Saudi Minister of Sports Attends Opening of 15th Arab Sports Games in Algeria

Saudi Minister of Sports Attends Opening of 15th Arab Sports Games in Algeria
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Saudi Minister of Sports Attends Opening of 15th Arab Sports Games in Algeria

Saudi Minister of Sports Attends Opening of 15th Arab Sports Games in Algeria

In the presence of Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sports and President of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees, the Prime Minister of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Ayman bin Abdulrahman inaugurated on Wednesday, the activities of 15th Arab Sports Games (Algeria 2023), which is being hosted by Algeria until July 15.

During his speech at the opening ceremony, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki conveyed sincere greetings and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister to Algeria's leadership and people and their best wishes for more success to all Arab youth and athletes.

The opening ceremony was attended by Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, head of the Saudi delegation to the Arab Sports Games, and several senior figures, ministers, and heads of Arab delegations participating in the competitions.

More than 2,200 athletes representing 22 Arab countries participate in the tournament.



Krejcikova Beats Gauff in Saudi Arabia to Earn Last Semifinal Spot at WTA Finals

Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic returns the ball to Coco Gauff of USA during the WTA Finals group stage match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 07 November 2024.  EPA/Marcin Cholewinski
Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic returns the ball to Coco Gauff of USA during the WTA Finals group stage match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 07 November 2024. EPA/Marcin Cholewinski
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Krejcikova Beats Gauff in Saudi Arabia to Earn Last Semifinal Spot at WTA Finals

Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic returns the ball to Coco Gauff of USA during the WTA Finals group stage match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 07 November 2024.  EPA/Marcin Cholewinski
Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic returns the ball to Coco Gauff of USA during the WTA Finals group stage match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 07 November 2024. EPA/Marcin Cholewinski

Barbora Krejcikova grabbed the last semifinal spot at the WTA Finals with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Coco Gauff on Thursday, a result that eliminated second-ranked Iga Swiatek from the season-ending tournament.

Krejcikova completes a last-four lineup that already included top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen and Gauff, The Associated Press reported.

“Well, I was definitely super excited to be here, to come here, to qualify to play against the best ones,” Krejcikova said. “I don’t really know where everything started to come together. Before the tournament, I had a couple of days where we hit lightly and already during those hits, I felt quite good.

And I think definitely for me, it’s a big thing that it’s the last tournament of the season.”

Krejcikova, the Wimbledon champion, won the Orange Group and will face Zheng in Friday's semifinals, while Gauff will take on Purple Group winner Sabalenka.

Swiatek earlier routed alternate Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-0 in less than an hour, but she needed Krejcikova to lose to third-ranked Gauff in order to advance from the Orange Group. Krejcikova, Gauff and Swiatek all finished at 2-1, and Swiatek was eliminated because she has a worse percentage of sets won.

Kasatkina replaced American Jessica Pegula, who withdrew from the tournament on Wednesday because of a left knee injury.

“I’m professional enough to always give 100% no matter what the stakes are," Swiatek said.