Coco Gauff is Into Australian Open Semifinals after Beating Kostyuk

Coco Gauff of USA reacts during her quarter final match against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine on Day 10 of the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Tuesday, January 23, 2024. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

Asharq Al Awsat

06:14-23 January 2024 AD ـ 13 Rajab 1445 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

06:14-23 January 2024 AD ـ 13 Rajab 1445 AH

Coco Gauff is Into Australian Open Semifinals after Beating Kostyuk

Coco Gauff beat Marta Kostyuk 7-6 (6), 6-7 (3), 6-2 in an error-strewn match at the Australian Open on Tuesday to claim a place in the semifinals.
The fourth-ranked Gauff saved two set points as she came from 5-1 down to take the opening set on the tiebreaker but was pushed to a deciding set before clinching victory after 3 hours, eight minutes.
Gauff hit 51 unforced errors, nine double faults and just 17 winners but survived to set up a meeting with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or No. 9 Barbora Krejcikova in the semis.
The American has now won 12 straight matches in Grand Slam tournaments after winning the US Open last September.

Habib Becomes 1st Lebanese Player in Open Era to Play in Grand Slam Men's Singles Draw

FILE - Hady Habib of Lebanon, right, walks by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men's singles tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong,File)

Asharq Al Awsat

08:26-9 January 2025 AD ـ 10 Rajab 1446 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

08:26-9 January 2025 AD ـ 10 Rajab 1446 AH

Habib Becomes 1st Lebanese Player in Open Era to Play in Grand Slam Men's Singles Draw

Hady Habib isn't likely to find anything too daunting at the Australian Open now that he's become the first Lebanese player in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam men's singles draw.
He advanced through three rounds of the qualifying at Melbourne Park, winning his third match in a tiebreaker 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8) over Clement Chidekh of France on Thursday to secure a place in the main draw of the tournament that starts Sunday, The Associated Press reported.
It continued a rapid rise for Habib, who made his Olympic debut last year in Paris, running into eventual silver medalist Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time major winner, in the first round. It was two sets he'll long remember.
Late last year, he made history at Temuco, Chile by becoming the first ATP Challenger Tour champion from Lebanon.
The 26-year-old Habib was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Lebanon as a young child, learning how to play there. He returned to the US to pursue a pro career and feels now like he's representing of the spirit of Lebanese people.
“I know it’s just a sport, but I feel like representing Lebanon and sacrificing all the things I had to do to get here, it kind of resembles how our nation has fought back,” Habib told Australia's SBS News this week.
His personal success has come at a difficult time during the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
“Every morning, I was waking up during that challenging time, I was contacting all my family members, my friends, making sure they’re okay,” Habib told SBS News. "My heart’s just shattered to see what’s happening to our country and people.
“It was a hard time mentally for me, knowing that you can’t do anything to help, but I’m glad things are calming down now. Hopefully we’ll find some peace.”
Habib's first-round opponent at Melbourne Park will be determined when all qualifiers are inserted into the main draw.

Coco Gauff is Into Australian Open Semifinals after Beating Kostyuk

Coco Gauff is Into Australian Open Semifinals after Beating Kostyuk

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Habib Becomes 1st Lebanese Player in Open Era to Play in Grand Slam Men's Singles Draw

Habib Becomes 1st Lebanese Player in Open Era to Play in Grand Slam Men's Singles Draw

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