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Sabalenka Beats Gauff to Reach Australian Open Final

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after victory against USA's Coco Gauff during their women's singles semi-final match on day 12 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2024. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after victory against USA's Coco Gauff during their women's singles semi-final match on day 12 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2024. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)
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Sabalenka Beats Gauff to Reach Australian Open Final

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after victory against USA's Coco Gauff during their women's singles semi-final match on day 12 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2024. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after victory against USA's Coco Gauff during their women's singles semi-final match on day 12 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2024. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka avenged a US Open final loss to Coco Gauff and became the first woman since Serena Williams to reach back-to-back finals at the Australian Open on Thursday.
Sabalenka attacked Gauff’s serve throughout a 7-6 (2), 6-4 semifinal win, The Associated Press reported.
Sabalenka is on a 13-match roll at Melbourne Park, where she made her Grand Slam breakthrough last year. Williams reached consecutive finals here in 2015, '16 and ’17.
Gauff went into the semifinals unbeaten in 2024 after winning a title in Auckland, New Zealand.
The 19-year-old American was on a 12-match winning streak in majors and attempting to be the first player since Naomi Osaka in 2020-21 to win the US Open and Australian Open titles back to back.
She'd worked out how to beat Sabalenka in New York last September to win her first major title, but didn't have the answers this time against the only player in the final four with semifinal experience in Australia.
The first set contained six service breaks, with both players missing opportunities to serve it out.
Sabalenka led 5-2 and missed a set point as Gauff held firm and went on a four-game roll to take a 6-5 lead. Gauff also couldn’t serve it out, with Sabalenka’s booming returns continuing to cause her trouble.
In the tiebreaker, Sabalenka raced to 5-1. Chants of “Coco, Coco” went up around Rod Laver Arena but they didn't help Gauff.
Almost a half-hour after her first set point, Sabalenka got five more. She clinched on the second of those with a big serve out wide.
Gauff was able to win points on only three of her 17 second serves in the first set, and that made her push harder and led to double-faults.
The second set was tight, until Sabalenka got a service break in the ninth game.
She missed her first match point when Gauff saved with a forehand winner to end a 12-shot rally.
An ace down the middle earned a second match point and Sabalenka clinched it after 1 hour, 42 minutes.
In doubles, 43-year-old Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden advanced to their second consecutive Grand Slam men’s final by beating Zhang Zhizhen and Tomas Machac 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7).
Tournament officials said Bopanna and Ebden, at a combined age of 79 years, will become the oldest No. 1 pairing in tennis history after the tournament.
Bopanna and Ebden, ranked second in men’s doubles, lost to Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury in the US Open final last September.
In Saturday’s final, they’ll play Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.

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Mertens Beats Gauff to Set Up Swiatek Clash at China Open

Belgian tennis player Elise Mertens reacts during a women's singles match against Coco Gauff of the US at the China Open in Beijing, China, 07 October 2026. The China Open runs from 28 September to 11 October 2026. EPA/JESSICA LEE
Belgian tennis player Elise Mertens reacts during a women's singles match against Coco Gauff of the US at the China Open in Beijing, China, 07 October 2026. The China Open runs from 28 September to 11 October 2026. EPA/JESSICA LEE
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Mertens Beats Gauff to Set Up Swiatek Clash at China Open

Belgian tennis player Elise Mertens reacts during a women's singles match against Coco Gauff of the US at the China Open in Beijing, China, 07 October 2026. The China Open runs from 28 September to 11 October 2026. EPA/JESSICA LEE
Belgian tennis player Elise Mertens reacts during a women's singles match against Coco Gauff of the US at the China Open in Beijing, China, 07 October 2026. The China Open runs from 28 September to 11 October 2026. EPA/JESSICA LEE

Elise Mertens beat a listless Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday to seal her spot in the China Open quarter-finals, where she will face Iga Swiatek.

Gauff, the highest-ranked player left in the women's draw, failed to recover from a series of misjudged shots and double-faulted eight times.

It was an uncharacteristically poor showing by the American world number four, who won the Beijing title in 2024 and made the semi-finals last year.

The 22-year-old was playing a day after she said she had received an "insane" amount of online racist abuse following her win over Chinese teenager Sun Xinran in the last round.

A group of supporters in the largely empty stadium tried to encourage her into a comeback, but Mertens was undeterred.

The Belgian world number 19 slammed down an ace on her second match point to wrap up the win in 78 minutes.

"She's an incredible player of course, I knew it was going to be a very tough match," Mertens said.

The 30-year-old dedicated her win to her coach, who is also her boyfriend.

Gauff spoke out on social media to condemn racist comments about her following her match with Sun, in which the American requested a video review over flickering LED lights on the stadium's advertising hoardings.

The request prompted some boos from the crowd. The umpire agreed to have the point replayed, and Gauff went on to win 7-5, 6-1.

Early on Tuesday, Gauff, who is Black, wrote on X: "Hey everyone, you can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist.

"The amount of racist comments and messages I've received in the last few hours is insane."

Responding to a post that contained a racial slur, Gauff clarified that she challenged the point before Sun's return when she noticed the lights flicker a second time.

Mertens will face Swiatek in the next round after the Pole swept aside American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and 35 minutes.

