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour

The 13th Arab Open Archery Competition will be held in Riyadh from October 12 to 17.

Organized by the Saudi Arabian Archery Federation, the competition will see the participation of 120 female and male athletes representing 20 national teams.

Federation CEO Abdulrahman Alshudukhi said that all preparations are underway for the event, adding that hosting the Arab competition for the first time will set the stage for regional and international archery competitions in the future.


Alcaraz, Medvedev Untroubled in 1st Round at China Open

Tennis - ATP 500 - China Open - National Tennis Center, Beijing, China - September 29, 2023. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action during his first round match against Yannick Hanfmann of Germany. REUTERS/Florence Lo
Tennis - ATP 500 - China Open - National Tennis Center, Beijing, China - September 29, 2023. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action during his first round match against Yannick Hanfmann of Germany. REUTERS/Florence Lo
TT

Alcaraz, Medvedev Untroubled in 1st Round at China Open

Tennis - ATP 500 - China Open - National Tennis Center, Beijing, China - September 29, 2023. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action during his first round match against Yannick Hanfmann of Germany. REUTERS/Florence Lo
Tennis - ATP 500 - China Open - National Tennis Center, Beijing, China - September 29, 2023. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action during his first round match against Yannick Hanfmann of Germany. REUTERS/Florence Lo

Second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz made a comfortable debut in China on Friday with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in the first round of the China Open.

In his first competitive match since the semifinals of the US Open, the Spaniard traded breaks early before taking control.

"I’m really happy to be able to win this match in straight sets,” The Associated Press quoted Alcaraz as saying. “I tried to be really focused on every part of my game. I have to improve a little bit so I’m really happy to do it and have another chance to be better in the next round.”

Alcaraz will next face Lorenzo Musetti, who beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 1-6, 6-2.

Third-ranked Daniil Medvedev defeated Tommy Paul 6-2, 6-1. The US Open finalist made only three unforced errors in his first visit to China in four years.

“I played great. The start of the match was not easy, but it’s never easy first round, especially in another part of the world," Medvedev said. “Then I was playing better and better during the match, so I’m happy about my level.”

The Russian will next face Alex de Minaur on Saturday.

Third-seeded Holger Rune, fifth-seeded Andriy Rublev, sixth-seeded Jannik Sinner, seventh-seeded Casper Ruud and eighth-seeded Alexander Zverev also won, while fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas was eliminated.


Russian Athletes to Compete at Paris Paralympics after IPC Votes Against Full Ban

A view shows the medals of French Paralympic cyclist Marie Patouillet, 35, who wants to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games, in her apartment in Paris, France, September 5, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
A view shows the medals of French Paralympic cyclist Marie Patouillet, 35, who wants to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games, in her apartment in Paris, France, September 5, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
TT

Russian Athletes to Compete at Paris Paralympics after IPC Votes Against Full Ban

A view shows the medals of French Paralympic cyclist Marie Patouillet, 35, who wants to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games, in her apartment in Paris, France, September 5, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
A view shows the medals of French Paralympic cyclist Marie Patouillet, 35, who wants to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games, in her apartment in Paris, France, September 5, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

Russian athletes will be able to compete as full participants or neutral athletes at next year's Paris Paralympics after the International Paralympic Committee members voted against a full ban of Russia on Friday.
The decision clears the way for Russians, whose athletes are currently banned from any Paralympic competition, to be in Paris and what the IPC will decide later on Friday is whether they will do so in full national team gear or if they will compete as neutrals, without national emblems, flags or anthem.
"At the IPC General Assembly in Bahrain, IPC members voted 74-65 (13 abstentions) against a motion to fully suspend NPC (National Paralympic Committee) Russia for breaches of its constitutional membership obligations," Reuters quoted IPC as saying.
The decision comes two weeks before the International Olympic Committee session in Mumbai where it will also discuss Russia's and Belarus' participation at the Paris Olympics next year.
The IPC had last year suspended the paralympic committees of both countries and banned their athletes from competing following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Belarus has acted as a staging ground for Russian troops and weapons.
Although an appeal against the suspension of the committees was upheld this year, Russian and Belarusian para-athletes remain banned from competitions to this day.
The IOC has not sanctioned the Russian or Belarus Olympic Committee or Russian members of the IOC. It did ban athletes following last year's invasion of Ukraine, which Russia calls a special military operation.
In March, however, it issued a first set of recommendations for international sports federations to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return.


Saudi Squash Team to Participate in Denmark International Championship Friday

File: Tourists and visitors enjoy a warm sunny day in the historic Nyhavn area of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 9, 2023. (Reuters)
File: Tourists and visitors enjoy a warm sunny day in the historic Nyhavn area of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 9, 2023. (Reuters)
TT

Saudi Squash Team to Participate in Denmark International Championship Friday

File: Tourists and visitors enjoy a warm sunny day in the historic Nyhavn area of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 9, 2023. (Reuters)
File: Tourists and visitors enjoy a warm sunny day in the historic Nyhavn area of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 9, 2023. (Reuters)

The Saudi squash team will participate in the Denmark International Squash Championship, which will be held from September 29 to October 1st, with the participation of 32 players.
Mohammed Al-Nasfan and Hasan Al-Daoud are eagerly anticipating their upcoming participation in the championship, SPA reported.

This comes after Al-Nasfan's recent win at the Head Danish International Under-15 Championship held in Copenhagen, Denmark last September, which had a total of 99 players from 17 different countries.

Both players are determined to perform well and establish themselves in the upcoming championship.

Technical advisor Samer Al-Khatib and technical manager Ahmed Kamel are leading the Saudi team.


Draw Conducted for 2023 IHF Men's Super Globe in Dammam

Saudi flag flutters/file photo
Saudi flag flutters/file photo
TT

Draw Conducted for 2023 IHF Men's Super Globe in Dammam

Saudi flag flutters/file photo
Saudi flag flutters/file photo

The draw for the International Handball Federation's (IHF) Men's Super Globe competition, which will take place in the Kingdom's eastern city of Dammam between November 7 and 12, was held Thursday in Switzerland.

The draw put Saudi Al-Noor Club with Group A along with FC Barcelona and Egyptian Al-Ahly, while Saudi host team Khaleej will face SC Magdeburg, the current EHF Champions League Men title holders, and University of Queensland from Australia.

According to SPA, Group B combines Kuwait SC, San Fernando HB from Argentina, and Füchse Berlin, while Group D has KS Kielce from Poland, Bahraini club Al-Najma, and American San Francisco CalHeat.

The competition will be played according to the group system with the winners of each group to progress into the semi-finals while the other two sides will head to the Placement Matches.


Women's International Championship: Bhutan and Lebanon Reach Final

The Saudi Women's National Team during the match against Bhutan (Saudi Football Federation)
The Saudi Women's National Team during the match against Bhutan (Saudi Football Federation)
TT

Women's International Championship: Bhutan and Lebanon Reach Final

The Saudi Women's National Team during the match against Bhutan (Saudi Football Federation)
The Saudi Women's National Team during the match against Bhutan (Saudi Football Federation)

The Saudi Women's National Team missed a the chance to reach the final of the International Friendly Tournament taking place in Taif, after losing to the Bhutanese national team, who scored a late goal in the second half of extra time.

The Bhutanese team has secured their spot in the tournament final and will face off against Lebanon. Lebanon triumphed over Malaysia with a score of 4-3. Meanwhile, the Saudi team will compete against Malaysia to determine the third-place finisher on Saturday.

It's worth noting that this tournament featured the participation of national teams from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bhutan, Laos, and Lebanon.