"I had it under control from the beginning," AFP quoted Swiatek as saying. "I feel like I'm improving every day."

China's Zheng Qinwen is due to face 118th-ranked Alina Charaeva later on Wednesday.

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, the sixth seed, will play American Ann Li.

Sports

Khaleeji 27 Trophy Presented to Saudi National Team

Jeddah hosted the tournament for the first time, from September 23 to October 6. SPA
Jeddah hosted the tournament for the first time, from September 23 to October 6. SPA
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Khaleeji 27 Trophy Presented to Saudi National Team

Jeddah hosted the tournament for the first time, from September 23 to October 6. SPA
Jeddah hosted the tournament for the first time, from September 23 to October 6. SPA

On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, under whose patronage the tournament was held, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz presented the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27) trophy to the Saudi national team on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia beat the United Arab Emirates 2–0 in the final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, winning the Kingdom's fourth Gulf Cup title.

Also at the final were Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and several princes and officials.

The minister of sport thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his patronage of the tournament. "We take pride in the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for this tournament," he said in a press statement. "This gracious attention from the wise leadership reflects the esteemed status of the Arabian Gulf Cup and its deep-rooted sporting and historical value for our brothers in the Gulf countries, who are united by bonds of brotherhood."

He added: "I extend my sincere congratulations to our wise leadership on our national team's victory in this cherished championship, which holds great significance for us as Gulf citizens."

He commended the Saudi fans for their unwavering support throughout the campaign and praised all participating teams for their exemplary sportsmanship and competitive spirit.

He also thanked all the organizing bodies and committees, staff, and volunteers for their tremendous efforts from the preparatory stages to the tournament's conclusion.

“Their coordination, cooperation, and dedication contributed to the success of this edition and ensured the tournament was presented in a manner befitting the stature of the Gulf Cup and the value it holds for the people of the region."

Jeddah hosted the tournament for the first time, from September 23 to October 6. The eight national teams played 15 matches at King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City.

Sports

Messi Ends Argentina Career with Goal, 2 Assists in Tear-filled Farewell

06 October 2026, Argentina, Buenos Aires: Argentina's Lionel Messi cheers during an international friendly football match between Argentina and Benin at the Monumental Stadium. Photo: Roberto Tuero/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
06 October 2026, Argentina, Buenos Aires: Argentina's Lionel Messi cheers during an international friendly football match between Argentina and Benin at the Monumental Stadium. Photo: Roberto Tuero/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Messi Ends Argentina Career with Goal, 2 Assists in Tear-filled Farewell

06 October 2026, Argentina, Buenos Aires: Argentina's Lionel Messi cheers during an international friendly football match between Argentina and Benin at the Monumental Stadium. Photo: Roberto Tuero/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
06 October 2026, Argentina, Buenos Aires: Argentina's Lionel Messi cheers during an international friendly football match between Argentina and Benin at the Monumental Stadium. Photo: Roberto Tuero/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Global soccer superstar Lionel Messi met the moment, contributing to all three goals in his final appearance for Argentina's national team, a 3-0 exhibition victory over Benin on Tuesday in Buenos Aires.

Emotions were high even before Messi, 39, took the field at Estadio Monumental, where a sold-out crowd chanted his name and sang to him through his 208th match representing his country in international competition.

Playing the full 90 minutes in the friendly, dubbed in Argentina as the "last tango," Messi notched his first assist on a corner kick that Nicolas Otamendi scored on a header in the 48th minute. Messi also passed to Nico Paz for the second goal.

Messi added a fitting score -- his 126th career goal for Argentina on a penalty kick in the 70th minute to set off collective chanting of the beloved icon's ⁠name and more tears.

"To ⁠not come here anymore is going to hurt a lot," Messi told the crowd after the match, per multiple reports. "I swear to you, if it were up to me, I would love to be here (playing) for the rest of my life, because playing for the Argentine national team is the most beautiful thing that can ever happen to you."

Messi played for Argentina in a record-tying six World Cups, most ⁠recently in July when they lost in the final 1-0 to Spain. He was part of three finalists, including the champions in Qatar in 2022. He scored 21 goals in World Cup competition.

The team captain since 2011, Messi has the most goals and appearances for Argentina, which also won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.

Though he is not retiring -- he's under contract with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer through the 2028 season -- Messi made the decision to stop playing for the national team in August, saying, "The time has come."

Messi had to deal with the death of his father, Jorge, after an unspecified illness at age 68 on Aug. 8. ⁠Jorge Messi had ⁠served as his agent and managed his business affairs.

Family members attended Tuesday's match, including Lionel Messi's mother and wife from the stands. His sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro joined their father on the field for the pre-match national anthem, Reuters reported.

Lionel Messi, whose first appearance for Argentina was on Aug. 17, 2005, thanked fans and his teammates and paid tribute to his late father.

Messi told the crowd that he was proud to be Argentine and having achieved "the dream with all of you."

"Now, inevitably, I face the saddest day of my career: saying goodbye to the national team," he said in his address to the crowd on Tuesday. "Goodbye to all of you. I'm going to miss you; I'm going to miss defending the national team's colors, but now I'll be right there alongside you, supporting these guys and everyone who comes after them. Always, always united."